The Devoted Dreamers Podcast

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Ep 327 | Show notes are here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/327

Are you hiding a story that God might want you to share?

Kirsten D Samuel understands the weight of carrying a painful story alone. When God first prompted her to share her personal testimony about her husband’s pornography addiction and their resulting marriage crisis, her answer was a firm “no.” She was comfortable mentoring young moms and staying in the background—until God had different plans.

This is part 1 of my conversation with Kirsten, and in it she vulnerably shares how God transformed her “no” into a powerful “yes” that resulted in a ministry that now brings hope and healing after marriage betrayal to hundreds of women who are her clients.

Listen in and you’ll learn how she:

❤️‍🩹 moved from managing her reputation to embracing God’s invitation to heal,

🕯️discovered freedom by allowing God to redeem the messy parts of her story, and

✨stepped into a dream that felt impossible in her own strength

Whether you’re carrying a difficult story or sensing God calling you to step out of the background, Kirsten’s journey reminds us that God doesn’t waste our pain. He transforms it into purpose when we trust His leading.

Every week this month we are explore the theme of knowing your value and worth as a woman of God.

Press play and let’s get started!

✨✨✨✨✨

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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 show notes for episode 326 here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/326

Do you see yourself how God sees you?

Not sure how to answer that? Start here: How do you respond when offered a compliment? Do you receive the kind words and say, “Thank you,” or do you feel uncomfortable, brush it off, diminish it, or change the subject?

If it’s any of the latter options, you are not the only one! And we’re going to help you get past it here today.

This episode is about learning to see yourself as God sees you, in the fullness of His love, delight, and care. (It’s not really about compliments, but how we respond to praise can be a symptom that our view of self is broken.) 

We must break free from the lies that distort our sense of worth (see episode #325) and learn how to root our identity in Christ. Because big dreams built on the shaky ground of lies or confusion regarding our value and worth will soon crumble. 

By the end of this episode, you’ll have tools to begin embracing your identity as God’s beloved and reject the temptation of finding your value and worth in performance, perfection, or the approval of others. 

Come on back every week this month as we explore the theme of knowing your value and worth as a woman of God. 

Press play and let’s get started!

✨✨✨✨✨

NEXT STEPS: 

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

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

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

Find show notes for episode 325 here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/325

Have you ever believed something about yourself that wasn’t true?

In this week’s episode of The Devoted Dreamers Podcast, we’re diving into the lies that hold us back from fully embracing our God-given value and worth.

These false beliefs—whether about our abilities, identity, or purpose—can keep us stuck in fear and self-doubt. But when we uncover them and replace them with God’s truth, we can step forward with confidence into the dreams He’s placed on our hearts.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to recognize the subtle lies that distort your perception of yourself and God
• A simple three-step process to track, trace, and test your thoughts against biblical truth
• Why rooting your identity in Christ sets you free to pursue your dreams with confidence

Tune in now to start breaking free from the lies and stepping fully into God’s purpose for you!

Come back every Wednesday this month as we explore the theme of your inherent value and worth in Christ. 

Press play and let’s get started!

✨✨✨✨✨

NEXT STEPS:

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

Join the Facebook Community

Leave a Review:

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 for episode 324 here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/324

Welcome to Season 13 of The Devoted Dreamers Podcast!

This year marks a shift we return to weekly episodes—each centered around a monthly theme to help you tackle the biggest barriers to pursuing your God-shaped dream.

Expect a mix of shorter solo episodes and insightful guest interviews that provide inspiration and actionable advice.

In this episode, I share the results of the 2024 listener survey, including who’s listening to the show, what life looks like for you outside of the dream, your heartfelt desires for your dream, and more.

What to expect in the new season:

1. Real-life Inspiration: Relatable stories from real dreamers overcoming real challenges with faith-driven perseverance. Their tales will inspire you to take action in your own journey.
2. Actionable Advice: Every episode is packed with practical steps to help you prioritize what matters most, manage your time effectively, and move closer to your dreams, all within a manageable 20–30-minute format.
3. Faith and Dream Integration: This podcast isn’t only about dreams; it’s about the embodied experience of integrating our faith, dreams, family life, personal growth, and creativity into a cohesive whole.

Join me every week in February as we explore the theme of breaking free from lies about your worth so you can see yourself the way God sees you.

Press play and let’s get started!

✨✨✨✨✨

NEXT STEPS:

Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Ask a Question

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

Could accountability, community, and group coaching help bring your dream to life in 2025?

What if you could find all three in one nurturing space that welcomes your messy action?

In this final mini-episode in the 3-part series, I’ve shifted from my regular podcast rhythms in order to bring you on what you need most: strategies to help you make real progress on your God-shaped dream.

And this episode is about how you can start taking weekly action on your dream.

This bonus episode takes you behind the scenes of a recent Dreamer Lab accountability call to hear what it’s like on the inside. A member testimonial shares about our gentle approach to goal setting and accountability, celebrating small wins, and the mindset shifts necessary to successfully pursue your dream.

Ready to plan and take the next actions that will bring your dream to life?

Hit play to get started now!

Then join the waitlist for the Dreamer Lab today at: https://www.merrittonsa.com/dreamerlab

Doors will open again for the next cohort by summer 2025.

NEXT STEPS:

Join Dream Believers: https://www.merrittonsa.com/ibelieve

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

Get Connected with the Facebook Community

Support the Podcast

Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes

Subscribe

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

What connections and relationships are helping you bring your dream to life in 2025?

In this second of three mini-episodes, I’m shaking things up and focusing on what you need most: strategies to help you make real progress on your God-shaped dream.

And this one is all about surrounding yourself with authentic community.

This bonus episode takes you behind the scenes with client testimonials about what it’s like to participate in my high-touch community, Dream Believers. This community is designed specifically for Christian women with a God-shaped dream who’ve haven’t found the support they need for taking big, bold action on their kingdom-focused dreams.

Ready to find a deeply supportive community to accompany you on the journey to your God-shaped dream?

Hit play to get started now!

And then sign up to join our community today at: https://www.merrittonsa.com/ibelieve

NEXT STEPS:

Join Dream Believers: https://www.merrittonsa.com/ibelieve

Connect with me: 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

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

What tools and strategies do you need to bring your dream to life in 2025?

In this first of three mini-episodes, I’m shaking things up and focusing on what you, my dedicated listeners, need most: strategies to help you make real progress on your God-shaped dream.

This bonus episode takes you behind the scenes and gives you a free resource to help you get better at speaking about your dream out loud with confidence.

You’ll hear firsthand from participants who have transformed their ability to communicate about a dream through our monthly calls together.

Ready to find your voice and gain the confidence to articulate your vision?

Hit play to get started now!

NEXT STEPS:

RSVP to attend the next Dream Out Loud call: https://merrittonsa.com/dreamoutloud

Connect with me: 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

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 for episode 323 here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/323

Are you ready to stop procrastinating so you can finally take action on a dream? 

Get my top 3 dos and don’ts from eight years of podcasting and building a business from scratch. Here’s what I wish I’d known at the beginning to help you get there faster and easier than I did. If you’re a Christian woman with a dream to write a book, build a ministry, or start a business, you’ll gain some simple actions you can take today to support you on your journey.

You’ll learn:

🔍 A simple mindset shift that will help unlock your potential, 

💡 The remarkable value of treating your dream like a testing ground, and

💫 How to counter negative self-talk so you can start believing in yourself again.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking for the encouragement to take a big leap, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration to help you bring your God-shaped dream to life. 

Press play and let’s get started!

✨✨✨✨✨

NEXT STEPS: 

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

Join the Facebook Community

Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes

Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android

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

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

✨ Dream Believers ~ a virtual community for Christian women with big dreams. Join the waitlist for exclusive, early access in 2025: https://www.merrittonsa.com/dreamco ✨

Find the show notes for episode 322 here: https://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/322

Is fear holding you back? 

Meet Amy Lively, an accidental author whose journey from nervous neighbor to community catalyst will inspire you. Despite not identifying as a traditional writer, Amy has published two books and created numerous resources for faith-based community building. 

In this episode, Amy shares her vulnerable story of overcoming fears, trusting God, and launching neighborhood Bible studies. Learn how she transformed daily scripture readings into actionable faith practices, and discover practical tips for turning your own spiritual nudges into meaningful action. 

Amy’s story proves that with faith, the first step doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be taken.

In this episode you’ll learn from Amy about:

🕯️A simple morning routine to fuel your peace & connection to God’s purpose, 
🚶‍♀️Why it’s all about taking that first step, even when you feel scared and ill-equipped, plus
✨ The power of making bold and unexpected requests for access to extraordinary opportunities.

This episode is all about the journey of ditching excuses so you can finally listen to the Lord’s promptings and start simply to do something about them. 

Get ready to be encouraged in this episode of the Devoted Dreamers podcast.

Connect with Amy:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Connect with Merritt:

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn

Book a Discovery Call

Get Connected in Our Facebook group

Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes

Subscribe: 

on Apple Podcasts 

on Spotify

on Android 

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

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

✨ Listener Survey ~ Give Your Feedback Here: https://www.merrittonsa.com/feedback ✨

Find the show notes for this episode here: https://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/321

What are you longing for as we enter into the Advent season?  

There is always a laundry list of things to do as the holidays enter full-swing, whether it’s shopping, decorating, cooking, baking, Christmas cards, or other activities that keep you on the go every year in the month prior to Christmas. And yet Advent invites us to experience this season in a very different way than the hustle and bustle of our modern culture.

Tune in as singer-songwriter Caroline Cobb introduces her brand-new Advent devotional—Advent for Exiles: 25 Devotions to Awaken Gospel Hope in Every Longing Heart—and encourages us toward the quiet moments that invite our longing for the coming Savior.  

In this episode you’ll learn from Caroline about:

💡 A new way to engage your family in the longing of Advent this December, 
✨ Continuing to plant seeds for your dream even when you don’t know what will grow, and
❤️ How being beloved by God surpasses any dream or achievement.

She also shares about the book writing process and about writing an Advent devotional to complement her Advent album A Seed, A Sunrise as well as an update about the experience of becoming a published author through this new project. 

Get ready to be encouraged and pointed to the longing we find in Advent as we welcome Caroline Cobb back to the Devoted Dreamers podcast.

Connect with Caroline:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Spotify

Connect with Merritt:

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn

Book a Discovery Call

Get Connected in Our Facebook group

Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes

Subscribe: 

on Apple Podcasts 

on Spotify

on Android 

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

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.