The Devoted Dreamers Podcast

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God’s plans are often different from ours. This was true for Ellie Sanazaro when her world was forever changed after her daughter was born without the chromosomal disorder doctors had told her to expect. God used this event to change Ellie's heart and lead her down the path of adopting a baby with Down syndrome. Ellie is now passionate about spreading the message that EVERY child is an Image Bearer. 

Ellie shares in this episode about the heart change she and her husband went through after receiving devastating news about their expected first child who was born in 2016. God used this as a season of pruning and refining and led them first to Finn and second to become advocates for the value of all human life and every child born wonderfully different.

Ellie’s first book, Image Bearer, is intended to spark conversation in families with and without kids born with visible differences in order that we all might gain a perspective of value and worth aligned with that of our Creator.

You’ll hear Ellie share about:

• the value she’s found in collaborating with others on her dream,
• how God redeems and restores us following difficult times and then uses those very things for our good and His glory, and
• how our worth comes not from our abilities or our successes but from God who has made us in His image.

Looking for the show notes? You’ll find them right here: https://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/184

NEXT STEP: GET CONNECTED WITH THE COMMUNITY

Join the Devoted Dreamers Podcast Facebook Group for passionate Christian women with a dream. It’s a place to gather with other like-minded Christian women who are taking next steps toward their God-shaped dreams. Because none of us were meant to do this alone!

BECOME A DEVOTED DREAMERS PATRON:

Listener support makes this show possible! Click here to learn more about how you can get involved! 

LEAVE A REVIEW:

On Apple Podcasts/iTunes or Stitcher

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.

Send us Fan Mail

Failure is where we grow and learn; it shapes our future decisions and is a reminder of the choices we want to make differently next time. Few people wish to experience failure but attempting to avoid it means missing out on essential opportunities for growth that only come from taking risks, getting it wrong, and picking yourself up to learn and try anew.

This week’s guest is Hannah Brencher, the author of a new book called Fighting Forward, offering hope-filled reminders to keep seeking light in the darkest places of our lives. This message was birthed out of Hannah’s battle with depression six years ago and the hope she ultimately found to move forward, bit by bit. Her prayer is that it will encourage you to show up, claim hope, and take back your life one small win at a time.

For as long as she can remember, Hannah’s dream has been to create and inspire. Although her work has been featured by well-known media outlets and she’s been recognized for the good she’s done in her community, she finds herself still battling her fears as new layers of her dream unfold.

Though she hoped she’d be over it by now, she’s made a conscious decision to not let the fear change how and where she shows up.

In this conversation Hannah offers practical suggestions for how you can get started on your dream a little bit at a time as well as reframing some of those fears that are so common when we begin new things.

This feels like perfect timing for the New Year, and I think you’re going to appreciate her insights on  

• How to create daily rhythms that will actually help you make time for your dream (plus a free resource to help with this),
• The benefits of getting started on your dream just 15 minutes at a time, and
• How failure is an essential aspect of the growth process.

If you’ve struggled to start, felt too afraid to move forward, or wondered what it looks like to partner with God in pursuit of a dream, this one is for you!

Looking for the show notes? You’ll find them right here: https://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/183

NEXT STEP: GET CONNECTED WITH THE COMMUNITY

Join the Devoted Dreamers Podcast Facebook Group for passionate Christian women with a dream. It’s a place to gather with other like-minded Christian women who are taking next steps toward their God-shaped dreams. Because none of us were meant to do this alone!

BECOME A DEVOTED DREAMERS PATRON:

Listener support makes this show possible! Click here to learn more about how you can get involved! 

LEAVE A REVIEW:

On Apple Podcasts/iTunes or Stitcher

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.

Send us Fan Mail

Identity can feel like an overwhelming subject to discuss, especially if you don’t feel secure in yours. And there are plenty of things in the world vying for our affections so that even if you have a good understanding of the security that comes with your identity in Christ, there are still distractions like comparison, fear, or worldly desires that stand in the way.

In this solo episode I share the four mistakes we make as it relates to our identity as we pursue a God-shaped dream:  

• Looking to the things of this world upon which to build your identity.
• Comparing your gifts and talents to the gifts and talents of others.
• Forgetting that the gifts you have are from God.
• Forgetting that your gifts are to be used.

You’ll hear how I’ve struggled, especially with comparison, and a biblically based antidote to all of them.

I pray you don’t have to face these difficulties on your own! That’s a huge burden to carry by yourself, so I hope you’ll jump over to the Devoted Dreamers Facebook group and share what this episode brought up for you, how you’re asking God for help with this in the New Year and anything we can be praying about for you as you pursue Him and your dream with all your heart.

NEXT STEPS:

In case you’re new to the podcast, here are a few other episodes on the topic of identity that you may enjoy:

Ep. 107 – You Are a Daughter of the Most High King                         

Ep. 111 – How to Find Remarkable Beauty in Ordinary Dreams with Ashley Hales

Ep. 113 - You Were Created for a Reason

Ep. 51 – How to Trust God When Dreams Disappoint with Cari Jenkins

CONNECT WITH MERRITT:

Website || Facebook || Instagram

CHECK OUT THE SHOW NOTES:

https://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/182

GET CONNECTED TO OTHER DREAMERS:

Find your people in the Devoted Dreamers Facebook Group where you can connect with other like-minded women in pursuit of their God-shaped dreams.

Leave your review of the show on Apple Podcasts/iTunes or Stitcher

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts * Subscribe on Android

Get Involved. Support the Devoted Dreamers Podcast on Patreon.

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

Out of the darkness in her own past, Chystal Gaunt began sharing her story of domestic abuse and launched a nonprofit organization to love and serve women who have experienced the same. Her story is one of God providing for her dream repeatedly as she continues to follow His lead. Even though she went through a season of overwhelm and burnout, God provided a new vision and paved the way for each baby step along the way.

If you or someone you love has experienced domestic violence, this episode will be an encouragement to your heart and will provide resources for your healing and recovery.

Chystal and I talk about the uncomfortable experience of navigating the unknown and living in the messy moments with Jesus before you know what will happen on the other side. She talks about God calling her to something bigger than what she feels and something more important than what people think about it.

Listen in to Chystal’s story and then ask the Lord if He will give you eyes to see and a heart to live in obedience to what God is calling you to.

You’ll also gain insight on:

• The ways that God can use the pain from your past for you to love, serve and comfort others,
• Why you can stop worrying so much about what other people think and focus instead on being obedient to what you understand God is calling you to, and
• That it’s biblical to live in the messy moments and keep going, even when you cannot see the blessing to come.

Be sure to enter the Instagram giveaway starting with my post about this episode on Dec. 30th. Enter for your chance to win access to three months of online Christian meditation and yoga classes that you can participate in from the comfort of your own home.

Looking for the show notes? You’ll find them right here: https://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/181

NEXT STEP: GET CONNECTED WITH THE COMMUNITY

Join the Devoted Dreamers Podcast Facebook Group for passionate Christian women with a dream. It’s a place to gather with other like-minded Christian women who are taking next steps toward their God-shaped dreams. Because none of us were meant to do this alone!

BECOME A DEVOTED DREAMERS PATRON:

Listener support makes this show possible! Click here to learn more about how you can get involved! 

LEAVE A REVIEW:

On Apple Podcasts/iTunes or Stitcher

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts * Subscribe on Android

Some links to products listed here are affiliate links. When you click those and make a purchase, I earn a commission that supports this podcast. Thanks for your support!

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

Two quick links I mentioned at the beginning of this episode:

Join the Devoted Dreamers Facebook Group here!

Launch your own podcast by enrolling in my podcasting beta program here. Deadline: Friday, Dec. 18th  

********

This was the second most requested topic for a solo episode based on a poll I posted in the Devoted Dreamers Facebook group earlier this year >> Planning Your Dream While Doing Your Dream.

If you’ve let your desire to plan stand in the way of bringing your dream to life, I hope this episode provides you with a bit of perspective on how you might get started right now, even if you don’t have it all figured out.

My four points from this episode:

1. God has designed you with a purpose
2. Don’t let planning stand in the way of action taking
3. Make a habit of trying new things…and allow yourself to make some mistakes
4. Schedule time for reflection and subsequent innovation

I’m not saying planning is a bad idea or that you shouldn’t seek wisdom before you make a huge investment of time or money in your dream; both of those things are good ideas. It’s just that sometimes the need to plan becomes an excuse not to start and we end up avoiding what we know we should be doing because we either feel scared or don’t know what step to take next.

Still feel like you need time to plan or reflect before you take that next step? Join me and other devoted dreamers for a Zoom call:

Friday, Dec 18th at 2pm MST – Dreaming & Reflection Session on Zoom – 90 minutes

Register for free at: https://bit.ly/dreamerreflection and I’ll send you the link to join.

NEXT STEPS:

A few other episodes on this topic that you may enjoy, in case you’re new to the podcast:

Bonus Mini-Episode – Every Baby Step Moves You Closer to Your Dream

Ep. 113 - You Were Created for a Reason

CONNECT WITH MERRITT:

Website || Facebook || Instagram

CHECK OUT THE SHOW NOTES:

https://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/180

GET CONNECTED TO OTHER DREAMERS:

Find your people in the Devoted Dreamers Facebook Group where you can connect with other like-minded women in pursuit of their God-shaped dreams.

Leave your review of the show on Apple Podcasts/iTunes or Stitcher

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts * Subscribe on Android

Get Involved. Support the Devoted Dreamers Podcast on Patreon.

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

You often hear about dreams that were birthed out of someone’s deepest struggles, and Toni Hebel’s God-shaped dream is no different. Hers is a story of significant hurt and yet God has used it for good. He has called Toni and her husband, Bruce, into ministry teaching people how and why we must forgive even the deepest wounds all because of the blood that was already paid on the cross through Jesus Christ.

Theirs was a dream 30 years in the making and the result of trials, betrayals, and disappointments that yielded deep wounds in the lives of Toni and her husband. Out of it all, God created good and has rescued thousands from the bondage of slavery to unforgiveness through their ministry, Forgiving Forward.

Even if you can’t think of a single person or wound from your past that remains unforgiven, the tools shared in this episode are life-changing and might just be what helps you get unstuck from making forward progress on your dream.

Listening to this episode, you’ll gain insight on:

• The power of gratitude as a kick starter to heal our broken places and difficult circumstances,

• How unforgiveness may be standing in the way of your dream, and

• The importance of learning how and why to forgive.

Be sure to enter the Instagram giveaway starting with my post about this episode on Dec. 9th, for a chance to win access to the 8-week Forgiving Forward Course or a copy of the Forgiving Forward book.

And another great next step is to check out the 7-day YouVersion devotional created by Forgiving Forward called Forgiveness: The Freedom of the Gospel.

Looking for the show notes? You’ll find them right here: https://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/179

NEXT STEP: GET CONNECTED WITH THE COMMUNITY

Join the Devoted Dreamers Podcast Facebook Group for passionate Christian women with a dream. It’s a place to gather with other like-minded Christian women who are taking next steps toward their God-shaped dreams. Because none of us were meant to do this alone!

BECOME A DEVOTED DREAMERS PATRON:

Listener support makes this show possible! Click here to learn more and get involved! 

LEAVE A REVIEW:

On Apple Podcasts/iTunes or Stitcher

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.

Send us Fan Mail

This bonus episode is just for you if you’ve ever felt a tug to launch your own podcast. I’m collaborating with my friend and fellow podcaster Natalie Arent to share what we learned from launching our own podcasts (and how we can help you get over the hurdles faster and easier than we did when we first launched).

Three things we wished we knew before we stated podcasting:

#1 - If you're bootstrapping your podcast, it's going to take way longer than you think.

#2 - Your podcast is a test run for your message as it evolves and as YOU grow into using your voice.

#3 - The internal battle is REAL and you need community as you take messy, scary steps forward.

Listening to this episode, you’ll gain insights on how:

• The techy obstacles really are not the things standing in your way,
• Podcasting is an opportunity to show up and refine your message,
• Your authenticity attracts the right audience,
• You might be hiding rather than sharing your message—and what to do instead, and
• Community can provide the support you need to launch your show.

You have a message to share and your people need to hear it from YOU!

 It's time to launch your podcast, dreamer!!

Join us January 4th - February 26th for a beta podcast program as we walk you step-by-step through launching and growing your own podcast.

THIS PROGRAM IS FOR YOU IF:

✅ You're ready to show up consistently in your business/dream in a way that works around your family.
✅ You want to create evergreen content that doesn't disappear within a few hours (or minutes!)
✅ You've got a message to share with the world, and you know that a podcast is the vehicle to do it!
 

HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO JOIN:

We'll kick things off January 4th and work together for 8 weeks.
 
 For only $197, you'll get the framework, support, and accountability you need to finally get your podcast into the world and get your systems up and running.

This is a BETA run, so we'll be building the trainings around your specific questions and feedback. It's a great opportunity to get hands-on support and accountability to get it done at a fraction of the normal price!

Spots are limited to 20 so that we can best serve you.

Doors close December 18th.

Sign up here: nataliearent.com/podcastbeta

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

Launch your own podcast by March 1st when you join my podcast beta program with Natalie Arent. Sign up here: nataliearent.com/podcastbeta

Caroline Cobb is a mom and a wife with a passion to tell the stories of scripture through singing and songwriting.

When she started writing her own songs, it was just a hobby; but a challenge from her husband and a looming thirtieth birthday turned her passion project into a profession. Her newest album A Seed, A Sunrise explores the longing of Advent, the joy of Christmas, and the anticipation of Jesus’s return, and builds on previous storytelling albums highlighting the message of scripture.

In 2011, Caroline gave herself the goal to write a song for every book of the Bible in a year. That put in motion a dream to tell the stories of scripture through music, with imagination, artistry and faithfulness to the text. 

Listening to this episode, you’ll gain insight on:

• How stepping forward in your dream, despite the weakness and insufficiency you feel, is often the just what you need to lean more into Jesus,
• The dangerous distraction that comparison can be for creative work, and
• That being faithful to the call upon your life is far more important than the numbers of people actually paying attention to work you’re doing.

Looking for the show notes? You’ll find them right here: https://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/178

NEXT STEP: GET CONNECTED WITH THE COMMUNITY:

Join the Devoted Dreamers Podcast Facebook Group for passionate Christian women with a dream. It’s a place to gather with other like-minded Christian women who are taking next steps toward their God-shaped dreams. Because none of us were meant to do this alone!

BECOME A DEVOTED DREAMERS PATRON:

Listener support makes this show possible! Click here to learn more about how you can get involved! 

LEAVE A REVIEW:

On Apple Podcasts/iTunes or Stitcher

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.

Send us Fan Mail

This is the number one requested topic for the next solo episode based on a poll in the Devoted Dreamers Facebook group. And I get it! It can be difficult to discern exactly what your dream is, especially if you are a multi-passionate woman with lots of other responsibilities in your life. But if you’re here, listening to this one, I’m guessing you believe that God has something for you and you’re still just trying to figure it out.

I’ve got seven points for you in this episode:

1. Your dream is already in you, and
2. There is freedom in trusting God’s hand in your dream.
3. I’ll talk you through what it looked like when I couldn’t see my dream,
4. And then, how I began to pray, asking Him to reveal it to me.
5. I’ll share what it looked like when He finally began to peel back the curtains,
6. How God encouraged me by leaving breadcrumbs for me, and
7. My gratitude for His grace in NOT showing me everything all at once.

Stick around until the very end for a sneak preview of something God’s put on my heart to share with you at the start of the year, especially if you’ve ever thought about starting a podcast. (And if you have, I wanna help!!)

NEXT STEPS:

CONNECT WITH ME:

Website || Facebook || Instagram

CHECK OUT THE SHOW NOTES:

https://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/177

GET CONNECTED TO OTHER DREAMERS:

Find your tribe in the Devoted Dreamers Facebook Group where you can connect with other like-minded women in pursuit of their God-shaped dreams.

Leave your review of the show on Apple Podcasts/iTunes or Stitcher

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts * Subscribe on Android

Get Involved. Support the Devoted Dreamers Podcast on Patreon.

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

Katie Bulmer is host of the Truth for Your Twenties Podcast, a speaker to over 30 colleges nationwide and passionate about helping sorority women unlock their world-changing power. The heart behind her dream is to be who she needed when she was a young woman looking for happiness in the arms of boys, Bacardi, and attempts to be beautiful.  

When the pandemic hit the U.S. in the spring, Katie’s scheduled speaking engagements at nearby colleges came to an abrupt halt. Her hope, like most of us, was that by fall things would be back to normal, college students would return in person to campuses, and her speaking career could resume.

As we all know now, that wasn’t the case. Instead of letting the circumstances deal a fatal blow to her speaking career, Katie investigated what her target market needed most in the current moment and engaged them in conversations to come up with creative solutions.

Those early decisions to adapt instead of quitting doubled her speaking engagements for the year, now in a virtual format, and opened the doors to dozens more campuses able to invite her to share her message via Zoom.

I love this woman and her ambition, creativity, and energy so much – even if public speaking isn’t your thing, there’s so much you can glean from this quick 20-minute conversation.

Listen and learn as she shares about:

• Trying new things, taking risks, and listening to what her audience needed most,
• Letting her true self shine through in her speaking,
• The value of the bite-sized message, and
• Just starting even when you don’t know what you’re doing.

Looking for the show notes? You’ll find them right here: https://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/176

NEXT STEP: GET CONNECTED WITH THE COMMUNITY:

Join the Devoted Dreamers Podcast Facebook Group for passionate Christian women with a dream. It’s a place to gather with other like-minded Christian women who are taking next steps toward their God-shaped dreams. Because none of us were meant to do this alone!

BECOME A DEVOTED DREAMERS PATRON:

Listener support makes this show possible! Click here to learn more about how you can get involved! 

LEAVE A REVIEW:

On Apple Podcasts/iTunes or Stitcher

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.