The Aggressive Life with Brian Tome

There’s nothing average about being an Air Force Pararescueman or an Army Special Operations soldier… and Bo White has been both. After a career spent in the military, he took an early exit as he began to see cracks forming in his foundation, especially at home with his wife. While you might take the soldier off the field, you’ll never strip him of his skills and abilities. Bo has committed his life to helping and blessing others—be it leading his family through the pain of a childhood cancer diagnosis, to starting a winery in northern Michigan with his wife, to going into Ukraine for rescue missions, as a civilian. Bo is an aggressive man who knows the key to faithfulness is movement. 

Jeff Berding had spent nearly 20 years with the Cincinnati Bengals when he left it all behind… to start a minor league soccer team. After blowing all expectations out of the water, FC Cincinnati was granted a bid to join Major League Soccer. Jeff and team moved at breakneck speed, doing in 18 months what many cities take 3-4 years to complete. After some hard years, FC Cincinnati is on a roll. With the best record in the MLS, they keep selling out games and finding ways to win. Their success story is intricately tied to this family man who just wanted a hometown team for his kids to cheer on. Jeff’s aggressive story of risk and movement will get you off the couch and into the game. 

This summer was an adventure for the books. Alongside three other couples, Brian and his wife drove 9,000 miles from Spokane, Washington, all the way to Alaska and the Arctic Circle… and back. They camped along the way, spending 31 days off the grid. They saw black bears, went salmon fishing, and took a shot over a dead man’s toe (true story). Back in Cincinnati, Brian regroups with those friends to relive the highlights and tell war stories. Adventure is an aggressive choice that always changes us for the better. 

Earlier this summer, Brian was on the field of Great American Ball Park, home of the Cincinnati Reds, for a post-game interview with three players: outfielders Jake Fraley and TJ Friedl, and starting pitcher Graham Ashcraft. Part of Reds Faith Night, Brian talked with each player about God, baseball, and how faith influences their lives. These aggressive men put it all on the line, game after game, for their team and city. Let’s go Reds! 

Like most protectors, Rich Miller is humble about it all, but this man has given his life serving and protecting the most vulnerable. He spent decades as a distinguished specialist on the NYPD’s Emergency Service Unit, including responding to the 9/11 attacks. It was there, on September 12th, Rich raised an American flag on a makeshift piece of rubble. The photo was snapped by a crime scene photographer and it spread, giving hope to a nation reeling. Rich was part 2,500+ high-risk search warrants and entries while on the force, and gave time to help rescue survivors of an earthquake in Haiti. He is a brave man who will push us all forward. This is the final episode in a 5-part series called Five Marks Summer, celebrating the repackaged publication of Brian’s best-selling book, The Five Marks of a Man. Pre-order the newest edition, or the companion Tactical Guide, at briantome.com/fivemarks and get a complimentary poster with each purchase. 

Reid Carpenter might be 80 years old, but he hasn’t slowed down, and he isn’t planning on it anytime soon. A spiritual grandfather and mentor to Brian, Reid has devoted his life to his home city of Pittsburg. From starting multiple nonprofits, to helping launch Young Life, Reid is a living example of the power of hard work, and how its ripple effect can influence generations. This is the 4th episode in an 5-part series called Five Marks Summer, celebrating the repackaged publication of Brian’s best-selling book, The Five Marks of a Man. Pre-order it, or the companion Tactical Guide, now and it will show up on your front porch on October 10th. Then, head over to Briantome.com/fivemarks to claim your free poster. 

Our summer series continues with Mark III: Men Are Team Players. From coaching his son’s football team, to playing in the NFL, to now leading a thriving church in Atlanta, Georgia, Leonce Crump Jr. knows a thing or two about the power of a thriving team. He shares tips, tricks, and the secret to resiliency in this candid conversation. This is the third episode in an 5-part series called Five Marks Summer, celebrating the repackaged publication of Brian’s best-selling book, The Five Marks of a Man. Pre-order it, or the companion Tactical Guide, now and it will show up on your front porch on October 10th.  Find the bear attack video Brian references here. 

Otis Williams looked to be on top of the world. He had a successful military career, beat out 10,000 other contestants to win the ToastMasters World Championship of Public Speaking, and had secured a successful teaching position at Cincinnati State University. But underneath, a debilitating gambling addiction was eroding it all away.  For the first time on such a wide-reaching platform, Otis takes us back to that dark place, and the bold minority positions he took to reclaim his life. He also shares stories from his time in the service, tips for engaging an audience, and why vulnerability is a super power.  This is the second episode in an 5-part series called Five Marks Summer, celebrating the repackaged publication of Brian’s best-selling book, The Five Marks of a Man. Pre-order the newest edition, or the companion Tactical Guide, at briantome.com/fivemarks and get a complimentary poster with each purchase.

Join Brian, and his son, Jake, together in his garage for a candid conversation about growing up, the looming shadow of a father, and what it takes for a son to exceed his old man. Over a few beers, Brian and Jake tell adventure stories, get transparent about their separate visions for life, and laugh a lot.  This is the first episode in an 5-part series called Five Marks Summer, celebrating the repackaged publication of Brian’s best-selling book, The Five Marks of a Man. Pre-order the newest edition, or the companion Tactical Guide, at briantome.com/fivemarks and get a complimentary poster with each purchase. 

New content alert! In this live talk, recorded around the campfire with some MAN CAMP leaders, Brian introduces a new concept he’s been workshopping: the six primal identities. Written on your spiritual DNA, these identities define who God created you to be—a creator; a son; a warrior; a king; a friend; and a father. As you lean into each one, you’ll find your life going to the next level.