About Me

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I was born in Tennessee and grew up in a life that didn’t resemble the picture-perfect version most people imagine. My parents divorced when I was three, and my dad struggled with addiction for much of my early childhood. Although he got sober when I was twelve, the impact of those formative years took a toll. My mom worked as a waitress 

I was born in Tennessee and grew up in a life that didn’t resemble the picture-perfect version most people imagine. My parents divorced when I was three, and my dad struggled with addiction for much of my early childhood. Although he got sober when I was twelve, the impact of those formative years took a toll. My mom worked as a waitress and, like many parents, she just kept showing up and trying to make life work. I’m the oldest of three; my brother is seven years younger and my sister is ten years younger. Even though my brother and I didn't grow up in the same house, we're close today. Being the only child at first and then the oldest with my sister, in a household that wasn’t always stable, meant I grew up fast. It also taught me early on how complicated families can be; mine was a doozy. Often, when sharing stories from our childhood, my sister and I get responses like, 'you can't make this stuff up' or 'you should write a book!' As an adult, life presented its own battles. I’m a survivor of sexual assault and domestic violence, both from my childhood and as an adult. Those experiences are part of my story in a very real way; they changed the direction of my life, forced me to rebuild more than once, and taught me what resilience looks like when it isn’t inspirational or pretty. Surviving such trauma reshapes your worldview; it deepens your sense of empathy and shifts your focus away from shallow conversations towards deeper discussions about dignity, justice, faith and culture, healing, and how people truly move forward after life breaks open. Today, my life looks very different. I’m married to Brad, who is steady, practical, calm, and very ADHD—essentially the opposite of me in all the ways that work. He’s a flooring expert, which feels fitting since he also keeps our family grounded. Together, we’re raising three kids who are wildly different from each other and endlessly interesting to watch grow. Tommy, our oldest, is 20. He’s quiet, thoughtful, and no-nonsense. When he was younger, he played basketball and has always been the type who doesn’t say much, but when he does, people listen because his words matter. Lexi is 16 and my mini-me in many ways; she’s creative, intelligent, and opinionated, with a kind heart. She draws, writes, and views the world through a thoughtful, artistic lens that I love watching unfold. Nathan, at 13, is the energy of our household—mischievous, boisterous, and extroverted. He plays lacrosse, is in band, and generally keeps life loud and interesting. We can’t forget Benny, our bonus daughter, who has taken on the intensity of being Tommy's girlfriend. She is a vibrant, beautiful soul and just as candid as I am. She loves animals and is incredibly kind—our family wouldn’t be complete without her. Professionally, I’m a consultant and pastor, but writing and creating spaces for honest conversations has become a natural extension of my life. I’ve been a follower of Christ for as long as I can remember, but my faith hasn’t come from easy answers or a perfect path. It’s been shaped by hard experiences, deep questions, and the belief that faith should matter in the real world, not just inside church walls. That’s really why Getting Candid exists. The phrase was coined by a friend at breakfast years ago when she told me, 'they should just call you Candid Kaite,' and so now they do. I’m less interested in easy answers and more focused on personal commentary and honest conversations. If that resonates with you, welcome.

If you spend any time here or on my socials, you’ll quickly notice that I’m not interested in surface-level conversations. My writing style reflects how I talk—candidly, thoughtfully, and often a bit blunt. This isn’t about stirring the pot for its own sake; it’s about recognizing that the issues that matter most in life deserve more than

If you spend any time here or on my socials, you’ll quickly notice that I’m not interested in surface-level conversations. My writing style reflects how I talk—candidly, thoughtfully, and often a bit blunt. This isn’t about stirring the pot for its own sake; it’s about recognizing that the issues that matter most in life deserve more than polite silence or rehearsed answers. My aim isn’t to win arguments or dictate thoughts; rather, it’s to ask better questions. These are the kinds that encourage us to slow down, dive deeper, and honestly wrestle with faith and culture, leadership, and the ever-changing world we’re all navigating. Sometimes, this exploration leads us into theology; other times, it involves discussions around justice, power, and their impact on public life. Often, it’s simply about reflecting on the everyday experiences that shape who we become. What you’ll find here isn’t performative outrage or easy certainty, but rather curiosity, reflection, and a readiness to engage with complicated ideas. You don’t have to agree with me to belong in this conversation. In fact, the most interesting dialogues often arise when thoughtful individuals hold differing views. This space is for those who care or wish to care about truth, dignity, and the courage to think deeply about the world we share through personal commentary.