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Ep 349 show notes are here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/349

Have you ever had a quiet nudge from God but felt unsure about where it might lead?

That’s where Julie Fowler found herself 25 years ago. In the middle of grief and loss, with more questions than answers, she said a simple yes to starting something she needed: a community of support and a space to hold the heartache of infertility, miscarriage, and infant loss.

What began as a few women gathering at church has grown into a long-standing ministry that now supports couples across the country through biblical encouragement, small group resources, and compassionate leadership.

In this conversation, Julie and I talk about how God can use what feels like the most tender, painful part of our story and turn it into a source of hope and healing for others.

This episode will remind you:

✨ How God can transform your struggles into meaningful ministry
🤝 The value of inviting community and support into your dream
⏳ Why trusting God’s timing is key to growth, resilience, and lasting fruitfulness

You don’t have to have it all figured out to begin working on your dream. All you need is a small step of faith and the willingness to keep moving forward as you trust the Lord along the way.

Listen to Julie’s story for a boost of encouragement for your own calling, especially when the path feels long or uphill.

Then, download my 7-day devotional: 7 Truths to Silence the Voice of Self-Doubt, a short and powerful guide to help you remember what’s true so you can take the next step forward in your God-shaped dream. Find it here: https://www.merrittonsa.com/devo

CONNECT WITH JULIE FOWLER:

Website || Facebook || Instagram

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Julie’s Books For women:

Treasures in the Waiting: Finding God’s Comfort, Counsel, and Companionship Amid Infertility and Loss

Treasures in the Waiting Leader Guide

For men:

Navigating Infertility and Loss with Strength and Hope; Men’s Bible Study

Navigating Infertility and Loss with Strength and Hope; Men’s Bible Study - Leader Guide

🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday

NEXT STEPS:
Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Call
Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android
Join the Dream Believers community

MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
Ad music by Komiku.

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Ep 348 show notes are here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/348

Has your dream been sitting on the shelf all summer?

As the school year approaches and routines shift, it’s the perfect time to reconnect with the God-shaped dream on your heart. But after months of being in “mom mode” (or simply navigating a busy season), picking that dream back up can feel overwhelming. Where do you even begin?

This episode will help you focus on five intentional steps you can take to reset your dream in the transition from summer to fall. You’ll consider new rhythms for reconnecting with God, getting clear on your “why,” identifying who your dream is meant to serve, surrounding yourself with the right people, and taking those brave first steps forward.

Here’s what you’ll walk away with:
🙏 How to reconnect with God’s heart for your dream
🎯 The key question that will bring clarity to your purpose and help you focus
🚶‍♀️ Why starting small is the secret to building courage and momentum

Whether you’re sending kids back to school, stepping into a new season, or simply longing for renewed purpose, this episode will help you stop waiting for the “perfect time” and start moving in faith toward what God has called you to.

Press “play” and let’s reset your dream together.

🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday

NEXT STEPS:
Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Call
Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android
Join the Dream Believers community

MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
Ad music by Komiku.

Send us a text

Ep 347 show notes are here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/347

What if the pressure to “do it right” is actually keeping you from doing it at all?

Samantha Wells returns to the podcast, in part two, with the real story behind writing her first Bible study and the internal battle she faced along the way. From perfectionism and doubt to a two-year wrestle with the “big idea,” Samantha opens up about what it really took to move her God-shaped dream from concept to completion.

Together, we explore how God worked through her insecurities and pride, the small faithful steps she took even when clarity was absent, and the peace that came from releasing the outcome to the Lord. Her honesty will resonate if you’ve ever felt stuck, unsure, or paralyzed by procrastination, even when you deeply believe in the work you’ve been called to do.

Here’s what you’ll learn:
🧩 Practical strategies to overcome perfectionism and procrastination
🙏 Why trusting God for the impact helps you take the next step in faith
💬 How to move forward when you're afraid of what others might think

Whether your dream is to write, teach, lead, or create, this conversation will remind you that obedience matters more than polish, and that progress (even messy) is still progress. You don’t have to wait until you feel ready to say yes to God’s call.

Press “play” and be reminded that He wants to use you and your dream in His restoration story.

CONNECT WITH SAMANTHA WELLS:

Website

Get your hands on a copy of Sam’s new Bible study: Nehemiah: Labor, Longing, and the Promise of Restoration.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Come to the next Dream Out Loud call where you can practice talking about your dream with other dreamers.

🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday

NEXT STEPS:
Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Call
Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android
Join the Dream Believers community

MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
Ad music by Komiku.

Send us a text

Ep 346 show notes are here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/346

What if the very thing that makes your dream feel different is the reason God gave it to you?

Samantha Wells is a writer, speaker, and Bible teacher with a deep love for Scripture and a heart for drawing women into comprehending God’s restorative work in the world. In this episode, she shares how she stepped out in faith to write a Bible study on the book of Nehemiah, not as a leadership guide or wall-building blueprint, but as a tender invitation to see God’s goodness in the rubble.

IF YOU’VE EVER WONDERED WHETHER YOUR UNIQUE APPROACH COULD MAKE A KINGDOM DIFFERENCE, THIS EPISODE IS FOR YOU.

In this honest and faith-filled conversation, Samantha shares how God stirred a dream in her heart to teach and encourage women through the lesser-known parts of His Word and how she walked in obedience even when the path didn’t look like anyone else’s.

Her story will encourage you if you’ve ever felt like your ideas were too different or questioned whether your dream really matters. May it also help you trust God with your unique gifts and deepest desires.

Here’s what you’ll learn:
📖 How embracing God’s bigger story in all of Scripture can deepen your faith
✨ Why stepping out with your unique gifts—even if your approach looks different—truly matters
🤲 What it means to surrender control and trust God’s purposes with your deepest dreams

If you’ve been longing to take bold, faithful steps in your calling—especially when it looks different from others—this episode will renew your confidence that God is writing something beautiful through your life.

Press “play” and be reminded that He wants to use you in His story of restoration.

Looking for a supportive community for your dreamer journey? Join us at the Dream Out Loud call, the 3rd Wednesday of the month. RSVP here.

🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday

NEXT STEPS:
Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Call
Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android
Join the Dream Believers community

MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
Ad music by Komiku.

Send us a text

Ep 345 show notes are here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/345

Have you ever lost your confidence just as you were about to take a big risk?

It’s not your imagination. That wave of self-doubt, discouragement, or distraction is more than a bad day—it’s creative resistance. Understanding where it comes from (and how to respond) could be the difference between quitting and persevering.

This episode explores the spiritual reality of creative resistance—what it looks like, why it shows up, and how to prepare your heart for the battle that often follows a calling. You’ll hear personal experiences, biblical encouragement, and three powerful strategies for staying grounded when the enemy shows up loud.

Here’s what you’ll learn:
🧠 Why resistance shows up and how to recognize it
⚔️ Practical tools to fight discouragement, doubt, and spiritual attack
✨ The surprising truth that resistance reveals about you and your dream

If you've ever wondered whether you’re cut out for this dream or whether it’s even worth the battle, this conversation will reframe the struggle and help you stand firm.

You don’t have to fight alone. It’s time to surround yourself with a community of women who know that resistance will come and are ready to fight back, together!

🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday

NEXT STEPS:
Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Call
Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android
Join the Dream Believers community

MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
Ad music by Komiku.

Send us a text

Ep 344 show notes are here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/344

What if the people who love you aren’t cheerleaders for your dream?

When God gives you a big dream, you want to talk about it! But what if you shared your heart with someone close to you only to be met with confusion, criticism, or silence?

It’s deeply discouraging when your people don’t get it. But is their response a reflection of your qualifications or the validity of your dream, or is there something else at work here?

Today I’m unpacking three possible reasons why your close friends and family might not affirm your dream and what to do when their response threatens to shake your confidence. Whether their reaction is about fear, practicality, or your difficulty putting words to your ideas, there is a way forward.

Here’s what you’ll learn:
🧠 Why people close to you may not understand or affirm your God-shaped dream
💬 How to respond when your support system doesn’t “get” it
🔁 Three key strategies to shift your mindset and find the support you need

If you’ve ever felt unseen or unsupported in the early stages of your dream, this conversation will remind you where your true affirmation comes from and how to keep moving forward in faith even when it feels scary.

You were never meant to carry this big dream alone. Let’s get you the clarity, encouragement, and community you need to stay obedient to what God has asked you to do. Press ‘Play’ now!

Mentioned in this episode:

Dream Out Loud – practice talking about your dream with other dreamers

Join the Dream Believers community for $40/month or $400/year (2 months free)

🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday

NEXT STEPS:
Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Call
Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android
Join the Dream Believers community

MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
Ad music by Komiku.

Send us a text

Ep 343 show notes are here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/343

What if the dream God gave you is already growing—just in a direction you didn’t expect?

In part 2 of my conversation with Andrea Olson, we explore how God often uses our past experiences, natural wiring, and even disappointments to shape something new in our calling. Andrea shares how a quiet season of listening uncovered a shift in her work, revealing a new mission to equip faith-driven entrepreneurs—something He had been preparing her for all along.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
🌱 Why your dream doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s
🙏 A spiritual practice to help you discern your next steps
❤️‍🔥 A freeing reminder that God’s will isn’t a tightrope but a wide-open meadow

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re equipped for where God is leading you—or feared doing things differently than others around you—this conversation will remind you that God delights in reshaping our dreams for His glory.

Andrea Olson is a worship leader, songwriter, and the founder of Overflow Worship. In this episode, she opens up about doing things differently, trusting God's timeline, and embracing the freedom to walk forward without a clear roadmap.

✨ Want help discerning your next step?
Grab my free 7-day devotional: 7 Truths to Silence the Voice of Self-Doubt
It’s a short, Scripture-rich resource to help you refocus on truth and move forward in faith. You’ll find it at https://www.merrittonsa.com/devo

🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday

NEXT STEPS:
Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Call
Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android
Join the Dream Believers community

MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
Ad music by Komiku.

Send us a text

Ep 342 show notes are here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/342

What if your dream doesn't unfold the way you expected?

If you've ever faced a detour or disappointment in your pursuit of a passion project, this conversation will speak straight to your heart.

This week, I’m joined by worship leader, songwriter, and accidental entrepreneur Andrea Olson, founder of Overflow Worship. Andrea opens up about the evolution of her God-shaped dream—from music ministry to equipping worship teams to coaching faith-driven entrepreneurs—and how she’s learned to take faithful, surrendered steps even when things didn’t go as planned.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
🌟 How openness to change allows a dream to evolve in unexpected and life-giving directions,
🤲🏼 The power of surrendered action over stalled-out indecision, and
🎯 What to do when your prayers don’t seem to be answered.

Andrea’s story will remind you that God’s plans are always bigger and more beautiful than what we imagine—even when the path to get there looks like failure or setback.

You’ll walk away with a deeper confidence that He knows what He’s doing and that your faithful obedience matters.

✨ Want help discerning your next step?

Grab the free 7-day devotional: 7 Truths to Silence the Voice of Self-Doubt for a short, Scripture-rich resource to help you refocus on truth and move forward in faith. Grab it here: https://www.merrittonsa.com/devo

CONNECT WITH ANDREA OLSON:

Website || Facebook || Instagram

🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday

NEXT STEPS:
Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Call
Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android
Join the Dream Believers community

MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
Ad music by Komiku.