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 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.

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.

• Why parenting can feel overwhelming and guilt-inducing
• What “sturdy” really means in child development
• How overprotection creates fragile kids
• Why emotions shouldn’t dictate parenting decisions
• The connection between practical skills and emotional maturity
• The value of healthy struggle and discomfort
• Moving children from consumers to contributors
• Establishing family identity and guiding principles
• Leading with sacrifice and consistency in parenting
• Practical steps to begin raising sturdier kids

00:00 Introduction to Parenting Challenges

02:50 The Importance of Raising Sturdy Kids

06:10 Generational Wisdom in Parenting

08:51 The Role of Emotions in Parenting

11:48 Defining ‘Sturdy’ in Parenting

14:50 Practical Skills for Sturdy Kids

17:51 The Impact of Struggle on Growth

20:43 The Disconnect Between Happiness and Growth

24:05 The Process of Maturity Through Trials

32:09 The Fragility of Overprotection

36:21 The Role of Discomfort in Growth

41:31 Establishing Family Identity and Guiding Principles

47:03 Transitioning from Enabling to Empowering

55:42 Practical Steps for Raising Sturdy Kids

Keith McCurdy

President & CEO, Total Life Counseling

Founder, Live Sturdy

Counselor, Speaker, and Parenting Coach

livesturdy.com

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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 mission to make God’s Word accessible to every language on Earth.

Meg shares Wycliffe’s incredible progress toward its Vision 2025 goal—ensuring every language community has a Bible translation project in progress—and explains how AI is transforming translation work while maintaining a deep commitment to faithfulness and human oversight.

Their conversation moves from the global mission of Wycliffe to personal reflections on faith, technology, and how communities can navigate the opportunities and challenges of AI together.

• Wycliffe’s mission to make God’s Word available to every language and community
• Over 7,000 languages worldwide, with more than 560 still without Scripture
• The story behind Vision 2025 and its bold goal
• How AI supports translation while keeping humans at the center
• Partnerships with local churches and communities worldwide
• Balancing innovation with integrity in faith-based work
• The role of community and the church in navigating technology
• How AI can be both a tool for good and a challenge for discernment
• Practical and personal reflections on using AI in daily life

00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Episode

04:30 Meg’s Journey to Wycliffe and Church Planting in Orlando

12:10 The Mission and History of Wycliffe Bible Translators

19:45 Vision 2025: Every Language, Every Community

27:15 How AI is Changing Bible Translation

36:40 Faithful Translation and the Importance of Human Oversight

43:55 AI, Creativity, and Overcoming Global Barriers

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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 writings in Scripture, offering fresh insight into faith, the Church, and life in Christ.

David shares how his book came to life, what the Greek word sozo (“to be healed”) reveals about salvation, and why mutual submission in marriage reflects the very nature of God. Along the way, they unpack Paul’s remarkable conversion, the beauty of the Church, and the hope found in living a life shaped by grace.

What You’ll Take Away:

• Why Field Notes from the Letter to the Ephesians is more than a commentary — it's a reflection on life in Christ
• The deeper meaning of the Greek word sozo (“saved” or “healed”)
• What Paul’s conversion reveals about God’s power to transform anyone
• Why Ephesians offers such a vibrant, redemptive vision for the Church
• How “mutual submission” in marriage mirrors the relationship within the Trinity
• How Paul’s writing connects theology, beauty, and everyday life

Resources:

• Get your copy of Field Notes from the Letter to the Ephesians on Amazon (available in print and Kindle)
• Explore more episodes and resources at tommythompson.org

Timestamps:

(0:00) Intro

(8:46) Exploring the Depth of Ephesians

(11:46) The Meaning of the Word “Saved”

(15:06) The Complexity of Theological Concepts

(17:59) The Structure and Style of the Book

(21:10) Personal Stories and Their Impact

(24:06) The Central Message of Ephesians

(31:56) The Unlikely Apostle: Paul’s Transformation

(35:42) The Magnitude of Conversion

(39:09) Exploring the Relationship Between Jesus and Paul

(44:49) Understanding Ephesians: A Deep Dive

(48:00) Marriage and Mutual Submission in Ephesians

(58:17) The Cultural Context of Ephesians

(1:01:59) The Beauty of God in Marriage and Family Life

Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org