Living Fearlessly Podcast

🎙️ Have a Little Faith

A conversation about surrender, strength, and trusting God in the unexpected.

Michelle Hillaert welcomes her friend Faith Buono for an honest and encouraging conversation about what it really means to have a little faith. Together, they explore how unexpected detours, seasons of self-doubt, and uncomfortable assignments can become the very places where God builds confidence and deepens trust.

Faith shares her journey from graduating at the University of Dallas with a clear plan in mind to being sent far outside her comfort zone to teach in the South Bronx. Through perseverance and intentional prayer, she discovered that fear isn’t the end of the story — it’s often where faith begins.

Key Takeaways

1. Find your strengths - Identify what you're naturally good at and lean into those gifts
2. Make appointments with God - Set a consistent daily prayer time
3. Practice the "inner room" - Visualize going to a sacred space to meet Jesus in silence
4. Trust the uncomfortable - God's plan may differ from yours, but trust the journey
5. Offer everything - Make God part of your entire day, not just prayer time
6. Ask big - Don't be afraid to bring your biggest needs to God

Episode Chapters1:06 - Introduction3:00 - Faith's Journey to Teaching 8:00 - The Bronx: Facing Fear & Building Confidence15:00 - Finding Silence & The Inner Room Prayer20:00 - Discovering Your Strengths25:00 - Making Appointments with God30:00 - Trusting God's Plan & Final Takeaways

About Faith

Faith is a native Texan, having graduated from the University of Dallas as a theology major. She is a former Seton Teaching Fellow, educator, coach, and now newlywed who is passionate about helping people discover their strengths and grow in confidence. Her journey from comfort to calling in the South Bronx shaped her prayer life, leadership, and trust in God's plan.

She believes that faithfulness in small things builds courage for the small ones - and that God always provides grace for where He sends you.

Connect with Faith Buono on Instagram at @faithbuono23

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🎙️ Shine Your Light This Lenten Season

A reflection on courage, vulnerability, and freedom in Lent

Michelle invites listeners into a heartfelt reflection on what it means to truly let your light shine — especially during the Lenten season. Drawing from Scripture and the wisdom of the saints, she explores how perfectionism, fear, and comparison often keep us hidden when God is calling us forward.

This episode reframes Lent not as a season of heaviness, but as a season of freedom. Michelle shares how small, faithful acts of kindness can transform lives, why vulnerability (lived wisely) is strength, and how answering God’s call rarely requires perfection — only willingness.

Listeners are encouraged to embrace intentional living this Lent and to remember that the world doesn’t need flawless light — it needs faithful light.

Key Takeaways

1. God calls the willing, not the qualified.
2. Perfectionism can quietly keep us from answering God’s call.
3. Even the smallest act of kindness can impact someone for a lifetime.
4. Vulnerability, when grounded in wisdom, becomes strength.
5. Lent is a season of freedom.
6. Detachment creates space for deeper joy and trust.
7. Letting your light shine begins with small, faithful steps.

Episode Chapters0:52 - Introduction: Letting Your Light Shine3:08 - Overcoming Perfectionism & Fear5:44 - The Power of Words & Vulnerability9:56 - Surrender & Trust in God15:42 - Preparing for Lent19:06 - Your Lenten ChallengeScripture References

1. Matthew 5:14-16 – "You are the light of the world. A city on a mountain cannot be hidden..."
2. Psalm 51 – "The bones you have broken may rejoice"
3. Psalm 27:1 – "The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear?"

Quotes to Remember

1. "Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire." – St. Catherine of Siena
2. "Go out and preach, and if you have to, use words." – St. Francis of Assisi

Lenten Challenge

This Lent, commit to one intentional act of kindness, service, or sacrifice each day. Create a "Good Deeds Tree" with your family—add a paper flower for each good deed, and watch it bloom by Easter.

Resources Mentioned

1. Brené Brown – The Power of Vulnerability and Rising Strong
2. Previous episode with Dr. Sherri Yoder on the power of words

Some links in these show notes are affiliate links.This means a small commission may be earned at no extra cost to you.

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🎙️ Introducing The Sanity Closet

A candid conversation with 8 out of 10 sisters (and yes - they're all biological).

Episode Description

Ten sisters come together to share their powerful stories of faith, struggle, and the transformative power of sisterhood. From the oldest at 22 years apart from the youngest, these women have walked through divorce, loss, single motherhood, health crises, and deep valleys—yet found strength in supporting each other and growing closer to Christ.

8 out of 10 Sisters on this call - Oldest to Youngest

1. Dolly
2. Marianne
3. Eileen
4. Theresa
5. Michelle
6. Jenny
7. Rachael
8. Debbie

Chapters0:00 - Introduction & The Birth of the Sanity Closet5:51 - Meet the Sisters: Dolly (Oldest)10:28 - Maryanne: Learning to Let Go of Control14:06 - Eileen: Jesus with Skin On18:51 - Theresa: Finding Love After Letting Jesus Lead22:30 - Michelle: The Podcast Host's Journey26:06 - Jenny: Still Waters Run Deep35:30 - Rachel: The Healing Balm of Sisterhood42:00 - Debbie: The Baby Sister with 10 Moms54:33 - The Holy Spirit Revival & Daily Calls59:28 - Moses' Arms: Supporting Each Other in Battle64:53 - Closing Prayer & Call to Let Your Light Shine
Key Themes

✨ Surrender & Trust: Learning to trust God through loss, heartbreak, and valleys

💪 Mutual Support: Being the hands that lift each other's arms when we can't raise them ourselves

🕊️ Healing Balm: How sisters became a healing presence for each other's wounds

🔥 Holy Spirit Power: Leaning into the power of the Holy Spirit

💡 Living Fearlessly: Letting your light shine by being vulnerable and authentic

Memorable Quotes

"Sometimes you just need Jesus with skin on."

"The Lord had a rope around me and he would never let go... I certainly tested just how long that rope was."

"My best friends are my sisters. These women have held me up, picked me up, dusted me off, and set me straight."

"When we support each other to raise our arms when we just can't—that's why we are here."

"One smile, one kind word, one little act of vulnerability could be transformative."

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🎙️ Living Fearlessly, One Thought at a Time

A heartfelt conversation with psychologist Dr. Sherri Yoder

Michelle Hillaert welcomes Dr. Sherri Yoder, a psychologist who transformed her own life by embracing faith and personal growth. Together, they discuss the importance of self-honesty, the power of words, and the 7 Truths to Think By - guiding principles that support mental health and emotional well-being.

Dr. Sherri shares her journey of overcoming fear and doubt, emphasizing the significance of community support and the possibility of change. The episode encourages listeners to reflect on their own lives and consider how they can take steps toward living a more fulfilling and fearless life.

Key Takeaways

1. Community is essential for personal growth and healing.
2. Self-honesty is crucial for transformation and overcoming fear.
3. Words have power and can shape our reality.
4. Living fearlessly happens one thought at a time.
5. Personal growth is an ongoing journey that requires effort.
6. Faith provides hope, purpose, and guidance in difficult times.
7. The 7 Truths to Think By offer a practical framework for mental health.
8. Possibility exists in every situation, no matter how bleak it seems.
9. Investing in mental health is as important as investing in physical health.

Episode Chapters0:00 - Introduction & Friendship Story7:30 - Sherri's Transformation: From Self-Made Life to Surrender24:00 - God's Provision Lessons31:30 - Introducing The 7 Truths To Think By38:30 - Two Key Truths: Self-Honesty & Words Have Power59:00 - Course Info & Final Takeaway
About Dr. Sherri Yoder

Dr. Sherri left her post as a Clinical Psychologist to serve as Founder and Executive Director of Thriving Thoughts Global. She strives to shift cultural narratives about mental health from reactive, treatment-driven and stigma-perpetuating messages to education and conversation that prioritize proactive mental health care and mental ill-health prevention.

Dr. Sherri believes that mental health is a verb, not something that some people have and some people don't; rather, mental health can be practiced. She's on a mission to teach people how.

Connect with Dr. Sherri and TTG:

1. Dr. Sherri - Instagram, Facebook & YouTube: @dr.sherrispeaks
2. TTG - instagram & Facebook: @thrivingthoughtsglobal
3. Thriving Thoughts Global website: https://thrivingthoughtsglobal.org/
4. 7 Truths to Think By Online Course: https://thriving-thoughts-global.mykajabi.com/7-truths-to-think-by-course

Use code MICHELLE to receive 10% off.50% of the cost of each full-price course helps sponsor someone who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford it.Additional Resources

1. Breakup Breakthroughs: Asking and Answering the Hard Questions So You Can Thrive in the Trauma of a Relationship Breakup by Dr. Sherri Yoder

Some links in these show notes are affiliate links, including Amazon links. This means a small commission may be earned at no extra cost to you.

Stay Connected with Living Fearlessly

🎧 New episodes released weekly.

➕ Subscribe, follow, and share with someone who needs encouragement.

✉️ Contact the Living Fearlessly Podcast at [email protected].

Welcome to the first episode of Living Fearlessly with Michelle Hillaert.

In this opening episode, Michelle shares the heart behind the podcast and the journey that led her here. Fear shows up in many forms—quietly shaping decisions, limiting growth, and keeping us from fully stepping into who we’re called to be. Living Fearlessly is about learning how to face fear, grow through it, and choose faith, resilience, and trust instead.

Rooted in the truth that God is love, this episode sets the foundation for honest conversations, meaningful stories, and encouragement to live courageously. It’s an invitation to stop hiding, let your light shine, and step into the arena—imperfectly, faithfully, and with purpose.

This episode introduces what’s ahead and why living fearlessly matters—not because fear disappears, but because we learn how to overcome it.

In this episode:

1. Why Living Fearlessly exists
2. How fear quietly shapes our lives
3. Choosing faith, resilience, and trust
4. An invitation to live boldly and let your light shine

“God is love.” — 1 John 4:16"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear" — 1 John 4:18“You are the light of the world.” — Matthew 5:14

🎧 New episodes released weekly.

📩 Subscribe, follow, and share with someone who needs encouragement.

Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in these show notes are affiliate links, including Amazon links. This means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

"The Interior Castle" by St. Teresa of Avila - https://livingfearlessly.captivate.fm/interiorcastle

"The Dialogue of St. Catherine Of Siena" - https://livingfearlessly.captivate.fm/thedialogue