Kelly Melcher: It Didn’t Happen as I Expected… But It’s Still Good
Release Date: 05/06/2026
Faithful Friday #3: Bringing the Ordinary to God
Why I Believe
Welcome to Faithful Friday. This week, we're reflecting on John 2:1-11, the account of Jesus' first recorded miracle at the wedding in Cana. When a simple problem arose, Jesus took something ordinary, water, and transformed it into something extraordinary. Often, we bring God our biggest challenges but hold back the ordinary parts of our lives. Yet this passage reminds us that Jesus cares about every detail and can work through even the most ordinary circumstances. As you listen, consider this reflection question: What ordinary area of your life are you withholding from God? After the...
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Dr. Gabriel Warren: You’re Never Too Far Gone
Why I Believe
What if the faith you grew up with… isn’t the same faith you live as an adult? In this episode of Why I Believe, I sit down with Dr. Gabriel Warren, educator, former Division I athlete, and man of faith, to talk about identity, discipline, and what it really means to choose your faith for yourself. Growing up as a preacher’s kid in Alabama, Gabriel was surrounded by faith from the very beginning, revivals, church services, and serving in the community were a normal part of life. But like many, there came a point where he had to decide: Was this his faith… or just something he...
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Faithful Friday #2: Come and See
Why I Believe
Welcome to Faithful Friday. This week, we're reflecting on John 1:35-39, where two disciples hear John the Baptist identify Jesus as the Lamb of God and choose to follow Him. When Jesus notices them, He asks a simple yet powerful question: "What do you seek?" Their response leads to an invitation that still echoes today: "Come and see." As you listen, consider this reflection question: What is Jesus inviting you to discover about Him? After the Scripture reading, you'll have an opportunity to pause for personal prayer and reflection before returning to pray the Our Father together. Scripture:...
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Erin Harrigan: From Hustle to Surrender
Why I Believe
What if everything you’ve been chasing… still leaves you feeling empty? In this episode of Why I Believe, I sit down with Erin Harrigan; biblical business coach, author, speaker, and self-proclaimed “daughter of the King”, to talk about identity, surrender, and what it really means to build your life with God at the center. Erin’s journey didn’t start with a deep relationship with Jesus. Raised in the church but without a personal connection, she spent years chasing success, thriving in corporate, building a business, and following new age beliefs like the law of attraction. From...
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Faithful Friday #1: Jesus Is the Light
Why I Believe
Welcome to the very first Faithful Friday. Each Friday, we'll spend a few moments in Scripture, reflection, and prayer as we intentionally pause and make room for God in our busy lives. Today, we're reading John 1:1-5, a powerful reminder that Jesus is the Light of the world and that no darkness can overcome Him. As you listen, take time to reflect on this question: Where in your life do you need Christ's light right now? After the Scripture reading, you'll be invited to pause the episode for personal prayer and reflection before returning to pray the Our Father together. Scripture: John 1:1-5...
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Michelle Von Ruden: Still Here for a Reason
Why I Believe
What if you knew, deep down, that your life had been spared for a reason… but you weren’t sure what that reason was yet? In this special episode of Why I Believe, the tables are turned as Marianne Callaghan interviews me, Michelle Von Ruden, about my own journey of faith, survival, and calling. From the very beginning, my story has been marked by moments that shouldn’t have happened. Born with a life-threatening heart condition and given a limited life expectancy… walking away from situations that should have ended differently… and surviving a moment doctors later said should have...
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Jill Cirillo: From Striving to Surrender
Why I Believe
What if everything you worked so hard for… still didn’t bring you peace? In this episode of Why I Believe, I sit down with Jill Cirillo, former corporate leader turned founder of Faith Meets Leadership, to talk about the shift from striving for success to surrendering to God’s purpose. Jill spent over 20 years climbing the corporate ladder, checking all the boxes, achieving success, and carrying the weight of expectations. But every Sunday night… the pressure hit. The stress. The overwhelm. The question: Is this really what life is about? That moment became the beginning of a...
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Jayne O’Hara: I Prayed While Holding a Beer
Why I Believe
What if your life could change in a single moment… even before you felt “ready”? In this episode of Why I Believe, I sit down with Jayne O’Hara, Christian life coach, trauma recovery specialist, and women’s ministry leader, to share a powerful story of deliverance, healing, and walking in faith. Jayne’s journey began in the middle of addiction. Raised in a family with generations of alcohol abuse, she found herself caught in the same cycle, until one moment changed everything. Her first prayer? Spoken while holding a beer. What happened next was immediate and undeniable, she set it...
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Becky Plautz: Identity Rooted in Christ
Why I Believe
What if who you are… mattered more than what you do? In this episode of Why I Believe, I sit down with Becky Plautz, wife, mom, business owner, and faith-led leader, to talk about identity, intentional living, and what it means to truly anchor your life in Christ. Like many, Becky grew up in church, but over time, she drifted away and spent years navigating life on her own terms. It wasn’t until her 30s, through personal development, motherhood, and a deeper desire for purpose, that she felt called back to her faith. But this time, it was different. This time, it was her choice. We talk...
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Cherryann Joseph: From Trauma to Transformation
Why I Believe
What do you do when the pain you’ve lived through makes it hard to believe in God at all? In this episode of Why I Believe, I sit down with Cherryann Joseph, educator, Maxwell Leadership coach, and retired military officer, to share a story of trauma, anger, and ultimately, transformation through faith. Cherryann’s childhood was marked by abuse, instability, and unanswered prayers. Despite growing up around church, she struggled to understand how a loving God could allow such pain, eventually turning away and identifying as an atheist. But her story didn’t end there. Through...
info_outlineWhat happens when your life changes overnight… and nothing goes according to plan?
In this episode of Why I Believe, I sit down with Kelly Melcher; wife, mom of two (with one on the way), and woman of faith, to share a story of unexpected diagnosis, shifting identity, and learning to trust God in the middle of uncertainty.
Shortly after getting engaged, Kelly lost her vision and was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, completely changing her day-to-day life and future plans.
From losing independence to navigating marriage, motherhood, and an invisible illness, Kelly had a choice:
Become bitter… or become better.
She chose faith.
We talk about:
- Living with an invisible illness and loss of control
- How her diagnosis strengthened, not weakened, her faith
- Navigating marriage through “for worse” before the wedding
- Trusting God when life doesn’t follow your plan
- Finding joy and gratitude in the middle of uncertainty
- Why perspective changes everything
Kelly’s story is a powerful reminder that even when life doesn’t go the way you expected…
It can still be good.
If you’re walking through something unexpected, difficult, or out of your control, this episode will meet you right where you are.
You can reach Kelly at kmelcher20@gmail.com
Want to share your story?
Michelle is currently accepting guest applications for Why I Believe.
👉 Apply here: https://www.michellevonruden.com/whyibelieve-apply
Ready to take the next step?
If you’re feeling called to grow deeper in your faith, identity, or purpose, Michelle would be honored to walk alongside you.
👉 Book a conversation: Book Your Discovery Call with Michelle Von Ruden
👉 Learn more about coaching: Von Ruden Coaching and Consulting LLC- INDIVIDUALS
Remember, you don’t have to be perfect to be called.
You don’t have to have it all figured out to say yes.
God will meet you right where you are.