Shows / Why I Believe
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…
Episodes
Why I BelieveCathy Kahl: I Found God in AA
Cathy Kahl was searching for God. She didn't expect to find Him in an AA meeting. In the third of four special Why I Believe conversations recorded LIVE at…
Why I BelieveFaithful Friday S2E7: Where Is Your Heart Investing Its Treasure?
What are you investing your heart in? In Matthew 6:19–24, Jesus challenges us not to store up treasures on earth, but to focus on treasures in heaven. Because…
Why I BelieveWayne Price: Stop Talking at God
Are you talking to God—or are you talking at Him? For years, Wayne Price wanted to hear God's voice. After watching his wife experience a profound change in…
Why I BelieveFaithful Friday S2E6: Are You Living the Prayer You Pray?
We know the words. But are we living them? In Matthew 6:8–13, Jesus gives us the words of the Lord's Prayer. Your will be done. Give us this day our daily…
Why I BelieveLisa Andreas: I Chose to Heal
You can believe in God your entire life and still reach a point when you have to choose what that relationship is really going to look like. Recorded LIVE at…
Why I BelieveFaithful Friday S2E5: God's Approval or People's Applause?
Who are you trying to impress? In Matthew 6:1–4, Jesus challenges us to look beyond what we do and examine why we do it. Are we giving, serving, and doing good…
Why I BelieveDr. Michael Baglino: When God Has to Shout
Sometimes God speaks quietly. And sometimes He has to get our attention. Dr. Michael Baglino calls those moments "spiritual lightning." Michael grew up…
Why I BelieveFaithful Friday S2E4: Who Is God Asking You to Love?
Jesus tells us to love our neighbors. That part can feel easy. But then He goes further: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. In this week's…
Why I BelieveJeff Achen: Let God Surprise You
What happens when you don't understand what God is doing, but choose to trust Him anyway? Jeff Achen has lived a lot of life. Raised Catholic, Jeff joined the…
Why I BelieveFaithful Friday S2E3: How Can You Reflect Christ's Light?
"You are the light of the world." — Matthew 5:14 In this week's Faithful Friday, we continue our journey through the Gospel of Matthew with Matthew 5:13–16 —…
Why I BelievePhilippa Channer: God Is the CEO
What if God isn't simply part of your business; what if He's the CEO? Philippa Channer is a wife, mom of three, business owner, and marketing strategist who…
Why I BelieveFaithful Friday S2E2: Which Beatitude Is God Calling You to Live?
In this week's Faithful Friday, we continue our journey through the Gospel of Matthew with Matthew 5:1–12 — The Beatitudes. Blessed are the poor in spirit…
Why I BelieveBecca Parrish: I Saved Jesus a Seat at the Table
⚠️ Content Note: This episode includes discussion of eating disorders, anorexia, restrictive eating, compulsive exercise, and recovery. Please listen with…
Why I BelieveFaithful Friday – Season 2, Episode 1: Follow Me
Welcome to Season 2 of Faithful Friday! Last season, we journeyed through the Gospel of John, discovering who Jesus is. This season, we're walking through the…
Why I BelieveLiz Berry: Just Call Out to Jesus
What happens to your faith when some of the people who hurt you are people of faith? For Liz Berry, the answer wasn't walking away from God. It was running…
Why I BelieveKevin Kahl: Three Weeks to Live
Three weeks to live. That's what Kevin Kahl says he was told after years of battling cancer. He was a nonbeliever. He had never read the Bible. He didn't go to…
Why I BelieveFaithful Friday #16: From Doubt to Belief
Welcome to Faithful Friday. This week, we're reflecting on John 20:24–29, where Jesus meets Thomas in the middle of his doubts. Thomas wanted proof before he…
Why I BelieveNatasha Bryn: When the Waters Rise, He Is With You
What happens when you watch the water rise inside your home, and there's nothing you can do to stop it? In March 2019, Natasha Bryn and her family were getting…
Why I BelieveFaithful Friday #15: Built to Be One
Welcome to Faithful Friday. This week, we're reflecting on John 17:20–23, where Jesus prays not only for His disciples, but for all who would believe in Him…
Why I BelieveDarren LaCroix: When Failure Becomes Your Calling
What if the thing you're failing at today is somehow connected to where God is taking you tomorrow? Darren LaCroix knows something about failure. Long before…
Why I BelieveFaithful Friday #14: Take Courage
Welcome to Faithful Friday. This week, we're reflecting on one of the most hope-filled promises Jesus gives us in John 16:33: "In the world you will have…
Why I BelievePhilippa Channer: When God Says, "Trust Me"
What do you do when you've prayed for an answer, but God's answer doesn't look anything like you expected? In this episode of Why I Believe, Michelle Von Ruden…
Why I BelieveFaithful Friday #13: Abide in My Love
Welcome to Faithful Friday. This week, we're reflecting on John 15:9-12, where Jesus invites us to remain in His love. "As the Father has loved me, so have I…
Why I BelieveBob "BZ" Fabien Zinga: My Name Is Faith, My Name Is Hope
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…
Why I BelieveFaithful Friday #12: Abide in Me
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…
Why I BelieveKelly Stiles: From Perfection to Grace
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…
Why I BelieveFaithful Friday #11: The Peace Jesus Gives
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…
Why I BelieveKurt Luidhardt: God Is a 4th Quarter Comeback
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…
Why I BelieveFaithful Friday #10: The Way, the Truth, and the Life
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…
Why I BelieveMaureen Silveyra: Do You Know Jesus
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…
Why I BelieveFaithful Friday #9: Love One Another
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…
Why I BelieveWill Robbins: Christ Is My Caddy
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…
Why I BelieveFaithful Friday #8: Resurrection and Life
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…
Why I BelieveKaren Robinson: Trusting God Through It All
What does it really look like to trust God… through every season of life? In this episode of Why I Believe, I sit down with Karen Robinson to talk about faith…
Why I BelieveFaithful Friday #7: The Good Shepherd
Welcome to Faithful Friday. This week, we're reflecting on John 10:11-18, where Jesus declares, "I am the Good Shepherd." In a world filled with distractions…
Why I BelieveYannick Hicks: From Cameroon to Calling
What does it look like to build your life on faith… in the middle of constant change? In this episode of Why I Believe, I sit down with Yannick Hicks, man of…
Why I BelieveFaithful Friday #6: Walking in the Light
Welcome to Faithful Friday. This week, we're reflecting on John 8:12-20, where Jesus boldly declares: "I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not…
Why I BelieveElzie Flendard: Things Happen For Me, Not To Me
What 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…
Why I BelieveFaithful Friday #5: The Bread of Life
Welcome to Faithful Friday. This week, we're reflecting on John 6:35-40, where Jesus declares, "I am the bread of life." In a world filled with distractions…
Why I BelieveLia Allen: The Moment I Almost Gave Up
What if your life changed… in a single moment you almost didn't survive? In this episode of Why I Believe, I sit down with Lia Allen, relationship marketing…
Why I BelieveFaithful Friday #4: Living Water
Welcome to Faithful Friday. This week, we're reflecting on John 4:7-15, where Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well and offers her something far greater…
Why I BelieveElaine Lankford: From Rock Bottom to Purpose
What do you do when everything you've built… disappears overnight? In this episode of Why I Believe, I sit down with Elaine Lankford, Christian entrepreneur…
Why I BelieveFaithful Friday #3: Bringing the Ordinary to God
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…
Why I BelieveDr. Gabriel Warren: You're Never Too Far Gone
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…
Why I BelieveFaithful Friday #2: Come and See
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…
Why I BelieveErin Harrigan: From Hustle to Surrender
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…
Why I BelieveFaithful Friday #1: Jesus Is the Light
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…
Why I BelieveMichelle Von Ruden: Still Here for a Reason
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…
Why I BelieveJill Cirillo: From Striving to Surrender
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…
Why I BelieveJayne O'Hara: I Prayed While Holding a Beer
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…
Why I BelieveBecky Plautz: Identity Rooted in Christ
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…
Why I BelieveCherryann Joseph: From Trauma to Transformation
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…
Why I BelieveMarianne Callaghan: When God Answers in Real Time
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…
Why I BelieveKelly Melcher: It Didn't Happen as I Expected… But It's Still Good
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…
Why I BelieveKiersten Schlough: This Is Not Who God Says I Am
What if the things people said about you… were never true to begin with? In this episode of Why I Believe, I sit down with Kiersten Schlough; designer…
Why I BelieveAnn Bodie: The Prayer for Three Icicles
What if a simple childhood prayer… became the foundation for a lifetime of faith? In this episode of Why I Believe, I sit down with Ann Bodie; retired nurse…
Why I BelieveJulie Raque: From Survival to Strength
What do you do when your life changes in a single moment… and everything you planned is gone? In this episode of Why I Believe, I sit down with Julie Raque…
Why I BelieveHeather Black: Go Get the Pigeon
What if God asked you to do something that made absolutely no sense? Would you do it? In this episode of Why I Believe, I sit down with Heather Black—speaker…
Why I BelieveJenni 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…
Why I BelieveAaron 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…