That Just About Sums it Up

Story. It’s the most powerful way to communicate. After a 35-year career of speaking with Young Life, Brian Summerall continues to share stories that use humor, scripture, and culture to reveal truths about God. We hope they will find you laughing, while others will possibly bring you to tears. Whether they are stories of family, fame, adventure, pain, loss, miracles, or relationships, all of these stories reveal a God who is extravagant in His love for us.

4th of July, Convertible Dreams, & Pet Sounds 07/01/2025

4th of July, Convertible Dreams, & Pet Sounds In this heartfelt summer edition of That Just About Sums It Up, host Brian Summerall reflects on the life and legacy of Beach Boys’ frontman Brian Wilson, whose music shaped his youth and continues to echo through his life today. Through nostalgic stories of high school adventures and deep personal connections to Wilson’s lyrics, Brian explores the profound harmony between joy and sorrow in Wilson’s work. More than a tribute, the episode is a meditation on vulnerability, mental health, and the redemptive power of music. It’s a moving reminder that beauty often blooms from brokenness—and that maybe, just maybe, that’s where harmony lives. /episode/index/show/64e6f573-d5db-4403-8693-332951bb6a83/id/37248020

Run Faster!!! 05/30/2025

Run Faster!!! A first-grade soccer game, a yelling dad, and a six-year-old’s mic-drop moment spark a deeper look at the voices we listen to. Is God urging us to do more, or inviting us to rest in His grace? This episode unpacks the difference. /episode/index/show/64e6f573-d5db-4403-8693-332951bb6a83/id/36790540

I Declared for the NFL Draft 05/12/2025

I Declared for the NFL Draft For years, I would announce to anyone who would listen that I was declaring myself eligible for the NFL draft. Memories of that came to mind recently as I watched Shedeur Sanders' unexpected slide in this year's draft. Upon closer look, I see there is a lesson in humility in his story for all of us /episode/index/show/64e6f573-d5db-4403-8693-332951bb6a83/id/36535260

With This Ring 04/09/2025

With This Ring Today, we take a trip down memory lane and revisit Michele and my wedding ceremony. What do a wedding ring and a 1981 Monte Carlo have in common? They are both reminders of God's faithfulness and two moments where time stood still. /episode/index/show/64e6f573-d5db-4403-8693-332951bb6a83/id/36075900

Brian's Song 03/12/2025

Brian's Song Every year in Junior High, we were led down to the "cafetorium" to watch the movie "Brian's Song." It was the story of two football players, Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo. Memories of that movie came back to me recently when I was asked the question, "What has happened to Christianity?" /episode/index/show/64e6f573-d5db-4403-8693-332951bb6a83/id/35655070

Garden Hose or Fire Department? 02/06/2025

Garden Hose or Fire Department? Why do we need to be involved in a local church? This was a question asked at a Bible Study I lead with guys I've known since they were in high school. As I pondered my response, images of the 60 Minutes episode I had just watched covering the wildfires in California flashed through my mind. In this episode, I talk about the importance of the church and the ways it supports believers through life's fires. /episode/index/show/64e6f573-d5db-4403-8693-332951bb6a83/id/35170635

Special Christmas Eve Edition: Oh Holy Night 8th Anniversary 12/23/2024

Special Christmas Eve Edition: Oh Holy Night 8th Anniversary My dear friend Tod Bush left this world eight years ago, but his story continues to inspire, comfort, and transform lives. What began as a Facebook post on Christmas morning in 2016 has now been shared on an incredible 37,000 pages, inspiring hearts around the world. It’s a story of hope and redemption, light piercing the darkness, and Christmas's true meaning. /episode/index/show/64e6f573-d5db-4403-8693-332951bb6a83/id/34589455

A Charlie Brown Christmas Special 12/12/2024

A Charlie Brown Christmas Special When I was a kid, an entire evening was built around the Charlie Brown Christmas Special. There was no such thing as VCR's, DVD's, or streaming. Busyness could cause you to miss it. The same can be true of this Christmas season in that our busyness can cause us to miss Jesus. /episode/index/show/64e6f573-d5db-4403-8693-332951bb6a83/id/34420985

Disneyland with Bob Goff 11/22/2024

Disneyland with Bob Goff I recently had the honor of spending time at Disneyland with author and speaker, Bob Goff. While I certainly enjoyed my time in the park and on the rides, I quickly discovered there was so much more for me on this trip. /episode/index/show/64e6f573-d5db-4403-8693-332951bb6a83/id/34114266

Here's to the Crazy Ones 10/23/2024

Here's to the Crazy Ones A friend recently told me his granddaughter was diagnosed with dyslexia. That conversation took me back to when our oldest was diagnosed with dyslexia. Hard decisions were made at that time including changing schools. Looking back on that process I found many similarities to our recent change of churches. The process and feelings were surprisingly similar. The results were as well. /episode/index/show/64e6f573-d5db-4403-8693-332951bb6a83/id/33588232

I Own A Barry Manilow Blanket 09/16/2024

I Own A Barry Manilow Blanket Season two of the podcast kicks off with stories from two concerts my wife, Michele, and I attended just a few weeks ago. Show Notes: Barry Manilow Blanket Pic: Chicago's Terry Kath "Greatest Guitar Solo Ever Caught on Film": /episode/index/show/64e6f573-d5db-4403-8693-332951bb6a83/id/33081682

This One's For Mom 06/04/2024

This One's For Mom There’s just something about the relationship between boys and their moms, especially when you are the youngest like me. As a young boy, my mom was my protector, provider, my biggest cheerleader, and she was the one who also dried all my tears. In this episode, I'd like to share a few stories about her. /episode/index/show/64e6f573-d5db-4403-8693-332951bb6a83/id/31603242

Sidewalk Chalk 04/24/2024

Sidewalk Chalk Brace yourselves, my friends. It's an election year. It just might be a bumpy few months, but not long ago I found glimmers of hope scattered through our neighborhood. Perhaps we all can be spreaders of hope during what can be a very divisive season. /episode/index/show/64e6f573-d5db-4403-8693-332951bb6a83/id/30969593

The Kissing Girls 04/11/2024

The Kissing Girls I was not exactly what you would call "Mr. Social" growing up. In this episode, we'll trace my social journey from the kindergarten playground all the way to my marriage proposal. Along the way, we just might find a few parallels to our spiritual journey as well. /episode/index/show/64e6f573-d5db-4403-8693-332951bb6a83/id/30788858

I'm Just Ken 03/15/2024

I'm Just Ken Truth can be found in so many different places in our world if you are willing to take the time to look for it. I was reminded of that as I watched the Academy Awards last Sunday Evening and Ryan Gosling stole the show with his performance of the song, "I'm Just Ken." We'll take a look at the role of Ken and the parallels between the Barbie Movie and the Bible in this episode of That Just About Sums it Up. /episode/index/show/64e6f573-d5db-4403-8693-332951bb6a83/id/30391963

World Championship Water Fighting 02/21/2024

World Championship Water Fighting Chaos with water flying everywhere to complete calm in a matter of seconds is not something that happens every day. It did happen once in my dorm hall at Baylor University and almost got me kicked out of school. It also happened with much higher stakes just over 2000 years ago. /episode/index/show/64e6f573-d5db-4403-8693-332951bb6a83/id/30056238

Happy Birthday, Dad. 01/30/2024

Happy Birthday, Dad. My Father was a giver of good gifts and provided a beautiful home for our family. In many ways, he reflected our Heavenly Father. On his birthday, it was good to take time and remember that. /episode/index/show/64e6f573-d5db-4403-8693-332951bb6a83/id/29720123

You Belong Here 01/19/2024

You Belong Here You belong here. That's the message I received from the first Savannah Bananas baseball game I attended. But, is that the same message we get when we walk into Church on a Sunday morning? It's a question worth asking. by Bruce Springsteen /episode/index/show/64e6f573-d5db-4403-8693-332951bb6a83/id/29562738

O Holy Night 12/22/2023

O Holy Night Christmas Eve 2016 was a night I will never forget. It truly was a Holy Night. This is the story of my friend, Tod Bush, a life well lived, and the gifts of hope and life. My prayer is that you would consider sharing this special episode with a friend who needs to hear it this Christmas. /episode/index/show/64e6f573-d5db-4403-8693-332951bb6a83/id/29207533

Bubbles Up 12/13/2023

Bubbles Up Ever feel like you are "drowning" during the holidays? Oh, you do your best to look good to the outside world, but on the inside, things are different. If that describes you or somone you love this holiday season, I think we can all find hope in an unlikely place... Jimmy Buffet's final song. For the lyric video to "Bubbles Up" click this link: You can donate to the Tod Bush Leadership Center here: /episode/index/show/64e6f573-d5db-4403-8693-332951bb6a83/id/29067458

Forgetting What's Most Important 11/07/2023

Forgetting What's Most Important Does life feel so busy at times you simply forget about what’s most important? We’ve all been there. In our first episode of That Just About Sums It Up, I’ll be sharing two stories to give you a taste of what to look forward to from this podcast. The first goes back to my high school days and the second is a life lesson from a skydiver we all need to remember. /episode/index/show/64e6f573-d5db-4403-8693-332951bb6a83/id/28548107

That Just About Sums it Up

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