Created Creative Podcast

Dawn and Ruth are unpacking a lot this episode, and honestly? It's some of their most honest conversation yet. Things get real when they talk about Dawn's recent eye scare: floaters and peripheral flashes that sent her straight to urgent retina care. This leads to reflecting on Ruth's Guillain-Barré experience a year ago, her recovery, and how health scares change everything about how you show up for people. Because there are people who disappear when things get scary, and people who show up. Guess which ones matter?

From there, they dive into The Other Significant Others, a b...

The Little Heart Project is going to wreck you in the best way. Kathleen Jensen, the founder, crochets small hearts, attaches notes of encouragement, and leaves them in public places for strangers to find. Simple, right? Except these tiny hearts are reducing stigma around mental illness and preventing suicides. These little acts of kindness are literally saving lives.

Kathleen shares the story behind the project, including her own personal journey with mental health (because you don't start something like this without knowing the darkness firsthand). She's talking about how the project has grown from a local effort...

Ruth's raw, unfiltered voice memos from her solo journey through New Zealand make up most of this episode, and honestly? It's one of the most truthful, vulnerable things we've ever put out there. Ruth's walking you through the whole thing: The initial excitement of departure (that "holy buckets, I'm really doing this" energy), the physical challenges that make you question everything, the moments of reflection when you're alone with your thoughts in the wilderness, and all the interactions with locals and travelers that remind you why humans need each other.

But here's what makes this special: You're...

When we welcomed back Meta Herrick Carlson in December to discuss her children's book called We Remember Your Baptism, we never knew how much more timely her words would become by January.

Meta is a Minnesota pastor helping children understand and cherish their baptismal stories, which sounds simple until you realize how many of us have NO idea what our baptism even meant or why it matters. She worked with her illustrator Clara to create something that helps families hold onto these sacred moments in ways that actually stick.

But here's where the conversation gets...

Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo is basically the Created Creative podcast in book form. There's so much overlap it's wild.

Dawn and Ruth get real about how family beliefs shaped their creative journeys (spoiler: Dawn got cast in a professional show as a kid and wasn't allowed to do it—ouch), what limiting beliefs are still holding them back (like "I don't wanna bother people" when marketing), and the whole messy tension between building a personal brand and maintaining humility in ministry. Because yeah, that's a thing.

They're also talking about the difference between ho...

Naomi Arnold is a journalist, author, and the kind of person who decided to walk the entire length of New Zealand on the Te Araroa Trail. Because why not, right?

Naomi's sharing with Dawn and Ruth the whole messy, beautiful story: the trail conditions (spoiler: not always great), the personal fears she had to face, the environmental challenges that nearly broke her, and what it actually takes to put one foot in front of the other for months on end. All of this became her book Northbound, which is basically a masterclass in resilience and determination.

Dawn and Ruth are diving into something women in ministry desperately need but rarely talk about: systems. Not the sexy stuff—just the practical, life-saving routines that keep you from drowning in overwhelm.

They're bringing on three incredible coaches who've all been through Discern by Doing and are now helping women actually survive (and thrive) in ministry life:

Michelle Pavasars is helping women in ministry create calm, organized spaces and build the systems that make family dinners and ministry responsibilities actually coexist. Because yes, you can have both—but not without structure.

Jodi Gold...

Dawn and Ruth are introducing Discern by Doing for Business, a program designed specifically for women who want to build sustainable businesses rooted in who they actually are. And then? They bring on three incredible guests who are living proof that this works.

First up: Diane Harpster is teaching Zentangle art—intricate, meditative drawing that reduces stress and unlocks creativity. It's art therapy meets spiritual practice, and it's beautiful.

Then there's Erin Martinson with the Strong Her Ministry Collective, creating space and support for women in church leadership. Because honestly? Women leading in the church ne...

Terry Niemann is Santa. Not just plays him. Is him. And his conversation with Dawn and Ruth is gonna punch you right in the feels. Terry is a transportation dispatcher from Minnesota who started playing Santa in 2018, and what began as a fun gig became something so much deeper when cancer entered the picture. Because here's the thing: When you face your own mortality, every interaction with a wide-eyed kid, every act of generosity, every moment of spreading joy becomes sacred.

He's sharing heartwarming moments with children, spontaneous acts of kindness during the holidays, and what it's...

Sometimes you have to follow where your calling actually leads, not where people expect it to go. Dawn and Ruth sit down with Dale Harris. He’s a former pastor, current psychotherapy student, and the kind of creative who refuses to pick just one lane.

Dale's been making Three Minute Theology videos, writing novels and poetry, releasing music albums, and now? He's transitioning from ministry into mental health work because sometimes you have to follow where your calling actually leads, not where people expect it to go.

Here's what makes this conversation so good: Dale ge...

What does it take to tell the truth about where you come from, even when that truth is wrapped in silence? Dawn and Ruth sat down with North Dakota native Melanie Hoffert to discuss her memoir, Prairie Silence, a profound exploration of life, identity, and the kind of quiet that shapes you whether you want it to or not. And she's getting real about her decade-long writing journey, because good work takes time. She's sharing the whole messy process: finding an agent, navigating rejections, balancing major life changes (like having a baby), and somehow keeping her creative practice alive...

Dawn and Ruth sit down with Rev. Elizabeth Riley, and this conversation is about to get real. We're talking about her book Rage Prayers—which is exactly what it sounds like and exactly what we all need permission to do.

Here's the deal: You don't have to sanitize your feelings for God. Anger? Bring it. Grief? Absolutely. The messy, ugly, raw stuff you think you're supposed to keep hidden? God can handle it, and Elizabeth's here to tell you why that matters.

She's sharing personal stories that'll punch you right in the feels - navigating di...

Okay, so Matt Marohl is a scholar, pastor, and the kind of guy who can talk about the book of Hebrews and make it actually interesting. This episode is for anyone who's ever wondered how we form our identities, why we put people (and ourselves) in boxes, and what theology has to do with any of it.

Matt's breaking down social identity theory in a way that'll actually make sense, diving into his recent commentary on Hebrews (which, let's be honest, is not the easiest book in the Bible), and sharing about his devotional book for college...

Dawn and Ruth are back with another book group, and this time they're diving into Jen Hatmaker's new book Awake, which is basically a masterclass in personal growth, resilience, and figuring out who the heck you are when everything falls apart.

Look, we're getting real real here: ministry challenges, full-blown identity crises, and the messy, beautiful work of adapting when life throws you a curveball the size of Minnesota. Because here's the thing—change is coming whether you're ready or not, and you've got two choices: resist it or lean in and see what's on the other si...

You don't need a massive budget to change lives. Sometimes all it takes is a little bit of money in the right hands and a whole lot of heart.

Dawn and Ruth host Blessing, who is doing something absolutely beautiful. She's running a grassroots micro grant program that's spreading joy in both Zimbabwe and New York City—proof that small projects and faith-based initiatives can create massive ripples in communities. We're talking real people, real needs, real transformation.

This episode is your reminder that you don't have to wait for some big organization or perfect mo...

This week’s wisdom: Focus on what you can control, and let the rest go. Seriously. Let it go.

Dawn and Ruth are breaking down the whole "circle of concern versus circle of influence" thing, which sounds fancy but really just means stop spinning your wheels on stuff that's out of your hands. Instead, find tangible ways to help, create, and show up for your people. It’s exactly what Ruth has been doing for FIVE YEARS with her ConseCrate subscription box (which is a whole milestone worth celebrating), these two are getting real about the challenges, the...

Theater and Church Aren't That Different, Actually with Todd Davison

Todd Davison is the artistic director of Maples Repertory Theater in Macon, Missouri, and this guy gets it. He knows that whether you're putting on a show or leading a church service, you're really just gathering people together knowing something magical happens. Dawn and Ruth sit down with Todd to talk about the beautiful chaos of producing live theater in a small Midwestern town (which, let's be honest, takes vision), and how his church work and theater work are basically two sides of the same coin. Every...

Celebrating 100 Episodes (Yes, We Made It!)

Holy buckets, friends—we hit 100 episodes, and Dawn and Ruth are celebrating the only way that makes sense: on a gorgeous farm, reflecting on this wild ride. We've had incredible guests, technical disasters that would make you weep, and more small-town charm than you can shake a stick at. We're talking regional theater stories, parade appearances (because of course), and all the behind-the-scenes chaos that comes with building something from scratch.

Here's what matters: You showed up. Episode after episode, you listened, you shared, you became part of this th...

Opportunities are literally everywhere, and Dawn and Ruth are here to prove it.

Dawn's deep in the thick of performing in 'Church Basement Ladies' in Missouri (which, if you know, you know), and Ruth just MacGyvered her microwave back to life with a 3D-printed handle from eBay. You read that right—eBay. Someone out there printed handles, listed them online, and is making money off broken microwaves. This is the kind of scrappy genius we're celebrating today.

Here's the deal: You don't need some massive, world-changing idea to build something meaningful. Sometimes the best business op...

This episode is about showing up to build the life you want. Dawn and Ruth sit down with Michelle Wahila, an ordained Presbyterian pastor who said "nope" to traditional ministry and is now marrying English-speaking couples in Paris, leading retreats, and writing liturgies that'll punch you right in the feels. She's raising her kids French-style, navigating the gorgeous chaos of expat life, and just wrote a book called Ruffled by Grace.

But here's the thing: Michelle's wrestling with the scary possibility of moving back to the States for family reasons, and wondering if her ministry can exist...

In this catch-up episode, Dawn's been knee-deep in the Missouri theater scene, choreographing and directing a comedy production that's apparently been running longer than some marriages. She gets real about the magic of working with a cast with a deep past and why tight-knit creative communities are worth their weight in hotdish.

Meanwhile, Ruth's got her hiking boots laced up for New Zealand because someone's living their best life over here. Plus, we're celebrating Jeff Hiller's Emmy win (because good things happen to good people), diving into Julia Cameron's wisdom about trusting the universe (even when it...

Today’s guest, Dawn Marie Duncan, is doing ALL the things. We're talking music industry veteran turned children's book author, visual artist, AND creativity coach. Because apparently one creative pursuit just wasn't enough. Dawn Marie gets real about her transformation journey (spoiler alert: Julia Cameron's 'The Artist's Way' was involved), and how she went from industry burnout to leading creativity workshops that actually change people's lives. She's not here for your perfectionist nonsense - this is about getting messy, being vulnerable, and discovering what happens when you stop overthinking and start creating. Fair warning: this conversation might just inspire yo...

Dawn and Ruth are diving into the age-old struggle every creative person knows by heart: how do you keep your artistic soul alive when real life keeps happening every day. Chapter 11 of "The Artist's Way" gets the full treatment here, including some thoughts on how the Creator influences our creating and why your body might be trying to tell your brain something important about art.

Fair warning: This episode might make you realize that creativity isn't something you squeeze into your spare time - it's something that wants to show up in every corner of your life...

Note: This episode is also available on our YouTube channel (https://youtu.be/SC2Pr2i2JhI) - you might enjoy seeing some of the scenes we filmed.

Dawn and Ruth dive headfirst into the beautiful chaos of Minnesota's greatest gathering, where you can get hot dish on a stick (because of course you can) and witness the genuine artistry of butter sculptures that'll make you question everything you thought you knew about dairy products.

They're not just wandering around eating corn dogs - though there's definitely corn dog eating happening. They're exploring what happens...

Spirituality and creativity aren't just connected—they're practically best friends who finish each other's sentences.

On this episode, Dawn and Ruth sit down with the absolutely delightful Brey Noelle (actress, model, musician, and honestly, is there anything this woman can't do?) who decided to go full-time creative and somehow made it work. We're talking Cannes Film Festival, people. CANNES. While the rest of us are over here trying to figure out how to juggle a side hustle with Sunday service.

Brey spills the tea on everything—the messy middle of chasing dreams, how faith keeps her...

You're Not Lazy, You're Just Scared (And That Changes Everything)

This week we’re calling out that sneaky little lie we tell ourselves: that we're just being "lazy" when we can't seem to start that project. Spoiler alert: you're not lazy, you're scared. And that's totally normal, so quit beating yourself up about it.

Hosts Dawn and Ruth get wonderfully honest about their own creative fumbles – like when Ruth completely blanked on work commitments (been there!) and Dawn's white-knuckle journey launching her business course. They're diving into why enthusiasm beats discipline every single time when it c...

Yes friends, We're Going There: Jesus, Mushrooms, and Mental Health with the Ligare Folks

We’re diving headfirst into the deep end today, friends! After Dawn and Ruth catch up on their weekend shenanigans (including some quality time at WeFest), we're serving up a conversation that'll make your church ladies raise their eyebrows.

The Ligare folks, a Christian psychedelic society, are out here doing some pretty remarkable work that might surprise you. These lovely humans are bridging the gap between faith and psychedelic therapy, and before you do a double-take into your hot dish, just st...

Ruth and Dawn are discussing something that nobody talks about in seminary: pastors are natural salespeople who cast vision, build programs, and run stewardship campaigns. But when it comes to using those same skills to start a side hustle? Suddenly we're "too commercial" or "not focused on ministry." After 20 years watching talented women pastors struggle financially while apologizing for wanting financial stability, we have some thoughts, and a program called Discern by Doing for Business that's changing everything.

LINKS:

Talk with Dawn about being part of Discern by Doing for Business: https://bigpicturebigpurpose.lpages.co...

We're diving headfirst into why vulnerability makes us squirm, why effort actually matters, and how abundance shows up when you're not trying so dang hard. Dawn and Ruth are back with another episode of 'Created Creative,' and we're not messing around.

Broadcasting live from the parking lot of Hector International Airport in Fargo, ND, we're talking Chapter Six of 'The Artist's Way' focusing on all the messy stuff nobody wants to admit: chasing dreams that might be pipe dreams, making real connections in a world full of fake ones, and figuring out how to want nice...

Dawn and Ruth tried media deprivation week from 'The Artist's Way' - no social media, no binge-watching, and no podcasts. Turns out cutting the digital noise actually works for unleashing creativity. Skip our podcast this week and do some morning pages instead - your brain will thank you!

It's a great week to get coaching! Contact Dawn to set up an exploratory session: bigpicturebigpurpose.com

Or maybe you could send a thoughtful gift to your favorite minister! Consecrate.cratejoy.com

Everyone thinks their story has already been told. But it hasn't been told by you yet, and that makes all the difference. On this episode of Created Creative, Dawn and Ruth are getting real about kicking self-doubt to the curb and why your voice matters in this noisy world.

We reflect on last week's theme from 'The Artist's Way' - reading deprivation. Sounds terrible, right? Well, buckle up buttercup, because it's actually pretty amazing what happens when you step away from everyone else's words for a hot minute.

Then we sit down with Laurie Neill...

Look, we need to talk about something that's going to sting a little: you can't pour from an empty cup, but somehow we keep trying anyway. In this episode of Created Creative, Dawn and Ruth are getting real about Chapter 4 of Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way – and it's about to call us all out.

Here's the thing nobody wants to admit: we're so busy being everything to everyone that we've completely lost touch with who we actually are. Sound familiar? Yeah, we thought so. We are diving deep into why integrity isn't just about being honest with ot...

This conversation is going to hit you right in the feels. Dawn and Ruth talk with Stephanie Lape about how the Enneagram completely changed her relationships—including helping her reconnect with her father in a deep, healing way. Stephanie's journey from comparative religions professor to pastor is fascinating, but what really gets us is how she breaks down the Enneagram without judgment. We're covering the basics, how different types interact, and why this system makes you more compassionate, not more critical.

Find out more about Stephanie Lape at: https://stephanielape.com/

Join our Artist’s Way...

Do you suffer from time sickness? In this episode of Created Creative, co-hosts Dawn and Ruth discuss their summer journey through the book 'The Artist's Way'. In particular, they focus on Chapter 2 which covers the themes of time management and dealing with 'crazy makers'. Dawn shares her experience with an occupational therapist, while Ruth touches upon her attendance at her son's recital and visiting a museum event. They also discuss their personal strategies for time management, the concept of time sickness, and how they incorporate creative pursuits into their lives. The episode wraps up with encouragement for listeners to...

This episode of 'Created Creative' features a conversation with Paul Drees, a ELCA Lutheran pastor and social media influencer, who shares his journey of blending traditional ministry with modern platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Paul discusses the challenges and triumphs of using social media as a medium for progressive Christian evangelism, the need for institutional support, and the importance of creating meaningful digital content. The discussion also touches on monetization strategies, the potential impact of creative collaboration, and the broader implications of connecting with audiences in today's digital age.

Join our Artist’s Way Accountability Group: https://bpb...

In this episode of 'Created Creative,' hosts Dawn and Ruth discuss the importance of everyday creativity and methods to stay grounded in a world driven by monetization. They are joined by guest Meta Herrick Carlson, a pastor and poet, who shares her experiences around recent significant events like family graduation and birthday celebrations. Meta delves into her creative journey, from embracing poetry during challenging times of postpartum anxiety to publishing multiple books including her upcoming children's book 'We Remember Your Baptism.' She talks about the importance of community and support for creative endeavors and provides insights into...

After 80 consecutive weeks of brand new episodes we are doing a throwback this week to one of our very first interviews! Enjoy this re-release of Pottery, Parables, and Portable Communionware: A Conversation with Lisa Kaufer. In this whimsical kickoff of "Created Creative from November of 2023," hosts Dawn and Ruth embark on an Advent adventure, debating when the season truly begins. Meet their first guest, Lisa Kaufer—part minister, part potter, and an all-around Renaissance woman. Lisa spills the clay on her current projects, juggling finger labyrinths and curriculum creation. Unveiling how she’s crafted her multi-hyphenate identity, she confesses the...

In this episode, we dive into an insightful quote from renowned author and artist Julia Cameron, known for her book 'The Artist's Way.' During her interview, Cameron shared a thought-provoking idea that deeply resonates with the core themes of our podcast: 'Creativity and spirituality intertwine like dancing partners.' This elegant metaphor illuminates how creative expression and spiritual growth are closely connected, inspiring us to explore these synergies in our own lives. We discuss how embracing this perspective can enhance both our artistic endeavors and spiritual journeys, offering practical insights and reflections on integrating creativity and spirituality. Tune...

In this episode of 'Creative', hosts Dawn and Ruth explore a spectrum of engaging topics surrounding everyday creativity and community impact. They delve into personal routines and the joys and challenges of balancing professional and personal life, including anecdotes from the hosts' daily experiences. Mayor Latham Hetland of New York Mills, Minnesota, joins the discussion, sharing his unexpected journey into local politics, the dynamic growth of his community, and his role in launching the Continental Divide restaurant. Hetland recounts the intricacies of community-driven investments, the trials within his mayoral tenure, and his creative strategies for fostering local development. He...

Join Our Patreon and Enhance Your Creative Journey

In this episode of Created Creative, Dawn encourages listeners to join their Patreon by Thursday. She details the benefits of supporting the podcast at various levels, including participation in the 'Created Creative Container,' an interactive creative coworking session with fellow supporters and former podcast guests. Higher-tier supporters can also receive quarterly laser coaching sessions. Dawn emphasizes the importance of community, creativity, and connection, inviting everyone to engage and enrich the collective creative experience.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:03 Join Our Patreon for Exclusive Benefits

00:36...