Created Creative Podcast

The Little Heart Project is going to wreck you in the best way. Kathleen Jensen, the founder, crochets small hearts, attaches notes of encouragement, and leaves them in public places for strangers to find. Simple, right? Except these tiny hearts are reducing stigma around mental illness and preventing suicides. These little acts of kindness are literally saving lives.Kathleen shares the story behind the project, including her own personal journey with mental health (because you don't start something like this without knowing the darkness firsthand). She's talking about how the project has grown from a local effort to a global movement—people all over the world are crocheting hearts and leaving them for strangers who need hope.But we’re not just talking about the impact on the people who find the hearts. We’re talking about what it does for the people who make them. The community that's formed around this. The volunteers who've found purpose and healing through creating something for someone else.Kathleen also gets real about the challenges of managing a nonprofit, the logistics of spreading kindness at scale, and how creativity can become a tool for mental health advocacy and suicide prevention. This episode is a reminder that you don't need a massive platform or a huge budget to change lives. Sometimes all it takes is a tiny crocheted heart and a note that says "you matter.”LINKS:Check out Dawn's coaching at bigpicturebigpurpose.comShow your love for a favorite minister: consecrate.cratejoy.com and consecratebox.comHelp support our work on Created Creative Podcast by becoming a patron: patreon.com/u1107241700:00 Welcome to Created Creative00:47 Personal Stories and Reflections06:24 The Little Heart Project: An Introduction07:13 Spreading Kindness and Mental Health Awareness10:53 The Origins of The Little Heart Project13:29 Impact and Growth of The Little Heart Project15:26 Personal Struggles and Motivation15:41 Community Support and Outreach16:32 Surprising Connections and Growth17:48 Impact on 9-1-1 Dispatchers19:01 Youth Involvement and University Partnerships20:15 Challenges and Coaching21:32 Nonprofit Management and Funding24:32 Advocacy and Recognition27:55 Educational Efforts and Mental Health Awareness29:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

When we welcomed back Meta Herrick Carlson in December to discuss her children's book called We Remember Your Baptism, we never knew how much more timely her words would become by January.Meta is a Minnesota pastor helping children understand and cherish their baptismal stories, which sounds simple until you realize how many of us have NO idea what our baptism even meant or why it matters. She worked with her illustrator Clara to create something that helps families hold onto these sacred moments in ways that actually stick.But here's where the conversation gets deeper: We talked about what baptism means for community. What it means for her Minneapolis neighborhood right now. With ICE presence and everything else happening, the question isn't just "do you remember your baptism?" It's “Do you remember whose you are? And who's got you?"Meta shares her unique pastoral experiences with baptism (and trust us, pastors have STORIES), and we dive into the importance of mutual aid, showing up for each other, and what it actually looks like to live into your baptismal promises when the world feels heavy.This episode is about memory, yes. But it's also about belonging, community support, and the power of knowing you're claimed by God and by your people.PREORDER META’S BOOK: https://www.beamingbooks.com/store/product/9798889836490/We-Remember-Your-Baptism00:02 Meet the Guest: Meta Herrick Carlson01:57 Meta’s New Book: We Remember Your Baptism03:07 The Creative Process Behind the Book05:48 Choosing the Right Illustrator08:42 Personal Reflections on Baptism13:13 The Power of Storytelling in Faith15:17 Hope for the Book's Impact15:38 Personal Reflections on Children's Books16:55 Baptism Rituals and Traditions18:32 Book Release and Promotions20:53 Community and Social Justice22:48 ICE Presence and Community Response25:36 Faith and Social Responsibility27:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Naomi Arnold is a journalist, author, and the kind of person who decided to walk the entire length of New Zealand on the Te Araroa Trail. Because why not, right?Naomi's sharing with Dawn and Ruth the whole messy, beautiful story: the trail conditions (spoiler: not always great), the personal fears she had to face, the environmental challenges that nearly broke her, and what it actually takes to put one foot in front of the other for months on end. All of this became her book Northbound, which is basically a masterclass in resilience and determination.But here's what makes this conversation so good: They're not just talking about hiking. They're talking about the writing process, the life lessons that only show up when you're alone in the wilderness with your thoughts, and what happens when you commit to something audacious and then actually do it.This episode is packed with practical advice for future hikers (Ruth's actually in New Zealand hiking right now) and aspiring writers who need to hear that finishing the thing—whether it's a trail or a book—requires the same kind of stubborn persistence.So if you've ever wondered what it takes to walk across an entire country or write about it afterward, Naomi's got answers. And honestly? Her story might just inspire you to do that audacious thing you've been putting off.LINKS: Are you dreaming about starting something new? Check out Dawn's coaching groups: https://bigpicturebigpurpose.lpages.co/discern-by-doing-for-business/Have you heard about ConseCrate? It is happy mail for ministers! consecrate.cratejoy.com00:19 Planning the New Zealand Trail Adventure02:07 Interview with Naomi Arnold02:47 Naomi's Trail Experience and Challenges06:24 Navigating the Trail and Unexpected Obstacles14:03 Final Thoughts and Advice for Future Hikers19:10 Struggles on 90 Mile Beach19:58 A Painful Journey to the End21:22 Unexpected Kindness and Recovery22:29 Post-Trail Reflections and Social Anxiety22:59 The Impact of COVID-1924:46 Book Success and Reader Reactions25:39 The Journey of Writing and Publishing28:03 Future Projects and Ideas29:18 Creative Challenges and Accountability

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 therapy meets spiritual practice, and it's beautiful.Then there's Erin Martinson with the Strong Her Ministry Collective, creating space and support for women in church leadership. Because honestly? Women leading in the church need community, resources, and people who get it.And finally, Julie Hoplamazian introduces Faith on Pointe. Yes, that's ballet and theology together. She's literally integrating movement, worship, and Scripture in a way that's both ancient and brand new.This episode is all about community support, intentional practice, and proving that spirituality and creativity aren't separate from your business—they're the foundation of it. When you build from that place? Everything changes. So if you're ready to create something that's authentically yours, this one's for you.DISCERN BY DOING FOR BUSINESS: https://bigpicturebigpurpose.lpages.co/discern-by-doing-for-businessCONSECRATE: it's Happy Mail for Ministers! consecrate.cratejoy.comZENTANGLE: https://www.dianeharpsterart.com/STRONG_HER: https://www.embodywisdomca.com/FAITH ON POINT: https://www.faithonpointe.com/00:34 New Year Reflections and Vision Boards01:07 Achieving Goals and Overcoming Challenges02:21 Discern by Doing: Empowering Stories03:09 Interview with Diane Harpster: Zentangle Journey05:32 The Benefits of Zentangle and Self-Care14:49 Interview with Erin Martinson: Stronger Ministry Collective19:18 Living Out God's Purpose19:48 The Importance of Discernment20:54 Shifting Directions in Life21:33 Strong Her Ministry Collective23:16 Introduction to Faith on Pointe24:04 The Origin of Faith on Pointe25:47 Connecting Dance and Spirituality26:50 Challenges and Community Support31:35 Promoting and Growing the Ministry33:13 Upcoming Collaborations and Final Thoughts

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 mental health work because sometimes you have to follow where your calling actually leads, not where people expect it to go.Here's what makes this conversation so good: Dale gets real about the challenges of being a creative person in a church setting (spoiler: it's complicated), why he's shifting his focus to therapy and writing, and what it's like to integrate all these different pieces of who you are when the world keeps asking you to just be one thing.They're diving into Van Gogh (because art and faith have always been tangled up together), the intersection of music and mental health, the practical side of promoting your creative work without feeling like a fraud, and how to actually overcome imposter syndrome when you're doing something new.This episode is for anyone who's ever felt too creative for the church, too spiritual for the art world, or like they're supposed to stay in the box everyone else built for them. Dale's proof that you don't have to.LINKS: Learn more about Dawn's Group Coaching Opportunity for those starting a side business - https://bigpicturebigpurpose.lpages.co/discern-by-doing-for-business/Find a gift for your favorite minister: consecratebox.com00:26 Christmas Activities and Traditions01:04 Sing-Along and Community Events02:52 Winter Challenges and Festivities05:50 Interview with Dale Harris07:33 Dale Harris: From Ministry to Psychotherapy09:26 Three Minute Theology and Creative Projects13:33 Van Gogh and the Intersection of Art and Faith19:23 Music, Mental Health, and Community20:14 Introduction to Therapy and Songwriting20:54 Transitioning from Ministry to Therapy22:25 Setting Up a Therapy Practice22:57 Writing Practices and Inspirations26:33 Creative Projects and Holy Saturday30:03 Promoting Creative Work36:30 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome39:11 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

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 divorce, losing her father, and all the ways life has taught her that authentic spirituality means showing up as your whole self, not just the parts that look good on Sunday morning.They're also diving into how social media has changed modern evangelism (for better and worse), and why creative ministries require the kind of flexibility that traditional church structures sometimes can't handle. Because the work of reaching people where they are? That's messy, evolving, and beautiful all at once.This episode is for anyone who's ever been told their feelings were "too much" for God. Spoiler alert: They're not. So grab your coffee and get ready to feel seen.LINKS: Check out Dawn's coaching - https://bigpicturebigpurpose.lpages.co/discern-by-doing-for-business/Gifts for ministers from ConseCrate - https://consecratebox.com/00:00 Introduction and Thanksgiving Memories00:27 Balloon Handling Adventures03:08 Thanksgiving Traditions and Stranger Things04:51 Introducing Elizabeth Riley05:21 Elizabeth's Journey and Rage Prayers08:18 Social Media and Digital Evangelism09:37 Challenges and Flexibility in Church Practices12:48 Engaging with the Episcopal Church Online18:04 Rage Prayers: Origin and Impact20:22 Embracing Authenticity in Faith20:51 Publishing Journey and Social Media Influence21:43 Challenges in the Publishing Industry24:18 The Power of Rage Prayers26:12 Personal Reflections on Grief and Prayer28:00 Creative Processes and Inspirations29:39 Navigating Interim Periods and Future Projects33:41 The Value of Bi-Vocational Ministry38:38 Conclusion and Final Thoughts