Warm a Dutch oven of a 6 quart (5.4L) pot over medium-high heat.
One you can feel the heat which you hold your hand 6 inches above the pot, crumble in the Italian sausage
Cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up the sausage as desired until the sausage is browned and cooked through 5 to 7 minutes. Drain the sausage drippings from the pan.
Return the post to the heat and add the chicken stock, potatoes, salt, and red pepper flakes.
Boil until the potatoes are fork-tender, about 15 minutes.
Use a slotted spoon to remove 1 cup of potatoes from the pot and place them in a bowl.
Mash the kale and cream to the soup and stir to combine.
Continue cooking the soup until the kale is wilted and tender, about 3 minutes.
Taste for seasoning and add salt to taste and red pepper flakes.