Created Creative Podcast

Dawn and Ruth welcome Ruth's son, Jesse Hetland Peterson, a passionate theater aficionado and high school senior. Jesse shares his journey in theater, discussing everything from his experiences in community and school productions to his aspirations for a career on Broadway. The conversation delves into his recent experiences playing Willy Wonka, the joys and challenges of acting, and his plans for...

In this episode of Created Creative, hosts Dawn and Ruth discuss the origins and impact of camp songs, particularly focusing on the work of Cathy Pino. They explore Cathy’s background working at various Bible camps, the story behind her popular song ‘Light of the World', and how it gained widespread popularity. Cathy shares insights into her journey as a musician, songwriter, and caregiver, and di...

Creating Forward: Elevate Your Life Goals - Dawn and Ruth welcome special guest Kris Bjorke for an inspiring conversation about moving forward, setting goals, and embracing new beginnings. The group discusses their personal journeys and their unique, creative approaches to life and ministry. They also delve into their struggles with physical space, organization, and achieving financial stability w...

In this episode of 'Created Creative', Dawn and Ruth discuss the importance of attitude and positive thinking when working towards goals. They delve into the 'one little word' concept from Allie Edwards which frames an entire year with a guiding word, and compare it to 'Star Words'. The hosts explore the concept of manifesting, examining its limitations in light of what former guest Callie Swanlan...

In this episode of Created Creative, hosts Dawn and Ruth chat with Heidi Renney, a soap maker and yoga enthusiast from Detroit Lakes. Heidi shares her journey from quitting her corporate job to starting Nature's Embrace Soap Company. She discusses her creative process, the growth of her business, and the importance of staying connected to her spiritual practices. The conversation touches on managi...

Dawn and Ruth host a conversation with Nathan Maxwell Doherty, a UX designer with a background in youth ministry and graphic design. The dialogue explores the importance of clear messaging and user experience in nonprofit and church websites, emphasizing the role of UX in solving problems by focusing on the human element. Nathan shares personal anecdotes, highlights from his career, and practical...

Our latest episode is one of pivoting from the role of pastor to author to orchardist while being a recovering addict. Dawn and Ruth engage in a heartfelt conversation with Dan Maurer, who shares his unique journey from being a pastor to becoming an orchardist. Dan opens up about his struggles with addiction, recovery, and how it influenced his career pivots, including his experiences in writing a...

In this episode of 'Created Creative,' hosts Dawn and Ruth reflect on their podcast's first anniversary and discuss the critical differences between being tired and burned out. They review their successful year of producing 52 episodes without a break, explore why they aren't burned out, and share insights on maintaining enthusiasm for creative projects. The hosts discuss their work dynamics, the...

Devotional Crafting with Tina Crog from Stitchology Crafts In this episode of Created Creative, hosts Dawn and Ruth introduce guest Tina Krog, a Lutheran pastor from Massillon, Ohio, who shares her journey of turning to cross-stitching as a healing practice after a personal tragedy. Tina elaborates on how crafting evolved into her devotional practice and led to the creation of Stitchology Crafts,...

In this episode of Created Creative, hosts Dawn and Ruth engage in a dynamic conversation with David Motzenbecher (aka Motz), a professional landscape architect who pivoted his career to become a Forest Therapy Guide. They discuss a range of topics from the history and practice of forest bathing to the personal and ecological benefits of connecting with nature. Motz shares insights into his journe...

In this episode of Created Creative, hosts Dawn and Ruth chat with Pastor Diane Sponheim about the calming power of creativity and her various creative ventures including knitting, gardening, and involvement in a semi-professional choir. They discuss the details of their upcoming book club for 'Parables of a Resilient Nomad', and Diane introduces her idea for a new YouTube channel that will combin...

Join us for an insightful conversation about pursuing dreams despite circumstances, including single motherhood by choice. Campus Pastor Cassandra Lamb’s story of becoming a mother through IUI and navigating societal and congregational reactions offers encouragement to others in similar situations. The episode underscores the support from communities, the joy of parenting, and the emotional challe...

In this engaging episode we tackle the widespread issue of burnout and the critical journey of rediscovering one's true calling. Dawn and Ruth discuss the importance of self-evaluation, such as understanding innate traits, acquired skills, and community needs. Ruth shares her personal experiences with side hustles and interim ministry roles that renewed her passion, while practical tips are offere...

Jillene Fritch-Gallatin, senior pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, shares her profound journey through grief and the development of her business, 'Grounded Love for Grief and Loss.' She discusses the integration of movement, breath, and sound to aid the emotional and physical release of grief. The conversation covers Jillene’s personal experiences, from the tragedy of losing her mother to suici...

Meet Meredith Crigler, the Episcopal priest rocking both the pulpit and batik designs! Discover how she swapped out Vacation Bible School for Family Arts Camp and why Meredith's mornings are dedicated to journaling and tea over spreadsheets. See how preaching, Holy Saturday, and a renovation project at Trinity Episcopal Church whirl together. Learn about developing thriving online preaching commun...

Ballerina turned baker turned entrepreneur, Kendall Vanderslice introduces herself as a 'food and theology scholar' who draws upon her background in the restaurant industry to teach the spiritual practice of bread baking. Kendall shares her experiences in creating baking workshops through her 'Bake and Pray' method, which integrates prayer into bread baking, turning it into a form of liturgy. She...

This week Dawn and Ruth have a lively and empowering collaboration with Tara Lamont Eastman of the 'Holy Shenanigans' podcast. They're here to champion women's creativity that's often dismissed as 'bubblegum.' Together, they discuss the importance of being bold and outspoken about creative passions. From Taylor Swift to Morning Pages to Car Poems, these three creative powerhouses invite listeners...

In this engaging conversation, Sally Franson discusses her experience on the Swedish reality show 'Alt for Sverige,' the inspiration for her novel 'Big in Sweden.' She delves into the character of Polly from her book, her creative process, the challenges of reality TV, and her ongoing journey of combining solitary work with collaborative projects. Sally also shares heartwarming experiences about v...

In this episode of Created Creative, hosts Dawn and Ruth interview Pastor Chris Dynas, who shares his journey of becoming a beekeeper. Initially fearful of stinging insects, Chris' interest sparked in Missouri when a parishioner introduced him to beekeeping. He now manages around ten hives in Kansas, producing honey, lip balm, soap, and propolis tinctures. Chris describes the therapeutic aspect of...

In this special episode of Created Creative, hosts Dawn and Ruth dive into a heartfelt and inspiring conversation about Dawn's new book, 'Parables of a Resilient Nomad'. Set to release next Tuesday, September 17, the book chronicles Dawn's nomadic life, filled with personal and professional transformations. Dawn recounts her life as a pastor's daughter, the shocking revelation from her father, and...

Join Dawn and Ruth as they weave through Labor Day traditions and the communal charm of the Minnesota State Fair to uncover unexpected nuggets of mental wellness. From butter beauty queens to the therapeutic wonders of seed art, they set the stage for a dive into how creativity heals the mind. Featuring Caroline Garnet McGraw, who transforms anxiety into art; Richard Bruxvold, who turns Psalms int...

How much of creativity is inspiration and how much is discipline? It's a question that we didn't always ask in our interviews and yet over time we began to see how important discipline is to creativity. Here in our 40th episode, listen to a review of some of our guests talking about their practices that lead to the works they create! #creativityanddisciple #practiceofcreativity #gocreatesomething...

Creators in Unlikely Places: Crafting Art from Outer Space to Laundry Rooms to Nap time Hosts Dawn and Ruth dive into the behind-the-scenes stories of creative endeavors—from crafting viral memes and dealing with plagiarism to creating sewn projects in a space station. Featuring anecdotes from Karen's space quilting, Kayla's baking adventures, Diane's alchemical kitchen, Tyra's musical composition...

We continue our series this month in which we review common themes in our first 36 episodes. This episode challenges the portrayal of the church in mass media and highlights a female minister of color advocating for inclusion. It discusses the often-overlooked presence of LGBTQ+ individuals in religious spaces and the crucial role churches play in social justice. The importance of diverse represen...

We’ve got a new format for August, using clips from past guests to explore various themes, and this week we’re looking at creating in isolation versus collaboration. With special clips from pastor Jenny Sung and Rob Bell, we discuss diverse viewpoints on collaboration and contrast this with the isolation of working alone. Join us for our creative journey to Amsterdam May 1-9, 2025! https://created...