Episode 103 - Faith the Size of a Mustard Seed: Between Hope and Despair with Renee Rizzo Devore

Date: April 2, 2026

Podcast Show Notes: Interview with Renée Rizzo Devore

 

Story Highlights:

What does it look like to carry deep wounds into a life of profound purpose? In this meaningful and hope-filled episode of The Women Behind the Words, Deb sits down with Renée Rizzo Devore, counselor, chaplain, author, and lifelong advocate for the broken, for a conversation that is equal parts raw and redemptive.

Their connection through mutual friend Bud Zegel quickly gives way to a shared passion: helping people find real, lasting hope in the hardest places of life. Renée opens up about her journey from 18 years as CEO of Hope Clinic for Women to her current double master's program at Denver Seminary, and how her calling has always been about more than meeting physical needs. She creates sacred spaces where brokenness is met with compassion and where hope can finally take root.

Together, Deb and Renée explore how childhood pain can either hold us back or become a powerful part of our healing story. Renée introduces the concept of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and shares from her own trauma history, explaining how resilience and faith can transform deep wounds into genuine points of connection with others. Their conversation gently reminds us that while pain can shape us, it does not have to define us, and that true healing allows us to live as a reflection of the Gospel rather than feeling the need to defend it.

A standout moment in their discussion is the distinction between earthly hope and eternal hope. Renée beautifully articulates how true hope flows from God through Jesus and is sustained by the Holy Spirit, while also making room for something the church often overlooks: lament. Deb and Renée speak honestly about grief, reminding listeners that sorrow is not a sign of weak faith but an invitation to draw closer to God. In a world that rushes people past their pain, this conversation is a refreshing reminder that hope and lament can and should coexist.

The episode also dives into the challenge of waiting seasons and what it means to hold contentment and desire in the same open hand. Renée shares candidly from her own experience of waiting for marriage, encouraging listeners to remain active and engaged in life while trusting God with the outcome. Deb reflects on her own current season, including her upcoming book Lord, Take the Lead, and her continued trust in God's ability to bring clarity, peace, and purpose at every stage of life.

Renée speaks with refreshing honesty about fear and faith, reminding us that obstacles are not always a sign that something has gone wrong. Sometimes they are simply invitations to a deeper trust. She shares her personal journey of learning to stop guarding her own heart through people-pleasing and over-serving, and what it looked like to surrender that role to God. This shift becomes a powerful picture of what it truly means to trust Him in every area of life.

She also offers practical, grounded tools for cultivating hope in everyday life, drawing from her book All You Need Is a Mustard Seed: Between Hope and Despair. From worship and movement to journaling, healthy rhythms, and the power of saying no, Renée provides simple yet impactful strategies for staying rooted in faith. One of the most memorable insights she shares: every no is a future yes, a reminder that boundaries are not walls but acts of intentional, faithful living.

The episode closes with a conversation about navigating spiritual calling within marriage and the importance of unity, wisdom, and seeking wise counsel when needed. Renée offers a heartfelt word for anyone who has been hurt by the church, a gentle but firm encouragement to run toward God, not away from Him, and to trust Him to lead them to a safe and supportive community. This episode ends as a prayerful invitation to hope, to healing, and to renewed faith, leaving listeners seen, encouraged, and reminded that even in the hardest seasons, hope is always within reach.

 

About Our Guest:

Renée Rizzo Devore is a counselor, chaplain, coach, author, and speaker with a lifelong passion for helping broken people find hope.

She served for 18 years as CEO of Hope Clinic for Women before transitioning to finish a double master's degree at Denver Seminary in Biblical/Theological Studies and Pastoral Care/Counseling. She also serves as a part-time chaplain with Marketplace Chaplains and works as a fitness instructor and one-on-one coach, covering topics including trauma-informed care, boundaries, healthy relationships, caring for caregivers, and mission and strategy.

A sought-after speaker throughout her region, Renée addresses topics like unplanned pregnancy, the effects of abortion, co-dependency, worthiness, singleness, and hope. She holds a BS in Finance and Economics and is certified in Circle Group Facilitation, Stephen Ministry, Level I and II Murray Method, and Barre Fitness. She was named to Nashville's Business Journal Women of Influence list and was a finalist for the CEO of the Year Award from the Center for Nonprofit Management.

Renée was married for the first time in October 2025 at 57 years old, a beautiful testament to the very hope she writes and speaks about. Everything she does filters through her faith and the Lord's leading in her life.

 

Book Spotlight:

All You Need Is a Mustard Seed: Between Hope and Despair by Renée Rizzo Devore

Life is not made up of a single hard season. It is a series of them. And in each one, hope can feel just a little harder to hold onto.

In All You Need Is a Mustard Seed, Renée draws from Scripture, her own story, and years of walking alongside hurting people to offer a frank, vulnerable, and deeply practical guide to choosing hope no matter what life throws at you. This is not a book for one kind of struggle or one kind of person. It is for anyone whose hope has quietly started to wane, whether they are firmly planted in the church, sitting on the fringe, or somewhere in between.

Renée tackles the questions many of us are afraid to ask out loud:

• What is the difference between eternal hope and earthly hope?
• How do you hold onto hope when you are not happy?
• How do you keep believing when you have been waiting for what feels like forever?
• How do you face hope in the middle of obstacles, fear, and dead ends?
• How do you guard your heart when things are actually going well?

Weaving together Bible stories, personal experiences, and her own hope toolbox of practical strategies, Renée makes a compelling case that you do not need a mountain of faith to get through the hardest days. You just need a mustard seed.

 

Connect with Renée:

• Website: reneerizzo.coach
• Email: rizzo@reneerizzo.coach
• Book: All You Need is a Mustard Seed: Between Hope and Despair

 

Closing Thought:

Renée's life is proof that hope is not wishful thinking. It is a daily, deliberate choice. Her story reminds us that waiting is not wasted, that wounds can become wisdom, and that even the smallest seed of faith, planted in the right soil, can grow into something extraordinary. If your hope needs renewing today, this episode is for you.