In the Bottom of that Duffle Bag - Nathan Kasselder

Explicit content warning

11/01/22 • 83 min

1 Listener

"I was not supposed to be a drug addict, I was not supposed to be gay, I was not supposed to be someone who wanted to kill themselves." This was Nathan's thought as he considered suicide to repay his parents for all that he took from them. Instead, Nathan chose to live and this episode is his story.

Nathan bravely shares his story of alcoholism, drug addiction, homosexuality, HIV diagnosis, and redemption. We recorded this episode on the day Nathan celebrated 21 months of freedom from drug addiction and 3 years of freedom from alcohol.

Here are a few quotes that were highly impactful for us as we recorded:

"I became whoever I needed to be for every situation."
Speaking on his homosexuality: "No one wakes up asking for this. I was hardwired into this world."
Praying: "Please don't make me be this way. I will live this perfect life if you will change this aspect of me."
"I banked at the bank of Mom and Dad for a long time."
"I had more confidence that the devil was real and that evil was real before I ever trusted God with my life...And that is a very scary place."
"If the devil isn't after you then you really aren't living as a threat to him."
"In the bottom of that bag was God."

Resources:

Suicide Hotline: 988
Helpline Center: www.helplinecenter.org
Lost & Found: www.resilienttdoday.org
Avera: www.avera.org/locations/profile/avera-addiction-care-center-sioux-falls/

KPP (Keep Pressing Play) Please consider sharing if this episode created ripples in your thought process.

Instagram @mandatepod

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://anchor.fm/mandate

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mandatepodcast

Sioux Falls Finest Sanitary Services

Ben: ACE Garbage Service http://acegarbageservice.com/ 605.334.4223 or [email protected]

Ryan: Novak Sanitary Services https://www.novaksanitary.com/ 605.338.7126 or Instagram @novaksiouxfalls

Here are a few quotes that were highly impactful for us as we recorded:

"I became whoever I needed to be for every situation."
Speaking on his homosexuality: "No one wakes up asking for this. I was hardwired into this world."
Praying: "Please don't make me be this way. I will live this perfect life if you will change this aspect of me."
"I banked at the bank of Mom and Dad for a long time."
"I had more confidence that the devil was real and that evil was real before I ever trusted God with my life...And that is a very scary place."
"If the devil isn't after you then you really aren't living as a threat to him."
"In the bottom of that bag was God."

Resources:

Suicide Hotline: 988
Helpline Center: www.helplinecenter.org
Lost & Found: www.resilienttdoday.org
Avera: www.avera.org/locations/profile/avera-addiction-care-center-sioux-falls/

KPP (Keep Pressing Play) Please consider sharing if this episode created ripples in your thought process.

Instagram @mandatepod

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://anchor.fm/mandate

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mandatepodcast

Sioux Falls Finest Sanitary Services

Ben: ACE Garbage Service http://acegarbageservice.com/ 605.334.4223 or [email protected]

Ryan: Novak Sanitary Services https://www.novaksanitary.com/ 605.338.7126 or Instagram @novaksiouxfalls

Previous Episode

Country Music Songwriter - Pete Good

Originally from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Pete has been a songwriter in Nashville since 2009. When Pete was a child, his father wrote and sang country songs. Eventually, Pete started playing around with his father’s recording equipment, ultimately developing a love of music that brought him to Nashville. He has written for artists such as Tim McGraw, Darius Rucker, Walker Hayes, Rascal Flatts, Alana Springsteen, Trea Landon, Jerrod Niemann and more. Most recently, Pete produced Monument recording artist Brandon Ratcliff’s debut EP, due in 2019. He had the debut singles “Rockin’ All Night Long” from UMG Nashville’s Adam Hambrick and “Rules of Breaking Up” from Monument Records’ Brandon Ratcliff, the latter of whose debut album he produced. Some of Good’s recent cuts include “Truth Is” by Tim McGraw, “Quick, Fast, In A Hurry” by Rascal Flatts and Rachel Wammack, “Black Sheep” by Walker Hayes, “Last One To Leave” by Alex Hall featuring Brad Paisley, and “Girlfriend” by Alana Springsteen.

We are also honored that Pete's good friend, Matt Stange, graces us with his co-host skills as Mr. Ryan Konz was busy being a husband and dad!

Next Episode

Terry Liggins | The Trauma of Invisibility: Racism in South Dakota

Terry Liggins is the Founder and CEO of The Hurdle Life Coach, a coaching service that provides inspiration, motivation and education to students of all ages and people in all stages of their lives. Terry is an advocate for special populations, at-risk youth, adults in reentry, people in recovery and young professionals. He believes leadership begins with role modeling and recognizes the sphere of influence every person possesses to be force for good. His Faith in God and people fuels his desire to be a helping hand in a world full of individuals, families and communities in need.

Here are a few highlights from this episode:

Shoutout to Is it Not Lovely Podcast @isitnotlovelypodcast, ResGen Podcast w/ Tom Henderson @resgen_ministry, The Inspired Legacy Podcast w/ Mark Henderson @theinspiredlegacy

Part I

Racism (Can we start by stating the fact that colored people start with a disadvantage?)

Equity vs Equality

Ben gets called out for Institutional Racism already built in his world.

If you arent willing to do anything to recognize the racism that is present than you are no better than those that actively pass opportunities for those of a different color.

Terry’s lived experience in being discriminated against.

“The Trauma of Invisibility”

“Challenging Historical Accepted Notions for Greater Expectations on your life.”

Today Tactics: 1. See people of color for being people of color. 2. Invite people that dont look like you into your social world.

Part 2:

Terry’s story of being in a vulnerable circumstance at home and work. Because of that vulnerability Terry was talked into an unfortunate felony charge.

Terry being thankful for his incarceration because that was his only way into mental health support.

“He is the only Father I know.”

What the community can do right now?

Sioux Falls Finest: Businesses with Exemplary Service:

Sioux Falls Police Department (https://www.siouxfalls.org/police) - Ryan

Sioux Falls Sanitary Landfill (https://www.siouxfalls.org/public-works/landfill) - Ben