Family Fortitude

Lonnie and Gionne Marts
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Relationships

The Family Fortitude podcast is dedicated to couples and individuals endeavoring to raise children and forge families in a culture that otherwise has a meandering set of values and standards. Family Fortitude is hosted by husband and wife duo, Lonnie and Gionne Marts, who share nuggets and wisdom from over three decades of parenting experience. They are passionate about seeing the family unit strengthened and restored, and while they never claim to be the perfect parents they have learned a few things walking with Jesus and partnering with Him to parent their equally imperfect kiddos.

  1. 10/21/2025

    When Fame Meets Home, Choose The Team That Lasts

    What happens when your dream finally calls your name—and your family needs you home by bedtime? We open up about navigating NFL fame as two 21-year-olds, the ego swell of public praise, and the quiet work of washing bottles, packing boxes, and keeping a marriage steady through chaotic seasons. The story isn’t about celebrity; it’s about structure, humility, and choosing the home team when the spotlight tempts you to forget who you are. We walk through the early years in Kansas City, the hard lessons in Tampa, and the abrupt transition to Jacksonville that hit right before school started—with a baby on the way and a house to sell. You’ll hear the tools that saved our sanity: a simple family playbook, clear roles, weekly rhythms, and a move kit ready for sudden calls. We talk openly about saying no to hype, resisting the pull of “I’m the guy,” and the power of a spouse who can hand you the baby and remind you of your real job. Along the way, we share how trips home, church community, and generational connection kept our kids anchored while the zip code kept changing. If you’re chasing a big career, building a business, or going back to school, this conversation offers practical ways to keep your identity rooted and your partnership aligned. Think growth over comfort, honesty over perfection, and presence over appearances. Success tests your values before it multiplies them; the only way through is to make your lanes different but your mission one. Press play, then tell us how you keep your family strong when life moves fast—and if this resonates, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more folks can find the show.

    33 min

  2. 09/30/2025

    Lessons from our locker room- Is 21 too young to marry?

    Is twenty-one too young to say “I do,” or is the better question whether two people are ready to grow—on purpose, for a long time? We take you behind our four-week wedding sprint during an NFL bye week and share how intention, faith, and honest conversations helped us not just survive but thrive for over three decades. We dig into what readiness actually looks like beyond a birthdate: shared purpose, the humility to learn, and a clear-eyed plan for real life. From purity culture’s “date to marry” lens to the practical guardrails of premarital counseling, we unpack how couples can set expectations around safety, boundaries, and non-negotiables. Money talk isn’t romantic, but it’s protective; we explain why reducing financial stress early can prevent combustible conflict later. And because communication makes or breaks connection, we break down our “mimes vs. detailed communicators” dynamic and the simple, repeatable habits that turned friction into alignment. Faith sits at the center of our story, shaping how we see each other and who we turn to when life gets heavy. We talk about seasons that stretch every marriage—kids, illness, loss, career change—and how community and small daily acts of care can hold you together when feelings don’t. The big takeaway: age isn’t the magic factor. A posture of growth, a plan for pressure, and a shared North Star are. If you’re weighing marriage young, this conversation gives you a grounded checklist for readiness and a hopeful picture of what long-term love can look like. Subscribe, share this episode with a friend who’s engaged or curious about marrying young, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway or question—we’ll read and respond on a future show.

    38 min

  3. 09/08/2025

    Lessons from our locker room

    In this vulnerable conversation, Lonnie and Gionne Marts pull back the curtain on their 11-year journey through professional football, revealing the strategies that kept their marriage intact when statistics suggested otherwise. They discuss the vital importance of having parents who pushed them toward reconciliation rather than division during difficult moments, and how keeping God as the "real MVP" provided an unshakable foundation. Whether you're navigating fame, fortune, career demands, or simply the everyday challenges of marriage and family, this episode offers wisdom from a couple who've emerged stronger through extraordinary circumstances. Listen now to gain insights from the Marts' locker room lessons that apply far beyond the football field.

    35 min

  4. 08/31/2025

    Game Plan: Balancing Sports and Family Life

    What happens when a former NFL player and his wife raise five athletes while trying to keep sports in its proper perspective? The answer unfolds in this deeply personal conversation about family values, athletic development, and finding balance during busy sports seasons. The Marts reveal their family philosophy that has guided their parenting: encouraging multi-sport participation, developing well-rounded individuals, and ensuring sports never becomes an idol that overshadows other God-given talents.  As they navigate their youngest daughter’s volleyball career, they share practical wisdom about prioritizing schedules without letting sports consume family life. Their concept of "there-ness", being physically present and engaged in their kids’ activities, stands as perhaps their most important parenting strategy through years of sideline support.  Whether you're raising young athletes or simply interested in maintaining healthy family priorities in a performance-driven culture, this conversation offers refreshing perspective from parents who've experienced sports at every level.

    38 min

  5. 07/22/2023

    Life- both disrespectful and rewarding

    Life can get tough, but it is during these challenging times that resilience and principles become our shield. Joy is not always found in grandeur, but often in small moments like hearing your teenage daughters having  a playful moment with each other.  In our latest episode, we take you on a journey of finding joy amidst life's rollercoaster, drawing inspiration from Ecclesiastes 8:15. We reflect on how life, despite being disrespectful at times can be rewarding.  And how every day can be a celebration if we decide to truly live it. As we wrap up, we emphasize the importance of keeping our eyes on the prize, trusting God's plan, and staying motivated even amidst life's hurdles. So, why not join us for this enlightening and uplifting conversation?

    30 min

  6. 09/26/2022

    Embracing the suck

    Life literally be lifing.  And sometimes we find ourselves in less than desirable situations.  Learning to embrace the sucky aspects of life, job loss, the death of a loved one, a failed relationship, a health challenge can all be hard.  We want to encourage you to not just crawl in bed, pull the covers and quit but to actually press through to the other side of the sucky thing happening in your life.  Gain God's perspective in the midst of pain, trouble or loss and there you will see light at the end of the tunnel.

    41 min

  7. 07/11/2022

    Transitions

    Ever find yourself in a season where things seem to be shifting around you?  In this episode we get back in the saddle and talk about some of the changes that have happened in our lives over the past two years.  Transition can be hard but the fruit that comes is so rewarding.  We encourage you to embrace  change and learn the rhythm of the new season you may find yourself in.  Take a listen!

    41 min
  8. Black Family. White World.

    07/01/2020

    Black Family. White World.

    In this episode we take time out to describe our perspectives on today’s racial tension crisis from the standpoint of a black family that moves in various predominantly white circles. This is a special episode because like many families we are semi quarantined in a state of full house under one roof. We were joined by the “Big 3,” our first 3 children to discuss multiple topics. We take on being black in academia and athletics, discuss white expectations and tackle experiencing microaggressions in our real lives.

    46 min
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About

The Family Fortitude podcast is dedicated to couples and individuals endeavoring to raise children and forge families in a culture that otherwise has a meandering set of values and standards. Family Fortitude is hosted by husband and wife duo, Lonnie and Gionne Marts, who share nuggets and wisdom from over three decades of parenting experience. They are passionate about seeing the family unit strengthened and restored, and while they never claim to be the perfect parents they have learned a few things walking with Jesus and partnering with Him to parent their equally imperfect kiddos.

Information

  • Creator
    Lonnie and Gionne Marts
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Family Fortitude
  • Show Website
    Family Fortitude