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Ep 134 - Pastor Yolanda Denson-Byers on Art, Courage, and Truth-Telling (Because Artists Tell Truth, Even When It's Tender)
Description
Dawn and Ruth welcome Rev. Dr. Yolanda Denson-Byers, senior pastor at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Edina and author of See Me, Believe Me, a book written to name the common experiences of racism and discrimination faced by clergy of color in predominantly white congregations. Now in its second edition and widely used, the book centers the crucial distinction between intent and impact. Because good intentions don't cancel real harm.
Yolanda shares her Holy Spirit-led writing process, her promotion strategies (including how alma maters can be powerful amplifiers), and why spirituality and creativity are simply inseparable for her. She describes her creative worship practices, all proof that worship itself can be a radical creative act.
The episode closes with Dawn coaching Yolanda on her next book: a more tender, story-based project that requires a different kind of courage. They talk about how courage grows in small steps, the "ish" mindset for artists, and the sacred question of what you choose to share and what you keep close.
This episode is for anyone who needs permission to try the unlikely thing, name the hard truth, or take the next small brave step toward something that matters.
LINKS:
Have a business idea and want to get it moving? Join Dawn's Discern by Doing for Business Course. A new group is starting now: https://bigpicturebigpurpose.lpages.co/discern-by-doing-for-business/
00:23 Grant Win Story
01:22 Broadway Near Miss
02:52 Seminary Sold News
03:32 Seminary Memories
06:40 Guest Intro Setup
07:42 Meet Pastor Yolanda
08:27 Why She Wrote Book
11:17 Spirit Led Writing
12:50 Intent Versus Impact
16:04 Publishing Proposal Path
18:06 Finding Your Voice
21:16 Promoting The Book
22:23 Promotion Without Competition
23:04 Alma Mater Amplifiers
23:49 Favorite Creative Spotlight
24:58 Spirituality Fuels Art
27:41 Pentecost Worship Experiments
31:52 Pray Without Ceasing
33:33 Courage Builds Creativity
35:16 Ish Mindset for Artists
38:35 Next Book Coaching Session
41:41 Rituals and Accountability
45:20 Tenderness and Consent
45:58 Final Thanks and Sendoff