Courageous Crossroads

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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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In this episode of the Courageous Crossroads Podcast, Steve Freeman offers a thoughtful and deeply personal picture of courage, describing how the most courageous thing he has done was surrender his life to Christ and then follow God’s call even when it meant leaving comfort, certainty, and financial security behind. He shares the story of walking away from a successful career path in Southern California, moving his family to Iowa, and helping plant a church, all out
of a growing conviction that courage is found in faithful obedience. Steve Freeman is the pastor of Living Hope in Clive, Iowa, and a former insurance professional with more than 30 years of experience. He is also a husband, father of four, grandfather, and ministry leader with a strong commitment to sharing the gospel, strengthening marriages and families, and encouraging others to live with purpose, faith, and truth.

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In this episode, Calum Souter shares a thoughtful and deeply personal conversation about faith, purpose, and what courage really looks like in everyday life. Raised in Perth, Scotland, in a committed Christian home, Calum describes his early resistance to faith, his years of drifting through university life, travel, and the hospitality world, and the turning points that led him back to God through Alpha, service, and a growing sense of obedience. He reflects on courage not as
something dramatic, but as the willingness to step up when life is hard, keep showing up for others, and say yes to God even when you feel unqualified. Now involved in charitable work through his family’s foundation, supporting causes such as anti-human trafficking, humanitarian aid, child welfare, and evangelism, Calum is also passionate about leading Alpha in his hometown and helping others encounter faith for themselves. His story is one of humility, honesty, and a steady commitment to serve where he believes God has called him.

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KG is a South African pastor, husband, and father whose life reflects a deep and hard-won confidence in God. Raised without a Christian upbringing, he came to faith through the witness of his cousin, was drawn into church community, and ultimately pursued theological training at Baptist Theological College in Johannesburg. Now serving in ministry in Limpopo, KG brings together pastoral conviction, thoughtful humility, and a moving personal story shaped by obedience, sacrifice, and grace. In this episode of Courageous Crossroads, recorded on a back porch in Shikwaru, South Africa, KG shares his remarkable journey to Christ, his call into ministry, his courageous decision to marry his wife despite cultural and financial obstacles, and the beautiful story of becoming a devoted father to his stepdaughter, Rato. Centered on his simple but powerful definition of courage as “confidence in God,” this conversation is a warm,
honest, and faith-filled testimony about trusting the Lord through family tension, calling, marriage, and everyday acts of obedience.

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Alex Adams is an Iowa-based entrepreneur, husband to Allison (“Allie”), and dad to two boys, Owen and Mac, whose early years were marked by a fast, reckless lifestyle that started with drinking at 14 and eventually put his marriage, business, and safety at risk; after a pivotal night nearly four years ago when he pulled over on his motorcycle, convinced he wasn’t going to make it home, Alex chose sobriety, began telling the truth, and rebuilt his life one day at a time. In this
episode, Alex sits down with host Jeff to talk candidly about what courage really looks like in everyday life, defining it as doing the right thing even when it isn’t the easy thing, and sharing how faith, honesty, and support helped him break addiction, become more present at home, and lead with purpose. Along the way, he reflects on the ripple effects of change, from coaching youth baseball and praying with his team to mentoring others who are struggling, offering a grounded, hopeful conversation about second chances, surrendering control, and becoming the kind of man your kids want to follow.

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In this episode of Courageous Crossroads, Jeff sits down with CEO, entrepreneur, and faith-driven leader Lisa Nichols to explore what courage looks like in real life, from building Technology Partners with her husband Greg to raising a family, leading with conviction, an learning leadership lessons from her daughter Allie, who was born with Down syndrome and lives with what Lisa calls “something extra.” Lisa shares her definition of courage as taking steps in spite of fear, tells stories ranging from singing the national anthem at a St. Louis Cardinals game to navigating moments where standing openly in her faith carried professional risk, and ultimately names the most courageous thing she’s ever done: leading with faith and love, especially in the workplace. Lisa Nichols is the co-founder and CEO of Technology Partners (an IT staffing, solutions, and leadership development firm), a longtime community and nonprofit advocate, and the host of the Something Extra podcast (launched in 2018), where she closes each
interview by asking leaders what “something extra” they believe every leader needs; she’s also the author of the book Something Extra, which distills lessons from hundreds of podcas conversations into practical leadership traits, includes reflection questions, and features memorable Allie stories throughout—listeners can find Something Extra wherever they get podcasts and can find the book Something Extra through major retailers, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

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In this episode of Courageous Crossroads, host Jeff sits down with entrepreneur Josh Roberts to trace the unlikely path from a farm in rural Louisiana and a childhood of constant moving to building (and rebuilding) multiple businesses in Pennsylvania, including a land services company that scaled rapidly during the Marcellus boom and later ventures in pipeline inspection and talent solutions. Josh shares how what once looked like courage on the outside (risk-taking, nonstop work, big bets) eventually gave way to a deeper definition rooted in surrender and
vulnerability after a 2018 collapse, when a major customer’s bankruptcy triggered financial freefall and forced him to confront who he’d become at home. He recounts a pivotal moment of dropping to his knees and turning his life over to God, the steady support of his wife Lauren, and the practices that now keep him grounded, including off-grid solo retreats marked by prayer, journaling, and fasting. Joshua Roberts is a Pittsburgh-based business owner and founder who
has generated significant revenue across multiple companies, including USA Field Services and USA Talent Solutions, and co-owns My Salon Suite locations with Lauren; shaped by early entrepreneurship at the University of Missouri, an international MBA experience spanning London, Shanghai, and Dubai, and years living on the road, Josh now focuses on building with purpose, faith-forward leadership, and long-term impact.

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In this episode, host Jeff sits down with Jason Wilson, a Des Moines-area native and longtime fitness enthusiast, to talk about what courage really looks like in everyday life, tracing Jason’s path from a turbulent school transition and relentless work ethic to the deeper, harder kind of bravery required to confront addiction, trauma, and self-deception. Jason shares how his definition of courage centers on doing what’s uncomfortable and scary, taking leaps that weren’t part of the plan, and following through even when it’s messy, then answers the episode’s core
question by naming sobriety as the most courageous thing he’s ever done, describing the slow progression of alcoholism, the turning point that came through therapy, 12-step recovery, and faith, and the ongoing practice of accountability, humility, and asking for help. Jason Wilson is an infrastructure engineer with a background in exercise science and corporate wellness, a
former college athlete, and a disciplined lifter who also competed in bodybuilding; he’s a father, a person in recovery, and someone who emphasizes community, honesty, and spiritual grounding as essential tools for staying sober and encouraging others to take the next courageous step.

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.

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In this episode of the Courageous Crossroads, host Jeff sits down with Chuck Larson for a wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation about faith, courage, service, and purpose. Chuck shares stories from a life marked by global experience, including military service in Iraq, time spent in the Middle East, work in government and business, and a faith journey refined through hardship and renewal. He reflects on what courage really means to him today, not just facing
physical danger, but stepping out in love, speaking openly about faith, praying for others, and trusting God in everyday moments. The discussion moves fluidly from combat missions and leadership under pressure to healing, generosity, identity in Christ, and the urgency of using our limited time to lift others up. Chuck Larson is a former Iowa legislator, U.S. Army Reserve JAG officer, and public affairs professional who served a year in Iraq and later as U.S. Ambassador to
Latvia. He is the co-owner of an Iowa-based public relations, public affairs, and government relations firm with team members across the country, and he now spends much of his time coaching, teaching, and encouraging others in their faith. Chuck can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at            319-533-1451, and he welcomes opportunities to connect,
answer questions, or invite others into study and conversation.

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:

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See you in the next episode! Be blessed!