Episode 72: She's grown up in a home where the whole city knows her dad's name with Nora Tenhaken

Episode 72: She's grown up in a home where the whole city knows her dad's name with Nora Tenhaken

Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey? Fortitude’s latest chat with the TenHaken family shifts the spotlight to their youngest, Nora, and gives a rare, relaxed look at growing up in a household where “the whole city knows her dad’s name.” This conversation is easy-going, funny, and faith-filled. You’ll hear mayor Paul and his wife Jill tease about genes, migraines and “great hair”, while Nora confidently owns that she’s “pretty funny” and loves making people laugh.

Humour is a big theme here – Paul jokes, “Life is brief and it’s too short to be serious,” and you really feel how laughter keeps this family grounded, even under public pressure. For parents in recovery or anyone rebuilding family life, there’s a lot to relate to. Heather steers the chat towards phones, boundaries and culture, and Paul’s line, “When you’re ready for your child’s childhood to end, get them a phone,” hits hard.

Nora explains why she’s actually glad she got her phone later, and talks about screen time, friends and why being “weird” and unique beats being normal. Faith runs quietly but clearly through everything. Paul admits, “You can’t out-parent culture,” so their focus is on “putting God at the centre” and trusting the values they’ve planted. Nora shares that Jesus is her “best friend”, talks about youth group, daily Bible reading and choosing friends who love Jesus too.

Her simple wisdom – “God puts people in your life for a reason and he can take them out” – will resonate with anyone learning to let go of unhealthy relationships. If you’re working on being a more present parent, healing family patterns or just craving a picture of imperfect but loving home life, this gentle, funny chat might leave you asking: what kind of ‘temperature’ are you setting in your own home?