Embrace the Awkward Podcast: Recent Episodes
Embrace the Awkward
Welcome to the Embrace the Awkward Podcast, where we have one goal in mind! To help you handle awkward better! Join DJ and Kyle each week to discuss the weird and fringe moments of life and ministry!
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!
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!
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!
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?
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?
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 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!
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!
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!
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!
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.
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, 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 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 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!
In the last episode, Kyle and DJ talked about the awkwardness of following a really bad youth worker. You might seem like the savior! There are, however, two sides to every coin. Sometimes, you might follow a really good youth worker. You might have to win favor, or overcome a preconceived notion about yourself.
The reality is, someone will come after you. In your case, you probably came after someone! What do you do when the person you are following was pretty bad? In this episode, Kyle and DJ discuss how to start your job on the right foot when you find yourself in this position. In part 2, we flip the coin and take a look at how to follow a great youth worker.
In the inception episode of the ABC (awkward book club) DJ and Kyle review several very outdated books. Times have certainly changed, and it can be fun to look back and see the evidence of that.
Episode 20, WOW! We are thankful that you share life with us, and listen to us week after week share about the awkwardness of ministry. In this episode, DJ and Kyle talk about some of the ways to kill game time. Games are necessary for youth ministry, how can we make sure we use them effectively?
Hey parents! Welcome to the Embrace the Awkward Podcast! As you'll hear, we have one goal in mind, and that is to help you handle awkward better. Parenting can be awkward, we know that. Especially when navigating a teen through the world of social media. We recorded this episode specifically for you, and packed it full of helpful hints and encouragement for you as you parent your student.
There is no debate. Social Media has quickly overtaken our world. Not only is it an incredible tool, it CAN and SHOULD be used for your ministry. In this episode, DJ and Kyle share some practical advise for your ministry to have a rocking social media presence.
In this episode, DJ and Kyle are excited to welcome on Chris Chambers, who was a youth pastor for over 30 years. DJ and Kyle ask ALL of the questions. How do you make it that long? How did you know it was time to leave? Plus, you won't want to miss the many stories in this episode.
This month, DJ and Kyle are talking about failed events. Have you ever been to a dramatically failed event? Maybe you've even put one on? These can be SO awkward and honestly are defeating. In this episode, you'll hear some funny stories (didn't seem funny in the moment, but sure are now) and some tips on how to better plan. The good news? God can use big and small events for His glory.
Through this month, we are talking about some of the things that scare us as youth workers. In this episode, Kyle and DJ talk about one of their biggest fears in working in ministry, creating an atheist. What if we miss a meeting and a kid never shows up to church again? What if a student leaves your ministry and completely abandons their faith? Why is this even a scary thought? Because we're taking about eternity, folks!
This month, we are covering some of our biggest fears in ministry. In this episode, we talk about MiStAkEs! If you are anything like DJ, you mess up a lot! (Kyle is perfect...) When we mess up from stage, or say something wrong, what do we do? Most of the time, it's a minor mistake. But reacting wrong in these moments can create an even bigger mess!
This month, we are hitting some of the things that have scared us or scare us the most in ministry. In this episode, DJ and Kyle talk about the realities and effects of break ups within your ministry. How can we handle these SUPER awkward moments well? It's always painful to lose a student.
In this episode, DJ and Kyle respond to the Netflix original documentary, The Social Dilemma. Social media has overtaken our world. Has it overtaken us as humans as well? In this episode, we discuss our live response to the film.
As youth workers, sometimes we face some, well, really awkward questions. DJ and Kyle ask each other some of the awkward questions that they have actually been asked. Don't worry if the podcast pauses, embrace that awkward moments, because we are trying to process what we have just been asked.
In this episode, Kyle and DJ give their top ten list of reasons why you SHOULDN'T go in to youth ministry. Have we caught your attention yet? Every ten episodes, Embrace the Awkward will do a top ten list of some kind. At the end of the episode, a winner of our contest from episode 8 is announced!
Caring for ourselves spiritually is so important for our relationship with Jesus, and the effectiveness and longevity of our career. In this Episode, Kyle and DJ talk about some easy and different ways to get quiet and connect with God.
Mentioned:
https://www.youversion.com
https://careynieuwhof.com/mypodcast/
https://www.streetlightsbible.com
https://www.audible.com
In this episode, Kyle and DJ talk about some of the weird or awkward jobs that sometimes fall on the youth worker. For some reasons, youth workers automatically become jack-of-all trades. What are some of the weird jobs, and why are they given to us? Be sure to let us know on instagram or in our Facebook community group for a chance to win some limited edition Embrace the Awkward gear!
In this episode, Kyle and DJ talk about something really, well, awkward. Youth ministry is family ministry! We don't want to take the parents place, but team up with them! But, it can be difficult to do for many reasons. How can you guide parents when you don't have a kid, or maybe aren't even married! In episode 7, you'll find practical tips on ways to better help parents in raising a student with a faith that lasts a life time.
Want to do extra research? Check out these websites!
https://axis.org
https://cpyu.org
Be sure to join our Facebook community group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/597787954204934/
In episode 6, DJ and Kyle discuss preaching in "Big Church", as we youth workers call it, or preaching on Sunday Morning. There's no such thing as a wasted Sunday. It is good for us to preach in big church! But, should we ask? How do we ask? What are some tips to help you preach? You might face some obstacles, but the reward is worth it. Get ready, listening to this episode may cause comments after you preach like, "you should be a real pastor!"
In part two of this two part episode, DJ and Kyle ask Derek the intern questions in the hot seat. Derek has a clear passion for sharing the gospel with students, and interned along with another youth influencer this summer. DJ, Kyle and Derek talk about what Derek learned, his calling, Pokemon and more!
In part one of this two part episode, Kyle and DJ talk about the benefits of a summer intern, where to look for one, and give some ideas for maximizing your interns experiences. We have the awesome ability to create lifelong youth influencers.
In part 2, Derek the intern joins DJ and Kyle in the hot seat for an interview!
Click the link to see Kyles intern exit review. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdW48XToxGikpOnPSPkJky9ZMUoNuU3r3zh2k6E7cF8Ww7qeQ/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1
In this episode, DJ and Kyle tell the tragic, painful, fry-tip filled story of how they met. Pranks are an integral to youth ministry. Check out the funny story of how the Embrace the Awkward Podcast got started!
Your leaders are the lifeblood of your ministry. Caring well for your leaders, physically and spiritually, can only impact your ministry positively. In this episode, Kyle and DJ give some practical tips and advice that can be integrated in to your ministry easily!
Kyle and DJ talk about programming, why it's important to your ministry, and give some practical ideas to keep things weird!
Be sure to follow on instagram (@theetapodcast) and join our Facebook community (Embrace the Awkward Community)! Thanks for being our friend!
In this episode, Kyle and DJ discuss one of the most awkward things in youth ministry. Dating as Youth Worker. Your relationship is an example for your students, and they are watching.
Welcome to the Embrace the Awkward Podcast! In episode 0, DJ and Kyle talk about the heart behind this podcast. Youth ministry can be very awkward, but out of the awkward, powerful ministry can happen. We can't make the awkward disappear, but we want to help you handle it better!
Follow us on instagram (@theetapodcast) and join our Facebook community group (Embrace the Awkward Podcast Community). Want to talk? Email us at theetapod@gmail.com!