The Devoted Dreamers Podcast

Jessica Hottle’s passion is to see women set free from the lies of this world. She’s written several books on the topic of worth and hosts a podcast called What’s the Truth? tackling the lies we believe and how you can shift back to truth. In this interview we dig into the fear of being mediocre or irrelevant, knowing what season your dream is in and not running ahead of that, how to figure out if you’re striving for the wrong things, and Jessica’s best system for writing a book.

Courtney Reimer is on a mission to not only help girls and women know and understand their worth but also to know why they have worth. This interview is a reminder that where we place our hope matters. As Christians we’ve likely heard or been part of conversations about our identity in Christ but living that out feels so complex. How do we place our identity in Him? What does that look like? How do we know if we’re even getting it right?

Whether you’ve already started on your dream or you’re still in the starting blocks trying to figure out how to pivot as a result of changing circumstances, now is the time to think creatively about how to move forward and take messy action. What have you got to lose? You will never feel more prepared, educated, or ready to start. Those things are a façade and a stalling tactic. If the dream is there, it’s time for you to take the next step.

Whatever your circumstances right now, I pray this honest conversation with Maria Hatch-Bowersock about learning to trust God’s goodness will give you hope to present your requests to the Lord and persist in following Him. There is no worry too big for him; there is no amount of doubt He cannot handle. Maria’s story will help you press into Jesus and come out on the other side of today’s concerns with a deeper trust in God and a desire to abide with Him in all things.

When your circumstances feel overwhelming, it is difficult to imagine the abundant life Jesus offers or even to believe that it is available to you. This very struggle inspired Kara-Kae James to launch Thrive Moms, a ministry to encourage overwhelmed moms to believe that Jesus has something more for them besides exhaustion and isolation. In pursuit of this dream, Jesus also transformed Kara-Kae’s heart.

Have you considered leaving what feels safe and comfortable to pursue a God-shaped dream? Maybe you fear what others might think if you were to risk so much for your dream or you question whether you could even be successful. Alexandra Kaval has faced those fears, and she has not only survived but thrived in pursuing a career built on what she learned in corporate environments to now serve Christian women in an authentic and meaningful way.

Ashley Johnson is a nonprofit founder with a bent toward entrepreneurship and a love of seeing new ideas come to life; she came to this conversation seeking help with her messaging. As we talk you’ll learn the importance of identifying your avatar, how to invite and engage others in your dream, how live video is an opportunity to rehearse and refine your message, and why you can take the pressure off yourself to be good enough to accomplish your dream.

As the coronavirus wreaks havoc on our world, it seems everyone has lost something. Even if you still have a job, you’ve lost your freedom with the stay-at-home orders in place. But for those who have lost a great deal more or are just struggling with fear of what could happen next, Stephanie May Wilson has a story of loss at time when her life was already in transition, and while it’s not the same as going through a pandemic, the lessons are incredibly relevant. May you find hope today, even in loss.

As we face a global pandemic, it may feel incredibly difficult to dream right now or to act upon dreams already in motion because our lives and schedules are in total upheaval. This episode is a reminder that no matter what comes your way as you consider and pursue a God-shaped dream, everything is an opportunity to glorify God. Every fear, misstep, or disappointment reminds us that He is in charge and has His hands are upon it all, and every success is an opportunity to celebrate His goodness and grace.

When you’re just starting out, the small but intimidating details can halt progress toward your dream. Lauren Stengele fell in love with the Spanish language as a child, made a vow to learn it and teach it to her children, and eventually built a business called Bilingual Together to serve other families wanting to homeschool in two languages. She shares her struggles with the little details, a difficult conversation with her husband that almost ended the dream, and how it finally came to life.

If you have ever wanted to try a social media detox, this solo episode offers seven reasons that will help you decide if doing one is right for you. From realizing how our digital devices rewire our brains (thanks, Cal Newport!), to figuring out where your affections lie, to making space for spontaneous thought and Scripture recall, there are so many reasons to take a break from the scroll and make a conscious decision about how you want to spend your digital minutes.

Does the fear of what might happen stand in the way of your dream becoming a reality? If so, you’re not alone. Even women who are further along in their dreaming can become stuck by a fear of the unknown. Rachel Awtrey admits to this struggle, and she teaches us her tactics for what to do when it shows up. You also don’t want to miss what it takes to persevere when your dream isn’t dreamy, how to finance your dream at the beginning, and why to create systems and build a board of advisors.

Goal: 510 Character count If God has gifted and impassioned you with a dream, there is no reason to let a lack of training stand in the way of pursuing it. Jaime Fenwick, creator of Bringing Inspiration Home, teaches us about being renewed in our dream, making space for organic creative thought, involving others in the process so we don’t have to go it alone, and building momentum for your dream by getting really specific about the aspect of your dream that most inspires you.

Through this strategy session with Natalie Arent, you’ll learn about tackling your nerves related to following your dream, narrowing down your niche, and how to message specifically for your audience. Natalie helps Christian coaches and online service providers position themselves as an expert in their industry and attract the people they’re meant to serve with a cohesive visual brand. She has a knack for seeing what her clients struggle to put into words and is a huge fan of sharing your authentic self

If your plate is so full that hustle has become your middle name and stress has begun to negatively impact your life, this episode with Malinda Fuller will speak straight to your need. Malinda is a bold communicator who is passionate about thriving families and helping people grow as disciples of Jesus. She is the author of Obedience Over Hustle: The Surrender of the Striving Heart and has become a trusted voice on the topics of obedience, hustle and living an intentional life.