Created Creative Podcast

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 DavisonTodd 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 FolksWe’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.comOr maybe you could send a thoughtful gift to your favorite minister! Consecrate.cratejoy.com