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, photographer, youth leader, and woman of faith, to talk about identity, healing, and learning to see yourself the way God does.

Kiersten's journey began with bullying in middle school, feeling like she didn't fit in, and struggling to understand who she was. That struggle only deepened as she was later diagnosed with dyslexia and dysgraphia, making school even more challenging and leaving her questioning her intelligence and worth.

But that wasn't the end of her story.

Through faith, scripture, and learning to pray even for those who hurt her, Kiersten began to rebuild her identity, not based on what others said, but on what God says.

She also shares about experiencing church hurt, the pain of walking away from a place she once loved, and how God met her in that healing process in unexpected ways.

We talk about:

• Bullying and struggling to fit in
• Learning disabilities and redefining intelligence
• Praying for those who hurt you (even when it's hard)
• Navigating church hurt and finding healing
• The power of forgiveness and letting go
• How God uses even painful seasons for growth and purpose

Kiersten's story is a powerful reminder that your identity is not defined by your past, your pain, or other people's opinions.

It's defined by who God says you are.

If you've ever questioned your worth, struggled to belong, or needed healing from past hurt, this episode will speak directly to you.

You can reach Kiersten at Kiersten Schlough (Ziegler) | LinkedIn.

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
👉 Learn more about coaching: Von Ruden Coaching and Consulting LLC- INDIVIDUALS

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.

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, wife, mom, and grandmother, to share a powerful journey of faith that spans from childhood innocence to navigating unimaginable loss.

At just 12 years old, Ann prayed for a sign that her mother and unborn brother would be okay.
Her request?

Three icicles.

What happened next became a defining moment in her faith, but it wasn't until years later that she fully understood what God was teaching her about trust… and waiting.

But Ann's story doesn't stop there.

She also shares the heartbreaking loss of her 22-year-old son, and what it looks like to walk through deep grief while learning to trust and surrender to God daily.

We talk about:

• Childlike faith and the power of prayer
• Learning to trust God, even when the answer is "wait"
• Navigating grief after the loss of a child
• Letting go of control and surrendering daily
• How God carries us through what we never thought we could survive

Ann's story is both tender and powerful, a reminder that faith isn't built in one moment…

It's built over a lifetime of trusting, questioning, grieving, and choosing to believe anyway.

If you're in a season of waiting, loss, or learning to trust God more deeply, this episode will meet you right where you are.

You can reach Ann at Ann Bodie | LinkedIn.

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
👉 Learn more about coaching: Von Ruden Coaching and Consulting LLC- INDIVIDUALS

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.

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, speaker, business consultant, and single mother, to share a deeply personal story of loss, resilience, and faith through life's hardest seasons.

At just 29 years old, Jule became a widow overnight after her husband was killed in a car accident, leaving her to raise two young children on her own.

What followed wasn't immediate strength or clarity…
it was survival.

Hour by hour. Day by day.

Julie shares what it really looks like to walk through grief while still showing up for life, and how faith carried her, even when she didn't fully realize it at the time.

We talk about:

• Navigating loss while raising young children
• What survival mode really looks like (and why that's enough)
• Letting go of needing to have it all together
• How faith shows up, even when you don't feel strong
• The long journey from grief to healing… and eventually thriving

Julie's story is a powerful reminder that strength doesn't always look like confidence.

Sometimes…
strength is simply getting out of bed.

If you're walking through a hard season, feeling overwhelmed, or wondering how to keep going—this episode will meet you right where you are.

You don't have to have it all together.
You just have to take the next step.

You can reach Julie at Julie Raque | LinkedIn

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
👉 Learn more about coaching: Von Ruden Coaching and Consulting LLC- INDIVIDUALS

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.