Why I Believe
Why I Believe is a faith-centered podcast sharing real stories of transformation, modern miracles, and lived encounters with God. Through a blend of solo reflections and honest conversations with others whose lives have been changed, host Michelle Von Ruden creates a safe, welcoming space for curiosity, questions, and faith rediscovery. This podcast exists to bring people closer to God, whether you’re just beginning your journey, rebuilding after distance, or seeking to strengthen your relationship with Him. Rooted in Matthew 5:16, Why I Believe shines light through authentic stories so God may be glorified, and hearts may be drawn closer to Him.
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Jenni Bernal: When God Said "Everything Will Be Okay"
04/15/2026
Jenni Bernal: When God Said "Everything Will Be Okay"
What do you do when your entire world changes in a single moment? In this episode of Why I Believe, I sit down with Jenni Bernal; wife, mom, and woman of deep faith, to share a powerful story of trauma, resilience, and trusting God through the unknown. After a devastating bike accident left her husband with a spinal cord injury and the possibility of paralysis, Jenni found herself facing decisions, fear, and uncertainty she never could have prepared for. But in the middle of it all… she heard something she’ll never forget: “Everything will be okay.” That moment changed everything. We talk about: Navigating trauma and uncertainty as a family The power of faith when you don’t have answers How community shows up in your darkest moments Letting go of control and accepting help Finding gratitude, even in the hardest seasons What it means to truly trust God’s plan Jenni’s story is a reminder that even in life’s most difficult moments… God is present, people show up, and miracles still happen. If you’ve ever faced something you didn’t think you could handle, this episode will remind you that you’re stronger than you think… and you’re never alone. You can reach Jenni at 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: 👉 Learn more about coaching: 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.
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Aaron Libner: Start Somewhere
04/15/2026
Aaron Libner: Start Somewhere
What if faith doesn’t start with having all the answers… but simply taking the first step? In this episode of Why I Believe, I sit down with Aaron Libner; business leader, nonprofit president, husband, and father, to talk about what it really looks like to come back to faith and begin again. Aaron’s journey isn’t one of perfection, it’s one many of us can relate to. Growing up around faith but not fully living it… stepping away… and eventually finding his way back through family, community, and a desire to lead his daughter in a different direction. We talk about: Growing up in faith but not fully practicing it Walking away, and what led him back The impact of fatherhood on his faith journey Navigating fear and uncertainty during a premature birth Why consistency matters more than perfection How small steps, like prayer, devotionals, and community, can transform your life Aaron shares how faith became more than something he knew… and instead something he lives daily. His message is simple, but powerful: You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to start somewhere. If you’ve been feeling the pull to reconnect with your faith but don’t know where to begin, this episode is for you. You can reach Aaron at 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: 👉 Learn more about coaching: 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.
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Amanda Hietter: From Rock Bottom to Redemption
04/08/2026
Amanda Hietter: From Rock Bottom to Redemption
What if your lowest moment… is actually where your story begins? In this episode of Why I Believe, I sit down with Amanda Hietter, CEO, entrepreneur, and woman of faith; to share a powerful story of transformation, redemption, and purpose. Amanda’s journey wasn’t easy. From teen pregnancy and abusive relationships to addiction, jail, and hitting rock bottom, her life was marked by pain, broken identity, and searching for something to fill the void. Until everything changed. At her lowest point, with nothing left and nowhere to turn, Amanda cried out to God. And what followed wasn’t an overnight transformation, but a steady, powerful journey back to faith, healing, and purpose. We talk about: Struggling with identity and searching for worth in the wrong places Addiction, rock bottom, and the moment everything shifted What it truly means to surrender (not control) your life to God How small, daily steps rebuild your faith Why your story, no matter how messy, can be used for good Amanda’s story is raw, honest, and deeply hopeful. It’s a reminder that no matter how far you’ve gone… you are never too far for God to reach you. If you’ve ever felt lost, broken, or unworthy, this episode is for you. You can reach Amanda at 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: 👉 Learn more about coaching: 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.
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Denise Bender: Faith, Community, and Godwinks
04/08/2026
Denise Bender: Faith, Community, and Godwinks
What if the moments that slow you down… are actually protecting you? In this episode of Why I Believe, I sit down with Denise Bender, business owner, community leader, and woman of unwavering faith, to talk about how belief isn’t always built in big, dramatic moments… but in the steady, everyday ways God shows up. From a powerful childhood prayer that shaped her lifelong faith to witnessing what many would call a miracle, Denise shares how her relationship with God has evolved through every season of life. We also explore the idea of “Godwinks”; those moments where things don’t go as planned, only to realize later you were exactly where you needed to be. We talk about: A life-changing prayer and the faith that followed What it means to trust God, even when life doesn’t go as expected How to find the right faith community for you Why faith is less about perfection and more about consistency The small, everyday moments where God is quietly at work Denise’s story is a reminder that faith doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful. Sometimes, it’s found in a prayer… a delay… or a moment that simply doesn’t make sense, until it does. If you’ve ever wondered if God is really working behind the scenes in your life… this episode will open your eyes to the ways He already is. You can reach Denise at 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: 👉 Learn more about coaching: 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.
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Sarah Stokes: Feel Deeply, Love Deeply
04/01/2026
Sarah Stokes: Feel Deeply, Love Deeply
What if the key to living fully… is allowing yourself to feel deeply? In this episode of Why I Believe, I sit down with Sarah Stokes—former news anchor, business owner, wife, and mom—to talk about a faith that has evolved from “getting it right” to truly living it. Sarah shares how her relationship with God shifted from performative, gold-star faith to a deeply personal, ever-growing connection rooted in choice, curiosity, and presence. But this conversation goes even deeper. After surviving a serious car accident that could have changed everything, Sarah was faced with a powerful realization: life is fragile, time is a gift, and we are here for a reason. We talk about: The difference between performing faith and truly living it How nature can become a powerful place to connect with God Why choosing your person—and your faith—daily matters What it means to be spared… and how that changes you The importance of feeling grief so you can expand your capacity for joy Sarah’s perspective is raw, honest, and incredibly grounding. This isn’t about having a “perfect” faith—it’s about having a real one. If you’ve ever felt disconnected, overwhelmed, or unsure how to deepen your relationship with God—this episode will meet you right where you are. Feel deeply. Love deeply. Live fully. You can reach Sarah at 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: 👉 Learn more about coaching: 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.
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Todd Kuckkahn: From Drifting to Deep Faith
04/01/2026
Todd Kuckkahn: From Drifting to Deep Faith
What if faith isn’t built in one big moment… but in the small, consistent choices we make every day? In this episode of Why I Believe, I sit down with Todd Kuckkahn, CEO, leadership expert, and man of deep faith, to talk about his journey from drifting in his beliefs to building a life rooted in intentional faith. Todd shares how what felt like “chance” moments were actually divine nudges guiding him exactly where he needed to be; from meeting his wife to ultimately converting to Catholicism. His story is a powerful reminder that God often works through repetition, relationships, and quiet persistence, not just big, dramatic events. We also dive into: The difference between feeling lost and finding direction through faith How small, consistent actions build a strong spiritual foundation Why what you feed your mind shapes your life Everyday ways God shows up (even in the “little” things) What it truly means to live as a servant Todd’s perspective on faith is grounded, practical, and deeply relatable, especially if you’ve ever felt like something was missing but couldn’t quite name it. If you’re looking to strengthen your faith, build better habits, or simply become more intentional in your life, this conversation will meet you right where you are. Your story matters. And maybe today, this one helps you take your next step. You can reach Todd at 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: 👉 Learn more about coaching: 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.
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Sherri McLeroy: He Came Back Different… and It Changed Everything
04/01/2026
Sherri McLeroy: He Came Back Different… and It Changed Everything
What happens when the faith you grew up around… becomes a faith you choose for yourself? In this episode of Why I Believe, I sit down with Sherri McLeroy, educator, principal, author of Purposefully Made, and someone known as the “queen of fun” to talk about how her faith journey truly began. Sherri didn’t always see faith as something joyful. In fact, growing up in church, it often felt like obligation rather than relationship. But everything changed when she witnessed a transformation in someone close to her, her brother. What she saw wasn’t rules… it was real, and it was different. That moment sparked a journey that led her to choose faith for herself, and discover a God who brings joy, purpose, and even fun into everyday life. We also dive into: The difference between inheriting faith and choosing it How God shows up in life’s hardest seasons Real stories of provision that will leave you in awe Why joy is a powerful expression of faith How Sherri is helping the next generation discover their purpose If you’ve ever wrestled with your faith, questioned your purpose, or wondered if there’s more—this conversation is for you. Your story matters. And maybe today, this one is exactly what you needed to hear. Reach out to Sherri at . You can purchase your own copy of "Purposefully Made" at . 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: 👉 Learn more about coaching: 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.
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Welcome to the Why I Believe Podcast
04/01/2026
Welcome to the Why I Believe Podcast
If you’re listening to this, there’s a good chance you’re searching. Maybe your faith feels shaky. Maybe you’ve been chasing success, identity, or purpose, and still feel like something is missing. Or maybe you’re simply wondering where God fits into your life right now. Welcome to Why I Believe. This podcast was born out of obedience, not perfection. And it exists for one simple reason: to bring people closer to God. Each week, you’ll hear real, honest conversations about faith, identity, and the ways God shows up in everyday life. Through powerful guest interviews, and occasional role reversals where Michelle shares her own story, you’ll be reminded that you are not alone in your journey. This isn’t about having it all together. It’s about being willing to say yes. You can expect: Real stories of faith Encouragement for when your faith feels distant or uncertain Reminders that God is still working This podcast is for you if: You feel spiritually disconnected but want more You’ve questioned your faith, your identity, or your calling You want to hear real stories that strengthen your belief If this resonates with you: Follow and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode Share this podcast with someone who needs encouragement Leave a review to help others find these stories 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: 👉 Learn more about coaching: 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.
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