Why I Believe

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.

Becky 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 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 about: * The difference between knowing about faith and choosing it for yourself * Letting go of external validation and redefining identity from the inside out * Returning to God after years of feeling disconnected * How faith shows up in everyday life, not just in big moments * Leading your family with intention and anchoring your children in truth * The power of consistency over perfection in your faith journey Becky's story is a reminder that faith doesn't always come through dramatic moments. Sometimes… it's built in the quiet, daily decisions to trust, grow, and align your life with God's purpose. If you've ever felt disconnected, questioned your identity, or are learning to live your faith more intentionally—this episode will meet you right where you are. You can reach Becky at Becky Plautz ♡ Your Connection Strategist | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/beseenwithbecky/] 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.

Cherryann 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, 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 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherryannjoseph/] 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.

Marianne 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 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 shares how God has shown up in both the hardest and most beautiful moments of her life. And then… there's the moment she can't explain away. While in prayer, Marianne asked God (through the Blessed Mother) to bring peace to her son. That same night, without knowing her prayer, her son experienced that exact message. We talk about: * The difference between knowing faith and owning it * How suffering can deepen, not weaken, your relationship with God * The power of prayer and learning to truly listen * Why community is essential in your faith journey * Practical ways to begin building a relationship with God * How God still speaks… if we're willing to hear Him Marianne's story is a powerful reminder that faith isn't just something you inherit… It's something you choose, grow into, and live out daily. If you've ever wondered how to hear God's voice, where to start, or how to deepen your faith, this episode will meet you right where you are. You can reach Marianne at mcallaghan@smsrcatholic.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.