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 journey of obedience, transformation, and learning to “take your hands off” while still doing the next right thing. Through biblical stories of Simon Peter, reflections on work, and moments of vulnerability, Jeff illustrates how surrender opens the door to a deeper relationship with God and an unexpected path to renewal.

0:00 Intro

2:17 Scotland Trip and How They Met

3:45 Jeff Begins His Story

6:02 Marriage Counseling and Learning to Listen

7:49 Faith and Work in Jeff’s Life

10:26 History of Johnson Machine Works

14:07 When Nothing Works

16:28 Breaking Point on the Shop Floor

19:42 Praying Over the Building and Workers

23:49 The Unexpected Turnaround Begins

26:54 God’s Mercy, Not Formulas

29:33 Why Work Matters in God’s Design

40:38 How God Used the Crisis to Reach Jeff

44:22 Jeff’s Tuesday Night Practice of Surrender

46:25 Invitation for Anyone Needing Encouragement

Jeff’s Podcast, Courageous Crossroads

Artists & Writers

• Surrender is often where true transformation begins.
• Desperation can bring unexpected clarity.
• Work is part of God’s design for purpose and flourishing.
• Vulnerability opens doors that effort alone cannot.
• God uses circumstances — even painful ones — to reach us.
• Doing the next right thing is part of surrender, not separate from it.
• Resilience is built in the quiet, unseen moments.
• Prayer can reshape environments, mindsets, and outcomes.

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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 reborn.

Gary and Tommy unpack why following Jesus is not about a safe, rule driven life, but about a deeper, riskier, more adventurous way of living that flows from intimacy with God. They dive into specific lies many Christians quietly absorb, like “family first,” “God owes me if I do my part,” and “I need to stay in control.” Along the way they connect Scripture, stories from church history, and their own personal experiences, including Tommy’s journey through his daughter’s cancer, to show how dismantling these lies is less about losing something and more about stepping into a fuller, freer life with God.

Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org

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. Together, they explore the role of healthy struggle, practical responsibility, and emotional regulation in child development—and why comfort and happiness shouldn’t be the ultimate goals.

This conversation challenges modern parenting norms and provides practical steps for building sturdier families—ones grounded in values, identity, and the kind of leadership that grows capable kids and healthy adults.

• Why parenting can feel overwhelming and guilt-inducing
• What “sturdy” really means in child development
• How overprotection creates fragile kids
• Why emotions shouldn’t dictate parenting decisions
• The connection between practical skills and emotional maturity
• The value of healthy struggle and discomfort
• Moving children from consumers to contributors
• Establishing family identity and guiding principles
• Leading with sacrifice and consistency in parenting
• Practical steps to begin raising sturdier kids

00:00 Introduction to Parenting Challenges

02:50 The Importance of Raising Sturdy Kids

06:10 Generational Wisdom in Parenting

08:51 The Role of Emotions in Parenting

11:48 Defining ‘Sturdy’ in Parenting

14:50 Practical Skills for Sturdy Kids

17:51 The Impact of Struggle on Growth

20:43 The Disconnect Between Happiness and Growth

24:05 The Process of Maturity Through Trials

32:09 The Fragility of Overprotection

36:21 The Role of Discomfort in Growth

41:31 Establishing Family Identity and Guiding Principles

47:03 Transitioning from Enabling to Empowering

55:42 Practical Steps for Raising Sturdy Kids

Keith McCurdy

President & CEO, Total Life Counseling

Founder, Live Sturdy

Counselor, Speaker, and Parenting Coach

livesturdy.com

Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org

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—ensuring every language community has a Bible translation project in progress—and explains how AI is transforming translation work while maintaining a deep commitment to faithfulness and human oversight.

Their conversation moves from the global mission of Wycliffe to personal reflections on faith, technology, and how communities can navigate the opportunities and challenges of AI together.

• Wycliffe’s mission to make God’s Word available to every language and community
• Over 7,000 languages worldwide, with more than 560 still without Scripture
• The story behind Vision 2025 and its bold goal
• How AI supports translation while keeping humans at the center
• Partnerships with local churches and communities worldwide
• Balancing innovation with integrity in faith-based work
• The role of community and the church in navigating technology
• How AI can be both a tool for good and a challenge for discernment
• Practical and personal reflections on using AI in daily life

00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Episode

04:30 Meg’s Journey to Wycliffe and Church Planting in Orlando

12:10 The Mission and History of Wycliffe Bible Translators

19:45 Vision 2025: Every Language, Every Community

27:15 How AI is Changing Bible Translation

36:40 Faithful Translation and the Importance of Human Oversight

43:55 AI, Creativity, and Overcoming Global Barriers

Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org

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 (“to be healed”) reveals about salvation, and why mutual submission in marriage reflects the very nature of God. Along the way, they unpack Paul’s remarkable conversion, the beauty of the Church, and the hope found in living a life shaped by grace.

What You’ll Take Away:

• Why Field Notes from the Letter to the Ephesians is more than a commentary — it's a reflection on life in Christ
• The deeper meaning of the Greek word sozo (“saved” or “healed”)
• What Paul’s conversion reveals about God’s power to transform anyone
• Why Ephesians offers such a vibrant, redemptive vision for the Church
• How “mutual submission” in marriage mirrors the relationship within the Trinity
• How Paul’s writing connects theology, beauty, and everyday life

Resources:

• Get your copy of Field Notes from the Letter to the Ephesians on Amazon (available in print and Kindle)
• Explore more episodes and resources at tommythompson.org

Timestamps:

(0:00) Intro

(8:46) Exploring the Depth of Ephesians

(11:46) The Meaning of the Word “Saved”

(15:06) The Complexity of Theological Concepts

(17:59) The Structure and Style of the Book

(21:10) Personal Stories and Their Impact

(24:06) The Central Message of Ephesians

(31:56) The Unlikely Apostle: Paul’s Transformation

(35:42) The Magnitude of Conversion

(39:09) Exploring the Relationship Between Jesus and Paul

(44:49) Understanding Ephesians: A Deep Dive

(48:00) Marriage and Mutual Submission in Ephesians

(58:17) The Cultural Context of Ephesians

(1:01:59) The Beauty of God in Marriage and Family Life

Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org

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 overloaded, overwhelmed, and exhausted.
• Sabbath is both a command and a gift. It is meant to come first so your work flows from rest.
• Rest renews joy, relationships, and impact. You serve from overflow rather than empty.
• Celebration is a spiritual practice. Joy and gratitude strengthen service.
• Small margins matter. Arrive a few minutes early. Leave space between meetings. Build simple pauses into your day.
• In nontraditional schedules, take rest whenever the window opens. Treat it as a first priority when possible.

Timestamps

(0:00) Intro

(1:11) My Volunteer Addiction

(11:04) The Discipline of Rest

(30:11) The Discipline of Celebration

(38:26) Q&A Section

(39:32) Question 1

(43:12) Question 2

(47:57) Question 3

(52:13) Question 4

(53:50) Final Thoughts

Scripture Mentioned

• Isaiah 30:15
• Isaiah 58:13–14
• Psalm 23
• Psalm 150
• Matthew 11:28–30
• Hebrews 4:9–11

Books Mentioned

• Margin by Richard Swenson

If you found this helpful, please share the episode with a friend! Subscribe to Space for Life for more conversations on living with margin and purpose.

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 everywhere.” ~ Edna St. Vincent Millay

In This Episode:

- The language problem, grief vs sadness and why one word is not enough

- Myths that keep us silent, including the fear that talking about grief invites it

- The unhelpful urge to scale or compare grief and how to stop

- Different kinds of loss, extended illness, sudden death, suicide, job loss, broken relationships, losing a pet

- Family systems, differing timelines, and the need for permission and grace

- Guilt, shame, moments of happiness, and the surprising companion of relief

- Faith as refuge and wholeness when losses feel irreconcilable

Timestamps:

(0:00) Why We’re Finally Talking About Grief

(4:28) Why We Avoid Grief

(10:43) Permission and Grace

(17:58) Grief vs Sadness: Finding Better Words

(26:27) How Loss Changes Us

(36:08) What to Say (and Not Say)

(46:16) Families Grieve Differently

(55:32) When Acute Grief Becomes Lasting Sadness

(1:03:06) Guilt, Forgetting, and Moments of Joy

(1:10:08) Relief Alongside Sorrow

(1:15:30) Moving Forward With Hope

Resources:

- Psalm 46

- The Taste of New Wine, Keith Miller

- The Weathering Grace of God, Ken Gire

- Lament for a Son, Nicholas Wolterstorff

- A Grace Disguised, Gerald Sittser

- Healing the Heartbreak of Grief, Peter James Flamming

- Healing After Loss, Martha Hickman

If this episode helps you or someone you love, consider sharing it. 

Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org

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 feel scary at first? And what did this summer actually look like in practice?

What’s In This Episode:

– Why discomfort can make a sabbatical meaningful

– Big updates for Season Six and new projects on the horizon

– The red flags that signaled it was time to pause

– Why sabbaticals shouldn’t have agendas

– Highlights from the summer (from golf in Scotland to welcoming a new granddaughter)

– The difference between recovery and true refreshment

– How space can expand your vision for what’s next

– Why sabbaticals aren’t just for pastors or executives

– Practical encouragement for creating your own sabbatical rhythm

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(00:08) Exciting Updates

(07:46) Today’s Topic

(09:16) What Was Behind Taking a Sabbatical

(15:47) Sabbaticals Are Scary

(18:48) Sabbaticals Shouldn't Have Agendas

(19:39) What Did This Sabbatical Look Like

(22:56) Highlights from the Summer

(26:49) Sabbatical is Refreshment not Just Recovery

(32:44) Sabbaticals Expand Vision

(38:35) Who Can Benefit From a Sabbatical

(44:59) Space to Breathe Again

Resources:

Email [email protected] to get copies of Space to Breathe Again for only $10 when buying 5+ copies.

Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org

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 adjustments. He discusses how achieving metabolic health is vital to overall wellness. The pair also focuses on the vital role community, accountability, and positive self-talk play in the process of health and wellness improvement. Furthermore, they emphasize the importance of honoring our bodies as temples, considering it essential for spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being. The podcast concludes with them highlighting their organic salad dressings, barbecue sauce, stir fry sauce, and upcoming sleep supplements aiming to aid in holistic health promotion.

Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org

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 outreach initiatives for exploited women. The Hendricksons discuss the challenges and rewards of answering their calling, the importance of consistency and relationship-building, and the unexpected opportunities that opened doors for their ministry. They emphasize the need to step into uncomfortable spaces to experience true growth and impact.

Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org