Connected Simplicity

In this episode, I'm joined by Ruth Hetland and Dawn Trautman, co-hosts of the Created Creative podcast. Together we explore how creativity shapes our lives, helps us process grief, strengthens community, and gives voice to experiences that might otherwise remain hidden.

Ruth and Dawn share the stories behind their books and why so many people struggle to claim the title of "creative." We also discuss community, women's voices, and the everyday ways we can explore our creativity.

In this episode:

• How writing can help us process grief and life transitions
• The healing power of sharing our stories
• Why creativity belongs to everyone, not just artists
• Why representation matters in the arts
• Practical encouragement for anyone feeling nudged to create something new

Connect with Ruth & Dawn:

• Created Creative Podcast: https://createdcreativepodcast.com/
• Dawn's coaching: https://bigpicturebigpurpose.com/discern-by-doing-2/
• Ruth's ConseCrate Subscription box: https://consecrate.cratejoy.com/
• Visit our Patreon: https://patreon.com/u11072417?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

Mentioned:

• Lost Boy by Jordy Searcy: https://open.spotify.com/track/4YJ37rHG82OpZWF3FHyVq2?si=f60bcc9d83be43cc
• My appearance on the Created Creative Podcast: https://pod.link/1717662137/episode/NDJlMjE4YTctMzU5YS00OWI2LTk2MjEtNTkwOWYzYmVjM2M2

Additional resources and links:

• Website: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/
• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/suzannesearcyjohnson
• Private Coaching: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/work-with-me/
• Sign up for my newsletter: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/newsletter/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzanne.searcy.johnson/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suzanne.searcy.johnson
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@suzannesearcyjohnson
• Free Resources: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/resources/

I get a lot of questions about simplicity from people who are interested in my tiny home and community. In this solo episode, I share the three things I've noticed that block us from finding true simplicity, no matter how many square feet we live in. I then share three actions you can take to begin to slow down, find a deeper appreciation for what you have, and find your own version of simplicity.

In this episode:

• How distraction pulls us away from meaningful connection
• Why comparison can lead to clutter, dissatisfaction, and unnecessary complexity
• The surprising ways convenience can disconnect us from ourselves, others, and nature
• Why contentment is an essential ingredient for a simpler life
• Three practical actions you can take this week to begin uncomplicating your life

Vote for me to be the next Top Host!

• https://tophost.org/2026/suzanne-johnson

Additional resources and links:

• Website: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/
• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/suzannesearcyjohnson
• Private Coaching: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/work-with-me/
• Sign up for my newsletter: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/newsletter/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzanne.searcy.johnson/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suzanne.searcy.johnson
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@suzannesearcyjohnson
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@suzannesearcyjohnson
• Free Resources: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/resources/

In this episode, I sit down with author, speaker, naturalist, and spiritual guide Beth Norcross, co-author of Discovering the Spiritual Wisdom of Trees. Together we explore what trees can teach us about grief, hope, community, resilience, and our relationship with the natural world. It is a thoughtful reminder that the natural world is not simply a backdrop to our lives, but a source of wisdom, wonder, and connection.

In this episode:

• What a teacher tree is and how one might find you
• The surprising ways trees communicate, collaborate, and support one another
• How nature helps us hold both grief and hope
• Why wonder and awe expand our capacity to face difficult realities
• Lessons from trees about resilience, surrender, and living through uncertainty
• Simple ways to deepen your connection with nature, even in the middle of a busy life

Connect with Beth:

• Beth Norcross Website: https://bethnorcross.com/

• Spirituality in Nature Center: https://spiritualityinnature.org/
• Discovering the Spiritual Wisdom of Trees: https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/product/9798889832133/Discovering-the-Spiritual-Wisdom-of-Trees

• TEDx: The Wisdom of Trees for Challenging Times: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYW7GuUCk6Q

• Leah Rampy Website: https://www.leahmoranrampy.com/
• Leah's Substack Essays Reweaving Earth & Soul: https://leahrampy.substack.com/

Additional resources and links:

• Website: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/
• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/suzannesearcyjohnson
• Private Coaching: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/work-with-me/
• Sign up for my newsletter: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/newsletter/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzanne.searcy.johnson/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suzanne.searcy.johnson
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@suzannesearcyjohnson
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@suzannesearcyjohnson
• Free Resources: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/resources/

In this solo episode, I reflect on my first year of living in a tiny home at Village Farm Austin. I share the specifics of my tiny house and the practical ways I've adapted to a smaller space. More importantly, I talk about the sense of community I've found here and why belonging is even more important than the size of the home we live in.

In this episode:

• The layout and specifics of my 399 sq ft home
• The storage solutions and tiny-house hacks that work for me
• What I love most about my home and what I'd design differently
• Life at Village Farm Austin and its connection to Green Gate Farms
• The challenges of tiny living and community life
• Why a sense of belonging matters more than square footage

Links mentioned:

• Tiny House Tour on Tiny House Giant Journey YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/FWZzpSl7eAQ?si=G4ihb3_78rt8q10A
• Podcast Episode with Erin Flynn: https://pod.link/1896635650/episode/ZTQ5YTE4MzUtYTI3Zi00OGMxLWJhMTAtY2NlOTQ4YjcyOTQw
• Green Gate Farms: https://www.greengatefarms.net/

Additional resources and links:

• Website: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/
• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/suzannesearcyjohnson
• Private Coaching: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/work-with-me/
• Sign up for my newsletter: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/newsletter/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzanne.searcy.johnson/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suzanne.searcy.johnson
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@suzannesearcyjohnson
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@suzannesearcyjohnson
• Free Resources: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/resources/

In this episode, I talk with Kristy Halvorsen — former firefighter turned full‑time nomad, mentor, coach, and best‑selling author of Perfect Unfolding. In 2017, Kristy left her career and began traveling North America in her Airstream, guided not by plans but by what she calls “the tickles of her soul.” For nearly nine years, she has lived by curiosity, intuition, and a deep trust in the unknown.

We explore her journey into nomadic life, the miracles that unfold when you follow inner nudges, and the profound connections she’s made along the way. Kristy shares stories of beauty, synchronicity, and the unexpected opportunities that arise when you stop predicting your future and start listening to life.

In this episode:

• What coddiwompling means — and how it can reshape your life
• Listening to intuition (“the tickles”) as a compass
• Safety, trust, and navigating the world as a solo woman traveler
• The story behind touching an iceberg in Labrador
• How unexpected encounters become life‑changing connections
• Why miracles are always present when we’re awake enough to notice

Connect with Kristy:

• Website: https://PerfectUnfolding.com
• Buy link: https://books2read.com/PerfectUnfolding
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristy.halvorsen/
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kristy-halvorsen/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/1kristy
• Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/58579456.Kristy_Halvorsen

Additional resources and links:

• Website: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/
• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/suzannesearcyjohnson
• Private Coaching: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/work-with-me/
• Sign up for my newsletter: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/newsletter/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzanne.searcy.johnson/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suzanne.searcy.johnson
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@suzannesearcyjohnson
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@suzannesearcyjohnson
• Free Resources: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/resources/

In this brief solo episode, I explore the meaning of the fall equinox — both the astronomical event and the deeper spiritual themes it invites us to consider. As day and night come into balance, the equinox offers a moment to reflect on our own inner steadiness, our relationships with others, and our connection to the natural world.

In this episode:

• What the fall equinox is and why it matters
• Three spiritual aspects of the equinox: Balance, Harmony, and Nature's Cycles
• Three simple actions to guide you in this season

Resources mentioned:

• Farmer's Almanac: https://www.farmersalmanac.com/fall-equinox-first-day-of-fall
• A Vital Simplicity: Charles Wagner's The Simple Life revisited: https://a.co/d/02NQam6V

Additional resources and links:

• Website: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/
• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/suzannesearcyjohnson
• Private Coaching: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/work-with-me/
• Sign up for my newsletter: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/newsletter/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzanne.searcy.johnson/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suzanne.searcy.johnson
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@suzannesearcyjohnson
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@suzannesearcyjohnson
• Free Resources: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/resources/

In this episode, I’m joined by Laurie from Travel Tips by Laurie, a pilot’s wife who has spent more than two decades traveling the world and learning how to make every part of the journey easier, calmer, and more enjoyable. Laurie has built a thriving YouTube community by teaching practical packing strategies, sharing airport and TSA tips, and helping travelers reduce stress before they ever reach their destination.

We talk about how she started her channel, the lessons she’s learned from years of trial‑and‑error travel, and the heart behind her work — especially her desire to encourage women and help them feel more confident, capable, and prepared. Laurie also shares some of her favorite travel hacks, long‑flight essentials, and the free resources she’s created to help travelers pack smarter and move through airports with more peace of mind.

In this episode:

• How Laurie went from schoolteacher to travel‑tips creator
• Carry‑on strategies for long trips
• Compression cubes, scarves, and other small items that make a big difference
• TSA tips, including the little‑known TSA Cares program
• How personality affects packing style
• Why encouraging other women has become central to her work
• Favorite destinations (and the ones still on her list)

Connect with Laurie and Get Her Travel Freebies:

• Laurie's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/traveltipsbylaurie
• Laurie's packing blueprint: https://traveltipsbylaurie.mykajabi.com/lauries-packing-blueprint
• Pickpocket Guide for 2026: https://bit.ly/pickpocketfreebie
• 3 Second Emergency Card: https://bit.ly/emergencykit2025

Additional resources and links:

• Website: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/
• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/suzannesearcyjohnson
• Private Coaching: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/work-with-me/
• Sign up for my newsletter: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/newsletter/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzanne.searcy.johnson/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suzanne.searcy.johnson
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@suzannesearcyjohnson
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@suzannesearcyjohnson
• Free Resources: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/resources/

In this brief solo episode, I explore two themes that surfaced after a recent Instagram post: knowing when to engage in potentially volatile conversations and cultivating a deep sense of self that doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone. I share how I navigate group‑chat tension, how I listen for my own inner cues rather than reacting from ego or emotion, and why there is real peace in not always knowing the answer.

I also offer three simple practices to help you reconnect with your inner voice — practices rooted in nature, quiet, and daily intention.

In this episode:

• How to discern when to enter a heated or emotional conversation
• Why certainty in who you are reduces the need to explain yourself
• The difference between reacting from ego and responding from clarity
• The peace that comes from not always knowing
• Three grounding practices to reconnect with your intuition

Links mentioned:

• Connected Simplicity Episode "Learning to Trust Your Own Voice Again": https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/learning-to-trust-your-own-voice-again/id1896635650?i=1000770914543
• Instagram Post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DclWiDmkYWe/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&stkn=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Additional resources and links:

• Website: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/
• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/suzannesearcyjohnson
• Private Coaching: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/work-with-me/
• Sign up for my newsletter: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/newsletter/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzanne.searcy.johnson/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suzanne.searcy.johnson
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@suzannesearcyjohnson
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@suzannesearcyjohnson
• Free Resources: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/resources/
• Sixty Candles: Life Lessons from an OG Fire Horse: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/sixty-candles/

In this personal episode, I sit down with my brother and sisters — the Searcy siblings — to remember our parents, our childhood, and the legacy of love, faith, humor, and resilience that shaped each of us. We talk about growing up in a small house with big hospitality, the music that filled our home, the creativity that defined our early years, and the ways our parents’ strength and joy continue to guide us today. We also honor our oldest sister, Donna, whose presence and influence still echo through our lives.

This conversation is honest and heartfelt — a reminder that the stories we’re given in childhood can become the stories we choose to carry, reshape, or release.

In this episode:

• Birth order, big age gaps, and growing up in “two different families”
• Family vacations planned pre-internet (and with almost no money)
• Music, creativity, and homemade childhood “movies”
• Our parents’ faith, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit
• Living with chronic pain and choosing joy anyway
• Hospitality, generosity, and welcoming strangers
• Lessons we each carry into our adult lives
• Remembering our sister Donna with love and gratitude

Resources and links:

• Website: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/
• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/suzannesearcyjohnson
• Private Coaching: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/work-with-me/
• Sign up for my newsletter: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/newsletter/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzanne.searcy.johnson/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suzanne.searcy.johnson
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@suzannesearcyjohnson
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@suzannesearcyjohnson
• Free Resources: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/resources/
• Sixty Candles: Life Lessons from an OG Fire Horse: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/sixty-candles/

In this solo episode, I explore the rapidly shifting AI landscape. I share why opt‑out (vs. opt-in) AI concerns me, potential environmental and creative harms, and how unchecked reliance on AI can weaken our critical thinking. I also offer an honest look at the ways I do use AI, along with simple practices to help you stay grounded, thoughtful, and human in an AI‑driven world.

In this episode:

• The current AI landscape and why “opt‑out” matters
• Environmental impacts of large‑scale AI use
• How AI affects critical thinking
• Harms to writers, musicians, and other creatives
• What I personally use AI for
• Four questions to ask before using AI
• Three simple ways to reduce AI use without losing convenience
• Why human connection matters more than ever

Links mentioned:

• The web browser I use: https://noai.duckduckgo.com/
• Articles:
  • https://unric.org/en/ais-environmental-costs-threaten-water-land-and-climate/
  • https://www.sciencetimes.com/articles/61285/20260209/water-shortage-crisis-are-we-running-out-fresh-water-global-data-reveals-truth.htm
  • https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2026/08/17/ai-companies-are-buying-and-destroying-antique-books-heres-why/
  • https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/03/16/love-in-the-time-of-ai-companions (Print edition article "Sweet Nothings" by Anna Wiener)
• My children's book with illustrations by Kim Gatto: https://a.co/d/03Wlkfqa

Connect with me:

• Website: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/
• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/suzannesearcyjohnson
• Private Coaching: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/work-with-me/
• Sign up for my newsletter: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/newsletter/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzanne.searcy.johnson/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suzanne.searcy.johnson
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@suzannesearcyjohnson
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@suzannesearcyjohnson