Let’s Talk Fortitude

91. Standing in the Gap with Seth Parrish

Jon and Todd welcome back Seth Parrish to explore faith, recovery, and community, particularly in the context of a recent men's retreat. Reflections on personal transformations, the importance of surrendering to God, and the role of community in supporting one another are hot topics as they discuss the challenges of receiving help and the significance of obedience and gratitude in their spiritual journeys. The conversation emphasizes the power of God's grace and the vision for future recovery ministries, culminating in a call to action for listeners to engage in their faith and support one another.

 

90. Seth Parrish | Finding Hope in Recovery: A Testimony

In this episode, Seth Parrish shares his powerful testimony of overcoming addiction and finding redemption through faith. He discusses his struggles with identity, the impact of family and community, and the transformative power of love and grace. Seth emphasizes the importance of sharing testimonies and encourages those struggling with addiction and mental health issues to seek help and find hope in recovery programs. The conversation also touches on the role of the church in supporting individuals on their journey to recovery and the need for genuine acceptance and love within the community. In this conversation, the speakers explore themes of community kindness, the pursuit of a relationship with God, the transformative power of music in spiritual journeys, and the challenges and triumphs in recovery ministry. They share personal stories of overcoming bitterness, the birth of a recovery group, and divine encounters that affirm their purpose. The discussion also highlights the importance of worship as a form of freedom and the anointing in music. Finally, they announce the launch of a new podcast focused on recovery, emphasizing the need for healing and connection. 

89. Fiddles, Faith & Full Armor: Chris Hennessee’s Journey from Nashville Stages to ‘Judy’ on the Road

Nashville recording artist and longtime Jamey Johnson band‑mate Chris Hennessee pulls up a chair—and the mobile studio “Judy”—to talk with Jon and Todd about life on and off the road. In this candid, laughter‑filled conversation, Chris shares:

•how a decade touring the country shaped (and sometimes strained) his walk with Christ 

•the exact moment—June 15, 2008 in Los Angeles—when meeting his future wife redirected his priorities toward faith and family 

•why Ephesians 6 and the “full armor of God” became the backbone of his own Fully Armed Podcast 

•building a rolling podcast studio inside an aging RV (yes, he really vacuumed a hole through the floor!) and christening it “Miss Judy” 

•the power—and spiritual battleground—of music, from classic country influences to today’s surge in modern Christian artists 

 

Whether you’re a country‑music die‑hard, a fellow believer looking for encouragement, or just love a good road story, this episode blends testimonies, fiddles, and practical wisdom on keeping Christ at the center of every stage. Tune in, suit up, and get ready to roll.

88. The Power of Discipleship and Accountability | Jon & Todd

In this conversation, Todd and Jon explore themes of faith, community, and the importance of discipleship. They reflect on personal stories, biblical teachings, and the significance of breaking bread together as a means of fostering connection and spiritual growth. The discussion emphasizes the power of faith in healing, the role of brokenness in personal transformation, and the necessity of accountability within a community of believers.

87. Restored by Faith | Unimaginable Loss and Finding Hope | TAC-P Gold Star Wife Alyssa Gavulic Howk

In this powerful episode, hosts Todd and Jon sit down with Dr. Alyssa Gavulic Howk—Gold Star widow, grieving mother, seasoned psychotherapist, and Director of the Omnia Trauma Healing Institute. Alyssa holds a PhD in Counseling Education and Supervision from Liberty University and is both a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Drawing from her extensive research on trauma and resilience, Alyssa candidly reflects on the staggering losses she has endured—losing her Special Forces husband in a training accident, her two-year-old daughter to a drowning, and two brothers to violence and suicide, all within a two-and-a-half-year span.

 

Despite facing wave after wave of grief, Alyssa’s unwavering faith led her to discover hope and joy in the most devastating circumstances. She combines the keen insights of a scholar-practitioner with a raw, transparent authenticity that resonates deeply with anyone struggling to find purpose in their pain. You’ll hear how she learned to cling to God’s sustaining power amid heartbreak, as well as practical wisdom for forging ahead in the face of tragedy.

 

Join us for an unforgettable conversation that will challenge, encourage, and inspire you to keep believing in restoration, even when life seems impossibly hard. If you’re searching for a deeper faith and renewed perspective, Alyssa’s story will show you how hope can prevail—no matter the darkness.

86. The Power of Grace in Everyday Life | Lights, Camera, Faith: Chad Garrett’s Hollywood Journey

In this episode of Let’s Talk Fortitude, hosts Jon Garrett and Todd sit down with Chad Garrett for an inspiring conversation about faith, resilience, and the power of storytelling. From working with Hollywood legends like V. Neal to building Forerunner Productions, Chad shares his experiences in the entertainment industry, his passion for faith-driven filmmaking, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. Plus, hear about his upcoming projects, the challenges of independent filmmaking, and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people. Don’t miss this engaging discussion filled with wisdom, humor, and a call to action for aspiring creatives!

 

🔔 Subscribe & Share

🎬 Watch Chad’s Work: https://www.youtube.com/@forerunnerproductions

📢 Leave your thoughts in the comments!

85. The Power of Mercy: Divine Compassion and Our Calling to Forgive

In this episode of Let’s Talk Fortitude, Todd, Jon, and Pastor Curtis Jarrell dive deep into the profound meaning of mercy. Building on their previous discussion about grace, they explore how mercy is intertwined with God’s love, justice, and compassion. What does it mean to show mercy? How did Jesus exemplify divine mercy on the cross? And how can we extend the same forgiveness to others—even when it seems impossible? The conversation touches on Romans 9:14-23, Ephesians 2:1-10, and 1 Timothy 1:12-17, emphasizing that mercy is more than just withholding punishment—it’s about love in action.

 

📖 Key Scriptures Discussed: • Romans 9:14-23 • Ephesians 2:1-10 • 1 Timothy 1:12-17 • Luke 23:39-43 (The Thief on the Cross) • The Parable of the Good Samaritan

 

🔔 Subscribe for more faith-based discussions on grace, mercy, and spiritual growth!

84. Grace: Cheap vs. Costly – A Deep Dive into Faith and Discipleship

In this episode of Let’s Talk Fortitude, hosts Todd and Jon are joined by Curtis Jarrell for a powerful discussion on the meaning of grace. Drawing from scripture, personal experiences, and insights from The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, they explore the difference between “cheap grace” and “costly grace.”

 

What does it mean to truly live by grace? How do faith, works, and discipleship tie together? And why do so many people struggle to extend grace to themselves? Join us as we tackle these deep theological questions in an open, honest, and engaging conversation.

 

📖 Key Scriptures Discussed:

•Romans 5:12–6:14

•Ephesians 2:8–9

•Matthew 19:16–22

83. Abiding in Christ vs. Striving | When to Rest, When to Push Forward | John & Todd

In this episode of Let’s Talk Fortitude, Todd and Jon take on a deep discussion about abiding in Christ vs. striving in our faith. Are we called to rest in Him, or should we be constantly working to pursue Him? Through Scripture, personal struggles, and real-life testimonies, they break down how faith, obedience, and gratitude shape our walk with God.

 

💡 Key Topics Discussed:

✅ Abiding in Christ – What does it mean to dwell in His presence? (John 15)

✅ Striving for Faith – When should we push forward, and when should we rest? (Luke 13:24, Acts 24:16)

✅ Spiritual Breakthroughs – Learning to stop judging and start loving (1 John 2:23-28)

✅ Gratitude in Worship – The power of thankfulness in our faith journey (Psalms 91:1-2)

✅ Personal Testimonies – Overcoming doubt, surrendering control, and trusting in God’s plan

 

🎯 Big Takeaway: Sometimes we push too hard, trying to “strive” for things that only come through abiding in Christ. It’s a balance of faith, trust, and obedience.

 

📢 Shoutouts & Resources:

•🛍 6-Eleven Armory – Christian apparel supporting missions: 611armory.com

•🎬 Forerunner Productions – Independent Christian filmmaking: forerunnerproductions.com

•🎣 Old 18 Outfitters – Veteran-owned fishing gear: old18.com

•📖 The Power of Gratitude – Listen to Gratitude by Brandon Lake for worship inspiration!

 

🙏 If you’re struggling with your faith, feeling stuck, or unsure whether to push forward or rest in God, this episode is for you. Remember, Jesus loves you, and He is working in your life even when you can’t see it.

 

#Faith #Abide #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianPodcast #LetsTalkFortitude

82. Faith in Action | Why Works and Deeds Matter | Jon and Todd

Welcome back to Let’s Talk Fortitude! In this episode, Todd and Jon dive deep into faith, works, and spiritual endurance. They discuss how faith isn’t just a belief—it’s accompanied by action, as seen throughout Scripture. From Abraham’s obedience to Rahab’s courage, they explore how faith and deeds go hand in hand.

 

🔥 Topics Covered in This Episode:

✅ The power of faith in action (Hebrews 11 & James 2)

✅ Why “faith without works is dead”

✅ The struggles of doubt and spiritual warfare

✅ Encouragement for those feeling distant from God

✅ Real-life testimonies of God’s work in everyday lives

 

💬 Key Takeaway: Faith moves us to action, but it’s not about earning salvation—it’s about living out what we believe.

 

📢 Shoutouts:

•6-Eleven Armory – Christian apparel supporting missions: 611armory.com

•Forerunner Productions – Independent Filmmaking: forerunnerproductions.com

•Austin Gavilic’s Mission Work – Support his journey to North Africa: https://donate.stripe.com/00g4

•Intentional Encouragement (Brian Sexton’s Book) – A powerful read on encouragement and faith

 

🙏 If you’ve been struggling in your walk, let this episode remind you: Jesus loves you, and He is still working in your life. Keep chasing after Him!

 

👍 Like, Subscribe & Share

🔔 Hit the bell for more faith-driven conversations!

#Faith #SpiritualWarfare #ChristianPodcast #LetsTalkFortitude