The Aggressive Life with Brian Tome

What if the idea of finding your soulmate is actually keeping you from finding a great marriage? Brian Tome has been married to his wife, Libby, for 38 years, and he's convinced of one thing: soulmates don't exist. In this episode of BT's Minority Position, Brian challenges the popular belief that there's one perfect person out there for everyone. He explains why great marriages are built, not found, why being the right person matters more than finding the right person, and what an ancient Bible story reveals about choosing a spouse. Plus, Brian tackles a lightning round of other unpopular opinions, including when it's acceptable to start listening to Christmas music, whether reclining your airplane seat is rude, and if sleeping in an RV actually counts as camping. If you're single, dating, or married, this conversation might change the way you think about love, commitment, and what makes a relationship last.

“God will never give you more than you can handle.” It's one of the most common things Christians say to encourage someone going through a hard time. But is it actually true? What does the Bible say? Brian thinks we've got it all wrong. In this episode, Brian challenges this popular Christian belief and explains what the Bible really says about pain, suffering, and God's promises. Drawing from Scripture, his own recent struggles, and a grueling experience in the Alaskan wilderness, Brian makes the case that God absolutely allows us to face more than we can handle. But that doesn't mean He abandons us. What if the point isn't that you're strong enough to handle everything life throws at you, but that you were never meant to handle it alone?

What are you waiting for? Brian Tome spent two weeks deep in the Alaskan wilderness with his son Jake and two of his closest friends, chasing a lifelong dream of hunting moose. What followed was an adventure filled with grizzly bears, brutal weather, questionable decisions, plenty of bourbon, and a moment between father and son that Brian will never forget. Joined by his friends Log and 512, Brian relives the highs and lows of the trip, including the moment he realized his son could physically do something he no longer could. But this episode is about more than hunting. Inspired by the book Die With Zero, Brian challenges you to rethink how you're spending your time and money, stop postponing meaningful experiences, and make memories with the people who matter most. Because someday you won't be able to do the things you can do today. The question is: What are you going to do about it?

What scares Brian Tome? What has he changed his mind about? And what does he really think about getting older? In the first episode of Ask BT Anything, Brian answers questions submitted by listeners, with no preparation and no idea what's coming. He gets personal about his biggest fears, what he's learning in this new season of life, his changing beliefs about the Holy Spirit, and what his kids have taught him about himself. He also tackles how to know when God is speaking, whether you can forgive someone without restoring the relationship, and a few completely unexpected questions along the way. Plus, a surprise call to his wife Libby for an update on how she's doing. It's honest, funny, personal, and a little unpredictable. Exactly what happens when you can ask BT anything.

Drew Lynch built the career most comedians dream about. Millions of followers. Sold-out shows. A successful stand-up career that grew out of the very injury that nearly ended his dream of performing. But eventually, none of it felt like enough. Drew joins Brian Tome for a surprisingly deep conversation about the traumatic brain injury that caused his stutter, turning adversity into a career, the relentless pressure to perform, wrestling with control, and rediscovering his relationship with God. They talk about what happens when your identity gets tied to achievement, why success can't tell you what you're worth, and what it looks like to stop trying to control everything and surrender what's next. Funny, vulnerable, and much deeper than you might expect.

How do you know what God wants you to do with your life? We spend a lot of time looking for signs, waiting for clarity, and worrying that one wrong decision could take us outside of God’s plan. But what if God’s will isn’t nearly as hidden as we’ve made it? In this episode, Brian looks at what the Bible actually says about finding God’s will, making big decisions, and moving forward when you don’t have a clear answer. Maybe you don’t need God to show you the next ten years. Maybe you just need to do the next right thing.

Why do men need other men—and why is it so hard for guys to build real friendships? Rory Lawrence and Matt Fortin join Brian Tome to talk about what happens when men stop trying to do life alone. They unpack the friendships they built through Man Camp, why men need people who will challenge them instead of just agreeing with them, and how doing hard things together creates relationships that actually last. The conversation gets into isolation, brotherhood, faith, becoming stronger husbands and fathers, and why training alongside other men can change the direction of your life. If you’ve ever felt like you have plenty of people around you but very few real friends, this episode is for you. You can sign up for MAN CAMP now at http://www.mancamp.us. Enter code PODCAST for 15% off

Matt Chandler is coming to Man Camp. He and Brian Tome talk about why men need something like Man Camp, what Matt’s looking forward to when he gets there, and why being around other men and tackling challenge matters. They also get into life, faith, friendship, hard seasons, and a whole lot more. Matt will be at Man Camp 2026, a three-day Christian men’s event in the woods in Ohio this October. You can sign up at http://www.mancamp.us

What do you do when you get it wrong? When people get hurt or when the easy way our is to defend yourself and move on? Brian has spent the last six months wrestling with those questions. In this episode of The Aggressive Life podcast, he talks candidly about what’s been happening, what he’s had to own, and what it looks like to actually repent and change direction. Sometimes the best way forward is the hard way forward. Watch the full episode on YouTube here. To watch Brian's May '26 sermon referenced in this episode, click here.

The average age of retirement is 64, while the average age of death isn’t till 82. What are you going to do with your 18 years? No matter how old you are, the answer to the question starts today. Most men work to reach retirement without a goal of how to spend it—leaving the majority of them lonely, depressed and without purpose. That’s not Dale Tesmond. A former CEO and corporate storyteller, Dale spent his working years helping brands develop their stories. The lessons he learned then have turned his retirement years into the most fulfilling of his life. Whether you’re just starting your career, or you can see the light at the end of the tunnel, the choices you make today will determine whether you thrive, or flounder, in your retirement years. Time to make some aggressive moves. Connect with Dale at his podcast, The ReDirect Podcast, here. Watch the full episode on YouTube here.

Join Brian Tome and world-renowned adventurer and survivalist, Bear Grylls, under the big tent at MAN CAMP 2025. In this special episode of The Aggressive Life, Bear speaks about his faith, discovering that Jesus is wild, and why the safest place to be is on the front lines. Bear’s aggressive approach to faith and life is a shot in the arm to get you moving. Join Brian Tome and thousands of men from across the country who have already staked their claim for MAN CAMP 2026. Find out more at mancamp.us Watch this discussion, recorded live at MAN CAMP, on YouTube here.

One of the top episodes in the history of The Aggressive Life, re-released for the first time with video. A priest in the diocese of Indianapolis, Father Vincent Lampert spent decades as an exorcist—and has the stories to back it up. From his hands-on training in Rome, to real encounters with demons and possessed individuals, Father Lampert pulls back the curtain on the spirit realm, exposing a reality many people are quick to ignore. A man of deep wisdom, experience, and joy, this conversation is just as resonant today as it was when it was first recorded in 2023. Watch the full episode on YouTube here.

Could you cover 2800 miles—the distance between New York City and Los Angeles—in 40 days with ten of your friends? That’s the question that close friends, JONBOB and David, wanted to figure out. Instead of asking ChatGPT, or Google, they started moving. That’s how RELENTLESS 2800, a 40-day team challenge, was born. In the years since, RELENTLESS has grown into a movement that not only gets people moving in the winter months, but is also making them more resilient and less isolated. Two average guys building something that is changing lives across the nation? That’s an aggressive move. Ready for RELENTLESS 2800? Use the word AGGRESSIVE at checkout to get 30% off. Watch the full episode on YouTube here.

Miracles might not be common, but they still happen… and Paul Maconochie has seen more than his fair share. A pastor, leader, and close friend of BT, Paul returns to the podcast to talk about healing prayer—how to do it, when to do it, and what to expect. Paul’s experience of seeing God heal others through prayer makes him one of the foremost experts on the topic. In prayer, like life, reward always lies on the other side of risk. No matter what you believe about God, prayer, or healing, this conversation has something to get you moving. Crossroads is hosting Nights of Healing Prayer with Paul Maconochie—part workshop, part experience—at all sites and online throughout January and February, 2026. Everyone welcome. Dates, times, and more details here. Watch the full episode on YouTube here.

Fitness trends and best practices feel like a moving target—one trainer says this, and another says something completely different. In this episode, Brian sits down with nationally recognized fitness coach and trainer, Shawn Zitt, for a practical conversation about building and maintaining physical health. How much water do I need? Should I eat more meat or less? Do I have to work out everyday? How much sleep should I get? With decades of experience, and hundreds of successful clients, Shawn’s expertise can be the push you need into a healthier future. Watch the full episode on YouTube here.

Reading the Bible is a very common—but rarely achieved—goal. Is there a secret to reading the Bible? How do I actually engage with this old book? What are the nuts and bolts of building a Bible reading habit and will it actually influence my life? In this One Question episode, Brian tackles all those questions and more. If you’re setting out to read more of the Bible in 2026, this episode is a push in the right direction. Read the Bible alongside BT, and thousands of others, in the free Crossroads Anywhere App. Find it in the app store or at this link. Watch the full episode on YouTube here.

2025 was a banner year for The Aggressive Life with Brian Tome—from moving to video content, to surpassing 300 episodes, to welcoming bucket list guests like Bear Grylls. In this best-of episode, Dirt takes listeners back to six of the biggest episodes of the year, including talking the great outdoors with Bear Grylls, pushing through difficulty with Maverick City Music’s Dante Bowe, and what Biblical masculinity actually looks like with pastor Joby Martin. If you missed these conversations the first time around, there’s no better time to catch up. Links to original full length episodes: God, Grit and the Great Outdoors with Bear Grylls: Apple | Spotify Developing Joy Beyond the Ups and Downs of Life with Dante Bowe: Apple | Spotify How to Put Your Phone Down and Live More with Darren Whitehead: Apple | Spotify The Adventure I Don’t Want To Be On—A Cancer Conversation with BT: Apple | Spotify Biblical Masculinity Isn’t Toxic or Tame with Joby Martin: Apple | Spotify MAN CAMP Builds Dangerous Men with Rory Lawrence & Matt Fortin: Apple | Spotify Watch the full episode on YouTube here.

The final episode of a four-day run of episodes focused on aggressiveness during the Christmas season, Brian hones in on the boldest move God ever made—taking on flesh to dwell among us. This is the hinge point of history, and the reason why Christmas matters. A version of this content was originally shared on Brian’s email list. Join here to get monthly shots of aggressive living delivered right to your inbox. Watch the full episode on YouTube here.

The 3rd of a limited four-day run of episodes designed to prepare you for an aggressive Christmas, Brian circles back to the story of the shepherds. Their willingness to move, without all the information, ensured they experienced the most profound moment in human history. Your willingness to move is the key to a holiday, and life, that works. A version of this content was originally shared on Brian’s email list. Join here to get monthly shots of aggressive living delivered right to your inbox. Watch the full episode on YouTube here.

Even at Christmas time, a just man (or woman) sticks out. In the 2nd of a limited run of four episodes designed to get your mind and muscles ready for the holiday, Brian focuses his attention on Joseph. While the Bible doesn’t say much about Jesus’ adopted father, what it does say speaks volumes. Following in his footsteps is an aggressive move that will pay dividends. A version of this content was originally shared on Brian’s email list. Join here to get monthly shots of aggressive living delivered right to your inbox. Watch the full episode on YouTube here.