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.
The Conflict in Ukraine with Bob Herring—Chair, Cincinnati-Kharkiv Sister City Partnership
Mar 04, 2022
Show notes
Little over a week ago, Russia began it’s assault on Ukraine. In this unedited bonus episode, Brian sits down with Bob Herring, a man who has spent a lifetime getting to know, and love, the people of Ukraine. As Chair of the Cincinnati-Kharkiv Sister City Partnership, he has firsthand knowledge of a culture, and cities, that many of us only hear about in the news. His invaluable perspective and passion bring much needed clarity to a tense and volatile situation. Show Notes
Article: Putin’s Spiritual Destiny Cincinnati-Kharkiv Sister City Partnership
Horse Soldiers and Bourbon with Will Summers—US Special Forces Vet & Entrepreneur
Mar 01, 2022
Show notes
Little over a month after the attacks of 9/11, Will Summers was crossing the border into Afghanistan. Along with a small band of other Special Forces soldiers, he was part of America’s first response to the tragedy. One of the famous horse soldiers immortalized in a monument at Ground Zero, and in the major Hollywood movie 12 Strong, Will shares his remarkable story of bravery and perseverance… and how it ultimately led him to a career in the bourbon industry.
Lessons from a Man of Legacy with Ndaba Mandela—Entrepreneur & Grandson of Nelson Mandela
Feb 22, 2022
Show notes
As a pre-teen, Ndaba Mandela went to live with his grandfather, a move that would shape the rest of his life. From lessons on facing adversity, to what it takes to become a man, the fingerprints of Nelson Mandela are all over Ndaba's life. He is an aggressive man, relentlessly pursuing not only the legacy of his grandfather, but leaving his own behind as well.
The Outlaws' Preacher with Gene "Skip" Skipworth—Motorcycle Rider & Pastor
Feb 15, 2022
Show notes
In the late 60s and early 70s, outlaw motorcycle gangs were at their peak. This was especially true in Cincinnati, which became a hub of sorts. Skip Skipworth, newly appointed to a church in the area, found this out the hard way—with a black eye and bruised body. But this young pastor didn't give up on reaching the unreachable. His story is one of aggressive living that changed lives, including his own.
The Bengal Mindset with Vinny Rey—Cincinnati Bengals Team Chaplain
Feb 08, 2022
Show notes
The Cincinnati Bengals are going to the Super Bowl! Whether you live in Ohio or not, we all love an underdog. Despite all the odds, the Bengals have found a way to win. Days before Super Bowl LVI, we're sitting down with former Bengal, and current team chaplain, Vinny Rey, to discuss what makes this team so special, the power of your mind, and what it's going to take for the Bengals to bring home the Lombardi Trophy. Who Dey?!
A Conversation from the Future with John Mark Comer—Thinker, Author, Pastor
Feb 01, 2022
Show notes
While he won’t admit it, John Mark Comer is our generation’s C.S. Lewis—a brilliant mind, an articulate communicator, and a talented writer and teacher. Portland, Oregon, where John Mark calls home, is considered by many to be the future of America. I pick John Mark’s brain about this and other topics, including politics, the church, and deconstruction.
From Cleaning Toilets to the Corner Office with Steve Hightower—President & CEO, Hightowers Petroleum
Jan 25, 2022
Show notes
Hightowers Petroleum is one of the country's largest African-American owned businesses and listed among INC’s 5,000 Most Successful. Where did CEO Steve Hightower learn the keys to success? As a janitor on nights and weekends. His rags to riches story is chock-full of incredibly applicable wisdom to push your life forward.
The Apex Predator with Robb Wiley—Wild Game Hunter
Jan 18, 2022
Show notes
Over a year ago, I went out to the western high country to make my second attempt at getting an elk. My new friend, Robb, joined me. Along the way, we had insightful conversations about hunting, family, faith, and the healthy aggression that pushes each one of those things forward. After the hunt, holed up in a hunting lodge with a fire raging behind us, we turned on a pair of smartphones and recorded an unplanned podcast. Just like I did, I think you’ll find Robb’s wisdom, aggression, and attitude both refreshing and challenging. My elk hunt was turned into a 3-episode mini-series on YouTube, The High Country Hunt. All episodes are streaming here.
Riding Rockets into Space with Mike Mullane—NASA Astronaut
Jan 11, 2022
Show notes
Is there anything more aggressive than strapping yourself to a rocket and blasting off into space? Yet that’s exactly what Mike Mullane did. Chosen as one of the original space shuttle astronauts, Mike was a part of three separate missions, logging almost 15 days in space before his retirement. His aggressive life involves homemade jet fuel, 134 combat missions in Vietnam, freakin’ space, and an avid love for the outdoors.
Christmas Special: Back to Basics
Dec 21, 2021
Show notes
Christmas has become a lot of things, but in this one-on-one with Brian, he takes us back to the basics of a (not so) silent night in Bethlehem. This new Aggressive Life Christmas tradition is meant to inspire and reorient your holiday.
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