The Launch Mission

The transition from high school to college brings new freedoms, responsibilities, and challenges, but preparing for them doesn't have to wait until move-in day. Dr. Jenica Alvarez, college professor and author of Crushing Your Freshman Year, joins Tommy to share practical strategies for navigating your first year with confidence. Drawing on 15 years of experience in higher education, she explains the importance of taking ownership of your schedule, building relationships with professors, and creating a support network before you need help. She also discusses how healthy routines, intentional friendships, and simple habits like a weekly planning session can make a...

The Impact 360 Fellows Program is a nine-month Christian gap year experience designed to help students grow in their faith, develop as leaders, and prepare for life after high school. In this episode, seven recent Fellows join Tommy to reflect on the experiences, relationships, and lessons that shaped their year. They share how intentional Christian community and discipleship helped them navigate challenges, ask deeper questions, develop spiritual habits, and understand what it means to have a personal relationship with God. From international service opportunities and conversations about faith to everyday moments of friendship, the Fellows explain how they learned to...

Leaving home for college brings new opportunities to grow, but it also means encountering new ideas and cultural pressures that may challenge what you believe. Brett Kunkle, founder of Maven, explains why a faith built only on what your parents or church have taught you isn’t enough—you need to understand your own reasons for believing and develop a biblical worldview that helps you make sense of life. He encourages students to start with Scripture, read thoughtfully, and use trusted resources to explore their questions rather than avoiding difficult topics. Brett also challenges seniors to move beyond their comf...

What does it look like to carry your faith with you when the routines and people you’ve always relied on are no longer right down the hall? Annabel Baker, a chemical engineering student at the University of Alabama, shares what she learned navigating college, from finding Christian community to working through loneliness and growing in her relationship with God. She explains why building habits like prayer and Bible reading before college matters, especially when your schedule becomes less structured and there are more opportunities competing for your time. Annabel also shares how mentors, small groups, and a gratitude jo...

What happens when you leave the routines, people, and structure you’ve known for most of your life? Austin Gentry talks about what he learned when he went from a Christian school to a state university and found himself navigating new ideas, new experiences, and new responsibilities. Together, Tommy and Austin talk about making your faith your own, working through doubt, choosing your community, finding a church, and remembering that your identity doesn’t have to come from your major, your friend group, or what other people think of you. Most importantly, Austin encourages seniors to make some of thos...

Russell encourages seniors to look beyond graduation and start taking ownership of the areas of life they will soon be responsible for on their own. Rather than coasting through senior year, students can be intentional with their faith, family, friendships, future, finances, and time. He also challenges seniors to recognize the influence they have as the oldest students in their school or youth group and use that platform to connect with and invest in younger students. The conversation also covers preparing for changing friendships, finding Christian community in college, serving others, and addressing challenges before assuming everything will automatically...

Matt Douglas, author of Unlocking College Admissions: Your Step-By-Step Workbook For Finding The Right College And Getting In, joins Tommy to unpack the college admissions process and help students and families approach it with less stress and more intentionality. He explains how to identify the best-fit college by considering academics, location, campus life, cost, and other factors. Matt also shares practical advice on extracurriculars, recommendation letters, college essays, standardized testing, AI, financial aid, and campus visits. Throughout the conversation, he reminds students that there is no single perfect college and that the goal is to find an experience that...

Senior year can feel like a race to make sure students know everything they need before they leave home, but Tommy emphasizes that being ready and being prepared are not always the same thing. Students may be excited for independence while still needing to develop practical skills like managing money and time, communicating with professors, building healthy community, and taking ownership of their faith. The Launch Mission Podcast aims to help parents introduce these conversations before challenges arise, giving students a framework for navigating them rather than trying to prevent every problem. Throughout Season 5, parents will hear from college...

Hear a preview of the Season 5, made specifically for the high school class of 2027. Season 5 will start with a special episode for parents on Labor Day and the first episode for students on September 14th.

Finding community in college isn't just about joining a student organization—it can also mean finding a local church that invests in college students. In this episode, we're wrapping up our Campus Ministry Spotlight series by talking about church-based college ministries and how they differ from campus organizations. We answer questions like: What is a church college ministry? Why should you get connected to a local church? And what makes these ministries such a meaningful place for college students to grow in their faith and build authentic relationships? Whether you're heading to a large university or a small college, th...

Starting college comes with a lot of questions—including where you'll find community. In this episode, we're continuing our Campus Ministry Spotlight series by exploring BCM (Baptist Collegiate Ministry/Baptist Student Ministry). We answer questions like: What is BCM? What does it offer college students? And how does it help students grow spiritually while building meaningful relationships? Join us as we share past interview clips about another campus ministry that helps students connect with others, serve their campus, and grow in their faith.
Visit our website

Follow us on Instagram

Follow us on Facebook

College is full of new opportunities, but finding a community that helps you stay grounded can make all the difference. In this episode, we're continuing our Campus Ministry Spotlight series by exploring RUF (Reformed University Fellowship). We answer questions like: What is RUF? What makes it unique? And how does it help students grow in their faith while navigating college life? Join us as we introduce another campus ministry that encourages authentic relationships, biblical teaching, and a Christ-centered college experience.

Visit our website

Follow us on Instagram

Follow us on Facebook

Starting college means stepping into a completely new environment, and finding the right community can make all the difference. In this episode, we're continuing our Campus Ministry Spotlight series by sharing highlights from past conversations about InterVarsity. We answer questions like: What is InterVarsity? What makes it unique? And how does it help students grow in their faith while navigating college life? Join us as we explore another ministry that helps students build authentic community, study Scripture, and follow Jesus throughout their college years.

Visit our website

Follow us on Instagram

Follow us on...

In this episode, we're continuing our Campus Ministry Spotlight series by sharing highlights from past conversations about Chi Alpha, a Christian ministry found on college campuses across the country. We answer questions like: What is Chi Alpha? What makes it unique? And how does it help students build community and grow in their faith during college? Join us as we explore another opportunity for finding connection and purpose during your college years.
Visit our website

Follow us on Instagram

Follow us on Facebook

College is about more than earning a degree—it's also a time when many students grow personally, spiritually, and relationally. In this episode, we're continuing our Campus Ministry Spotlight series by sharing highlights from past conversations about Campus Outreach. We answer questions like: What is Campus Outreach? What opportunities does it provide students? And how does it help students grow in their faith while navigating college life? Join us as we explore another ministry that helps students find community, purpose, and spiritual growth during their college years.

Visit our website

Follow us on Instagram

Fo...

Starting college means making a lot of decisions—including how you'll find community and continue growing in your faith. In this episode, we're continuing our Campus Ministry Spotlight series by sharing highlights from past conversations about the Navigators. We answer questions like: What are the Navigators? What makes their approach to ministry unique? And how do they help students grow spiritually during college? Join us as we explore one more way students can find support, friendship, and faith-centered community on campus.

Visit our website

Follow us on Instagram

Follow us on Facebook

College can feel like a fresh start, but it can also leave you wondering where you'll find your people. In this episode, we're continuing our Campus Ministry Spotlight series by sharing highlights about Young Life College and answering questions like: What is Young Life College? What makes it different from other campus ministries? And what kinds of opportunities does it offer students? Through stories and insights from previous conversations, you'll get a glimpse of how Young Life College helps students build friendships, explore their faith, and find community during the college years.

Visit our website

F...

Starting college can feel exciting, overwhelming, and sometimes lonely as you try to figure out where you belong. In this episode, we’re kicking off our Campus Ministry Spotlight series by sharing highlights and clips from past conversations about Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ). We answer questions like: What is Cru? What does Cru look like on a college campus? And why do so many students choose to get involved in campus ministries during college?

Visit our website

Follow us on Instagram

Follow us on Facebook

We’re ending the semester with one final recap episode featuring some of the best advice and insights shared by students throughout the season. From friendships and faith to independence and growth, these conversations are full of reminders you may need heading into your next season.

Visit our website

Follow us on Instagram

Follow us on Facebook

Join us for a special recap episode featuring some of the most insightful advice from this semester's mentors!  It's the perfect opportunity to revisit key topics + insights you may have missed. 

Visit our website

Follow us on Instagram

Follow us on Facebook

This episode is Part 2 of our College Stories series, where we read real stories from college students so you can learn from their experiences before you ever step on campus. In this episode, we dive into three new situations: settling for easy friendships instead of meaningful ones, falling into credit card debt due to lack of financial discipline, and staying silent in class out of fear. Each story highlights how small decisions—who you surround yourself with, how you handle money, and whether you ask for help—can shape your entire college experience. The goal? Learn from others so you...

As you get closer to graduation, it’s easy to assume you’ll just “figure it out” when you get to college—but these stories show how quickly things can feel overwhelming without a plan. In Part 1 of this 2-part series, we’re reading real college stories from students so you can learn from what they experienced before you step on campus. Saying yes to everything can stretch you too thin, avoiding honest conversations (like with a roommate) can build frustration, and staying too tied to high school friends can keep you from building new community. One of the biggest take...

You’re about to step into a new level of independence, and this episode walks you through how to stay safe while doing it. Scott Thurmond explains that campus police aren’t there to “catch” you—they’re there to help you succeed and make it to graduation. Most safety issues on campus come down to simple things like being aware of your surroundings, locking your doors, and making wise decisions, especially when it comes to alcohol and who you spend time with. You’ll also hear practical ways to stay safe, like traveling with others, keeping your phone charged, and u...

You’re about to step into a completely new environment, and this episode helps you know what actually matters from the start. Orientation isn’t just something to get through—it’s your first chance to meet people, ask questions, and set yourself up well. Getting involved early and finding the right community can shape your entire college experience, while learning how to communicate and live with a roommate will save you from a lot of unnecessary stress. You’ll probably face moments of loneliness, but you don’t have to stay there—being intentional and asking for help makes a huge d...

Tommy sits down with John Decker to talk about the heart behind Every Student Sent and why so many students lose their faith in the transition to college. They unpack how early connection, intentional community, and a clear sense of purpose can completely change a student’s college experience—and why preparing before you arrive on campus matters more than you think.

Visit our website

Follow us on Instagram

Follow us on Facebook

This Career Highlight episode breaks down the journey into nursing, from college to advanced roles like anesthesia. We discuss the different entry points into the field and how career paths can evolve over time. You'll get a realistic look at daily responsibilities, both as a bedside nurse and in a specialized role. The conversation also highlights key traits like assertiveness and empathy, which are essential for patient care. We also share why students are encouraged to explore the field through job shadowing before committing to the path.

Visit our website

Follow us on Instagram

...

In this Career Highlight episode, Tommy sits down with a military colonel who built a 30+ year career in the service to explore what that path can look like after high school. You’ll hear how joining the military can help pay for college, provide structure, and open doors to long-term opportunities. This conversation highlights the wide range of roles available and how your responsibilities grow over time. We also talk about the personal side—leadership, friendships, and becoming part of something bigger than yourself. If you’re considering the military or just exploring your options, this episode gives you a real...

In this episode, Tommy sits down with a Certified Public Accountant and managing partner of an accounting firm to learn what a career in accounting really looks like. He explains the difference between basic accounting and becoming a CPA, what college preparation involves, and what entry-level work in the field is like. They also talk about the skills that make someone successful in this profession, including communication, trustworthiness, and problem-solving. Along the way, he shares why accounting can be one of the most valuable and flexible business degrees. If you're interested in business but not sure which direction to...

In this Career Highlight episode, we sit down with a coffee company founder and entrepreneur to explore what building a business can actually look like. He shares how an unexpected path after college eventually led him to launch a coffee company focused on community, relationships, and purpose. Instead of chasing success through money alone, he explains how a bigger life mission shaped the way he approached business. The conversation challenges students to think about their future not just as a career path, but as a calling. Along the way, he shares practical wisdom about curiosity, resilience, and choosing purpose...

In this Career Series episode, we sit down with a physical therapist to help you understand what this career actually looks like. If you’re interested in the medical field but not sure what direction to take, this conversation breaks down what physical therapy involves, how it’s different from other healthcare paths, and what kind of person tends to thrive in it. He explains the education process from college to doctorate and shares practical advice for students considering this route. It’s an honest look at what it takes — and how to pursue it with purpose.

Visit ou...

In this episode, Elean shares his journey from building his identity around soccer to discovering that only Christ could truly fill the void he was carrying. After multiple serious injuries, broken expectations, and seasons of anxiety and loneliness, he began pursuing a real relationship with the Lord instead of waiting until “later” to take faith seriously. Through prayer, community, mentorship, and intentional steps toward growth, his faith became personal. What started in pain turned into calling, eventually leading him into ministry. His story is a reminder that identity, purpose, and peace aren’t found in performance — and that waiting to follo...

In this episode, three college freshmen reconnect after their senior year of high school and reflect on what freshman year has actually been like. They talk honestly about homesickness, building friendships from scratch, learning how to study, managing time, missing assignments, figuring out independence, and growing spiritually without the structure of high school. Each of them shares what surprised them — socially, academically, and spiritually — and how college has been both harder and better than expected. They unpack what independence really feels like (not the fantasy version), how long friendships actually take to form, and why discipline matters more than moti...

College gives you the chance to decide who you’re going to be — and Sutton’s story shows how meaningful that choice can be. In this episode, Sutton shares her journey from navigating faith and temptation in high school to starting college out of state and rebuilding community from scratch. She talks honestly about loneliness, homesickness, and the pressure to figure everything out quickly — and why trusting God in those early weeks mattered more than having instant friendships.

You’ll hear how community didn’t happen overnight, how the local church became a foundation, and how her faith deepen...

Starting college means starting over in a lot of ways — new people, new routines, and new decisions about who you want to become. In this episode, Turner shares what his first year at college has really been like, from staying rooted in faith to intentionally building community early. He talks honestly about choosing relationships that don’t just make college feel less lonely, but actually make you better. You’ll hear why knowing your values before you arrive matters, how finding church and Christian community early shaped his experience, and why saying yes to leadership — even when it’s uncomforta...

Moving across the country for college can feel exciting and terrifying at the same time — especially when you don’t know a single person. In this episode, Aubrey shares what it was really like leaving a small high school, starting over at a massive university, and learning how to find community when everything felt overwhelming and lonely. She talks honestly about saying yes before she felt ready, trusting God in moments of uncertainty, and learning that identity doesn’t come from majors, organizations, or social status. You’ll hear how loneliness didn’t mean something was wrong — it became the space wh...

College doesn’t just bring new classes and freedom — it brings the question of who you’re doing life with. In this episode, the conversation centers on why finding the right community early in college matters more than almost anything else. From the shift away from structured youth group to the need for intentional faith and friendships, this episode unpacks why community doesn’t just happen — it has to be pursued. You’ll hear why Christian community should be the foundation of college life, not just another activity, and how surrounding yourself with the right people shapes your faith, choices, and...

In this solo episode kicking off the second half of the season, Tommy welcomes the Class of 2026 and casts a vision for the year ahead. Rather than treating senior year as something to simply “get through,” he challenges students to see 2026 as a year of intentional preparation. The episode focuses on preparing spiritually, relationally, and practically for life after high school, while previewing what’s coming this spring and summer on the podcast. The central encouragement is clear: don’t drift, don’t wait, and don’t do this transition alone—start preparing now.

Visit our website

Follow us...

In this recap episode, we pull together some of the most meaningful moments from students who joined the podcast this semester. Through a collection of short clips, students reflect on faith, calling, gap years, college transitions, community, leadership, and what it looks like to follow Jesus in real, everyday decisions. Their stories offer honest insight into navigating uncertainty, stepping into independence, and learning how God meets them in new environments. Together, these testimonies form a powerful picture of what it looks like to grow, wrestle, and take ownership of faith during seasons of transition.

Visit our website<...

In this episode, we pull together some of the best clips from every mentor who joined the podcast this fall semester. These highlight moments revisit themes like finishing senior year well, overcoming burnout, strengthening faith, choosing community, discovering calling, and preparing for college. Listeners will hear practical wisdom and honest encouragement on identity, life skills, and trusting God through transition. It’s a powerful, big-picture look at what matters most as you step into what’s next.

Visit our website

Follow us on Instagram

Follow us on Facebook

In this solo episode, Tommy explains why preparing for life after high school matters so deeply—because most students enter their first major life transition without the support systems that shaped them. Using the parable of the prodigal son and his own college story, Tommy highlights the common struggle students face when they lose their familiar influences of family, friends, church, and mentors. He challenges listeners to enter college with four clear goals—lasting memories, deep friendships, clear vision, and a fruitful faith—and to carefully choose which one will become their foundation.

Visit our website

Foll...