The Devoted Dreamers Podcast

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The world of work has changed in the last decade. Yet the question remains: Is it possible to align work with a sense of calling while also navigating equally demanding personal roles and responsibilities?

Michaela O’Donnell is no stranger to questions like these. Through starting her own company and listening to others, she has come to believe that we are all called to be part of God’s big redemptive work in this world. Her new book Make Work Matter: Your Guide to Meaningful Work in a Changing World launched into the world in November 2021.

In Michaela’s work as a practical theologian she converts academic research and lived experience into practical resources for the sake of your career (or your God-shaped dream). I’m thrilled to welcome her back to the podcast for the second time this year, this time to talk specifically about her research that let to writing her book Make Work Matter and its implications for dreamers like us.  

In this conversation we talk about:

• The myth of “calling” and how we might adjust our thinking on this topic,
• An activity Michaela’s created that you can use to reflect on your own journey of calling and track God’s faithfulness in your life, and
• What you can do instead of “betting the farm” on your God-shaped dream.

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

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Get the Dream Readiness Checklist to help you know if you’re ready to take the next step toward your dream!

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Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
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Find the Show Notes here.  

Monica Kelsey has a powerful personal testimony and a new book Blessed to Have Been Abandoned, released in May of 2021. It’s a story that reaffirms the value of every single life, regardless of the circumstances of their conception

If your dream was birthed out of pain like Monica’s was, this interview is for you. In it we talk about:

• How to reframe your fear of the unknown as you take new risks,
• Why knowing and believing in your worth in Christ is crucial to pursuing a God-shaped dream, and
• The importance of giving yourself time to heal from past hurts before you jump into that dream.

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

Monica Kelsey knew she was adopted at birth and raised by a Christian family in Ohio. It wasn't until the age of 37 that she discovered the shocking circumstances of her conception and subsequent birth. She learned that her birth mother had been brutally raped and left to die and that she had abandoned Monica just a few hours after giving birth.

After some soul searching, she stopped wrestling with the “why” and instead decided to focus on the “how.” She did this by asking herself one question: “How can I take this gift of life that I've been given and make a difference?”

Monica is also a retired firefighter and medic, living in Indiana. Her mission to protect all human life from conception to natural death is personal. She has been sharing her pro-life views with millions of people since February 2011 and works diligently to support pro-life legislators who take a stand to defend the lives of the innocent. 

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NEXT STEPS:

Get the Dream Readiness Checklist to help you know if you’re ready to take the next step toward your dream!

Curious about Dream Coaching? Book a free 30-minute Discovery Call with me.

GET CONNECTED WITH THE COMMUNITY 

SUPPORT THE PODCAST 

LEAVE A REVIEW: On Apple Podcasts/iTunes or Stitcher

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

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My family is managing a health emergency this week so the full show notes will be delayed, but I have posted the handout for this episode here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/219

Although I wrote this talk for moms of young children, this episode is a reminder that God’s plans and timing have purpose no matter your life stage.

If you feel disconnected from your dream, you’re not alone. Just because it’s not today doesn’t mean it’s not EVER. Instead of despairing, think of motherhood as an opportunity to use your strengths so you can keep those muscles strong.

Finally, stay open to cultivating wonder, curiosity, and creativity; and ask the Father to help you do that through the power of the Holy Spirit!

You can find the handout for this episode here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/219

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Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
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Find the Show Notes here.

Do you ever wonder if your God-shaped dream might be something He hasn’t yet revealed to you, or questioned why you feel blocked from God’s purpose for your life? Cindy DeBoer and her husband were 12 years into marriage when God put it on their hearts to examine if they were living out the faith they professed. What followed was a season of confession, questions, and a re-making of the life they thought they were called to.

In this conversation, Cindy shares about the gritty yet life-giving journey her family discovered as they began to live truer to their faith. It was one of letting go of the American Dream in exchange for an “unmissionary” experience abroad as they uncovered the better dream God had for their lives.

If you’ve wondered what it looks like to live out a vibrant faith, surrendered to Christ, so you can truly learn how to love God and love others, you’ll enjoy hearing what God did to transform Cindy and her dreams. We talk about: 

1. The regular practice Cindy and Paul have made of asking the questions, “What am I doing? Why am I doing it? And am I living out what I say I believe?”
2. How her greatest fears about the impact of this dream on their kids were unfounded,
3. And the power of living in obedience to what God has put on your heart.

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

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Cindy’s Free Guide: 12 Ways the Pandemic is Making Us Better People

MORE ABOUT CINDY:

On her blog Cindy often writes about how she and her family gave up on the American Dream, sold their beautiful custom dream home, left lucrative careers, lived in nearly 100 percent Muslim Morocco, and now follow Christ in the inner city of Grand Rapids. Her most popular blog post garnered over 150,000 hits from over 150 countries. Cindy is currently working to publish her book, "Far, Far Better Things - Reimagining the American Dream."

She and her husband, Paul, are passionate about demystifying Islam, working with sustainable development programs in Central America, serving the local church in Grand Rapids, and living simply—so that others can simply live. They have two daughters at home and two married sons. Their family dog, “Vie", (which is French for "life") loves to sing along with the church bells that ring out throughout their challenged neighborhood.

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Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
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Grab the free Ready to Dream Checklist HERE.

God has given you a purpose that is uniquely yours, but the temptation to control the results can disrupt any meaningful progress because the dream belongs to God first and the outcomes rest on Him alone. If you are anxious, stressed out, or worried about the future, this episode is filled with the truth of Scripture and Carla’s calming presence to remind you of the value and importance of surrendering our God-shaped dreams to Him daily.

While battling a mood disorder and a painful past, Carla Arges discovered her heart for encouraging women to walk boldly in God’s truth and His purpose for their lives. She shares how God continues to carry her through the most difficult days and the tools she has created for herself and other women to point us to the transformational truth of God’s Word.

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

MORE ABOUT CARLA:

Carla Arges is an encourager, creator, and speaker. Her podcast is called Affirming Truths, and it’s just one of the places where she encourages women in their walk with Jesus. She was once an overwhelmed mom, wife, Christian woman battling a mood disorder and painful past. She lacked joy or any sense of purpose. Through her journey of deepening her relationship with Jesus she has discovered how to thrive with mental illness, grow in her faith, and she has developed a passion to help women transform their lives by helping them root their identity and confidence in Christ.

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If you’re feeling anxious, impatient or disappointed about the progression of your dream, this episode is for you.

You can’t help yourself; the dream feels big and important and all-consuming sometimes. But as you start to take steps, your progress towards a certain outcome can feel like it’s moving at a snail’s pace. There are obstacles you didn’t anticipate. Some things take longer than you imagined. Your capacity or availability to move the dream forward isn’t what you hoped. Life itself has taken over and it feels like you’re at a standstill with your dream.

What do you do now? Is this a sign that you should quit? Or do you put off the dream for a season and pick it up again when life isn’t so crazy?

I can’t answer those questions for you, but I can help you clarify if it’s just your expectations that are out of alignment with reality. In this solo episode we’ll cover the pace of your dream, your capacity to move it forward, and your perspective of the dream and the dream-giver. Then, I’ve got some suggestions for how to move forward if it truly is just an issue of expectations.

Free Resource: The Dream Readiness Checklist

If you’re worried that your dream is going to stay on the backburner forever and you’re ready to figure out whether you have what you need to step into your God-shaped dream grab the Dream Readiness Checklist here.

NEXT STEPS:

Loved this episode or have a thought you want to share? Come on over to the Facebook group to share what’s on your mind or to ask a question on a topic you wish I had covered. 

GET CONNECTED WITH THE COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/devoteddreamers/

SUPPORT THE PODCAST: https://www.patreon.com/DevotedDreamersPodcast

LEAVE A REVIEW: On Apple Podcasts/iTunes or Stitcher

SUBSCRIBE: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts * Subscribe on Android

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Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
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Ad music by Komiku.

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Is your dream financially viable? What difference would it make if you weren’t worried about the expense involved?

In preparing for this interview, I realized what a shame it is that I have neglected to speak about this topic on the podcast.

I’m so grateful my guest today, Katie Jones, approached me about this conversation. Katie is a money coach with a passion to teach biblical financial principles so you can embrace the gifts God has given you, feel confident managing your money, and pursue your God-shaped dream without any hesitation.  

Driven by a passion to challenge others that being a follower of Christ is more than going to church, reading your Bible, and praying, Katie helps young professionals learn how to become more like Jesus in the way they manage their money. She’s the founder and creator of Agape Investing and the Redeeming Your Finances mentorship experience.

In the episode Katie and I talk about:

1. How God took one simple thing she did out of curiosity and used it to inspire her dream of teaching other Christians to be more like Jesus in managing money,
2. The three tools the enemy likes to use to keep us from the kingdom calling God has for us,
3. And how we should respond to the challenges we face in our God-shaped dreams.

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

Ready to check out my imposter syndrome course, Dreamers Unleashed, so you can get to your breakthrough faster. Doors close at midnight October 1, 2021.

MORE ABOUT KATIE:

Katie currently lives in Denver, Colorado where she enjoys playing board games, practicing yoga, as well as exploring the Rocky Mountains with her husband.

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GET CONNECTED WITH THE COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/devoteddreamers/

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LEAVE A REVIEW: On Apple Podcasts/iTunes or Stitcher

SUBSCRIBE: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts * Subscribe on Android 

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Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
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Is fear of failure standing in the way of your freedom to pursue a dream? Does it feel like everyone else has a bigger following and is further along than you? If you’ve struggled with doubt, fear, comparison, or imposter syndrome and those bullies are keeping you from your God-shaped dream, I want you to hear in this episode that it IS possible to find freedom. In fact, your struggles may be an indicator that breakthrough is just around the corner.

My guest today, Kelsey Joy Rinker, is a Kingdom Speaker and Breakthrough Coach. Kelsey Joy’s passion is to equip and encourage women to step into their God given identity, go from limiting beliefs to limitless ones, and partner with Holy Spirit to live a more joy-filled and abundant life.

Although we never actually use the term “imposter syndrome” in this one, if you listen for it, you’ll hear Kelsey Joy share about her experience of wrestling with a negative mindset.

In the episode we’re talking about:

1. Changing how you think about the resistance you feel about pursuing your dream,
2. What to do when comparison is getting the best of you,
3. And all the places imposter syndrome tried to win out over her dream and how she battled those thoughts.

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

Ready to check out my imposter syndrome course, Dreamers Unleashed, so you can get to your breakthrough faster? Doors open on September 27, 2021.

MORE ABOUT KELSEY JOY:

Kelsey is a wife, mom of 2, and the host of the Kingdom Dreamers Podcast where her mission is to help women develop a deep intimacy with God and create a life they thrive in!

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GET CONNECTED WITH THE COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/devoteddreamers/

SUPPORT THE PODCAST: https://www.patreon.com/DevotedDreamersPodcast

LEAVE A REVIEW: On Apple Podcasts/iTunes or Stitcher

SUBSCRIBE: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts * Subscribe on Android

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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.

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Do your dreams feel bigger than you? Has God revealed something that wasn’t what you expected?

My guest this week is Jamie Kirschner, founder and creator of UncommonTEEN. Her God-shaped dream is something she never expected. Missions work was what she had planned for her future; but God had a different plan a little closer to home: serving teen girls as they navigate their faith and find their identity in Jesus. God took Jamie’s experience of growing up without a support system, and He’s using it so other teen girls don’t have to navigate their journey alone.  

In the episode we’re talking about:

1. Why God might call us into big dreams,
2. Taking little steps versus leaps of faith, and
3. One baby step you can (and must!) take right now.

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

MORE ABOUT JAMIE:

Jamie Kirschner is the founder and creator of UncommonTEEN and the host of the UncommonTEEN Podcast serving Christian teen girls. Growing up in a small town in Missouri, Jamie longed to have someone guide her through the real-life issues that all teen girls have in life, only to find herself navigating the journey alone. At the age of 18, through the grace of God, she came to know Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior. After graduating high school, she began serving in camp ministry where she discovered her passion and purpose of serving teen girls. Jamie now resides outside of Nashville, TN, has been serving in youth ministry faithfully for over 20 years.

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GET CONNECTED WITH THE COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/devoteddreamers/

SUPPORT THE PODCAST: https://www.patreon.com/DevotedDreamersPodcast

LEAVE A REVIEW: On Apple Podcasts/iTunes or Stitcher

SUBSCRIBE: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts * Subscribe on Android

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

NEXT STEPS:
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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.

Send us Fan Mail

How is imposter syndrome killing your dream (and your confidence)?

If you’re stuck, stalled out, or struggling to say yes to your dream, maybe imposter syndrome is the thing holding you back.

Are you confused about what imposter syndrome is, whether you have it, or more importantly, how to get over it? If that’s you, this episode is full of hope that you can overcome imposter syndrome with God’s help. You’ll learn how to recognize imposter syndrome, how it impacts you, and why it’s so important to not let another day pass living under this attack on your identity.

You might have imposter syndrome if….

1. It seems to you like everyone else has it all figured out (everyone, that is, but you)
2. You can’t seem to ever get started on your dream
3. You downplay your proven skills and life experience
4. It’s easier to deflect compliments about your abilities than it is to receive them
5. You procrastinate important projects
6. You insist that once you have more education (or experience, knowledge or years under your belt) then you'll be ready to chase after your dream

Your freedom from imposter syndrome is so important that I created a free resource to help you get started. Get the Guided Scripture Reading Plan for overcoming imposter syndrome.

Loved this episode or have a thought you want to share? Come on over to the Facebook group to share what’s on your mind or to ask a question on a topic you wish I had covered.

NEXT STEPS

GET CONNECTED WITH THE COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/devoteddreamers/

SUPPORT THE PODCAST: https://www.patreon.com/DevotedDreamersPodcast

LEAVE A REVIEW: On Apple Podcasts/iTunes or Stitcher

SUBSCRIBE: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts * Subscribe on Android

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.