The Devoted Dreamers Podcast

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245 || Listeners Ask: What are the Best Ways to Grow Revenue? || Jenn Jett Barrett

The Devoted Dreamers Podcast

07/13/22 • 45 min

Find show notes here.

Do you have a burning question that feels too small to ask?

I have a really special episode for you today, thanks to a previous guest Jenn Jett Barrett who came on the show first in 2016 (ep 16) and then again in March 2022 for my financial series. In that most recent episode (#234, which was filled with amazing ideas for funding our dreams), Jenn offered to do a follow-up Zoom call to help a few of listeners with their questions on this topic.

Trauma integration practitioner Mandy Mae Johnson was the first to respond when I put out the call in my private Facebook group, and she admits that her question felt too small to ask, but she asked it anyway. (Can I pause a sec to say how proud I am of Mandy for doing that!?) More about her segment of the episode below.

Another listener Hannah Pierrou joins us as well for this conversation. She’s a photographer, designer, illustrator and children’s book author. She brings her question to Jenn about how to sell more of her children’s books.

Jenn responds to Hannah with insights on:

Dedicating marketing dollars to activities with the highest return on investment, including how to get more of her books into boutique stores,
Up-leveling her website messaging and putting buttons for revenue generating activities front and center on the home page,
Creative ways to connect with her ideal customer and show how other families are engaging with the books, and
Building an email marketing strategy now to prepare for a future podcast launch.

For Mandy’s part of our conversation, she is looking for creative ideas of additional revenue streams that could offset her one-on-one trauma integration practice. Jenn shares her thoughts related to:

Collaborating with other organizations that have like interests,
Creating an evergreen course for ideal clients at an entry-level price point,
Website updates to clearly explain her best offers on the front page,
Reaching clients who may not be ready for 1:1 services, and
Steps to determine if nonprofit status is the way to go.

There are so many ideas packed into this 45-minute conversation! Even if your dream is completely different from the pursuits Hannah and Mandy are working on, I have some questions for you at the very end to help you process and apply what you’ve heard to your own God-shaped dream.

I hope you’ll set aside at least 10 minutes after listening to this one for journaling and to consider how one of more of Jenn’s ideas could work for you. Then, come on over to the Facebook group and share what came up for you!

NEXT STEPS:

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112 || Because Fear Will Try to Steal Your Dream|| Julie Watson

The Devoted Dreamers Podcast

03/14/19 • 44 min

LISTENER SURVEY Please take a few minutes to respond to our listener survey so we can get to know you better. You’ll be entered to win your choice of a $10 Amazon gift card or a signature Devoted Dreamers mug!

ABOUT THIS EPISODE God created you for a reason. This is our theme for the month of March, and in this episode, Julie Watson shares how she fought back fear and a lack of confidence to pursue the dreams God has given her for the one life she has to live.

Through Julie's story we are reminded how God often calls us into places where we feel incompetent, like we can’t do it, or are just too full of fear to move forward (think of Moses). But He meets us in our “gaps,” and He grows us when we say “yes” despite our objections to the challenges before us. Julie reveals the truth about the training, education or preparation you need to pursue your dream – and it’s probably not what you think! Finally, she asks a poignant question towards the end that helps us think about what we really want for our life and our dream.

Julie is a certified health coach and life coach and a newly published author. After battling with her own health and life struggles, she is passionate about helping women increase their health so they can live out the life they’re called to live. She believes we are created for more, to flourish not flounder in our everyday life. Julie lives in the country with her husband and their combined family of five children. In her free time, she can be found writing, researching, running, teaching others about healthy living, and connecting with friends over a great cup of coffee.

You’ll find the show notes here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/112

CONNECT WITH JULIE:Website || Instagram || Facebook

MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Google “I Am” statements as a reminder of your identity in Christ

The four pillars mentioned in Julie’s book, True Health: True health Realizing your potential Understanding you Enlightenment by the Holy Spirit

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:

Books

Battle Ready by Kelly Balarie

High Performance Habits by Brendon Burchard

Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod

Dream by Dutch Sheets

4 Keys to Hearing God’s Voice by Mark Virkler

Not mentioned in our conversation, but Julie shared this book with me later as a great resource for anyone dealing with grief or wondering how to respond to friends and loved ones who are:

A Grace Disguised: How the Soul Grows Through Loss by Jerry Sittser

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

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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!

089 || How to Loosen Your Grip on Your Dream || Kristi Hayes

The Devoted Dreamers Podcast

05/02/18 • 50 min

Kristi Hayes is the Founder and CEO of Be Strong Story, a business spreading the message from a simple lunch box note that her husband wrote to their son: Be Strong. Protect the Weak. Love Everyone.TM Now, this is not only the tagline for their business, it’s become an action statement for their family as they work with homeless and others who need a second chance. Kristi’s greatest desire is to influence and inspire families to go into the vulnerable places and serve others. She’s a certified personal trainer and Level 1 Crossfit Trainer, a mom of 2 kiddos, 2 cats and 1 dog, and wife to Grant. On any given day you will find her walking on her hands with her kids, building a team of women to do what they didn’t think possible, and re-decorating multiple rooms in her house.

In this episode, Kristi shares the story about how Be Strong Story was born and the years prior in which God taught her to hold loosely to her dreams. You will be inspired to work hard at your dream but also to check yourself for clues that you’re gripping it too tightly. You will learn Kristi’s bold but simple strategy to find a mentor and the value of obedience, even if you can’t see the rewards right away.

In celebration of Mother’s Day, Kristi is offering a discount code for Devoted Dreamers listeners on any purchase in their store, like a Be Strong Story cuff or disk necklace. See below for more information.

You’ll find the show notes, links to the resources mentioned, and all the ways to connect with Kristi, here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/89

MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Branded Collective Be Strong Families – pledge form (coming soon!) Emily McCarthy (website / shoppe / Instagram) Voxer app The Wall Street Journal

Podcasts:

How I Built This with Guy Raz (Apple Podcasts / Stitcher) Going Scared with Jessica Honeggar (Apple Podcasts / Stitcher)

Get More Involved...Become a Devoted Dreamers Patron.

Learn more about Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/DevotedDreamersPodcast

GET CONNECTED:

Find your tribe in the Devoted Dreamers Insiders 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

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!

234 || 10 Simple but Creative Ideas for Launching a Dream on a Little Budget || Jenn Jett Barrett

The Devoted Dreamers Podcast

03/30/22 • 51 min

Find show notes here.

What will it cost to get your dream off the ground?

This episode is the third and final conversation in my financial series where I’m bringing back a previous podcast guest to share her brilliance and experience related to the money side of launching a dream!

This week’s guest is dream defender and founder of Camp Well and The Well Summit Jenn Jett Barrett who shared her dreamer story waaaaay back in episode 16. This time we’re talking about creative ideas to launch without spending a lot of money.

You’re going to get so much out of hearing Jenn talk about:

Reminders from scripture that God uses financially successful women to advance kingdom purposes and how we don’t have to be afraid of conversations about money,
Making money decisions from where you are today rather than where you ultimately hope to end up, and
Specific ideas Jenn shared about how to launch and vet your dream from the beginning on a minimal budget.

Looking for my free 5-day Guided Scripture Reading Plan? Get yours today. You’ll also receive a copy of the Dreamers Unleashed Manifesto to post on your mirror, fridge, or wherever you need a reminder of who you are and the path you’ve been given. Just go to: https://www.merrittonsa.com/biblereadingplan

NEXT STEPS:

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

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168 || [Pivot Session] Launch Before You Know It All || Natalie Arent

The Devoted Dreamers Podcast

09/23/20 • 20 min

These Pivot Session episodes are all short, honest conversations with a guest who has made a shift in her dream because of the coronavirus pandemic that arrived on the scene in early 2020. ’Cause we’re all about not allowing the enemy of our souls win the battle for our dreams. Listen in and be encouraged, maybe even get an idea about how you might listen and be open to how God is shaping and shifting your dream during this unprecedented time in our lives.

Brand and graphic designer Natalie Arent hosts Presence & Purpose, a podcast and Facebook community, helping female entrepreneurs naturally standout, draw in their people, and propel their business forward.

Natalie was already considering a shift in her brand and graphic design business to do more coaching with clients prior to the pandemic. But after it hit, she decided to listen to the God-nudge and launch a paid membership community. Listen and learn as she talks about:

Tuning out all the “expert” voices so she could listen to God,
Following and trusting His leading,
Launching before she had it all figured out, and
Not giving up when she’d hardly begun.

Looking for the show notes & how to connect with Natalie? You’ll find them right here: https://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/168

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!

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Find the show notes here.

263 || [Solo] What Can You Accomplish for Your Dream in Just Two Hours a Week? || Merritt Onsa

The Devoted Dreamers Podcast

03/15/23 • 33 min

If your time is limited, how can you make meaningful progress on your dream?

It’s the age-old question: How do I find more time to do the things I want to do?

I won’t give the pat answer, but I am going to help you see what’s possible if you could find two hours a week to devote to your God-shaped dream.

It’s not easy, but it is do-able.

Yes, even for you. 😊

Time probably feels like a huge limitation to pursuing your dream because you’re already committed in a lot of different places beyond your home and family. Maybe you’re also serving in your community, at your kids’ school, or at church. Maybe you work part-time or even full-time.

Whatever you have on your plate, I bet you are serving, giving, caring for others in so many ways that your life feels so full that there is little to no time when you could imagine really “going for it” with your dream.

That’s why I address in this episode:

The reasons time feels like such an enormous barrier,
What Scripture says about our time and how we spend it, and
How you can find little windows of time so you can say, “yes” to the dream God has given you.

I even attempt a ridiculous metaphor, just to see if it helps you remember the steps you can take to get there. You’ll have to let me know how that works out for you.

I know there are some real-life challenges you are facing right now. Some of those feel like roadblocks piled high in opposition to your dream. But they won’t always be the way they are right now, and I want you to have some creative ideas for taking the next steps when that time comes.

That's what I want you to walk away with after this episode!

Give it a listen, then sign up for my free workshop on March 20th to help you Get Out of Your Head & Find Momentum for Your Dream.

NEXT STEPS:

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

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161 || [Rewind] Starting With What You Know || LaKena Dunham

The Devoted Dreamers Podcast

07/29/20 • 51 min

Thanks for listening to this Summer Rewind episode of the Devoted Dreamers Podcast!

Follow LaKena Dunham on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lakenadunham/

You’ll find the show notes from the original episode with LaKena here: https://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/58

About LaKena: LaKena Dunham is the founder of Hewalenamo Girls, Inc., a non-profit organization providing financial assistance for educational purposes to girls from impoverished families in developing countries. An international speaker, best-selling author and legacy coach, LaKena wants every woman to live courageously and confidently, going after the dreams that God places in each of our hearts. She has been recognized for her efforts to leave an indelible mark on girls and women around the world and resides near Dallas, Texas with her husband and three children.

Grab your copy of the journaling questions for this episode here: merrittonsa.com/store

Fall Mastermind Group:

I'm kicking off the next Dreamers Mastermind Group on September 20, 2020. Join me and up to 9 other women for weekly encouragement, monthly Zoom calls, and a 45-minute one-on-one strategy session with me to help you take the next step in your dream. Fill out the interest form here: https://bit.ly/pursuethedream and I'll follow up with you in August.

Journal Your Dream:

All summer long I am re-sharing some of my favorite episodes that you may have missed the first time around, especially if you’re kinda new around here!

For every Summer Rewind episode, you can get a set of journaling questions to help you process your dream. The ENTIRE set for the whole summer is just $5 because I believe there is some deep internal work we all need to do before we’re able to fully pursue and invest in the dreams God has given us.

And I want to see you there, with the work DONE and ready to pursue that dream when fall 2020 rolls around. So grab the journal packet in my store at merrittonsa.com/store and go a little deeper as you consider the next steps in your dream.

I’ll be back with you for Season 8 starting on September 9, 2020.

Until then, you can find me in the Devoted Dreamers Insiders’ Group on Facebook.

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

Get Connected with the Dreamers Facebook Community

305 || How to Start Loving the Unique Ways God Made You || Michelle Acker

The Devoted Dreamers Podcast

05/08/24 • 41 min

Find the show notes here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/305

This episode is brought to you by the Devoted Dreamers Community Conversations call, held monthly on the last Wednesday at 10:30 AM Pacific / 1:30 PM Eastern. Register for free here: https://merrittonsa.com/connect

Do you struggle to recognize the beauty of your uniqueness?

Everywhere you look there’s evidence of the glorious ways God made other people: She’s got an eye for design. That one has a knack for speaking encouraging truth into other people’s struggles. Her every movement is so graceful and poised. I wish I could speak/write/entertain like she does.

Ultimately, we’re asking the question: God, why didn’t you make me like that?

We don’t intend to diminish God’s gifts in us; it’s more like we don’t recognize our gifts for what they are. We’ve lived our whole lives with these talents, this wiring, this personality. It doesn’t seem all that special compared to what we perceive as excellent in others.

What will it take to begin recognizing the significance of your wiring and to boldly use your gifts for His glory?

In this episode of the Devoted Dreamers Podcast, my guest Michelle Acker offers a reminder that God’s design in each of us—including you—has a beautiful purpose!

As you listen, pay close attention to what Michelle teaches us about:

💡Practical ways to overcome the negative voices threatening your dream,

✨ Giving yourself the freedom to explore and express your passions, and

❤️ The gift of collaborating with another dreamer to create beauty TOGETHER!

This inspiring podcast episode is for any Christian woman in search of encouragement about how to use your skills, talents, and life experience for the big dreams God has planted in your heart.

NEXT STEPS:

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

111 || How to Find Remarkable Beauty in Ordinary Dreams || Ashley Hales

The Devoted Dreamers Podcast

03/06/19 • 44 min

God created you for a reason. This is our theme for the month of March, and in this episode, Ashley Hales shares how her life today feels far more ordinary than what she dreamed as a younger person – and why that’s exactly where God wants her right now.

Through her story we learn the importance of pressing in to the greater story of the gospel because of how it impacts our lives and relationships with others. She reminds us of our identity in Christ through the story of the prodigal son and God's love for His children. You’ll also discover the value of instituting small disciplines in your life like finding a verse to meditate on, or a way to move your body each day, or anything that helps you detach from your everyday role(s). She also talks about why she wrote her first book, Finding Holy in the Suburbs: Living Faithfully in the Land of Too Much (IVP), even though she never expected to author a book.

Ashley holds a PhD in English from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. She’s a writer, speaker, and hosts The Finding Holy Podcast. Ashley is married to a church planter in the southern California suburbs and is a mother to four children. Her writing has been featured in The Gospel Coalition, Books & Culture, and Christianity Today.

You’ll find the show notes and all the ways to connect with Ashley, here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/111

CONNECT WITH ASHLEY:

Website || Instagram || Twitter

MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

MOPS International Resurrection Orange County

FAVORITE RESOURCES:

Books

Finding Holy in the Suburbs by Ashley Hales

Teach Us to Want by Jen Michel

Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Harrison Warren

Long Days of Small Things by Catherine McNiel

Poetry 180 by Billy Collins

Podcasts

Finding Holy Podcast by Ashley Hales

SUPPORT THE PODCAST BECOME A DEVOTED DREAMERS PATRON

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GET CONNECTED:

Find your tribe in the Devoted Dreamers Insiders 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