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Reid Zeising is an entrepreneur, healthcare executive, and founder of Cherokee Funding and Gain Servicing, which now operate together as Gain, an AI-powered healthcare-finance and servicing platform that helps injured people access medical care when they may not be able to pay up front. Born in Detroit and raised internationally in Adelaide, Australia, and Tokyo, Reid developed an early sense that the world was both accessible and full of possibility, eventually studying international economics at the University of Michigan before building a career in
investment banking, hedge funds, and entrepreneurship. His professional rise was dramatic, but so was his fall: an aggressive, highly leveraged acquisition collided with the 2008 financial crisis, leaving Reid personally facing roughly $22 million in contingent liabilities. In January 2009, amid that collapse and a growing recognition that alcohol, ego, and self-reliance were destroying his life, Reid walked into an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting and began a journey of recovery,
accountability, faith, and service that would fundamentally reshape both his life and his leadership. Over the next six years, he repaid every creditor, rebuilt his life, and gradually exchanged what he describes as a self-centered, zero-sum approach to success for one rooted in honesty, abundance, humility, and doing “the next right thing.” Today, Reid leads Gain, a company serving healthcare providers and injured patients across all 50 states, and has been recognized as a Georgia Titan 100 in both 2025 and 2026. In this unusually candid episode of
Courageous Crossroads, Reid reflects on failure, addiction, financial collapse, broken relationships, recovery, faith, and the danger of allowing ego to reclaim control. His story leads to a compelling understanding of courage: not the absence of fear, but the willingness to move forward when the outcome is uncertain—to ask for help, surrender the illusion of control, accept the possibility of failure, and take the next right step. As Reid puts it, “Fear and faith are both
beliefs in the unknown,” and his encouragement to anyone standing at a crossroads is equally straightforward: be smart, be measured, pray, and then “just do it.”

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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.

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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.

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In this episode of Courageous Crossroads, Jeff Johnson sits down with longtime friend and respected business leader Phil Suess for a thoughtful conversation about resilience, leadership, and the courage to step beyond one’s comfort zone. Phil shares how losing his position in a family business at age 59 forced him to confront uncertainty, reject a victim mentality, and envision a new chapter in which his decades of experience could continue serving others. A former University of Iowa quarterback, Phil draws on lessons learned from football, business, marriage, and fatherhood to explain why courage requires focus, personal responsibility, and the ability to see yourself succeeding before the outcome is certain. Raised in the Midwest, Phil earned his business degree from the University of Iowa, built a successful 31-year career in the construction industry, and now applies his leadership experience in a new business role while
mentoring others through seasons of professional and personal transition.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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In this episode, Craig Applefield reflects on a life shaped by service, discipline, failure, faith, and redemption. A former Navy F-4 Phantom pilot and Vietnam veteran who flew roughly 300 missions, Craig shares lessons from combat, leadership, business, and family before offering a surprising answer to the question of the most courageous thing he has ever done: living 69 years
without the Lord. After decades as a successful but controlling businessman, Craig’s life changed during a mission trip to Mozambique, where an encounter with poverty, humility, and sacrificial kindness opened the door to faith. Today, Craig is a devoted husband, father, Christian, mentor, and servant-leader whose story points to courage as grit, moral strength, trust in God, and the willingness to keep serving others with grace and purpose.

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In this episode, Amber Sommerfeld shares her story of faith, family, spiritual growth, and courage, reflecting on her life as a wife, mother, ministry leader, and follower of Jesus who has learned to step out in obedience even when it feels uncomfortable. Amber, who lives in Ankeny with her husband, Todd, has spent many years raising their three children while also growing in her passion for Scripture, healing, deliverance, and helping people experience freedom in Christ.
Through honest stories about depression, the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts, and moments when God called her to speak or act with boldness, Amber defines courage as living by faith, taking the next step even when fear is present, and being willing to obey God with humility, authenticity, and love.

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In this episode, the host talks with David Iles about courage, calling, and the quiet discipline of doing the right thing even when it is difficult or unpopular. Drawing on his work in funeral service, David reflects on how meaningful service can help families through grief and explains why he sees courage less as one dramatic act and more as a daily commitment to integrity, compassion, and consistency. David Iles is a Des Moines, Iowa native, a third-generation funeral director, and part of a family business that serves families through a network of funeral homes and a pre-need planning agency. He is also a husband, father of two young boys, and a thoughtful leader shaped by faith, family, and a deep sense of purpose in helping others on some of the hardest days of their lives.

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