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
94 episodes
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 ...
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1:06:05
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,...
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1:02:28
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...
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50:35
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...
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44:19
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...
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51:49
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,...
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51:21
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...
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53:58
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...
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1:08:32
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...
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32:20
Faith, Family, and Fallout: A Mayor’s Most Courageous Decision
In this powerful episode of Courageous Crossroads, Dean O’Connor—entrepreneur, mayor, and former lifelong member of a fundamentalist church—shares the most courageous decision of his life: walking away from the rigid faith he was born into. Wit...
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1:13:22
From Patrol to Pakistan: The Unlikely Path of Tyler Tompkins
On this episode of Courageous Crossroads, Jeff Johnson sits down with Tyler Tompkins—former police lieutenant, real estate entrepreneur, and board member of Exodus 51, a nonprofit that rescues Christian slaves in Pakistan. Born and raised i...
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56:44
Holding the Line: Dr. Douglas Groothuis Talks Courage, Culture, and Conviction
In this episode of Courageous Crossroads, host Jeff Johnson sits down with Dr. Douglas Groothuis, Distinguished University Research Professor of Apologetics and Christian Worldview at Cornerstone University, author of over 20 books, including C...
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1:02:24
Wrenches, Redemption, and Raising a Daughter: The Courage of Boyd
In this powerful episode of Courageous Crossroads, we meet Justin "Boyd" Baker— a former NASCAR body fabricator turned power grid engineer, comic book collector, motorcycle enthusiast, and devoted family man. Raised in a Midwest farmin...
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1:18:05
From Murder Capital to Mindset Coach: The Keith Mercer Story
In this powerful episode of the Courageous Crossroads Podcast, Keith Mercer shares hisremarkable journey from growing up in the violent streets of Southeast Washington, D.C.—once known as the murder capital—to becoming a first-generation co...
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1:01:21
Eric Voelker: When Courage Means Showing Up Again Tomorrow
In this deeply moving episode, Eric Voelker—educator, former pastor, coach,and two-time NCAA wrestling champion—opens up about what true couragelooks like at this stage in his life. Far from the spotlight of athletic victory orpubli...
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1:18:25
Accountant in the Arena: Jeff Johannesen on Quiet Acts of Courage
Jeff Johannesen is a retired CPA and former Chief Strategy Officer at RSM, where he spent over four decades transitioning from client service into high-level leadership, helping shape the firm's national and global direction. In this episode, J...
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36:45
You Will Beat This: Chris Norton's Story of Relentless Hope
Chris Norton is a motivational speaker, author, founder of the Chris Norton Foundation (www.chrisnortonfoundation.org), and former collegiate football player who defied a 3% chance of ever walki...
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47:58
From the Battlefield to Brotherhood: Jimmy May’s Mission Beyond War
Jimmy May is a retired Navy SEAL with over two decades of service, including six wartime deployments across Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, and the broader Middle East. A Texas native now based in California, Jimmy is the founder of Mayday Executive ...
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49:27
Strong Hands, Stronger Heart: Dr. Honkamp on Empathy and Endurance
Dr. Nicholas Honkamp is an orthopedic surgeon based in Des Moines, Iowa, and the president of DMOS Orthopaedic Centers. Born and raised in Dubuque, Iowa, Dr. Honkamp studied at the University of Notre Dame and later earned his medical degree fr...
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45:12
Faith in the Fast Lane: NASCAR, Fatherhood, and Following Christ with Ray Wright
Ray Wright – Courageous Crossroads Podcast GuestIn this episode of Courageous Crossroads, Jeff Johnson sits down with RayWright, former LSU baseball champion and now the Pit Department Manager atRichard Childress Racin...
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49:11
Jumping Fleas and 9 AM Meetings: How Doug Ecklund and Cellular Advantage Defied the Odds
Doug Ecklund is the longtime CEO of Cellular Advantage, a company that heand his wife Mitzi have grown from a single mall kiosk into one of the top USCellular Authorized Agents in the country with over $28 million in revenue andmore...
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38:50
Homemade Courage: Ariel Forsberg on Faith, Tallow, and Raising Brave Kids
On this special episode of Courageous Crossroads, Jeff Johnson welcomes Ariel Forsberg, a resilient and deeply grounded woman whose story of faith, family, and fearless commitment is both inspiring and refreshingly authentic. Ariel lives with h...
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1:05:26
From Battlefield to Business: Dan Douglas on Courage, Faith, and Reinvention
Dan Douglas, a proud Iowan and former Green Beret, embodies resilience and adaptability in every facet of his life. Initially pursuing a career in architecture at Iowa State University, Dan soon realized that the structured world of design was ...
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59:15
Twice Over a Man: Orvin Kimbrough’s Fierce Journey of Faith, Forgiveness, and Fortitude
Orvin Kimbrough is a seasoned leader, author, and entrepreneur who currently serves as the steward of one of Missouri’s largest privately held banks. A lifelong resident of St. Louis, Orvin’s journey from childhood adversity to professional suc...
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46:16
From Iowa to Jeddah: Dr. Steve Murphy’s Unlikely Journey of Faith and Courage
Dr. Steve Murphy, a practicing radiologist in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is also anassociate pastor at a Filipino church, a passionate evangelist, and a devoted husband and father. Originally from Osceola, Iowa, Steve's journey of faith too...
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1:30:26