Courageous Crossroads
Welcome to "The Courageous Podcast," where we delve into the inspiring tales of ordinary people who have shown unwavering bravery in the face of challenges. Join us as we explore the multifaceted dimensions of courage and ask our guests, "What's the most courageous thing you've ever done?"
Host Jeff Johnson guides these conversations with empathy and curiosity, creating a safe space for guests to share their personal experiences. From daring leaps of faith to small yet powerful acts of bravery, you'll hear stories that resonate with the universal human experience.
Through these narratives, we aim to inspire and uplift our listeners, fostering a sense of connection and empowerment. Our guests' stories remind us that bravery is not the absence of fear but the triumph over it.
"The Courageous Podcast" is not just about sharing tales of valor; it's about building a community of individuals who find strength in vulnerability and authenticity.
Join us as we celebrate the indomitable human spirit, one story of courage at a time. Get ready to be inspired, uplifted, and motivated to embrace your own inner courage, whatever that might look like.
Episodes
110 episodes
From F-4 Phantoms to Faith: Craig Applefield’s Unbelievable Story of Courage
In this episode, Craig Applefield reflects on a life shaped by service, discipline, failure, faith, and redemption. A former Navy F-4 Phantom pilot and Vietnam veteran who flew roughly 300 missions, Craig shares lessons from combat, leadership,...
Amber Sommerfeld: Living Courageously in the Gifts of God
In this episode, Amber Sommerfeld shares her story of faith, family, spiritual growth, and courage, reflecting on her life as a wife, mother, ministry leader, and follower of Jesus who has learned to step out in obedience even when it feels unc...
David Iles and the Quiet Work of Courage
In this episode, the host talks with David Iles about courage, calling, and the quiet discipline of doing the right thing even when it is difficult or unpopular. Drawing on his work in funeral service, David reflects on how meaningful service c...
From California to Calling: Steve Freeman’s Courageous Journey
In this episode of the Courageous Crossroads Podcast, Steve Freeman offers a thoughtful and deeply personal picture of courage, describing how the most courageous thing he has done was surrender his life to Christ and then follow God’s call eve...
From Perth to Purpose: Calum Souter’s Story of Courage
In this episode, Calum Souter shares a thoughtful and deeply personal conversation about faith, purpose, and what courage really looks like in everyday life. Raised in Perth, Scotland, in a committed Christian home, Calum describes his early re...
Courageous Crossroads with KG: Confidence in God Through Every Season
KG is a South African pastor, husband, and father whose life reflects a deep and hard-won confidence in God. Raised without a Christian upbringing, he came to faith through the witness of his cousin, was drawn into church community, and ultimat...
Alex Adams: The Night That Changed Everything
Alex Adams is an Iowa-based entrepreneur, husband to Allison (“Allie”), and dad to two boys, Owen and Mac, whose early years were marked by a fast, reckless lifestyle that started with drinking at 14 and eventually put his marriage, business, a...
Lisa Nichols on Courage, Faith, and Leading with Something Extra
In this episode of Courageous Crossroads, Jeff sits down with CEO, entrepreneur, and faith-driven leader Lisa Nichols to explore what courage looks like in real life, from building Technology Partners with her husband Greg to raising a family, ...
Josh Roberts: When Success Collapsed and Courage Began
In this episode of Courageous Crossroads, host Jeff sits down with entrepreneur Josh Roberts to trace the unlikely path from a farm in rural Louisiana and a childhood of constant moving to building (and rebuilding) multiple businesses in Pennsy...
The Harder Strength: Jason Wilson’s Story of Courage and Recovery
In this episode, host Jeff sits down with Jason Wilson, a Des Moines-area native and longtime fitness enthusiast, to talk about what courage really looks like in everyday life, tracing Jason’s path from a turbulent school transition and relentl...
Chuck Larson on Courage Beyond Combat: Faith, Fear, and Stepping Out in Love
In this episode of the Courageous Crossroads, host Jeff sits down with Chuck Larson for a wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation about faith, courage, service, and purpose. Chuck shares stories from a life marked by global experience, in...
Surrender Changed Everything: Andrew Allen on Recovery, Leadership, and Hope
In this episode of the Courageous Crossroads Podcast, Andrew Allen shares how a farm kid from Iowa with an early path marked by delinquency, addiction, and repeated arrests eventually found sobriety at 17 and rebuilt his life through faith, rec...
Chris Barr on Courage: Why the Most Powerful Acts Are the Ones No One Sees
In this episode, Jeff sits down with Chris Barr, a Des Moines-based technology professional an long-time mentor, FCA chaplain/character coach, and devoted husband, dad of four sons, and Pops” to two granddaughters, for a grounded, faith-forward...
From Chaos to Calling: Mason Sherwood on Real Courage
Mason Sherwood is a 22-year-old entrepreneur from Urbandale, Iowa, a former multi-sport athlete (wrestling, football, and soccer) who now runs a door-to-door sales business focused on fiber internet while building a life with his wife, Hannah, ...
Eric Voelker on Courage, Reunion, and the Risk Worth Taking
In this follow-up conversation, Eric Voelker returns to the podcast for a candid, faith-forward check-in on what’s changed since his last appearance, reflecting on a season of waiting, family upheaval, and learning to release control so he can ...
Brian Albright and the Courage to Knock on the Door
Brian Albright is a 42-year-old Iowa native from Ankeny who has spent more than two decades in public safety, including years as a 9-1-1 dispatcher and continued service as a reserve police officer, and who now serves as office administrator an...
When Courage Hurts: The Decision That Saved Curt Gear’s Life
In this episode of the Courageous Crossroads podcast, host Jeff Johnson sits down with Iowa native and devoted Cyclone fan Curt Gear to unpack what real courage looks like when life takes a hard turn. Curt shares his journey from growing up in ...
Walking Away to Save Your Life: The Courage of Jay Knudson
In this episode of the Courageous Crossroads Podcast, host Jeff Johnson sits down with Jay Knudson, a lifelong Iowan, devoted follower of Christ, and husband of nearly four decades, to talk about what real courage looks like when family, faith,...
Obedience Over Comfort: A Courageous Conversation with JC Risewick
In this episode of the Courageous Crossroads Podcast, Jeff Johnson sits down with JC Risewick for a raw and thoughtful conversation about courage, obedience, identity, and the hard choices that shape a life. JC, a lifelong Iowan and former pres...
Troy Thompson: Building Courage, Sobriety, and Stronger Families
In this episode, Jeff sits down with Troy Thompson, a father, entrepreneur, endurance athlete, and man in long-term recovery, for a real and honest look at courage and change. Troy shares how nearly twenty-two years of sobriety, a renewed faith...
Adam Steen: Restored by Faith, Called to Lead
In this episode of the Courageous Crossroads Podcast, host Jeff Johnson sits down with Adam Steen—former college athlete, investment banker, pastor, state government executive, and now gubernatorial candidate—for a powerful conversation about f...
When Love Casts Out Fear: The Courage of Tommy Thompson
In this powerful episode of Courageous Crossroads, Tommy Thompson shares the mos courageous journey of his life—walking alongside his daughter through a six-and-a-half-year battle with stage four kidney cancer. With raw honesty and deep wisdom,...
From Basement Meetings to Boardrooms: Bryan Arzani on Real Courage
In this powerful episode of Courageous Crossroads, host Jeff Johnson sits down with entrepreneur, consultant, and small-town mayor Bryan Arzani, whose journey from a paperboy in Iowa to founder of the Results Group is anything b...
Disagreement Isn’t Hate: Dr. Everett Piper Reflects on Charlie Kirk and the Fight for Truth
In this powerful and timely episode of Courageous Crossroads, host Jeff Johnson sits down with Dr. Everett Piper to unpack the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk and what it reveals about courage, faith, and free speech in today’s cu...
Courage When It Counts: David Leto on Faith, Family, and Fear
David Leto, CEO and seasoned recruiting professional, joins the Courageous Crossroads podcast to share powerful stories of resilience, leadership, and values-driven decision-making. Raised in a tight-knit, faith-centered family on the south sid...