Space for Life
Space for Life

Space for Life

Tommy Thompson

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Episodes

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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 .

Recent Episodes

The Bravery Effect with Jill Schulman
DEC 11, 2025
The Bravery Effect with Jill Schulman
<p>In this episode, Tommy is joined by bravery expert, leadership developer, and author&nbsp;<strong>Jill Schulman</strong>&nbsp;to unpack&nbsp;<em>The Bravery Effect</em>—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 that courage is a learnable skill.</p><p><br></p><p>Together, they explore how bravery drives personal and professional growth, why discomfort is essential, how mindset shapes action, and why surrounding yourself with the right people can make you braver than you ever imagined. Whether you're facing a tough decision, stuck in a rut, or seeking a more courageous life, this conversation offers a roadmap toward becoming who you were meant to be.</p><p><br></p><h2><strong>Key Takeaways</strong></h2><ul><li>Bravery is not innate — it’s a&nbsp;skill you can learn and strengthen.</li><li>Choosing discomfort&nbsp;is often the doorway to growth.</li><li>A supportive community (“your brave tribe”) elevates your bravery.</li><li>Bravery =&nbsp;voluntary action in the presence of fear toward a worthwhile goal.</li><li>Small acts of “micro-bravery” compound into high confidence.</li><li>Mindset is foundational — especially&nbsp;growth mindset&nbsp;and&nbsp;stress-is-enhancing mindset.</li><li>Planning and pre-deciding your actions prevent fear from talking you out of progress.</li><li>Some brave actions involve&nbsp;letting go, not just taking on more.</li><li>Bravery is a&nbsp;strategy, not just a feeling.</li><li>Every person has an area where they can take the next brave step.</li></ul><p><br></p><h2><strong>Chapters</strong></h2><p>00:00 Introduction to Bravery</p><p>03:07 Jill’s Journey &amp; The Science of Bravery</p><p>05:50 The Definition and Importance of Bravery</p><p>12:07 Building Bravery as a Muscle</p><p>17:50 The Role of Comfort and Discomfort</p><p>24:02 Micro-Bravery in Everyday Life</p><p>29:41 Mindset &amp; Stress Management</p><p>35:48 Taking Action &amp; Planning for Bravery</p><p>41:47 Right-Sizing Your Bravery Goals</p><p>47:42 Surrounding Yourself with a Brave Tribe</p><p><br></p><h2><strong>Resources Mentioned</strong></h2><ul><li><strong>Jill Schulman’s Website:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jillschulman.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.jillschulman.com</a></li><li><strong>Bravery Quiz:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jillschulman.com/bravery-quiz" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.jillschulman.com/bravery-quiz</a></li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org</p>
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58 MIN
Creating an Environment for Growth
DEC 4, 2025
Creating an Environment for Growth
<p>In this episode of&nbsp;<em>Space for Life</em>, Tommy and Joe dive deep into one of the most overlooked drivers of personal transformation:&nbsp;<strong>the environment you build around your life</strong>. 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.</p><p><br></p><p>Drawing from the&nbsp;<strong>Parable of the Sower</strong>, Tommy unpacks four types of “soil environments” and shows how they mirror the spiritual, emotional, and practical conditions we create in our lives. The conversation moves through the role of spaciousness, the discomfort that often precedes growth, why self-reflection is essential, and the four kinds of people every person needs around them.</p><p><br></p><p>If you want deeper relationships, meaningful progress, and a spiritual life that actually transforms you — this episode will help you create the conditions where real growth can finally take root.</p><p><br></p><h1><strong>Key Takeaways</strong></h1><ul><li>Creating the right environment is&nbsp;<em>more important</em>&nbsp;than any single growth tactic.</li><li>The&nbsp;<strong>Parable of the Sower</strong>&nbsp;offers a framework for understanding how environment impacts growth.</li><li>The three major components of a growth environment are&nbsp;<strong>habits</strong>,&nbsp;<strong>self-coaching</strong>, and&nbsp;<strong>people</strong>.</li><li><strong>Spaciousness</strong>&nbsp;is the foundational habit that enables reflection, listening, and deeper living.</li><li>Weekly and quarterly rhythms create structure for long-term transformation.</li><li>Growth requires a willingness to step outside your comfort zone.</li><li>Self-coaching begins with listening — to patterns, emotions, circumstances, and God.</li><li>Four kinds of people accelerate growth: mentors, mentees, soul friends, and prophets.</li><li>A “prophet” (your Nathan) is someone with permission to speak hard truth into your life.</li></ul><p><br></p><h1><strong>Resources</strong></h1><ul><li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Space-Breathe-Again-Overloaded-Overwhelmed/dp/1734940026" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Tommy’s Book:</strong>&nbsp;<em>Space to Breathe Again</em></a></li><li><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/space-for-life/id1506941393?i=1000663978764" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Space for Life Episode: “30 Minutes to Your Best Week”</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/space-for-life/id1506941393?i=1000663978731" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Space for Life Episode: “The Art of Journaling”</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/space-for-life/id1506941393?i=1000663978792" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Space for Life Episode: "What's the Big Deal About Margin?"</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/space-for-life/id1506941393?i=1000663978790" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Space for Life Episode: "What's a Spacious Life?"</a></li></ul><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">0:00 Intro</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">1:46 Why Environment Matters</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">4:26 Parable of the Sower</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">9:42 Four Types of Soil</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">12:49 Three Elements of Growth</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">16:43 Habits of Spaciousness</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">25:06 Weekly + Long-Term Rhythms</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">32:57 Self Coaching + Reflection</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">41:50 People of Growth</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">45:22 4 Types of People You Need in Your Life</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">55:48 Finding Your Nathan</span></p><p><br></p><p>Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org</p>
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63 MIN
Jeff Johnson on Surrendering Your Work and Trusting God with the Outcome
NOV 20, 2025
Jeff Johnson on Surrendering Your Work and Trusting God with the Outcome
<p>In this episode of&nbsp;<em>Space for Life</em>, 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.</p><p><br></p><p>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.</p><p><br></p><h2><strong>Timestamps</strong></h2><p>0:00 Intro</p><p>2:17 Scotland Trip and How They Met</p><p>3:45 Jeff Begins His Story</p><p>6:02 Marriage Counseling and Learning to Listen</p><p>7:49 Faith and Work in Jeff’s Life</p><p>10:26 History of Johnson Machine Works</p><p>14:07 When Nothing Works</p><p>16:28 Breaking Point on the Shop Floor</p><p>19:42 Praying Over the Building and Workers</p><p>23:49 The Unexpected Turnaround Begins</p><p>26:54 God’s Mercy, Not Formulas</p><p>29:33 Why Work Matters in God’s Design</p><p>40:38 How God Used the Crisis to Reach Jeff</p><p>44:22 Jeff’s Tuesday Night Practice of Surrender</p><p>46:25 Invitation for Anyone Needing Encouragement</p><p><br></p><h2><strong>Referenced Links</strong></h2><p><a href="https://crossroadsapologetics.org/podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jeff’s Podcast, <strong>Courageous Crossroads</strong></a></p><p><a href="https://artistsandwriters.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Artists &amp; Writers</a></p><p><br></p><h2><strong>Takeaways</strong></h2><ul><li>Surrender is often where true transformation begins.</li><li>Desperation can bring unexpected clarity.</li><li>Work is part of God’s design for purpose and flourishing.</li><li>Vulnerability opens doors that effort alone cannot.</li><li>God uses circumstances — even painful ones — to reach us.</li><li>Doing the next right thing is part of surrender, not separate from it.</li><li>Resilience is built in the quiet, unseen moments.</li><li>Prayer can reshape environments, mindsets, and outcomes.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org</p>
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47 MIN
Gary Thomas on The Life You Were Reborn to Live
NOV 13, 2025
Gary Thomas on The Life You Were Reborn to Live
<p>In this conversation, Tommy welcomes back author and teacher Gary Thomas to talk about his new book,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Life-You-Were-Reborn-Live/dp/031036065X" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><em>The Life You Were Reborn to Live: Dismantling 12 Lies That Rob Your Intimacy with God</em></strong>. </a>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.</p><p><br></p><p>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.</p><p><br></p><p>Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org</p>
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58 MIN
The Art of Raising Sturdy Kids with Keith McCurdy
OCT 30, 2025
The Art of Raising Sturdy Kids with Keith McCurdy
<p><br></p><p>In this episode of&nbsp;<em>Space for Life</em>, Tommy sits down with parenting expert&nbsp;<strong>Keith McCurdy</strong>, founder of&nbsp;<strong>Live Sturdy</strong>&nbsp;and CEO of&nbsp;<strong>Total Life Counseling</strong>, to unpack what it really means to raise&nbsp;<em>sturdy kids</em>.</p><p><br></p><p>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.</p><p><br></p><p>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.</p><p><br></p><h3><strong>Key Topics</strong></h3><ul><li>Why parenting can feel overwhelming and guilt-inducing</li><li>What “sturdy” really means in child development</li><li>How overprotection creates fragile kids</li><li>Why emotions shouldn’t dictate parenting decisions</li><li>The connection between practical skills and emotional maturity</li><li>The value of healthy struggle and discomfort</li><li>Moving children from consumers to contributors</li><li>Establishing family identity and guiding principles</li><li>Leading with sacrifice and consistency in parenting</li><li>Practical steps to begin raising sturdier kids</li></ul><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">00:00 Introduction to Parenting Challenges</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">02:50 The Importance of Raising Sturdy Kids</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">06:10 Generational Wisdom in Parenting</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">08:51 The Role of Emotions in Parenting</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">11:48 Defining ‘Sturdy’ in Parenting</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">14:50 Practical Skills for Sturdy Kids</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">17:51 The Impact of Struggle on Growth</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">20:43 The Disconnect Between Happiness and Growth</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">24:05 The Process of Maturity Through Trials</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">32:09 The Fragility of Overprotection</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">36:21 The Role of Discomfort in Growth</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">41:31 Establishing Family Identity and Guiding Principles</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">47:03 Transitioning from Enabling to Empowering</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">55:42 Practical Steps for Raising Sturdy Kids</span></p><p><br></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Keith McCurdy</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">President &amp; CEO, Total Life Counseling</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Founder,&nbsp;</span><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Live Sturdy</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Counselor, Speaker, and Parenting Coach</span></p><p><a href="https://livesturdy.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">livesturdy.com</a></p><p><br></p><p>Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org</p>
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64 MIN