Episode 101 - Keeping it Real with Amarelee Quintanilla

Date: March 5, 2026 Podcast Show Notes: Interview with Amarelee Quintanilla   Story Highlights: In this honest and deeply thought provoking episode of The Women Behind the Words, Debbie Dufek welcomes author and journalist Amarelee Quintanilla for a meaningful conversation about a topic many believers quietly wrestle with but rarely discuss openly: hypocrisy within the Christian life. Raised in a strict Christian denomination that placed strong emphasis on moral living and adherence to the Ten Commandments, Amarelee grew up with a clear understanding of right and wrong. Yet beneath that structure, she began to wrestle with deeper questions about grace, mercy, and the difference between outward obedience and true heart transformation. After experiencing disappointment and spiritual hurt within the church, Amarelee found herself questioning whether she even wanted to remain part of the Christian community. The gap between what people professed and how they lived created deep disillusionment. For a time, it nearly led her to walk away from faith altogether. But God was not finished with her story. Through a season of conviction and reflection, the Lord began revealing something unexpected. While hypocrisy around her had been painful, He also began exposing hidden pride, fear of people’s opinions, and a subtle focus on appearing righteous rather than being transformed from the inside out. That painful but freeing process ultimately became the foundation for Amarelee’s devotional book, Keeping It Real: Daily Devotions for Those Tired of Pretending. Writing became a pathway to healing, honesty, and deeper spiritual growth. Together, Debbie and Amarelee explore how writing, prayer, and self examination can become powerful tools for spiritual and emotional restoration when guided by the Holy Spirit. They also discuss why hypocrisy can be especially damaging to those outside the church, particularly young people and seekers who may reject Christianity not because of Christ, but because of the behavior they see in believers. Amarelee offers an encouraging reminder that while none of us will be completely free from hypocrisy this side of heaven, we can become more aware of it, more honest about it, and quicker to repent when God reveals it in our hearts. Her message is both simple and powerful: when God convicts us, it is not condemnation. It is an invitation to healing. Through humility, honesty, and a deep love for Jesus, we can continue removing the hidden weeds in our hearts and walk in greater freedom, authenticity, and grace.   About Our Guest: Amarelee Quintanilla is an author and journalist who writes both nonfiction and fiction, blending storytelling with insights drawn from real life. With a graduate degree in Journalism and years of experience in broadcasting and documentary production, she has spent much of her career exploring meaningful human stories through words and images. Her faith plays a central role in her work as she examines topics such as psychology, spiritual growth, and the Christian life with honesty and depth. Her goal is always to encourage readers to grow in faith, self awareness, and authentic relationship with God. Her devotional book Keeping It Real: Daily Devotions for Those Tired of Pretending was nominated for the prestigious Golden Scroll Award. When she is not writing, Amarelee enjoys traveling and discovering new cultures around the world. She currently lives in Colorado where she continues writing and creating projects that encourage deeper faith and personal reflection.   Book Spotlight: Keeping It Real: Daily Devotions for Those Tired of Pretending by Amarelee Quintanilla What does authentic Christianity actually look like beneath the surface? In a culture where appearances often matter more than honesty, many believers quietly feel pressure to present a polished spiritual image. But beneath that surface, many struggle with doubts, insecurities, pride, and hidden struggles they feel unable to talk about. Keeping It Real was written for those who are exhausted from trying to appear spiritually perfect. This powerful 40 day devotional invites readers into a deeply personal journey of reflection, honesty, and renewal. Each devotional encourages believers to move beyond outward appearances and instead cultivate a genuine relationship with Christ rooted in humility, repentance, and grace. Through Scripture, thoughtful reflection, and practical spiritual insight, the book helps readers examine their hearts, confront hidden struggles, and rediscover the freedom that comes from living authentically before God. Rather than offering quick fixes or surface level encouragement, Keeping It Real creates space for believers to step away from performance based faith and experience a quieter, deeper transformation led by the Holy Spirit. It is a devotional designed for weary believers who long to live out their faith in a way that is sincere, relatable, and rooted in the example of Jesus Himself.   Connect with Amarelee: Website: https://www.amarelyq.com