Youth Ministry Booster
Religion & Spirituality
About
Welcome to the Youth Ministry Booster podcast! The most honest and hilarious podcast in student ministry. Hosted by Zac Workun and Chad Higgins. We are the biggest fans of youth ministry leaders like you! We are here for you with the humor and the help to engage, entertain, equip, and encourage. Youth ministry is better together. Learn more @ http://www.youthministrybooster.com
Episodes
- The Great Commission for Gen Alpha: Go to the ends of the earth w/ Kyle Wiltshire
Send us Fan Mail And we're back! Back in Nashville that is! Zac and Chad sit down with Kyle Wilshire to talk about why youth ministry has to move past keeping students busy and doing and start forming students who go and live sent. We unpa…
- Youth Ministry Presence Over Hype w/ JP Black
Send us Fan Mail What actually makes a youth ministry fruitful ? Bigger crowds? Flashier events? Viral moments? In this episode Zac sits down with JP Black to wrestle honestly with those questions: presence, not popularity . From the momen…
- Gospel Centered Soul Care At Home For Youth Ministry w/ Dr. Randy Jackson
Send us Fan Mail When a student walked into the office during the pandemic asking whether his father would live long enough for a transplant, it exposed a gap many youth pastors feel but rarely name: we can teach Scripture and organize pro…
- Youth Ministry Volunteers Are Undefeated w/ Chad Daugherty
Send us Fan Mail Which snack would you like to popsicle? In this episode, Chad Daugherty joins Zac and the crew for a conversation that starts with dad-life fitness in the “llama lift lair” and ends with a practical blueprint for building…
- The Church Calendar, Don't Drown! Stop, Start, Change And Swim w/ Amanda Mejias
Send us Fan Mail What if your calendar didn’t own your ministry — but served it? Welcome to the podcast garage Amanda Mejias! Lifeway Specialist for Girls' Ministry and Women in Youth Ministry. Check this pastoral note: We to need to make…
- Youth Ministry Needs Sacred Rhythms For Real Students w/ Ribbin Dorado
Send us Fan Mail Trade the contemporary hype for a deep concern with holiness! What if your youth ministry felt unmistakably sacred and still radically welcoming ? In this episode of Youth Ministry Booster , Zac Workun sits down with Ribbi…
- Youth Ministry is still Awe-some w/ Joseph Kellogg
Send us Fan Mail Well well look who just sledded into town! Hi Joseph Kellogg! "Presence rises above parties every time." Joseph traces how one ordinary moment in a youth ministry service became a lifetime of discipling teenagers—with humi…
- Youth Ministry Meditations On Fatherhood, Failure, & Freedom w/ Wyatt Pennington
Send us Fan Mail New Year, New Episode. Welcome special guest Wyatt Pennington everybody! A new father, emerging and awesome youth ministry leader Wyatt walks us through a practical reframe: treat parents as partners, not an inbox. He deta…
- Homegrown Youth Ministry: Why Sustainable Ministry Beats Hype with Jonathan Kornelsen
Send us Fan Mail Want a youth ministry that outlasts the hype cycle and survives staff turnover without losing momentum? Oh for sure, eh! This week's conversation with Canadian veteran youth pastor Jonathan Kornelsen dives into the shift f…
- Youth Ministry Trends 2026: Predicting Win Lose Meme
Send us Fan Mail Cleaner, Braver, More Effective: Youth Ministry in 2026 In this episode of Youth Ministry Booster , Zac and Chad lay our cards on the table, personal stakes, ministry wins we’re chasing, habits we’re cutting, and the simpl…
- Merry Christmas Adam & Eve Everyone! Youth Ministry's Gift of Presence
Send us Fan Mail Merry Christmas Adam & Eve everyone! The holiday calendar swirls, the phone notification buzzes, and suddenly December is deciding everything for you. We pressed pause to talk about the real pressure of ministering well at…
- Multicultural Student Ministry
Send us Fan Mail understand your words. We sat down with the Champion Forest student team to unpack how a “one church, two languages” model becomes one student ministry that actually belongs to everyone. If your context includes Spanish-sp…
- Lessons For First Year Youth Ministers
Send us Fan Mail What if the fastest way to build a strong student ministry isn’t a bigger stage, but a crowded living room? We pull back the curtain on our biggest do-overs: why we’d start with relationships, not programs; why a right-siz…
- Ten Years, Still Showing Up For Youth Ministry Games & Taco Bell
Send us Fan Mail Ten years in and we’re still showing up, still laughing about late-night Taco Bell runs, and still fighting for youth pastors to feel seen on that drive home after midweek. We rewind to the After Nine roots—two friends com…
- Don't Panic! Setting Better Goals in Youth Ministry
Send us Fan Mail 🔥 Feel like you need to throw a last-minute mega event to fix that attendance dip? You’re not alone—but there’s a better way. This week, Chad and Zac kick things off with a hilarious misheard small group moment 😂 and div…
- Rethinking How Students Actually Learn in Youth Ministry *Also They Sniff Deodorant*
Send us Fan Mail Hey buddy... Are your teaching methods actually connecting with how today's students learn? I mean they love Roblox, Minecraft, and Cedarwood Scents. In this conversation, Chad and Zac challenge youth ministry leaders to m…
- Growing Youth Ministry: The Power of Story
Send us Fan Mail "It's all about the numbers." Ever feel like your ministry's is trapped by attendance numbers? What if the most powerful metric isn't quantitative at all? The stories unfolding in your student ministry reveal far more abou…
- The Youth Ministry Meeting Makeover w/ Kate Downing
Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered if there's a way to make meetings less painful and more productive? Kate Downing pulls back the curtain on what makes ministry team gatherings work—or fail spectacularly. Returning guest Kate Downing shares p…
- Timeless Jesus In Strange Times w/ Shane Pruitt
Send us Fan Mail Broncos, Gameboys, Doves... er uh Pigeons? Join Zac for an interview with Shane Pruitt. As they discuss how our culture has shifted to embracing a distorted version of a personalized Jesus while rejecting biblical authorit…
- Why Youth Ministers Quit and How to Stay: Staying Power w/ Jody Livingston
Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered why it seems so many youth ministers quit or leave around the three-year mark? In this candid conversation with longtime youth ministry veteran and author Jody Livingston, we talk the secret to youth…
- Relational Youth Ministry: Why The Connections Matter More Than Programs w/ Jay Winn
Send us Fan Mail Jay Winn shares how his youth ministry at Riverpoint Church is shifting toward a more relational approach in response to changing student needs. Despite having fewer resources following leadership transitions, Jay is findi…
- Invite Culture: When Youth Ministry Looks Life Life Change w/ Alleigh Jezek
Send us Fan Mail Alleigh Jezek shares how she revitalized a youth ministry by creating an inviting atmosphere, multiplying small groups, and building an authentic community where students feel empowered to lead and invite friends. 🧠 IN TH…
- Youth Ministry Work, The Summer Slump, And Preparing For Fall
Send us Fan Mail The hype of camp is fading. The smell of leftover sunscreen and emotional debriefs still lingers. But now it’s time to face the real ministry question: What’s next? In this episode, Chad and Zac unpack the sneaky shift fro…
- Youth Ministry Camp Brain, Binders, & the Post-Camp Blues
Send us Fan Mail The emotional marathon of summer camp affects every youth minister differently. Whether you're riding high on spiritual victories, nursing wounds from what felt like failure, or simply exhausted beyond words, this episode…
- Write It Down | Faith & Fear In Youth Ministry Leadership w/ Kate Downing
Send us Fan Mail Kate Downing joins us to discuss her new Bible study "Fighting With Fear" and shares profound insights about the theological significance of fear in ministry leadership and decision-making. • Fear itself isn't bad—we were…
- Navigating Youth Culture in the Digital Age w/ Walt Mueller
Send us Fan Mail Youth Ministry.. it ain't what it used to be! The digital revolution has transformed youth ministry into uncharted territory, creating what seasoned experts are calling "a perfect storm" of challenges for today's teenagers…
- Youth Ministry: Fight Burnout; Finding Expectancy w/ Jameson Barker
Send us Fan Mail If you're experiencing ministry burnout or feeling your passion fading, establish accountability with someone who knows you well enough to speak truth when you're drifting, and intentionally surround yourself with those ne…
- How to Thrive as a New Youth Minister w/ Miguel Adesokan
Send us Fan Mail What's it like to be new? Feel like you are the only one? Welp you are not! There is a growing trend of folks leading youth ministry that are 1. new to the role 2. home grown from the church where they attend. In this epis…
- Embracing the Call to Youth Ministry w/ Mariano Sarabia
Send us Fan Mail What happens when a vibrant young leader embraces his calling in the unpredictable setting of youth ministry? Special Guest Alert: Mariano Sarabia This episode explores the path of youth ministry through the experience of…
- Redefining Youth Ministry: Rethink Discipleship & Strengthen Parent Ministry
Send us Fan Mail Could You Survive the 1800s? The password is Clifford the Big Red Dog. Could you hack it in the 1800s armed only with modern knowledge? Wild question, right? Zac and Chad wrote a book! This episode kicks off with some fun,…
- Mentorship and Youth Ministry: Why We Need More *Tough Love w/ Daniel Kim
Send us Fan Mail Youth ministry is relational work. The work isn't not quality time but quality time. Relationships that are growing are resilient. 🚨SPECIAL GUEST ALERT Daniel Kim dkim@gospelife.com Daniel__Tokyo Youth ministry flourishes…
- Youth Ministry Strategy For Pastoral Care: Nicknames to Notebird w/ Taylor Doe
Send us Fan Mail This episode explores the significance of building authentic relationships in youth ministry while challenging traditional metrics of success. T-doe shares his personal experiences, from grassroots initiatives like Fast Fo…
- Thriving in Youth Ministry: Leadership, Community, and Overcoming Challenges with Ian Dunaway
Send us Fan Mail You can't quite make it on your own! This episode focuses on the essential characteristics of effective youth ministry, emphasizing the need for community, accountability, and ongoing development of leaders. Zac and guest…
- 5 Wishes For Youth Ministry Magic In 2025
Send us Fan Mail If there is a ministry genie that can grant wishes then here are our 5 for 2025! Happy New Year's episode everyone! This week we explore how to shape youth ministry in 2025, emphasizing relational connections, purposeful e…
- Tradition, Transformation, and Timeless Youth Ministry Wisdom
Send us Fan Mail Picture this: a repaired wise man figurine named King Christmas, hidden for joyous family fun and stories of Christmas Eve steak dinners at Longhorn. These are just a few of the festive gems shared by our guests Chris Tren…
- Setting Up Your Future Youth Ministry Self w/ Kevin Libick
Send us Fan Mail Remember a time when cell phones were a novelty and social media was just a distant dream? *Special Guest Alert Kevin Libick* This episode is a nostalgic rewind featuring a seasoned ministry leader who’s been on the front…
- The Power of Presence in Youth Ministry: Streets to Sanctuary w/ Jose Rodriguez
Send us Fan Mail What if the most challenging parts of your past could fuel a transformative future? What if your toughest challenges could become your greatest ministry? In this episode, we reconnect with our friend Jose Rodriguez from Tu…
- Youth Ministry Is NextGen: Building Bridges w/ TJ Scrapper
Send us Fan Mail 20 years in and still learning new things! 🎧 Special Guest Alert: TJ Scrapper from Tahlequah, Oklahoma, who has dedicated two decades to guiding young people through their spiritual journeys. 🎙️ Youth Ministry In A New E…
- Youth Ministry: Superheroes, Sports Teams, Spiritual Gyms, Sprouting Discipleship & Real Talk
Send us Fan Mail 🎉 Let's kick it! Join us and our good buddy Cameron! as we dive into a fun fall episode. Do you ever wondered what happens when a Christmas game goes hilariously off the rails? Or how much leadership is a team sport? This…
- How To Teach the Bible (Teacher's Version) w/ Karen Workun
Send us Fan Mail But how do you teach the Bible? So that students will learn? Special Guest Alert: Karen Workun! In this engaging episode Zac Workun and his guest Karen Workun dive deep into effective strategies for teaching scriptural tex…
- Youth Ministry Care & Catchphrase, Chad's Back!
Send us Fan Mail Catchphrase... the things we tell ourselves (and others) *Chad's Back!* Join us as we share laughs and insights on relationship, care, and catchphrase. We also touch on the balancing act between Chad’s new responsibilities…
- Wrestling With Youth Ministry In Context w/ Zach Burke
Send us Fan Mail Coming to you live *Special Guest Alert* Join us in the ETCH podcast ring with Zach Burke! The heart of the conversation lies the exploration of ministry across contexts from Kentucky, to Tennessee, to Florida. Zac and Zac…
- The Joy of Middle School Ministry w/ Chad Daugherty
Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered about the coolness of names from different languages? Join us for a lighthearted chat with Chad Daugherty from Pensacola, Florida, as he shares his love and experiences in middle school ministry. As we bond o…
- Youth Ministry Mentorship & Beard Tips w/ Jacob Dunn
Send us Fan Mail What if your life took an unexpected turn, leading you from a planned career in medicine to a rewarding path in ministry? From career work to calling? Special guest alert! This week Jacob Dunn, family pastor at Valley Cree…
- Youth Ministry Teamwork Makes The Dream Work w/ Daryn J Fox
Send us Fan Mail Who is your friend that autocorrect can't figure out how to spell their name? Our special guest this week is Daryn Fox and she will have you in stitches! Join us for this week's heartfelt episode with amusing stories and D…
- What Is Relational Discipleship? w/ Christian Moore
Send us Fan Mail Wait Chad Higgins is a verb now? In this episode, we're excited to welcome Christian Moore to the garage floor! Join us for a fun and lighthearted conversation where we imagine Chad Higgins' latest adventures—most likely c…
- Hospitality And Youth Ministry That Lasts w/ Britton Bishop
Send us Fan Mail But seriously... what is your go to Chili's triple dipper Hey friends meet our new friend Britton Bishop.Britton and Zac share personal stories emphasizing how important small, faithful acts shape future leaders. We discus…
- Youth Ministry & Preaching Today w/ Anthony Vargas
Send us Fan Mail What can football teach us about youth ministry and preaching? "What can football teach us about youth ministry and preaching? In this episode, we dive deep with Anthony Vargas as he shares his journey from Mississippi to…
- Wisdom of the Why Amidst Transitions in Youth Ministry w/ Amanda Mejias
Send us Fan Mail What happens when a dedicated youth ministry leader steps into a new role amidst organizational upheaval? Amanda Mejias shares her ministry journey from organizing recreation basketball leagues and fitness programs at her…
- Campus Youth Ministry, Or How To Grow Beyond Church w/ Micah Lynn
Send us Fan Mail What do you get when you combine a love for coffee, tacos, and the rising cultural trend of YouTube golf? You get Micah Lynn. Micah Lynn is a second generation minister, growing up as a pastor's kid in Texas and then growi…