Created Creative Podcast

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 wo...

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 the...

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...

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 m...

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 wor...

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...

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 rec...

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 curve...

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...

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 do...

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...

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 (becaus...

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 microwave...

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 jus...

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 beca...

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 creati...

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:...

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 th...

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. Whi...

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 – lik...

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 doin...

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...

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 al...

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...

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 butter...