In this episode of the I Am Lakeland podcast, host Don Burns sits down with Karolyne Roberts, the reigning Miss Lakeland USA, for an inspiring conversation about faith, purpose, and community service. Karolyne, a mother of four and an accomplished author of ten books, shares how recent changes in the Miss Universe system—lifting age and marital status restrictions—allowed her to pursue her dream and make history as a wife and mother in the pageant world.
The discussion highlights Karolyne’s deep commitment to uplifting women through her organization, The Writer’s Retreat. She explains her platform, “Be Heard and Be Healed,” which uses guided writing as a tool for processing trauma and finding one’s voice. Karolyne also previews her upcoming participation in Lakeland Women’s Day at the RP Funding Center, where she will speak about the strength found in embracing emotions and lead a special “Writer’s Brunch” for local women.
Beyond her writing and pageant work, Karolyne is a dedicated community advocate. She shares her involvement with several local nonprofits, including One More Child, where she creates care packages for survivors of trafficking and single mothers, and Girls Inc. and Campfire Sunshine, organizations focused on building confidence in the next generation. As a small business owner herself, she also discusses her role as a mentor with SCORE, providing free guidance to fellow entrepreneurs in the Lakeland area.
Don and Karolyne also connect over their shared faith and their mutual passion for spreading positivity in Lakeland. Karolyne even reveals her future goals of writing children’s books and starting her own podcast to provide a platform for other women to share their stories. This episode is a must-watch for anyone looking for a boost of motivation and a reminder that “your dreams don’t have an expiration date.” 67
