Baby Steps

292 || [Solo] How to Resist Your Dream Taking Over Your Life || Merritt Onsa

What does the day-to-day of your dream look like? Imagine you could see ten years into the future of your God-shaped dream. What would an “ideal day” in the life of your dream be like? How would you be spending your time? And how do you answer these questions if you have no idea what your dream is to begin with? This episode is about putting intentionality around HOW you will pursue your dream and doing so in a way that it doesn’t take over your life or your relationships.

275 || [Recast] How to Grow in Courage? Take Action Even When You Don’t Feel Brave || Julie Landreth

Get ready to be inspired as we revisit a captivating conversation with Julie Landreth from season five. If you’ve ever found yourself paralyzed by fear while preparing to embrace something significant and new, this is a must-listen. I’m sharing it again because of the vital role Julie played in anchoring me to truth when I was facing significant fear and doubt. This conversation offers fresh insights and a renewed perspective to propel you forward on your journey toward a God-shaped dream.

267 || [Solo] Two Must-Have Ingredients I Want for Your God Dream || Merritt Onsa

Have you been searching for camaraderie and understanding from others as you pursue a God-shaped dream? In this solo episode you’ll learn why soaking up inspiration from everyone else’s dreams online isn’t serving you in the way you think it is, what to do instead of expecting friends and family members to “get” you and your excitement for a dream, and strategies to find time for your dream right now, even if you’re a busy mom, have a day job, or are caring for aging parents.

263 || [Solo] What Can You Accomplish for Your Dream in Just Two Hours a Week? || Merritt Onsa

How can you make meaningful progress on your dream, especially when you don’t have the time? You’re always serving, giving, and caring for others and you wonder when you’ll ever find time to really “go for it” with your own dreams. In this podcast episode we discover the reasons time feels like such an enormous barrier to our dreams, what Scripture says about time and how we spend it, and how to find little windows of time so you can say “yes” to the dream God has given you.

261 || What Does God Want You to Do With Your God-Shaped Dream? || Brittany Ann

How can your small first steps really make a difference? Brittany Ann began her writing and speaking career in the smallest of ways using what she already had—a bit of time while her baby slept and a computer. Instead of focusing on her lack she used what she had to start writing. Today she’s a bestselling author and founder of a popular Christian-living website for busy moms. This episode will remind you you’re not alone and teach you about trusting God with the future of your dream.

242 || [Solo] 5 Phases of Chasing a Dream and Which One is the Most Fruitful || Merritt Onsa

Have you wanted to quit on a dream before you really started? In the early stages, the details are still foggy, and the lack of progress makes it feel like you’re pushing a boulder uphill, which can make it tempting to quit. But don’t give up before you get to the good part! In this episode, you’ll discover a simple process for confidently taking the first steps into your God-shaped dream and how to let go of excuses that are keeping you stuck.

[BONUS] How to Get Free Dream Coaching with Merritt—In Season 10!

People say my solo episodes are among their favorites! That’s why I’m kicking off Season 10 with a series of solo episodes focused on providing you with additional support for getting off the sidelines instead of waiting around for the right timing to pursue your dream. The time is now! It’s not a mistake. If there’s a dream on your heart, God means for you to pursue it!

204 || [Mini] 3 Easy Steps to Find Momentum & Direction for Your Dream || Lauren Stengele

Are you guilty of overthinking? You’re trying to figure out every little detail of a project and you’re so bogged down that you can’t even get started. In this mini-interview I bring Lauren Stengele back to the show to share an experience that gives hope to the overthinker and three easy steps for ditching those thoughts in exchange for momentum and direction for your dream.

183 || Why You Need to Give Yourself Permission to Fail || Hannah Brencher

Failure is where we grow and learn; it shapes our future decisions and is a reminder of the choices we want to make differently next time. Few people wish to experience failure but attempting to avoid it means missing out on essential opportunities for growth that only come from taking risks, getting it wrong, and picking yourself up to learn and try anew. This week, Hannah Brencher shares a message of hope-filled reminders to keep seeking light in the darkest places of our lives, even amid failure.

129 || How to Move Your Dream Forward Today || Merritt Onsa

If you’ve put off starting, kept your dream all to yourself, or known you need to take a step but haven’t figured out how to do that, this conversation is for you! This episode is all about finally getting busy taking steps toward the dream. You’ll learn about what next-step-momentum can do for your dream, get access to a handy worksheet to help you figure out that next step, and gain the clarity you need to finally stop waiting and start moving in the direction of your dream.

On-Air Coaching: Session II with Cynthia Culver & Lois Martin || Bonus Episode

This bonus episode is the second of three coaching sessions with listener Lois Martin talking to me and life coach Cynthia Culver. The focus is on the Direction -- where Lois is right now and how she might establish a new, clear direction for the future. As you listen, keep an ear toward your own story, passions, and the specific dream God has put on your heart for His Kingdom.

On-Air Coaching: Session I with Cynthia Culver & Lois Martin || Bonus Episode

This bonus episode is the first of three sessions you’ll hear with listener Lois Martin talking to me and life-coach Cynthia Culver. In these episodes, Cynthia walks us (via Lois) through the Discovery, Direction and Development phases of coaching. Lois’s goal? To get over what is holding her back from pursuing her God-shaped dream. As you hear Lois processing her experiences in these three conversations, listen with an ear toward your own story and whatever might be keeping you stuck and/or resisting what God has put on your heart to contribute to His Kingdom.

Every Baby Step Moves You Closer to Your Dream || Bonus Mini-sode

God created you with a purpose. I’m not just saying that. He says it in His word. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Eph. 2:10) I’m sharing this short “mini-sode” to tell the story about the baby steps that led me to step into my God-shaped dream of podcasting. My hope in these 15 minutes is to encourage you in taking your own baby steps toward your dream. Listen for a list of baby step suggestions at the end for your consideration.