Ending Hopelessness Podcast: Recent Episodes

TreeHouse

Welcome to the Ending Hopelessness Podcast, a TreeHouse production. TreeHouse equips Churches and Non Profits to end hopelessness among teens through support groups, mentoring, and faith programming. We are a group of diverse, seasoned youth workers who care about faith and teens experiencing hopelessness. Join us as we have important conversations about youth ministry and teen mental health.

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Jimmy and Tim come back together to interview Dr. Andy Root about the current state of youth ministry and discipleship.

Dr. Root is the professor of theology of ministry, youth ministry, and culture at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. Dr. Root is the Olson Baalson Professor of Youth and Family Ministry and have lately been thinking and writing on issues surrounding the intersection of faith and our secular age.

Learn more about Andy at
www.AndrewRoot.org
http://twitter.com/rootandrew
http://facebook.com/andrew.root

Read Andy's new books

Churches and the Crisis of Decline

The Congregation in a Secular Age: Keeping Time against the Speed of Modern Life

The Pastor in a Secular Age: Ministry to People Who No Longer Need a God

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Dr. Griffith is an Associate Professor at Toccoa Falls College Ministry Leadership Department, a Youth Ministry Consultant, and a board member for the Association of Youth Ministry Educators. He has an undergraduate in Special Education, two masters in Theology and Organizational Leadership and a PhD in Youth, Family, and Culture. As a single pastor he adopted three sons “out of the system.” Out of that experience he wrote the book Helping Our Children and Youth Listen to Wise Counsel. In the book he wrestles with how to disciple and love his sons well. In this interview we explore mentoring, discipleship, church, and how we effectively minister to our own kids and the youth in our ministries.

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In this episode Tim and Jimmy interview Amanda Svensk, Pastor of Next Generation at Church of the Open Door (https://www.thedoor.org/). We talk about the women that inspire us and Amanda shares how she got to where she is, what drives her, and what God is doing in her life. We also discuss the reality that 80+% of youth pastors are male and how that impacts her and her calling. Amanda is fun, inspiring, and incredibly relatable.  

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Shawn and Isaiah are talented Youth Workers for TreeHouse. Isaiah is Korean American and Shawn is Japanese American. In this episode we get the privilege of hearing their stories, how they were called to ministry, and how their cultural identity impacts their relationships and faith. 

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Tim and Jimmy interview DJ Chaung. DJ shares his mental health story and the amazing work he's doing partnering with Asian American churches to address mental health. He also provides guidance for youth workers working cross-culturally today. Tim and Jimmy share embarrassing middle school stories.

DJ Chaung is the director and co-founder of Christian Asian Mental Health, a new initiative of Asian American Christian Collaborative, to advance compassion and care in Asian & Asian American churches for everyone. He also co-hosts the Erasing Shame podcast, authored a book, MultiAsian.Church: A Future for Asian Americans in a Multiethnic World, and graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary and Virginia Tech. He continues blogging at djchuang.com since 1999, curating many links to resources pertaining to churches multiethnic and/or Asian American. He resides in Orange County, California, with his artistic wife Rachelle, and their son Jeremiah.

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If you stay in youth ministry long enough you will experience grief. Last week Dr. Mork gave priceless guidance when experiencing grief and this week we get to hear from three longtime youth ministers: Sam Randall, Mike Ashley, and Hector Calvo. They share difficult stories of grief, how it impacted their faith and ministry, and how God has been with them through it all.  

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Join us as we talk to Dr. Melissa Mork about grief and how we can approach grief in a healthy way for ourselves and for the teens we serve.

Dr. Melissa Mork, Professor of Clinical is Professor of Clinical Psychology for the Department of Psychology, Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement at the University of Northwestern, St. Paul. She is a Certified Humor Professional, Grief Coach, author of the book, “Navigating Grief with Humor,” and host of the podcast, “Mental Health with Dr. Melissa Mork.”

Her hobbies include SCUBA diving, throwing ugly pottery, and laughing at her own jokes. Something most of her colleagues don’t know about her is that she has over 40 thousand followers on TikTok. Her TikTok presence deeply embarrasses her children.


Podcast: Mental Health with Dr. Melissa Mork

(available through this link or wherever you get your podcasts)

Website: www.melissamork.com

Blog: www.beautifullosses.com

Navigating Grief with Humor (book)

https://www.amazon.com/Navigating-Grief-Humor-Melissa-Mork/dp/1072194244

LinkedIn: Dr-Melissa-Mork

Facebook: Dr. Melissa Mork

Instagram: dr.melissa.mork

TikTok: dr.melissa.mork

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In this round table discussion we talk about statistics, scenarios and the potential consequences of how abuse can affect a teens life short and long term. We also dive into how to approach it programmatically as well as through mentoring along with the sensitive space in having to engage family, guardians or other outside parties.

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In this episode, you’ll hear Phil's story of addiction, struggle, and triumph through his adolescents and into adulthood. You'll hear about the power of a safe place that reminded him of God's love and calling on his life. You'll hear about the impact a mentor can have if they don't give up. 

Phil's story reminds us that what youth workers do matters and when we keep showing up and presenting the Gospel, God does amazing things.

If you are interested in learning more or getting involved in this work, go to: treehousehope.org.

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In this episode, our roundtable hosts return. They discuss teen trends and discover that Mike is the master of what is cool. They also explore what it takes to create a safe program that can work for teens who are experiencing challenges. Their experience and expertise provides numerous nuggets that can help your program deepen its impact. 

Learn more or get involved at treehousehope.org

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In this episode, we reconnect with Treehouse alum Destiny as she shares how life's unexpected turns can be exciting, challenging, fulfilling, and even scary.

Destiny has an amazing family but mental health and gang involvement caused significant challenges. Through it all, Destiny found a safe place in TreeHouse, a faith-filled, loving, and safe space; where she could be herself. TreeHouse gave her a solid foundation for finding hope through all of life’s unexpected turns.

If you are interested in learning more or getting involved in this work, go to: treehousehope.org.

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This episode introduces our round table hosts, Tim Cryer, Michelle Livingston, and Mike Ashley. We focus on the ‘why’ behind those called into youth work, how they got started, and why they stay in it. Additionally, this episode looks closely at the statistics, trends, and surprising facts about the current state of teen mental health and the limited resources available. Finally, we dive into how youth workers can respond and help make a meaningful difference in teens and communities.

If you are interested in learning more or getting involved in this work, go to: treehousehope.org.

Links to references mentioned in this conversation: CDC Youth Mental Health Statistics 2022: AACAP Press Release - Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists Shortages: ACLU - The lack of Mental Health Staff in Schools

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TreeHouse trains and equips nonprofits and churches to create grace-based programs and environments for teens experiencing hopelessness.

Scott Volltrauer has been doing youth work at TreeHouse for over 30 years. Youth workers don’t typically last very long, especially if they work with teens experiencing hopelessness. Scott shares what has sustained him over the last three decades, what TreeHouse is, and why it’s so needed in today's youth culture.

We are the weird and beautiful youth workers called to work with struggling teens. We hope the Ending Hopelessness podcast can be a place where like minded youth workers can come to be encouraged, informed, and not feel alone.

If you are interested in learning more or getting involved in this work, go to: treehousehope.org.

Become a TreeHouse Site : Treehouse Goals : Volunteer : Events : Donate

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TreeHouse trains and equips nonprofits and churches to create grace-based programs and environments for teens experiencing hopelessness.

Scott Volltrauer has been doing youth work at TreeHouse for over 30 years. Youth workers don’t typically last very long, especially if they work with teens experiencing hopelessness. Scott shares what has sustained him over the last three decades, what TreeHouse is, and why it’s so needed in today's youth culture.

We are the weird and beautiful youth workers called to work with struggling teens. We hope the Ending Hopelessness podcast can be a place where like minded youth workers can come to be encouraged, informed, and not feel alone.

If you are interested in learning more or getting involved in this work, go to: treehousehope.org.

Become a TreeHouse Site : Treehouse Goals : Volunteer : Events : Donate

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The Ending Hopelessness Podcast is a group of diverse, seasoned Christian youth workers who care about faith and teens experiencing hopelessness. 

Join us as we have important conversations about youth ministry and teen mental health.