Dawn and Ruth are unpacking a lot this episode, and honestly? It's some of their most honest conversation yet. Things get real when they talk about Dawn's recent eye scare: floaters and peripheral flashes that sent her straight to urgent retina care. This leads to reflecting on Ruth's Guillain-Barré experience a year ago, her recovery, and how health scares change everything about how you show up for people. Because there are people who disappear when things get scary, and people who show up. Guess which ones matter?

From there, they dive into The Other Significant Others, a book about lifelong, non-romantic partnerships and chosen family. Think: power of attorney, co-parenting arrangements, end-of-life decisions made by people who aren't legally married. Society gives all the benefits to romantic partnerships—tax breaks, bereavement leave, legal recognition—while other deep relationships get zero validation.

They're exploring alternative family structures, cultural attitudes toward single adults, and how community-building works differently in Minnesota versus New York City. Plus, they're questioning inherited beliefs about friendship and why we act like romantic love is the only kind that really counts. This episode is for anyone who's ever felt like their most important relationships don't fit the template society expects.

LINKS:

We'd love your support! Join our patreon: patreon.com/u11072417

00:00 Why One Person Can’t Meet All Your Needs (Friendship vs. Marriage)

00:18 Meet Dawn & Ruth + The Suzuki Conservatory Info Night

01:06 How Suzuki Works: Commitment, Interviews & Letting Kids Choose Instruments

03:29 City Life Updates: Late Nights, Ash Wednesday & The Circus Next Door

04:14 Eye Scare & Dr. Google: Floaters, Retina Fears, and Getting Checked

06:37 A Year After Guillain-Barr: Recovery, Gratitude, and New Perspective on Illness

08:11 “Just Show Up”: Visiting the Sick, Funerals, and Who Really Comes Through

08:54 Your Support Network in Action + Introducing ‘The Other Significant Other’

10:13 Redefining Life Partners: Legal Rights, Co-Parenting, and Chosen Family

12:39 Society Built Around Romance: The Village Model and Making Space for Deep Friendships

13:20 Friendships as ‘Real’ Family: Being Seen Beyond Marriage

14:02 When the System Doesn’t Recognize Your People (Deathbeds & Bereavement)

15:53 Nontraditional Paths to Parenthood: Co-Parenting, Donors, Surrogacy & IVF

17:50 The Stigma of Being Unpartnered (and the ‘Not a Real Adult’ Moment)

19:12 Money, Taxes, and Why Culture Pushes Unhappy Partnerships

20:06 Place, Belonging, and Chosen Family: Minnesota vs. New York

23:23 Discussion Guide: Learning to Say ‘I Love You’ to Friends

25:17 History of Friendship Commitments: Sworn Brotherhoods & Romantic Pedestals

26:03 Closing: Emergency Contacts, Legal Recognition, and Final Takeaways

The Little Heart Project is going to wreck you in the best way. Kathleen Jensen, the founder, crochets small hearts, attaches notes of encouragement, and leaves them in public places for strangers to find. Simple, right? Except these tiny hearts are reducing stigma around mental illness and preventing suicides. These little acts of kindness are literally saving lives.

Kathleen shares the story behind the project, including her own personal journey with mental health (because you don't start something like this without knowing the darkness firsthand). She's talking about how the project has grown from a local effort to a global movement—people all over the world are crocheting hearts and leaving them for strangers who need hope.

But we’re not just talking about the impact on the people who find the hearts. We’re talking about what it does for the people who make them. The community that's formed around this. The volunteers who've found purpose and healing through creating something for someone else.

Kathleen also gets real about the challenges of managing a nonprofit, the logistics of spreading kindness at scale, and how creativity can become a tool for mental health advocacy and suicide prevention. This episode is a reminder that you don't need a massive platform or a huge budget to change lives. Sometimes all it takes is a tiny crocheted heart and a note that says "you matter.”

LINKS:

Check out Dawn's coaching at bigpicturebigpurpose.com

Show your love for a favorite minister: consecrate.cratejoy.com and consecratebox.com

Help support our work on Created Creative Podcast by becoming a patron: patreon.com/u11072417

00:00 Welcome to Created Creative

00:47 Personal Stories and Reflections

06:24 The Little Heart Project: An Introduction

07:13 Spreading Kindness and Mental Health Awareness

10:53 The Origins of The Little Heart Project

13:29 Impact and Growth of The Little Heart Project

15:26 Personal Struggles and Motivation

15:41 Community Support and Outreach

16:32 Surprising Connections and Growth

17:48 Impact on 9-1-1 Dispatchers

19:01 Youth Involvement and University Partnerships

20:15 Challenges and Coaching

21:32 Nonprofit Management and Funding

24:32 Advocacy and Recognition

27:55 Educational Efforts and Mental Health Awareness

29:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Ruth's raw, unfiltered voice memos from her solo journey through New Zealand make up most of this episode, and honestly? It's one of the most truthful, vulnerable things we've ever put out there. Ruth's walking you through the whole thing: The initial excitement of departure (that "holy buckets, I'm really doing this" energy), the physical challenges that make you question everything, the moments of reflection when you're alone with your thoughts in the wilderness, and all the interactions with locals and travelers that remind you why humans need each other.

But here's what makes this special: You're hearing Ruth navigate the emotional highs and lows in real time. Not polished. Not edited into neat takeaways. Just the messy, beautiful truth of what it's like to push yourself beyond what you thought you could do.

By the end, Ruth's gained profound insights and a sense of accomplishment that only comes from finishing something audacious. And when she gets home? She reflects on how the whole experience transformed her. This episode is for anyone who's ever wondered what it actually feels like to do the thing that scares you. Not the Instagram version. The real version. So grab your coffee (or your hiking boots) and settle in. Ruth's taking you to New Zealand—and it's going to change how you think about what you're capable of.

LINKS:

Check out Dawn Trautman's coaching: bigpicturebigpurpose.com

Need a gift for your favorite minister? consecrate.cratejoy.com

00:00 Introduction to Ruth's Journey

00:57 Ruth's Pre-Departure Thoughts

00:57 Travel Hiccups and Delays

02:53 Arrival in New Zealand

04:21 First Days on the Trail

05:48 Challenges and Small Victories

06:56 Reflections on Home and the World

08:45 Unexpected Encounters and Decisions

10:38 Reaching Queenstown and Final Thoughts

18:09 Returning Home and Processing the Journey

21:04 Reflecting on the Journey

21:18 Challenges and Adaptations

22:20 Survival Strategies

23:22 Facing Loneliness

23:38 The Value of Community

26:45 Unsupervised Adventures

30:03 Packing Essentials

31:14 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

When we welcomed back Meta Herrick Carlson in December to discuss her children's book called We Remember Your Baptism, we never knew how much more timely her words would become by January.

Meta is a Minnesota pastor helping children understand and cherish their baptismal stories, which sounds simple until you realize how many of us have NO idea what our baptism even meant or why it matters. She worked with her illustrator Clara to create something that helps families hold onto these sacred moments in ways that actually stick.

But here's where the conversation gets deeper: We talked about what baptism means for community. What it means for her Minneapolis neighborhood right now. With ICE presence and everything else happening, the question isn't just "do you remember your baptism?" It's “Do you remember whose you are? And who's got you?"

Meta shares her unique pastoral experiences with baptism (and trust us, pastors have STORIES), and we dive into the importance of mutual aid, showing up for each other, and what it actually looks like to live into your baptismal promises when the world feels heavy.

This episode is about memory, yes. But it's also about belonging, community support, and the power of knowing you're claimed by God and by your people.

PREORDER META’S BOOK: https://www.beamingbooks.com/store/product/9798889836490/We-Remember-Your-Baptism

00:02 Meet the Guest: Meta Herrick Carlson

01:57 Meta’s New Book: We Remember Your Baptism

03:07 The Creative Process Behind the Book

05:48 Choosing the Right Illustrator

08:42 Personal Reflections on Baptism

13:13 The Power of Storytelling in Faith

15:17 Hope for the Book's Impact

15:38 Personal Reflections on Children's Books

16:55 Baptism Rituals and Traditions

18:32 Book Release and Promotions

20:53 Community and Social Justice

22:48 ICE Presence and Community Response

25:36 Faith and Social Responsibility

27:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo is basically the Created Creative podcast in book form. There's so much overlap it's wild.

Dawn and Ruth get real about how family beliefs shaped their creative journeys (spoiler: Dawn got cast in a professional show as a kid and wasn't allowed to do it—ouch), what limiting beliefs are still holding them back (like "I don't wanna bother people" when marketing), and the whole messy tension between building a personal brand and maintaining humility in ministry. Because yeah, that's a thing.

They're also talking about the difference between holy persistence and unhealthy striving (when do you keep going and when do you let go?), and how to integrate all the different pieces of your life—ministry, business, creativity—without losing your mind. Dawn calls it "being a jazz musician" with her schedule, and honestly, that tracks.

Naomi Arnold is a journalist, author, and the kind of person who decided to walk the entire length of New Zealand on the Te Araroa Trail. Because why not, right?

Naomi's sharing with Dawn and Ruth the whole messy, beautiful story: the trail conditions (spoiler: not always great), the personal fears she had to face, the environmental challenges that nearly broke her, and what it actually takes to put one foot in front of the other for months on end. All of this became her book Northbound, which is basically a masterclass in resilience and determination.

But here's what makes this conversation so good: They're not just talking about hiking. They're talking about the writing process, the life lessons that only show up when you're alone in the wilderness with your thoughts, and what happens when you commit to something audacious and then actually do it.

This episode is packed with practical advice for future hikers (Ruth's actually in New Zealand hiking right now) and aspiring writers who need to hear that finishing the thing—whether it's a trail or a book—requires the same kind of stubborn persistence.

So if you've ever wondered what it takes to walk across an entire country or write about it afterward, Naomi's got answers. And honestly? Her story might just inspire you to do that audacious thing you've been putting off.

LINKS: Are you dreaming about starting something new? Check out Dawn's coaching groups: https://bigpicturebigpurpose.lpages.co/discern-by-doing-for-business/

Have you heard about ConseCrate? It is happy mail for ministers! consecrate.cratejoy.com

00:19 Planning the New Zealand Trail Adventure

02:07 Interview with Naomi Arnold

02:47 Naomi's Trail Experience and Challenges

06:24 Navigating the Trail and Unexpected Obstacles

14:03 Final Thoughts and Advice for Future Hikers

19:10 Struggles on 90 Mile Beach

19:58 A Painful Journey to the End

21:22 Unexpected Kindness and Recovery

22:29 Post-Trail Reflections and Social Anxiety

22:59 The Impact of COVID-19

24:46 Book Success and Reader Reactions

25:39 The Journey of Writing and Publishing

28:03 Future Projects and Ideas

29:18 Creative Challenges and Accountability

Dawn and Ruth are diving into something women in ministry desperately need but rarely talk about: systems. Not the sexy stuff—just the practical, life-saving routines that keep you from drowning in overwhelm.

They're bringing on three incredible coaches who've all been through Discern by Doing and are now helping women actually survive (and thrive) in ministry life:

Michelle Pavasars is helping women in ministry create calm, organized spaces and build the systems that make family dinners and ministry responsibilities actually coexist. Because yes, you can have both—but not without structure.

Jodi Golden Lund is coaching women through the messy reality of balancing family and ministry, helping them stop over-functioning (which, let's be honest, is what society has trained us to do) and start living with intention instead of exhaustion.

Jillene Gallatin took her own grief journey and created Grief Yoga, a practice that holds space for loss, transitions, and all the heavy stuff women in ministry carry but rarely have permission to process.

This episode is about community, accountability, and using your unique skills to support each other instead of trying to do it all alone. Because the truth is, most women in ministry are drowning in responsibility, absorbing criticism, and getting way less support than they deserve.

These coaches? They're changing that. One calm space, one routine, one yoga session at a time. So if you're overwhelmed, over-functioning, or just tired of white-knuckling your way through ministry life, this one's for you.

LINKS:

Become part of Dawn's next Discern by Doing for Business Group: https://bigpicturebigpurpose.lpages.co/discern-by-doing-for-business/

Have you heard of ConseCrate? It's Happy Mail for Ministers! consecrate.cratejoy.com

Michelle Pavasars coaching: https://www.michellepavasars.com/

Jillene Gallatin grief coaching: https://www.groundedloveforgrief.com/

Jodi Golden-Lund coaching: https://www.jodigoldenlund.com/

00:45 Epiphany Insights and Personal Goals

01:53 The Concept of Over-Functioning

03:03 Introducing Michelle Pavasars

04:12 Creating Calm Spaces and Organized Lives

07:29 The Value of Family Dinners

08:59 Building a Coaching Business

16:28 The Unique Role of a Coach

16:45 Introducing Jodi Golden-Lund

17:42 Jodi's Journey and Coaching Philosophy

19:37 The Impact of Coaching Programs

22:02 Introducing Jillene Gallatin

22:59 Jillene's Grief Yoga and Coaching

26:18 The Power of Community in Business

35:27 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Dawn and Ruth are introducing Discern by Doing for Business, a program designed specifically for women who want to build sustainable businesses rooted in who they actually are. And then? They bring on three incredible guests who are living proof that this works.

First up: Diane Harpster is teaching Zentangle art—intricate, meditative drawing that reduces stress and unlocks creativity. It's art therapy meets spiritual practice, and it's beautiful.

Then there's Erin Martinson with the Strong Her Ministry Collective, creating space and support for women in church leadership. Because honestly? Women leading in the church need community, resources, and people who get it.

And finally, Julie Hoplamazian introduces Faith on Pointe. Yes, that's ballet and theology together. She's literally integrating movement, worship, and Scripture in a way that's both ancient and brand new.

This episode is all about community support, intentional practice, and proving that spirituality and creativity aren't separate from your business—they're the foundation of it. When you build from that place? Everything changes. So if you're ready to create something that's authentically yours, this one's for you.

DISCERN BY DOING FOR BUSINESS: https://bigpicturebigpurpose.lpages.co/discern-by-doing-for-business

CONSECRATE: it's Happy Mail for Ministers! consecrate.cratejoy.com

ZENTANGLE: https://www.dianeharpsterart.com/

STRONG_HER: https://www.embodywisdomca.com/

FAITH ON POINT: https://www.faithonpointe.com/

00:34 New Year Reflections and Vision Boards

01:07 Achieving Goals and Overcoming Challenges

02:21 Discern by Doing: Empowering Stories

03:09 Interview with Diane Harpster: Zentangle Journey

05:32 The Benefits of Zentangle and Self-Care

14:49 Interview with Erin Martinson: Stronger Ministry Collective

19:18 Living Out God's Purpose

19:48 The Importance of Discernment

20:54 Shifting Directions in Life

21:33 Strong Her Ministry Collective

23:16 Introduction to Faith on Pointe

24:04 The Origin of Faith on Pointe

25:47 Connecting Dance and Spirituality

26:50 Challenges and Community Support

31:35 Promoting and Growing the Ministry

33:13 Upcoming Collaborations and Final Thoughts

Terry Niemann is Santa. Not just plays him. Is him. And his conversation with Dawn and Ruth is gonna punch you right in the feels. Terry is a transportation dispatcher from Minnesota who started playing Santa in 2018, and what began as a fun gig became something so much deeper when cancer entered the picture. Because here's the thing: When you face your own mortality, every interaction with a wide-eyed kid, every act of generosity, every moment of spreading joy becomes sacred.

He's sharing heartwarming moments with children, spontaneous acts of kindness during the holidays, and what it's like to embody hope and magic when life has thrown you some serious curveballs. Terry's battle with cancer didn't stop him from being Santa. If anything, it made him better at it.

This episode is about resilience, yes. But it's also about gratitude, the power of simple kindness, and what happens when you decide to keep showing up for people even when, especially when, life gets hard.

So if you need a reminder that generosity and joy are choices we make every single day, and that the true spirit of Christmas isn't about presents but about presence, this one's for you.

Grab your tissues and your coffee. Terry's story is the kind that stays with you long after the episode ends.

LINKS: Do you dream about having a little more financial freedom? Join ministers who are building small businesses of all kinds! New group beginning in January: https://bigpicturebigpurpose.lpages.co/discern-by-doing-for-business/

Have you heard about ConseCrate? It's happy mail for ministers: consecratebox.com

00:22 Meet Santa: Terry Niemann

01:19 Becoming Santa: The Journey Begins

02:45 Memorable Moments as Santa

03:43 Spreading Joy: Santa's Impact

06:32 The Life of a Busy Santa

09:05 Santa School: Preparing for the Role

09:56 Magic Key and Coins for Kids

10:23 Reading Humphrey's First Christmas

11:17 Santa School Experience

13:32 Battling Cancer and Finding Strength

15:29 Best Christmas Ever Organization

17:47 Spreading Thankfulness and Joy

Sometimes you have to follow where your calling actually leads, not where people expect it to go. Dawn and Ruth sit down with Dale Harris. He’s a former pastor, current psychotherapy student, and the kind of creative who refuses to pick just one lane.

Dale's been making Three Minute Theology videos, writing novels and poetry, releasing music albums, and now? He's transitioning from ministry into mental health work because sometimes you have to follow where your calling actually leads, not where people expect it to go.

Here's what makes this conversation so good: Dale gets real about the challenges of being a creative person in a church setting (spoiler: it's complicated), why he's shifting his focus to therapy and writing, and what it's like to integrate all these different pieces of who you are when the world keeps asking you to just be one thing.

They're diving into Van Gogh (because art and faith have always been tangled up together), the intersection of music and mental health, the practical side of promoting your creative work without feeling like a fraud, and how to actually overcome imposter syndrome when you're doing something new.

This episode is for anyone who's ever felt too creative for the church, too spiritual for the art world, or like they're supposed to stay in the box everyone else built for them. Dale's proof that you don't have to.

LINKS: Learn more about Dawn's Group Coaching Opportunity for those starting a side business - https://bigpicturebigpurpose.lpages.co/discern-by-doing-for-business/

Find a gift for your favorite minister: consecratebox.com

00:26 Christmas Activities and Traditions

01:04 Sing-Along and Community Events

02:52 Winter Challenges and Festivities

05:50 Interview with Dale Harris

07:33 Dale Harris: From Ministry to Psychotherapy

09:26 Three Minute Theology and Creative Projects

13:33 Van Gogh and the Intersection of Art and Faith

19:23 Music, Mental Health, and Community

20:14 Introduction to Therapy and Songwriting

20:54 Transitioning from Ministry to Therapy

22:25 Setting Up a Therapy Practice

22:57 Writing Practices and Inspirations

26:33 Creative Projects and Holy Saturday

30:03 Promoting Creative Work

36:30 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

39:11 Final Thoughts and Encouragement