Space for Life

In this episode of Space for Life, Tommy Thompson is joined by pastor and longtime ministry leader Tuck Knupp for a thoughtful conversation on kindness. Drawing from a men’s Bible study on the fruit of the Spirit, they explore how kindness is often misunderstood as niceness or weakness, when in reality it is rooted in strength, humility, and generosity of spirit. Together, they discuss kindness in...

In this episode, Tommy is joined by bravery expert, leadership developer, and author  Jill Schulman  to unpack  The Bravery Effect —the idea that bravery isn’t something you’re born with, but something you can train. Jill shares her unconventional path from Marine Corps officer to positive psychology expert, blending personal stories, scientific research, and practical tools to show...

In this episode of  Space for Life , Tommy and Joe dive deep into one of the most overlooked drivers of personal transformation:  the environment you build around your life . Instead of focusing on tips, hacks, or quick fixes, they explore how habits, self-coaching, meaningful relationships, and spiritual spaciousness create the kind of “rich soil” where long-term growth actually happens...

In this episode of  Space for Life , Tommy welcomes entrepreneur Jeff Johnson for a deeply moving conversation about surrender, resilience, and the ways God reaches us through life’s hardest moments. Jeff shares the powerful story of hitting the breaking point in his fourth-generation steel fabrication business, kneeling alone on the shop floor, and asking God to take over. What follows is a...

In this conversation, Tommy welcomes back author and teacher Gary Thomas to talk about his new book,  The Life You Were Reborn to Live: Dismantling 12 Lies That Rob Your Intimacy with God . Building on Gary’s deep engagement with Christian classics and spiritual theology, they explore how many sincere believers unconsciously live by “old rules” and assumptions, even after being spiritually re...

In this episode of  Space for Life , Tommy sits down with parenting expert  Keith McCurdy , founder of  Live Sturdy  and CEO of  Total Life Counseling , to unpack what it really means to raise  sturdy kids . Keith shares decades of experience counseling more than 15,000 families, guiding parents toward raising emotionally mature, capable, and resilient children. Toget...

In this episode of  Space for Life , host  Tommy Thompson  sits down with  Meg Hunt , Senior Director of Strategic Services at  Wycliffe Bible Translators USA , to explore how faith, technology, and community intersect in the mission to make God’s Word accessible to every language on Earth. Meg shares Wycliffe’s incredible progress toward its  Vision 2025  goal—e...

In this episode, Tommy sits down with pastor and good friend  David Dwight  to talk about his new book  Field Notes from the Letter to the Ephesians . Together they explore what makes Ephesians one of the most profound writings in Scripture, offering fresh insight into faith, the Church, and life in Christ. David shares how his book came to life, what the Greek word  sozo &nbsp...

Recorded live at Hope Church’s Volunteer Appreciation Day in Richmond. Tommy shares two life-giving disciplines that help “always yes” volunteers find margin, joy, and balance. You will hear how Sabbath rest and intentional celebration can move you from burnout to sustainable service, plus a practical Q&A on making this work in real life and work. Key Takeaways God did not design you to live o...

Grief touches almost every life, yet many of us feel unsure how to face it, name it, or talk about it. In this candid conversation, Tommy and longtime friend David Dwight (Senior Pastor at Hope Church in Richmond, VA) explore the complexity of grief and sadness. This is an honest, compassionate guide for anyone carrying loss or walking with someone who is. “the presence of her absence is everywher...

We’re back for Season Six of Space for Life! This episode kicks off with exciting updates for the year ahead, including a new creative producer, a second podcast (Links for Life), and fresh energy for the YouTube channel. From there, we dive into the big theme that shaped the summer: taking a sabbatical. Why was it needed? What were the warning signs that led me to step back? Why does sabbatical f...

In this podcast episode of 'Space for Life', Tommy interviews Nicole and Jim Holland, founders of 'Hope 30' and 'Hope Essentials'. The Hollands share their unique wellness journey which began with a focus on improving personal health and evolved into a desire to help others. Jim talks about his transition from being overweight and diabetic to being healthy through natural methods and lifestyle adj...

In this episode of Space for Life, Tommy Thompson welcomes Aaron and Vangie Hendrickson, co-directors of  RVA Hope Center  in Richmond, Virginia. They share their transformative journey, from leading mission trips in various cities to founding the RVA Hope Center. This ministry focuses on serving at-risk communities by providing after-school programs, community events, and extending outr...

In this episode of 'Space for Life,' Tommy invites his wife of 42 years, Weezie, to discuss their shared passion for journaling. They explore how they've developed their unique journaling practices over the years and the profound impact it has had on their lives. Weezie breaks down her journaling process, including the tools she uses and the type of content she writes, emphasizing the importance o...

In this episode, Tracey Gates, a wellness coach and author of The Power of a Few Kind Words discusses her practice of intentional kindness. She shares her year-long experience of writing an unexpected letter of appreciation each day, highlighting the transformative effects of this activity not only for her but also for the recipients. The most profound of these letters was the last one - a heart-t...

Nicole brings 20 years of leadership and counseling experience to her work as a coach and communicator. Nicole’s passion is facilitating environments of safety & vulnerability so that individuals & communities can courageously identify obstacles keeping them from maximum potential. As a speaker, Nicole brings both wit and wisdom, with an honest & vulnerable approach that appeals to bot...

This episode is all about the non-obvious patterns and realities of life. These truths exist for good and for bad, whether we like it or not.  (0:00) Intro (1:04) Principles of Life (7:41) Principle of Naming (15:46) Principle of Firsts (22:03) Principle of Environment (30:16) Principle of Finishing Well (34:59) Principle of Space (43:36) Principle of Small Changes (49:20) Principle of Divine...

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....

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 spi...

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...

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 Sna...

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 reward...

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 intervi...

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 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...