340 episodes

Whether you have a dream in your heart or aren’t sure what God might be calling you to, The Devoted Dreamers Podcast will encourage you on the journey. This space is dedicated to sharing stories every week of women who are following Jesus and pursuing their God-given gifts in beautifully imperfect ways. You’ll hear about the fears and challenges that threaten their dreams as well as the joy, courage and confidence that comes from following Jesus even in the unexpected…especially in the unexpected.

I’m your host, Merritt Onsa, and my prayer is that this show will meet you where you are in your walk with God. I hope you will come away from the podcast each week with encouragement to begin pursuing your own dreams even when you still feel flawed, imperfect, unfinished and not ready. Because if you wait until you are perfect, you will never take the first step. Join us!

The Devoted Dreamers Podcast Merritt Onsa: Dream Coach | Faith-based Business Owner | Christian Entrepre

    • Religion & Spirituality
    • 4.9 • 142 Ratings

Whether you have a dream in your heart or aren’t sure what God might be calling you to, The Devoted Dreamers Podcast will encourage you on the journey. This space is dedicated to sharing stories every week of women who are following Jesus and pursuing their God-given gifts in beautifully imperfect ways. You’ll hear about the fears and challenges that threaten their dreams as well as the joy, courage and confidence that comes from following Jesus even in the unexpected…especially in the unexpected.

I’m your host, Merritt Onsa, and my prayer is that this show will meet you where you are in your walk with God. I hope you will come away from the podcast each week with encouragement to begin pursuing your own dreams even when you still feel flawed, imperfect, unfinished and not ready. Because if you wait until you are perfect, you will never take the first step. Join us!

    How to Re-Energize Your Faith through the Practice of Wonder || Jen Weaver

    How to Re-Energize Your Faith through the Practice of Wonder || Jen Weaver

    Find show notes here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/303  
    Are you afraid of what God might do with your dream? 
    If fear has been a driving force in your dream (or lack thereof), it’s time to go deeper in your faith. Bible teacher and author Jen Weaver shares in this episode about how to manage the fear of not feeling qualified for the dream God has given you. 
    Rather than quit when you hit a fear roadblock, you can choose to walk through your fears with God—who is the antidote to fear—and He will re-energize your faith with the truth of His Word. 
    Jen is passionate about empowering believers to engage in every aspect of life WITH God. Her latest book A Beckoning to Wonder is a gorgeously illustrated poetry collection, helping you rest in God’s goodness as you re-energize your connection and experience the life-changing ease of wonder. 
    As you listen to this episode, pay close attention to what Jen’s story can teach you about: 
    💡Managing the fear of not feeling qualified for the dream God has given you,
    ❤️ The power of wonder to remove the burden of overthinking, and 
    ✨ Partnering with God to take the pressure off and embrace your dreams like a child: with the freedom to be a learner, to try things, to mess up and keep moving forward.
    This inspiring podcast episode is for any Christian woman in search of encouragement about how to use your skills, talents, and life experience for the big dreams God has planted in your heart.
     
    NEXT STEPS: 
    Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Discovery Call
    Get Connected with the Dreamers Facebook Community
    Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
    Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android 
    MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
    Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
    Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
    Ad music by Komiku.

    • 42 min
    [Solo] How to Persevere When You Want to Quit Your Dream || Merritt Onsa

    [Solo] How to Persevere When You Want to Quit Your Dream || Merritt Onsa

    Find show notes here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/302 
    What do you do when a dream feels too hard? 
    Somewhere along the journey of saying “yes” to a God-shaped dream you’ll probably ask yourself why in the world you did that. 
    It’s no small thing to attempt something you’ve never done before like writing a book when you don’t know the first thing about publishing; or starting a business when you’ve always been a W-2 employee; or taking the risk of inviting strangers to purchase the art you’ve created, attend a workshop you’ll be teaching, or buy a product you’ve spent your creative energy building. 
    It feels incredibly vulnerable to put yourself out there like this. And some days you might feel like quitting so you can go back to your “easy, normal life.” 
    I don’t blame you. We all have those moments, but there’s actually a great deal of hope in the messy middle as well, and that’s what I have to share with you in this episode. 
    Pop in your earbuds and you’ll learn all about: 
    🪤The 3 traps you’ll encounter when you’re in the messy middle of a big dream
    🏃‍♀️Practical advice for how to navigate the messy middle without giving up
    ❤️Finding strength to persevere in community with others dreamers facing similar trials
    This encouraging podcast episode is for any Christian woman in search of encouragement about how to use your skills, talents, and experience for the big dreams God has planted in your heart.
    Join us for my next free monthly call on Zoom with other devoted dreamers 
     
     
    NEXT STEPS: 
    Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Let’s Chat
    Join the Facebook Community
    Support the Podcast 
    Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
    Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android 

    • 32 min
    Why Dreaming Big Is a Trust-Builder for Your Faith || Rachel Bates

    Why Dreaming Big Is a Trust-Builder for Your Faith || Rachel Bates

    Find show notes here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/301 
    Is there a God-nudge you’ve been ignoring? 
    Rachel Bates never imagined starting a nonprofit; in fact, even as she leads the Beauties ministry, this role feels outside of her comfort zone and skill set on most days. The reason she said ‘yes’? Beauties has touched Rachel’s life and the faith of her young daughter so deeply. She couldn’t ignore the Spirit’s prompting to grow the ministry and reach girls beyond her home community—or that she was the one to begin this work.
    Now, looking back, she can see the breadcrumbs of God’s hand leading her from a teaching career, to mothering, and then to this opportunity. At the same time, she knew nothing about nonprofit leadership before sitting down with an attorney to discuss next steps. In order to be obedient to the call, she knew she would have to surround herself with others who had the skills and experience she lacked. 
    Rachel candidly shares about her struggles with self-doubt and on-going battle with perfectionism, sharing scriptures that keep her anchored continuing to embrace the joys and challenges of this role.
    As you listen to this episode, pay close attention to what Rachel’s story can teach you about trusting the Lord as you pursue a dream outside your comfort zone, including: 
    💡 Why we hesitate to listen to those “God nudges” about the big dreams He’s given us (and what’s really at play there),

    ✨ How to find courage to say “yes” to the adventure God has for you, and

    ❤️ The transformative power of stepping into the identity He has given you in Christ.
    This encouraging podcast episode is for any Christian woman in search of encouragement about how to use your skills, talents and experience for the big dreams God has planted in your heart.
      
    NEXT STEPS:
    Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Discovery Call
    Get Connected with the Dreamers Facebook Community
    Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
    Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android
    MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
    Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
    Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
    Ad music by Komiku.

    • 46 min
    How to Not Miss God’s Purpose for Your Life || Tracey Gates

    How to Not Miss God’s Purpose for Your Life || Tracey Gates

    Find show notes here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/300 
    Is it possible to miss God’s plan for your life? 
    This is what Tracey Gates wondered as the years went by while she raised children and worked odd jobs along the way. She knew God had made her for more, but could she have missed it?
    Tracey always had a dream in her heart to write a book but she had no idea how to begin or what the topic would be. It didn’t seem urgent at the time. The idea would come up in conversation with a friend or her spouse but there was never enough clarity to move forward. 
    In her 40s, the dream was still there. By the time she reached her 50s, Tracey realized that the comfort she once felt about this someday-dream to write a book no longer felt comfortable. It was actually frightening. Had she missed God’s plan?
    As you listen to this episode, pay close attention to what Tracey’s story can teach you about finding your unique calling and purpose, including:
    ✨ How to overcome fear and find the courage to write,

    ❤️ The transformative power of daily acts of kindness, and
    🗝️ Two questions that were the key to unlocking & discovering her full purpose.
    This encouraging podcast episode is for any Christian woman in search of encouragement about how to use your skills, talents and experience for the big dreams God has planted in your heart.
    NEXT STEPS:
    Get Connected with the Dreamers Facebook Community
    Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Discovery Call
    Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
    Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android
    MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
    Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
    Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
    Ad music by Komiku.

    • 44 min
    How an Unexpected Layoff Brought a Dream to Life || Shadia Hrichi

    How an Unexpected Layoff Brought a Dream to Life || Shadia Hrichi

    Find show notes here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/299 
    What have you been waiting on God to do with your dream? 
    Let’s be honest, waiting is hard. But often we are so busy looking ahead wondering when God will answer a prayer or change a difficult circumstance that we risk missing out on what He’s already doing right in front of us, right now.
    In this episode, I am honored to introduce you to Shadia Hrichi, a passionate Bible teacher, award-winning author, and speaker. She’s joining us to share the surprising twist in her career as a result of corporate layoffs and how one question from a godly mentor opened her eyes to a seminary degree and the possibility of working in full-time ministry.  
    In this episode you’ll learn:
    ✨ How scheduled, intentional downtime can bring you into a closer walk with the Lord,
    ❤️ About trusting God even when progress seems slow, and
    👂 The vital role of wise mentors to help uncovering your God-given dreams.
    I pray this conversation is a reminder that God is always working. He never sleeps on our dreams; He is never blind to our concerns. He is always present, always loving, and completely aware of every aspect of our lives.
    I’m eager for you to hear Shadia’s story about the journey to her God-shaped dream. This soul-nourishing conversation promises to reignite your passion for God’s plan in your life.  
    NEXT STEPS:
    Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Discovery Call
    Get Connected with the Facebook Community
    Support the Podcast
    Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
    Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android
    MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
    Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
    Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
    Ad music by Komiku.
     
     

    • 41 min
    How to Start out Your Dream in Alignment with God || Polly Payne

    How to Start out Your Dream in Alignment with God || Polly Payne

    Find show notes here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/298 
    How do you know if you’re following God’s plan for your dream? 
    It’s a big question! And if you’re asking it, you should know you are not the only one. I hear this all the time from listeners who are concerned about missing what God is prompting them to do. 
    It’s one of the reasons I’m so honored to have the inspiring Polly Payne back for a second episode this month. In case you’re new to Polly, she’s the CEO + Founder of Horacio Printing, and she’s here to share her heart for putting structure around how we plan and pursue our dreams.
    In this follow-up to last week’s interview, Polly and I talk about her core philosophy of how to make time for our dreams and ensure that those dreams are in alignment with the will of God.
    You’ll learn:  
    Polly’s strategies for beginning to plan and dream (anytime, not just at the new year), How to nurture your weekly schedule and make space for a dream, as well as How to set goals and intentions that stick. If you don’t know Polly or aren’t familiar with Horacio Printing, her Dream Planner or Print School, School, go back to episode 297 and get caught up on her story of bringing Horacio Printing to life! Especially the mishap as she was naming her company; that story is unforgettable and has some great takeaways if you struggle with perfectionism!
    Okay, let’s jump into it! Grab your planner, set your intentions, and lean into the blessings of God’s new mercies every morning.
     You don't want to miss this revitalizing episode of the Devoted Dreamers Podcast—here's to dreaming, growing, and becoming the person God is calling you to be in this God-breathed new year! 
    NEXT STEPS:
    Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Discovery Call

    Get Connected with the Facebook Community
    Support the Podcast
    Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
    Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android
     
    MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
    Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
    Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
    Ad music by Komiku. 

    • 39 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
142 Ratings

142 Ratings

MN travler ,

Something for everyone🙂

I love this podcast! Merritt has a heart for God and a heart for helping women move forward in their dreams. She has a way of encouraging and challenging through her podcasts that can speak to so many women- no matter where they are on their dream journey!

shellacker ,

Soothing, Inspiring, Practical, Biblical

Merritt’s voice and demeanor are so soothing and encouraging. I love that every episode points us to dream with God, and includes practical advice alongside encouragement to not walk this journey alone. I highly recommend this podcast to all my fellow creatives and dreamers!

Let’s Unpack That w Alex&Grace ,

So encouraging and faith-filled!

I LOVE the whole premise of this podcast! God truly designed us to live by faith and believe in the dreams and visions he’s given us… but there are so many obstacles in the world and that the enemy tries to wield against us to hold us back from pursuing the things of God’s Kingdom. This podcast is such a refreshing and powerful tool that helps people break down those barriers in their own lives, whether it be lack of clarity or just fear. I know that this podcast is empowering more people into their God-given assignments, to help them thrive the way he’s designed them to - while playing the role he created them for his greater, perfect purposes!!

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