Fortitude
Everyone has a story of Fortitude! When we tell our stories of pain in adversity - stories of courage, redemption and hope - we give others permission to speak up and get the help they need. Each episode will give the listener a look inside what overcoming adversity looks like no matter what life throws at you. Each story is uniquely different - stories of alcoholism/addiction, infidelity, rape, abuse, loss of a child/children, cancer, rare disease, tragic accidents...etc.! We are in this life together to support one another and build community around hope and redemption. I am your host, Heather Kittelson, and I am so excited to have you here as part of the Fortitude community!
Episodes
Episode 61: The Boldest Chapter – with Alicia Schumacher
What if clarity doesn’t come from having a perfect plan—
but from losing everything that made you think you had to?
In this powerful episode, Heather and Amos sit down with Alicia Schumacher, founder of Bold Minds and Bold Identity Studio, to talk about identity, reinvention, and the raw reality of starting over.
After nearly 20 years in marketing, Alicia’s life too...
“Wrecked for More” with Pastor Phill Tague
This episode will challenge what you think you know about calling, grace, and leadership.
What happens when God doesn’t just save you—but stops you?
Phill Tague knows. He was the guy with all the answers, all the hustle, and all the wrong direction—until God called him out, broke through his pride, and gave him something far more dangerous: purpose.
Before Ransom Church.
Before pr...
In this deeply moving episode, Amos and Heather sit down with Benson Langat—a former elite runner from Kenya, now a sought-after coach, mentor, and founder of Bensane Run Coaching & Sports Consulting.
Together, they explore the tension between performance and purpose, the gift of slowing down, and the powerful role faith plays in Benson’s coaching philosophy. From his early days of chasing medals to learning how to...
In this compelling episode of Fortitude Podcast, we sit down with South Dakota DCI Special Agent Brian Freeouf, a man who has spent his life fighting for the most vulnerable—often from the shadows.
From serving undercover to stop predators targeting children, to leading high-tech forensic investigations, Brian’s journey is anything but ordinary. But what makes this episode truly unforgettable isn’t just Brian’s career—...
Jon Setzer is a dynamic speaker, coach, and former professional athlete with a passion for inspiring others to unlock their full potential. As the founder of Setzer Elite, Jon combines his experience as a professional football player with his gift for communication to deliver powerful messages on faith, leadership, resilience, and personal development.
With a background in college and professional football, Jon underst...
In this episode of Fortitude, hosts Heather and Amos Kittleson sit down with Bintu and Luc, a remarkable couple with a compelling story that spans continents. Bintu shares her journey from the Congo to Belgium, her escape from war, and her mission to bring hope and education back to her homeland through her nonprofit, Future Hope Africa.
Luc, who was atheistic most of his life, recounts his unexpected path to faith an...
Albert Huizing is a steadfast man whose life story is a testament to resilience, faith, and the power of unwavering parents and community. Albert shares his journey of experiencing family bankruptcy and living in poverty as a child to becoming a successful family man, business owner and author. His foundation in faith was established early on in his life by attending Christian school and witnessing Christ-centered liv...
Nancy Zollner is a devoted Christian, wife, mother, and lifelong educator with a passion for teaching and ministering to others. As the founder and director of Redemption Ranch, located near Wabasso, MN, she is dedicated to creating a space where faith, healing, and community thrive.
With nearly two decades of experience as a teacher, Nancy taught everything from elementary to high school, specializing in middle and hi...
#53 Jeremy & Brooke Brown - Step by Step: The Browns' Journey of Faith, Family, and Clubfoot Triumph
In this heartwarming and inspiring episode, we sit down with long-time friends Brooke and Jeremy Brown to discuss their incredible journey over the past 12 years. From dating and marriage to raising five boys, the Browns have faced numerous challenges, including their son Bennett's severe bilateral clubfoot.
Listen as they share their story of faith, resilience, and the power of community. Brooke's...
In this heart-wrenching yet inspiring episode, hosts Amos and Heather Kittelson sit down with Shelly and Ladell Kellenberger to discuss a life-altering accident that changed their lives forever. Ladell, affectionately known as "Gopher," shares his miraculous survival story of running into a train, the incredible medical journey that followed, and the unwavering faith that carried him and his family through t...
In October 2022, Nick Kiesow suffered a spinal cord stroke that left him paralyzed from the chest down.
In this powerful episode of the Fortitude Podcast, hosts Amos and Heather sit down with Nick Kiesow to discuss his extraordinary journey of overcoming a spinal cord stroke. Nick shares the rare nature of his condition, the initial shock, and the relentless determination that has driven his substantial reco...
In this heartfelt episode, hosts Heather and Amos Kittelson welcome Rebekah Scott, a dynamic entrepreneur, designer, author and podcast host, to kick off Season 3!
Rebekah is a servant to God, wife to Nicholas, mother to 4 beautiful kiddos and entrepreneur from SD. She has developed several successful brands including two handmade purse and accessory businesses (Rebekah Scott Designs and 1948 Leather). She i...
In this heartfelt episode of Fortitude, hosts Heather and Amos sit down with DeVonte Garcia, a young father with an incredible story of redemption and forgiveness. DeVonte shares his journey of battling drug addiction and the pain of an absent father to finding faith in Jesus Christ - his Heavenly Father.
DeVonte was born in Tacoma, Washington, where he was raised as an only child by his beautiful mother, Lo...
As technology becomes increasingly integrated into our children's lives, so too does the risk of exploitation. Kendra Russell, a digital evidence forensic examiner from South Dakota’s Division of Criminal Investigation, stands at the forefront of the battle against internet crimes targeting children. This episode delves into the subtle yet severe risks lurking on popular gaming platforms like Roblox and across so...
From accumulating a million dollars in debt to achieving financial freedom, Sarah Kurtenbach is a powerful advocate for financial literacy for teenage and college-age women. Grounded in biblical wisdom, Sarah's mission is to empower young women to take control of their finances and build a secure future. In this episode, she discusses the importance of teaching young girls about money management, budgeting, and i...
From battling personal struggles like pornography addiction and autoimmune disease, to building a thriving church and business in a small Minnesota town, Pete and Krista Bierman share their story of resilience and unwavering commitment to their mission. Learn how they navigate the complexities of marriage, parenthood, and ministry while staying true to their vision of creating a vibrant community space for youth and f...
Once trapped in the cycle of crack cocaine addiction on the notorious streets of Skid Row, Greg Sands' story is one of extraordinary redemption. This episode takes you through Greg’s intense struggles with addiction, the life-altering realization in federal prison, and his ambitious steps towards recovery that led to monumental success in business and philanthropy. Hear how Greg's commitment to change not on...
A guardian of traditional, personalized healthcare and deeply attuned to the needs of women's health, Dr. Lauren Skattum is a force in today's complex medical landscape. Her journey has taken her from Alabama to Africa, and now to her practice as a gynecologist in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She advocates for women to be strong foundations in their homes and communities, focusing on hormonal balance, metaboli...
Meet Jill, the newest member of Fortitude, as she shares how unexpected and difficult paths have led her to a life rich with adventure. From adopting holistic health methods as her father battled pancreatic cancer, to her unconventional transportation through the harsh winters of South Dakota, to connecting with a vibrant, culturally diverse group of faithful women in Tampa, Florida after a Holy Spirit call to move—Ji...
We welcome back our most listened-to guest from Season 1, Paul DeJong! Paul shares updates on his life since retiring due to Parkinson's disease, discussing the physical and emotional adjustments he's navigated. From embracing assisted living to exploring alternative therapies and maintaining a positive outlook, Paul's story is a powerful testament to resilience and servant leadership. Join us as we de...
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