Episodes

  • Episode 125: A Christmas Devotional: The Gift of Rest at Christmas

    Episode 125: A Christmas Devotional: The Gift of Rest at Christmas
    Dec 4 2025
    Sinking into the church pew, I close my eyes, allowing myself to relax. Christmas hymns filter around parishioners as more enter the warm room. Fatigue washes over me as I wait for the Christmas service to start. The previous month was full of Christmas-time activities, lights, parties, and pageants. The seasonal hustle and bustle left me with little time to rest, my heart anxious over plans and the Christmas holiday. As the lights dim, the focus switches to the manger scene. Jesus Christ, born in a manger, died on the cross for our sins. Emmanuel—God with us. Hope was born in human form. "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). Over the centuries, Christians have turned toward Jesus with hope and assurance of heaven. "The name Immanuel encapsulates the heart of the Christian message: that God, in His infinite love and mercy, chose to dwell among His people through Jesus Christ. This profound truth continues to inspire and sustain believers, affirming the reality of God's presence in their lives" (BibleHub.com). The hope of Emmanuel takes us beyond Christmas. For believers, that hope leads to eternity and resting forever with God in Heaven. A forever reprieve from the weariness felt here on earth. However, as you celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ this Advent, you can also celebrate his saving grace and rest in him. You can look forward to eternal rest while enjoying rest here on earth, right here and now. God's word tells us to rest. God provided a pattern to follow as he rested on the seventh day after six days of work. Genesis 2:2-3 says, "And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation." In the same way, he reminds us to do the same. Advent time is a great time to start resting and taking time to enjoy what God's given. He tells us that he provides rest for our weary hearts. Exodus 33:14 says, And the LORD answered (Moses), 'My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28-30 continues this same theme of spiritual rest. It says, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Bible Hub study "Rest here is not merely physical but spiritual, offering peace and relief from the guilt and power of sin. This promise connects to the Sabbath rest in Genesis 2:2-3, symbolizing completion and satisfaction in God. Jesus fulfills the prophetic rest promised in the Old Testament, such as in Jeremiah 6:16, where the ancient paths lead to rest for the soul. This rest is a type of the eternal rest believers will experience in Christ (Hebrews 4:9-10)." The choir files into the church as the congregation rises. My anxiety lessens as I listen to the voices around me rising with the choir, still seated. "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. Rejoice." I rise to join those around me, my voice lifting up the truth of the season. Come, Lord, come and give me rest. Help me rejoice in your birth this Christmas. Prayer Dear Lord, thank you for your gift of rest. Please help me accept that gift and enjoy this Christmas season. Remind me of your open invitation when I'm feeling weary. Amen. Other Ways to Prepare this Christmas Season As we let these truths about Christmas penetrate our hearts, we can sit and dwell on the truth. We can sit and dwell on the fact that God is with us and that he wants to give us rest. One practical way that you can. Just sit and dwell on what God has for you this Christmas and release some of the anxiety, the overwhelm, and the panic over this Christmas season is to go through the workshop, Pen Your Way to Peace. Pen Your Way to Peace is a workshop that my friend Carrie and I did two years ago, where it's 75 minutes of working through and praying through things that steal your joy, things that cause negative emotions, and maybe even bring up drama. We want to help you work through these things. We are offering this workshop in a way that you can sit, you can work through the journal questions that Carrie, as a spiritual director, has provided for the workshop. And then one of the other things that we know causes chaos, causes overwhelm, and frankly doesn't make our hearts feel at rest is not planning. So with me, you will sit and work through plans, work through what you have, your boundaries, what are things you're saying yes to this holiday season, and what you're saying no to this holiday season. You join Pen Your Way to Peace so you can prepare your mind, your heart, and your calendar for the season of Christ's ...
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    12 mins
  • Episode 124: Bringing Purpose to Brands with Katie Mleziva

    Episode 124: Bringing Purpose to Brands with Katie Mleziva
    Nov 18 2025
    In this episode of 'Created for This,' I welcome marketing expert Katie, who has over 20 years of experience in brand and marketing strategy. From working with big names like American Girl to consulting for small natural food businesses, Katie shares her insights on the core principles of marketing. She discusses the importance of the four Ps—Price, Place, Product, and Promotion—and how they help create a cohesive brand strategy. Katie and I also dive into practical, actionable tips and real-life examples to help business owners refine their marketing plans, connect authentically with their audience, and capitalize on their unique gifts. Throughout the conversation, we highlight the role of faith in business and offer advice on aligning purpose, vision, and values with marketing efforts. This episode is essential listening for anyone looking to strengthen their brand and live out their calling in the business world. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:37 Meet Katie: Marketing Expert 01:24 Defining Marketing and Its Goals 02:11 The Four Ps of Marketing 03:30 Connecting with Consumers 06:40 Actionable Marketing Tips 13:32 Real-Life Marketing Examples 19:46 Understanding Your Value as a Coach 20:40 The Mind Game of Marketing 21:13 Crafting Your Message 24:21 The Power of Writing Down Ideas 27:22 Balancing Faith and Business 29:23 Exploring Spiritual Gifts 34:17 Final Thoughts and Resources

    More about Katie and connect with her:

    Katie Mleziva is the proud mom of two kids, ages 14 and 16, and lives in the Milwaukee, WI area. Katie has over 20 years of experience in Brand and Marketing Strategy, the first 10 working on big brands like American Girl and Philadelphia Cream Cheese, and the last 10+ being a consultant and following her passion of focusing on smaller natural food businesses and farms.

    In her spare time, Katie loves to watch her kids play sports, travel, take classes at the gym, and support the volunteer organization she started back in 2013 to make it easier for families to volunteer together. She is hoping her dog will cooperate with becoming a therapy dog someday, so they can volunteer together too!

    Her website, podcast, and Instagram

    More Links from the Show:

    Episode 121: Incorporating Your Faith into Your Business

    Episode 94: Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts with Dr. Tom Rush
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    37 mins
  • Episode 123: Soup and Jesus: the Stillness of Autumn with Homemaker Adrienne Droogsma

    Episode 123: Soup and Jesus: the Stillness of Autumn with Homemaker Adrienne Droogsma
    Nov 7 2025

    Trigger warning - Childloss

    Homemaking and Heartfelt Tips for Autumn Preparations

    In this episode of 'Created for This,' I'm joined by my friend, Adrianne, to discuss seasonal homemaking and preparing for autumn. We talk about gardening, homeschooling, and practical tips for meal preparation and home projects.

    We also delve into the importance of rest and reflection during the slow winter months, offering encouragement and practical advice for Christian moms managing their homes and businesses.

    00:00 Introduction and Welcome

    00:37 Meet Adrianne: The Homemaker Extraordinaire

    02:38 Adrian's Gardening Journey

    03:45 Homeschooling and Family Life

    06:17 Preparing for Autumn and Winter

    12:40 Indoor Projects and Winter Preparations

    19:07 Gratitude and Seasonal Reflections

    26:24 Embracing the Outdoors in Winter

    27:39 Refreshing the Home with Essential Oils

    30:00 Puzzle Season Traditions

    32:47 Gratitude and Contentment in Winter

    34:11 Bible Study Practices and Faith

    37:32 Gardening and Life Lessons

    47:30 Conclusion and Encouragement

    Follow Adrianne on Instagram

    Growth Roots Book - where I journaled my "lessons learned from this past season"

    Butternut Squash Soup recipe

    My free Essential Home Toolkit: Simplify Your Homemaking

    Journal Prompts:

    – Gratitude

    – Three lessons you've learned from this past season of life
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    50 mins
  • Episode 122: Color Analysis, Confidence, and Your Identity in Christ with Merin Minch

    Episode 122: Color Analysis, Confidence, and Your Identity in Christ with Merin Minch
    Oct 2 2025
    In this episode of Created for This, my guest Merin Minch discuss the intricacies of color analysis and how it can help reveal a person's best colors based on their undertones and intensity levels. She explains the resurgence of color analysis, its roots in the 1980s, and how it empowers people, especially mothers, to feel confident in their appearance. Merin shares her journey from learning about color analysis to launching her business in 2025, emphasizing the joy and confidence it brings to women. She also discusses the intersection of her work with faith, helping clients embrace their God-given features, and the importance of rest. The episode concludes with practical advice on dressing for confidence and the significance of finding rest in the Lord. 00:00 Introduction to Created for This 00:37 Welcoming Merin to the Podcast 01:48 Understanding Color Analysis 03:06 Personal Journey with Color Analysis 06:02 Impact of Color Analysis on Confidence 07:30 Balancing Motherhood and Identity 09:03 Faith and Identity in Christ 13:19 Practical Tips for Confidence 18:25 Surprising Aspects of Being a Color Analyst 20:21 Finding Rest and Support 22:55 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Follow Merin on Instagram. Go to her website.
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    26 mins
  • Episode 121: Incorporating Your Faith into Your Business

    Episode 121: Incorporating Your Faith into Your Business
    Sep 18 2025

    Notes coming soon.

    Bible verses referenced:

    1 Peter 3:15

    John 13:35

    Referenced in this Episode:

    Mission, Vision, and Purpose - Episode 26, Episode 47 with Natalie Gingrich, and Episode 120 with Corey Gray

    Elegantees

    Yellow Barn Media and Jamie Samples

    Verity and Co. and Lindsey Johnson

    Sincerely, Savanna (Savanna Orin)

    My (Danielle's) Instagram - you can contact me here or at dmr@daniellemroberts.com
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    29 mins
  • Episode 120: From Homeschooling and Trades to C-Suite Leadership with Corey Gray

    Episode 120: From Homeschooling and Trades to C-Suite Leadership with Corey Gray
    Aug 5 2025
    In this episode of Created for This, Danielle is joined by Corey Gray, a general manager at Beyond Wow Plumbing with a unique career path and a personal journey steeped in homeschooling and trades. Corey shares his experiences growing up as a homeschooler, how it influenced his values of ownership and self-leadership, and his journey into the trades. He discusses the importance of planning and setting goals, using the entrepreneurial operating system (EOS), and how those strategies can help business owners focus their energy effectively. Corey also emphasizes the growing acceptance of trades as a viable path to generational wealth and offers insights on how to integrate leadership skills between personal and professional life. The episode wraps up with a heartfelt message on the importance of supporting systems and legacy in both business and family life. 00:00 Introduction to Created for This 00:37 Meet Corey Gray: A Unique Career Path 02:20 Corey's Personal Life and Family 03:17 The Impact of Homeschooling on Leadership 10:07 Journey into the Trades 17:32 Marriage and Moving for Career Growth 20:35 Focusing on Strengths and Leadership 31:33 Creating Generational Wealth through Trades 42:05 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

    More about Corey

    Corey is the general manager at Beyond Wow Plumbing in Austin, Texas, where he specialize in turning bold visions into systems, scorecard and leadership framework that actually work in the real world of the trades. As he said, he started in his family business, earned his master plumbing license and have since shifted from working in the business to working on the business by building leaders and eliminating bottlenecks.

    His personal mission is to elevate the trades by creating cultures of relentless ownership or teams, execute with clarity and back without needing to be micromanaged.

    He's led leadership transformation efforts, built scalable accountability systems, and reimagined industry best practices to align with local organizational culture and built tools that feel deeply human while being operationally rock solid. His faith informs how he leads and builds, and he's especially passionate about helping other men lead with clarity capacity and conviction, both in business and in life

    He was homeschooled and am the husband to my high school sweetheart Melissa (also homeschooled) for 16 years and new father to our one year-old daughter Gabrielle and soon-to-arrive son Ezra.

    His LinkedIn

    If you're in the local Austin, TX area and need a great plumber, check out Corey's company, Beyond Wow.
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    45 mins
  • Episode 119: Having a Heart-to-Heart about Mid-Year Goals and Stewardship

    Episode 119: Having a Heart-to-Heart about Mid-Year Goals and Stewardship
    Jul 19 2025
    Well, friends, it is mid-July, I guess, kind of later July, and I did a six-month check-in on my goals. I wanted to share them with you because number one, I know we're all nosy when it comes to other people's goals and what's gotten accomplished, how people are doing what they're doing, all that good stuff. Also, I wanted to give you encouragement if you are feeling like your goals just are not happening, or you're struggling, or maybe you just didn't even make goals at the beginning of the year because you weren't sure how to make them actually happen. The first thing that I want to encourage you with is in making goals actually happen. One of the things that I found that works well and that I coach my life coaching and business clients in is to figure out your areas of stewardship. Where is God calling you to steward, or what is God calling you to steward? I typically say that we have like five to six different areas that were called or given to Steward at a time. I wouldn't say that's something that I've found in the Bible. I would say that's more of a gathering of things that I've seen and heard over time, more like a systematic theological viewpoint. Stewardship and Anchoring Your Goals I usually say that we as women are called to steward our homes, even if we don't have a typical home. You can take care of your room in your parents' house or wherever you're living, your dorm room, all that. Kids are a big one that we've been given to steward and take care of as little joyful gifts from the Lord, and that takes up a ton of time as a mom. We also have finances we can steward. We have our jobs, we have the things that we've been given. Everything that you do is stewardship because everything is the Lord's, and we've been given that as stewards. In Genesis one and two, it talks about God giving what. I was given to Adam to keep it and take care of it, and that was a way of God giving the animals and the earth to Adam and Eve to take care of. So stewardship areas of stewardship. Once you understand what God has given you, I would write these down, have them written as something that's a reflection. Just so that you know, moving forward, this is something that God has given me to steward, and this is what I need to use my gifts and my talents towards. Again, five or six different areas. I typically will say everything in the house and within it, or? Yeah, in the house. Everything within it. So, kids, family, money, the house itself. Food. And then my body is another area that I spend a lot of time on. I actually have a folder in my phone because I track my macros. Macronutrients using a fitness app, a Faster Way to Fatloss, and I have that. And then the app that I use to track my runs or walks and my Oura ring, all in a folder called Steward Your Body. So it's a reminder when I look at that folder that God has given me my body to steward. Once you've accomplished this and you understand what God is asking you to steward, or you've brought that back to mind, anchor your goals to the areas that God has asked you to steward. A lot of times, we see something and we're like, "Oh, we should have a goal to do X, Y, or Z," and then we make a pointless goal. Because we saw that from somebody else's life, but that's not the area that God is asking us to steward right now, or it's not as high on the priorities list as on somebody else's. Oftentimes, when people are having issues, fulfilling goals, or really struggling to fulfill their goals, I see them drowning in pointlessness. Goals and pointless to-dos because they are not anchoring them in things where God has actually called them to. And we need to align what God has called us to with the goals that we are creating because God has given us all different areas to steward and different lives and different callings and giftings and talents. Our goals will be. Probably similar, but they're gonna be different than other people's. So we can't just look at a popular influencer, even if they're Christian, and say, "Oh, okay, their goals should be my goals." Now granted, there will be some that are similar, but everybody has different areas where they need to work on. So at this point in time, I wanna give you permission to change things up. I want to give you permission to throw out your old goals if they're not related to the areas of stewardship that God has given you, and I want you to instead focus on. Anchoring your goals in areas of stewardship and areas that align with what God has called you to. Journal Questions for Your Own Mid-Year Check-in Now, the second part of this mid-year check-in that I did was I started looking at my goals and asking myself some questions. So I asked myself, – What's working? – What's not working? – What does this look like for the next six months? – What do my goals look like moving forward? What about the next five and a half months? I have been using this book that ...
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    32 mins
  • Episode 118: Finding Peace and Rest while Solo Parenting

    Episode 118: Finding Peace and Rest while Solo Parenting
    Jun 28 2025

    In this episode of the 'Created for This' podcast, I share personal experiences of solo parenting while my husband traveled for work, discussing the importance of self-care to prevent burnout.

    I highlight three aspects of rest—mental, physical, and emotional—emphasizing that true rest goes beyond superficial measures.

    Strategies for achieving rest include taking mental breaks, finding restful physical activities, and managing emotional health through prayer, walking, and journaling.

    The episode also delves into maintaining a positive mindset, backed by scripture, and the significance of seeking Jesus for peace and emotional support.

    I also provide practical tips for solo parents, such as asking for help and establishing routines.

    Mentioned in this episode:

    Bach Remedies/Rescue Remedies for Kids

    Bach Remedies/Rescue Remedies for Adults

    Bach Remedies/Rescue Remedies

    For the list of ways to rest, check that out here.

    To follow along with me on my journey, head over and and click "follow" on Instagram.

    *Affiliate links are present in these show notes. I earn a small commission when you order through my links, at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting myself and my family through your purchase.
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    27 mins