That Just About Sums it Up

Brian Summerall
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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.

  1. Life Lessons from Tiger Dawson

    JAN 29

    Life Lessons from Tiger Dawson

    The world feels a little off balance today.  In this episode, I reflect on the life and legacy of my friend Tiger Dawson — a man whose presence was larger than life and whose confidence always pointed everyone to Jesus. From leading goofy songs at Young Life clubs to founding an organization that now serves over 12 million students around the world, Tiger lived with a boldness that wasn't rooted in ego — but in faith. This is a story of friendship, laughter, legacy, and the kind of confidence that can only come from knowing exactly whose you are. This one's for Tiger.

    19 min
  2. Pizza, the Apple Store, and Santa

    12/18/2025

    Pizza, the Apple Store, and Santa

    In this Christmas edition of That Just About Sums It Up, Brian Summerall takes us back to the glory days of the mall—when food courts were feasts, Spencer's Gifts was edgy, and Santa lived inside a five-story tree. What starts as a nostalgic trip with his young son becomes a moving parable about guiding the people we love—gently and patiently—toward someone life-changing.

    14 min
  3. Don't Miss the Parade

    11/19/2025

    Don't Miss the Parade

    When I bought a convertible, I thought it might be fun for weekend drives. What I didn't expect was how it would steer me—quite literally—back to something deeper: friendship, joy, and a sense of true north. In this episode of That Just About Sums It Up, we return to the Richardson High School Homecoming Parade, this time not as a spectator, but as a participant. With old classmates, cheerleader uniforms from 1982, and a few magnetic car signs, what starts as a nostalgic ride becomes a profound reminder of the things that really matter. Because sometimes, the best way to move forward is to go back.

    16 min
  4. I Am Not at War

    11/07/2025

    I Am Not at War

    In a world where "culture war" is on everyone's lips—politicians, pundits, even pastors—Brian Summerall offers a different path: the way of Jesus. In this episode of That Just About Sums It Up, Brian reflects on the powerful spiritual anthem "Down by the Riverside" and the deeper truth it holds: we were never called to pick up swords—we were called to lay them down. Through scripture, soul-stirring lyrics, and honest reflection, Brian challenges the narrative of conflict with a message of radical grace, mercy, and love. What if our calling isn't to fight the culture, but to forgive it? What if courage looks more like washing feet than winning arguments? Join us down by the riverside. There's room for you.

    10 min
  5. 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.

    14 min
  6. 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.

    15 min
  7. 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

    23 min
  8. 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.

    18 min
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5
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About

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.

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