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 explore how kindness is often misunderstood as niceness or weakness, when in reality it is rooted in strength, humility, and generosity of spirit. Together, they discuss kindness in relationships, leadership, work, self-reflection, and even cultural and political discourse. The conversation challenges listeners, especially men, to grow in kindness by embracing humility, receiving God’s kindness personally, and allowing that transformation to shape how they live, lead, and relate to others, particularly during the Christmas season.

Key Takeaways

- Kindness is not the same as niceness, it is rooted in strength and truth

- True kindness requires humility and an honest view of our own brokenness

- Kindness reflects a generosity of spirit that believes the best about others

- Protecting someone’s reputation is a powerful expression of kindness

- Kindness should extend to work, home, relationships, and public discourse

- Receiving God’s kindness fuels compassion toward others

- Self-kindness is essential for growth and freedom from performance

- Kindness may lose short-term battles but can win long-term wars

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Kindness

05:09 Reframing Kindness Beyond Niceness

11:22 The Strength and Truth Within Kindness

18:23 Growing in Kindness Through Humility

25:36 Kindness in Relationships and Self-Compassion

32:09 Reflecting on Kindness During Christmas

36:20 Kindness in Society, Culture, and Politics

45:42 A Challenge to Men

47:11 Final Reflections and Closing

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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 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.

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.

• Bravery is not innate — it’s a skill you can learn and strengthen.
• Choosing discomfort is often the doorway to growth.
• A supportive community (“your brave tribe”) elevates your bravery.
• Bravery = voluntary action in the presence of fear toward a worthwhile goal.
• Small acts of “micro-bravery” compound into high confidence.
• Mindset is foundational — especially growth mindset and stress-is-enhancing mindset.
• Planning and pre-deciding your actions prevent fear from talking you out of progress.
• Some brave actions involve letting go, not just taking on more.
• Bravery is a strategy, not just a feeling.
• Every person has an area where they can take the next brave step.

00:00 Introduction to Bravery

03:07 Jill’s Journey & The Science of Bravery

05:50 The Definition and Importance of Bravery

12:07 Building Bravery as a Muscle

17:50 The Role of Comfort and Discomfort

24:02 Micro-Bravery in Everyday Life

29:41 Mindset & Stress Management

35:48 Taking Action & Planning for Bravery

41:47 Right-Sizing Your Bravery Goals

47:42 Surrounding Yourself with a Brave Tribe

• Jill Schulman’s Website: https://www.jillschulman.com
• Bravery Quiz: https://www.jillschulman.com/bravery-quiz

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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 fixes, they explore how habits, self-coaching, meaningful relationships, and spiritual spaciousness create the kind of “rich soil” where long-term growth actually happens.

Drawing from the Parable of the Sower, 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.

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.

• Creating the right environment is more important than any single growth tactic.
• The Parable of the Sower offers a framework for understanding how environment impacts growth.
• The three major components of a growth environment are habits, self-coaching, and people.
• Spaciousness is the foundational habit that enables reflection, listening, and deeper living.
• Weekly and quarterly rhythms create structure for long-term transformation.
• Growth requires a willingness to step outside your comfort zone.
• Self-coaching begins with listening — to patterns, emotions, circumstances, and God.
• Four kinds of people accelerate growth: mentors, mentees, soul friends, and prophets.
• A “prophet” (your Nathan) is someone with permission to speak hard truth into your life.

• Tommy’s Book: Space to Breathe Again
• Space for Life Episode: “30 Minutes to Your Best Week”
• Space for Life Episode: “The Art of Journaling”
• Space for Life Episode: "What's the Big Deal About Margin?"
• Space for Life Episode: "What's a Spacious Life?"

0:00 Intro

1:46 Why Environment Matters

4:26 Parable of the Sower

9:42 Four Types of Soil

12:49 Three Elements of Growth

16:43 Habits of Spaciousness

25:06 Weekly + Long-Term Rhythms

32:57 Self Coaching + Reflection

41:50 People of Growth

45:22 4 Types of People You Need in Your Life

55:48 Finding Your Nathan

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