In the acclimating transition, young adults learn to navigate the new environments, jobs, and communities that come with growing independence. Our young adult guests share how they balance the need for stability with the reality of constant change, and how moving can feel both exciting and unsettling.  We also discuss the importance of building support systems and finding community during these transitions, offering practical advice for young adults and those who support them on their...

During the self-caring transition, young adults learn to take charge of their mental and physical well-being. Our guests share stories about the ups and downs of setting boundaries, finding supportive communities, and figuring out what rhythms of self-care really look like. We also explore tips for how leaders can create spaces where young adults feel heard and supported on their self-care journey. Hosts: Roslyn Hernández, Steve Argue Sign up for our email list   Related FYI...

Let’s explore how young adults navigate their contributions to society, relationships, and faith. Listen in to hear about changing plans, the pressure of expectations, balancing aspirations with reality, finding meaning in work, and the importance of support systems during the contributing transition. Sign up for our email list Related FYI resources: Guide: 7 things you need to know for successful young adult ministry

This episode highlights the responsibility transition! Young adults shift from shared responsibility with adults to having more agency in their lives and relationships. We discuss personal maturity, marriage, social responsibility, and the importance of helping young adults in this transition as they contribute to their communities. Sign up for our email list Related FYI resources: Guide: 7 things you need to know for successful young adult ministry 

This episode unpacks young adults’ work of navigating the complexities of trust, connection, and boundaries in their relationships. We’ll also explore how youth leaders and mentors can provide guidance during this transition, helping young adults build meaningful, healthy relationships. Sign up for our email list Related FYI resources: How to be heard: A young adult’s guide to church leadership  

In this episode, you’ll hear about how young adults balance different parts of who they are, from internal identities like their faith, personal passions, and values to external identities like culture, socio-economic status, and even parenting. We’ll also discuss how youth leaders, mentors, and faith communities can support young adults during this critical time.  Sign up for our email list Related FYI resources: Guide: 7 things you need to know for successful young adult ministry 

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 experience in their twenties. Whether you’re a youth leader in your twenties, or you have students about to become young adults, this season is for you!    Sign up for our email list Free Resource: 7 things you need to know for successful young adult ministry Related FYI resources: Blog: Two mantras for young adult ministry now  

In this conversation with Jonathan Banks, Chief Operating Officer at Urban Outreach Foundation in Chicago, we explore the vital role of practicing faith with young people through service and leadership. Jonathan shares how to cultivate agency and ownership in young people’s faith journey. Guest(s): Jonathan Banks Hosts: Giovanni Panginda, Jen Bradbury Mentioned in this episode: Faith Beyond Youth Group UOF Financial Empowerment Course Sign up for our email list Related FYI resources: ...

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 consistency and closeness, and imparts practical strategies for nurturing connection—from active listening, to the power of meaningful one-on-one interactions, to engaging parents. Eric shares actionable advice for cultivating genuine relationships with young people. Mentioned in this episode: Faith Beyond Youth Group Just us 4 Youth T.R.E.E....

Join our conversation with Fredy Romero and Vanessa Cruz as we explore the vital topic of guiding teenagers through doubts and tough questions, what we call the meaning-making process. Fredy and Vanessa share tips on how youth leaders can create an environment where teenagers feel heard, respected, and empowered to explore their beliefs. Guest(s): Fredy Romero and Vanessa Cruz Hosts: Roslyn Hernández, Brad Griffin  Mentioned in this episode: Faith Beyond Youth Group Growing Young...

Are you questioning your teaching and discipleship strategies? Let’s explore ways to infuse Christian youth ministry teaching with transformative power that inspires teens to genuinely trust in God (not just follow rules). This rich conversation with, pastor and author Meredith Miller is full of wisdom, experience, laughter, and actionable insights to inspire your youth group lessons—and your students.  Mentioned in this episode: Faith Beyond Youth Group Meredith’s Book: Woven  Pedagogy...

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) shares how his team models growth for students. Listen for practical insights on how to be emotionally healthy youth leaders can help volunteers face the pressure to be perfect, and help students reflect on what they model for each other. Mentioned in this episode: Faith Beyond Youth Group http://www.emotionallyhealthy.org  Sign up for our...

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. In this episode the coauthors of FYI’s latest book Faith Beyond Youth Group, Jen Bradbury, Brad Griffin and Kara Powell, introduce us to the 5 points of the Faith Beyond Youth Group Compass.   Mentioned in this episode: Faith Beyond Youth Group   Sign up for our email list   Related FYI resources: Blog: Faith beyond youth group: A...

When students trust you, opportunities for discipleship will abound. Building trust requires relational consistency and proximity. So, tune in to hear about the practical steps you can take to cultivate the relational proximity needed to form trust with your students! Mentioned in this episode: Blog: Learning to listen to teenagers Sign up for our email list Related FYI resources: Blog: 5 ways you can nurture faith that goes beyond youth group Blog: Telling stories for...

Why are models important in character-forming discipleship? “The way we live our lives is the greatest sermon we will ever preach because our students are paying close attention to how we talk, what we share, how we react, and especially how we treat others.” In this episode, Giovanny Panginda shares how we can be models for our students and how we can help them find other healthy models.   Mentioned in this episode: Luke Burgis: What is Mimetic Desire?   Sign up for our email...

How can youth ministry leaders cultivate compassion and kinship in their youth ministry?  “What always works is not the hard message, but the care [people] feel immediately and the fact that they felt seen. You learn that lesson over and over again. Cherishing people is not hard.” Tune in to hear more of Father Greg Boyle’s story and practical wisdom!  Mentioned in this episode: Homeboy Industries A Good Man is Hard to Find Flannery O’Connor Father Greg’s books Sign up for ...

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 understand our calling from youth ministry “superstar” on the verge of burnout, to the ones charged to lead all adults in the church as they invest relationally in our teenagers. Mentioned in this episode: Sustainable Youth Ministry by Mark DeVries Adopted Church by Chap Clark SIGN UP FOR OUR EMAIL LIST Related FYI resources: ...

“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 can help change the script for young people grappling with anxiety.” In this episode, Rachel Dodd shares 4 hope-filled messages the church needs to tell today’s anxious young people. Mentioned in this episode: Lifeway Research: Suicide Remains a Taboo Topic at Churches Faith in an Anxious World Curriculum Youth Ministry and Mental Health Half-Day...

Teaching compassion to teens starts with being compassionate leaders. Tune in to hear Cameron Lee share practical strategies from biblically-informed psychology that will help you cultivate trust-filled discipleship and make a lasting impact in the lives of young people. Guest: Cameron Lee Hosts: Rachel Dodd, Roslyn Hernández Mentioned in this episode: Compassion Curriculum  The Fog Blog Dr. Kristin Neff on Self Compassion Book: Self Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to...

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 practical ideas from Soong-Chan Rah about how we can cultivate love and humility with teens in our youth ministry through the spiritual practice of lament.   Guest(s): Soong-Chan Rah Hosts: Chuck Hunt, Roslyn Hernández   Mentioned in this episode: Prophetic Lament: A Call for Justice in Troubled Times   Sign up for our email...

Elizabeth Conde-Frazier, Marcos Canales, and Elizabeth Tamez Méndez share stories, and practical wisdom on teaching teenagers about hope and perseverance. Your students face lots of challenges, and we know you and other caring adults in your ministry want to be there for them. Join this empowering conversation on cultivating hope and perseverance with your students.  Guest(s): Marcos Canales, Elizabeth Conde-Frazier, Elizabeth Tamez Méndez Hosts: Roslyn Hernández Mentioned in this...

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 racial justice. Join the conversation to get ideas about spiritual formation practices you can use to teach students in your youth ministry about forgiveness.   Guest(s): Dwight Radcliff Hosts: Roslyn Hernández, LaTasha Nesbitt   Mentioned in this episode: Article: Hip Hop Hermeneutic by Dr. Dwight Radcliff Video: Birmingham...

Listen as Rich Villodas shares thoughts and ideas on faith practices that can help support teens’ spiritual formation by cultivating humility in ourselves and our Gen Z students. Guest: Rich Villodas Hosts: Roslyn Hernández and Giovanni Panginda Mentioned in this episode: New Life Fellowship Humilitas by John Dickson Sign up for our email list Related FYI resources: Blog: Walk and pray in awe and wonder Blog: How can your church listen across generations

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. Hear how ministry leaders can safeguard discipleship and spiritual formation models from unintentionally causing harm, along with ways youth ministry can benefit from honoring and including families and cultures in our communities. Guest: Robert Chao Romero Hosts: Brad Griffin and Roslyn Hernández Mentioned in this episode: Brown Church by...