Bob “BZ” Fabien Zinga: My Name Is Faith, My Name Is Hope
Why I Believe
Bob “BZ” Fabien Zinga: My Name Is Faith, My Name Is Hope What if the name you were given at birth became the testimony you would live out for the rest of your life? In this episode of Why I Believe, Michelle Von Ruden sits down with Bob “BZ” Fabien Zinga; Navy veteran, pastor, cybersecurity leader, coach, husband, father, and man whose story has been shaped by faith from the very beginning. Born in the Republic of the Congo, Bob was a desperately sick child. His older brother had died young, and Bob's mother feared she might lose another son. Doctors couldn't explain what was wrong,...
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Faithful Friday #12: Abide in Me
Why I Believe
Welcome to Faithful Friday. This week, we're reflecting on John 15:1-5, where Jesus says: "I am the vine; you are the branches." Branches don't struggle to produce fruit—they simply stay connected to the vine. The same is true for us. When we remain connected to Christ through prayer, Scripture, worship, and obedience, He produces fruit in our lives. When we drift away, we often find ourselves striving, exhausted, and spiritually dry. As you listen, consider this reflection question: What is helping you stay connected to Christ, and what may be pulling you away from Him? After the Scripture...
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Kelly Stiles: From Perfection to Grace
Why I Believe
What if you stopped trying to prove you were good enough, and learned to rest in God's grace instead? In this episode of Why I Believe, Michelle Von Ruden sits down with Kelly Stiles, wife, mother, ministry leader, and seminary student, for an honest conversation about trauma, identity, surrender, perfection, and discovering who God created you to be. As a teenager, Kelly made a decision: she would not become a statistic. She wasn't going to allow the trauma and instability of her past to determine her future. So she pushed. She achieved. She worked hard to stay on the "right" side of the...
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Faithful Friday #11: The Peace Jesus Gives
Why I Believe
Welcome to Faithful Friday. This week, we're reflecting on one powerful verse from John 14:27: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you." Jesus doesn't promise us a life without uncertainty, fear, or difficult circumstances. Instead, He offers us something the world cannot give, a peace that isn't dependent on everything around us going according to plan. What are you carrying today that Jesus is asking you to place in His hands? As you listen, consider this reflection question: What worry, fear, or burden do you need to surrender to Jesus today? After the Scripture reading, you'll have...
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Kurt Luidhardt: God Is a 4th Quarter Comeback
Why I Believe
What happens when your plan… doesn’t go the way you expected? In this episode of Why I Believe, I sit down with Kurt Luidhardt, entrepreneur, business owner, husband, and father, to talk about success, identity, and learning to trust God with the outcome. Kurt grew up with a strong foundation of faith. But like many high achievers, he spent years chasing goals, building a business, and trying to control the outcome. And when things didn’t go according to plan… Frustration followed. Missed opportunities. Business struggles. Plans falling apart. But looking back, Kurt can now see...
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Faithful Friday #10: The Way, the Truth, and the Life
Why I Believe
Welcome to Faithful Friday. This week, we're reflecting on John 14:1-7, where Jesus offers comfort to His disciples with these words: "Let not your hearts be troubled." He reminds them, and us, that even when the future feels uncertain, we can trust Him. Jesus doesn't simply show us the way; He is the Way. He is the Truth. He is the Life. How often do we try to control the outcome instead of trusting the One who already knows the destination? As you listen, consider this reflection question: What situation are you trying to control instead of trusting God to lead? After the Scripture reading,...
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Maureen Silveyra: Do You Know Jesus
Why I Believe
What would you do… if your life was in danger and you had nowhere to turn? In this episode of Why I Believe, I sit down with Maureen Silveyra, author, speaker, and faith leader, to share a story of fear, faith, and a moment that changed everything. While walking alone on a quiet college campus… Maureen was attacked. No warning. No escape. No control. Beaten, disoriented, and tied up… she realized she might not survive. And in that moment… She prayed. A simple prayer: “God, help me.” What happened next was something she never expected. A thought came to her mind—clear, calm, and...
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Faithful Friday #9: Love One Another
Why I Believe
Welcome to Faithful Friday. This week, we're reflecting on John 13:34-35, where Jesus gives His disciples a new commandment: "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." Jesus doesn't simply ask us to love those who are easy to love. He calls us to love others with the same grace, compassion, and selflessness He has shown us. Our love is one of the clearest ways the world sees Christ through us. As you listen, consider this reflection question: Who is God calling me to love more intentionally this week, especially someone who may be difficult to love? After the...
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Will Robbins: Christ Is My Caddy
Why I Believe
What would you do if your life changed in an instant? In this episode of Why I Believe, I sit down with Will Robbins, golf coach, entrepreneur, and man of faith, to share a story of survival, surrender, and transformation. In 2004, on the final day of his honeymoon in Thailand, Will and his wife were caught in the devastating tsunami that claimed over 200,000 lives. With no warning… Everything changed. Swept underwater. Separated. Certain he was about to die. But somehow… he survived. And so did his wife. That moment should have changed everything. But like many of us… he tried to take...
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Faithful Friday #8: Resurrection and Life
Why I Believe
Welcome to Faithful Friday. This week, we're reflecting on John 11:25-26, where Jesus makes one of His most powerful declarations: "I am the resurrection and the life." These words were spoken to Martha in the midst of grief, disappointment, and loss. They serve as a reminder that Jesus brings hope into our darkest moments and new life into places that seem beyond repair. Sometimes we find ourselves facing situations that feel hopeless, a broken relationship, a lost dream, a season of burnout, uncertainty, fear, or pain. Yet Jesus invites us to trust that He is still at work, bringing life...
info_outlineWhat if your story doesn’t have one defining moment…
but a lifetime of quiet, consistent faith?
In this episode of Why I Believe, I sit down with Elzie Flendard, podcaster, entrepreneur, husband, father, and man of faith, to talk about what it looks like to walk with God through every season of life.
Elzie’s story isn’t built around a single dramatic turning point.
Instead, it’s a series of moments, big and small, where he’s seen God’s hand guiding him, providing for him, and carrying him through.
From growing up without his father…
to building a life and family at a young age…
to navigating financial hardship, health scares, and uncertainty…
One belief has stayed constant:
Things don’t happen to him… they happen for him.
We talk about:
- Seeing God’s hand in everyday life, not just major moments
- Faith without a dramatic “rock bottom” story
- Trusting God through financial struggles and uncertainty
- A powerful moment of provision when everything felt impossible
- A life-threatening health scare and divine intervention
- Why perseverance matters more than perfection
Elzie’s perspective is simple, but powerful:
Life won’t always make sense.
It won’t always be easy.
But if you keep going…
God is there in every step.
If you’ve ever wondered if your story is “enough” or struggled to see God in the ordinary—this episode will shift your perspective.
You can reach Elzie Flenard III at Elzie Flenard III | 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.