How Live IRL
came to life
This passion project began with a simple conversation. A friend mentioned that she had given her 11-year-old daughter a smartphone because, in her words, “Well, all her friends have one.” That moment really struck Katie. She asked herself, But why? Why are we, as parents, allowing our kids access to something that research overwhelmingly shows is harmful to their overall well-being? Instead of accepting social media as a norm for our kids, why aren’t we asking if they need to be on it at all?
Along with her friend Mara, they started asking bigger questions: how do we empower parents and children to cultivate a healthy, balanced relationship with social media and smartphones?
And that’s where the movement began: let's bring parents together, with the knowledge, support, and confidence to make better choices for their kids in an age where social media is often seen as inevitable. Because we can give our kids a better childhood—one with real connections, real experiences, and real confidence—by simply choosing to say NO.
Our Team
Katie Jenkins
Co-Founder and CEO
Born and raised in Colorado, Katie still calls Denver home, where she lives with her husband and two wonderful children, ages 8 and 4. With over 15 years of experience in large-scale event planning and marketing, Katie has had the opportunity to create impactful experiences and build meaningful connections through strategic branding and engagement. After years in the fast-paced world of events, she transitioned at the onset of the covid-19 pandemic to being a full-time stay-at-home mom—a role of its own challenges and joys.While Katie's professional background refined her skills in navigating organized chaos, problem-solving, and creativity, she found a passion in fostering community, building meaningful connections, and creating a positive impact in the lives of those around her through her event work.
Mara Castro
Co-Founder and President
Born in Brazil, Mara’s journey has taken her across seven countries before she settled in the U.S. for college and beyond. Now in Denver, Colorado, with her husband and two daughters, she has built a 15+ year career leading high-growth, venture-backed companies.
As the first hired employee and Head of Customer Experience at Warby Parker, she played a pivotal role in scaling the brand from startup to industry leader. Later, leading Customer Experience at Evolve, a tech-enabled vacation rental management company, she focused on delivering exceptional hospitality at scale. Now, as COO at Twentyeight Health, she is redefining women’s healthcare by expanding access to high-quality, patient-centric care.
Mara’s passion lies in fostering connections and empowering others. She believes that parents—armed with the right knowledge and community—can make confident, informed choices for their children in an increasingly digital world.
