Embrace the Awkward Podcast

In todays episode, Kyle and DJ talk about 20 ways that you can use AI to help save you time and energy. The reality is, there are endless ways to use AI, and even though this list is aimed towards youth ministry, we'd love to hear how you use AI in your daily life!

In part two of this episode, Kyle and DJ talk through some of the concerns and questions the church may have about AI. Be sure to listen to upcoming episodes to find more ways on how to use AI every day!

We are living in an artificial world... okay, maybe it's not that deep. AI has taken over our world almost over night. In this episode, Kyle and DJ dig in to the theology of AI, and over the next few episodes we will talk about AI and how you can use it for ministry!

You know the drill, Tips and Tricks! Join us for episode 70 where Kyle and DJ share their favorite ice breaker activities that you can use any time to break the awkward barriers for students!

Small groups can be awkward, and it can be truly difficult to keep students engaged. In this episode, Kyle and DJ share some tried and true tips and tricks for keeping students engaged in small groups. 

Let's face it. Small groups can be pretty tough. Sometimes it can seem like no-one is listen... or maybe worse, they just don't like you. MOST OF THE TIME, these things aren't true. But you don't have lead small groups with students long before you face your own potential horror story. In this episode, DJ and Kyle share a few of their horror stories from over the years; some more minor, some... well, you'll hear for yourself. 

A new app has swept the nation! Here's what you need to know. Join Kyle and DJ as they give REAL advice about the new app BeReal!

Social media is an incredible tool, but if we are being honest, we wish our socials were better. Even if you only have instagram, it is worth evaluating, and in this episode, we help you not only start to evaluate how your social media is doing, but we also give some tips and tricks on how to have a better social media for your ministry!

DJ is finally married and he is now completely without excuses to post episodes! We're kicking off the return to our "every other week" programming, we're sharing our 2023 predictions! Now that we are half way through the year, we want to know, do you see these things playing out in your world? What trends are you seeing? Let us know on our instagram!

Are games going away in youth ministry? In recent years, playing games has fallen under controversy. Should you still be playing games and having a fun loaded youth ministry? Kyle and DJ address the topic head on in this episode. What do you think? Let us know on our instagram at @theetapodcast!

Yet another installment of the official award book club, where Kyle and DJ review outdated ministry books. Todays episode features a very special type of paper use on overhead projectors.. what ever those are...

In the last episode, Kyle interviewed DJ about his new job and about his process of leaving his last church. In this episode, DJ and Kyle give practice tips and tricks to help you handle the awkward season of a job transition well!

Unless you stay at the same church your whole life you will be leaving your ministry most likely several times.  So we wanted to take the time to help youth workers leave well.  We don't always plan on when we leave. Sometimes things are out of our control. But we can control how we leave.  This multi-episode will deal with how to leave so it's best for everyone.  

Why are youth workers leaving so fast? No career choice is immune to the great resignation. In this three part series, Kyle and DJ talk about why youth workers are leaving, how to leave well, and some big news from DJ! God will never leave you nor forsake you, but your youth pastor?  They'll  be gone before you graduate.  

Social media has given us a great way to check out influencers from all over the world. Kyle and DJ love following all types of ministry and organization leaders. This is our 10 must follow list for this season! Who do you follow that you love?

In this episode, DJ and Kyle interview their 2022 summer interns and play a few games to see if they REALLY have the youth ministry it factor. Listen to hear about their perspective of their internship opportunity, the good and bad!

Its a spooky scary episode, so we're telling some haunt-free stories from our storied past in youth ministry. What crazy stories do you have?

We all miss church camp. AND, we all wish we could live on the mountaintop experience that camp is for so many.  Even though we can't, we can learn how to follow up on the camp high and maximize the ways God moved in our students!

In this awkward book club (our third!) DJ and Kyle review some *spicy* books that are past their time. What kind of advice did they find?

In this episode, DJ and Kyle share advice on how to start a TikTok account for your youth ministry! TikTok is quickly on it's way to becoming the largest social media app available, and like many apps, it can be a GREAT tool for your ministry. What TikTok dance should Kyle learn and post? Let us know on our instagram at @theetapodcast!

CAMP SEASON IS UPON US! Kyle and DJ just finished up camp season. As you know, one of the hardest things can be getting people to sign up! In this episode, DJ and Kyle talk about how to promote for camps well without being totally overbearing! 

Sorry for the long wait! Camp season was crazy! We just don't know what you would do without us though, so we're back to it! In this episode, Kyle and DJ talk about 20 words you should STOP using in your ministry. These aren't necessary profane words, but some are a little outdated. What do you think? Agree? Disagree? Let us know on our instagram at @theetapodcast!

Welcome to part 2! Did you know we're running an insane contest on our instagram? Go check it out immediately! In the last episode, Kyle and DJ talked about how to evaluate whether or not you might need a new name or logo. Today, Kyle shares his battle tested plan for changing the name of a youth ministry. 

In this episode, Kyle and DJ talk about how to assess if your ministry needs a new name, or maybe its time for a new logo! Acronyms, while a youth workers best friend, are outdated. So where do we go from here? What if you decide you need a new logo or name? We want to help you out! We are offering a chance to have your name and logo PROFESSIONALLY rebranded for FREE! Listen to this episode and the next for entry details.

In this episode, DJ and Kyle share their top ten list of mistakes we often make when giving an illustration. We all know illustrations can be powerful, and we want to help you maximize the moment by giving some practical tips and tricks to make your illustrations hit!

ALT NAME: How to not look like an idiot. Jk, but really. Nothing erodes trust in church leadership more, other than sin, than blowing your budget. In this episode, we address some tips and tricks to running and maintaining a youth ministry budget, 

At the end of the year, every youth worker must answer to the question of "Why do you need so much money? For pizza?" In this episode, Kyle and DJ share some of their tips and tricks for creating a healthy youth ministry budget. Grab your pens and your calculator!

Kyle and DJ give 30 quick tips to one of the most difficult problems in youth ministry, getting your students to talk! Let us know what tips you would add! 

In this episode, DJ and Kyle ask each other awkward questions and get real about some of the crazy things that happen in youth ministry. 

In this episode, Kyle and DJ follow up their last episode with 5 fresh evangelism methods that are super easy and immediately applicable in your ministry! If you haven't yet listened to episode 44, go right now!    

Outdated and Evangelism usually don't go together in the same sentence. However, as times change, different methods become more effective or less effective. In today's episode, Kyle and DJ talk about a few outdated methods, and the importance of not changing the What of evangelism, but constantly changing the How.  

Looking for a new job?  Wondering if your resumè needs some sprucing but don't know where to start? In this episode, Kyle and DJ talk about some practical tips and tricks for writing a killer resumè that is sure to win you a job! 

In this episode, Kyle and DJ interview their summer interns to get their perspectives on their summer internships. Dalton, Caleb and Sean were great to have on and to be around this summer! (Most of the time...)

In this third edition of the Awkward Book Club, DJ and Kyle review some ancient ministry books. If this is your first time attending the ABC, and you love it as much as we do, be sure to check out our earlier installments!   

In this episode, DJ and Kyle talk about 5 of the most important relationships you need in youth ministry. These are important, and will help you be a better youth worker!

In our 40th episode, DJ and Kyle give the top ten list of the type of students you will run into at camps! What do you think? Are there more? Let us know on our Instagram at @theetapodast!

Is COVID over? Maybe not. But, there is light in the tunnel. COVID changed a lot. Students' and families' words were rocked. In this episode, DJ and Kyle talk about several new student trends in a post COVID world.  

Summer can totally sneak up on you, and guess what. It is here! In episode 37, DJ and Kyle give five practical tips and tricks to help you plan an AMAZING summer! Share this episode with someone who has made your summer awesome in the past!

Have you or a loved one looked at the date recently and exclaimed, "Wow, it's May?" As we wrap up another school year, Kyle and DJ want to bring you some practical tips and tricks for wrap up your school year well, and finish strong!

In this episode, Kyle and DJ share some practical tips and tricks for planning your mission trip. Have questions? Need more info? Be sure to check out our instagram for some extra tips and tricks!

In this episode, DJ interviews Kyle about his experience on his mission trip to Costa Rica during COVID-19.

What? Yep, you read that right. Even though you might not think it, there IS a downside to short term missions. In this episode, DJ and Kyle talk about some of the things we often dismiss or don't think about in mission trips. If you haven't listened to episode 32, go check it out now!

As youth workers, missions is obviously so important. In this episode, DJ and Kyle are talking about the positive and negative sides of short term mission trips. Maybe surprisingly, there might be a few negative sides, but the positives are so, so great. Tune in for this episode full of wisdom from Kyles years of mission trips!

In the second installment of the Awkward Book Club, DJ and Kyle review a few well-aged ministry books. Be sure to share with us your dust collecting books from your shelf!

If you haven't listened to our last few episodes, GO DO IT NOW! In this episode, DJ and Kyle give their top ten tips for multi-sensory preaching and teaching, which engages more senses than one, and will DRIVE YOUR ENGAGEMENT UP wildly.

In this episode, Kyle and DJ talk about how we can be better at teaching and preaching by using more senses than just hearing. You have a powerful message, and that message deserves to be said in a powerful way.

How can you get the most out of your time on stage? We all want to be great speakers. How can we be engaging speakers with a lasting effect. As youth workers, our message is important. In this four part series, Kyle and DJ want to give you practical tips and tricks to be a better speaker, increase your engagement, maximize your stage time, and amp up your illustrations game through multi sensory teaching.

In this episode, Kyle and DJ talk about increasing the audience engagements in your sermons and messages. What you say is important. How can you keep your audience interested?

In this episode, Kyle and DJ talk about increasing the audience engagements in your sermons and messages. What you say is important. How can you keep your audience interested?

In this episode, Kyle and DJ are joined by the amazing Jake Stemo, leader of Presence Worship. Jake brings amazing experience and passion for the Kingdom, and in episode 26, discusses everything from starting a youth band from nothing to the importance of true worship in John 4.

In this episode, Kyle and DJ talk about their predictions (some strange, some scary, some passionately accurate) for the year. 2020 was a year like no-one could have imagined. What are your predictions for the church in 2021? Let us know on the Embrace the Awkward Podcast community on Facebook!