What does it take to walk away from a successful 23-year career to serve those society often overlooks? In this powerful and thought-provoking episode, guest Tim Pierson joins hosts Dan Schmidt and Ben Spahr to share the story of how an unexpected calling turned his life upside down—and ultimately right side up. Tim’s journey from insurance executive to full-time advocate for the homeless and addicted is a reminder that purpose often begins where comfort ends.

Tim grew up in a middle-class household where faith, family, and hard work shaped his worldview. For more than two decades, he built a thriving career in the insurance industry—successful by every traditional measure. But when he unexpectedly lost both his father and his business mentor within a short span of time, he found himself at a crossroads. In the silence left behind by grief, Tim began asking bigger questions about meaning, purpose, and legacy.

One of the first seeds of change came during a routine event: a drug prevention presentation at his children's school. What began as simple curiosity quickly turned into a deeper realization. He started volunteering with a local anti-drug coalition and eventually began walking the streets of Richmond, Indiana late at night, handing out coffee and snacks to people in need. What he discovered was staggering: a hidden crisis of homelessness, addiction, and despair happening just blocks from his comfortable home.

“I was just blown away,” he recalls. “I had no idea people were living like this in my own community. How could I not know that it was this bad?” That moment of awareness became the catalyst for action.

Tim founded Bridges for Life, a nonprofit organization focused on building real, sustainable pathways out of homelessness and addiction. Rather than offering short-term fixes, Tim’s team invests in long-term solutions—programs that restore dignity, provide stability, and build real skills. One such initiative is the Building Together program, which teaches carpentry and construction skills to people in recovery. Participants rehabilitate condemned or abandoned homes—gaining not only job training and a sense of purpose, but also housing and extended sobriety support.

The model is innovative, efficient, and deeply personal. Each renovated home becomes a stepping stone to a new life. “We’re not just fixing up buildings,” Tim says. “We’re rebuilding people.”

Tim also sheds light on a sobering reality: Wayne County’s homeless population is far larger than official counts suggest. Without visible tent cities or encampments, most homeless residents remain out of sight—living in vehicles, abandoned structures, or couch-hopping in temporary situations. And while the cost of homelessness to society is estimated at $38,000 per person annually—through emergency services, healthcare, and lost productivity—Bridges for Life can transition someone into stable housing for about $1,100.

It's not just about housing. It’s about hope. It’s about showing someone that they’re seen, valued, and not beyond redemption.

Tim’s story is a testament to the power of saying yes—to discomfort, to uncertainty, and to something greater than yourself. It’s a challenge to all of us to consider where we might be called to serve, even if the path ahead looks nothing like the life we imagined.

If you’ve ever wondered whether one person can really make a difference, Tim Pierson’s journey offers a resounding “yes.”

Ready to learn more or get involved? Visit mybridgesforlife.org to support their work through donations, volunteer efforts, or simply by spreading the word. You don’t have to change careers to change lives—but you might be surprised where your own next step leads.

Support the show