Fortitude

Amos & Heather Kittelson
  • 5.0 (29)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Everyone has a story of Fortitude! When we tell our stories of pain in adversity - stories of courage, redemption and hope - we give others permission to speak up and get the help they need. Each episode will give the listener a look inside what overcoming adversity looks like no matter what life throws at you. Each story is uniquely different - stories of alcoholism/addiction, infidelity, rape, abuse, loss of a child/children, cancer, rare disease, tragic accidents...etc.! We are in this life together to support one another and build community around hope and redemption. I am your host, Heather Kittelson, and I am so excited to have you here as part of the Fortitude community!

  1. Episode 68: Sometimes “choose joy” gets used like a cute quote. But real joy is not denial" With Laura Pedersen

    2D AGO

    Episode 68: Sometimes “choose joy” gets used like a cute quote. But real joy is not denial" With Laura Pedersen

    Send us a text We’re live right now. Episode 68 just dropped, and I’m saying this clearly: this one is for the person who’s been trying to stay strong while quietly falling apart. Today’s conversation is with Laura Pedersen. She doesn’t give you a polished testimony. She gives you the real version. Loss, heartbreak, and the long road of choosing joy when life hurts. And that’s the point. Sometimes “choose joy” gets used like a cute quote. But real joy is not denial. It’s a decision you make while you’re still healing. It’s faith in motion, not faith as a performance. If you’ve ever asked: How do I keep going after loss?How do I trust God when life doesn’t make sense?How do I stop pretending I’m okay?How do I find joy without minimizing my pain?This episode is for you. We talk about resilience, grief, faith, and what it actually looks like to let God rebuild you from the inside out. This conversation goes deeper than inspiration. It’s honest. It’s tender. And it’s the kind of episode that helps you breathe again. Fortitude is about this. One story at a time. Hope through the hard parts. Not skipping the pain. Not rushing the healing. Just walking it through together. So here’s what I’m asking today: If you have been asking, “How do I keep going?” this conversation is for you. Watch and listen: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FortitudePod Support Fortitude: Patreon: https://patreon.com/FortitudePodcast Give (Stripe): https://bit.ly/fortitudedonate Venmo: https://www.venmo.com/u/fortitude10 Connect: X: https://x.com/FortitudePod Courses: https://fortitudellc.myKajabi.comComment one word that describes what you’re carrying in this seasonShare this with one person you care about who needs hope but won’t say it out loud🔴 We’re live. Come in the room. Drop a comment and tell us where you’re tuning in from and what you’re believing God for right now. And if someone came to mind while reading this, tag them. You might be the reminder they needed today. ***************************************************************************************** As a fan of our podcast and mission to spread Hope and Healing through the message of Jesus Christ - We would appreciate your financial support! We are 100% listener supported! TO GIVE TO FORTITUDE: - Patreon: patreon.com/FortitudePodcast - Stripe: https://bit.ly/fortitudedonate - Venmo: https://www.venmo.com/u/fortitude10 PERSONAL GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES: - Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@FortitudePod - Twitter: https://x.com/FortitudePod

    44 min
  2. Episode 67: Held by God in the No With Jill Miller

    12/26/2025

    Episode 67: Held by God in the No With Jill Miller

    Send us a text Christmas Day Episode!  In this Christmas Day conversation, we sit down with Jill Miller. Jill is a singer-songwriter and speaker who has lived a lot of life, and she tells the truth with so much grace. We talk about the kind of seasons that don’t get wrapped up in a tidy bow. Infertility. Adoption. Divorce. Loss. The moments that make you wrestle with God, not perform for Him. Jill also shares what she calls “sacred silence,” that season where God slows you down, not to punish you, but to heal you. And she reminds us that being real with God is not disrespect. Its relationship. One line that stayed with us: “Leave all your cares and anxieties at the feet of the Lord, and measureless grace will strengthen you.” If Christmas feels joyful for you, this episode will deepen it. If Christmas feels heavy, this episode will hold you. 🎧 Listen now If you want to help us keep the Fortitude Podcast growing, here are the ways to support and connect: Give Patreon: patreon.com/FortitudePodcastStripe: https://bit.ly/fortitudedonate Venmo: https://www.venmo.com/u/fortitude10 Grow YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FortitudePod X (Twitter): https://x.com/FortitudePod Courses: https://fortitudellc.mykajabi.com Merry Christmas, and thank you for being part of this family. 🎧❤️ ***************************************************************************************** As a fan of our podcast and mission to spread Hope and Healing through the message of Jesus Christ - We would appreciate your financial support! We are 100% listener supported! TO GIVE TO FORTITUDE: - Patreon: patreon.com/FortitudePodcast - Stripe: https://bit.ly/fortitudedonate - Venmo: https://www.venmo.com/u/fortitude10 PERSONAL GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES: - Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@FortitudePod - Twitter: https://x.com/FortitudePod

    42 min
  3. Episode 66 : Turning Grief into Grace with Deb Hadley

    11/04/2025

    Episode 66 : Turning Grief into Grace with Deb Hadley

    Send us a text 🎙️ Episode 66 — Turning Grief into Grace Guest: Deb Hadley, Founder of KT Humble Hearts When unimaginable loss struck, Deb Hadley faced the kind of heartbreak no parent should ever endure. Within months, she lost both of her children, Kaylie and Tyler. Her world shattered, but her faith refused to die. In this powerful conversation, Deb shares how she turned grief into grace and pain into purpose. Through tears, prayer, and perseverance, she founded KT Humble Hearts, a nonprofit that helps grieving families find light in the darkest seasons. This episode explores the deep intersection of faith, healing, and legacy and what it means to hold on to hope when everything seems lost, and how love can become a movement that outlives tragedy. 💛 Key Themes: •Faith after loss •Turning personal pain into community purpose •Living with legacy and intention •Healing through remembrance and service Heather Kittelson -“Deb Hadley story reminds us that faith doesn’t take the pain away, it transforms it. What she’s built through KT Humble Hearts isn’t just a response to loss; it’s a living testimony that love never ends.” 🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. #FortitudePodcast #TurningGriefIntoGrace #KTHumbleHearts #FaithInMotion #PurposeThroughPain #HopeAfterLoss Give: - Patreon: patreon.com/FortitudePodcast - Stripe: https://bit.ly/fortitudedonate  - Venmo: https://www.venmo.com/u/fortitude10  Grow: - Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@FortitudePod - Twitter: https://x.com/FortitudePod - Courses: https://fortitudellc.mykajabi.com ***************************************************************************************** As a fan of our podcast and mission to spread Hope and Healing through the message of Jesus Christ - We would appreciate your financial support! We are 100% listener supported! TO GIVE TO FORTITUDE: - Patreon: patreon.com/FortitudePodcast - Stripe: https://bit.ly/fortitudedonate - Venmo: https://www.venmo.com/u/fortitude10 PERSONAL GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES: - Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@FortitudePod - Twitter: https://x.com/FortitudePod

    1h 9m
  4. Episode 65: Joy isn’t found in what’s easy. It’s found in what we overcome With Amberly Lago

    10/12/2025

    Episode 65: Joy isn’t found in what’s easy. It’s found in what we overcome With Amberly Lago

    Send us a text 🌟 Episode 65 is LIVE! 🌟 Today, we are honored to host a global voice of resilience—Amberly Lago—on the Fortitude Ministries Podcast. This is not just another survival story. It’s a story of transformation. After a devastating motorcycle accident, Amberly could have stopped at her pain. But she refused. She chose purpose. She chose faith. She chose joy. In Episode 65: Joy Through the Journey, Heather and Amos sit down with Amberly to talk about healing, grit, and the grace that carries us through our darkest seasons. From pain to purpose, from breakdown to breakthrough—this episode reminds us that no matter how dark it gets, God can still bring light through our stories. 📖 In her book Joy Through the Journey, Amberly writes: “Joy is not a byproduct of ease—it’s what grows in the soil of the storm.” Her journey teaches us that our scars hold stories, and our faith can turn that story into a testimony. ✨ Her message rings loud: Joy isn’t found in what’s easy. It’s found in what we overcome. 🎧 Listen now—available wherever you get your podcasts. 💬 Tag someone who needs this reminder: healing is possible, faith still works, and joy can live even in the struggle. #FortitudeMinistries #AmberlyLago #Episode65 #JoyThroughTheJourney #FaithAndResilience #IAmFortified #PurposeInPain #FortitudePodcast #HealingThroughFaith #FaithOverFear #ResilientWomen Give: - Patreon: patreon.com/FortitudePodcast - Stripe: https://bit.ly/fortitudedonate  - Venmo: https://www.venmo.com/u/fortitude10  Grow: - Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@FortitudePod - Twitter: https://x.com/FortitudePod - Courses: https://fortitudellc.mykajabi.com ***************************************************************************************** As a fan of our podcast and mission to spread Hope and Healing through the message of Jesus Christ - We would appreciate your financial support! We are 100% listener supported! TO GIVE TO FORTITUDE: - Patreon: patreon.com/FortitudePodcast - Stripe: https://bit.ly/fortitudedonate - Venmo: https://www.venmo.com/u/fortitude10 PERSONAL GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES: - Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@FortitudePod - Twitter: https://x.com/FortitudePod

    54 min
  5. Episode 64: Living Beyond Yourself: Chantelle’s Story of Faith and Family

    09/29/2025

    Episode 64: Living Beyond Yourself: Chantelle’s Story of Faith and Family

    Send us a text ✨ Episode 64 is Live! ✨ We are honored to kick off Season 4 by sitting down with an incredible woman, Chantelle—a daughter, wife, and leader whose story carries both depth and hope. In this episode, Heather and Amos talk with Chantelle about: The beauty and challenges of living out your faith in everyday lifeWhat it means to lead with both strength and humilityHow to rise through family, marriage, and community dynamics while keeping God at the centerWhy sharing our stories matters for the next generationChantelle’s journey reminds us that God calls us to live beyond ourselves—to be faithful in the small moments and courageous in the big ones. This conversation is real, inspiring, and full of gratitude for what God is doing through families who choose His mission above all. ***************************************************************************************** As a fan of our podcast and mission to spread Hope and Healing through the message of Jesus Christ - We would appreciate your financial support! We are 100% listener supported! TO GIVE TO FORTITUDE: - Patreon: patreon.com/FortitudePodcast - Stripe: https://bit.ly/fortitudedonate - Venmo: https://www.venmo.com/u/fortitude10 PERSONAL GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES: - Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@FortitudePod - Twitter: https://x.com/FortitudePod

    44 min
  6. Season 4 of the Fortitude Podcast is Here With The Founders

    09/25/2025

    Season 4 of the Fortitude Podcast is Here With The Founders

    Send us a text 🌟 Season 4 of the Fortitude Podcast is Here 🌟 This isn’t just the start of a new season—it’s the testimony of what God can do when a couple chooses to say yes to His calling, even through the hardest seasons. Heather and Amos open Season 4 by sharing the real journey behind Fortitude: the valleys, the rebuilding of trust, the sacrifices of motherhood and leadership, and the courage to keep showing up for each other, their children, and their community. They talk about what it means to carry God’s mission together—navigating family dynamics, shifting roles, and the weight of responsibility—yet still finding joy, purpose, and healing in the process. They don’t stand here today on their own. They stand because of the countless prayers, the love of family and friends, the Fortitude community, and the powerful moments shared at conferences and gatherings that reminded them: this calling is bigger than them. This season opener is raw, emotional, and full of gratitude. It’s a reminder that God doesn’t call the equipped—He equips the called. And with His strength, we can rise, rebuild, and walk boldly into our purpose. ➡️ Next week, we continue this momentum with a special conversation featuring Chantelle—a story you won’t want to miss. ***************************************************************************************** As a fan of our podcast and mission to spread Hope and Healing through the message of Jesus Christ - We would appreciate your financial support! We are 100% listener supported! TO GIVE TO FORTITUDE: - Patreon: patreon.com/FortitudePodcast - Stripe: https://bit.ly/fortitudedonate - Venmo: https://www.venmo.com/u/fortitude10 PERSONAL GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES: - Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@FortitudePod - Twitter: https://x.com/FortitudePod

    50 min
  7. Bloom Where You’re Planted with Paul DeJong (Episode 42)

    08/29/2025

    Bloom Where You’re Planted with Paul DeJong (Episode 42)

    Send us a text Rerun: Bloom Where You’re Planted with Paul DeJong (Episode 42) In this powerful conversation, Heather and Amos welcome back their dear friend Paul DeJong for part two of his story. Paul, the former owner of Landscape Garden Centers in Sioux Falls, shares the journey of retiring after his Parkinson’s diagnosis and the life changes that followed. He opens up about the challenges of letting go of independence, moving into assisted living, and learning to accept help with humility. Paul also reflects on faith, resilience, and how to “bloom where you’re planted”—choosing gratitude, connection, and purpose even in difficult seasons. This episode is about more than Parkinson’s. It’s about hope, community, legacy, and God’s faithfulness in the midst of trials. You’ll hear stories of support, friendship, and the book project Paul is now pursuing to capture Sioux Falls’ urban forest history. Paul’s perspective reminds us that life is about relationships, faith, and finding joy right where we are. His humility and humor will both inspire and challenge you. Listen in and be encouraged to bloom, no matter where you’ve been planted. Rerun: Bloom Where You’re Planted with Paul DeJong (Episode 42) In this powerful conversation, Heather and Amos welcome back their dear friend Paul DeJong for part two of his story. Paul, the former owner of Landscape Garden Centers in Sioux Falls, shares the journey of retiring after his Parkinson’s diagnosis and the life changes that followed. He opens up about the challenges of letting go of independence, moving into assisted living, and learning to accept help with humility. Paul also reflects on faith, resilience, and how to “bloom where you’re planted”—choosing gratitude, connection, and purpose even in difficult seasons. This episode is about more than Parkinson’s. It’s about hope, community, legacy, and God’s faithfulness in the midst of trials. You’ll hear stories of support, friendship, and the book project Paul is now pursuing to capture Sioux Falls’ urban forest history. Paul’s perspective reminds us that life is about relationships, faith, and finding joy right where we are. His humility and humor will both inspire and challenge you. Listen in and be encouraged to bloom, no matter where you’ve been planted. ***************************************************************************************** As a fan of our podcast and mission to spread Hope and Healing through the message of Jesus Christ - We would appreciate your financial support! We are 100% listener supported! TO GIVE TO FORTITUDE: - Patreon: patreon.com/FortitudePodcast - Stripe: https://bit.ly/fortitudedonate - Venmo: https://www.venmo.com/u/fortitude10 PERSONAL GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES: - Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@FortitudePod - Twitter: https://x.com/FortitudePod

    1h 15m

  8. 07/29/2025

    Episode 63 Miracle at the Mall with Kari Koffman

    Send us a text 🎧 Episode 63 is LIVE: Miracle at the Mall Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. 🔗 Book link: https://a.co/d/6Kie6Y7 Some moments change the world. Some miracles leave a scar. And some mothers walk through the unimaginable… and still choose faith. Today, we share one of the most heartbreaking and hope-filled stories ever told on the Fortitude Podcast. Kari Hoffman’s 5-year-old son, Landen, was thrown from the 3rd floor of the Mall of America by a stranger. The world watched in shock. But God never left the room. In this exclusive episode, Kari opens her heart and shares: The moments no news camera ever sawThe prayers whispered over her son’s hospital bedThe supernatural strength it took to forgiveAnd the miracle that followedThis isn’t just her testimony—it’s an anchor for anyone who’s ever cried out, “God, where are You in this?” 💬 “I couldn’t fix it. But I could believe for him.” — Kari Hoffman Today, her book Miracle at the Mall is also available. This story will stretch your soul and bring you face to face with a faith that held through the fire. 🧡 Listen to the episode. 📖 Get the book. 📲 Share this story with someone who needs light in the dark. Because even when it looks impossible—grace still wins. #FortitudePodcast #Episode63 #KariHoffman #MiracleAtTheMall #LandenStrong #FaithInHardPlaces #GodStillHeals #IAmFortified #PodcastLaunch #TrueStory #HopeWins #Forgiveness #Resilience #ChristianPodcast #TraumaToTestimony ***************************************************************************************** As a fan of our podcast and mission to spread Hope and Healing through the message of Jesus Christ - We would appreciate your financial support! We are 100% listener supported! TO GIVE TO FORTITUDE: - Patreon: patreon.com/FortitudePodcast - Stripe: https://bit.ly/fortitudedonate - Venmo: https://www.venmo.com/u/fortitude10 PERSONAL GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES: - Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@FortitudePod - Twitter: https://x.com/FortitudePod

    1h 24m
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5
out of 5
29 Ratings

About

Everyone has a story of Fortitude! When we tell our stories of pain in adversity - stories of courage, redemption and hope - we give others permission to speak up and get the help they need. Each episode will give the listener a look inside what overcoming adversity looks like no matter what life throws at you. Each story is uniquely different - stories of alcoholism/addiction, infidelity, rape, abuse, loss of a child/children, cancer, rare disease, tragic accidents...etc.! We are in this life together to support one another and build community around hope and redemption. I am your host, Heather Kittelson, and I am so excited to have you here as part of the Fortitude community!

Information

  • Creator
    Amos & Heather Kittelson
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    71
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Fortitude, LLC
  • Show Website
    Fortitude