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The Aggressive Life with Brian Tome
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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.

www.briantome.com

The Aggressive Life with Brian Tome

The Aggressive Life with Brian Tome
Christianity
359 episodes
How to Know What God Wants You to Do
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 ...
28m • Sep 29
28m
Men Need Other Men—But Most Don’t Have Them
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 a...
57m • Sep 22
57m
Why Men Need Man Camp (and More) with Matt Chandler
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 Octob...
1hr 10m • Sep 15
1hr 10m
The Hard Way Forward: A Candid Conversation with BT
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 forwa...
1hr 11m • Sep 08
1hr 11m
Why Men Struggle After Retirement (And How To Fix It Today) with Dale Tesmond—Storybuilder
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, ...
1hr 6m • Feb 24
1hr 6m
The Untold Faith of Bear Grylls: Adventure, Jesus, and the Fight for Courage—Live at MAN CAMP
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 me...
26m • Feb 17
26m
A Real Exorcist Explains Demons, Possession, and Spiritual Warfare with Fr. Vincent Lampert | Aggressive Life Rewind
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...
1hr 13m • Feb 10
1hr 13m
Fun Can Make You More Resilient with JONBOB & David Valentine—Relentless 2800
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 peop...
57m • Feb 03
57m
Prayers For Healing That Actually Work with Paul Maconochie—Prayer Teacher & Advocate
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 a...
1hr 11m • Jan 20
1hr 11m
How Much Water, Sleep, and Exercise Do I Really Need? with Shawn Zitt—Fitness Coach and Trainer
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?...
59m • Jan 13
59m
How Do I Actually Read the Bible? — One Question with BT
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 ...
25m • Jan 06
25m
The Best of 2025—featuring Bear Grylls, Dante Bowe, Joby Martin, and More
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 B...
56m • Dec 30, 2025
56m
Countdown to Christmas - Day 4: God’s Bold Move
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 (https://share.hsforms.com/1HyzKasDrT8ybVdbyVtYH-A2dls...
9m • Dec 25, 2025
9m
Countdown to Christmas - Day 3: Meet Him in the Movement
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 ...
8m • Dec 24, 2025
8m
Countdown to Christmas - Day 2: A Just Man
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 conten...
9m • Dec 23, 2025
9m
Countdown to Christmas - Day 1: Christmas with Haste
Christmas is coming. Are you ready? Brian begins a limited run of four episodes, one per day leading up to Christmas, to prepare our hearts, minds, and muscles for the holiday. In this first episode, Brian focuses on how the shepherds responded to the news of Christ’s birth, and how that “haste” can help reframe your life. A version of this content was originally shared on Brian’s email list. ...
8m • Dec 22, 2025
8m
God Chooses Misfits—Live in Cincinnati
Feeling forgotten, overlooked, or like you don’t belong this Christmas? In this powerful message, Brian Tome delivers hope for outsiders and misfits—drawing surprising truth from the holiday classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Recorded live at Crossroads Church in 2023, this teaching shows how not fitting in actually positions you for a deeper, more personal encounter with God. If the holi...
39m • Dec 16, 2025
39m
The Secret Lives of Firefighters with Denny Baker—Cincinnati Fire Department
For the first time on The Aggressive Life, Brian sits down with a firefighter to get the inside scoop on one of society’s most-aggressive and impactful jobs. With over 30 years in the Cincinnati Fire Department, Denny Baker has seen and lived through more than most people. From keeping your head under stressful situations, to the physical demands of fighting fires, to working for lasting impact...
1hr 5m • Dec 09, 2025
1hr 5m
The Story Behind Brian’s 500 Year-Old Tattoo with Wassim Razzouk—27th Generation Tattoo Artist
Wassim Razzouk’s name is on the oldest tattoo shop in the world. Located in the heart of Jerusalem, Razzouk Tattoo has been tattooing Christians and pilgrims for over 700 years—including Brian. In this fascinating conversation, Wassim and Brian talk about the history of Christian tattoos, what it’s like to carry a family legacy for 27-generations, and the challenges of being a Palestinian Chris...
48m • Dec 02, 2025
48m
The Spiritual History of Thanksgiving with Stephen Mansfield—Historian | Aggressive Life Rewind
There’s much more to Thanksgiving than family, turkey, and football. In this classic episode of The Aggressive Life with Brian Tome, first released back in 2021, Brian hosts historian and author, Stephen Mansfield, for a mind-blowing conversation about the spiritual history of Thanksgiving. From the aggressive moves of the Pilgrims to come to America, to their harrowing voyage on the Mayflower ...
55m • Nov 25, 2025
55m
Freedom Is On The Other Side of the Fight with Scott MacLellan—CEO & Addiction Advocate
When Scott MacLellan’s daughter was diagnosed with a rare health condition, he knew her childhood would be a fight. Enduring hundreds of surgeries wasn’t the worst of it. What started as a prescription for opioid painkillers eventually became an addiction, pushing Scott’s family to the brink. For over a decade, he fought for his daughter’s future—until a desperate prayer, and a chance encounter...
52m • Nov 18, 2025
52m
How Six Ordinary People Sparked a Massive Revival with John Funnell—Welsh Pastor
When Pastor John Funnell arrived at Noddfa Church, in one of the poorest valleys in Wales, only six elderly members remained. He expected to quietly lead them until the church closed—but God had other plans. Through prayer, risk, and persistence, those six believers have become a thriving congregation of more than 300 people, sparking a modern revival movement. In this episode of The Aggressiv...
1hr 10m • Nov 11, 2025
1hr 10m
MAN CAMP & Masculinity That is Good and Getting Better with Jim Burgen—Pastor, Outdoorsman
Something powerful happens when thousands of men leave comfort behind and unite in pursuit of God. Just under a week after attending his first MAN CAMP, Jim Burgen joins Brian on The Aggressive Life to talk about his experience—from speaking under the big tent, to conversations outside MASH, to why MAN CAMP gives him hope that masculinity is good and getting better. Jim also shares what it mea...
1hr 9m • Nov 04, 2025
1hr 9m
What is Revival… And Do I Need It? — One Question with BT
Something powerful is stirring across the world—churches are filling up, the name of Jesus is trending, and legitimate miracles are happening. In this One Question episode, Brian Tome unpacks the meaning of revival—what it is, how to recognize it, and why you might need one in your own life. Drawing from history, Scripture, and modern movements of God, Brian explores how revival starts, what fu...
33m • Oct 28, 2025
33m
Initiative Gets God’s Attention—Live at MAN CAMP 2025
MAN CAMP 2025 was one for the history books. This teaching, recorded live under the big tent on Friday evening, set the stage for all that God would do over the weekend. Initiative leads to breakthrough because it gets God’s attention—at camp, at home, and everywhere in between. Claim your spot for next year’s MAN CAMP, for the lowest price possible, during the one-week flash sale—now through ...
17m • Oct 21, 2025
17m
Bonus: Stories from MAN CAMP 2025
MAN CAMP 2025 has come and gone—but the stories, and the changed lives, remain. In this bonus episode of The Aggressive Life, Dirt shares stories collected from the Story Shitter, an old outhouse turned into a makeshift studio where guys shared their wins, breakthroughs, and leave-behinds. This episode is a small snapshot into all the God did at MAN CAMP 2025. Let it push you to keep taking gro...
19m • Oct 19, 2025
19m
Biblical Masculinity Isn’t Toxic or Tame with Joby Martin—Man Guru, Pastor
Modern masculinity is typically pigeonholed into one of two camps—it’s either toxic (and therefore a danger to itself and others) or it’s tame (passively making no difference in the world around it). Pastor and author, Joby Martin, stops by The Aggressive Life to unpack a third option—a biblical masculinity rooted in responsibility, sacrifice, and faith. In a hard-hitting, and often hilarious c...
1hr 17m • Oct 14, 2025
1hr 17m
A Sex Therapist Explains What’s Really Killing Your Sex Life with Dr. Emma Schmidt
Dr. Emma Schmidt returns to The Aggressive Life for a candid, helpful, and eye-opening conversation around the modern state of sex. She explains why so few people are having sex, how everything from anxiety to the rise of AI is playing a role, and simple strategies for more connected relationships. Along the way, Brian and Emma tackle myths around libido, erectile dysfunction, and how to addres...
1hr 8m • Oct 07, 2025
1hr 8m
MAN CAMP Builds Dangerous Men with Rory Lawrence & Matt Fortin—The Dangerous Man Podcast
Four years ago, Rory Lawrence scored a free ticket to MAN CAMP. The only catch? He lived 15 hours away in New Hampshire. Determined to not let that stop him, he convinced his friend Matt to tag along. What they experienced in southwest Ohio changed their lives. Four years later, their brotherhood has blossomed into a weekly podcast (The Dangerous Man Podcast) and a yearly trip back to MAN CAMP....
55m • Sep 30, 2025
55m
Modern Parenting Is Failing Boys (But We Can Fix It) with Dr. Meg Meeker—Parenting Expert
It’s no secret that men in America are struggling, leading statistics in everything from suicide to loneliness to obesity. But what if the problems men face start well before they turn 18? In this powerful episode of The Aggressive Life, pediatrician and parenting expert Dr. Meg Meeker joins Brian to talk about how modern parenting is failing boys and what we can do to raise strong, resilient y...
1hr 13m • Sep 23, 2025
1hr 13m
What Happens When We Die? with John Burke—NDE Researcher | Aggressive Life Rewind
What happens when we die? Bestselling author and near-death experience researcher John Burke has spent years studying thousands of stories from people who’ve been to the other side and back. In this powerful classic episode of The Aggressive Life (first released in November 2022 and now available for the first time in video), John unpacks the most surprising findings about life after death, hea...
1hr 1m • Sep 16, 2025
1hr 1m
Lessons from Lincoln on Enduring Crisis with Nancy Koehn—Historian, Harvard Business School
Over 150 years after his death, Abraham Lincoln’s leadership still shapes America. Routinely ranked as the nation’s greatest president, Lincoln led the country through the Civil War, ended slavery, and reunited a divided nation. In this episode of The Aggressive Life, host Brian Tome sits down with renowned historian Nancy Koehn for an unfiltered conversation about Lincoln’s life and legacy. Th...
1hr 7m • Sep 09, 2025
1hr 7m
Shutting Up Shame To Become Shatterproof with Lauren Sisler—ESPN College Football Sideline Reporter
Award-winning ESPN sideline reporter Lauren Sisler joins Brian Tome on The Aggressive Life to share her powerful journey of resilience. Behind her trademark “sideline shimmy” is a story marked by devastating loss—losing both parents to opioid overdoses within hours of each other. Lauren shares how she learned to shut up shame and rediscover joy after a long healing journey, as well as the insid...
59m • Sep 02, 2025
59m
The Adventure I Don’t Want To Be On—A Cancer Conversation with BT
In late spring, Brian’s wife, Lib, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Instead of responding with fear or defeat, the Tome family is approaching the diagnosis as an adventure—one marked by faith, courage, and growth. In this deeply personal episode of The Aggressive Life with Brian Tome, BT opens up about their cancer journey for the first time. He shares the challenges they’ve faced, the risks t...
24m • Aug 26, 2025
24m
Developing Joy Beyond the Ups and Downs of Life with Dante Bowe—Maverick City Music
joins Brian Tome for a powerful conversation about his rise in the music industry, the controversy that sidelined him, and the powerful comeback story that followed. From growing up around drug dealers, to helping lead worship around the world, Dante has built a life on aggressive choices. In this unfiltered conversation, Dante shares the highs, lows, and lessons that have shaped his faith and ...
1hr • Aug 19, 2025
1hr
God, Grit and the Great Outdoors with Bear Grylls—Survivalist, Adventurer, Man vs. Wild
World-famous adventurer, survival expert, and former British Special Forces soldier Bear Grylls joins The Aggressive Life with Brian Tome for a raw conversation on risk, resilience, and the faith that drives him. From his near-death parachuting accident and groundbreaking Man vs. Wild series to his latest book, The Greatest Story Ever Told, Bear shares hard-won lessons on perseverance, family, ...
52m • Aug 12, 2025
52m
Major League Faith: On the Field with the Cincinnati Reds' Brent Suter, Jake Fraley, TJ Friedl, Will Benson, Emilio Pagan and Tyler Stephenson—Live from Great American Ballpark
On the field at Great American Ballpark, BT has the opportunity to emcee a discussion about faith, family, and baseball with six members of his hometown Cincinnati Reds—Brent Suter, Jake Fraley, TJ Friedl, Will Benson, Emilio Pagan and Tyler Stephenson. The players discuss what it takes to grow your faith in the fishbowl of professional sports, the importance of having a great spiritual mentor,...
26m • Aug 05, 2025
26m
You Were Meant to Move… Plus Dirt Gives Away a MAN CAMP Ticket—In the Garage with BT
BT’s three year Jeep restoration project comes down to one final question: will it actually move? In this final episode of his YouTube series, Garage Bible Study, BT puts all his hard work and effort to the test. When it comes to our lives, the same question applies: are we moving or just taking up space in the garage? For the month of July, we’ve been reliving Brian’s 3-year Jeep restoration ...
14m • Jul 29, 2025
14m
7 Practices Proven To Move Your Life Forward… Plus Dirt’s Book Bundle Giveaway—In the Garage with BT
Culture fixates on the externals, but it’s what’s going on inside that will elevate (or derail) your life. While restoring his 1978 Jeep CJ-7, BT took apart the engine, only to discover that things inside were not as good as they appeared. Connecting this physical reality to the spiritual, he shares 7 ancient practices proven to move your life forward. You don’t need a shiny coat of paint if yo...
12m • Jul 22, 2025
12m
God Speaks Through Your Conscience… Plus Dirt’s Yeti Giveaway—In the Garage with BT
Your conscience is a powerful, God-given tool—when you listen to it (and take action), it can lead to a better life. As he rehabs the brake lines and regulator on his 1978 Jeep CJ-7, BT explains how this critical piece works like your conscience, which regulates your impulses and emotions. Just like the brakes, it is vital to a life that is moving forward. For the month of July, we’re reliving...
15m • Jul 15, 2025
15m
What’s In Your Tank?… Plus Dirt Gives Away Books—In the Garage with BT
It doesn’t matter what the exterior looks like, a vehicle with an empty tank isn’t going to run. Working on the gas tank for his 1978 Jeep CJ-7, BT asks a pointed question: what’s in your tank? The ability to recognize the state of your tank (full, half-full, or empty) and know how to fill it again is a crucial skill for a life that’s moving forward and taking new ground. Recorded live in his g...
16m • Jul 08, 2025
16m
The True Cost of Restoring a Jeep (and Following Jesus)… Plus Dirt Gives Away T-shirts—In the Garage with BT
When BT found his dream restoration vehicle, a 1978 Jeep CJ-7, he had no idea just how much time, effort, and money it would cost him. But with his eyes focused squarely on the end goal, he kept moving forward, even when it was uncomfortable and difficult. Recorded live in his garage, he explains how the physical reality of counting the costs of this project directly mirrors the spiritual princ...
15m • Jul 01, 2025
15m
Winning the Fight for Fatherhood—Live in Cincinnati
Fatherhood is a fight to the finish, but how do you know if you are winning? In this live talk, recorded at Crossroads Church in Cincinnati, Brian unpacks the three F’s that all great fathers do. They (a) follow a framework, (b) they stand tall as a figure worth emulating, and (c) they finish. Whether you are a biological dad or not, you can still be a father that has a profound impact on the w...
51m • Jun 24, 2025
51m
Finishing Builds Confidence with Petey—Gear Head, Chopper Pilot & BT’s Friend (Part 2)
Finishing doesn’t just complete projects, it changes you. In part two of a powerful conversation, Brian and Petey discuss finishing as a way of life. Petey shares how he overcame $1 million in debt, is healing from the sudden death of his wife, and how finishing is connected to confidence. Watch the full episode on YouTube here (https://youtu.be/1wphKyh2SP4?si=pUlV2V1BzkFCHla8) . If you missed...
35m • Jun 17, 2025
35m
How to Finish What You Start with Petey—Gear Head, Chopper Pilot & BT’s Friend (Part 1)
Lots of people start things… very few finish. Recorded live at the Barndo, where BT is restoring a WW2-era Dodge Power Wagon, he is joined by his friend, Peter Standhart. Petey is a gear head, a former Army helicopter pilot, and a man who won’t quit. In part one of this two-part conversation, the pair talk cars, choppers, and why finishing what you start has the power to change your life. Watc...
31m • Jun 10, 2025
31m
Is AI Pushing Us Toward God? with Bobby Gruenewald—CEO, YouVersion Bible App
Instead of something to be feared, Bobby Gruenewald has always seen technology’s potential for good. One day, while waiting in a long line at the Chicago airport, he wondered: could technology improve his lagging Bible-reading habit? Bobby pulled on that string, and the YouVersion Bible App was born. Launching as one of the 200 original free apps on the Apple App Store, YouVersion has changed t...
1hr 7m • Jun 03, 2025
1hr 7m
Decoding Revelation, Avoiding Burnout, and More: Fishbowl Questions with Matt Chandler—Pastor
BT and Matt Chandler sit down for an hour of questions pulled at random from a fishbowl. Covering topics as wide-ranging as food and fatigue, to family rhythms and the mystery behind the biblical book of Revelation, it’s an unpredictable ride filled with aggressive gold. Watch the full podcast episode on YouTube, here (https://youtu.be/BddP_5u28Dc?si=QTg9GsKi7hl7EjDe) .
1hr 2m • May 27, 2025
1hr 2m
How Can I Get The Most Out of Summer? — One Question with BT
Memorial Day, the un-official kickoff to summer, is just days away. For many people, summer means a different pace of life. But a summer slowdown doesn't mean you stop taking ground—in fact, it might be exactly what you need to take your life to the next level in the fall. In this One Question deep-dive, Brian shares his plans for the summer, why rest is integral to a life that works, and a hac...
26m • May 20, 2025
26m
My Wife Cheated With the Neighbor; We're Still Married with Harrison Scott Key—Humor Writer
Harrison Scott Key thought his life was moving in the right direction. An award-winning humor writer, with two successful books under his belt, he was working on his third when everything hit the fan. His wife, the mother of his three girls, and a woman who spent nearly every Sunday of her life in church, was asking for a divorce. Why? She was in love with someone else. Who? The next door neigh...
1hr 2m • May 13, 2025
1hr 2m
Choosing the Harder Path Changed Everything with Austin Knight—Arctic Paratrooper
Austin Knight thought he had life by the horns, until he was fired, and dumped by his girlfriend, on the same day. Facing the task of starting over, he had two routes to choose from—the ease and stability of a corporate job, or joining the U.S. military as a paratrooper. He chose the harder route, and wouldn’t change it for the world. A part of the Arctic Angels, the United States’ only Arctic ...
1hr 1m • May 06, 2025
1hr 1m

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