Podcast
Fortune and Faith
Hosted by Jason Tang · EN
The path to success is rarely easy. Come experience the inspirational journey of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) as they take listeners inside the struggles, the doubts, and the conflict they face on their quest for success. In these real conversations, guests share the good, the bad, and the ugly, including how their faith influences and sustains them on their road to achievement. New episodes released every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month.
18episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Edifice Architecture - Dane Astle
Sep 801:37:26Tap to summarizeDane Astle, founder of Edifice Architecture, a boutique commercial firm with projects spanning Arizona. Dane’s journey to opening Edifice in 2018 was more than a career move—it was the fulfillment of a ten–year vision that began when he graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in architecture.But the roots of his determination stretch back even further. Growing up as the seventh of nine children, Dane learned early the value of hard work and resilience. When his family relocated from Huntington Beach, California, to Provo, Utah, after his father’s development work slowed, life required sacrifice and grit. Whether earning half the money for a school trip or pitching in at home, those lessons shaped the work ethic that would eventually fuel Dane’s success as a business owner. Dane now shares how faith, perseverance, and vision helped him build a firm that not only designs buildings, but brings lasting value to every client it serves.
Transcribe →
Essence Ring - Michael DeLeeuw
Aug 11, 202501:04:25Tap to summarizeA 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.
Transcribe →
CAB Studios - Allison Brown
Jul 14, 202501:53:14Tap to summarizeIn 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.
Transcribe →
The Piano Guys - Jon Schmidt
Jun 9, 202501:10:11Tap to summarizeThough 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.
Transcribe →
Edmonton Oilers Center - Derek Ryan
May 12, 202501:05:53Tap to summarizeIn 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.
Transcribe →
Hood Financial - Mike Hood
Apr 14, 202500:50:47Tap to summarizeMike 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.
Transcribe →
Melissa Floral & Gift Shop- Katie Hendrickson
Mar 9, 202500:37:59Tap to summarizeNever 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.
Transcribe →
Salisbury CPA - Travis Salisbury
Feb 10, 202501:39:44Tap to summarizeTravis 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.
Transcribe →