Today we’d like to introduce you to Yolanda Wilson Smith.
Yolanda, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hello. My name is Yolanda Wilson Smith, and I am originally from Chicago, Illinois, also known as the Windy City. In 2002, I relocated to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, where I later met my husband, Pastor Charles R. Smith. We married in 2004, and over the years I have been blessed with a beautiful family. I have four bonus children: three daughters, Ashley, Latonya, and Charlene, and one son, Casual, as well as one grandson, Justus. Alongside my family life, I have been blessed to serve in many roles—wife, First Lady, mother, grandmother, godmother, authorpreneur, adjunct instructor, licensed clinical social worker, and mentor.
The path that brought me here wasn’t built around one defining moment, but through a series of everyday experiences that taught me the importance of faith, gratitude, and living with intention.
There have been seasons where life was full in the best way—family, ministry, work, and community responsibilities all flowing at once. Like most women experience, I was staying on top of everything, but I began to realize I wasn’t always fully engaged in the moments happening right in front of me.
Over time, God began gently shifting my awareness. I started noticing the value of small pauses—moments to acknowledge Him, breathe, and simply reset my thoughts. Those small shifts began to change how I experienced my days.
As I began living with more intention, I felt more steady within myself and more aware of God’s presence in ordinary moments. Gratitude slowly became less of something I practiced occasionally and more of a lens for how I saw life every day.
That journey ultimately inspired my book, Unplug and Exhale: A 60-Day Devotional for Busy Women Seeking Faith, Balance, and Gratitude. I wrote it for women who are carrying full lives but need space to pause, reflect, and reconnect with God in the middle of it all. It is truly an invitation to slow down, breathe, and make room for what matters most.
Today, my heart is to remind women that peace isn’t something we have to wait for. Even in the middle of everyday demands, we can choose to unplug from the noise, exhale, and find God right where we are. My hope is that every reader feels more present, more anchored, and more aware of God’s presence in their daily walk.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road. And honestly, I don’t think most meaningful ones are.
There were seasons where everything in life was happening at once—family, church, work, and all the everyday responsibilities that come with simply living and showing up for people. On the outside, I was handling it. I was doing what needed to be done. But I started to realize I wasn’t always paying attention to what was happening on the inside of me while I was doing it all. I wouldn’t say there was one breaking point. It was more of a gradual awareness that I needed to slow down in a different way. Not necessarily doing less, but learning how to be more present in the middle of what I was already doing.
That’s where the idea of unplugging and exhaling really started to take shape for me. Not as something dramatic, but as learning how to pause in real time to take a breath, acknowledge God, and reset my thoughts without waiting for everything to calm down first.
And over time, I noticed I wasn’t just surviving the days anymore. I was actually noticing them. I could see God in smaller moments, and gratitude started showing up in places I used to rush past.
That’s really what led me to write Unplug and Exhale. I didn’t set out to create something big. I just wanted to put words to what I was learning and offer it to other women who might be feeling the same way. Women who are doing a lot, caring for a lot, and just need simple reminders to pause and breathe in the middle of life.
Even now, I’m still practicing it. Some days I do it better than others. But I’ve learned how to come back to center quicker than I used to. And I keep coming back to this truth: God wasn’t absent in my busyness. I just had to slow down enough to notice He was already there.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Right now, my work has expanded in a really meaningful way. In addition to being a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I am stepping into a new season as an Authentic Life Purpose Coach, where I help women slow down, exhale, and walk more fully in God’s purpose. This work feels like a natural extension of what I’ve always done, just in a more intentional and personal space.
My background in social work has allowed me to walk alongside people from many different walks of life—supporting them through transitions, challenges, and growth. Combined with my faith and church foundation, it has shaped how I show up: grounded, compassionate, and intentional about meeting people where they are.
What sets me apart is that I don’t just bring training or experience. I bring myself. I connect with people in a real and relatable way. I listen closely, I care deeply, and I also bring humor and warmth that helps people feel at ease and seen.
At the heart of it, I genuinely love people. Whether I’m coaching, speaking, or simply in everyday conversation, I value creating spaces where people feel encouraged, understood, and supported in their journey.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Yes, when it comes to writing a book, I would definitely say start with something you’re truly passionate about. If you don’t feel connected to what you’re writing, it becomes hard to stay consistent when the process gets challenging.
I would also encourage new writers to give themselves grace. Writing a book is not something that happens overnight, and it doesn’t have to be perfect in the beginning. You’re allowed to grow as the book grows. Some of my best clarity came after I stopped trying to have it all figured out from the start.
Another important piece is doing your research. Even when you’re writing from your personal experience, it helps to understand your subject matter well and make sure your message is clear, helpful, and grounded. That preparation really strengthens your voice and your confidence.
And finally, I would say don’t rush the process. There were things I wish I knew earlier, like it’s okay to take a break, revisit, and refine your work. Every step teaches you something; not just about writing, but about your own story too.
So, my biggest encouragement is to stay passionate, be patient with yourself, and trust that your voice will develop as you keep showing up to the work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yolandawsmith.weebly.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authoryolanda
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoryolandawilsonsmith/
