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 intentional celebration can move you from burnout to sustainable service, plus a practical Q&A on making this work in real life and work.

Key Takeaways

• God did not design you to live overloaded, overwhelmed, and exhausted.
• Sabbath is both a command and a gift. It is meant to come first so your work flows from rest.
• Rest renews joy, relationships, and impact. You serve from overflow rather than empty.
• Celebration is a spiritual practice. Joy and gratitude strengthen service.
• Small margins matter. Arrive a few minutes early. Leave space between meetings. Build simple pauses into your day.
• In nontraditional schedules, take rest whenever the window opens. Treat it as a first priority when possible.

Timestamps

(0:00) Intro

(1:11) My Volunteer Addiction

(11:04) The Discipline of Rest

(30:11) The Discipline of Celebration

(38:26) Q&A Section

(39:32) Question 1

(43:12) Question 2

(47:57) Question 3

(52:13) Question 4

(53:50) Final Thoughts

Scripture Mentioned

• Isaiah 30:15
• Isaiah 58:13–14
• Psalm 23
• Psalm 150
• Matthew 11:28–30
• Hebrews 4:9–11

Books Mentioned

• Margin by Richard Swenson

If you found this helpful, please share the episode with a friend! Subscribe to Space for Life for more conversations on living with margin and purpose.

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) explore the complexity of grief and sadness. This is an honest, compassionate guide for anyone carrying loss or walking with someone who is.

“the presence of her absence is everywhere.” ~ Edna St. Vincent Millay

In This Episode:

- The language problem, grief vs sadness and why one word is not enough

- Myths that keep us silent, including the fear that talking about grief invites it

- The unhelpful urge to scale or compare grief and how to stop

- Different kinds of loss, extended illness, sudden death, suicide, job loss, broken relationships, losing a pet

- Family systems, differing timelines, and the need for permission and grace

- Guilt, shame, moments of happiness, and the surprising companion of relief

- Faith as refuge and wholeness when losses feel irreconcilable

Timestamps:

(0:00) Why We’re Finally Talking About Grief

(4:28) Why We Avoid Grief

(10:43) Permission and Grace

(17:58) Grief vs Sadness: Finding Better Words

(26:27) How Loss Changes Us

(36:08) What to Say (and Not Say)

(46:16) Families Grieve Differently

(55:32) When Acute Grief Becomes Lasting Sadness

(1:03:06) Guilt, Forgetting, and Moments of Joy

(1:10:08) Relief Alongside Sorrow

(1:15:30) Moving Forward With Hope

Resources:

- Psalm 46

- The Taste of New Wine, Keith Miller

- The Weathering Grace of God, Ken Gire

- Lament for a Son, Nicholas Wolterstorff

- A Grace Disguised, Gerald Sittser

- Healing the Heartbreak of Grief, Peter James Flamming

- Healing After Loss, Martha Hickman

If this episode helps you or someone you love, consider sharing it.

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

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 channel.

From there, we dive into the big theme that shaped the summer: taking a sabbatical. Why was it needed? What were the warning signs that led me to step back? Why does sabbatical feel scary at first? And what did this summer actually look like in practice?

What’s In This Episode:

– Why discomfort can make a sabbatical meaningful

– Big updates for Season Six and new projects on the horizon

– The red flags that signaled it was time to pause

– Why sabbaticals shouldn’t have agendas

– Highlights from the summer (from golf in Scotland to welcoming a new granddaughter)

– The difference between recovery and true refreshment

– How space can expand your vision for what’s next

– Why sabbaticals aren’t just for pastors or executives

– Practical encouragement for creating your own sabbatical rhythm

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(00:08) Exciting Updates

(07:46) Today’s Topic

(09:16) What Was Behind Taking a Sabbatical

(15:47) Sabbaticals Are Scary

(18:48) Sabbaticals Shouldn't Have Agendas

(19:39) What Did This Sabbatical Look Like

(22:56) Highlights from the Summer

(26:49) Sabbatical is Refreshment not Just Recovery

(32:44) Sabbaticals Expand Vision

(38:35) Who Can Benefit From a Sabbatical

(44:59) Space to Breathe Again

Resources:

Email Tommy@TommyThompson.org to get copies of Space to Breathe Again for only $10 when buying 5+ copies.

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

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 personal health and evolved into a desire to help others. Jim talks about his transition from being overweight and diabetic to being healthy through natural methods and lifestyle adjustments. He discusses how achieving metabolic health is vital to overall wellness. The pair also focuses on the vital role community, accountability, and positive self-talk play in the process of health and wellness improvement. Furthermore, they emphasize the importance of honoring our bodies as temples, considering it essential for spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being. The podcast concludes with them highlighting their organic salad dressings, barbecue sauce, stir fry sauce, and upcoming sleep supplements aiming to aid in holistic health promotion.

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

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 various cities to founding the RVA Hope Center. This ministry focuses on serving at-risk communities by providing after-school programs, community events, and extending outreach initiatives for exploited women. The Hendricksons discuss the challenges and rewards of answering their calling, the importance of consistency and relationship-building, and the unexpected opportunities that opened doors for their ministry. They emphasize the need to step into uncomfortable spaces to experience true growth and impact.

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

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 the profound impact it has had on their lives. Weezie breaks down her journaling process, including the tools she uses and the type of content she writes, emphasizing the importance of keeping the practice fun and personalized. The couple also reflects on how journaling has helped them navigate significant life challenges, such as their daughter's cancer diagnosis and the ensuing grief. They offer practical advice for those new to journaling, underscoring the importance of consistency and personal enjoyment. The episode aims to inspire listeners to start their own journaling journeys, providing them with various methods and approaches to make the practice a meaningful part of their lives.

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

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 appreciation each day, highlighting the transformative effects of this activity not only for her but also for the recipients. The most profound of these letters was the last one - a heart-tugging message to her deceased father. Tracey also shares practical tips for writing appreciation letters.

Additional topics include her father's powerful influence, recognizing the 'love language' of words of affirmation, and her book, 'The Power of a Few Kind Words.' Lastly, Tracey emphasizes that everyone has the inherent power to positively influence others and transform themselves through simple acts of intentional kindness.

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

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 courageously identify obstacles keeping them from maximum potential.

As a speaker, Nicole brings both wit and wisdom, with an honest & vulnerable approach that appeals to both faith & leadership environments alike. As a coach, Nicole brings clarity & courage for individuals and teams as they pursue growth.

Her latest book, “The Miracle Moment: How Tough Conversations Can Actually Transform Your Most Important Relationships” invites readers into the practical steps that create moments of breakthrough within relationships. Her books come to life through her popular video curriculum series found on RightNow Media.

Invitations to speak have taken Nicole around the world, but she loves her home in Richmond, VA, which she shares with her husband and three kids. Nicole holds degrees from the College of William and Mary and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and serves on the board of CHAT, a local nonprofit focused on restorative work with young people in poverty.

Join Tommy in this delightful conversation with Nicole Unice.

www.nicoleunice.com

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