Faith Based versus Secular Speaking: How to Choose your Best Audience

Host Jennspingo coaches speaker and burnout strategist Michelle Von Ruden on how to navigate speaking in both Christian and secular contexts without limiting opportunities.

Michelle worries meeting planners may avoid her if they see faith-based content, especially as she rebrands her website and grows her faith-focused podcast, Why I Believe.

They clarify that her core burnout talk stays the same while stories and references shift by audience, and note she has no evidence yet of lost bookings—only advice from experienced speakers.

Jenn highlights that faith is central to Michelle’s values and identity and can’t be fully separated, encourages evaluating advice through values and outcomes, and discusses choosing audiences intentionally due to limited capacity.

Michelle decides she wants a 50/50 mix of faith-based and secular engagements, prioritizes authenticity, and shares her themed weekly schedule for managing multiple business demands.

About Michelle:

Michelle Von Ruden is a speaker, burnout strategist, and host of the Why I Believe podcast. She helps high-achievers overcome burnout, perfectionism, and overwhelm so they can lead with greater resilience, clarity, and purpose.

Author of “3 Ways to Develop Your Resilience”, Michelle’s insights have been featured in Volume One – Women in Leadership 2024, the Maxwell Leadership Blog, and podcasts such as LeaderPass and Coachful Coaching. She holds a BS in Finance from Capella University and an MBA in Management & Leadership from the University of Kansas.

With more than 20 years of leadership, operations, finance, and entrepreneurial experience, Michelle combines practical strategies with real-world wisdom. She is a certified Maxwell Leadership Coach, Speaker, and Trainer, a DISC Behavioral Analysis Consultant, and a respected leader within Maxwell Leadership, Polka Dot Powerhouse, and One Woman.

Michelle has inspired audiences across the U.S. and Canada through keynotes, workshops, and leadership development programs.

Connect with Michelle:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellervonruden/

https://vonrudencc.com/speaking

00:00 Welcome and Introductions

00:26 The Faith and Speaking Dilemma

03:14 Customizing Stories for Audiences

04:36 Fear of Meeting Planner Pushback

05:40 Website and Branding Decisions

09:02 Filtering Advice Through Values

11:49 Faith as Core Identity

13:23 MVR Rebrand and Future Site Plan

15:03 Can You Mix Both Worlds

15:36 Defining Proof Points

16:36 Who You Serve Most

19:24 Choosing Faith or Secular

20:05 Owning Your Identity

21:39 Unmasking and Cancer Story

23:52 Money Values and Mix

25:46 How Top Speakers Scale

27:34 Weekly Focus System

28:16 Mic Drop and Connect

Have a question or suggestion for a future episode topic? Email me jenn@jennspingo.com.

Ready to deliver mic drop moments in your next presentation? Schedule a call to learn more about coaching www.calendly.com/jennchat

Looking to book a speaker for your corporate or association event on topics including leadership and communication? View my programs at www.jennspingo.com