Youth Ministry for the Longer Haul Podcast

Youth Ministry for the Longer Haul Podcast

Join Jody Livingston, a dedicated Student Pastor with boots-on-the-ground experience, as he guides both new and veteran Youth Ministry leaders toward sustainable success in The Longer Haul podcast. Whether you’re a Youth Pastor, Youth Minister, or a volunteer in Student Ministry, Jody delivers principle-based, practical advice that transcends the typical how-to’s. Each episode is packed with actionable insights to help you foster longevity in your ministry. Delve into topics that bolster your preaching, teaching, and leadership skills, learn to forge stronger partnerships with families, and discover the best practices for building cohesive Youth Ministry teams. Jody’s hands-on approach to ministry planning and management will provide you with scalable tools designed to amplify your influence on teens with the gospel. By focusing on the core principles that promote staying power, this podcast is your go-to resource for thriving in a Youth Group setting, no matter your level of experie

Episodes

TLH151: Burned Out After Summer Youth Ministry? Start Here

July 31, 2025 • 47 mins
In this episode, we dive into the crucial topic of rest and planning for youth pastors. As the summer winds down, many youth pastors find themselves exhausted from camps, mission trips, and events. Steve Cullum from the National Network of Youth Ministries joins the show as we explore strategies to transition smoothly into the school year. Discover practical insights on scheduling breaks, building supportive teams, and finding per...
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TLH150: What Youth Ministers Need to Last: The Story Behind Staying Power

July 10, 2025 • 62 mins
In this special 150th episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, Chris Trent returns to the show—but this time, he’s asking the questions. Chris interviews Jody Livingston about his new book, Staying Power: 10 Essentials for Longevity in Youth Ministry. Together, they talk about the heart behind the book, what led Jody to write it, and why staying in youth ministry is more possible—and more important—than ever. This convers...
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TLH149: Reaching Gen Z in a Post-Christian Culture

June 3, 2025 • 50 mins
In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, Jody is joined by RJ McCauley to talk about what it really takes to reach the next generation—and why calling students to more than just showing up matters now more than ever. RJ shares lessons from years in youth ministry and gives practical advice on connecting with Gen Z in meaningful ways. They discuss the importance of gospel clarity, the hunger students have for truth...
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TLH148: Navigating Change from the Second Chair with Jake Mulder

March 28, 2025 • 50 mins
In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, we're joined by Jake Mulder to discuss what it means to lead change in youth ministry—especially when you're not the lead pastor. We unpack practical ways for you to influence vision, build trust, and lead transitions well. What You’ll Learn: How to lead effectively when you’re not in charge Key principles for navigating change in youth ministry How to balance ...
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TLH147: What Every Youth Pastor Needs to Know About Middle Schoolers

January 30, 2025 • 45 mins
In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, Jody sits down with Ashley Bohinc, a leader with over 22 years of experience working with middle schoolers, to talk about how to communicate effectively with this unique age group. Middle schoolers aren’t just “younger high schoolers” or “older kids”—they require a specific approach to teaching, engaging, and discipling them well. Ashley shares key insights into breaking d...
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TLH146: Helping Parents Understand Today’s Youth Culture

January 23, 2025 • 54 mins
In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, Jody sits down with Walt Mueller, founder of the Center for Parent and Youth Understanding (CPYU), to discuss how youth pastors can better understand and respond to today’s rapidly changing youth culture. They explore the unique challenges students face, strategies for equipping parents, and how youth leaders can stay current without compromising biblical faithfulness. Wal...
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TLH145: The Challenges and Joys of Being a Volunteer Youth Minister

January 16, 2025 • 48 mins
In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Jody sits down with Ben Compton, a volunteer youth leader with nine years of experience building a thriving ministry while working full-time. Ben shares his journey of balancing work, family, and ministry, offering practical advice for volunteer leaders on how to manage time, recruit volunteers, and stay focused on discipleship. What you'll learn The unique challenges and...
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TLH144: Making Changes in Youth Ministry Without Getting Fired

January 9, 2025 • 21 mins
In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, we kick off 2025 with a practical episode on how to make changes in youth ministry—without getting fired. As youth ministers reflect on the past year and plan for the future, change often feels inevitable. But making changes can be tricky, especially when it comes to timing, communication, and managing resistance. I share actionable advice for identifying what needs to cha...
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TLH143: Staying the Course: Longevity and Mental Health in Ministry

December 19, 2024 • 53 mins
In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, Jody explores the crucial topic of mental health and longevity in youth ministry. Jeff Glenn, a veteran youth pastor with over 26 years of experience, shares in this episode practical ways to manage stress, avoid burnout, and thrive in ministry. What you'll learn: How to prioritize your spiritual and mental health for long-term success in ministry. The role of account...
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TLH142: Moving Students from Consumers to Disciples

December 12, 2024 • 59 mins
In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, Jody sits down with Dr. Dave Coryell to discuss his new book, Less Like Hippos, More Like Honeybees. They explore how to move students from passive consumers of faith to active participants who live for Christ every day. Dr. Coryell shares practical insights on empowering students, shifting the culture of youth ministry, and creating lasting spiritual impact. What you'll l...
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TLH141: 10 Common Youth Ministry Traps and How to Avoid Them

December 5, 2024 • 32 mins
In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, Jody explores 10 common youth ministry mistakes—and how to avoid them. These traps, from focusing too much on attendance to neglecting personal spiritual health, can hinder the growth and effectiveness of your youth group. Jody shares practical strategies to help youth pastors build sustainable ministries that thrive. What you'll learn: How to move from measuring attend...
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TLH140: Developing Student Leaders in Youth Ministry—Best Practices for Impact

November 21, 2024 • 53 mins
In this episode, Jody and Doug Franklin explore the intricacies of student leadership and the importance of developing leadership skills among youth. Doug shares his journey in youth ministry, emphasizing the need for leadership development resources and the significance of understanding each student's unique gifts and wiring. They discuss the process of leadership development, the role of empathy, and the common mistakes youth wo...
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Transcript

TLH139: AI Tools for Youth Pastors—What to Use and What to Avoid

November 14, 2024 • 48 mins
In this episode, Jody and Ryan Sebastian, from the Youth and Culture Podcast, discuss the intersection of AI and youth ministry, exploring how AI tools can enhance communication, streamline content creation, and improve overall ministry effectiveness. Ryan shares his journey in youth ministry, the challenges faced, and the innovative ways AI can be utilized to support youth pastors and church leaders. They delve into practical app...
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TLH138: Why Youth Ministry Coaching Could Be the Game-Changer You’re Looking For

November 7, 2024 • 52 mins
In this episode, Brian Wallace joins the show to explore how coaching sparks powerful conversations with teenagers. He highlights the vital role of the Holy Spirit in these interactions, guiding both youth leaders and teens to gain valuable insights and awareness. Brian also contrasts coaching with consulting and teaching, emphasizing how coaching fosters deeper, more meaningful connections with your students. LINKS MENTIONED: Na...
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Transcript

TLH137: Loneliness in Youth Ministry—Why So Many Feel Isolated and What to Do About It

October 31, 2024 • 53 mins
In this conversation, Jody and Zach Wyatt discuss the issue of loneliness in youth ministry and the importance of building community. They highlight the challenges faced by youth pastors and the need for support and connection. They provide practical steps for combating loneliness, such as networking with other youth pastors and finding local associations or denominations. They emphasize the importance of humility, intentionality, ...
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Transcript

TLH136: Finding and Landing a Youth Ministry Job

February 8, 2024 • 55 mins
Brian Aaby, a veteran youth ministry leader now working with Slingshot Group, joins the show today to talk all about finding and landing a youth ministry job. We give practical advice for youth leaders considering a change in ministry roles or transitioning into their first ministry role. Brian stresses the importance of networking, preparing well for interviews, volunteering, and staying involved in youth culture during job searc...
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TLH135: Essentials for Large Church Youth Ministry

February 1, 2024 • 46 mins
In this episode, Jody and Shay Osborne discuss the challenges and strategies for effective large church youth ministry. They provide practical insights and advice for navigating the unique dynamics of large church youth ministry. They cover the importance of community and building authentic relationships. Shay shares insights and personal experiences that highlight the benefits of being part of a supportive community. RESOURCES MEN...
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TLH134: Multi-Site Youth Ministry

January 25, 2024 • 50 mins
In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, Abram Haley joins Jody and they discuss the experiences, challenges, and benefits of working in a multi-campus youth ministry setting. Abram Haley joins us to discuss various topics, including communication challenges, managing teams, handling large-scale events, issues with volunteers and teams, and teaching methodologies. You'll also hear insights into the complexities in...
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TLH133: Navigating Bi-Vocational Youth Ministry

January 18, 2024 • 52 mins
In this episode of the Longer Haul in Youth Ministry, Tommy Burkhart joins Jody on the show to discuss their experiences and insights into working as bi-vocational youth pastors. They dive into the core challenges in bi-vocational youth ministry, such as time management, financial constraints, and balancing expectations. They also discuss the advantages such as developing practical life skills, building relationships outside the ...
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TLH132: Teens and Anxiety with Brock Morgan

October 19, 2023 • 51 mins
Welcome to a brand-new episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast! Today, we're diving deep into a critical part of youth ministry and addressing the pressing issue of anxiety among teens. Our guest, Brock Morgan, is here to share invaluable insights on this topic. You don't want to miss it! Brock, author of the book, "The Anxious Teen," has written an essential resource that's a must-have for anyone involved in youth mini...
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