In this episode of Space for Life, Tommy welcomes his long-time friend, author, and speaker Amy Julia Becker. They discuss Amy Julia's journey from her early days, her background, her marriage, and significant life events such as her daughter's Down syndrome diagnosis which pivoted her career towards writing. They delve into her books, emphasizing themes of disability, family, culture, and faith. Her latest book, 'To Be Made Well,' which focuses on holistic healing, is explored in depth. They di...
Jul 10, 2025•50 min
In this episode of Space for Life, Tommy Thompson and long-time friend Tuck Knupp discuss the concept of aging well, highlighting its relevance at any age. The conversation delves into Tuck's life journey, which spans decades of ministry work, including his involvement with Young Life and pastoral roles. Tuck shares insights on maintaining health, nurturing relationships, and the importance of spiritual practices. The discussion also addresses the challenges of aging, such as learning to grieve ...
Jul 03, 2025•52 min
Tommy welcomes AC Arendale, the youngest guest ever on the podcast, to share her incredible testimony of joy in service. A rising sophomore at Baylor University, she discusses her unique approach to life characterized by her commitment to service, particularly in special needs ministry and international missions. AC shares her journey from volunteering at her church's sensory room designed to help those with special needs to participating in several mission trips to Niger and Zambia. She talks a...
Jun 26, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Living intentionally is not just about setting goals, it’s about aligning every aspect of your life with purpose. In this episode, Tommy Thompson reconnects with Shawn Boyer , the visionary entrepreneur behind Snagajob and goHappy , to dive deeper into the journey that took Shawn from bootstrapping a startup to redefining his life’s mission. After the emotional challenge of leaving Snagajob, Shawn spent years reflecting on what truly matters, ultimately leading him to found goHappy—a tool design...
Jun 12, 2025•47 min
In this special episode, long-time friend and mentor, Elaine Metcalf, reflects on her life and the various 'seasons' she has navigated. The discussion includes her early days with her husband Bob and the working and faith journey that took them from pioneering ministries in Richmond such as STEP and CBS, to leading international mission work in East Asia. Elaine discusses the challenges and rewards of making impactful choices in the midst of the everday challenges of work and raising a family. T...
Jun 06, 2025•59 min
In this episode of Space for Life, Tommy announces his plan to take a mini sabbatical during the summer, pausing the regular episodes to focus on rest and reflection. He shares his belief in the importance of sabbaticals and encourages listeners to consider taking their own mini-sabbaticals. During this period, the podcast will feature 'greatest hits' episodes, selected from past impactful interviews and topics. Tommy provides practical suggestions for planning a mini sabbatical, emphasizing the...
May 22, 2025•11 min•Season 5Ep. 171
In an address given at Hope Church in Richmond, Virginia to church leaders, Tommy emphasizes a unique approach to leadership that centers on rest as the foundation. Contrary to the typical notion that rest follows productivity, the script highlights the biblical perspective of rest preceding work, using examples such as the Sabbath and various scripture passages. The speaker outlines five elements in this 'rhythm of leadership': rest, clarity, character, connection, and returning to rest. They s...
May 15, 2025•21 min•Season 5Ep. 170
In this episode of 'Space for Life,' host Tommy and guest Joel Suggs , a recurrent co-host, discuss the profound topic of humility and its crucial role in everyday life and on the golf course. They explore how golf serves as a mirror to life, revealing key aspects of personal character and humility. Through personal anecdotes and philosophical insights, including references to biblical figures and writings by Andrew Murray, they outline what humility is and isn't. They emphasize humility as hone...
May 08, 2025•57 min•Season 5Ep. 169
Despite the many distractions of the earthy world, humans are forever intertwined with God. Therefore, we must learn how to live a sacred life, let go of our desires, and be one with the Lord. Tommy Thompson sits down with bestselling author Gary Thomas who wrote over 20 books centered on bringing people closer to God and others. With most of his works containing the word “sacred” in the title, he shares how his writings guide readers on reconnecting with God in various ways while building a Chr...
May 01, 2025•53 min•Season 5Ep. 168
In this episode of Space for Life, Tommy meets with AJ Swoboda, author of over 10 books, including his upcoming release 'A Teachable Spirit.' The discussion delves into the themes of humility and teachability that run through Swoboda's work. The episode explores Swoboda's background as an associate professor of Bible and Theology and discusses the meaningfulness of his podcast, 'Slow Theology.' A significant portion of the conversation is devoted to understanding the discipline of teachability, ...
Apr 24, 2025•43 min•Season 5Ep. 167
In this episode of Space for Life, Tommy welcomes Rob Ukrop, a prominent figure in Richmond, Virginia, known for his influence in the local soccer scene and as a member of the well-known Ukrop family, founders of Ukrop's Grocery Stores. Rob shares stories from his past, including his time at Davidson College, his professional soccer career, and his involvement in the Richmond Kickers soccer team. They discuss the significance of community, faith, and the small actions that contribute to a meanin...
Apr 17, 2025•58 min•Season 5Ep. 166
Ana Megrelishvili went through a troubled childhood: her family was poor and in disarray, and her own father sexually abused her. Nevertheless, she did not let trauma shape her identity, and she eventually found healing and peace after going on a silent retreat. In this episode, Ana joins Tommy Thompson to share how she immigrated to the United States, overcame her resentment of God, and is now changing the lives of many after fully understanding her purpose in life. She talks about the origins ...
Apr 03, 2025•56 min•Season 5Ep. 165
In this episode of 'Space for Life', Tommy welcomes Jeff Kemp, an 11-year NFL quarterback and accomplished author, as the guest. The episode delves into the concept of developing a playbook for life, not just on the field. Jeff shares his journey from his football career to becoming a soul coach, helping people build deeper relationships. They discuss the importance of 'Level 5 Friendships', marked by vulnerability, trust, and mutual support, equating it to building a team that helps one navigat...
Mar 13, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Season 5Ep. 163
Michael Thaler, founder of Equity Concepts, Effective Ministries, and now, My Purpose Plan shares with Tommy the value of clarifying one's unique Purpose. Michael shares how discovering and fine-tuning his purpose has guided his journey as brought him to this pivotal point of devoting his time to helping others find their purpose through the new online process called My Purpose Plan. Join Tommy as Michael as they challenge each person to discover their God-given Purpose. Love the show? Subscribe...
Feb 27, 2025•52 min•Season 5Ep. 162
Ever wondered how the game of golf can shape your life for the better? Join Tommy Thompson as he sits down with golf pro Joel Suggs for a captivating conversation about life’s unexpected journey. Joel, a third-generation golfer, opens up about his tumultuous childhood, moving through 13 schools and even living without running water. Discover how Joel found his way, embracing faith and purpose amidst the challenges, and learned valuable life lessons gleaned both on and off the golf course. This e...
Feb 20, 2025•39 min•Ep. 161
In this episode of 'Space for Life,' Tommy introduces Vic Marchetti, his personal trainer of two years, to discuss the profound interconnectedness of physical wellness with mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. The host shares his journey of achieving physical fitness and emphasizes how it has positively impacted various aspects of his life. Vic Marchetti talks about his background, including his transition from competitive soccer to bodybuilding and eventually to a career in personal tra...
Feb 13, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 160
Tommy Thompson opens up about a pivotal childhood experience that profoundly shaped his understanding of faith. In this deeply personal episode, he bravely shares a never-before-told story from his childhood, revealing a moment of crisis and vulnerability where he felt utterly powerless. He recounts how a miraculous intervention ignited his lifelong faith journey, demonstrating the profound impact of experiencing God's presence tangibly. Through this intimate conversation, Tommy explores the the...
Feb 06, 2025•36 min•Ep. 159
Just days after her white wedding, Anne Smith ’s world came crashing down, turning into a long, dark, desert period. Soon after her marriage to a Special Forces officer, Anne, a woman who helped facilitate reintegration talks in Afghanistan, who is trained and wired to lean into conflict with the hope of reconciliation, found herself on the battleground of a lifetime. Her husband started to display symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), emotional and verbal abuse. Both their worlds c...
Jan 30, 2025•41 min•Ep. 158
This episode of "Space for Life" features a conversation with Larry O'Nan , an expert in stewardship and cultivating a generous life. He shares his journey from a performance-oriented upbringing to becoming a key figure in fundraising and stewardship for Christian ministries. The discussion delves into the deeper aspects of giving, focusing on the concept of lifestyle stewardship, which includes managing all aspects of life as entrusted by God. Larry emphasizes the importance of giving out of jo...
Jan 23, 2025•59 min•Ep. 157
Faith becomes tangible when theology meets real-life challenges. In this episode of Space for Life, Tommy Thompson dives into a heartfelt conversation with Denise Pass , a speaker, author, and Bible teacher with a Ph.D. in Bible Exposition. Together, they explore how immersing in theology helps in navigating life’s toughest seasons, overcoming shame, and finding redemption through faith. Denise also shares her powerful journey of overcoming personal tragedy and gaining spiritual triumph, offerin...
Jan 16, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 156
Money plays a significant role in shaping our lives, but are you making it work for you or simply working for money? Host Tommy Thompson welcomes Canon Hickman , a seasoned financial expert, to discuss practical strategies for managing money with purpose. From investing in yourself to automating savings and overcoming lifestyle creep, this conversation offers actionable insights for transforming your financial mindset. Discover how small, intentional steps can lead to lasting financial freedom a...
Jan 09, 2025•40 min•Season 5Ep. 155
In this episode of Space for Life, Tommy discusses the common struggle of living a purposeful, meaningful life while also creating space for rest and joy. He shares insights from a talk he gave at the New Canaan Society in Richmond, Virginia, addressing this tension. He narrates his own life journey, from being overloaded while running multiple businesses and church commitments to hitting rock bottom and finding hope through discovering the importance of margin. He outlines four key steps to liv...
Jan 02, 2025•50 min•Season 5Ep. 154
Tommy and Patricia unpack a simple way to set the stage for your best year ever in only 3o minutes! Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org
Dec 26, 2024•20 min•Ep. 153
We can truly experience the joy and peace of Christmas by embracing the lessons taught by Jesus Christ from the manger. In this episode, Pete Bowell , author of Hope for a Season , joins Tommy Thompson to discuss the true meaning of Christmas and delve into the powerful concept of "manger ways". Pete shares personal anecdotes about his family's Christmas traditions and the impact of his granddaughter's birth on further understanding Christ's humility. Learn how to embrace the true spirit of Chri...
Dec 19, 2024•41 min•Ep. 152
Aging well is a journey that requires intentional choices and a focus on what truly matters. Join Tommy Thompson in this insightful episode featuring Mary Boza Crimmins , author of Taking the Holy Spirit to Work and founder of the Ourselves, Our Posterity newsletter and community. Mary shares her transformative journey from teaching to writing, offering powerful insights on how to age with purpose. She reveals the keys to thriving at any stage of life, from embracing restful habits and mindful t...
Dec 12, 2024•44 min•Ep. 151
Stepping into the world of writing can be an exciting yet daunting endeavor, and in this episode, Terry Whalin joins Tommy Thompson to share his inspiring journey as a writer. From his early days as a high school journalist to his successful career as an author and trusted publishing insider, Terry discusses the challenges, triumphs, and invaluable lessons he's learned along the way. He emphasizes the importance of perseverance, continuous learning, and taking ownership of one's success. Through...
Dec 05, 2024•45 min•Ep. 150
Special Episode!!! At the eighth anniversary of my daughter Perrin's death, I offer a tribute and beautiful story that her husband, Joe Hall, shared at her memorial service. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org
Nov 25, 2024•12 min•Ep. 149
Tommy and Catherine share an episode together as Catherine interviews Tommy on the place listening has in his Life Mission, and the various ways he practices the critical discipline of listening. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org
Nov 21, 2024•50 min•Ep. 148
In today's fast-paced digital world, it has become crucial to talk about healthy tech—where technology enhances your life, rather than controls it. In this episode, Tommy Thompson and Steve Perkins delve into practical ways to have a healthy relationship with all of the different forms of technology that are a part of our lives. Realizing that social media, YouTube, texting, email are a fact of modern life, they explore ways to right-size and engage with tech to add to and improve our lives. Joi...
Nov 07, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 146
What does it mean to be authentic in your faith and at work? Tune in as Tommy Thompson chats with Jordan Maroon , Executive Director of Needle’s Eye Ministries , to discuss how to navigate faith in the workplace. Jordan explains how to find meaning and purpose in your daily grind by embracing authenticity, vulnerability, and compassion. He talks about approaching the intersection of your faith life and work life within the fullness of God’s purpose instead of pressuring or annoying the people ar...
Oct 31, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 145
