Karin Surber: Connection, Growth, Purpose
Cover of What I Wish I Had Known by Karin Surber
Coming December 2026

What I Wish I Had Known

A Daughter's Guide Through Dementia, Long-Term Care, and Hospice

Karin's new book, drawn from her own experience caring for a parent with dementia.

Get notified at launch

Build a life that feels as meaningful on the inside as it looks on the outside.

Books by Karin Surber (formerly writing as KD Carr) on human connection, life transitions, purposeful living and travel, from i3 Publishing.

ConnectionGrowthPurpose
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Connection

Finding Your People Again

Because meaningful connection is one of the things that makes life worth living.

We live in a world where staying in touch has never been easier, yet feeling genuinely connected can be surprisingly difficult. We exchange messages, follow friends on social media, and keep up with the details of other people's lives. But knowing what someone had for dinner isn't quite the same as knowing how they're really doing. Somewhere along the way, it's easy to confuse communication with connection.

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Meaningful connection is about feeling seen, understood, and valued. It's the friend who remembers to check in, the conversation that lasts longer than expected, or the simple comfort of being with someone who knows you well. Research consistently shows that strong social relationships contribute to our emotional and physical well-being. Yet building and maintaining those relationships takes intention, particularly as our lives change, friendships evolve, and the demands of everyday life compete for our attention.

The good news is that connection doesn't require a large circle of friends or a packed social calendar. Sometimes it begins with reaching out to someone we've lost touch with, making room for a new friendship, or simply being more present with the people already in our lives. And perhaps the most important connection we can nurture is the one we have with ourselves.

Because a more connected life begins with the small choices we make every day.

Growth

Moving Through Life's Big Changes

Because who we're becoming matters just as much as who we've been.

Life rarely unfolds exactly as we imagined. Careers change, children grow up, relationships evolve, and sometimes we find ourselves facing circumstances we never anticipated. Some transitions bring excitement and possibility, while others arrive with uncertainty, loss, or responsibilities we don't feel prepared to handle. Even changes we've looked forward to, like retirement or a new beginning, can leave us wondering what comes next.

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Growth isn't always comfortable, and it certainly doesn't follow a predictable timeline. Sometimes it means learning a new skill, pursuing a long-forgotten dream, or finding the courage to try something different. Other times, it means adjusting our expectations, asking for help, or discovering strength we didn't know we had. The experiences that change us most aren't necessarily the ones we would have chosen.

One of the wonderful things about being human is that we never have to stop learning or becoming. Our experiences give us wisdom, but curiosity keeps us moving forward. Whether we're navigating a major life transition, rediscovering an old passion, or simply reconsidering what we want from the years ahead, there's always room to grow.

Because growth isn't about becoming someone else. It's about continuing to discover who we are and who we still have the opportunity to become.

Purpose

Live a Life That Means Something

Because a meaningful life is measured by more than what we accomplish.

We spend much of our lives pursuing goals, building careers, raising families, and working toward the next milestone. Along the way, it's easy to measure success by what we've achieved, what we own, or the titles we've earned. But as life unfolds, many of us begin asking different questions. What truly brings us joy? Where can we make a difference? And how do we want to spend the time we have ahead of us?

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Purpose doesn't have to be something grand or extraordinary. It can be found in mentoring someone who's just starting out, volunteering for a cause we believe in, sharing our knowledge, or simply showing up for the people who matter most. Sometimes it means pursuing a passion we've put aside for years. Other times, it means stepping outside our comfort zone and discovering that something completely unexpected brings us a sense of fulfillment.

The beautiful thing about purpose is that it can evolve with us. What gave our lives meaning at 30 may look very different at 50, 60, or 80. Our experiences, relationships, and changing priorities continually shape what matters most. And there's something exciting about realizing that everything we've learned and experienced can become the foundation for something new.

Because living a purposeful life isn't about doing more. It's about making room for more of what matters.

Karin Surber smiling outdoors, wearing glasses and a navy top
Meet the author

Karin Surber

Formerly writing as KD Carr

Karin Surber is an author, strategy and planning leader, and lifelong learner whose work examines what it means to build a life rich in connection, purpose, and possibility.

She has spent nearly four decades in the technology industry, almost 20 of them at Cisco Systems, leading global programs and teams, developing leaders, mentoring others, and helping people navigate complex change. She holds an MBA and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, and brings thought leadership, personal experience, and curiosity to everything she writes.

~40years in technology
~20years at Cisco
35+countries explored
MBAand a B.A. in Psychology

Her perspective was shaped far beyond the corporate world: volunteering in African wildlife conservation, caring for a parent with dementia, and redefining what life can look like after a successful corporate career. Karin lives in Maumee, Ohio, and is happiest writing, traveling, exploring Africa, mentoring others, or spending time with the people she loves most.

Read her books
The books

Books by Karin Surber

Formerly writing as KD Carr

Notify me about new books
Cover of The Loneliness Paradox by KD Carr

The Loneliness Paradox

Why we are more plugged in than ever but still feel alone. A guided journey to reconnect with yourself and others in a disconnected world.

Buy on Amazon
Cover of The Loneliness Paradox Workbook by KD Carr

The Loneliness Paradox Workbook

The companion workbook: a step-by-step guide to reconnect with yourself and others in a disconnected world.

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Cover of Things to Do in Retirement by KD Carr

Things to Do in Retirement

That unleash play, passion and purpose. A simplified guide to fun and meaningful activities, regardless of financial, physical or social limitations.

Buy on Amazon
Cover of The Beginner's Guide to African Safaris by Karin Surber

The Beginner's Guide to African Safaris

Easy tips to make your adventure safe, enjoyable and the trip of a lifetime.

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The Connected Journey Newsletter

Notes on connection, change and a life well lived.

The Connected Journey is a monthly dose of thoughtful reflections, personal stories, and practical inspiration for building meaningful connections, navigating life's changes, and discovering more joy and purpose along the way. It's also where Karin announces each new book first, so you'll hear about launches as soon as they happen.

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The question behind every book
“How do we intentionally create a life that feels as meaningful on the inside as it looks successful on the outside?”
Karin Surber (formerly writing as KD Carr)

Pick a topic for a question to ponder.