A Preview of The Wrong Glasses
Two minutes with the idea behind the book
Tom grew up on a small ranch in rural Oklahoma, following his dad and older brother into youth rodeo — a state champion by age 12. In high school, he found a second arena: speech and debate, winning a state championship in extemporaneous speaking. Looking back, both were training for the same thing — standing up under pressure and saying something true.
He has pastored churches in Oklahoma, Missouri, and Pennsylvania, serving his denomination at both the state and national level. He has also taught business and economics as adjunct faculty at Seminole State College — a combination that turns up throughout his writing, where theology and economics are never treated as separate conversations.
In 2010, Tom became the first Republican ever elected to represent Oklahoma's 28th district. He served on the Speaker's leadership team, chaired several high-profile committees, and was named an "Emerging Leader" by the National Conference of State Legislatures.
After leaving the legislature, Tom served as a senior fellow and government affairs director for a national free-market think tank. He went on to serve as CEO of SALLT, a Christian organization that trains leaders to leverage their influence for the good of their community, and then as Vice President of Government Affairs for yes. every kid. He has since served as chief of staff for two statewide elected officials, including the Governor of Oklahoma.
Tom is a proud son, father, and grandfather. He and his wife, Erin, live just outside Oklahoma City.
While others strive for money, fame, or power, Tom’s dream is improving the lives of others and the opportunities available for future generations.
And that’s what he’s done—pastoring, serving in the Oklahoma state legislature, fighting for important public policy in numerous states—Tom has continually focused on making the world a better place. Now, he is having an exponential impact—leveraging his life by helping others leverage theirs!
From as early as he can remember, Tom Newell wanted to make a difference.
ABOUT TOM
Leverage
Your Life
The world seems to be falling apart all around you and you feel like you should be doing something. Maybe you feel helpless to make a difference, or you don't know where to start. But good intentions built on unexamined assumptions often lead to disappointing outcomes — because beliefs determine behavior, and every choice has a consequence.
Tom will help you expose the beliefs driving your choices, discover your potential, and clarify your purpose and priorities. You'll walk away with a clear sense of who you are, what you should be doing, and why — and the practical tools to think before you act.
The Wrong Glasses
Why does a nation founded on self-government keep choosing debt and dependency? Tom walks audiences through the quiet shift from biblical stewardship to borrowed money and borrowed ideas — and what it would take to see clearly again. The stakes are bigger than any single policy fight: when a free people stop practicing stewardship, someone or something else ends up managing their freedom for them. Audiences leave with the tools to see clearly, and real hope that recovery is still possible.
Two Citizenships-One Calling
Drawing on 25 years pastoring congregations and 16 years in and around government — five of those years side by side — Tom speaks candidly to pastors, civic leaders, and everyday constituents about integrating faith and public life without compromising either. He also gives audiences a practical playbook for civic engagement — how to build a real relationship with your elected officials instead of just showing up to demand or complain, and why that shift changes what you're able to accomplish.
SPEAKING TOPICS
"Tom is a pro at delivering a powerful message that lands with your audience. His genuineness and compassion shine through as he challenges people to think in new ways and reconsider how they do things."
Kristina Rasmussen
"Tom does a stellar job connecting with an audience. You will not be disappointed."
Kim Borchers
"Tom Newell is a treasure. From the moment you meet him, you know that your life is about to be enriched. He is thoughtful, passionate, and direct—always focused on the mission. Tom is a commanding presence in any room, whether he is leading a small group or speaking to hundreds of people. I watched him on numerous occasions take a rowdy bunch of distracted policymakers, command their attention, and keep it for hours, telling stories with emotion and impact to help them understand the importance and mechanics of a particular public policy change. Tom treats everyone with dignity and respect—something unique in today's world. We need more people like him and I cannot wait for an opportunity to work with him again in the future."
Whitney Munro
"Tom is a captivating public speaker—he is an expert at drawing in his audience, capturing their attention and imagination, and inspiring them to take action. He is an expert in very technical subject matter, yes, but his real talent is distilling this technicality into an enjoyable and digestible presentation."
James Scimecca
TESTIMONIALS
CONNECT WITH TOM NEWELL
(405)420-1073
