Faith was never meant to be boring, predictable, or safe.
The Aggressive Life is a faith podcast for people who want more than the usual answers. Author, adventurer, and pastor Brian Tome brings an honest, gritty, and sometimes unexpected take on following God in the real world. One week he might unpack what the Bible actually says about a question you’ve wrestled with. The next, he might tell a story from an adventure gone sideways, answer questions he wasn’t prepared for, or sit down with someone doing something remarkable.
You never quite know where the conversation will go, but it will be real, useful, and rooted in a faith that demands action.
Faith isn’t something you just believe. It’s something you live.
Dismantling the KKK Through Friendship with Daryl Davis—Musician and Activist
Mar 12, 2024
Show notes
You aren’t supposed to become friends with the people who hate you—but that’s exactly what Daryl Davis did. After a chance encounter with a KKK member in a Maryland bar, Daryl struck up a friendship that changed both of their lives. The KKK member renounced the group, and Daryl got access to do the thing he wanted: become the first African-American to write a book on the KKK based on first-person interviews. Through the years, as the men Daryl has met and befriended have left the Klan behind, he’s collected a closet full of their robes, flags, and memorabilia. Davis’ is personally responsible for some 50 men leaving the Klan behind, and indirectly responsible for some 200 more. How? His secret weapon is friendship. He is an incredibly aggressive man with a story you have to hear to believe.
Naming and Using Your Superpower
Mar 05, 2024
Show notes
What is your superpower? More importantly, do you know how to use it? Life levels up when you learn to leverage your strengths—you’ll play better offense and you’ll stop spinning your wheels on improving weaknesses that don’t matter. In this training, Brian unpacks the Biblical idea of anointing, how it influences the people around you, and the end goal it always drives to.
Lines and Circles: The Yin and Yang of Jesus
Feb 27, 2024
Show notes
The seats get switched for an unexpected and insightful conversation that finds BT as the guest on his own podcast. Interviewed by his friend and colleague, Kyle Ranson, Brian covers topics like the yin and yang of Jesus, shutting out the old man to keep taking risks, and why the moon landing makes him emotional. It’s an aggressive hour that will keep you guessing and get you moving.
How Hospitality Built an Ice Cream Empire with Chip Graeter—Greater’s Ice Cream
Feb 20, 2024
Show notes
Cincinnati’s own, Graeter’s Ice Cream, just might have the best scoop on the planet. It’s made with fresh ingredients the old-fashioned way—they still make ice cream two gallons at a time and hand pack each pint. While all that is central to Graeter’s success, it's their commitment to hospitality and customer-service that sets them apart from the field. Chief of Retail Operations, Chip Graeter, shares the family secrets, and his favorite scoops, in an Aggressive Life interview unlike any other.
Valentine’s Rewind—Libby Tome, Q&A with a Sex Therapist, and Camping
Feb 13, 2024
Show notes
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Brian shares clips from some of his favorite episodes on relationships, marriage, and sex. From his wife’s first appearance on the show, to a return visit by a sex therapist to answer listener questions, to a live talk from Couples Camp, there’s something in here for everyone. Put what you hear into practice, and it just might have the power to change your Valentine’s Day. Check out the full length episodes at the links below:
Love and Relationship Q&A with Libby Tome (Apple | Spotify)
Your Sex Questions Answered with Emma Schmidt - Part 1 (Apple | Spotify)
Your Sex Questions Answered with Emma Schmidt - Part 2 (Apple | Spotify)
Marriage Isn't About Your Happiness - Live at Couples Camp (Apple | Spotify)
Living on Purpose with Rick Warren—The Purpose Driven Life
Feb 06, 2024
Show notes
It’s not an exaggeration to say, Rick Warren has sold more books than any other person on the planet… ever. His book, Purpose Driven Life, is the most published, the most translated, and the most sold book in history, aside from the Bible. It sounds like rainbows and runaway success, but his story is anything but. Rick has walked through significant pain and loss that required levels of determination and grit he didn’t know possible. He has come out the other side and earned the right to be heard. His wisdom on finding, and living, your purpose has changed millions of lives. Yours could be next.
Ghost Hunting, Weed, Talking to Your Kids about Sex, and More—Listener Q&A
Jan 30, 2024
Show notes
BT spends an hour answering a grab bag of listener questions submitted via Instagram. Do you believe in aliens? Is it sinful to go ghost hunting? What is your best advice for raising daughters? How do I talk to my kids about porn? What does the Bible say about cussing? BT brings his perspective on all these questions, and much, much more. Missed your chance to submit a question? Follow BT on Instagram so you don’t miss the next opportunity.
Your 9-5 Has Eternal Significance with Jordan Raynor—Author, “The Sacredness of Secular Work”
Jan 23, 2024
Show notes
While almost everybody is working for the weekend, Jordan Raynor has a different perspective. He believes your 9-5 has eternal significance, even if (or especially if) you labor in a “secular” job. His new book, “The Sacredness of Secular Work,” emphasizes the importance of work ethic, understanding the holistic story of scripture, and redeeming the idea of heaven. A leading voice in the faith at work movement, Jordan is a refreshing and brilliant guest who will change the way you think about work from here on out.
The MLK You Didn’t Learn About in School with Chuck Mingo & Troy Jackson—Undivided
Jan 15, 2024
Show notes
Martin Luther King Jr. is on the shortlist of the most influential people in history. But much of what we know about the pastor and civil rights figure is summarized and sanitized. Alongside historian Troy Jackson, and modern racial justice leader Chuck Mingo, get reintroduced to the aggressive life of Dr. King, and let his wins (and losses) push you to fight for a better tomorrow. Learn more about the work of Undivided here.
When Winning Looks Like Losing with Matt Chandler—Pastor, Speaker, Author
Jan 09, 2024
Show notes
The aggressive life isn’t necessarily the easy life. Matt Chandler knows this first-hand. Just when it looked like he was on top of the world, things started to crumble. He fought through a debilitating brain cancer diagnosis, made the aggressive choice to shrink his church (on purpose), and grappled with the lessons of suffering. Incredibly, he’s come out the other side more resilient, a better leader, and a more engaged father. Matt Chandler is a deep well of aggressiveness that will inspire you to get into the game.
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