Created Creative Podcast

Ep 137 - Think Bigger: School Tours, Screens, and Building a Mastermind

Dawn and Ruth open with something that stops you in your tracks: a benefit fundraiser for a young woman with cancer. They reflect on how community support shouldn’t be required for life-saving treatment, and what it says about the systems we’ve built (or failed to build). From there they settle into fall: weather shifts, yoga, step counts, and how friends’ achievements have a way of inspiring you to reach further yourself. Dawn shares her preschool tour circuit, noticing parent fears about neighborhoods and wondering whether “social justice” schools are engaging issues intellectually rather than through actual local service. It’s a distinction worth thinking about. Then they tackle screens: specifically a TikTok take that blaming screens for kids’ mental health struggles conveniently shifts responsibility onto mothers instead of addressing the missing infrastructure: mental health supports, paid maternity leave, real community investment. Because maybe the problem isn’t the iPad. Maybe it’s everything around the iPad. Ruth also shares that her son is in an independent film releasing October 31 (!) and reflects on how to help a young adult find direction without pushing too hard. But the episode’s big energy is around Dawn restructuring her business: a lower-cost app-based community with monthly coaching, OR a higher-ticket mastermind with frequent access and in-person gatherings. Strong interest is already coming in. They discuss marketing, ROI, and what it actually means to think bigger. They close with a recap of a church retreat at Koinonia and an invitation to listeners: what do YOU want? Because thinking bigger starts with being asked. LINK to TALK WITH DAWN: https://bigpicturebigpurpose.com/explore-2027/ 00:18 Welcome And Catch Up 00:25 Benefit For A Friend 01:19 Fall Weather Shift 02:14 Yoga And Steps 04:11 School Tour Circuit 05:19 Neighborhood Fears 06:47 iPad Days Reality 08:02 Systemic Support Needed 09:02 Son In A Movie 10:10 Finding Future Direction 11:16 New Coaching Offers 14:10 Big Trips And Mastermind 15:41 Church Retreat Recap 18:30 App Versus Mastermind 20:58 Think Bigger Outro

Ep 136 - Celeste Rose Koppe on Running for Detroit Lakes City Council, Housing, and Responding to the School Board Rainbow Ban

Dawn and Ruth open with fall vibes, parenting updates, school visits, and a reflection on resilience before diving into one of the most important conversations they’ve had: why local politics matters more than ever. Celeste Rose Koppe is running for city council in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, and her path there is anything but ordinary. She’s lived in Tunisia, Morocco, and Budapest, returned home in 2021 to help family, and found herself drawn into local politics through issues she couldn’t ignore: clean energy, housing, and improving relationships with the state after significant Minnesota investments. Then the Detroit Lakes School Board did something that surprised everyone: they banned rainbows. What followed was community organizing, data requests that suggested open meeting law violations, and lawsuits tied to the motion and board rhetoric. Celeste found herself at the center of a community reckoning, facing online backlash, harassment, and the very real dynamics of gender and power in local politics. Her husband’s experiences with local racism added another layer to an already complex picture. But here’s what makes Celeste’s story so compelling: She’s not backing down. Instead she’s building trust through tangible local projects, using yoga for grounding when things get hard, and infusing politics with arts to make civics more accessible and human. Dawn and Celeste also dig into campaign time management (because running for office while living a full life is its own creative challenge), and Celeste offers advice for young people ready to engage: show up, read local news, and find training programs. This episode is for anyone who’s ever thought local politics doesn’t matter, or who needs a reminder that the most important decisions are often made closest to home. LINKS: Parables of Resilient Nomad by Dawn Trautman https://a.co/d/0coVxIgL Follow Celeste's campaign: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086415228712 We invite you to help support our work getting these interviews out! Join our patreon - every little bit helps: patreon.com/u11072417 00:18 Fall Catch Up Stories 00:40 Grief Rituals and Parenting 01:35 Resilient Nomad Book Plug 02:12 School Tours and Fall Festival 03:32 Kids Bravery to Politics 05:26 Meet Celeste Koppie 05:56 Life Abroad in Tunisia 08:34 Roots in Detroit Lakes 09:23 Why Run for Council 11:59 Campaign Priorities Housing 13:05 School Board Rainbow Ban 16:28 Open Meeting Concerns 17:27 Online Backlash 18:45 Power and Masculinity 20:28 Racism in Town 22:17 Building Local Trust 23:35 Path to Politics 26:32 Democracy and Violence 29:55 Campaign Sprint Coaching 31:29 Yoga as Grounding 33:48 Creativity in Civics

Ep 135 - Getting Rid of Stuff Was Never Really the Point: Tiny-Home Living, Community, and Simplicity with Suzanne Searcy Johnson

Meet Suzanne Searcy Johnson: writer, poet, simplicity coach, new podcaster, and resident of an Austin-area tiny-home agrihood. We're talking about 120 homes built around an organic farm, where Suzanne leases her land, uses community amenities, and has access to farm stands, a community garden, and optional social activities. It's the kind of intentional community that makes you want to immediately research real estate options. Suzanne has written multiple books including A Vital Simplicity (based on Charles Wagner's 1895 classic The Simple Life), Beyond Decluttering, and Sixty Candles. And here's what makes her perspective so compelling: Decluttering alone didn't bring her peace. What actually worked? Recovery. And four essential connections: nature, other people, spirituality, and inner creativity and intuition. When those four things were in place, she stopped bringing excess into her life in the first place. Because the real problem was never the stuff. It was what the stuff was filling. Suzanne shares her writing process, her favorite creators, and then gets coached by Dawn on a delicious creative dilemma: finish her "My Grown-Up Gap Year" book or pursue a novella that's been calling to her? This episode is for anyone who's tried decluttering and still felt like something was missing—and anyone ready to explore what simplicity actually looks like when it starts from the inside out. LINKS: Learn more about Suzanne: https://suzannesearcyjohnson.com/ Get Dawn's coaching! bigpicturebigpurpose.com 00:21 Garage Door Wins 00:56 Small Town Safety 02:31 Meet Suzanne 03:29 Why Austin Agrihood 04:25 Life in the Community 05:39 Heat and Tiny Home Comfort 06:28 Farm Stand and Garden 07:55 Events Without Pressure 08:36 Buying and Leasing Setup 10:08 Tiny Home Tour Details 10:54 Books and Vital Simplicity 14:12 Beyond Decluttering Journey 17:15 Connection Over Consumption 18:43 Spiritual Connection Benefits 19:26 Integrity and Inner Voice 19:58 Writing Beyond Decluttering 22:00 Nature Walks for Inspiration 22:43 Book Timelines and Style 23:44 Favorite Creators and Books 25:33 Building a Weekly Podcast 26:39 Coaching Through Book Blocks 28:52 Publicity Timing and Launch Load 31:18 Connection First Networking Story

Ep 134 - Pastor Yolanda Denson-Byers on Art, Courage, and Truth-Telling (Because Artists Tell Truth, Even When It's Tender)

Dawn and Ruth welcome Rev. Dr. Yolanda Denson-Byers, senior pastor at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Edina and author of See Me, Believe Me, a book written to name the common experiences of racism and discrimination faced by clergy of color in predominantly white congregations. Now in its second edition and widely used, the book centers the crucial distinction between intent and impact. Because good intentions don't cancel real harm. Yolanda shares her Holy Spirit-led writing process, her promotion strategies (including how alma maters can be powerful amplifiers), and why spirituality and creativity are simply inseparable for her. She describes her creative worship practices, all proof that worship itself can be a radical creative act. The episode closes with Dawn coaching Yolanda on her next book: a more tender, story-based project that requires a different kind of courage. They talk about how courage grows in small steps, the "ish" mindset for artists, and the sacred question of what you choose to share and what you keep close. This episode is for anyone who needs permission to try the unlikely thing, name the hard truth, or take the next small brave step toward something that matters. LINKS: Have a business idea and want to get it moving? Join Dawn's Discern by Doing for Business Course. A new group is starting now: https://bigpicturebigpurpose.lpages.co/discern-by-doing-for-business/ 00:23 Grant Win Story 01:22 Broadway Near Miss 02:52 Seminary Sold News 03:32 Seminary Memories 06:40 Guest Intro Setup 07:42 Meet Pastor Yolanda 08:27 Why She Wrote Book 11:17 Spirit Led Writing 12:50 Intent Versus Impact 16:04 Publishing Proposal Path 18:06 Finding Your Voice 21:16 Promoting The Book 22:23 Promotion Without Competition 23:04 Alma Mater Amplifiers 23:49 Favorite Creative Spotlight 24:58 Spirituality Fuels Art 27:41 Pentecost Worship Experiments 31:52 Pray Without Ceasing 33:33 Courage Builds Creativity 35:16 Ish Mindset for Artists 38:35 Next Book Coaching Session 41:41 Rituals and Accountability 45:20 Tenderness and Consent 45:58 Final Thanks and Sendoff

Ep 133 - Because Sometimes the Most Sacred Thing You Can Do Is Let Go with Sarah Jones

Dawn and Ruth welcome Pastor Sarah Jones, program director of the ELCA's Church Property Resource Hub, launched March 2025. Sarah's doing some of the most important and emotionally complex work in the church right now: helping congregations navigate the grief of underused or ill-fitting buildings and find new life on the other side. Here's what makes Sarah's work so compelling: She's not just talking about real estate decisions. She's talking about the messy cocoon stage of transformation. The grief, the loss, the uncertainty that comes when a congregation has to reimagine what their building is actually for. That's not a spreadsheet problem. That's a pastoral one. Sarah shares beautiful success stories: a neurodivergent school sharing space with a congregation, a church house repurposed for family visitation. She emphasizes moving away from membership growth as the main metric and toward community impact, because a building that serves the neighborhood might matter more than one that serves only Sunday morning regulars. Her practical advice? Clarify your mission first. Then invite local stakeholders to tour your space. Build partnerships before you desperately need them. This episode is for anyone navigating institutional change, letting go of what was, and wondering what comes next. LINKS: The Church Property Resource Hub: https://www.elca.org/how-we-serve/churches-and-church-leaders/property-resources Check out Discern by Doing for Business with Dawn Trautman! https://bigpicturebigpurpose.lpages.co/discern-by-doing-for-business/ Clergy Appreciation Month is October! Order a ConseCrate for your favorite minister here: consecrate.cratejoy.com 00:42 Finding Common Ground 02:34 Church Connections 03:17 Episode Setup 00:02 Meet Pastor Sarah 05:14 Hub Origin Story 07:01 What The Hub Does 08:33 Grief Before Change 09:47 Community Asset Mindset 11:49 Faith Language Tools 12:35 When Churches Reach Out 14:09 Beyond Growth Metrics 16:36 Bible Study Resource 17:08 Church With Too Much Space 17:54 Mission First Then Invite Community 20:59 Who To Bring In 22:01 Vincennes Family Visitation House 24:08 Daytona School Partnership 26:46 Future Church As Community Hub 28:20 Field Trips And Examples 29:05 Marketing The Good Futures Game 31:14 Lead With Grief And Hope 34:08 You Are Not Alone

Ep 132 - Celebrity Sightings and Butter Queens at the Minnesota State Fair (Or: Where Else Would a Rock Star Win Fifth Place in the Bread Competition?)

Dawn and Ruth are ACTUALLY AT THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR and this episode is pure joy. They kick things off debating corn on the cob textures (very important), sampling falafel and navigating the beef-heavy food options, and getting complimented on their outfits within minutes of arriving. Then someone from Dawn's Indiana school days recognizes her in the crowd because the Great Minnesota Get-Together really does bring everyone together. They dive into the sacred traditions: Princess Kay of the Milky Way butter sculptures (yes, they carve life-size butter heads of royalty), including a story about someone who actually ATE a carved butter head at a graduation party. They watch bovine judging with appropriate commentary, and critique the 4H musical choreography, which was apparently overly ambitious for a 10-day rehearsal process. Points for effort though. But here's where it gets really good: In the Creative Arts building, they run into John Munson of Trip Shakespeare and Semisonic fame. Who won fifth place in the bread competition. They take photos, they fan-girl appropriately, and they immediately invite him to be on the podcast. Because creativity really is EVERYWHERE at the Minnesota State Fair, from butter sculptures to bread competitions to rock stars in the Creative Arts building. Pro tip from Dawn and Ruth: Go midweek for smaller crowds. You're welcome. This episode is pure Minnesotan joy from start to finish, and proof that the best creative inspiration sometimes comes from the most unexpected places. 00:00 Welcome to the Fair 00:29 Corn on a Stick Debate 01:33 Great Get Together Run In 02:10 Why We Came Back 02:46 Butter Sculpting Legends 04:25 Bovine Judging Commentary 04:51 4H Musical Reactions 06:15 Semisonic Celebrity Sighting 07:36 Bread Prize Plot Twist 10:18 Fair Reflections and Food 13:02 Creativity Everywhere Finale

State Fair Baking, Creative Outlets, and Building a VBS Volunteer Culture with Victoria Hoppes (Because Ministry Leaders Need Creative Outlets Too)

Dawn and Ruth kick things off with State Fair anticipation (Minnesota, obviously), late summer updates from New York City, outdoor concerts, forest school prep, a son's backpacking trip to Yosemite, and taking another child to NDSU. Summer is winding down in the best possible way. Then they welcome Victoria Hoppes, a children's and youth ministry staff member in Indianapolis who writes, bakes, and tap dances, because creative outlets aren't a luxury for ministry leaders, they're a necessity. Victoria shares her delightful State Fair baking life: entering the Indiana State Fair's open arts and culinary competitions, selecting and tweaking recipes, using her church community as taste testers (best congregation perk ever), and submitting entries without needing county-level wins first. She's earned honorable mention ribbons and once won $15. She's basically living the dream. But then the conversation shifts to something really practical: How do you build a volunteer culture around a large, highly decorated VBS week? Victoria's strategies are gold—building genuine relationships before you need anything, offering take-home kits that make volunteering feel manageable, and sharing stories and photos that make people want to be part of something meaningful. The episode closes with Dawn coaching Victoria on restarting her Substack by September 30 and identifying potential publishers for her writing. This episode is for ministry leaders who need permission to pursue creative outlets AND practical strategies for building the volunteer culture that makes ministry actually sustainable. 00:16 State Fair Traditions 01:00 New York Summer Stories 03:03 Outdoor Gear and Adventures 03:47 Backpacking and Big Changes 05:58 State Fair Plans and Guest Intro 07:14 Meet Victoria Hoppes 08:46 Creativity Beyond Ministry 11:22 Entering the State Fair 14:39 Recipes and Test Kitchen 16:32 Judging and Ribbon Keepsakes 18:54 Baking as Self Care 19:35 Landing Writing Gigs 21:59 VBS Creative Build 24:08 Recruiting Volunteers 29:14 Inspired by Kids 30:51 Publishing Under Your Name 35:19 Substack Deadline 37:14 Wrap Up and Farewell

• Transcript

Ep 130 - Conversations on Creative Living and Transitions

We Took a Slow Summer and We're Not Sorry About It Dawn and Ruth are back, a little sun-kissed and finally figuring out their recording software (only took all summer, but who's counting?). They're calling it a "slow summer" and honestly? We should all be taking notes, because the creative recharge is REAL. Ruth’s been holding down the fort at church through a heavy season of funerals and pastoral care — because ministry is beautiful and also absolutely exhausting, and now she's got a full fall lineup brewing: revamped confirmation, chair yoga (yes, really, and we are here for it), new Bible studies, and the return of the beloved "Dinners for Eight" to get people actually talking to each other in person again. Revolutionary concept, apparently. Meanwhile, Dawn has been deep in the absolute labyrinth that is New York City school applications *for a THREE-YEAR-OLD* and came out the other side with a forest school pick that has flexible scheduling and scholarship support. She's also going full curious-mom mode on homeschooling, worldschooling, and what "woke homeschooling" actually means (spoiler: it's more interesting than the discourse would have you believe). They also survived a chaotic, delayed trip to Indianapolis, shout out to community support and sensory rooms, and have big plans for filming at the Minnesota State Fair because of COURSE they do. Join our Patreon and be part of our creative community: https://patreon.com/u11072417?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink 00:18 Slow Summer Catch Up 00:31 New Recording Software 01:30 Creative Work and Funerals 01:58 Fall Plans at Church 03:33 Forest School Decision 07:13 Homeschooling and Off Peak Life 10:20 1990s Summer Vibes 10:49 Travel Chaos to Indianapolis 12:53 Airport Meltdown Moment 14:06 Finally Making Indy Work 15:06 Sensory Room Survival 16:57 State Fair Plans Ahead 17:30 Fall Work and Speaking 17:56 Woke Homeschooling Deep Dive 21:39 Unschooling Questions and Rules 23:06 Podcast Return and Farewell

Ep 128 - Brian Spahr - Writing 59 Songs in a Year: Brian’s Return to Songwriting

(The audio ended abruptly on this episode but we are posting what we have - please check out Brian's music - he is amazing!!)Dawn and Ruth open the Created Creative podcast by celebrating Ruth’s birthday, discussing Memorial Day and a graveside service involving ashes finally buried after 12 years, then Dawn shares attending a live meeting about a world-schooling organization offering furnished apartments, Finnish-system schooling, and community in multiple countries on three-month cycles. They introduce an interview with Brian, a singer-songwriter, author, and chaplain in Fort Wayne, Indiana, whom they know from Youth Encounter. Brian describes starting songwriting in college, releasing CDs, then taking a 20-year break due to life demands and discouragement, before returning during COVID after mentoring a young songwriter and joining an online workshop. He built a practice of writing and publicly posting a completed song every Monday, producing 59 songs in a year, refining his lyric-focused storytelling voice; one song, “Threadbare,” was published in American Songwriter. He now prioritizes relational engagement over chasing streams while preparing an EP. Join Created Creative Podcast's Patreon: patreon.com/u11072417 Learn more about Brian Spahr's music: https://brianspahrmusic.com/home Here is the link to the crowdfunding page https://threadbarecreative.com/welcome-to-struggleville-junction And here is the playlist of "Threadbare Songs" https://untitled.stream/library/project/zL0z4lXtFXsrf03Aguv3P 00:00 Songwriting Rhythm Breakthrough 00:21 Birthday Banter and Holidays 00:50 Memorial Day and Veterans 01:17 Twelve Year Ashes Story 03:01 Spain Update and Worldschooling Pitch 04:12 Choosing Countries and Timing 05:56 Closed System Schooling Explained 06:46 Introducing Brian Interview 07:13 Brian in Fort Wayne 07:42 Wildwood Studio in Brooklyn 08:29 Pastor to Chaplain Career Path 09:06 Youth Encounter Team Days 09:52 Catching Up With Tammy 10:21 Songwriting Origins 11:09 Music Industry Shifts 12:00 Why He Stopped Writing 13:02 COVID Spark Returns 14:55 Monday Song Challenge 16:54 Finding His Voice 19:51 Validation Versus Streams 21:28 Relational Music Making 22:53 Making Time To Create 23:50 Advice For The Hiatus 24:48 Closing Thanks And Links

Ep 127 - The Magic is in the Pivot

Dawn and Ruth are shifting Created Creative to every other week episodes. Why? Running a top 5% podcast (yes, our humble little podcast is in the top 5% in the world) comes with an admin and editing load that’s getting heavy, and they need help. They're asking listeners to join their Patreon to help hire support and keep the show ad-free. In return, patrons get to join monthly "Created Creative Conversations" for community and coaching. They explore why people pay to belong to communities like NPR, churches, and yoga studios, while acknowledging how weird it feels to ask for support for less tangible creative work. But here's the core message: Creative projects are allowed to change. Rigid rules choke creativity, and "the magic is in the pivot"—as long as you communicate openly instead of just quitting. Dawn and Ruth model this beautifully, sharing life updates that show them both pivoting: funerals and sermon writing, painting projects, planning for Spain, and decluttering goals. This episode is for anyone who's felt guilty about changing direction on a creative project, or who thinks pivoting means failure. It doesn't. Sometimes the magic happens precisely when you're brave enough to adjust course and keep going, don't cha know. Because the opposite of quitting isn't sticking rigidly to the original plan—it's staying curious enough to let your project evolve. LINKS: Join our Patreon: patreon.com/u11072417 00:00 Magic In The Pivot 00:21 Why We Need Patreon 01:14 Community Membership Mindset 02:24 Patron Perks And Coaching 03:49 Changing The Rules 05:23 Life Updates And Sermons 07:31 NYC Plans And Kid Crafts 09:09 Decluttering Ten Percent 11:03 Asking For Support Feels Weird 12:02 Pivot Advice And Wrap Up

Ep 126 - Thomas Maltman on Making Stories Real

What do you do when you have no ashes the night before Ash Wednesday? You burn something, of course. And then twenty years later, you write a novel about it. That's exactly what happened to novelist Thomas Maltman, who teaches at Normandale Community College, is married to a Lutheran pastor, and has four novels under his belt, including Ashes to Ashes (currently in Minnesota Book Award contention). The real-life Ash Wednesday mishap became the premise for his latest book: What if the ashes wouldn't wash away? What if this happened in a small town? How would people react? That's how you turn an awkward church moment into compelling fiction. Dawn and Ruth also dive into Thomas's writing process. He shares his morning routine, drafting by hand with full permission to "write badly," then revising through typing, printing, and reading everything aloud. He talks about the value of writing community, headphones, and why you should always start new projects during those long publishing waits. This episode is for writers, obviously, but also for anyone who's ever wondered how real life becomes story. Because sometimes the best fiction starts with the moments that make you think "you can't make this stuff up." LINKS: Join our Creative Community and support this podcast by joining our Patreon: patreon.com/u11072417 00:21 Springtime City Vibes 01:15 Confirmation Walk Treats 02:12 Botanic Garden Learning 02:59 Meet Thomas Maltman 04:56 Ashes to Ashes Origin 09:22 Writing in the Morning 10:23 Publishing Without an Agent 12:09 Writing Anywhere Tools 14:14 Finding Readers Today 17:29 Long Form Comeback 17:52 Start Small Write Rough 18:46 From Journal To Draft 20:39 Living In Story Worlds 23:21 Embodiment And Truth 24:50 Writing For Love Not Money 26:48 Favorite Creators And Community 27:58 Fantasy Roadblocks Coaching 29:56 Find Your Genre Audience 32:02 Gargoyles To Novellas

Ep 125 - Creativity, Faith, and Early Brain Development with Dawn Rundman

Dawn and Ruth welcome Dawn Rundman, a publishing professional at Augsburg Fortress since 2002 who also happens to have a PhD in developmental psychology. Her book Little Steps, Big Faith dives into using what we know about early childhood development to nurture children's faith through rituals, language, music, symbols, and worship. Dawn's suggestions for churches are practical and brilliant: upgrade those sad nurseries, provide higher-quality worship activity bags (not just broken crayons and photocopied sheets), create intergenerational making opportunities, and actually showcase children's art instead of hiding it away. Dawn also talks about creativity and discipline: how she leaves home to write because inspiration isn't enough, you need structure. She connects creativity and spirituality through communal worship traditions, showing how the practices that shape little brains also shape our own capacity for wonder and connection. This episode is for parents, church leaders, anyone who works with children, or anyone who's ever wondered why some environments nurture creativity while others shut it down. Because luck might be the residue of design, but good design starts with understanding how humans actually develop and thrive. LINKS: learn more about Dawn Rundman's work: https://www.dawnrundman.com/ Join our Patreon community: patreon.com/u11072417 00:17 Welcome And Weekly Catchup 00:57 Yacht Rock Flashbacks 02:03 Discern By Doing Business 03:50 Patreon Community Momentum 04:51 Meet Dawn Rudman 08:23 Little Steps Big Faith 10:28 Screens Boredom And Faith 11:53 How Creativity Begins 16:24 Church Spaces For Kids 18:41 Kids Art On Display 19:18 Beyond Art Creativity 20:21 Adults Need Permission 21:20 Small Steps To Start 23:02 Creative Inspirations 27:48 Life At Augsburg Fortress 29:24 Coaching A Team Well 32:35 Discipline Beats Inspiration 34:15 Writing Space And Routine 35:34 Creativity And Spirituality

Ep 124 - Creativity Grows Best in Good Soil

Dawn and Ruth are celebrating Easter and swapping stories about Holy Week weather, canceled egg hunts, and Dawn's experience dyeing eggs at a New York community garden that sounds like the perfect "third space,” complete with potlucks, music, and the kind of welcoming energy that makes you want to stay all day. They're also reintroducing their new Patreon "Created Creative Conversations," themed around "seeds,” because that's how creative ideas actually work. They need nurturing, community, and the right conditions to grow. Join them for $10/month through the show notes. But the real magic happens when they share clips from past guests about how creativity actually emerges: Rob Bell describes novel-writing as this beautiful mix of loose direction and surprise—completely different from teaching, where you know where you're headed. Blessing talks about her "Sparkle Joy in New York City" microgrants, funded by leftover "Christmas Joy" money to spark neighborhood projects. Because sometimes the best ideas come from reimagining what you already have. Tyra explains how songs emerge while she's practicing—they require quiet focus and the willingness to let something unexpected unfold. Cathy Pino shares the story of writing "You are the Light of the World" at a stoplight and how community made it something that gets sung widely. Because creativity isn't just about the spark—it's about the people who help it grow. This episode is for anyone who's ever wondered how ideas actually turn into something real, or who needs reminding that creativity thrives in community, not isolation. LINKS: Join our Patreon here: patreon.com/u11072417 00:09 Holy Week Weather 01:10 Community Garden Eggs 02:23 Egg Hunt Traditions 03:11 Joining the Garden 05:04 Seeds Theme Patreon 06:46 Rob Bell Writing Flow 10:37 Blessing Microgrants Joy 12:04 Bubbles And Community Pins 12:40 Scaling Micro Grants Citywide 13:13 Funding From Christmas Joy 13:53 Small Money Big Impact 14:48 Songwriting With Tyra 15:33 Tyra Creative Process Deep Dive 21:44 Kathy Pinot Light Of World 25:18 Themes Beginnings And Patreon

Ep 123 - Cleaning for Holy Week and the Moravian Gravestone Tradition (Because Sometimes Sacred Preparation Involves a Really Good Scrub)

Dawn and Ruth dive into spring cleaning, hospitality, and the surprisingly spiritual act of preparing for Holy Week. But this isn't just about vacuuming. They're exploring a beautiful Moravian tradition of cleaning gravestones before Easter, bringing flowers, telling stories about loved ones, and sometimes even worshiping right there in the graveyard. They share the details of Ruth’s dining room refresh project, Dawn’s aversion to both cleaning and clutter, and coordinating the beautiful chaos of church logistics for Holy Week. This episode is for anyone who's ever felt like spiritual preparation should be more meaningful than just showing up, or who needs permission to find the sacred in the everyday work of making space—literally and figuratively—for what matters most. LINKS: Join our patreon and let us help you bring your project from idea to implementation: patreon.com/u11072417 00:23 Cleaning and Clutter 01:13 Dining Room Makeover 01:53 Yellow Kitchen Memories 03:01 Moravian Easter Prep 04:55 Decluttering and Toys 07:34 Holy Week Logistics 08:57 Stained Glass Art Project 11:20 Movies and Musicals 12:57 Easter Plans 14:43 Holy Week Encouragement 15:54 Closing and Farewell

Ep 122 - Being Hearable: Regina Shands Stoltzfus on Teaching Peace, Trauma, and Sustaining Activism (Because You Can't Teach Peace Without Understanding Violence)

If you enjoy Created Creative Podcast, we warmly invite you to become a patron: patreon.com/u11072417 For just $10 a month you can become part of our monthly Created Creative Conversations. Find out more below! Dawn and Ruth welcome Regina Shands Stoltzfus, Goshen College professor in northern Indiana and Mennonite Church USA member, whose journey from peace education and anti-racism training led her through activism, pastoring, seminary, and into higher education. Regina's book Resistance, Resilience, and Radical Love: Reflections on Blackness and Teaching Peace tackles something crucial: You can't teach peace without studying violence. And to do that effectively, you have to be "hearable" creating space where students can actually listen and engage without shutting down from trauma. She's using historical cases like the Wilmington Massacre of 1898 to teach about systemic violence, addressing secondary trauma in the classroom, and navigating the current political pressures around DEI work. Regina defines what it means to "work together for justice" across different professions and commits to creating an accountability plan for her next book on the seasons of activism life. This conversation is for educators, activists, and anyone wondering how to sustain justice work without burning out, how to teach difficult truths without retraumatizing people, and what it actually takes to be "hearable" in a world that's often too loud or too defensive to listen. LINKS: We love making this podcast for you and we'd love your support for! patreon.com/u11072417 Join at the $10 level and become part of Created Creative Conversations where you can get support from Dawn and Ruth and other creatives for your own new project! Want to write a book? Dreaming of starting a business? In April our theme is "Seeds of Possibility" and we'll help you get moving! Find out more about our guest, Regina Shands Stoltzfus: https://www.goshen.edu/academics/faculty/regina-shands-stoltzfus/ 00:17 New Tech Week 00:30 Tech Rage Stories 02:28 Get Human Help 02:44 Church Water Timer 03:32 Small Town Singalong 07:30 Meet Regina 08:11 From Activism to Academia 11:16 Teaching in a Red State 13:05 New Book Launch 14:06 Teaching Peace Studies Violence 16:35 Holding Trauma in Class 17:35 Writing Through Sabbatical 20:08 Course Design for Care 21:32 Hearable as Black Professor 23:22 Student Pushback and Growth 25:12 Systemic Violence Rhymes 26:00 Citations Over Opinions 26:15 Fake Historian Cred 26:47 First Solo Book 27:39 Writing Through 2024 29:30 Teaching Under Scrutiny 31:09 Choosing the Right Rooms 32:17 Work Together Justice 34:30 Conflict Skills Everywhere 36:53 Next Book Seasons 38:14 Accountability Mapping Plan 40:40 Memorial Day Deadline

Ep 121 - Small Steps, Big Hope: Kimberly Knowle Zeller on Blessings, Pilgrimage, and Writing

Dawn and Ruth check in mid-Lent about rotating Wednesday pastorates, quirky church history discoveries, and children's theater outings before sitting down with Kim Knowle Zeller, ELCA pastor and writer from rural central Missouri. Kim's got two books under her belt: The Beauty of Motherhood: Grace-Filled Devotions for the Early Years (co-authored) and her new release Small Steps: Blessings to Lift Your Soul on the Pilgrimage of Life. But here's what makes her story compelling—the new book was born from her Camino de Santiago pilgrimage and a "100 Day Project" where she wrote one blessing daily. That practice changed everything. Kim learned to notice God's presence in small, ordinary moments instead of waiting for the big spiritual revelations. She reads "A Blessing for When the World Is on Fire" during the conversation, and honestly? It's the kind of blessing we all need right now. Kim shares her traditional publishing journey, marketing strategies, writing rhythms, and the truth about what blessings actually do. Spoiler: They don't guarantee safety or fix everything. But they do something maybe more important—they accompany people into a hard world so they're not alone. This conversation is for anyone who's ever wondered if the small, everyday moments of faith actually matter, or who needs permission to find the sacred in the ordinary instead of waiting for lightning bolts from heaven. Because sometimes the biggest hope comes from the smallest steps. If you love the work we do at Created Creative Podcast we invite you to become a patron! For just $10 a month you can be part of our Created Creative Conversations and get the support you need as you start your own next creative project! patreon.com/u11072417 Kimberly Knowle-Zeller is a writer, pastor, wife, mother of two, and the co-author of The Beauty of Motherhood: Grace-Filled Devotions for the Early Years, and the upcoming book of blessings, Small Steps: Blessings to Lift Your Soul on the Pilgrimage of Life. She lives with her family in Cole Camp, Missouri. She loves to walk around her town of 1,000 and enjoy the many festivals and events, as well as attend her monthly book club and trivia night. IG: @kknowlezeller Substack: https://kimberlyknowlezeller.substack.com Website: kimberlyknowlezeller.com 00:00 Blessing Not Bubblewrap 00:21 Lent Check In 00:36 Country Church Tales 04:28 Marionettes In Central Park 06:18 Meet Kim Knowle Zeller 08:24 Beauty Of Motherhood Book 11:00 Small Steps New Blessings 12:13 Hundred Day Blessing Habit 15:05 Structuring The Pilgrimage Lens 16:33 Finding An Agent Publisher 18:54 Landing a Publisher 19:21 Marketing Through Connection 20:22 Local Media and Events 21:02 Substack Over Instagram 21:48 Writing Rhythm and Routine 23:47 Favorite Devotionals and Reads 25:38 Reading a Blessing Aloud 27:27 Coaching for Motivation 29:57 Simple Reels and Tech Help 32:52 Blessings as Creative Faith 34:04 Final Thanks and Sendoff

Ep 120 - Living Outside the Box with Matt Smith (Because Some People Actually Know How to Do Everything)

Matt Smith is a fellow yogi from rural Minnesota who makes the rest of us feel like we've been living in bubble wrap our whole lives. He grew up seasonal farm style: spring morel and Chicken of the Woods mushroom foraging, summer Boundary Waters canoeing, winter camping at 38-below (because apparently that's a thing people do for fun), and winter beaver trapping and fur handling. You know, typical Tuesday activities. But wait, there's more. Matt worked wildland firefighting, became a paramedic, and then decided to build his own log house over eight years without taking out any loans. Just learned as he went, recounting close calls with falling trees and a horse accident that probably should've ended differently. Oh, and in his spare time? He built a glamping retreat from scratch. Road, platforms, bathhouse, septic—the whole operation. It's earned over 100 five-star reviews because of course it has. Matt also talks about yoga, self-work, faith, community service, and how he's encouraging his kids to overcome fear and learn actual skills. You know, the kind of skills that matter when the power goes out or you need to, I don't know, survive in the actual world. This conversation is for anyone who's ever wondered what it looks like to live completely outside society's safety nets and create something entirely from your own hands and knowledge. Because some people really do know how to build a life from the ground up. Literally. LINKS: Join our patreon to support this podcast and to join Created Creative Conversations in April! patreon.com/u11072417 00:00 Backcountry Beginnings 00:17 Welcome and Boxes 01:27 Meet Matt the Builder 02:45 Farm Life Seasons 03:18 Mushroom Foraging 101 05:15 Chicken of the Woods 07:43 Farming and Work Ethic 08:45 Boundary Waters Adventures 10:04 Wildland Fire to Paramedic 10:40 Building a Log Home 12:09 Close Calls and Mustangs 13:37 Trapping and Fur Craft 16:46 Glamping Retreat Origins 18:22 Zillow Hobby Hunting 18:37 Buying Land For Family 19:08 Building The Glamping Retreat 20:41 Community Know A Guy 22:01 Reviews And Retreat Ideas 22:48 Yoga And Self Work 25:02 Kids Farm Freedom 26:33 Fixing A Calf Leg 29:00 You Are The Project 31:45 Mindset And Failure 33:28 Campfire Cooking Stories 34:50 Documentary And Farewell

Ep 119 - Dangerous Songs with Richard Bruxvoort Colligan

Some songs are too dangerous for the songbook—and that's exactly why we need them. Richard Bruxvoort Colligan joins Dawn and Ruth from Rochester, MN fresh from selling his Iowa home and diving into his first book: “Dangerous Songs: The Psalms in a Gloriously Disrupted Life,” dropping April 21 with a music-focused kickoff event. Here's what makes this conversation so compelling: Richard's not talking about the pretty, comforting Psalms you hear in worship. He's diving into the extreme songs—the ones about thriving, desolation, and unknowing. The violent ones. The frightening ones. The ones that make you go "wait, this is in the Bible?" He shares what he learned about ego through the editing process, his writing journey, and how the Psalms aren't just ancient poetry but raw, honest expressions of what it means to be human when life gets gloriously disrupted. Plus, he's got future book ideas brewing and runs "psalmimmersion" on Instagram. This episode is for anyone who has ever wondered why we sanitize the Bible's most honest moments, or who needs permission to bring their whole messy, complicated, disrupted life to their faith. LINKS: Support this podcast by becoming a patron patreon.com/u11072417 Richard's music: https://www.worldmaking.net/ Follow him @psalmimmersion on instagram Find Dawn's coaching at bigpicturebigpurpose.com Happy mail for ministers at consecrate.cratejoy.com 00:00 Finding Yourself in Psalms 00:26 NYC Snowstorm Survival 02:06 Taxes That Actually Help 05:20 School Closures and Meals 05:57 Microwaves and Power Problems 07:05 Space Heaters and Cold Venues 09:21 Psalm for Conference Lament 00:18 Meet Richard and New House 11:30 Cat Talk and Holy Week Jokes 12:24 Book Origin Story 13:29 Dangerous Songs Book Launch 13:53 Writing Process and Ego 14:49 Author Editor Tension 15:14 Daily Writing Routine 16:43 Book Structure Explained 18:21 Thriving Desolation Unknowing 20:19 Devotional Use Today 21:22 Launch Events Singing Psalms 22:59 Beatles Meets Psalms 23:50 Hard Psalms Canon Questions 25:39 Future Books Promotion 28:11 Personal Faith Takeaways 29:44 Ancient Text Modern Shock 31:22 Publisher Credits Wrap 32:42 Where To Find Richard 33:11 Final Thanks Call To Create

Ep 118 - What If "Normal" Is Actually the Problem? with MaryAnne McKibben Dana

Dawn and Ruth start this one with Ash Wednesday updates and a wild circus reinvention Dawn attended (no animals, robotic performers, no ringmaster, just pure light-show magic). The circus becomes the perfect metaphor for what happens when you throw out the old playbook and create something entirely new. Enter MaryAnne McKibben Dana: Presbyterian pastor in Northern Virginia, writer, leadership coach, and author whose fourth book Better Than Normal drops April 14, 2026. MaryAnne's been living the "yes, and" improv principle for years (she literally wrote a book called God, Improv, and the Art of Living), and now she's taking it to the next level. Here's her thesis: What if most of our struggles aren't internal deficits but external cultural mismatches? What if "norm culture" is the problem? MaryAnne knows this from raising three neurodivergent kids through mental health challenges and watching how the world tries to squeeze them into boxes that don't fit. Better Than Normal argues for discarding the idea of a default human standard altogether. We're talking neurodivergence, race, immigration status, LGBTQ identity: all the ways humans actually exist versus how we pretend they should. The book's six chapters walk through shifts like moving from certainty to curiosity, from rigid categories to expansive possibilities. MaryAnne imagines a world where we question everything: the 40-hour work week, traditional schooling, all of it. Dawn coaches MaryAnne through her discomfort with self-promotion, reframing publicity as stewardship of an idea that can reduce suffering. Because this book? It's arriving at exactly the right cultural moment. LINKS: Find out more about MaryAnne McKibben Dana's work: https://www.maryannmckibbendana.net/ Join our Patreon now and gain access to monthly group conversations and Q & A about creativity (starting in April) - patreon.com/u11072417 00:00 Throwing Out “Normal”: Making Room for the Full Human Spectrum 00:23 February Check-In: Lent, Ash Wednesday, and New York Stories 01:07 Ashes on the Sidewalk: Church at a Busy Intersection 01:47 Ash Thursday at the Circus: The Reinvented Big Top (No Animals!) 03:45 From Acrobats to Expectations: Setting Up the “Living Outside the Norm” Theme 04:48 Meet Maryanne McKibben Dana: Pastor, Writer, Coach, Runner 06:58 Improv as Spiritual Practice: “Yes, And” for Real Life 09:22 Introducing the New Book: From Hope During COVID to Better Than Normal 11:15 What “Better Than Normal” Argues: Ditching Defaults, Choosing Curiosity 13:42 If the Book Changed the World: Rethinking School, Work, and Assumptions 15:07 Creativity on the Run: Capturing Ideas Mid-Workout 16:22 Running vs. Yoga: Different Paths to a Creative Mind 17:07 Finding a Writing Rhythm in the Margins of Life 18:16 Writing Retreats: Making Space for Deep Work 19:04 Virtual Co-Working & Pomodoro: The ‘Writing Table’ Method 20:43 Creative Mentors & Inspiration (Substack, Austin Kleon, Carrie Newcomer) 22:59 Where Creativity Meets Spirituality: Writing as a Journey 25:11 Pastor + Writer: Boundaries, Authenticity, and Being ‘More Than One Thing’ 27:54 Coaching on Book Promotion: From Self-Promo to Stewardship 30:43 Sincerity vs. Cynicism: Getting the Idea Into the World 33:12 Release Details, Pre-Orders, and Final Send-Off

Ep 117 - "Other Significant Others" (Because Life Doesn't Always Fit the Nuclear Family Template)

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 book about lifelong, non-romantic partnerships and chosen family. Think: power of attorney, co-parenting arrangements, end-of-life decisions made by people who aren't legally married. Society gives all the benefits to romantic partnerships—tax breaks, bereavement leave, legal recognition—while other deep relationships get zero validation. They're exploring alternative family structures, cultural attitudes toward single adults, and how community-building works differently in Minnesota versus New York City. Plus, they're questioning inherited beliefs about friendship and why we act like romantic love is the only kind that really counts. This episode is for anyone who's ever felt like their most important relationships don't fit the template society expects. LINKS: We'd love your support! Join our patreon: patreon.com/u11072417 00:00 Why One Person Can’t Meet All Your Needs (Friendship vs. Marriage) 00:18 Meet Dawn & Ruth + The Suzuki Conservatory Info Night 01:06 How Suzuki Works: Commitment, Interviews & Letting Kids Choose Instruments 03:29 City Life Updates: Late Nights, Ash Wednesday & The Circus Next Door 04:14 Eye Scare & Dr. Google: Floaters, Retina Fears, and Getting Checked 06:37 A Year After Guillain-Barr: Recovery, Gratitude, and New Perspective on Illness 08:11 “Just Show Up”: Visiting the Sick, Funerals, and Who Really Comes Through 08:54 Your Support Network in Action + Introducing ‘The Other Significant Other’ 10:13 Redefining Life Partners: Legal Rights, Co-Parenting, and Chosen Family 12:39 Society Built Around Romance: The Village Model and Making Space for Deep Friendships 13:20 Friendships as ‘Real’ Family: Being Seen Beyond Marriage 14:02 When the System Doesn’t Recognize Your People (Deathbeds & Bereavement) 15:53 Nontraditional Paths to Parenthood: Co-Parenting, Donors, Surrogacy & IVF 17:50 The Stigma of Being Unpartnered (and the ‘Not a Real Adult’ Moment) 19:12 Money, Taxes, and Why Culture Pushes Unhappy Partnerships 20:06 Place, Belonging, and Chosen Family: Minnesota vs. New York 23:23 Discussion Guide: Learning to Say ‘I Love You’ to Friends 25:17 History of Friendship Commitments: Sworn Brotherhoods & Romantic Pedestals 26:03 Closing: Emergency Contacts, Legal Recognition, and Final Takeaways