A double encounter with pungent passengers on his flight to and from his destination sparks Michael DeLeeuw to create the essence ring, a sanctuary for the olfactories.

However, just like any good flight will experience moments of turbulence, the journey to get his invention off the ground didn’t come without its bumps. But with good old fashion hard work, self belief, and a deal on the hit TV show Shark Tank, Michael and his wife Tami are poised to grow their business from the front room to the board room.

In this episode of Fortune and Faith, we share the story of Allison Brown—a high achiever who always embraces a challenge. From excelling as a three-sport athlete and valedictorian in Palmdale, CA, to pursuing her dream of attending Brigham Young University, Allison seems on track to achieve everything she sets her heart on. Her artistic talents flourish at BYU’s fine arts program, but life takes an unexpected turn.

When Allison isn't accepted into her desired graphic design program and her fiancé is offered a job back in Southern California, she makes the difficult decision to leave school and step into the unknown. With faith as her guide, Allison learns to let go of her original plans and trust in a path she never imagines.

Tune in as Allison shares how faith, resilience, and unexpected detours shape her journey.

Though now celebrated for their genre-defying blend of classical, pop, and rock music, Jon Schmidt's path to the piano was far from certain as the pianist of the world renowned group - The Piano Guys.

As the youngest of five children in a family of German immigrants who fled WWII, Jon’s early piano lessons came from his older sister. Despite his natural gift, it wasn’t until a profound loss and a powerful admonition from his mission president that Jon fully embraced his God-given talents.

Jon also opens up about the heartbreaking passing of his daughter Annie, who disappeared in 2016 during an outdoor hiking trip in Oregon and how his past experiences helped buoy his faith in the greatest time of questions and uncertainty.

If you enjoyed our conversation with cellist Steven Sharp Nelson back in August 2023, you won’t want to miss this intimate look at "the other guy" behind the piano. Jon’s story is one of faith, family, and finding purpose through music.

Tune in to hear how Jon’s journey from reluctance to recognition continues to inspire audiences—and why he believes our talents, and our faith, are never meant to be buried.

In this episode of Fortune and Faith, we sit down with Edmonton Oilers Center Derek Ryan—the NHL’s only member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—as he opens up about his remarkable journey of faith, perseverance, and purpose.

From humble beginnings in Spokane, Washington, where he grows up in the Catholic Church and is coached by his father on local hockey teams, Derek never imagines his path would lead to the NHL. With no draft selection and little fanfare, his goal is simply to play hard and enjoy the game—yet his quiet determination would take him all the way to hockey’s biggest stage.

Derek shares how his conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shapes his perspective both on and off the ice, including the challenges of balancing professional pressure with personal belief. He also reflects candidly on the heartache of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, where the Oilers fell just one win short of glory in Game 7 against the Florida Panthers—a moment of deep disappointment that tested even his strongest convictions.

This is more than a story of athletic achievement—it's a story of spiritual endurance, unexpected success, and the role of faith when dreams are fulfilled... and when they fall just short.

Mike Hood—a man whose first 20 years of life are filled with uncertainty and upheaval, but whose last 40 years are marked by consistency, purpose, and a deep-rooted faith.

Mike is the owner of Hood Financial, a retirement planning, investment management and financial planning firm. Growing up, he’s the oldest of three children in a Navy family, meaning Mike is familiar with change. With frequent moves, and a lack of spiritual structure defining much of his early life, regular church attendance and spiritual guidance weren’t a focus at home despite his parents being baptized members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But at age 15, much like the prophet Joseph Smith, Mike has a personal spiritual awakening—a pivotal moment that leads him to question his path, his future, and God’s role in it.

In our April episode we unpack the powerful story of how faith helped Mike find stability in the midst of chaos, laying the foundation for a life full of purpose, resilience, and lasting success.

Never thinking a career was a possibility for herself, Katie Hendrickson is determined to teach her four daughters they can accomplish anything. As a young mother, and with her husband constantly traveling for work , Katie begins her small business journey by just doing. When she has an idea, she makes it happen and includes her daughters in the process teaching them lessons they can carry throughout their lives.

Travis Salisbury grows up knowing the value of hard work as the third of 12 children on his family’s 600-acre farm. With farming as his foundation, he naturally envisions it as his future. Opportunities align to make that dream a reality—until a profound spiritual experience at Brigham Young University sets him on an unexpected path. This pivotal moment causes him to change his major and alters what his professional future will be. And eventually he is led to Yucaipa, California, where he now runs his own accounting firm, and serves as the Stake President.

At 86 years old, Rich Johnston is happily retired after a life of adventure and fulfillment. Taking the time to reflect on his journey, from his business ventures, to his family, his wife, and even his membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Rich can trace many of his blessings back to a signature dish he's become locally famous for - Rich's Ribs.

As Rich describes it, if it wasn't for learning this recipe, he never would have had opened his restaurant. And if he didn't start his restaurant, he never would've met his wife Debbie who came to work for him. And if he never met Debbie, he never would've become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And if he never became a member of the church, he would not have the family he treasures so dearly, or the foundation upon which gives him his purpose and perspective.

But as any good pilot knows, and Rich is an avid one, there are always headwinds in the journey of life that we must overcome. And by being firmly rooted in the principles of the gospel Rich is grounded in his faith, which pushes him through the challenges and the trials.

Lindsey Hawes, the oldest daughter of a “girl dad” entrepreneur, grows up in Utah surrounded by her dad’s various business ventures. From piano stores to gas stations and everything in between, Lindsey doesn’t always know the ins and outs of what her dad does, but she knows she lives a good life with all her needs being met. Fast forward over 20 years, and now Lindsey is stepping into the entrepreneurial world herself with Sunlit Skin Care—a brand dedicated to offering busy moms and women affordable, quick, and effective skincare solutions. But as with any entrepreneurial journey, Lindsey’s path isn't without challenges. Her story begins with a setback: she doesn’t get into her top-choice college after high school, a moment of failure that would ultimately shape the drive and resilience she brings to her business today. Hear how Lindsey's journey has evolved from childhood observations to launching her own brand, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

Ask any child of a military service member, and most likely they’ll tell you stories of moving around a lot, and never making close friends because of it.  But more often than not, they will also tell you in adulthood how these experiences helped shape their lives and gave them different skills for their future endeavors.  And it’s no different for Chris Bird, co founder of Chimeris. His dad is in the NAVY, and the family lives all over the world.  And while Chris spends time all around the world, he leaves for his full time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from Frederick Maryland, but returns to San Diego, California where he doesn't really know anybody. Today Chris talks about how this experience helps shape him as husband, father, and business leader.