DYM Podcast

Episodios

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  445: NEW SHOW ALERT - Youth Ministry Debrief 20.08.2026 26m

  New show alert! Hey DYM listeners, check out Josh Griffin's new podcast Youth Ministry Debrief! Join Josh Griffin for the ride home after youth group in his soccer-mom 2018 Ford Flex! The drive home is 15-25 minutes - depending on how ugly the traffic is here in Southern California. Raw and uncut, thoughts, reaction, strategies, tips, tricks and more on the commute.Subscribe here! 
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  444: Behind the Scenes of the National Day of Volunteer Youth Ministry Training! 13.08.2026 17m

  One of the best things that DYM produces each year is The National Day of Volunteer Youth Ministry Training! Fun, bits, laughter and great practical training for your volunteers, all rolled into an incredible 3-hour video event. Josh Griffin and Travis Prouty discuss the fun elements and hard work that goes into putting it all together so your volunteers can have a great time getting great training.Links:National Day of Youth Ministry TrainingThe Life Book
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  443: Sidekick Pro - The Best Kept Secret is Out 03.08.2026 37m

  After years of development and months of behind-the-scenes testing, Sidekick Pro is finally here!!! Josh Boldman sits down with Nick Clason (one of the few youth pastors who got the opportunity to use a pre-release version of Sidekick Pro in front of real, live teenagers) to unpack everything the new app can do.From returning legacy favorites like Survey Says, Boxes, and Photo Fury, to a fully reimagined Leaderboard that finally handles more than 10 teams, to brand new features like Live Responses, Live Ranking, Live Pick Me, Live Trivia, Countdown Loops, Songs, Stage Display, and AI-powered list generation for Wheels, Pick Me, Boxes, Trivia, and Survey Says… Sidekick Pro is packed.Nick shares how Live Responses has increased pastoral conversations “a hundredfold” in his ministry, why Countdown Loops has replaced traditional countdown timers for him, and how Sidekick Pro can genuinely become your church’s full presentation software.Head to sidekick.tv or search Sidekick Pro in the Mac App Store to check it out.
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  442: Starting Strong at a New Church 25.06.2026 37m

  Josh Griffin and Brandon "Blarg" Smart talk about principles on starting right at your next church after you say yes. Be sandpaper, not the saw. Build relationships and be a learner first, changes at a later date. Enjoy the show and learn to start strong!
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  441: How and Why to Leave Your Church for Another One 18.06.2026 47m

  Josh Griffin and Brandon "Blarg" Smart talk about his decision to leave a church, and how to interview your next church before you say yes. Some laughter and practical insights into what to ask your next church youth worker position.
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  440: What 90's Youth Ministry Got Right 14.04.2026 6m

  In this episode of the Download Youth Ministry Podcast, Josh Griffin, Doug Fields, and Jessica Sanchez reflect on youth ministry in the nineties and what today's leaders can learn from it, especially when it comes to volunteer training. They also share details about DYM's National Day of Volunteer Youth Ministry Training and Youth Ministry University, two practical resources to help you equip your team. Oh, and producer Travis is never allowed to take vacation again.
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  439: Victory Beyond the Cup w/Heather Reddy 05.03.2026 24m

  Do you love soccer? Josh doesn’t, but knows the importance of the upcoming World Cup as a possible opportunity to share the Gospel. Heather Reddy, chaplain of the US Women’s team, shares about her ministry Victory Beyond the Cup with Cru and Athletes in Action to reach people around the world’s most popular football event reaching over 5b people!https://victorybeyondthecup.com/
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  438: A Blueprint For Youth Ministry 03.03.2026 30m

  In this episode, we talk with Jonathan Donald-Kornelsen, author of Youth Ministry Blueprint, about guiding a youth ministry with clarity and purpose. We explore practical strategies, leadership insights, and how to build a Christ-centered ministry that lasts. Tune in for wisdom that helps you lead with confidence and heart and a fresh blueprint for ministry!AMAZON: https://amzn.to/4rVqino https://amzn.to/4tLDTiL 
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  437: Introducing PAKA: Small Group Toolkit! 27.02.2026 1m

  Introducing PAKA: Small Group Toolkit! It's a PACK'a tools that are perfect for taking your small group to the next level! It's one app with a bunch of tools that PACK a punch!It's totally FREE in the iOS Apple App Store!Get it here🧊 Ice-Breaker QuestionsGet students talking! From fun and silly to deeper questions about faith.🤔 Would You Rather?Hundreds of dilemmas guaranteed to spark laughs, debates, and surprisingly real conversations.🎮 Low-Prep GamesFun games you can run instantly with zero setup. Perfect for filling time or kicking off a great night.🎡Spinning WheelAdd chaos to any decision or game. Spin to pick someone, choose a topic, or just watch your group stress out.👆People PickerFair, random, and drama-free. No one can argue with the app when it picks who goes first.🏆 ScorekeeperTrack points for any game or challenge without juggling a whiteboard or scraps of paper.🍕 Pizza CalculatorFinally — a scientific answer to how many pizzas you need. Your group will thank you every time.🦗Awkward Silence DetectorNobody answering? Set a timer — the longer the silence, the louder the crickets get. Someone will speak up eventually.
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  436: Remembering Your Calling 25.02.2026 29m

  In this episode, Josh Griffin interviews Grant Byrd & Rusty Wheelington, veteran youth workers and coauthors of the new book: Following Your Call to Ministry: Recognizing and Responding to God’s Call. How teens can hear, discern, and respond to God’s call through prayer, Scripture, and authentic relationships. It’s a great conversation about our own calls to ministry, too and will be an encouragement to you as well!AMAZON LINK: https://amzn.to/4s2BQp5 GROUP DISCOUNTS: https://www.buildgroups.net/online-store/BULK-Following-Your-Call-To-Ministry-Recognizing-And-Responding-to-Gods-Call-p808325269
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  435: Use AI Responsibly 21.02.2026 24m

  Josh Griffin talks with Anthony Hunt - author of “The AI-Powered Church” to discuss how today’s church can embrace artificial intelligence without losing its soul. We explore practical tools, ethical considerations, and ways to use AI to serve ministry, deepen discipleship, and stay grounded in Christ. It’s not a threat, more of a tool, better yet … a teammate!AMAZON: https://amzn.to/40rD8hn  
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  434: Interview with Tim Timmons (I Can Only Imagine 2) 12.02.2026 34m

  Josh sits down with Tim Timmons, whose powerful story is part of the upcoming film "I Can Only Imagine 2", in theaters February 20th!In this conversation, Tim opens up about his journey of faith, suffering, hope, and trusting God through seasons he never expected. They talk honestly about pain, perseverance, calling, and what it looks like to keep believing when life doesn’t go according to plan. It’s a raw and encouraging conversation about finding purpose in the middle of the struggle and holding onto hope no matter the outcome.
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  433: "Something About Jess' Lip" 01.01.2026 15m

  Hey DYM Insiders! In this special sneak peek of the DYM Members Only Podcast (which is what you call it when you just record one podcast and post it twice...to uh, save the planet etc.) we don't even MENTION the great stuff members get. But we DO dive into a bunch of other stuff... Like Josh's "less sugar" New Year resolution (yeah right), Jessica's horrifying ailment, and Doug's utter embarrassment at how shameless Josh is at trying to get free stuff. Tune in!Oh and if you ARE looking for a HOT DEAL on becoming a DYM Gold Member, NOW IS THE TIME!Head to Downloadyouthministry.com and get $50 off the Gold Membership and join the club! 35% off the entire store, $20 in store credit every month, $100 in free resources, and more. Make 2026 the year of doing less and making more impact.
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  432: Christmas Special Membership CROSSOVER 03.12.2025 15m

  This episode brought to you by Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes® Fond holiday memories, DYM Membership (sort of), and a sprinkling of youth ministry. It's the Membership podcast no one asked for and yet you just can't say no to. 😆Did you know there's a special Members Only DYM Podcast? That's right. Each month we unpack the member freebies and have a generally good time.Not a member yet? DO NOT BECOME A MEMBER. I mean it. DON'T DO IT. Just wait a week or so...It'll be worth it.
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  431: Let’s Talk About Compensation! 12.09.2025 53m

  Obviously, everyone here is getting paid more than they need to survive, right?… right?Yeah, I didn’t think so. Join Josh Boldman and Dan Navarra as they talk through what we learned from last year’s Youth Pastor Compensation Report and what we’re hoping to learn from this year’s!Audio from Facebook LiveTake the survey!
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  430: Away Game: A Christian Parent's Guide to Navigating Youth Sports - Interview 22.08.2025 29m

  DYM's Josh Griffin interviews the authors of Away Game: A Christian Parent's Guide to Navigating Youth Sports to help youth workers understand the pressures parents face—and discover practical ways to connect with students who are too busy for traditional church programs. https://www.thechristianathlete.com
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  429: Staying Power - Interview with Jody Livingston 15.08.2025 43m

  Josh Griffin from DYM talks with youth worker and author Jody Livingston about his new book Staying Power—a must-read on longevity in youth ministry. They dig into practical habits, hard-earned lessons, and how to stay passionate for the long haul in the calling God has placed on us
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  428: Leaders Serve Others 08.08.2025 51m

  Feeling the end-of-summer burnout? Wondering how to lead with impact when you're just trying to keep up? This episode is for you. Join the guys as they unpack what it really means to be a servant leader in the trenches of ministry. Forget the corporate buzzwords; this is a real, practical conversation about the gritty, unseen acts of service that define great leadership. From unclogging toilets on a mission trip to cleaning the church van, get ready for a discussion that will challenge your perspective and inspire you to lead like Jesus.
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  Ep. 426 — Leaders know how to Inspire and Empower 11.07.2025 37m

  Matt McGill, Doug Fields, and Josh Griffin dive into the essential balance every youth worker needs to master - knowing when to inspire your team and when to give them tactical direction. They share hilarious stories (including Doug's infamous "funnel rebellion" and Matt's marathon 1 hour 45 minute teaching on Job), practical insights, and real-world examples of how to read the room and adjust your leadership communication. Whether you're working with volunteers, students, or parents, this episode will help you become a more effective leader who knows exactly what people need to hear.
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  Ep. 425: Leaders Have Great Meetings 30.05.2025 51m

  Tired of volunteer meetings that feel like a total drag? Join Josh Griffin and Matthew McGill on the Download Youth Ministry Podcast as they tackle the dreaded "death by meeting" syndrome! They dive deep into why these get-togethers are crucial, how often you really need them, and the secret sauce to making every meeting valuable, encouraging, and even fun. Get ready for practical tips, a lively debate on "mandatory" vs. "required," and insights that will transform your volunteer huddles from snooze-fests to power-packed sessions that build confidence and unity. Tune in and level up your leadership!