Season 3

Elliott Hill, former Nike Exec. dunks on Fortitude. Hill talks everything Nike, Phil Knight, Jordan's empire, Gretsky, Pre, Lance, Barkley, Bo, Tyson to name a few. The early years at Nike, "Just Do It" campaign, Univ. of Oregon, company strategy, the movie "Air", and some great stories. A fascinating life built with hard work and determination. Awesome stuff! 

Chief Garcia has spent a lifetime in law enforcement and shares his highlights. Garcia opens up on the DPD, the good, the bad, and the ugly. From his background to his hardest day ever, Chief is a cop first, chief second. What an amazing experience spent with a true leader. Ever dealt with stress? Need some perspective? Check this out!

Bill Arnold joins Fortitude with his amazing life. Beloved local teacher re-enlisted after 9/11 and commanded his team to retake Fallujah, the bloodiest six weeks of the war. We talk his experience in Iraq and being the 5th generation of his family to serve. Resumed teaching and inspiring kids after. Now helping veterans and their families heal. Service To Others! Take a listen. Good People Doing Good!

Blue Diamond Recreation. www.bluediamondrecreation.com

"Providing recreation activities for veterans and families challenged by the effects of war" 
 

Sedrick Huckaby opens his studio for Fortitude. Fort Worth native, Sedrick’s talent is wildly recognized and his story is equally impressive. From his Impasto paint portraits to his amazing quilts and his remarkable papier mache, based on people and familial history, Sedrick walks us thru his incredible life. Please enjoy one of the metroplex’s true gems!

Fortitude sits down with Fort Worth man, Brad Hunstable, as he shares his tragic personal story. He experienced every parent's worst nightmare and now he fights to bring awareness and prevention to others. Teen suicide is skyrocketing and we can all do more, One of the toughest shows we've had BUT his story and his message need your ears. Parents, talk to your kids. Have the Conversation. 
In Memory of Hayden Hunstable. 
Almost Thirteen Documentary -    • Almost Thirteen - Save your child’s life  

Keith Argenbright, M.D., is a Professor in the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He serves as the Director of the Center for Translational Medicine’s Leadership and Mentoring Program. 

FWPD Chief Neil Noakes rides along with Fortitude, COPS style. An in-depth roaming interview with Chief Noakes highlights his life of service and dedication to the people of Fort Worth. Issues within the PD, community involvement, what it takes to keep our city safe, and how to get involved. Think you know him? Now you will. Proud of this episode and the passion in which Chief Noakes leads the FWPD. 
#fortworth #cops #badboys

Rusty Reid, CEO and President of well known Higginbotham. A Fort Worth landmark business celebrates its 75th birthday with Fortitude. Rusty took over in 1986 as its 12th employee and has built the Insurance Agency into the largest in Texas. He knew what he was destined to do from an early age and thus has built a reputation as one of Fort Worth's great business leaders. How did it happen? What makes him go? What makes him successful? Where are the skeletons? Watch and find out. Happy Birthday HIGG! 

Over 34 million Americans have diabetes, that's 10%+ of the entire population.  Let's talk about it!  Dr. Paul Thornton, Director Endocrine & Diabetes Program, Cook Children's Endocrinology joins J.W. on this episode of Fortitude and shares information on what he is doing from the research and treatment side of the disease as well as offering useful advice on what parents should look for in their child to assess if they might have diabetes and what can be done if anything, to minimize the risk of your child or anyone from getting the disease.

Woodrow Blagg, artist, the greatest Blagg of them all (shared opinion) joins Fortitude by telephone. His art is known throughout the world. His life and stories are not until now. Woody shares his fascinating life with us on Fortitude. If you know, you know. If you don’t, you will love this guy. His art reflects where he’s been and it’s vast and remarkable! Enjoy him and check out his art. 

​The story of Cathy Lin is the heaviest we've ever had to hear. Her unimaginable story details the diagnosis and loss of her 8 year old son, Nathan, to brain cancer. While Cathy's journey entails every parent's worst nightmare, within she's found inspirational strength to counsel other bereaved parents, most people that meet her, and carry on Nathan's legacy. This episode is dedicated to Nathan Lin, a superhero of a kid whose memory shines as brightly as the ripple he left behind for us to follow. Thank you Cathy!
Please visit: www.amemorygrows.org

TCU Chancellor Victor Boschini sits down with the boys of Fortitude to talk about his life and the last 20 years at TCU. Boschini opens up and shares a rare and exclusive look into his divine Chancellorship. He loves his school, his family, his sports, and his alone time. This Cleveland native bleeds only purple along with so many accomplishments including teaching a class and breaks the news, at that time, of the next man who will one day be king. Enjoy! We sure did!

Fortitude, Artistic Series, takes us to the Modern Art Museum of FW. Chief Curator, Andrea Karnes shows us around one of FW's most popular venues and its associated treasures. Karnes shares the history, the mission, and the unbelievable works of art that live there. We even got to see inside the vault. The Modern episode will show you just why FW boasts some of the world's best museums. The Modern has something for everyone. Huge wow factor!

Pete Geren joins Fortitude to share with us a decades-long crisis regarding reading at the grade school level. Geren, the Pres, and CEO of the Sid W. Richardson Foundation, describes the massive failure of our state and local government to teach our kids to read at grade level. The public school system data reports 80% of grade schoolers aren't reading at the required level. Geren is part of a new statewide strategy to educate the parents and ultimately, the lawmakers. Parents need to ask more questions. Parents must demand more from their politicians and their schools. Grades alone aren't enough. Listen up Parents!

Daniel Pullin, TCU's new president, stops by FORTitude. Fresh off his investiture on Nov. 9th, Pullin outlines his amazing vision for TCU. His incredible backstory coupled with celebrating TCU's 150 years of education and its future plans. Pullin leads the "Everything" school forward with his unique perspective, hands on approach, and some damn awesome footwear! Think you know TCU? Check this out!

​Fortitude visits the William Campbell Gallery as part of our new Artist Spotlight Series. Anne Kelly Lewis, gallery director, joins us as we dive into Fort Worth's oldest art gallery. Anne takes us through the longtime Byers location and the new gorgeous Foch location as she introduces us to some of the gallery's rep'd artists and their incredible works currently on display. What an amazing collection to see!  Life is better with art in it. 

Presbyterian Night Shelter. CEO Toby Owen talks about the homelessness problem and what the PNS is doing about it. The solution is harder than you may think. Fortitude went looking for answers and were humbled by what we saw. PNS is where compassion lives. Together, we can make a difference. This is a must see! Get involved. 

Eugene Gwozdz joins Fortitude. Remember that time you went to Casa Manana to see an off-broadway production of Spamilton? Remember loving it but thinking, who in the world is that remarkable pianist? Then you met him after the show and asked him to come do a podcast? Then he did and what came out was amazing? Well, here it is! Enjoy. We did.   

​Hal Harbuck, AKA Hal Jay, longtime radio host on WBAP, joins Fortitude. We talk about his brand new heart, talking to God, organ donation, his early radio years with Elvis, flying with Ronnie Milsap, his career on the radio, his laugh, and of course, the beloved Josh. We love us some Hal. 

Fentanyl 101. The DEA has called it the most dangerous drug our country has ever faced. FWPD Narcotics Officer, Jeremy Prescott details everything you need and didn't want to know about Fentanyl. From its source, to its forms, to our schools, to the daily overdoses, to the vastness of the problem facing our country. This one will terrify you. 

On this episode of FORTitude we hear the story of Clint Weber, President & CEO of the Advancement Foundation, Diocese of Fort Worth.  Clint shares memories of his time as a Marine pilot, 9/11 and being in a war zone.  He also talks to his current position and what that job entails.  Another amazing Fort Worthian with a story to share.

​Keith Cerny, Fort Worth Symphony CEO/President joins Fortitude. Keith shares his impressive life and musical education with us. From age 10 playing the piano, to conducting, singing, earning a Fulbright Fellowship, a Harvard MBA, and a PhD at Open Univ. to name a few of his accomplishments. This visionary understands what it takes to run one of the city's most important institutions, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and all its working parts. Take your seats! This podcast is fascinating. You will learn something. Then go see the FWSO!

Jim Smeeding, RPh, stops by Fortitude with his decades of Pharma experience to explain the fascinating and mysterious world of Psilocybin, aka, Mushrooms. The myths that scare us, the stories that entertain us, the positives that help us, the negatives that are pushed on us, the ever changing laws, the on-going research, the methods to sample, and being at the real Woodstock. Smeeding tells us everything you've always wanted to know about those little psychedelic fungi. Enjoy!