Courageous Crossroads

Send us Fan Mail Austin Peterson, originally from Albia, Iowa, has led a dynamic and transformative life journey. Growing up in a cattle-broker family, Austin pursued acting in Los Angeles after earning his bachelor’s degree at the University of South Dakota. His path later shifted to bartending in the Midwest before embarking on a long and successful career with Aflac, where he now serves as the...

Send us Fan Mail In this special Christmas episode of CrossRoads, we reflect on the extraordinary courage and faith of Saint Francis of Assisi, the man behind the first live Nativity scene. Exploring his transformation from a wealthy youth to a devoted servant of God, we delve into how his bold choices and unshakable faith made him a beacon of humility and love. We discuss Francis’s creation of th...

Send us Fan Mail Lu Dong is a seasoned entrepreneur and technology innovator based in Tokyo, Japan, where he leads a groundbreaking platform connecting travelers to Japan’s renowned culinary scene through seamless reservations, ordering, and payment solutions. A former Wall Street professional and Stanford MBA, Lu’s entrepreneurial journey spans industries and continents, including pioneering ecom...

Send us Fan Mail Karl Gustavson, a retired Navy SEAL with a 20-year career of extraordinary service, combines a wealth of experience from his time as a missionary in Brazil, his elite military training, and his leadership within SEAL Team Six. A Colorado native, Karl has navigated challenges ranging from teaching faith in a foreign language to surviving the rigors of BUD/S and the chaos of combat....

Send us Fan Mail Drew Forsberg, a retired Navy SEAL and seasoned leadership strategist, joins The Courageous Crossroads for his second appearance, bringing his unique perspective on courage, leadership, and personal accountability. With years of experience in high-stakes environments and a deep understanding of team dynamics, Drew shares actionable insights into how courage can be cultivated and s...

Send us Fan Mail Richard Hurd, a seasoned real estate entrepreneur from Des Moines, Iowa, joins Courageous Crossroads to share his inspiring journey from renovating and reselling homes in the 1970s to leading a successful real estate business spanning 200 properties across 20 states. In this episode, Richard opens up about the resilience and tenacity that have fueled his career, from learning the...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Courageous Crossroads Podcast, host Jeffrey L. Johnson welcomes Doug Gotto, a man whose life journey epitomizes resilience, transformation, and faith. Doug shares his compelling story of overcoming addiction, navigating personal challenges, and rediscovering purpose through service and spirituality. From the pivotal moment of self-realization sparked by his...

Send us Fan Mail Joseph Jones is a dedicated public servant and advocate for social justice from Shreveport, Louisiana, whose journey is marked by resilience, a passion for service, and a steadfast commitment to making a positive difference. In this episode of the Courageous Crossroads Podcast, Joseph shares his inspiring path from a challenging neighborhood to becoming Chief of Staff at Des Moine...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Courageous Crossroads podcast, host Jeffrey L. Johnson welcomes former Navy SEAL Sean Murphy, a dedicated family man and retired military veteran. Born and raised in Oklahoma, Sean shares his journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a Navy SEAL, a role that shaped him both personally and professionally. Now retired, Sean resides in Bentonville, Arkan...

Send us Fan Mail Will Keeps, born William James Holmes, grew up on the South Side of Chicago, facing immense hardship from a young age. Surviving childhood abuse, gang involvement, and a near-death experience, Will transformed his life to become a passionate advocate for at-risk youth. Now based in Des Moines, Iowa, he is the founder of Starts Right Here, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering young...

Send us Fan Mail Malyar Meraj shares his journey from growing up in Kabul, Afghanistan, to starting a new life in the U.S. after working with the U.S. military put his life at risk. Facing Taliban threats, he sought safety through a Special Immigrant Visa and arrived in the U.S. in 2017. Adjusting to a new culture and working long hours, he gradually found his footing, earning a supervisory role a...

Send us Fan Mail Drew Forsberg is a retired Navy SEAL who served 22 years, including multiple deployments, and was stationed in San Diego and Hawaii. Now a resident of Oahu's North Shore, Drew leads a fulfilling life as a husband, father to four homeschooled children, and an advocate for regenerative agriculture and entrepreneurship. In this episode of the Courageous Crossroads podcast, Drew...

Send us Fan Mail Aaron Tennant is a seasoned entrepreneur known for his relentless drive and fearless approach to business. With a career spanning multiple industries, Aaron has built and grown numerous successful companies, including trucking, landscaping, and hospitality ventures. His journey from a young, ambitious truck driver to a respected business leader is a testament to his unwavering det...

Send us Fan Mail John Donhowe is a devoted missionary and ordained minister with a profound passion for sharing the gospel. Born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, John spent over three decades as a missionary in Bolivia, South America, where he committed his life to ministering to local communities, developing Christian education programs, and spreading his faith. A graduate of Roosevelt High School...

Send us Fan Mail Gemma Longfellow, a dynamic and visionary leader, currently serves as the Managing Partner for People & Culture at a leading global marketing agency specializing in sports and gaming. With her extensive experience and unwavering commitment to fostering excellence, Gemma has become a prominent figure in the creative industries. Her passion for leadership and organizational deve...

Send us Fan Mail Dan Kerr is a native of Fredericksburg, Iowa, and has spent over 30 years in Des Moines with his wife of 34 years. A proud father and grandfather, Dan is also a seasoned professional in the banking industry, specializing in financing for medical professionals. His journey, however, is marked by a deep commitment to faith and recovery. After battling alcoholism for 40 years and fac...

Send us Fan Mail Doug Ecklund is the longtime CEO of Cellular Advantage, a company that he and his wife Mitzi have grown from a single mall kiosk into one of the top US Cellular Authorized Agents in the country with over $28 million in revenue and more than 100 team members. Doug invests his time supporting the culture that has been built to enrich the quality of life of those in and around the bu...

Send us Fan Mail Brandon McNace is the founder and leader of Exodus 51, a groundbreaking nonprofit dedicated to freeing modern-day slaves in Pakistan. What began as a simple step of faith has grown into a life-changing mission that has already liberated thousands from bondage. Brandon's passion for justice and his unwavering commitment to God's calling have driven him to create an organi...

Send us Fan Mail Levi Simon is a dedicated and courageous young man who made a life-changing decision to move from England to Israel eight years ago, driven by a profound Zionist dream. At 28 years old, Levi has served in the Israeli Defense Forces, participating in special forces units and experiencing the realities of combat. He currently works as a tour guide in Jerusalem, where he passionately...

Send us Fan Mail Rachel Vontobel-Newman is a dynamic individual with a rich multicultural background, hailing from Zurich and having lived in various countries across Asia and Europe. A seasoned finance professional, Rachel transitioned from a high-paced career in investment banking to embrace a life rooted in faith and family. She resides in London with her Canadian husband, Andrew, and their two...

Send us Fan Mail Ralph Jones is a third-generation leader in the textile industry, heading a family business founded in 1936. With a deep-rooted passion for nonwoven textiles, Ralph has successfully navigated his company through significant industry shifts, expanding operations across the eastern United States. A devoted family man, Ralph has been married for 34 years and is a proud father of thre...

Send us Fan Mail Nicola Maytum is an accomplished educator with a passion for transforming educational practices and fostering inclusive learning environments. Nicola brings a unique perspective to her role in education. Her journey began in the classrooms of the UK, where she honed her teaching skills and developed a deep commitment to addressing challenges in diverse school settings. Over the ye...

Send us Fan Mail Bill Thrall, co-founder of Trueface in 1995, is renowned for his contributions to books like The Cure and The Ascent of a Leader. His expertise extends to helping leaders build trust and create grace-based environments, benefitting CEOs and heads of various organizations. Before Trueface, he led Open Door Fellowship for over two decades, where he developed a character training pro...

Send us Fan Mail Brandon, an international evangelist, is deeply committed to his mission of liberating individuals and guiding them to fulfill their true potential. His ministry, which can be explored further at www.exodus51.org, is a testament to his dedication to this cause. Brandon's approach is inclusive and dynamic, effectively engaging audiences of any size and demographic, from quaint...

Send us Fan Mail Terry Rich is a successful CEO and President of 25 years who loves to engage and entertain audiences across the globe. Oh, and he led the team that busted the largest lottery fraud in U.S. history, was a guest on Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show”, ran a zoo and gave away $1 Billion. During his appointment by three Governors, his leadership increased lottery sales and profits by 50%....