Courageous Crossroads

Jeff Johnson

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.

  1. 5d ago

    Joe Slavens: Values, Decisions, and the Price of Courage

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Courageous Crossroads, Jeff Johnson sits down with longtime friend, business leader, attorney, and entrepreneur Joe Slavens for a thoughtful conversation about courage, values, leadership, and the difficult decisions that shape a meaningful life. Joe challenges conventional definitions of courage, arguing that some of its most important expressions occur when deeply held values come into conflict and a person must discern what matters most, accept the cost, and make a decision rather than simply drift or avoid the issue. He shares candid examples from his own life, including the painful decision to terminate the employment of his best friend and his willingness to walk away from a highly anticipated sale of his family’s bank when the transaction no longer aligned with his values. Along the way, Joe reflects on the importance of wise counsel, purposeful living, family legacy, values-based leadership, and the potential challenges artificial intelligence presents to a society increasingly reluctant to think deeply about what it believes. A lifelong Iowan and University of Iowa graduate, Joe trained as an attorney before joining his family business, Northwest Bank and Trust Company, where he worked alongside his father and eventually led the organization for more than two decades. Following the sale of the bank, he continued his involvement in a number of related businesses and investments, including trust, software, tax and accounting, and real estate ventures. Married to his high school sweetheart, Anne, for more than four decades, Joe is the father of three and grandfather of a growing family, and he views the transmission of enduring values across generations as one of the truest measures of a meaningful legacy. Thank you for listening! We hope you feel inspired and encouraged by our conversation today. If you did, be sure to share this episode with others. Let's stay in touch: Follow us on Instagram @crossroadsapologeticsEmail us at info@crossroadsapologetics.orgVisit our website www.crossroadsapologetics.orgSee you in the next episode! Be blessed!

  2. Aug 12

    Cut the Rope: Patrick Sells on Courage, Faith, and Starting Over

    Send us Fan Mail In this compelling episode of Courageous Crossroads, Jeff sits down with entrepreneur and business leader Patrick Sells for a deeply personal conversation about courage, resilience, faith, success, failure, and what it means to “cut the rope” when God may be calling you toward something more. Patrick, a 35-year-old entrepreneur and intrapreneur living in Dallas, began his career by launching a digital marketing agency before entering the banking and fintech world, where he helped transform a community bank, pioneered an early Bitcoin-related banking product, earned recognition as Digital Banker of the Year, and later helped build a multibillion-dollar business. Yet Patrick’s most courageous decision came at the height of his professional and financial success, when he chose to walk away after realizing that money, power, and achievement were beginning to consume too  much of his heart and identity. What followed was anything but an easy landing: the sudden death of his best friend, tremendous financial pressure, business struggles, addiction, rehab, and a season in which nearly everything he believed about his own resilience was tested. Now sober and rebuilding, Patrick shares with remarkable vulnerability why courage is not about knowing everything will work out, but about acting on conviction despite fear, uncertainty, and the consequences that may follow. His story is an inspiring reminder that sometimes courage means cutting the rope, trusting God, getting knocked down, and still believing that redemption—and the strength to rise again—are possible. Thank you for listening! We hope you feel inspired and encouraged by our conversation today. If you did, be sure to share this episode with others. Let's stay in touch: Follow us on Instagram @crossroadsapologeticsEmail us at info@crossroadsapologetics.orgVisit our website www.crossroadsapologetics.orgSee you in the next episode! Be blessed!

  3. Jul 8

    Madeline Dean: One Courageous Choice at a Time

    Send us Fan Mail In this powerful episode of Courageous Crossroads, Jeff Johnson sits down with Madeline Dean for a deeply honest conversation about trauma, addiction, incarceration, recovery, faith, and the ongoing courage it takes to choose change. Madeline shares how early childhood wounds, mental health struggles, and addiction led her through painful seasons, including time in Mitchellville, but also how honesty, mentorship, therapy, spiritual growth, and programs like Change Course helped her begin building a new life one courageous decision at a time. When asked the most courageous thing she has ever done, Madeline answers simply and profoundly: deciding to change. Her story reminds listeners that courage is not always one dramatic moment —it is strength, action, persistence, hope, and faith practiced over and over again in the small, difficult choices of daily life. Madeline Dean is a Change Course graduate, a woman in recovery, a student of personal and spiritual growth, and a passionate advocate for honesty, healing, mental health awareness, addiction recovery, and support for those impacted by incarceration. Through her vulnerability and hard-won wisdom, Madeline offers a compelling testimony of resilience, redemption, and the belief that no one is beyond hope. Thank you for listening! We hope you feel inspired and encouraged by our conversation today. If you did, be sure to share this episode with others. Let's stay in touch: Follow us on Instagram @crossroadsapologeticsEmail us at info@crossroadsapologetics.orgVisit our website www.crossroadsapologetics.orgSee you in the next episode! Be blessed!

  4. Jul 1

    Dr. Whitney and the Courage to Honor God Through Suffering

    Send us Fan Mail In this thoughtful and deeply personal episode of Courageous Crossroads, Jeff Johnson sits down with Dr. Donald S. Whitney to explore biblical courage, spiritual formation, prayer, Scripture meditation, and faithful obedience in the hardest seasons of life. Dr. Whitney defines courage as the willingness to do what God calls us to do despite fear, consequences, or personal cost, and he illustrates that definition through the most courageous season of his own life: caring for his mother through the final years of dementia while seeking to honor her, support his wife, and remain obedient to the Lord. Along the way, he offers practical wisdom on Scripture intake, praying the Bible, meditation, the fear of man, and how the ordinary means of grace sustain believers when life becomes painful and confusing. Dr. Whitney serves as Professor of Biblical Spirituality and the John H. Powell Professor of Pastoral Ministry at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and he is the founder and director of the Center for Biblical Spirituality; after decades of pastoral ministry and seminary teaching, he is widely known for helping Christians pursue godliness through biblical spiritual disciplines. Amazon links to selected books by Dr. Whitney: Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life; Praying the Bible; Family Worship: In the Bible, in History, and in Your Home; Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health; How Can I Be Sure I'm a Christian?: The Satisfying Certainty of Eternal Life; Simplify Your Spiritual Life; Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life Study Guide.  Clickable Amazon Book Links - Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life - Praying the Bible - Family Worship: In the Bible, in History, and in Your Home - Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health - How Can I Be Sure I'm a Christian?: The Satisfying Certainty of Eternal Life - Simplify Your Spiritual Life - Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life Study Guide Source note: Prepared from the Courageous Crossroads interview transcript supplied in this conversation. Amazon inventory and pricing can change over time. Thank you for listening! We hope you feel inspired and encouraged by our conversation today. If you did, be sure to share this episode with others. Let's stay in touch: Follow us on Instagram @crossroadsapologeticsEmail us at info@crossroadsapologetics.orgVisit our website www.crossroadsapologetics.orgSee you in the next episode! Be blessed!

  5. May 27

    Russ Hedge: Courage at the Crossroads of Cancer, Faith, and Purpose

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Courageous Crossroads, Jeff visits with Russ Hedge about what courage looks like when faith, fear, hardship, and hope all meet at the same crossroads. Russ shares that the most courageous thing he has ever done was walking down the aisle at church to give his life to Jesus, a public and deeply personal step that changed the direction of his life. From there, he reflects on courage as moving forward despite difficult circumstances, trusting God through uncertainty, and choosing your perspective when life does not go as planned. Russ Hedge is a Salem, Oregon-based Christ follower, husband, father, encourager, speaker, marketing coach, livestream producer, and author whose purpose is to inspire people to live a purpose-driven life of significance. Known for his positive outlook through major life challenges, including a near life-ending car accident, the loss and illness of both parents, and his stage-four melanoma journey, Russ continues to encourage others through his book Life Happens… And Then You Choose!, his website RussHedge.com, and his shows including Marketing with Russ… aka#RussSelfie, The Experience Live with Russ & Scott, The Experience Local, Live with Russ & Scott, and his broader podcast links on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Thank you for listening! We hope you feel inspired and encouraged by our conversation today. If you did, be sure to share this episode with others. Let's stay in touch: Follow us on Instagram @crossroadsapologeticsEmail us at info@crossroadsapologetics.orgVisit our website www.crossroadsapologetics.orgSee you in the next episode! Be blessed!

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

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.

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