Listening to the Soul: Honoring the Wisdom of Tom Newnam
A Firefly Hollow Spotlight

As spring breathes new life into the world, we’re excited to shine a warm spotlight on someone who’s been an integral part of the Firefly Hollow family—Tom Newnam.

Tom is more than a seasoned therapist—he’s a soul guide, artist, martial arts instructor, spiritual teacher, and the author of two inspirational books: Memo From Your Soul and Try Softer. His life’s work has been devoted to helping others reconnect with the inner wisdom of their soul—a guidance system that, once trusted, leads to healing, fulfillment, and peace.

With decades of experience in therapeutic, educational, and creative fields, Tom’s heart-centered approach continues to offer clarity and compassion to those seeking a more aligned, purpose-filled life.

Meet Tom

Tom’s journey has taken many shapes, each of them rooted in love, service, and Spirit. Over the years, he’s worn many hats—better yet, many hearts:

• Special Education Teacher
• Juvenile Probation Officer
• Family Therapist (trained at the Philadelphia Child Guidance Center)
• Psychotherapist (York County Mental Health Center)
• Martial Arts Instructor (Black Belt in Shotokan)
• Watercolor Artist (with several solo shows)
• Life Coach
• Inspirational Author

Now in what he warmly calls his “grandfather stage” of life, Tom is both humbled and joyful to be sharing the deep soul lessons that have carried him—and many others—toward more authentic, peaceful living.

“Tom is a gift from God who shines his wisdom, love, and kindness. Living in my authenticity and coming from a place of love, I will always be grateful to Tom.” – D.C.

At the core of Tom’s philosophy is something we all know, even if we can’t always name it: the quiet, sacred pull of our Internal Guidance System—what he sometimes calls the Soul, and others might call intuition, conscience, or Spirit. This is the voice Tom has listened to throughout his life, and it’s the voice he gently helps others learn to hear again.

Memo From Your Soul – Trusting Your Inner Wisdom

In Memo From Your Soul: Trusting Your Inner Wisdom to Guide You to Fulfillment, Tom invites readers to awaken their internal guidance system—often referred to as intuition, Spirit, gut feeling, or “the little voice inside.” The book serves as both a guide and a gentle mirror, helping readers rediscover their own innate soul-wisdom.

The book has received endorsements from some of the world’s most respected spiritual teachers, including Sonia Choquette and the late Dr. Rustum Roy. Roy, a mentor to Deepak Chopra, writes in his foreword:

“This book is an extraordinary and beautiful introduction to a possible new journey for all of us. A journey into the deepest parts of ourselves: our Souls.”

Try Softer – A Heartfelt Invitation to Let Go of Struggle

Tom’s second book, Try Softer, is a refreshingly soulful departure from traditional self-help books. Written over the course of a year and a half, Tom describes the experience as a channeling of Spirit more than a product of his own effort:

“I was sharing helpful information about my personal journey while also describing everyone’s dance with life. I’m humbled and honored to have had the privilege of journaling such an inspired gift from Spirit.”

Rather than preaching a list of things to fix or improve, Try Softer encourages readers to soften—to relax into their truest, most natural selves. Through storytelling, reflection, and poetic insight, Tom invites us to recover our original dreams and reconnect with the joy of simply being.

The book’s foreword, written by the esteemed Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith (founder of Agape International and frequent guest of Oprah, Nelson Mandela, and the Dalai Lama), perfectly captures the book’s essence:

“Soften, and let this book’s tenderness flow into your heart.”

Try Softer is for anyone ready to release the inner struggle and begin living with more ease, clarity, and authenticity.

Sessions With Tom

“A therapy session with Tom is like having an honest sit-down with a caring friend. Tom is a true spirit and has the gift of the moment to channel insight and discovery into the issues of your life.” – M.C.

“His kindness, compassion, and sense of humor created a safe and comfortable space for me to open up. He skillfully helped me identify the root causes of my challenges and offered invaluable advice.” – E.T.

Tom Newnam’s clients and readers alike describe profound shifts after working with him—clarity, healing, self-acceptance, and a deeper connection with their purpose. His wisdom is not flashy or prescriptive. It’s gentle, loving, and rooted in the belief that the answers we seek are already within us.

“Tom helped me replace false and demeaning childhood beliefs with affirming truth. He introduced laughter and hope into times of depression…confidence into bouts of insecurity…and faith into areas of doubt.” – J.S.

“He doesn’t tell you what to think. Rather, he leads you to the questions that allow you to better understand what’s best for you.” – R.B.

Whether you meet Tom in a private session, through his writing, or simply in conversation, what you’ll encounter is someone who sees your soul and helps you see it, too. His way is not about fixing you—because you were never broken. His work is about guiding you back home to your own wisdom, gently reminding you that the truest guidance often comes as a whisper, not a shout.

As Tom beautifully puts it:

“The benefits from this kind of Soul Tune-up… happen very easily and naturally—just through some gentle introspection and thoughtful conversation and reflection. The result I most often hear from folks who have read Memo, is that they feel much more ‘aligned’ with their Heart, their Life Path and calling…or ‘Purpose.’”

We are so grateful for Tom’s continued presence in our community, and for the soulful clarity he brings to everything he touches. If you’ve never had the chance to experience his work, we encourage you to explore his writings or connect with him when the time is right. And if you’ve worked with Tom before, you already know the quiet magic he brings.

Thank you, Tom, for being a beacon of light and wisdom—for reminding us that we all have access to the answers, when we learn to listen.

At Firefly Hollow Holistic Wellness Tom Offers Holistic Counseling sessions!