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-Baptism

00:02 Meet the Guest: Meta Herrick Carlson

01:57 Meta’s New Book: We Remember Your Baptism

03:07 The Creative Process Behind the Book

05:48 Choosing the Right Illustrator

08:42 Personal Reflections on Baptism

13:13 The Power of Storytelling in Faith

15:17 Hope for the Book's Impact

15:38 Personal Reflections on Children's Books

16:55 Baptism Rituals and Traditions

18:32 Book Release and Promotions

20:53 Community and Social Justice

22:48 ICE Presence and Community Response

25:36 Faith and Social Responsibility

27:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo is basically the Created Creative podcast in book form. There's so much overlap it's wild.

Dawn and Ruth get real about how family beliefs shaped their creative journeys (spoiler: Dawn got cast in a professional show as a kid and wasn't allowed to do it—ouch), what limiting beliefs are still holding them back (like "I don't wanna bother people" when marketing), and the whole messy tension between building a personal brand and maintaining humility in ministry. Because yeah, that's a thing.

They're also talking about the difference between holy persistence and unhealthy striving (when do you keep going and when do you let go?), and how to integrate all the different pieces of your life—ministry, business, creativity—without losing your mind. Dawn calls it "being a jazz musician" with her schedule, and honestly, that tracks.

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.com

00:19 Planning the New Zealand Trail Adventure

02:07 Interview with Naomi Arnold

02:47 Naomi's Trail Experience and Challenges

06:24 Navigating the Trail and Unexpected Obstacles

14:03 Final Thoughts and Advice for Future Hikers

19:10 Struggles on 90 Mile Beach

19:58 A Painful Journey to the End

21:22 Unexpected Kindness and Recovery

22:29 Post-Trail Reflections and Social Anxiety

22:59 The Impact of COVID-19

24:46 Book Success and Reader Reactions

25:39 The Journey of Writing and Publishing

28:03 Future Projects and Ideas

29:18 Creative Challenges and Accountability