Space for Life

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 confidence, choices, and character, including the hard question he puts to young men: who are you when you do not get applause? Tommy talks with Braxton about getting cut, starting over with middle school girls basketball, life after a divorce, and why the words young people need most are I'm with you. What You'll Hear in This Episode Braxton grows up in Chester, VA, rooted in faith and humility by parents who cared more about character than applause. All three Byerson brothers play together at Virginia Union, a first in CIAA history. Pro ball in Uruguay and China puts him outside his language and comfort zone, and teaches him to sit back and listen. Confidence, choices, and character become his trifecta for student athletes. Getting cut in sixth grade, then again overseas, and choosing to show up anyway. Coaching a middle school girls team that had won three games in eight years into the playoffs four years running. Writing Stay on the Tracks, getting certified as a life coach, and taking the leap when fear and trust in God cannot share the same seat. Why youth open up when an adult says I'm with you, and Galatians 6:9 as the line he leaves people with. (0:00) Intro (3:50) Military kid to Chester, Virginia (7:45) Three brothers at Virginia Union (9:15) Pro ball in Uruguay and China (15:15) Confidence, choices, and character (19:25) Who are you without applause (20:45) The ring of existence (27:10) Bigger than basketball (27:35) Cut in sixth grade, then overseas (33:15) Coaching middle school girls (38:15) Writing and life coaching (48:30) I'm with you (57:05) Galatians 6:9 (58:27) How to connect with Braxton Stay on the Tracks, A Journey of Patience and Perseverance You've Got This, The Student Trifecta for Academic Achievement https://braxtonbyersonent.carrd.co https://www.instagram.com/braxb_7/ https://vuusports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/braxton-byerson/966 Instagram and TikTok: braxb_7 Facebook and LinkedIn: Braxton Byerson Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org

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 Zelinka Parsons left big law at 35 to be with her kids, called it front ending retirement, and lost her identity anyway. What You'll Hear in This Episode Tommy takes a sabbatical, wonders if Space for Life is over, and then reads Encore. Elizabeth leaves Milbank at 35 to be with her kids, moves to Tucson, and loses her identity. The difference between the roles we walk in with and the person under those roles. Tommy adds a line to his mission statement, I am God's son. How to make a plan so you don't base jump into a panic. Grief, the choice toward hope, and taking one small action when you are stuck. (0:00) Season eight after a sabbatical (2:55) Meet Elizabeth Zelinka Parsons (4:04) Leaving big law at 35 (7:40) Far from just fine (12:17) The roles we lead with (16:16) Who stays when roles go (23:11) Tommy's encore after 40 years (25:14) Call it a graduation (33:50) Plan, don't panic (38:08) Treat it like an experiment (41:50) Structure that fills you (47:28) Don't kill the dream (50:40) Hope after a terrible change (54:50) One small action Encore, A High Achiever's Guide to Thriving in Retirement https://encoraco.com https://zelinkaparsons.com Elizabeth Zelinka Parsons on LinkedIn

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. Whether you tend to suppress what you feel or find yourself regularly overwhelmed by it, this episode offers a clear framework for understanding where emotions come from, why they matter, and how to stay in what Lisa calls your window of tolerance. Tommy gets personal too, sharing a formative story from his high school lacrosse days that quietly shaped how he has related to his own emotions ever since. What You'll Hear in This Episode: What the emotions wheel is and why most of us only have five or six words for what we actually feel. The critical distinction between experiencing an emotion, expressing it, and the choices you make from there. The counseling concept of the window of tolerance, and what it looks like to be in hyperarousal or hypoarousal. How your belief systems shape your habitual emotional patterns, and why naming those beliefs is the first step toward changing them. Practical guidance for the over-expressive person and the emotionally shut-down person, including how habits and movement can shift where you land. Tommy's high school lacrosse story, the moment he made a quiet vow to shut down his emotions, and the cost of that vow on both the hard feelings and the good ones. Why the goal is never to stop feeling but to grow your ability to stay present and functional while you do. How faith and scripture connect to emotional health by reshaping the belief systems that drive our habitual responses. Timestamps: (0:00) Intro (4:11) Emotions as part of how we're made (6:20) The emotions wheel (10:18) Feeling vs. expressing vs. choosing (15:40) The window of tolerance (21:44) Beliefs, emotions, and choices (30:55) The person stuck in habitual negative emotion (36:00) The emotionally shut-down person (38:14) Tommy's lacrosse story and the vow he made Resources / Next Steps: Learn more about Lisa Ould and Barnabas Center at barnabascenterclt.com. Visit TommyThompson.com for more helpful content and resources from Tommy. If you enjoyed this episode, leaving a review helps others find the show.

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 healing and peace after going on a silent retreat. In this episode, Ana joins Tommy Thompson to share how she immigrated to the United States, overcame her resentment of God, and is now changing the lives of many after fully understanding her purpose in life. She talks about the origins of her non-profit Christian Professionals Network Worldwide and how they are addressing the worsening state of homelessness in the country. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org

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 the author of The Common Rule, Habits of the Household, and his most recent book Made for People, which makes the case that we were created not just for connection but for deep, covenant friendship. This conversation traces the biblical roots of why friendship matters, what it actually takes to build it, and why one honest hour a week with the right person might be the most life-changing thing you can do. What You'll Hear in This Episode: Justin's unlikely path from English major at UVA to missionary in Shanghai to Georgetown law school and Richmond business attorney, and how that journey gave birth to three books. The collapse Justin experienced in his first year of lawyering, and how that season of anxiety and panic attacks led directly to The Common Rule. Why Justin believes loneliness is one of the most dangerous conditions of our time, one most people are living with but would never self-diagnose. What Genesis reveals about why God made us to be fully known and fully loved alongside other people, not just with him alone. Why having a full network of acquaintances and connections is not the same as friendship, and can sometimes make the loneliness worse. The concept of covenant friendship and its ten ingredients, from vulnerability and honesty to geography, time, and worship. Why vulnerability is the hardest thing to get your heart around, and why scheduling is the hardest thing to actually follow through on. Why one honest hour a week with the right person is all it takes to begin changing your life. Timestamps: (0:00) Intro (0:47) Justin's background and three books (9:19) Anxiety, collapse, and the birth of The Common Rule (17:54) Why Justin wrote Made for People (21:01) The epidemic of loneliness (23:49) The theology of friendship in Genesis (29:06) Ten ingredients of covenant friendship (37:24) One hour a week is enough (41:03) Where to start if you feel alone Resources / Next Steps: Pick up Made for People on Amazon and leave a review to help others find it. Find Justin and all of his books at justinwhitmoreearly.com. Visit TommyThompson.com for more helpful content and resources from Tommy. If you enjoyed this episode, leaving a review helps others find the show.

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 inevitable, Tommy makes the case that stress is a barometer, a signal worth reading about what is really going on beneath the surface. This episode walks through five practical ways to stop letting stress run the show, from the simple act of slowing down to the deeper work of engaging your faith in a way that actually changes how you feel. What You'll Hear in This Episode: Why stress has become epidemic in modern society and how the American dream may be quietly fueling it. The barometer concept, treating stress not as noise to ignore but as a signal with something real to say. A quick review of five practical tools from a previous episode, covering morning routines, breathing, mini getaways, and distractions. Tip 1: How to take a step back, ask why you are stressed, and why naming the source gives you power over it. Tip 2: Why rushing and stress are inseparable, and what intentionally slowing down actually does to your nervous system. Tip 3: How narrowing your focus to one or two truly important things cuts through the overwhelm of a long to-do list. Tip 4: The discipline of simplifying, identifying what can wait and letting yourself cut it without guilt. Tip 5: How faith functions as the deepest stress barometer of all, and what it looks like to live like what you believe is actually true. Timestamps: (0:00) Intro (1:53) Stress as a barometer (4:13) Why stress has become epidemic (10:15) Review of five previous tips (11:57) Tip 1: Take a step back (17:10) Tip 2: Stop rushing (20:32) Tip 3: Focus on the important (26:44) Tip 4: Simplify (28:43) Tip 5: Engage your faith Resources / Next Steps: Visit TommyThompson.com for more helpful content and resources from Tommy. If you enjoyed this episode, leaving a review helps others find the show.

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. Tommy reflects on why he needed to step away, what he discovered when God took the year in a completely unexpected direction, and how creating that space led to a health transformation he never saw coming. Whether or not a full year off is possible for you, this episode is full of wisdom on what it looks like to rightsize your life and recover the rhythm between doing and being. What You'll Hear in This Episode: The biblical concept of Jubilee and why Tommy used it as the framework for stepping away from work he loved. Why Tommy believes he was heading toward burnout but needed a different word to give himself permission to slow down. The unexpected health transformation that came out of clearing his schedule, something he says categorically would not have happened otherwise. The surprising freedom and joy that came from realizing how small he and his work actually are in the grand scheme of things. Why halfway measures like cutting back on one thing never give you enough of a break to actually reset. What Tommy calls mini jubilees, shorter but fully committed disconnects that anyone can build into their life. The balance board metaphor, and why staying in rhythm means constantly adjusting rather than finding a permanent steady state. Timestamps: (0:00) Intro (1:15) Tommy and Patricia reconnect (2:01) What is a Year of Jubilee (5:41) Approaching burnout (9:21) The unexpected health transformation (17:34) The freedom of being small (23:48) What if you can't take a year off (25:42) Mini jubilees done right (32:37) Rightsizing life and finding rhythm Resources / Next Steps: Visit TommyThompson.com for more helpful content and resources from Tommy. If you enjoyed this episode, leaving a review helps others find the show.

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 pushed Litt to his breaking point, one desperate morning spent alone in a university library set him on a path he has been following for over 25 years. In this episode, Litt shares his five-part formula for carving out intentional time to think deeply about your life, and why he believes it is the second greatest secret to life next to knowing Christ. What You'll Hear in This Episode: The early 1990s savings and loan crisis that pushed Litt and Tommy to the edge of burnout, invisibly and simultaneously. The morning Litt spent alone in a university library with nothing but a legal pad and a pen, and why it became the most productive day of his career. How writing one focused question at the top of a page and going deep unlocks a level of creativity you cannot access in the middle of your normal day. Why so many of our stressors are fears in disguise, and how creating space helps you tell the difference. Litt's five-part formula for intentional solitude, including why place, time, and removing distractions all work together. Why this practice applies to everyone in every stage of life, not just entrepreneurs and leaders. Timestamps: (0:00) Intro (1:25) Tommy introduces Litt Thompson (3:20) The 1989 business storm (5:20) Litt's first day off the freeway (9:37) Legal pad and the blank slate (15:33) From crisis tool to life practice (21:15) Litt's five-part formula (29:18) This applies to everyone Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org

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 health and tens of thousands of families, Keith shares why healthy struggle is the engine of growth, how to stop letting your emotions run the show, and the practices that build the kind of strength to do hard things and stay rooted in what actually matters. What You'll Take Away: Why healthy struggle is the engine of growth and maturity for adults, not just kids. How to stop letting emotions run you with the "no parenting above a five" rule. A simple framework for processing your past: honor what's honorable, respect what's respectable, and forgive the rest. Why most things that feel like emergencies are not, and the question to ask yourself in the moment. The four Ps that keep adults chasing the wrong identity, and what to chase instead. How forbearance and forgiveness function as the glue of every healthy relationship. Why cultivating relationships takes the same intentional effort we give our hobbies and our work. The one small step Keith recommends to start with today. Timestamps: (0:00) Intro (3:19) Why sturdiness matters now (10:35) Short term happiness vs long term wellness (19:48) We are not victims of our history (25:49) Are your emotions running you (27:14) The emotion Richter scale (38:38) The four Ps of false identity (43:54) Why we should not avoid struggle (54:35) The practice of forbearance (1:03:15) Start small with one thing Resources: Keith's upcoming book, Raising Sturdy Kids, releasing May or June 2026. Basecamp Live podcast with Davies Owens, where Keith has appeared on roughly 50 episodes covering related topics.

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 bullying, burnout, and a near tragic moment on an LA freeway to building a global mission around freakishly practical kindness. The conversation gets into the real difference between niceness and kindness, how to handle the toxic people in your life, and why the hardest person to be kind to is usually yourself. What You'll Hear in This Episode: Why kindness takes more courage than most people realize Shola's story of being highly sensitive, bullied, and burned out, and the moment that redirected his life The clear difference between being nice and being kind Six warning signs of a truly toxic person versus someone just having a bad day The Just Like Me practice for staying open when you would normally judge Why forgiveness is an act of kindness toward yourself, not the person who hurt you A simple courtroom framework for cross-examining your own negative self-talk Box breathing, knowing your triggers, and other tools for staying responsive instead of reactive Timestamps: (0:00) Intro (4:01) Shola's Story (8:28) Making kindness freakishly practical (14:05) Why kindness takes real courage (16:30) Niceness vs kindness (19:00) Six warning signs of a toxic person (26:23) Are we part of the flood (29:18) The 'Just Like Me' practice (33:24) What forgiveness really means (42:25) Boundaries as a backdoor kindness (45:47) Turning kindness toward yourself (49:29) The courtroom of the mind (55:47) Where to find Shola Resources / Next Steps: Shola's website, thesholarichards.com The Kindness Extremist Podcast Shola on Substack and LinkedIn Civil Unity by Shola Richards Go Together Global

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 life of purpose? They bring two completely different approaches to the table, one intuitive and spontaneous, one intentional and structured, and together they land on something that applies to everyone regardless of age, season, or personality type. This is one of those conversations that will make you think differently about your own life. What You'll Hear in This Episode: Why the question of purpose never goes away and keeps changing at every age and stage of life Patricia's Michelangelo framework: purpose is not something you implant, it is already inside you waiting to be revealed Tommy's four P framework for finding your purpose: passion, power, personality, and purpose Why the things that come most naturally to us are often the things we discount the most How accepting your deficiencies, not just your strengths, is one of the most freeing parts of living on purpose Patricia's waterfall story from Joshua Tree and why anything done in love has an eternal quality to it Why your grandmother's mashed potato recipe matters more than you think Timestamps: (0:00) Intro and reunion (3:03) Purpose is a question that never goes away (5:47) Michelangelo and the purpose already inside you (11:08) Patricia's approach: spontaneous, intuitive, looking back (20:12) Tommy's four P framework: passion, power, personality, purpose (33:21) Accepting your deficiencies and living in your lane (44:08) The Joshua Tree waterfall and love's eternal quality (54:56) Closing encouragement for people who feel stuck Resources / Next Steps: Share this episode with someone who is navigating a season of uncertainty about their purpose or calling.

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 nearly two decades later she is one of the most compelling voices on suffering, hope, and what it means to live a truly good life in the middle of an impossibly hard one. This is a conversation about what it looks like when good and hard coexist, and why the pain you are carrying right now might be too precious to waste. What You'll Hear in This Episode: Katherine's story: the brain stem stroke at 26 that changed everything and the nearly two years of recovery that followed Why there is no quota on suffering this side of heaven, and how that reframing actually brings freedom The invisible wheelchairs we all carry, and why the disabilities nobody can see often do the most damage The difference between wanting a cure and actually needing healing, drawn from the blind man in John 9 What the practice of hope looks like when the feeling of hope is completely gone The Isaiah 45 passage that became the foundation for Treasures in the Dark and why she chose to gather treasure instead of waste it How to radically accept your story and trust an unknown future to a known God Timestamps: (0:00) Intro and Katherine's story (7:35) No quota on suffering (11:51) Invisible wheelchairs (14:43) Redefining what good actually means (21:34) Treasures in the Dark and Isaiah 45 (28:18) The difference between a cure and healing (30:18) Practicing hope when you can't feel it (36:04) Hope Heals Camp and radical belonging (45:51) Trusting an unknown future to a known God Resources / Next Steps: Learn more about Katherine and Hope Heals at hopeheals.com . Listen to The Good Hard Story podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Pick up Treasures in the Dark on Amazon . If you are in Atlanta, visit Mend Coffee!

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. They walk through the evidence, wrestle with the hard questions, and land on why a 2000-year-old event still changes everything about how we live today. Drew brings an honest, grounded faith to one of Tommy's favorite conversation topics of the year. What You'll Hear in This Episode: Drew's family inheritance of faith, from a self-taught preacher grandfather in rural Nebraska to his own call to plant a church Why Christianity is the only world religion built on the claim that God came to you, not the other way around The historical and extra-biblical evidence that gives the resurrection credibility 2000 years later Why Tommy believes the resurrection can't be proven but says the preponderance of evidence is overwhelming The C.S. Lewis framework: Jesus is either a liar, a lunatic, or Lord What Tim Keller meant when he said the gospel changes everything Drew's raw story of asking God for a week off from belief during the hardest season of church planting, and what happened the next morning Timestamps: (0:00) Intro (3:37) Drew's story (10:31) Why the resurrection matters (22:57) Historical evidence for the resurrection (26:11) The disciples' martyrdom and women at the tomb (34:03) What difference does it make? (50:22) Final Thoughts + Connect with Boulevard Church Resources / Next Steps: Learn more about Drew and Boulevard Church at blvdchurchrva.com . They meet Sundays at 1212 N Arthur Ashe Blvd in Richmond's Scott's Addition neighborhood. Whether you're a person of faith or still figuring out what you believe, they'd love to have you. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org

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. Drawing from decades of pastoral ministry and personal experience, Nelson shares a simple insight: in life’s most difficult moments, people rarely remember the exact words that were spoken, but they always remember who showed up. Together they discuss why distraction and hurry are eroding real connection, why loneliness continues to rise, and how the simple act of being present with someone can transform relationships. They also share practical ways to grow in presence, including listening for open doors in conversation, asking thoughtful follow-up questions, creating margin before important interactions, and checking back in with people after meaningful conversations. In a culture filled with noise and constant distraction, this conversation is a reminder that one of the greatest gifts we can offer someone is our full attention. (0:00) Loneliness, distraction, and why presence matters today (2:16) How pastoral ministry revealed the power of presence (9:39) The biblical foundation of presence and God with us (19:01) Listening for open doors in conversation (22:07) The two enemies of presence, distraction and hurry (29:42) Practicing presence with the people closest to you (32:09) The underrated power of following up with people (40:02) Creating margin and quieting distraction before conversations

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 something deeper. In this conversation, Steve reflects on the different ways God heals, the power of community, and what it means to participate in the fellowship of suffering. He shares how the faith of others carried him when he could not believe for himself, how pain can either harden the heart or deepen it, and how redemptive healing does not always mean the removal of suffering. This is a thoughtful and pastoral conversation about chronic pain, unanswered prayer, community, gratitude, and the surrounding love of God. If you are walking through illness, loss, or long term suffering, this episode offers a steady reminder that you are not alone and that God’s faithful love surrounds you even here. (0:00) Introduction and How Steve’s Story Reached Space for Life (2:19) The Motorcycle Accident and Becoming Quadriplegic (6:31) Degrees of Paralysis and Living with Chronic Pain (11:26) Community and the Story of the Paralytic (16:00) The Turning Point and Moving His Toe (21:10) Different Types of Healing (30:06) Redemptive Healing and the Fellowship of Suffering (36:33) Guarding Against Bitterness (45:09) A Word for Those Walking Through Pain Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org

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 Space for Life, Tommy sits down with Terry Whalin, acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing and author of more than 60 books, to talk about what it really takes to move from dream to discipline. Terry pulls back the curtain on the publishing world and explains why most aspiring authors start in the wrong place, what publishers are actually looking for, and why writing success is often 80 percent about the author and 20 percent about the book. They explore the catch 22 of publishing, the power of critique groups and apprenticeship, and why becoming a better reader is foundational to becoming a better writer. If you have ever considered writing, or simply want to understand how books truly shape lives, this conversation offers practical clarity and grounded encouragement for taking your next step. (0:00) Why So Many People Dream of Writing (6:41) How One Book Can Change a Life (14:16) What Publishers Really Look For (18:07) Where Aspiring Writers Should Start (32:32) The Catch 22 of Getting Published (40:19) The Power of Critique Groups (48:34) Why Reading Shapes Better Writing (58:53) Building Consistency as a Writer Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org

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 for Life , Joe joins Tommy for an honest conversation about what it really means to live well in your 30s with freedom and intention. Rather than offering formulas or life hacks, this conversation explores the deeper internal work of defining what truly matters. Joe and Tommy talk through why so many decisions feel exhausting, how guiding principles and guardrails can simplify life’s gray areas, and why postponing life often trains us to keep postponing it. They close by reflecting on how habits, more than any single decision, quietly shape the direction of our lives. This episode is for anyone navigating the weight of this decade and looking for a calmer, more grounded way to move forward. 0:00 Intro 7:41 Avoiding Comparison 13:04 Guiding Principles 26:23 Making Decisions Easier 34:13 Now Versus Later 53:56 Auditing Your Habits Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org

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 is not childish, frivolous, or optional, but essential to human health, creativity, resilience, and fulfillment. They explore the science of play, the cultural myths that have stripped play from adult life, and why so many people feel burned out, disconnected, and exhausted in a world that treats play as a waste of time. Mia shares her personal journey growing up in a play-based learning environment, how her grandfather’s research shaped her life, and why play is now being reframed as a public health necessity . This conversation challenges the idea that productivity and play are opposites, and instead shows how play fuels better work, deeper relationships, creativity, and emotional health. They unpack the difference between real play and modern forms of escapism, why social media often masquerades as play, and how adults can reconnect with the playful part of themselves they’ve forgotten. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org

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 , National Board Chair of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Together, they share deeply personal stories of losing close family members to suicide and reflect on what it means to grieve, to care for one another, and to hold hope in the midst of profound loss. Listener discretion is advised. This is a heavy and sensitive topic, and we encourage you to listen at your own pace and with support if needed. This conversation is rooted in lived experience, not theory. With honesty, compassion, and care, they explore: What makes suicide-related grief uniquely complex How to recognize warning signs and risk factors How to talk about suicide without shame, fear, or judgment The role of community, presence, and faith in healing How we can better support both those who are grieving and those who may be at risk This episode is for anyone who has lost someone they love, is walking alongside someone who is struggling, or wants to learn how to respond with greater care and understanding in these moments. Important Support Note If you or someone you love is struggling or in crisis, help is available. In the United States, you can call or text 988 , the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, to connect with trained counselors 24/7. You are not alone. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to a Difficult Conversation 03:49 Personal Experiences with Suicide 11:27 Understanding Grief and Loss 24:08 The Complexity of Suicide 32:17 Statistics and Prevention Strategies 42:56 Navigating Conversations about Suicide 54:34 The Role of Community and Support 01:06:17 Faith and Understanding in Grief 01:14:35 Final Thoughts and Resources Key Themes & Takeaways Suicide loss carries layers of grief that are often misunderstood Prevention and compassion must exist together Warning signs often show up as subtle changes in behavior or mood Asking direct questions and listening carefully can save lives Presence matters more than having the “right” words The way someone dies does not define the value or meaning of their life Healing often happens in community, not isolation Resources Mentioned American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) https://afsp.org What to Do When Someone Is at Risk https://afsp.org/what-to-do-when-someone-is-at-risk/ Risk Factors, Protective Factors, and Warning Signs https://afsp.org/risk-factors-protective-factors-and-warning-signs/ Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.) Call or text 988 Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org

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 college campuses today. Dan shares his personal journey in ministry, how The Chosen has become a powerful catalyst for gospel conversations, and why collaboration across ministries is essential in this moment. Together, they explore the surprising signs of spiritual hunger among Gen Z, the tension between retreat and revival, and why this season feels bigger than any single strategy or organization. This episode offers clarity, encouragement, and real hope for anyone wondering what God may be doing in the next generation. Key Takeaways God appears to be moving in a unique way among Gen Z The Chosen is reintroducing Jesus in a relational, accessible format Collaboration strengthens impact more than competition College campuses show both spiritual retreat and renewal Watch parties create natural entry points for faith conversations Prayer and presence matter more than polished strategies Rising spiritual hunger is supported by both stories and data Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and global perspective 02:08 The impact of The Chosen 07:18 Dan Allan’s journey into ministry 16:52 Collaboration across Christian ministries 30:05 Gen Z, retreat, and revival on campus 54:10 Stories of faith and transformation Resources & Contact The Chosen Watch Party Discussion Guides (free and publicly available) Contact Dan Allan: dan.alan@cru.org Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org