The Devoted Dreamers Podcast

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Do you ever wonder if you’ll ever get past the novice stage of dreaming?

Dreams don’t happen overnight, but appearances are deceiving. What you see when you look at someone else’s dream from the outside is the result of years invested in learning, refining, healing, practicing, failing and getting back up to try again. You’ll never get to witness the years of that person’s wilderness experience, which is why it is futile to compare yourself to where someone is in their journey.

So, how do you get to the finish line? It’s by taking the next step, which is often messy and imperfect. But your dream matters, so it’s time to figure out where to go from here. And when you do, you will be amazed with what God does through your small steps of faithfulness to His calling upon your life.

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If you’re tired of sitting on the sidelines watching everyone else get busy on their dreams, let’s talk about 1:1 coaching. Even if you’re not sure that hiring a coach is really what will help you gain some traction, reach out to me via the Book a Call link on my website and let’s schedule free a 30-minute conversation to talk about what you need, what coaching with me looks like, and how I can help you take the next step.

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Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
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When you begin to think about taking the next step toward your dream, do you ever worry what someone else might think?

Whether it’s your sister who doesn’t get you, a parent who’s never understood your passions, or a spouse who already feels deprived of time with you (or a host of other potential responses from friends that have only played out in your head) running after a dream seems to trigger this fear about how people in our life will respond.

Find the show notes here.

If you’re tired of sitting on the sidelines watching everyone else get busy on their dreams, let’s talk about a 1:1 coaching relationship. Even if you’re not sure that hiring a coach is really what will help you gain some traction, reach out to me via the Book a Call link on my website and let’s schedule free a 30-minute conversation to talk about what you need, what coaching with me looks like, and how I can help you take the next step.

NEXT STEPS:

Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Discovery Call

Get Connected with the Facebook Community

Support the Podcast

Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes

Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android

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

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Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Call
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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.

Do you ever wonder if the time you’ve spent on your dream is going to be worth it? Maybe you haven’t seen the fruit you expected at this point, or your progress has been slower than you imagined, especially given what you’ve already invested. Wouldn’t it be terrible to look back one day and realize it was all a waste of time?

Want some support on this journey? Consider a 1:1 coaching relationship with me. Even if you’re not sure that hiring a coach is really the thing that will help you get some traction, reach out to me via the Book a Call link on my website and let’s have free a 30-minute conversation to talk about what you need, what coaching with me looks like, and how I can help you take the next step.

If you’ve felt uncertain about the value or worthiness of your dream, I’m confident there’s something for you in this episode.

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Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
Ad music by Komiku.

Send us Fan Mail

Find show notes here.

Do you tend to question your dream? Or wonder if you heard God right the first time?

Nearly every day I encounter someone talking about the fear of missing out on the purpose God has planned for her life.

Some even describe it as a deep worry or anxiety that everyone else has beaten her to the finish line, and she’s somehow gotten it wrong but doesn’t know how to find her way back into God’s prescribed path that was ordained for her before the beginning of time.

Wow! If that’s you, that is a LOT of pressure you’re putting on yourself!

I’m addressing the three challenges to believing God has given you purpose and that you can’t mess it up. I’m also offering some purposeful steps you can take today to grow in assurance that you are already walking in His plan.

This one also has a bit of homework, in case you’re still stuck at the end of the conversation; I’ll walk you through exactly what to do and some practical tools you can use every time those worries or anxieties return.

At the end, I’m inviting you to consider a 1:1 coaching relationship with me to address some of these issues so you can move forward in your dream based on your current understanding of it.  

Even if you’re not sure that hiring a coach is really the thing that will help you make some progress, reach out to me via the Book a Call link on my website and let’s have free a 30-minute conversation to talk about what you need, what coaching with me looks like, and how I can help you take the next step.

If you’ve felt anxious or worried about your dream, I’m confident there’s hope and reassurance for you in this episode.

MENTIONED: 

Devoted Dreamers Ep. 110 | [Solo] You Have Great Value and Worth

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Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
Ad music by Komiku.

Send us Fan Mail

Find show notes here. 

Is the timing right for my dream?

I hear this question all the time in my conversations with women who have a dream on their hearts but who also have a list of other responsibilities and interests that take up the majority of their waking hours.

How do you determine the “right” timing to pursue a passion project? If your life is already full, how do you decide when to adjust your commitments so you can shift into what’s possible for the future?

In this segment, I’m helping you answer these questions and teaching you how to avoid the common mindset mistakes that often accompany questions about the timing of your dream.

If this sounds like something you’ve struggled with, I hope this episode will provide clarity, but there’s a bit of work you need to commit to first to get there, so I’ve also provided some reflection questions as a journaling exercise towards the end. You can learn more about that in the show notes, but you’ll want to listen all the way through to the end of the episode to hear my explanations about those.

Following the journaling questions, I invite you to consider a 1:1 coaching relationship with me in order to address some of those topics and help you determine if it’s time to move toward your God-shaped dream.

Even if you’re not sure that hiring a coach is really the thing that will help you make some progress, reach out to me via the Book a Call link on my website and let’s have a 30-minute conversation to talk about what you need, what coaching with me looks like, and how I can help you take the next step.

If you’ve felt anxious about starting or worried about the timing of your dream, I’m confident there’s hope and reassurance for you in this episode.

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

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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.

How’s your confidence?

When I asked this question on Instagram Stories earlier this week, 100% of those who responded answered, “I’m working on it.” But what does it look like to “work on your confidence?

Maybe it’s a little bit like saying, “I’m trying.” But “trying what?” is the next question. How do we work on our confidence?

If you resonate with this, don’t miss this week’s solo episode about growing your confidence right now through the power that is already with you: the Holy Spirit.

I’m teaching you how to avoid the common mistakes when it comes to confidence building and why it’s so important to set your mind on the truth as you do that.

At the end of the episode, I invite you to consider a 1:1 coaching relationship with me in order to fast-track your progress toward your God-shaped dream.

Even if you’re not sure that hiring a coach is really the answer to helping you make some progress, reach out to me via the Book a Call link on my website and let’s have a 30-minute conversation to talk about what you need, what coaching with me looks like, and how I can help you take the next step.

I’m confident there’s hope for you on the other side of fear, perfectionism, and feeling stalled out.

Let’s do it!!

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NEXT STEPS:
Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Call
Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android
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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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Ep 224 Show Notes are here: https://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/224

Which of these confidence myths are keeping you from stepping into your God-shaped dream?

• “I have to know what I’m doing before I start pursuing a dream.”
• “I need to FEEL confident before I start pursuing a dream.”
• “I need to BE really good at {fill in the blank} before I can even think about starting to pursue my dream.”

Each one of these may seem true on the surface. They definitely feel that way in the eyes of the world and our culture. But what does God’s Word say about your abilities? It says they are given by God.

What does God’s Word say about your desire for everything to be perfect? It says that won’t happen until heaven.  

What does it say about leaning on your own understanding? It says don’t do it!

Reminded of all that, how can this be the year when you finally say no to these methods of self-sabotage?

Your dream is given to you by God for your good and for the good of His kingdom. Can you believe that you’ve actually been invited to be part of God’s redemptive work in the world? It’s mind-blowing! And you may choose to participate, or you may choose not to. That part is up to you.

But I urge you: You definitely want to say yes if God has put a dream on your heart. And if you believe that along with me, then you’ve gotta figure out the mindset stuff that’s keeping you stuck and afraid to move forward.

There’s too much at stake here!

If even 1% of you wonders whether hiring a coach could help you make some real progress, let's have a conversation. You can reach me via the Book a Call link on my website. We'll have a 30-minute conversation to talk about what you need, what coaching with me looks like, and what it looks like for me to help you take the next step.

I’m confident there’s hope for you on the other side of fear, perfectionism, and feeling stalled out.

Let’s do it!!

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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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People tell me my solo episodes are among their favorites! That’s why I’m kicking off Season 10 with a series of episodes focused on providing you with additional support for getting off the sidelines instead of waiting around for the right timing to pursue your dream.

The time is now! It’s not a mistake. If there’s a dream on your heart, God means for you to pursue it!

Welcome back to Season 10 of The Devoted Dreamers Podcast!

I’m excited to return in this season with something a little different in your earbuds over the next few months. Be sure to subscribe to the show so you don’t miss a thing!

This quick bonus episode is where I’m talking through my personal example of trying something new to move a dream forward. It’s the same thing I encourage you to do: Push through the fear, take a step, and trust God to meet you in it.

Next week I’ll be back to kick off a series of solo episodes coaching you through the hurdles that come with being a devoted dreamer, so come on back! I can’t wait to reconnect with you!

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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.

Which do you struggle with most: starting on a dream or staying faithful through the messy middle?

My guest this week is Rachel Baker an author, a pastor’s wife and director of women’s ministries in her local church. Along her journey she has questioned her lack of training, doubted her calling, and has been tempted to give up before reaching the finish line.

Like many of us, she also went through a season of not knowing where to begin. In a beautiful turn of events (and through a conversation with her husband), she realized that the starting line was just outside her own door.

In this conversation we also talk about:

1. God’s rebuke when Rachel doubts her calling,
2. What to do if you’re prone to great ideas but you face discouragement in the messy middle, and
3. What it looks like to fight for your identity in Christ.

MORE ABOUT RACHEL:

Rachel is the author of Deconstructed, a bible study guide for the woman who feels overwhelmed or ill-equipped to study the word of God. She’s a pastor’s wife and director of women’s ministries who believes in leading through vulnerability and authenticity. She is a cheerleader herself, an encourager, and a sometimes drill-sergeant. She serves the local church alongside her husband, Kile, in Northern Nevada. They have two amazing kiddos and three dogs. Rachel is fueled by coffee, tacos and copious amounts of cheese.

CONNECT WITH RACHEL:

Website || Instagram || Facebook

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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. 

Do you ever want to quit when it feels too hard to keep running after a dream? First, you are not alone. You also need to know that feeling resistance about some aspect of your God-shaped dream is not a reason to give up. Resistance may, in fact, be a nudge to keep going and keep trusting that God is with you, and He will carry you through it.  

Like a lot of dreamers, Devin Clevenger discovered her dream because of a deep need in her own life. A recent move to a new city, a major life transition, plus the pandemic lockdown left her lonely and longing for connection with others. She threw out a simple idea on social media and was met with encouragement that she should take her suggestion up a notch and be the one to lead it.

You’ll hear all about how she founded Circle of Grace, who came up with the name (it wasn’t her!), and how she’s leading outside her comfort zone and trusting God to provide every next step.  

We also talk about:

1. What to do with the resistance you sense when you’re considering a God-shaped dream,
2. The impact of bringing your humanity into it when you’re trying new things, especially when you feel vulnerable doing it in front of others, and
3. How to not let the little things stand in the way of the bigger impact of your dream.

Loved this episode? Come on over to the Facebook group to share your thoughts on this episode.

Devin Clevenger is a wife, retired cosmetologist, homemaker & entrepreneur. Her psychologically abusive childhood led her into a dark season of life where she struggled to invest in any relationships, including her relationship with God. By His grace, she learned the tools necessary to walk through a season of healing & ultimately found freedom.

Her husband’s role as a provider has allowed her to create the Circle of Grace -- An online membership community for women who are committed to growing deeper in self-awareness, embracing their feminine design & encouraging one another to leave a greater impact in their sphere of influence.

Website || Instagram || Twitter

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