Journal · the life I’m building

The Life I’m Building.

Stories from the work, the city and the in-between. Not a highlight reel — the thinking behind it, the things I got wrong, and what I’d tell a friend.

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Kaitlin working on her laptop on a blue bean bag overlooking downtown Nashville

Nashville · from the window

01Featured & recent

Editorial stories.

Long-form, with a cover, a gallery where it helps, and a lesson at the end I actually use.

Kaitlin with colleagues at the TikTok office

The Becoming4 min readNovember 6, 2026

Five Years at TikTok. And Then Everything Changed.

When people ask me what I did at TikTok, I usually tell them I was essentially the digital police.

Kaitlin recognized on screen at a TikTok event in Los Angeles

Digital Life4 min readNovember 6, 2026

I Used to Be the Digital Police.

I always get a reaction when I tell people I used to be the digital police of TikTok.

Kaitlin in a yellow blazer outside One Nashville

Behind the Vision4 min readNovember 6, 2026

Why They Call Me The Executioner.

Somewhere along the way, people started calling me The Executioner.

02Photo story

A day at 615 Week

Panels, the Culture House, and the city showing up for itself.

Kaitlin moderating Voices in the Room at 615 Week — Voices in the Room