Karen Kay Smith seated on a cream sofa in a sunlit, styled living room with plants, pottery, and books
Hi, I'm Karen.

I create spaces where others discover compassion, connection, & community.

Through books, speaking, coaching, and retreats, I help women navigate loneliness, waiting, and life's unexpected seasons with honest conversation, meaningful community, and hope rooted in God's presence.

Portrait of Karen Kay Smith

so glad you're here

A little about my story

For years, I thought strength meant holding everything together. As a caregiver, I spent countless hours in hospital waiting rooms, learning that some seasons cannot be hurried, solved, or simply endured. Those years changed me. They taught me that hope is not the absence of waiting—it is the quiet presence of God with us in the middle of it.

Today I help women who find themselves in waiting-room seasons move through isolation and uncertainty by learning to communicate honestly, connect more deeply with God, and create meaningful community. Whether through my books, speaking, coaching, or retreats, my desire is simple: that no woman feels like she has to sit in the waiting room alone.

Hope has a seat. And so do you.

Karen

If you've found yourself in a waiting room season, you're in the right place. We'll be honest about the hard, and together we'll keep turning toward the God who never leaves us there.

Karen Kay Smith

let's walk together

Coaching for the woman ready to begin again

Connection Coaching

Compassionate, faith-centered guidance for women learning to navigate life’s hardest seasons with hope, clarity, and community.

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Lonely No More

A guided course for women ready to move from isolation to belonging—with practical tools, community, and gentle accountability.

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Certified & Credentialed

Master Coach CertifiedMaster Coach Certified
Transformational Coach CertifiedTransformational Coach Certified
Life Coach CertifiedLife Coach Certified
Health Coach CertifiedHealth Coach Certified

from my heart to your shelf

Books to steady your soul

Honest, hope-filled reads for the woman who's waiting, wondering, or ready to see her life with fresh eyes.

Hope Has a Seat in Every Waiting Room book by Karen Kay Smith
Finding Presence in the Pauses

Hope Has a Seat

in Every Waiting Room

A tender companion for the seasons of waiting—in hospital rooms, hard conversations, and holy in-between moments. Karen offers hope you can actually sit down in.

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Nearsighted book by Karen Kay Smith
A journey back to clarity

Nearsighted

Choosing to See Eating Disorders Differently

A book born from Karen’s own story, written to support those walking alongside someone they love—an invitation to see eating disorders with new eyes.

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Karen Kay Smith
Retreats · Churches · Events
Invite Karen to Speak

A voice that brings compassion, honesty, and hope to your stage

Karen speaks straight to the heart—blending vulnerable storytelling with practical encouragement your audience will carry home. She tailors every message to your community's needs.

let's connect

Tell me where you are—I'd love to help

Whether you're curious about coaching, booking a speaking engagement, or just want to say hello, your note lands straight in my inbox.

hello@karenkaysmith.com