Hi, I’m Kristen. Years ago, my sister Kirsten Harrell, Psy.D., and Traci Harrell and I started this website with a clear vision. Back then, iPopin was about one thing: helping busy people find ways to weave positive thinking into their everyday lives. We shared what we called “ipop-ins” along with other content that was meant to spark a little motivation and maybe shift someone’s day for the better. It was a mix of practical advice and small ideas that could make a big difference if you actually tried them.
Kirsten has always been the expert in the room when it comes to the science side of things. She’s a psychologist, consultant, coach, motivational speaker, and entrepreneur, and she’s been at it for more than 15 years. She’s worked with individuals and businesses, taught graduate courses at both the University of Dayton and Wright State University, and she’s the President and co-founder of Popular Inspirations, Ltd. She has a way of combining positive psychology, stress management, and mind-body therapies so it feels practical instead of preachy.
Traci brings something different to the table. Her background is in sales, marketing, and business development, and she has over 16 years of experience making ideas actually work in the real world. She has a knack for spotting opportunities, building strategies, and turning plans into results. At Superior Dental Care, Inc., she played a big part in growing the company into the largest dental network in the region, all while keeping a focus on leadership and encouraging people to use positivity as a real tool, not just a buzzword.
Over time, though, life moved on. The site shifted. Now it’s less of a structured project and more of a personal space for me. These days, iPopin is where I write about whatever catches my interest. That could be a travel story, like the time I booked a trip that went totally sideways, or it could be my opinion on why a certain piece of tech is more hype than substance. Sometimes it’s just small everyday moments that stick in my mind for no obvious reason but feel worth sharing.
The heart of iPopin hasn’t gone anywhere. It’s still about curiosity, reflection, and telling stories honestly. I’m not aiming for perfect branding or polished marketing language. I’d rather have something that feels like a real conversation than a press release. If you’ve been reading since the early days, I hope you’ll stick around. If you just stumbled across the site, I’m glad you’re here. Let’s see where it all goes from here.