Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Katherine Loflin. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Katherine thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

More than 15 years ago, I established a global consultancy focused on studying the intricate relationship between individuals and the cities they reside in. This involved exploring the factors that create a sense of belonging and attachment, and how these connections influence both local economic development and personal well-being. Through this work, I became known as The City Doctor. My contributions included writing a book, delivering two TEDx talks, presenting hundreds of keynote addresses worldwide, receiving international awards, and even hosting my own radio show on this subject.

Around 2020, my priorities shifted when my daughter began high school, coinciding with the onset of the pandemic. This prompted me to reassess and adapt. Engaging in community theater as a volunteer, I observed the profound impact of sharing local history thoughtfully. By emphasizing human stories and experiences while using the city’s structures and land as a backdrop, I witnessed how effectively this approach could evoke a deep connection to a place. Within a short timeframe, guests could develop a strong affection, pride, and loyalty to the location. Moreover, these productions generated revenue for local arts organizations and businesses.

Drawing from my experience, I decided to merge my insights as The City Doctor with the innovative approach to narrating local history. Thus, I launched The City Doctor Productions. While acknowledging the existence of local history programs, I sought to leverage my extensive research on what fosters a bond between people and a place. Combining this with my background as a professional actor and producer, I aimed to create a distinctive local history experience. My venture commenced in my cherished hometown.

Notably, my town was and continues to undergo significant growth. This transformation brought about a transition period between the town’s past and its evolving present. New residents embraced the town’s future but lacked a connection to its origins. Recognizing from my research that integrating newcomers into the town’s history could foster a sense of belonging, I saw an opportunity to infuse historical programming with a fresh, engaging approach. In essence, I felt that I was addressing a problem by breathing new life into the presentation of local history.

Katherine, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I have a tendency to apply expertise from one field to another. Many might assume, given what I do, I have a background in areas like historic preservation, cultural resources, urban planning, entertainment production, or event planning based on my work. However, my background is actually in social work, holding a Ph.D. This unique foundation significantly influences the way I approach my work.

At its core, social work centers on enhancing the connection between individuals and their surroundings, whether it involves a family, neighborhood, community, or workplace.

By leveraging this background in different contexts, I generate distinct solutions and ideas. Sometimes, these novel perspectives are exactly what a problem, market, or city requires.

My journey into community work began during my Masters program and continued through obtaining my Ph.D. I became captivated by why certain cities thrived while others, seemingly similar in local economy, unemployment rates, size, and housing, struggled with key metrics. Even variables like personal income, education, and civic engagement didn’t account for the disparities. This curiosity sparked a winding journey across various disciplines, allowing me to make fresh discoveries and develop innovative solutions.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Throughout my journey with places, I’ve often found myself as the best example. After completing my doctoral program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I eagerly accepted a dream job in Miami at the Knight Foundation. The prospect of Miami conjured images of beautiful beaches, vibrant culture, and endless adventures. Landing the job at Knight made me feel like I’d achieved a significant milestone, especially coupled with my recent marriage. Life seemed promising.

However, years later, my quest for a sense of place took a different turn. Separated from my husband and with a young daughter, I found myself disenchanted with my current location, feeling a deep emotional disconnect. Beyond merely wanting to depart from a place that now represented heartache, I recognized that it couldn’t provide what I needed. It became clear: I desired to raise my daughter in the same place where I grew up in North Carolina.

Just like we know when we’ve found the right place, we also know when we’re in the wrong one.
The irony of it all was that just as marital divorce and place divorce were happening to me personally, professionally I was achieving success. I spent my days talking about what makes people love where they live and why that’s so important for our communities. I have to say I never felt more like a hypocrite—cheerleading love of place and no longer having that myself.

But the ironies were to become even more pronounced. The insight that would combine these two worlds — that our relationship with place is like our relationship with a partner–finally hit home, live on stage in Ottawa during my keynote at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities in February 2012. As I stood before hundreds of city leaders from across Canada giving the presentation I wanted to give, the way I wanted to give it, I went rogue and inserted an impromptu analogy that mirrored my own life at the time:

“We have to try to figure out how we can be true to who we are as a place and let people be naturally attracted to that. But we also have to realize that as a place we will not be a perfect match for everybody. It’s like any marriage. (Pause as the irony hits.) It’s like any marriage. And we are discovering that the relationship a person has with place is in fact that kind of relationship.”

In that moment, I recognized a significant truth: finding a place is akin to finding a partner. People search for places, they ‘date’ them, and sometimes, they ‘marry’ them. Just as with a marriage, commitment and effort are necessary for a successful relationship with a place. Sometimes, the dynamics change, and the match no longer feels right—and that’s okay.

The epiphany marked a pivotal “aha moment.” The audience’s growing interest and engagement during the talk confirmed the significance of this realization. I felt a profound shift in how I perceived and discussed the concept of ‘place.’ It was a moment of personal and professional revelation.

As I concluded my talk to a standing ovation, I decided it was time for me to return to my first love place of North Carolina to live and the idea of my first book took shape. I prayed I was right about both. But by that evening, I already had 15 speaking engagement requests from around the world and I knew The City Doctor brand was born.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Lesson: Don’t give away more than you can afford to lose.

Wrapped up in business lessons and personal life choices are cautionary tales centered around self-reliance. I believe in self-reliance, but I also know no one makes it without the help and support (in various forms) of others. As people invest in us, we invest in them. That’s the basis of all relationships.

However, those dynamics can change. Markets shift, divorce happens, people change and if you have over invested by sinking everything into that — or stopped being who you are to keep it — then when the loss happens, you will have nothing, not even yourself.

Yes, invest outside of yourself in all the ways your heart and mind guide you. But never, ever, invest more than you can afford to lose, emotionally, financially, or at the expense of yourself. So if/when that loss happens, you will still have the viability of your most critical investment: yourself.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.city-doctor.com
• Instagram: @thecitydoctor, @thecitydoctorproductions
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheCityDoctor , www.facebook.com/TheCityDoctorProductions
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-katherine-loflin

Image Credits
All images are mine