The FYI on Youth Ministry Podcast

Episode 5 / Feb 26, 2025

Cultivate leadership wellbeing! Let’s explore personal practices that can sustain youth leaders for the long haul. In this episode, we break down...

Episode 4 / Feb 12, 2025

Feeling the weight of ministry stress? According to youth leaders, prayer is the top go-to spiritual practice to help prevent burnout.This 5-minute...

Episode 3 / Feb 12, 2025

Feeling the weight of ministry stress? According to youth leaders, prayer and spending time outdoors are some of the top go-to spiritual practices...

Episode 2 / Jan 29, 2025

How can social support help you avoid youth ministry burnout? Let’s dive into the power of relationships, community, mentorship, and boundaries in...

Episode 1 / Jan 15, 2025

Youth ministry burnout is real! In this episode, LaTasha Nesbitt and Roslyn Hernández unpack FYI’s latest research on why so many youth leaders...

Episode 8 / Nov 27, 2024

How do young adults make sense of their world? In this episode, we explore the meaning-making transition, diving into the personal faith journeys...

Episode 7 / Nov 13, 2024

In the acclimating transition, young adults learn to navigate the new environments, jobs, and communities that come with growing independence. Our...

Episode 6 / Oct 30, 2024

During the self-caring transition, young adults learn to take charge of their mental and physical well-being. Our guests share stories about the...

Episode 5 / Oct 16, 2024

Let’s explore how young adults navigate their contributions to society, relationships, and faith. Listen in to hear about changing plans, the...

Episode 4 / Oct 2, 2024

This episode highlights the responsibility transition! Young adults shift from shared responsibility with adults to having more agency in their...

Episode 3 / Sep 18, 2024

This episode unpacks young adults’ work of navigating the complexities of trust, connection, and boundaries in their relationships. We also explore...

Episode 2 / Aug 28, 2024

In this episode, you’ll hear about how young adults balance different parts of who they are, from internal identities like their faith, personal...

Episode 1 / Aug 14, 2024

The tenth season of The FYI on Youth Ministry is all about young adults! In this episode, we introduce you to the 7 transitions young adults...

Episode 6 / Apr 17, 2024

In this conversation with Jonathan Banks, Chief Operating Officer at Urban Outreach Foundation in Chicago, we explore the vital role of practicing...

Episode 5 / Apr 3, 2024

Join us as Eric Vasquez, the visionary founder of Just Us 4 Youth, delves into how to build trust with teenagers. Eric underscores the role of...

Episode 4 / Mar 13, 2024

Join our conversation with Fredy Romero and Vanessa Cruz as we explore the vital topic of guiding teenagers through doubts and tough questions,...

Episode 3 / Feb 28, 2024

Are you questioning your teaching and discipleship strategies? Let’s explore ways to infuse Christian youth ministry teaching with transformative...

Episode 2 / Feb 14, 2024

As youth leaders, the example we set extends beyond the youth group. In this episode, Matt Manno (Nextgen Pastor at New Life Fellowship in Queens)...

Episode 1 / Jan 31, 2024

Welcome back to a new season! In Season 9 we’re talking about discipleship to cultivate a faith in our students that goes beyond the youth group....

Episode 5 / Nov 29, 2023

When students trust you, opportunities for discipleship will abound. Building trust requires relational consistency and proximity. So, tune in to...

Episode 4 / Nov 1, 2023

Why are models important in character-forming discipleship? “The way we live our lives is the greatest sermon we will ever preach because our...

Episode 3 / Oct 18, 2023

How can youth ministry leaders cultivate compassion and kinship in their youth ministry? “What always works is not the hard message, but the care...

Episode 2 / Oct 4, 2023

What is the role of a youth leader? What are the qualities of a good youth leader? Andy Jung shares 4 ways youth leaders can change the way we...

Episode 1 / Sep 12, 2023

“Google the words “Anxiety is like,” and you’ll be shocked by the number of comparisons and descriptions you’ll find … As the Body of Christ, we...

Episode 3 / Aug 16, 2023

Teaching compassion to teens starts with being compassionate leaders. Tune in to hear Cameron Lee share practical strategies from...

Episode 2 / Aug 2, 2023

What’s love and humility got to do with lament? More than we might initially imagine! In this conversation, you’ll hear insight, stories, and...

Episode 1 / Jul 5, 2023

Elizabeth Conde-Frazier, Marcos Canales, and Elizabeth Tamez Méndez share stories, and practical wisdom on teaching teenagers about hope and...

Episode 4 / Apr 20, 2023

Rev. Dr. Dwight Radcliff talks with us about the prophetic truth-telling power of hip hop and its importance to the process of forgiveness and...

Episode 3 / Mar 23, 2023

Listen as Rich Villodas shares thoughts and ideas on faith practices that can help support teens’ spiritual formation by cultivating humility in...

Episode 2 / Mar 8, 2023

Robert Chao Romero talks with us about the historical oppression BIPOC have experienced in the U.S. in the name of character and virtue education....

Episode 1 / Feb 22, 2023

As youth leaders, we all want to disciple our students to be more Christ-like but resources on discipling for character development are scarce....

Episode 6 / Nov 16, 2022

In this episode, Giovanny Panginda and Roslyn Hernández talk with Kevin Wilson about the intersections between immigration experiences and faith....

Episode 5 / Nov 2, 2022

In this episode, Osheta Moore and hosts Roslyn Hernández and Gio Panginda talk about the importance of youth ministry ­curriculum that represents...

Episode 4 / Oct 19, 2022

Students today are thinking about and have been affected by recent and historical racial violence. In this roundtable discussion we discuss recent...

Episode 3 / Oct 7, 2022

How can you support your students’ antiracism participation? Guests Dr. Alma Zaragoza-Petty and Propaganda share insights from their own antiracism...

Episode 2 / Sep 23, 2022

This season we are talking about how to have conversations about race and ethnicity with your students and other adults. In this episode, authors...

Episode 1 / Sep 14, 2022

Have you wondered about how to talk about race with middle school and high school students? Maybe you have questions about how to have...

Episode 7 / May 25, 2022

In this season finale, our guest Dr. David Wang shares important and practical insight on trauma-informed ministry. Tune in to learn how youth...

Episode 6 / May 11, 2022

In this episode co-hosts Jennifer Guerra Aldana and Brad Griffin have an honest and helpful conversation with Dr. Joyce del Rosario about the...

Episode 5 / Apr 20, 2022

Does it feel like you’re on the edge of burnout? The ongoing crises of the pandemic have made it harder to recover from difficulties in life and...

Episode 4 / Mar 16, 2022

Spending time in God’s presence and experiencing awe can be a life-giving spiritual practice to cultivate. In this episode Giovanny Panginda and...

Episode 3 / Mar 3, 2022

It’s been a really tough couple of years in ministry. Are you feeling overwhelmed—and maybe even a little guilty about broken relationships with...

Episode 2 / Feb 16, 2022

Sustainability in youth ministry requires us to adapt our self-care in response to change. So many things can change in life, and so much has...

Episode 1 / Feb 2, 2022

Youth leaders, this season we are making it all about you! We know you pour out your energy and care for your students so much, and we want to help...

Episode 7 / Dec 20, 2021

We asked the FYI team to reflect on the challenges and hopes they heard from youth leaders all over the nation and experienced themselves. Join us...

Episode 5 / Oct 13, 2021

Three researchers from our Living a Better Story project, Jennifer Guerra Aldana, Jane Hong-Guzman De Leon, and Andy Jung share what they learned...

Episode 4 / Sep 29, 2021

Thinking about purpose may bring anxiety for some of your students—maybe because culture often focuses on purpose as a destination or vocation. But...

Episode 3 / Sep 15, 2021

Showing your students that they belong may bring some awkward moments, but it can become something deeply meaningful and fun! This practical...

Episode 2 / Sep 1, 2021

Your students’ realities and histories influence their identity. In this conversation Kat Armas talks with our hosts, Jennifer Guerra Aldana and...

Episode 1 / Aug 19, 2021

This season we’re talking about teens’ questions of identity, belonging, and purpose. Hosts Jennifer Guerra Aldana and Giovanny Panginda talk with...

Episode 6 / Mar 25, 2021

Disruption in youth ministry may take the form of job changes, tragedies in a congregation or community, or as we’ve all learned, even a pandemic....

Episode 5 / Mar 4, 2021

When youth leaders courageously share a new idea, it can be disheartening to be met with resistance or indifference. Jake Mulder shares perspective...

Episode 4 / Feb 25, 2021

Church traditions can be a foundation for great innovation. Rev. Teesha Hadra shares stories about how she learned to see tradition as an...

Episode 3 / Feb 18, 2021

Abigail Visco Rusert shares the surprising connection between joy and innovation, and explores the ways failure can help move us forward. Hosted by...

Episode 2 / Feb 11, 2021

Collaboration can bring creativity and diverse perspectives, but it can also be a bit of a challenge. Dr. Yulee Lee explains why and shares 4...

Episode 1 / Feb 3, 2021

This season explores innovation: what it is, how to do it, and why it’s vital for your youth ministry. Hosts Dr. Steve Argue and Giovanny Panginda...

Episode 13 / Nov 5, 2020

Hosts Roslyn Hernández and Aaron Yenney continue the conversation with Jennifer Guerra Aldana about multicultural youth ministry. Jenn reflects on...

Episode 12 / Oct 28, 2020

In this episode hosts Roslyn Hernández and Aaron Yenney talk with Jennifer Guerra-Aldana, Manager of Multicultural Initiatives at the Fuller Youth...

Episode 11 / Oct 22, 2020

Hosts Ahren Samuel and Kat Armas talk with Chuck Hunt, Pastor of Family Ministries. Chuck shares practical ideas for connecting with adults within...

Episode 10 / Oct 15, 2020

Hosts Jennifer Guerra-Aldana and Aaron Yenney talk with Dr. Steve Argue about investing in young adults for the kingdom. This episode is packed...

Episode 9 / Oct 7, 2020

Hosts Giovanny Panginda and Jane Hong-Guzman de Leon talk with Dr. Scott Cormode about how to listen well and be the bridge to help church leaders...

Episode 8 / Sep 30, 2020

Hosts Giovanny Panginda and Roslyn Hernández talk with Adult Ministries + Teaching Pastor Matthew Deprez about intergenerational ministry. Through...

Episode 7 / Sep 23, 2020

Hosts Jennifer Guerra-Aldana and Aaron Yenney talk with Dr. Kara Powell about partnering with parents in your youth ministry. Kara shares lots of...

Episode 6 / Sep 16, 2020

Hosts Giovanny Panginda and Jane Hong-Guzman de Leon talk with Dr. Scott Cormode about Christian leadership, the power of listening, and how we can...

Episode 5 / Sep 9, 2020

Hosts Kat Armas and Ahren Samuel from FYI talk with Chuck Hunt, Pastor of Family Ministries. Chuck talks about caring for volunteers, empowering...

Episode 4 / Sep 2, 2020

In the second part of our interview with Aaron Rosales, hosts Roslyn Hernández and Giovanny Panginda continue the conversation on the impact of...

Episode 3 / Aug 26, 2020

Hosts Roslyn Hernández and Giovanny Panginda talk with Aaron Rosales about why social distancing presents special challenges for teenagers. Human...

Episode 2 / Aug 20, 2020

Hosts Ahren Samuel and Giovanny Panginda talk with Brad Griffin about engaging students in meaningful ways through keychain leadership. Brad talks...

Episode 1 / Aug 12, 2020

In this episode, hosts Roslyn Hernández and Giovanny Panginda talk with Dr. Kara Powell about self-care practices for youth leaders. Kara opens up...