Space for Life

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 losses and reframing regrets within the context of God's grace. Both Tommy and Tuck emphasize the value of intergenerational relationships and leaving a legacy of faith and wisdom.

Tommy Thompson 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 about the challenges and rewards of these experiences, and how they have shaped her faith and perspective. They also delve into the generational differences and the impacts of social media on the current generation. Throughout the conversation, the theme of finding joy through serving and discerning God's calling is emphasized.

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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.

Tommy sits down with Kathy & Tucker Wrenn, mother & son, to share the raw story of Tuckers' addiction, hitting bottom, and path to 5 ½ years clean. Both Tucker and Kathy use their hard lessons learned to help others find their recovery and help families better manage the trauma of having a loved one go through substance abuse. This episode will captivate you with its transparency, but will also give vital information for anyone needing help in the midst of the world of addiction.

Kristin Harris is a truly inspiring individual whose life experiences have molded her into a beacon of hope and encouragement for countless individuals touched by cancer. With a history of breast cancer spanning four generations in her family, Kristin has an intimate and profound understanding of the disease. After losing her mother to cancer, Kristin found herself facing her own battle, being diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer only a few years later at the age of 32. Throughout her journey, Kristin has become known for her faith, strength, and passion for helping others. Drawing from her experiences as both a patient and a caregiver, Kristin offers invaluable insight, encouragement, and support for those who find themselves navigating the complex world of cancer. Kristin shares the highs and lows of her journey, and how it led her to create Cancer Retreat Centers, a patient-centered integrative cancer care experience.

In this episode we talk about:

• Kristin's story

• Caring well for individuals battling cancer or other ongoing conditions

• The immense impact of community

• Survivor guilt

• Scanxiety

• Finding purpose and passion

• Cancer Retreat Centers

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 designed to help people nurture their most important relationships. Listen in as they explore the intersections of personal and professional growth, the power of mentorship, and how applying business principles to life can create a more balanced, intentional way of living. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or simply looking to live more purposefully, this episode offers invaluable insights into how to thrive in both work and life.

In this episode, we have the privilege of hearing from Ruth McKeaney. Ruth has spent years passionately cultivating a sense of home and family culture in her own life. Through her experiences in flipping homes and raising her five children, Ruth has discovered the importance of creating a space that nurtures life and love. With a background in law and an adventurous spirit, Ruth's journey has been filled with challenges and growth. Her desire to create a strong family culture and share her passion with others led her to write her book, Hungry for Home.

In this episode, I had the privilege of having a conversation with Os Guinness. Os is an author, social critic, and the great-great-great grandson of Arthur Guinness, the Dublin brewer. Os has spoken at many of the world’s major universities and at many political and business conferences across the world. He lives with his wife Jenny in the Washington DC area.

Os shares about his early childhood in China during World War II, signals of transcendence, coming to faith, and practical ways to stay centered on our call.

In this episode of Space for Life, host Tommy interviews Curtis Carnes, an executive coach and author of the book 'Breakthroughs Are Everywhere.' Introduced by mutual friend Steve Perkins, Curtis shares insights about his life mission of energizing breakthroughs. He discusses his transition into accepting his evolving professional identity and details the 'Breakthrough Equation'—discovery times action equals breakthrough. The conversation delves into the importance of observing inflection points, reflecting on them, and discussing them with others to determine meaningful actions. Curtis emphasizes the significance of community and accountability in achieving breakthroughs. He also introduces the concept of 'Breakthrough Groups,' small group coaching experiences aimed at fostering continuous personal and professional growth. The episode encourages listeners to create intentional habits and relationships to experience regular breakthroughs.

In this episode, the speaker, Tommy Thompson, shares his unique career journey from seminary graduate to entrepreneur alongside his brother, and finally a life coach, podcaster, writer, and speaker. He discusses the challenges of integrating faith into the workplace and the importance of authenticity in leadership. Tommy highlights his personal transformation through practicing Sabbath and creating space in his life, especially during his daughter's battle with cancer. He emphasizes the necessity of slowing down and intentionally creating space for rest and reflection to live more purposeful, fulfilling lives. The episode encourages listeners to examine the internal engines driving their burnout and stress and offers insight on how to cultivate a lifestyle that aligns with personal values and faith, even in the face of societal pressures to be perpetually busy.

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