Courageous Crossroads

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Jeff Johannesen is a retired CPA and former Chief Strategy Officer at RSM, where he spent over four decades transitioning from client service into high-level leadership, helping shape the firm's national and global direction. In this episode, Jeff shares his journey from a small-town Iowa farm to the boardrooms of a major professional services firm, reflecting on the decisions that demanded real courage—from walking away from a farming future during the 1980s crisis to stepping out of a secure leadership role to make space for others and take on new, uncharted challenges. With thoughtfulness, humility, and practical wisdom, Jeff unpacks his personal definition of courage, the risks he chose to take, and why learning to be “comfortable being uncomfortable” has been key to both his professional growth and personal integrity.

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Chris Norton is a motivational speaker, author, founder of the Chris Norton Foundation (www.chrisnortonfoundation.org), and former collegiate football player who defied a 3% chance of ever walking again after a life-altering spinal cord injury. Known for his viral walk across his college graduation stage and down the aisle at his wedding, Chris now travels the country inspiring others with a message of resilience, faith, and purpose. In this episode of the Courageous Crossroads Podcast, Chris shares what he believes is the most courageous thing he's ever done, how he defines courage, and how others can find strength through discomfort, community, and unwavering belief. From personal trials to becoming a foster and adoptive parent to five children, Chris opens up about the power of choosing faith over fear, and how courage often begins with one decision: to keep going.

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Jimmy May is a retired Navy SEAL with over two decades of service, including six wartime deployments across Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, and the broader Middle East. A Texas native now based in California, Jimmy is the founder of Mayday Executive Services, which curates high adrenaline, high-security experiences for executives, and Beyond the Brotherhood (www.beyondthebrotherhood.org), a nonprofit that supports at-risk special operations veterans through mentorship, wellness, and career transition. Since retiring, Jimmy has focused on public
speaking, faith, and leadership, championing mental health and purpose for veterans navigating life after service. His story of resilience, humility, and courage—both on and off the battlefield— is featured on The Courageous Crossroads podcast, a show hosted by Jeffrey L. Johnson that explores real-life decisions requiring bold, moral, and spiritual courage, spotlighting individuals
who step up when it counts most.

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Dr. Nicholas Honkamp is an orthopedic surgeon based in Des Moines, Iowa, and the president of DMOS Orthopaedic Centers. Born and raised in Dubuque, Iowa, Dr. Honkamp studied at the University of Notre Dame and later earned his medical degree from the University of Iowa. His journey into orthopedics began through hands-on experience in athletic training, and he has since built a career grounded in empathy, resilience, and leadership. In this episode, Dr. Honkamp shares deeply personal stories of loss, including the passing of his sister and father, and reflects
on how those experiences shaped his understanding of courage. He discusses the quiet strength of his mother, the importance of pressing forward in the face of grief, and how being a parent and surgeon continually calls him to practice compassion and conviction.

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Ray Wright – Courageous Crossroads Podcast Guest

In this episode of Courageous Crossroads, Jeff Johnson sits down with Ray
Wright, former LSU baseball champion and now the Pit Department Manager at
Richard Childress Racing in NASCAR. Ray’s journey from SEC athletics to
NASCAR leadership is marked by personal loss, a radical faith transformation, and
an unwavering commitment to courage—on and off the track. A passionate
follower of Christ, Ray shares candid reflections on failure, resilience, spiritual
identity, and leading high-performance teams under pressure. With authenticity and strength, Ray reminds us that true courage is taking risks rooted in faith, owning your story, and walking boldly through the doors God opens.

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Doug Ecklund is the longtime CEO of Cellular Advantage, a company that he
and his wife Mitzi have grown from a single mall kiosk into one of the top US
Cellular Authorized Agents in the country with over $28 million in revenue and
more than 100 team members. Doug invests his time supporting the culture that
has been built to enrich the quality of life of those in and around the business.
He has been a member of the Young President Organization since 2004 and was
a founding member of the Iowa chapter of the Entrepreneurs Organization in
2000. He enjoys being outside with his family, whether it is walking the dogs in
the timber or with a golf bag on his back. Doug and Mitzi enjoy serving as adult
leaders for sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade boys and girls at their church.
They have two children and live in the Des Moines area.

For more information about Cellular Advantage, go to www.cellulardvantage.com.

For more of Doug's writing, visit www.dougeklund.com.

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On this special episode of Courageous Crossroads, Jeff Johnson welcomes Ariel Forsberg, a resilient and deeply grounded woman whose story of faith, family, and fearless commitment is both inspiring and refreshingly authentic. Ariel lives with her husband and four children on the North Shore of Oahu, in a sugarcane plantation home just a stone’s throw from the beach, where feral roosters roam and the rhythm of life reflects old-school simplicity and deep spiritual conviction. A self-described “old-school hippie,” Ariel homeschools her children, tends to their
homestead lifestyle, and believes in going back to the roots of healthy, intentional living—from making homemade tallow-based shampoo to cultivating family values rooted in faith and independence. Raised in a tight-knit pastor’s family in rural Colorado, Ariel's courageous journey includes marrying Drew, a Navy SEAL, facing long deployments and seasons of isolation, and raising young children without extended family nearby. In this heartfelt conversation, she reflects on what it means to be courageous as a mother, wife, and believer and shares how God has
shaped her life through seasons of change, trust, and steadfast love.

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Dan Douglas, a proud Iowan and former Green Beret, embodies resilience and adaptability in every facet of his life. Initially pursuing a career in architecture at Iowa State University, Dan soon realized that the structured world of design was not his calling. After leaving college, he transitioned into construction before ultimately finding his path in the U.S. Army, where he served for 20 years. His military career took him from combat engineering to the elite ranks of the Green Berets, where he specialized as a Special Forces Medical Sergeant. Throughout multiple deployments, including tours in Iraq, Dan developed a keen understanding of leadership, courage, and the importance of faith in navigating adversity. After retiring from the military, he pursued a new mission: helping others as a physician assistant and launching his own real estate business, Green Beret Realty.

In this compelling episode of Courageous Crossroads, host Jeff Johnson sits down with Dan to explore the winding path that led him from Iowa State to the battlefield, from skepticism to a deep-rooted Christian faith, and from military service to entrepreneurship. Dan shares candid reflections on the challenges of admitting personal struggles, the importance of vulnerability, and how true courage isn’t just about facing physical danger but embracing emotional and spiritual growth. With insights from his military experience, his faith journey, and his current work in real estate, Dan offers listeners a powerful perspective on stepping into the unknown with conviction and authenticity. Whether discussing the weight of leadership, the necessity of transparency, or the complexities of faith in the midst of conflict, this episode is a masterclass in what it means to live courageously.

Contact Dan at (910) 391-4554, or [email protected]

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Orvin Kimbrough is a seasoned leader, author, and entrepreneur who currently serves as the steward of one of Missouri’s largest privately held banks. A lifelong resident of St. Louis, Orvin’s journey from childhood adversity to professional success has shaped his mission to inspire others through faith, resilience, and service. In this episode of Courageous Crossroads, Orvin shares the powerful story behind his book, Twice Over a Man: A Fierce Memoir of a Orphan Boy Who Doggedly Determined a Finer Life. He speaks candidly about overcoming
trauma, the importance of faith in finding purpose, and his belief that courage is an active choice —one made daily in the face of hardship. Through deep conversation with host Jeff Johnson, Orvin explores how surrendering to God, reframing struggles as opportunities, and embracing none’s personal story can create a lasting impact. Their discussion touches on the nature of true service, the power of forgiveness, and the necessity of perseverance, making this a compelling
episode for anyone seeking to find strength through adversity.

Orvin's book is available at the following links:

◦Use this link to purchase Twice Over A Man from IngramSpark
◦Use this link to purchase The Thrivers Workbook
◦Use this link to purchase the audiobook exclusively on Audible: Twice Over A Man

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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Dr. Steve Murphy, a practicing radiologist in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is also an
associate pastor at a Filipino church, a passionate evangelist, and a devoted husband and father. Originally from Osceola, Iowa, Steve's journey of faith took him from skepticism to a deep commitment to Christ, ultimately leading him and his wife, Leslie, to leave behind a successful medical career in the U.S. to serve in the Middle East. In this episode of Courageous Crossroads, Steve shares how his faith transformed his life, the challenges of living and ministering in Saudi Arabia, and the courage it takes to follow God's call, even when it means stepping into the unknown. And in a surprising twist, Steve reveals that the most courageous thing he’s ever done wasn’t moving to Saudi Arabia—it was jumping out of an airplane with me in college. Join us for a compelling conversation on faith, obedience, and boldness in the face of uncertainty.

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