The Devoted Dreamers Podcast

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Find the show notes here:  http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/289  

Have you ever felt afraid when starting to step into a dream?

If so, you are 100% not alone; in fact, one of the most valuable discoveries I made in the first six months of hosting my podcast was that every woman I spoke to said she feels the same.

I reveal this juicy nugget about dreamers in a recent interview with Anne Watson, host of the Swayology Podcast. We have the most beautiful conversation about pursuing our dreams even when we feel afraid. She affirms how hard it is to figure out what you want to be when you grow up, especially as a multi-passionate woman. And she takes us on a journey, digging back into the archives of how I started pursuing my dream of serving women who are actively seeking a path on which to live out their God-shaped dreams.

In this episode you’ll learn about...

• My unspoken prayer in 2012 that cracked open the door of considering how to engage my creative gifts for a purpose I felt passionate about,
  
  
• The self-imposed bondage that needs to be broken so we can live freely in who God created us to be, and
  
  
• The challenge to stop hiding behind my podcast and go all-in to create a business that would serve women with big dreams for God’s kingdom.  

I’m calling this episode a PodSwap and sending HUGE thanks to Anne Watson for allowing me to re-purpose this interview while I’m in content creation mode of another kind.

Want to be the first to know when what I’m creating right now is available? Get on the list for my weekly email newsletter and I’ll make sure you get the scoop in early 2024!

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MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
Ad music by Komiku.

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Find the show notes here:  http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/288

Are you navigating a huge life transition right now?

I recently sat down with Joy Bartholomew, host of The Divorce Confidante Podcast, and we talked about how to think about dreams during a significant life transition like divorce. 

Whether or not you’ve experienced divorce, you likely know someone who has. (Why not share this episode with her?) And either way, you’ve certainly experienced seasons where you wondered if you had anything left to give to a dream.

In this episode you’ll learn about:

• How to begin the process of realizing your dreams
• How to determine if you're ready to start, and
• The beautiful transformations that come when you begin to live into your authentic purpose.

I’m calling this episode a PodSwap and sending HUGE thanks to Joy for allowing me to use her episode while I’m in content creation mode of another kind.

Want to be the first to know when what I’m creating right now is available? Get on the list for my weekly email newsletter and I’ll make sure you get the scoop in early 2024!

NEXT STEPS:

Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Let’s Talk

Get Connected with the Facebook Community

Support the Podcast

Sign up for Dream Believers. Just $49/month or $490 for the year (get 2 months free!) 

NEXT STEPS:
Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Call
Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android
Join the Dream Believers community

MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
Ad music by Komiku.

Send us Fan Mail

Find the show notes here:  http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/287

What strategies can help you stay consistent in pursuing a God-shaped dream? 

Buckle up! When you’re starting out with a big dream idea, your emotions can take you on a journey that puts any amusement park rollercoaster to shame. It all begins with excitement and elation. Then, as you start to get serious about the dream, look out for comparison, imposter syndrome and fear that will stop you in your tracks.

In this episode, I share behind-the-scenes tactics I used to start and manage a podcast even though I didn’t know what I was doing, had technical barriers, limited time, and a tiny budget. We cover the ways specific, attainable goals can help tamp down the emotional rollercoaster and what to do when you’re not making any progress on a dream.

You’ll also learn about:

• Overcoming distractions and negative emotions
• The significance of consistent action, and
• Why every dreamer needs to set small, attainable goals

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Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes

Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts *

Sign up for Dream Believers. Just $49/month or $490 for the year (get 2 months free!) 

NEXT STEPS:
Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Call
Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android
Join the Dream Believers community

MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
Ad music by Komiku.

Send us Fan Mail

Find the show notes here:  http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/286

Seeking clarity and confidence for pursuing a God-shaped dream?

Time, money, energy, and having little kids at home often top the list of big reasons women put their dreams on hold.

However, I’ve discovered 3 traps that are an even greater threat because we don’t always recognize their power in our lives.

If you’ve felt stuck and unable to move forward on your dream, grab a journal and a pen, take a listen, and then examine whether the traps mentioned in this episode could be part of the problem.

You might even pause to pray and ask God for eyes to see which one (or ones) are at work. Because you cannot escape the trap until you realize you’re caught up in it.

In this solo episode you’ll learn about:

• The transformative power of community in pursuing a God-shaped dream,
• Recognizing and overcoming common obstacles to our dreams,
• Who the Dreamer Lab is for, and how you can join us this fall!

DOORS ARE NOW OPEN FOR THE DREAMER LAB!

Click here to Learn More.

NEXT STEPS:

Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Let’s Talk || Join the Dreamer Lab

Get Connected with the Facebook Community

Support the Podcast

Sign up for Dream Believers. Just $49/month or $490 for the year (get 2 months free!) 

NEXT STEPS:
Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Call
Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android
Join the Dream Believers community

MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
Ad music by Komiku.

Send us Fan Mail

Find show notes here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/285

Can the Dreamer Lab support a dreamer like you? 

Over the last three weeks I’ve highlighted The Dreamer Lab—my signature group coaching program—where we build community, clarity and confidence to help you finally take meaningful action for your God-shaped dream.

This week you’re a fly on the wall for a conversation with three Dreamer Lab members—Terri, Brandy, and Kathy—where they share what it’s like to be part of The Dreamer Lab.

You’ll hear language like: powerful, effective, focused on God, like-minded, connection and support to describe what it’s like to commit every week to a group of women who have dreams like you—even if the dreams themselves are different—and how we work together in The Dreamer Lab sharing creative ideas, solutions, support and prayer for one another.

You’re probably wondering if the Dreamer Lab can provide results FOR YOU! Will it help you finally defeat procrastination? Do you really have time to invest in weekly calls? Will it work for you in the way that it’s worked for others? Why do I need accountability if I’m already working on my dream? What if I am not ready to commit? 

In this episode you’ll learn:  

• What’s different about exploring your dream with fellow dreamers,
• How we tackle spiritual as well as technical challenges inside The Dreamer Lab,
• The real struggles of saying yes to a dream and why like-minded community is a game-changer for your forward progress.

The Dreamer Lab opens on September 27th with just 5 spots available for the fall cohort.

Join the waitlist to get the news as soon as the doors are open.  https://www.merrittonsa.com/dreamerlab

Sign up for Dream Believers. Just $49/month or $490 for the year (get 2 months free!) 

NEXT STEPS:
Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Call
Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android
Join the Dream Believers community

MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
Ad music by Komiku.

Send us Fan Mail

Find show notes here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/284

What does “Christ in me” really mean? 

Last year I created a group coaching experience called The Dreamer Lab where women with big dreams could come together to build community, find clarity through action, and grow their confidence as they pursue a God-shaped dream. 

Today I want you to meet another Dreamer Lab member, Kathy Stoops, who joined in spring 2023. Kathy has been on a transformational journey of discovering her true identity in Christ, learning how God’s Word impacts her everyday life, and figuring out how to recall these truths anytime, anywhere.

As Kathy has witnessed proof of God’s unconditional love and ever-presence in her life, she’s grown in her passion to communicate those truths with others—specifically through creative endeavors like visual journaling. 

Kathy’s story highlights the power of a heart-to-heart connection with God and the transformation that occurs when we live from the heart by the Spirit.

In this episode you’ll learn about:

• Discovering your true identity in Christ (and what it’s really all about),
• How small action steps can help build your confidence, and
• Cultivating an awareness of God’s presence in your everyday life.

COMING UP: 

Join the Dreamer Lab Mirror Experience – a free workshop on Zoom – to experience exactly what it’s like to be part of this group of women who are invested in one another’s success and who know deep in their bones what it’s like to step boldly into a God-shaped dream.

Register at

Sign up for Dream Believers. Just $49/month or $490 for the year (get 2 months free!) 

NEXT STEPS:
Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Call
Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android
Join the Dream Believers community

MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
Ad music by Komiku.

Send us Fan Mail

Find show notes here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/283

Why is there so much pressure to figure out the dream before you start?

Most women say it’s the fear of getting it wrong, making a mistake, or misunderstanding God’s prompting and falling out of His will. 

But truly, these concerns have nothing on God. He is not afraid of you getting it wrong. He’s not withholding his direction to see if you’ll make a misstep. He loves you deeply. He is with you constantly, and His heart is for you to walk confidently in the freedom he purchased for you through His Son Jesus.  

Last year I created a group coaching experience called The Dreamer Lab where women with big dreams could come together to build community, find clarity through action, and grow their confidence as they pursue a God-shaped dream. 

Today I want you to meet another Dreamer Lab member Brandy Traylor. She’s the dreamer behind Spoken For, a storytelling event where women share the mundane, messy, and monumental chapters of their lives and how God showed up and showed off as the main character in their stories. 

When Brandy joined in January 2023, she did not have certainty about the details of her dream as it exists today. 

In this episode you’ll learn about:

• Pursuing a dream even when you’re not sure of the direction or outcome,
• Letting your ideas and ambitions mature over time, and
• Maintaining an open-handedness so that God can redirect your dream if He wants to.

If you are looking to build community, clarity and confidence are your God-shaped dream, join me on September 19

NEXT STEPS:
Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Call
Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android
Join the Dream Believers community

MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
Ad music by Komiku.

Send us Fan Mail

Find show notes here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/282

Want an incubator for your dreams? 

Last year I created a space where women with big dreams could come together and build community around the experience of pursuing a dream.

Together, they invite clarity by taking action and invigorate confidence by doing it all in the nurturing community of sincere like-minded believers in Jesus (because we all need Him, plus it’s just a little less scary to walk with girlfriends who are doing it too).

Terri Albrecht has been involved in church ministry most of her adult life and has a passion for finding ways to draw people closer to God and each other. One way that she’s living out that passion is by helping churches create new ministries that are specifically designed to fit their mission, culture, and unique needs.

Terri joined the Dreamer Lab in January 2023, and she is learning to follow her dream one step at a time, working through the fear while following Gods direction.

In this episode you’ll learn about:

• How our unique personal experiences shape our dreams from God,
• The importance of trusting His timing and guidance in the dream, and
• The mistake of underestimating your gifts and what you have to offer the world.

Join the Dreamer Lab Mirror Experience – a free workshop on Zoom – to experience exactly what it’s like to be part of this group of women who are invested in one another’s success and who know deep in their bones what it’s like to step boldly into a God-shaped dream.

Sept. 19th at 9:00 am MT / 10 am CT

Register at https://www.merrittonsa.com/dlexperience 

NEXT STEPS:
Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Call
Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android
Join the Dream Believers community

MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
Ad music by Komiku.

Send us Fan Mail

Find show notes here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/281 

Have you been pursuing a dream all on your own?

This week Katy McCown returns to the show with a power-packed episode on the importance of belonging in the body of Christ and the impact of community as we pursue our dreams. Join me and Katy as we unravel the significance of community, acknowledge the challenges, and uncover practical ways to invite others into your unique journey.

If you didn’t catch last week’s recast of episode 199, my previous conversation with Katy, you’ll learn in this one that she’s a passionate writer, speaker, and mother of six. She has a heart dedicated to sharing the message of Christ and brings a wealth of experience to this topic. She's the author of She Belongs: Learning to Embrace the Gift of Belonging in a World Meant to Divide, a new Bible study that resonates with the struggles and joys of finding true community. 

In this episode you’ll learn:

• How to recognize and overcome the natural tendency to isolate ourselves,
• Practical steps to invite others into your dream journey, and
• The significance of Jesus’ last words to his disciples.

DON’T MISS THE SUMMER SALE ON MY PODCASTING COURSE! 

Get $30 off Your Purposeful Podcast and launch your own heart-centered, business-boosting podcast in 30 days or less! Yes, it’s possible. That’s what I did in 2016 and you can do it too with just a little support and a few shortcuts to get you started the easy way! Use the code SUMMER30 by August 31st at https://www.merrittonsa.com/podcastcourse

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Sign up for Dream Believers. Just $49/month or $490 for the year (get 2 months free!) 

NEXT STEPS:
Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Call
Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android
Join the Dream Believers community

MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
Ad music by Komiku.

Send us Fan Mail

Find the show notes here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/280

Does it sometimes feel like God’s timing doesn’t make sense?

Katy McCown always knew she was called to write but she didn’t expect to get the green light when she was eight months pregnant with her sixth child. Today she is the author of two Bible studies, president of She Laughs Ministries, a writer for Proverbs 31 Ministries, and a national speaker. Through all life’s uncertainties and surprises, Katy has learned some things about “living sure” even when the future is not.

I hear so many women talk about not having time to pursue their dreams. I get it; life is full. Whether you’re caring for kids, a home, aging parents, yourself (or all of the above) or maybe you’re pursuing education, a career, a paycheck—whatever it is that will help you provide for yourself and your family—all of these responsibilities carry significant demands. It’s no wonder you’re finding it difficult to dream.

We all wake up with the same number of hours to our day. The question is, how do we choose to use the limited time we’ve been given, not to do every. single. thing. but to be intentional with the few things God has given us for today?

Or maybe you are the dreamer who is questioning whether you’ve heard God wrong because your dream isn’t turning out the way you imagined it would. 

Or rejection has been so much a part of your story, that it hurts to the core of your being,

If any of this sounds familiar, listen as Katy and I talk about: 

• What it looks like to have significant demands upon your time and still be faithful to your dream day after day,

Sign up for Dream Believers. Just $49/month or $490 for the year (get 2 months free!) 

NEXT STEPS:
Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Call
Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android
Join the Dream Believers community

MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
Ad music by Komiku.