Podcasts · Education · Religion & Spirituality
Space for Life
Tommy Thompson
213 episodes
Space for Life is a podcast with honest conversations designed to help cultivate the space we need for a more fulfilling and abundant life. Despite our culture’s wiring for excess and overload, our souls desperately need the very opposite. Space for Life seeks to help you take small steps into a spacious life .
Episodes page 1 of 5
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The Meaning and Beauty of Worship with Charis Napier
Charis Napier, Worship Lead Pastor at Hope Church, joins Tommy to talk about what worship is and why it's so much more than the singing before the sermon. They cover how to worship when you can't carry a tune or don't…
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The Theology and Physiology of Why Sleep Matters with Brett McCracken
Brett McCracken has written about faith and culture for 20 years. His new book, The Wisdom of Sleep, starts with a simple question: why would God design people to be unconscious for a third of their lives, especially…
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Braxton Byerson on Who You Are Without the Applause
Braxton Byerson grew up in a military family, played with both brothers at Virginia Union, then took the game to Uruguay and China before the ball stopped bouncing for him. Now he coaches, speaks, and writes about…
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Elizabeth Zelinka Parsons on Identity After a Big Change
You're in a known place, and then you're not. Parenthood, an empty nest, grief, a career, retirement. Tommy spent the summer wondering if this was the year he let Space for Life go, then he found Encore. Elizabeth…
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Greatest Hits: Lisa Ould on the Art of Emotional Stability
Tommy revisits a conversation with Lisa Ould, executive director of Barnabas Center and decades-long counselor, on one of the most personal and underaddressed topics he has taken on across all of Space for Life.…
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Greatest Hits: Ana Megrelishvili on the Transformative Power Of A Silent Retreat
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…
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Greatest Hits: Justin Earley on the Art of Real Friendship
Tommy Thompson sits down with author and attorney Justin Earley to talk about one of the most underdiagnosed crises of our time, an epidemic of loneliness that most people are living with but can't even name. Justin is…
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Greatest Hits: What You Can Learn from Your Stress
Tommy Thompson and co-host Patricia Clark revisit a conversation that cuts to the heart of one of the most common struggles in modern life. Rather than treating stress as something to push through or accept as…
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Greatest Hits: What I Learned from Taking a Year of Jubilee
Today we're revisiting one of the more meaningful early episodes from Space for Life, a conversation with friend and co-host Patricia Clark recorded shortly after a full year sabbatical he called a Year of Jubilee.…
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Greatest Hits: Litt Thompson on Creating Space to Think About What Matters Most
Tommy Thompson brings back one of the earliest and most beloved episodes from Space for Life, a conversation with his brother and 40-year business partner, Litt Thompson. After a business crisis in the early 1990s…
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What It Takes to Be a Sturdy Adult with Keith McCurdy
Keith McCurdy is back on Space for Life for a follow-up to his episode on raising sturdy kids. This time the focus shifts to the adults, because it takes a sturdy adult to raise a sturdy child. After 40 years in mental…
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Shola Richards on Practicing Kindness in an Unkind World
In this episode, Tommy sits down with Shola Richards, known as The Kindness Extremist and Brother Teresa, to talk about what kindness actually looks like when life gets hard. Shola shares his story of moving from…
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How to Uncover Your Purpose with Patricia Clarke
Tommy reunites with close friend and collaborator Patricia Clarke for a rich, wide-ranging conversation on one of life's most important and most misunderstood questions: what does it actually mean to find and live a…
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Katherine Wolf on Why Pain Is Too Precious to Waste
Tommy sits down with Katherine Wolf, stroke survivor, author, and co-founder of Hope Heals, for one of his dream conversations. At 26, Katherine had a massive brain stem stroke that left her permanently disabled, and…
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Exploring the Reality of the Resurrection with Drew Daniels
Tommy sits down with Drew Daniels, founding pastor of Boulevard Church in Richmond, Virginia, to explore what the resurrection of Jesus Christ actually means, not just theologically, but historically and personally.…
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The Power of Presence in an Age of Distraction and Loneliness with Dr. Nelson Ould
Loneliness is rising in a world that has never been more connected. In this episode, Tommy sits down with longtime friend and recently retired pastor Dr. Nelson Ould to explore the power and practice of presence.…
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Redemptive Healing and the Fellowship of Suffering with Pastor Steve Ruetschle
Fifteen years ago, Pastor Steve Ruetschle was left paralyzed after a catastrophic motorcycle accident. Doctors told him he would never walk again. But this episode is not primarily about a medical outcome. It is about…
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How to Start Writing and Actually Get Published with Terry Whalin
So many people carry the quiet dream of writing something meaningful. A book. A devotional. A story that has been sitting inside them for years. But the question lingers Where do I even begin? In this episode of…
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Living Well in Your 30s with Freedom and Intention
Your 30s can feel like a decade full of tension. The tension between freedom and responsibility, living fully now and preparing wisely for the future, wanting clarity without becoming rigid. In this episode of Space…
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The Vital Art of Play with Mia Sundstrom
In this episode of Space for Life, Tommy sits down with Mia Sundstrom, CEO of the National Institute for Play and granddaughter of renowned play researcher Dr. Stuart Brown, for a powerful conversation about why play…
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A Conversation About Suicide, Losing Loved Ones, Warning Signs, and Caring for One Another
This is one of the most difficult and meaningful conversations Space for Life has ever held. In this episode, host Tommy Thompson is joined by David Dwight, Senior Pastor at Hope Church Richmond, and Ray Paul,…
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The Chosen, Gen Z, and What’s Happening on College Campuses with Cru’s Dan Allan
In this episode of Space for Life, host Tommy Thompson is joined by Dan Allan, Executive Director at Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru), for a wide-ranging conversation about faith, renewal, and what’s unfolding across…
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Dr. Wendi Lord on The Chosen, Translation + AI in a Rapidly Changing World
In this episode of Space for Life, host Tommy Thompson is joined by Dr. Wendi Lord, Vice President of Localization for the Come and See Foundation, the organization responsible for taking The Chosen to the world.…
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Stan Jantz on The Chosen, Global Discipleship + the Come and See Foundation
In this episode of Space for Life, Tommy Thompson sits down with Stan Jantz, Global Ambassador for the Come and See Foundation, the nonprofit behind the global production, translation, and distribution of The Chosen.…
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Rethinking Kindness, Strength, Humility, and the Fruit of the Spirit with Tuck Knupp
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…
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The Bravery Effect with Jill Schulman
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…
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Creating an Environment for Growth
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…
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Jeff Johnson on Surrendering Your Work and Trusting God with the Outcome
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…
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Gary Thomas on The Life You Were Reborn to Live
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…
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The Art of Raising Sturdy Kids with Keith McCurdy
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…
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Navigating the Future of Bible Translation with Wycliffe’s Meg Hunt
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…
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Field Notes from the Letter to the Ephesians with David Dwight
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…
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2 Spiritual Disciplines Every Volunteer Needs
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…
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An Honest Conversation About Grief with David Dwight
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)…
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Reflections from a Summer of Rest, Renewal & Refreshment
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…
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Greatest Hits: Empowering Health: Jim and Nicole Holland
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…
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Greatest Hits: Embracing Uncomfortable Places - Aaron and Vangie Hendrickson
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…
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Greatest Hits: The Art and Joy of Journaling with Weezie Thompson
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…
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Greatest Hits: The Power of A Few Kind Words - Tracey Gates
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…
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Greatest Hits: Be Brave, Be Real with Nicole Unice
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…
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Greatest Hits: Principles of Life
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…
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Greatest Hits: How to Be Made Well with Amy Julia Becker
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…
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Greatest Hits: Growing Older, Growing Better: Lessons In Aging With Tuck Knupp
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…
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Greatest Hits: Young And Purposeful: AC Arendale's Testimony Of Joy In Service
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…
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Greatest Hits: Building A Life Of Purpose: From Startup To Intentional Living With Shawn Boyer
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…
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Greatest Hits: Seasons of a Life Well-Lived with Elaine Metcalf
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…
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Reflect and Recharge: The Case for Mini-Sabbaticals
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…
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The Rhythm of Leadership with Tommy Thompson
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…
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Humility: The Unseen Power In Life And Golf With Joel Suggs
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…
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Understanding And Embracing The Sacred With Gary Thomas
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…
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