Space for Life

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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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