Jayne O'Hara: I Prayed While Holding a Beer

Erin 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 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 the outside, everything looked successful. But on the inside… things were falling apart. At 46, after hitting a breaking point, a mentor spoke truth that changed everything: "You don't know who you are… or whose you are." That moment led Erin to surrender her life to Christ—and everything began to shift. We talk about: * The difference between knowing about God and having a relationship with Him * Walking away from hustle, striving, and performance-based identity * Breaking free from new age beliefs and stepping into truth * Financial struggle, pride, and what true stewardship looks like * How faith transformed her marriage, motherhood, and business * Learning to trust God's provision—even when it doesn't look how you expect Erin's story is powerful, honest, and deeply relevant for anyone who has ever chased success… only to realize it wasn't enough. It's a reminder that your identity isn't found in what you achieve… It's found in who you belong to. If you've been striving, hustling, or searching for something more—this episode will meet you right where you are. You can reach Erin at Erin Harrigan | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinharrigan/] 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 [https://calendar.vonrudencc.com/discovery-call] 👉 Learn more about coaching: Von Ruden Coaching and Consulting LLC- INDIVIDUALS [https://vonrudencc.com/individual-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.

Faithful 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 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 Reflection Question: Where in your life do you need Christ's light right now? Thank you for joining me for Faithful Friday. As you go into your week, ask yourself: Where do you see God showing up in your life? 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 [https://calendar.vonrudencc.com/discovery-call] 👉 Learn more about coaching: Von Ruden Coaching and Consulting LLC- INDIVIDUALS [https://vonrudencc.com/individual-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.

Michelle 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 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 taken my life… I've always had the same question: Why am I still here? We talk about: * Growing up without a strong faith foundation, and finding it through community * Walking through seasons of partying, searching, and trying to "fill the gap" * The life-threatening heart condition that shaped my perspective from the start * Moments where I know God intervened and protected me * A defining burnout moment that could have ended everything * The shift from achievement-driven identity to purpose-driven living * The moment God called me to start this podcast, and why I said yes This conversation is raw, honest, and deeply personal. It's a reminder that sometimes your story doesn't make sense while you're living it… but every moment is shaping something bigger than you can see. If you've ever wondered: * Why am I here? * Is there more to my story? * What is God calling me to do? This episode will meet you right where you are. You can reach me, Michelle Von Ruden at Michelle Von Ruden, MBA | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellervonruden/] 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 [https://calendar.vonrudencc.com/discovery-call] 👉 Learn more about coaching: Von Ruden Coaching and Consulting LLC- INDIVIDUALS [https://vonrudencc.com/individual-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.

Jill 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 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 deeper journey, not just believing in God, but actually living it out. We talk about: * The difference between saying you believe… and living like you do * Letting go of striving, pressure, and external validation * Learning how to truly build a relationship with God * The "keystone habit" that changed everything * How faith transforms leadership, family, and daily life * Trusting God, even when you don't have the full plan Jill also shares powerful "God moments" that guided her to step away from corporate life and into her calling; bringing faith into business and leadership. Her message is clear: Belief isn't just something you think… it's something you live. If you've been feeling the pressure to do more, be more, or prove more, this episode will challenge you to pause, surrender, and realign your life with what truly matters. You can reach Jill at Jill M. Cirillo | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-m-cirillo-1705478/] 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 [https://calendar.vonrudencc.com/discovery-call] 👉 Learn more about coaching: Von Ruden Coaching and Consulting LLC- INDIVIDUALS [https://vonrudencc.com/individual-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.

Jayne 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 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 down and never picked it up again. But that was just the beginning. We talk about: * Breaking free from generational addiction * The difference between instant deliverance and long-term healing * Learning to process emotions without old coping mechanisms * Parenting through challenges, including raising children with special needs * A powerful moment of breakthrough and transformation in her daughter's life * What it really looks like to trust God, even when it's uncomfortable Jayne's story is both bold and deeply hopeful. It's a reminder that God doesn't wait for you to have it all together… He meets you exactly where you are. And sometimes, freedom starts with a single, honest prayer. If you've ever felt stuck in patterns you can't break, questioned if change is possible, or wondered if God could really meet you where you are—this episode will speak directly to you. You can reach Jayne via email at empowercoaching2025@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 [https://calendar.vonrudencc.com/discovery-call] 👉 Learn more about coaching: Von Ruden Coaching and Consulting LLC- INDIVIDUALS [https://vonrudencc.com/individual-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.