Do you ever struggle to ask good processing questions with teens? In this episode Paul, Rachel, and special guest Charlie Hardesty from the Diocese of Owensboro, break down what it looks like to engage with teens and ask better questions. ...

Intro Slice (0:48)Hiring a YM is Tough (1:53)Decide What You NEED and is Possible with Your Resources (4:47)There are a lot of things you may want in a YM, but you need to decide what you need first....

Budgets are an important part of ministry and the work we do for the Church. In this episode, the Pizza and Side Hugs team breaks open budgeting and the ways that it can be an asset to you. Intro Slice (0:50)A Bette...

So you've asked your people and gotten a team together, but you may be wondering what it looks like to lead them in a positive and formational way. In this episode, the Pizza and Side Hugs crew jumps into what it looks like to lead a team well ...

We know it's only February...but it's time to start talking about NCYC! Once again, Indianapolis will be the host city for NCYC 2025, November 20-22nd. Whether you are a new youth minister or have been to NCYC dozens of times, this episode will...

Are you filled with gratitude for the people around you but not sure how to let them know that you appreciate all that they do to help? Look no further than this week's podcast episode to learn how to thank the people in your ministry that you ...

Welcome to Season 5! There are a lot of different facets when thinking about mental health in youth ministry, and it can be an overwhelming topic to try to cover in ministry. In this episode, the team talks about 3 different...

Liturgical living can and should be a huge part of of our Catholic faith, but it can be daunting to know where to start. In this SLICE the team breaks open simple ways to start liturgical living in ministry.

We think it's fair to say that we've all been there...you have a heart for ministry and are excited to serve the young people in the parish, but you can't seem to get them to show up. In this episode, the Pizza and Side Hugs team shares some st...

All good things must come to an end, which means that eventually students leave our youth ministry program. The first semester out of high school is a big transition as students begin college, working, a gap year, or esthetician school. In this...

Let's talk about fundraising! In this slice, the team talks about the joys and struggles of fundraising. For most people, it can be a bit of a thorn in our side, but there are ways to make it better! Listen in to get some ideas on how revamp yo...

Putting on big events can be daunting, but sometimes even more daunting is the "what next?" conversation. In this episode, the Pizza and Side Hugs team talks about what it looks like to follow up after an encounter. Big Pict...

Do you ever find yourself wondering what you should have in your back pocket as a youth minister? In this episode, the team begins to scratch the surface with items that are helpful to carry with you as a youth minister. Promises f...

So you wanna take your youth group on a trip this summer...awesome! Summer trips can be a huge undertaking and cause some stress, so in this slice, the team covers some helpful tips and tricks for easing the worry that comes with summer trips. ...

Are you trying to figure out how to empower the teens in your youth ministry program more? You might be asking questions like "How can I form youth leaders?" or "What does solid youth leadership look like?" These are great questions and one tha...

In this episode, the team tackles what it looks like to onboard volunteers. You may have the commitment that people are willing to volunteer, but now you might be thinking "what next?". Learn about getting your volunteers plugged in and rolling...

In this week's episode, the Pizza and Side Hugs team covers parent meetings. You may have some questions about what it can look like to run a successful parent meeting, how to take first steps in building a relationship to be able to partner wi...

Ever wondered what an out of the park kick-off event could look like? Look no further! The Pizza and Side Hugs team is coming in this week with all the ideas when it comes to a Kick-Off Launch. Intro (0:15)  W...

Calendar Pro TipsSeason 4, Episode 10Around the Horn (0:45) When do you put out a calendar? (1:37)Design (8:12) Calendar Consistency/Rhythms of Calendaring (10:05)Sanity Check/...

So You’re a New Youth MinisterSeason 4, Episode 5Intro (0:13) What’s a Mistake You Made Early on in Youth Ministry? (5:15)Big Picture: You Chose an Incredible Job (3:30)...

Diverse TeamsSeason 4, Episode 4.5In our last podcast, we talked about the principles for recruiting a great ministry team. These adults will be core to your mission. One thing we touched on briefly was the need for “the ri...

Recruiting a TeamSeason 4, Episode 4Intro (0:05) Big Picture: We Need a Team for Good Ministry (1:30)Recruiting (9:33) Church volunteer recruiting vs. Notre Dame football ...

Clear Labels, Full Bellies, Can’t LoseSeason 4, Episode 3.5There are two things that are absolutely essential to nearly ever youth ministry gathering: 1. Prayer. 2. Food. (1:00)Maslow’s Hierarchy (1:57)...

Evaluating a Youth Ministry YearSeason 4, Episode 3Intro (0:20) What is Feedback You’ve Received in YM That You’ll Never Forget? (1:45)Big Picture: What’s the Purpose of Evaluating...

Conference RankingsSeason 4, Episode 2.5 - A SliceWhy you should go to a Youth Minister Conference(0:35)Our top 3 youth ministry conference or professional development opportunities: (4:15)Conference Li...