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...
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Marianne Callaghan: When God Answers in Real Time
Why I Believe
What if God is speaking… and we’re just not listening? In this episode of Why I Believe, I sit down with Marianne Callaghan; wife, mom, and Director of Faith Formation, to talk about what it really looks like to move from simply knowing your faith… to truly living it. Raised in the Catholic Church, Marianne always had faith, but it wasn’t until later in life, through marriage, motherhood, loss, and personal surrender, that her relationship with God became real and deeply personal. From struggling with infertility and loss to walking alongside families in their faith journeys, Marianne...
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Kelly Melcher: It Didn’t Happen as I Expected… But It’s Still Good
Why I Believe
What 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...
info_outlineWhat 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 persistent friendships, unexpected moments, and one pivotal encounter in a high school hallway, everything began to shift.
In a moment of surrender, Cherryann prayed, and what followed changed her life in ways she never expected.
The nightmares she carried for years… stopped.
The anger and desire for revenge… began to loosen its grip.
We talk about:
- Growing up in trauma and how it shaped her view of God
- Wrestling with anger, injustice, and unanswered prayers
- Walking away from faith, and what brought her back
- The moment she experienced freedom and healing
- What it looks like to choose forgiveness daily
- How prayer, scripture, and community sustain her faith
Cherryann’s story is raw, honest, and deeply powerful.
It’s a reminder that even when life doesn’t make sense…
even when healing feels out of reach…
God can meet you right where you are, and begin a work you didn’t even know to ask for.
If you’ve ever questioned your faith, felt angry at God, or struggled to understand your story, this episode will meet you there.
You can reach Cherryann at Cherryann Joseph - PhD Joseph | LinkedIn
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.