Podcast Summary: Call Her Creator with Katelyn Rhoades

Episode 126: Soft Girl Era: 10 Changes I Made to Be a Present Mom and Still Grow My Business

Date: February 6, 2026
Host: Katelyn Rhoades
Podcast Theme: Blending ambition, motherhood, and well-being for women entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Episode Overview

In this heartfelt and practical episode, Katelyn Rhoades discusses her journey out of unchecked hustle culture into what she calls her "Soft Girl Era." She gets real about the moment she realized her relentless ambition was costing her precious moments with her family — and shares the ten intentional changes she made to become a present mom while continuing to grow a thriving business.

The episode is a candid exploration of how ambitious women can pursue business growth without sacrificing their well-being or relationships, offering actionable guidance for listeners who want both success and peace.

Key Topics & Insights

The Wake-Up Call: Missing a Major Moment

• [03:20] Katelyn recounts her experience of missing her son's big moment during a baseball game because she was glued to her phone, proving how ambition can unintentionally overshadow what matters most.
  • Quote: "I was there physically, but mentally I did not see him. I was somewhere else. And so in that moment, in that exact moment, I felt like throwing up..." (Katelyn, 04:33)
• The realization: Building a successful business means little if it means missing out on important family milestones.

Embracing the "Soft Girl Era"

• [06:26] After her wake-up call, Katelyn researched the 'Soft Girl Era' concept and reframed her understanding:
  • Soft Girl Era = Calm, intentional living. Not weak or lazy, but choosing peace, boundaries, and aligned growth over constant hustle.
  • Quote: "I actually thought soft girl meant, like, you were weak... but it’s the complete opposite. It’s calm, intentional, not living in constant chaos." (Katelyn, 07:20)
• The "Soft Girl" mindset is about building a business that supports your life, not consumes it.

Softening Without Shrinking

• [09:16] Katelyn emphasizes that entering her Soft Girl Era wasn’t about losing drive or shrinking ambition, but rather living in a way that protects health and prioritizes what matters.
  • Quote: "You can be ambitious without destroying your nervous system." (Katelyn, 09:24)
• She discusses how her content, business model, and boundaries have shifted to reflect her values.

Reconciling Ambition and Presence

• [11:33] Katelyn acknowledges the tension women feel — wanting to provide extraordinary experiences for their children while struggling with the belief that income equals family happiness.
  • She reflects on her childhood, sharing that memorable trips were funded by wealthier family members, influencing her own drive.

Health as a Catalyst for Change

• [13:58] Katelyn opens up about her health struggles with Hashimoto’s disease, psoriasis, and burnout. These compounded the need for change, forcing her to slow down for her wellbeing.
• Quote: "My body was basically, at the end of last year, like, hey girl, slow down or we're gonna slow you down." (Katelyn, 14:36)
• She acknowledges her support system and ongoing work with health professionals to manage energy and stress.

The 10 Practical Changes Katelyn Made

(Main list starts at [17:22])

1. Make Access to You Harder

• Set Boundaries: Don’t respond to texts, calls, or emails after hours. Guard your time fiercely.
  • "Just because someone wants your attention doesn’t mean they have to get it immediately." (Katelyn, 17:32)

2. Delegate Effectively

• Use Your Team: Push tasks to employees rather than taking everything on yourself. Trust your staff and go through chains of command.

3. Treat Your Calendar Like a CEO

• Intentional Planning: "If it’s not on my Google calendar, it doesn’t exist to me." (Katelyn, 18:18)
• Schedule family time, work blocks, and self-care with as much importance as business meetings.

4. Say No More Than You Say Yes

• Prioritize: Every "yes" to something small could be a "no" to something meaningful.
  • She shares an anecdote: "I recently had someone reach out for a local speaking opportunity, but it didn’t align…so I had to say no." (Katelyn, 19:06)

5. Get Crystal Clear on Your Goals

• Align Ambition with Values: Instead of chasing what looks impressive, focus on what you truly want (freedom, peace, presence).

6. Build Offers That Don’t Require You 24/7

• Automation & Digital Products: Create things that sell themselves (courses, memberships, guides) so you’re not glued to your phone.
  • Added $100k to her business via digital products (using Stan Store).

7. Set and Stick to Working Hours

• Boundaries: Treat your business like a job with a set start and end time.
  • "I am still creating reels at 9pm, but I’m going to work on this one. This will be my big goal for February." (Katelyn, 21:12)

8. Simplify Your Growth

• Less Is More: Fewer offers, fewer commitments, and focusing on higher quality (and sometimes higher prices) can drive better results with less chaos.

9. Remember Why You Started

• Purpose-Driven Decisions: Regularly evaluate if your business is supporting or stealing time from your family.
  • "Am I building a business that supports my people or stealing time from them? Let that guide your decisions." (Katelyn, 22:29)

10. Give Yourself Permission to Reinvent

• Let Go of Old Habits: Don’t default to productivity hacks or hustle culture — permission to slow down is the biggest game changer.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "You are allowed to want both. You are allowed to want a big life and a slow life, a thriving business and a peaceful home." (Katelyn, 23:04)
• "Ambition is not what makes you a bad mom. Being present... doesn't make you less ambitious. It means building your dreams in a healthier way." (Katelyn, 23:12)
• "You don’t have to be overwhelmed to be productive. You don’t have to be exhausted to feel worthy." (Katelyn, 08:41)
• "You don’t need another productivity hack. You just need to give yourself permission to reinvent how you’re doing it all." (Katelyn, 24:12)

Recommended Resources

• Six-Week Reinvention Challenge: Katelyn’s free podcast-based challenge to help listeners slow down, clarify their goals, and build a business and life they love.
  (Link in show notes, discussed at 23:41)

Episode Flow & Timestamps

• [00:26] – Setting the stage & the tension of being both ambitious and present.
• [03:20] – The defining moment of missing her son’s milestone.
• [06:26] – Discovering the "Soft Girl Era" and rejecting hustle culture.
• [11:33] – Grappling with what "success for family" actually means.
• [13:58] – Health breakdown as a catalyst for sustainable change.
• [17:22] – The main list: 10 practical changes you can make to stay present and ambitious.
• [23:41] – Invitation to the Six-Week Reinvention Challenge and final encouragement.

Final Takeaway

This episode is a raw, practical, and inspiring blueprint for women who want it all — a big, impactful career and a rich, connected family life. Katelyn’s journey is a reminder that it’s not about choosing one or the other but about making conscious adjustments to achieve both. Presence and ambition can coexist when you slow down, set boundaries, and work in alignment with your values.

To go deeper, listen to Katelyn’s Six-Week Reinvention Challenge and join the ongoing journey toward calm, meaningful, empowered entrepreneurship.