Space for Life

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.

https://www.needleseye.org/

This podcast shares a personal story of a family's frightening experience with a rogue wave in Sandestin, Florida, which becomes a metaphor for the speaker's message on loneliness and the importance of relationships.

The episode delves into the dangers of loneliness, defined as perceiving oneself as alone, unwanted, and unknown, and the transformative power of companionship, referencing Biblical passages to underline the significance of togetherness. 

It introduces the acronym 'CAMS' to discuss the four types of beneficial relationships: Companions, Advisors, Mentees, and Soul Friends, each serving a different purpose in enriching one's life and combating loneliness. Tommy illustrates how these relationships not only provide joy and support but are crucial for personal growth and well-being. He emphasizes the importance of being intentional in cultivating these connections, suggesting practical steps for building and maintaining them, thus advocating for a proactive approach to overcoming loneliness and leading a fulfilled life.

In this episode, Tommy begins by reflecting on the idea that life is lived in context, and that the experiences and environments we are born into shape the people we become and the impact we have on the world. The special guest, Mike Acker, shares his compelling life story, beginning with his unconventional childhood as the son of a drug smuggler father and a witch mother, and how he became a pastor. Mike's narrative takes listeners through his turbulent and extraordinary path, including his family's radical transformation after embracing Christianity, his struggles and adventures growing up in Mexico, and his eventual calling to ministry. After years in pastoral work, Mike faced burnout and transitioned to a successful career in sales, ultimately finding a mission to lead and inspire others, culminating in his work with a Christian poverty relief organization. 

The episode emphasizes the importance of living on mission, understanding one's purpose, and making impactful choices, offering insights into how personal context and faith can lead to fulfilling one's potential.

Episode Highlights:

00:54 Introducing Mike Acker: A Story of Transformation

03:45 Mike Acker's Unbelievable Journey: From Drug Smuggling Roots to Pastoral Mission

10:19 Embracing a New Path: Mike's Shift from Mexico to Ministry

15:03 Navigating Career and Identity Shifts: From Ministry to Sales

18:57 Living on Mission: Crafting a Personal Mission Statement

26:57 Embracing Life with Clarity and Purpose

27:43 The Power of a Personal Mission Statement

29:55 The Transformative Impact of Having a Mission

35:35 Addressing the Challenges of Identifying a Life Mission

38:47 Simplifying the Journey: Steps to Discovering Your Mission

47:36 Closing Thoughts: Taking the First Step Towards Your Mission

Connect with Mike:

https://www.mikeacker.com/

https://www.instagram.com/mikeackerdotcom

https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker

Connect with Tommy:

https://tommythompson.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommy-thompson-teacher/ 

https://twitter.com/tommypthompson

https://www.instagram.com/author_tommythompson/

This episode of 'Space for Life' podcast dives into the personal and transformative journey of reading the Bible through a fresh lens. Tommy shares his conviction about the Bible's profound impact on personal growth, mindset, and relationships, stemming from over 50 years of engagement. He introduces an acronym, 'ROMP', aimed at reframing our approach to the Bible from an obligation to a source of life and engagement. 

'ROMP' stands for Read Slowly, Observe, Meditate, and Personalize, offering a practical toolkit for diving deeper into scripture. Tommy emphasizes the importance of treating the Bible not just as text, but as a living, active conversation with God capable of penetrating the depths of the human heart and mind. By advocating for a slow, observant, meditative, and personalized reading practice, the episode invites listeners to experience the Bible as a transformative power in their lives.

Connect with Tommy:

https://tommythompson.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommy-thompson-teacher/ 

https://twitter.com/tommypthompson

https://www.instagram.com/author_tommythompson/

In this episode, Tommy engages in a conversation with guest Erik Allen, exploring his inspiring journey from a troubled past to a life of thriving and success. Erik shares his childhood experiences, including his parents' divorce, moving to a small town, and living in challenging conditions. He recounts a pivotal moment of defending his mother from an abusive partner, leading to a series of struggles including homelessness, addiction, and legal troubles. Erik's turning point came when he embraced faith, leading to a complete transformation. He quit drugs and alcohol cold turkey and rebuilt his life, eventually finding love and starting a family. Hios story emphasizes the importance of changing one's environment, seeking mentorship, and maintaining a strong faith. Erik's story serves as a testament to the possibility of overcoming adversity and living a fulfilling life through intentional actions and faith.

Episode Highlights:

02:40 Eric Allen's Journey: From Surviving to Thriving

08:35 A Turning Point: Finding Faith and a New Path

14:16 Embracing Change: The Power of Environment and Faith

18:58 The Power of Community and Intentionality

21:55 Daily Rituals for a Grateful Life

23:12 Changing Your Environment for Growth

26:48 Leveraging Podcasts and Books for Personal Development

29:43 Guidance for the Stuck: Pray and Clarify

33:35 Shifting Focus: A New Direction in Podcasting

37:02 A Vision for Intentional Living and Gratitude

Connect with Tommy:

https://tommythompson.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommy-thompson-teacher/ 

https://twitter.com/tommypthompson

https://www.instagram.com/author_tommythompson/

The Erik Allen Show - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-erik-allen-show/id1542602358