Youth Group Chronicles

236: The Crucifixions (John Scarborough & Dustin Coe) 01.07.2026 35min

Text YGC to 64000 for your 2 free gifts with the purchase of any Pocket Hose Ballistic hose. By Texting 64000, you agree to receive recurring automated marketing messages from Pocket Hose. Message frequency varies and data rates may apply. Text STOP at any time to opt out. Text HELP for additional Information. No purchase required. Terms apply, available at PocketHose.com/terms.This week, Sam is joined by John Scarborough and Dustin Coe for another round of unbelievable youth ministry stories. They kick things off with one of the wildest Easter production mishaps you'll ever hear, when an emotional crucifixion reenactment in front of thousands of students took a completely unexpected turn. Plus, there's the youth pastor who convinced an entire room they'd been exposed to a deadly amoeba, the breakfast apology involving a machete that left everyone speechless, a camper determined to escape with a homemade grappling hook, an awkward prayer request that no one saw coming, a Bible verse that perfectly matched one student's attitude, a camp moment that accidentally made Christianity look like a cult, a student with a bizarre popcorn seasoning obsession, and the small group discussion that somehow ended with the church being evacuated. As always, these stories prove that youth ministry is never boring. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

235: The Second Coming (Cory Asbury) 24.06.2026 50min

This week on Youth Group Chronicles, Sam is joined by Cory Asbury for one of the wildest church stories we've ever heard—a late-night encounter involving a mysterious "Jesus dude" that had an entire church unsure of what was going to happen next. Along the way, you'll hear about a lock-in interrupted by an unexpected visitor wandering through the church, a middle schooler's fiery attempt at improving a Pop-Tart, a camp speaker whose illustration brought actual police officers to the scene, a sleepwalking student who created absolute chaos on retreat, a youth game that nearly ended in arrests, and several other stories that prove youth ministry is never boring. From hilarious misunderstandings to moments that left leaders questioning everything, this episode is packed with the kind of unforgettable stories only youth ministry can produce. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

234: Trippin’ and Strippin’ (Sha Racks & George Johnson) 17.06.2026 46min

JohnCristComedy.com/tour, for tour dates and tickets.This week on Youth Group Chronicles, Sam is joined by Sha Racks and George Johnson for an episode full of youth ministry chaos, questionable field trips, and moments that went sideways fast. The main story follows a youth group trip that became unforgettable when one student secretly made a dangerous decision in the city and things quickly spiraled back at the hotel. The episode also includes a trash pickup outreach that turned terrifying, an icebreaker that ended in instant regret, a church mascot incident that went way too far, a summer camp injury no one saw coming, a Christmas party quote with the worst possible timing, and a youth leader’s idea of a “fun” field trip that left the entire group traumatized. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

233: The Sacrificial Middle Schooler (John Scarborough & Dustin Coe) 10.06.2026 43min

Text YGC to 64000 for your 2 free gifts with the purchase of any Pocket Hose Ballistic hose. By Texting 64000, you agree to receive recurring automated marketing messages from Pocket Hose. Message frequency varies and data rates may apply. Text STOP at any time to opt out. Text HELP for additional Information. No purchase required. Terms apply, available at PocketHose.com/terms.This week on Youth Group Chronicles, Sam is joined by John Scarborough and Dustin Coe for a collection of stories that prove middle schoolers are capable of almost anything. From a bizarre camp “sacrifice” that somehow went unchecked, to a youth group prank that spiraled much further than intended, to a longboard disaster during worship and a retreat bathroom mistake no one can ever unhear, this episode is packed with the kind of chaos only student ministry can produce. If you've ever worked with teenagers, survived a youth retreat, or wondered how some students make it to adulthood, this episode is for you. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

232: Christian Red Flags & The Worst Church Traditions | After Hour Series (Cole Clark & Buddy Jenkins) 06.06.2026 1j 47min

In this After Hours episode, Sam hangs out with Buddy and Cole for a completely unfiltered conversation that somehow covers everything from wisdom teeth removals and past surgeries to hunting, sports, hobbies, and trying to hit your daily protein goals. The guys also debate Christian red flags, rank bands against bands, discuss the worst Christian traditions they’ve experienced, and chase plenty of random rabbit trails along the way. It’s the kind of conversation you’d have sitting around after an event with friends—part serious, part ridiculous, and all over the place in the best way possible. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

231: Tree Rizz (Buddy Jenkins & George Johnson) 03.06.2026 40min

Visit https://grace.edu/landing-page/YGC, fill out the form, and they’ll send you a starter box of Grace merch and info, including a gift for the youth pastor.This week, Sam is joined by Buddy and Geo for stories that somehow keep getting weirder. A youth pastor spends an entire night guarding a cabin only for one student to sneak out the second he leaves, a game of hide-and-seek at camp turns into a full-blown search operation, a church festival costume goes horribly wrong, and a student’s shocking confession years later completely changes a story everyone thought they knew. Plus, a worship service comes to a screeching halt, a youth leader accidentally gets the police involved, and one winter retreat prank explains why certain rules have to exist in the first place. If you've ever wondered how youth ministry stories keep topping themselves, this episode is a pretty good example. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

230: Four Lanes of Chaos (Cole Clark and John Cuomo) 27.05.2026 39min

Text YGC to 64000 for your 2 free gifts with the purchase of any Pocket Hose Ballistic hose. By Texting 64000, you agree to receive recurring automated marketing messages from Pocket Hose. Message frequency varies and data rates may apply. Text STOP at any time to opt out. Text HELP for additional Information. No purchase required. Terms apply, available at PocketHose.com/terms.Sam is joined by John Cuomo and Cole Clark for an episode full of stories that somehow keep escalating every few minutes. From a homemade mission trip trailer turning into an interstate disaster, to a youth group accidentally leaving a student alone in the woods at night, to a youth leader receiving a text that definitely wasn’t meant for him, this episode is complete chaos from start to finish. Plus, the guys react to a student bringing a gun to youth group, a brutally awkward eyepatch interaction, a mission trip hotel that should’ve been condemned, and several moments that left everyone involved questioning every decision that led them there… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

229: The Baptism Attack (Buddy Jenkins & George Johnson) 20.05.2026 34min

Visit https://www.grace.edu/landing-page/ygc/, fill out the form, and they’ll send you a starter box of Grace merch and info, including a gift for the youth pastor.Sam is joined by Buddy Jenkins and George Johnson for an episode full of absolute youth ministry chaos, including the now-infamous “Baptism Attack” story where a late-night spontaneous lake baptism takes a completely unexpected turn. Along the way, the guys react to stories of a wedding sermon that ended with a dollhouse getting obliterated by a baseball bat, a youth pastor crashing a motorcycle onto the church stage, a donut game gone horribly wrong, and one camp prank that escalated way beyond what anyone expected. From awkward moments to unbelievable camp stories and near-disasters, this episode is nonstop proof that no one survives youth ministry with their dignity fully intact. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

228: The Urgent Prayer Request (Ruslan) 13.05.2026 1j 2min

Text YGC to 64000 for your 2 free gifts with the purchase of any Pocket Hose Ballistic hose. By Texting 64000, you agree to receive recurring automated marketing messages from Pocket Hose. Message frequency varies and data rates may apply. Text STOP at any time to opt out. Text HELP for additional Information. No purchase required. Terms apply, available at PocketHose.com/terms.Cole Clark joins Sam Moss for a chaotic episode recorded four stories underground in a New York City greenroom with special guest Ruslan. From a camp prank involving a fake bear attack that sent students into full panic mode, to a youth pastor accidentally traumatizing an entire Christmas caroling group, to one student learning the hard way why hot pepper challenges come with very specific safety precautions… this episode somehow keeps getting worse in the best possible way. Plus, a sermon illustration goes horribly wrong, a leader accidentally creates the most uncomfortable parent meeting imaginable, and one camp director gets blindsided by a newlywed couple with very unexpected news… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

227: Response Rate: Zero (Cole Clark & John Cuomo) 06.05.2026 51min

Visit https://go.grace.edu/YGC, fill out the form, and they’ll send you a starter box of Grace merch and info, including a gift for the youth pastor.This week, Sam is joined by Cole Clark and John Cuomo for an episode packed with the kind of youth group stories you truly couldn’t script—even if you tried. From a chaotic game of Mafia that takes an unexpected romantic turn, to a service moment that goes completely off the rails, the stories just keep escalating. There’s a well-meaning student sermon that derails an altar call, a camp tradition that comes back in the most unfortunate way, and a mission trip decision that would never fly today. Along the way, Cole shares a personal story about finances that hits a little too close to home, while John helps process the absurdity of it all. It’s equal parts hilarious, uncomfortable, and wildly unforgettable—basically everything you’d expect when youth ministry stories go off script. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

226: Gentle Parenting, Controversial Takes and Prison Debates | After Hours Series (Sha Racks, Ciara Moss & Cole Clark) 02.05.2026 1j 21min

In this After Hours bonus episode, Sam is joined by Sha, Ciara and Cole for a chaotic, hilarious, and surprisingly thoughtful conversation you didn’t know you needed. From bold personal hot takes to debating what actually counts as a “sheltered life,” nothing is off limits. The crew imagines future YGC guests, guesses what people would assume Sam went to jail for (it gets wild), and settles the ultimate nostalgia battle: Club Penguin vs. Webkinz. They also share their favorite piece of fan mail, drop their number one tip for starting a youth group, confess their weirdest favorite food combos, and dive into their honest thoughts on gentle parenting. It’s unfiltered, unpredictable, and packed with laughs from start to finish. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

225: Confirmation Received. (Buddy Jenkins & George Johnson) 29.04.2026 36min

Text YGC to 64000 for your 2 free gifts with the purchase of any Pocket Hose Ballistic hose. By Texting 64000, you agree to receive recurring automated marketing messages from Pocket Hose. Message frequency varies and data rates may apply. Text STOP at any time to opt out. Text HELP for additional Information. No purchase required. Terms apply, available at PocketHose.com/terms.This week on Youth Group Chronicles, Sam is joined by guests as they dive into a lineup of stories that escalate fast, starting with a church service moment that takes a turn no one saw coming and leaves the entire room in shock. From a windy roadside stop that goes horribly wrong, to a youth group game that gets a little too intense, to a camp mystery involving a hole in the cabin wall that people definitely shouldn’t have messed with, the chaos keeps stacking. Throw in an Easter production that doesn’t go according to plan, a live mic moment that should’ve stayed private, and a ski trip that puts everyone in an unexpectedly awkward situation, and this episode just keeps getting more unhinged by the minute… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

224: Aim for the Bushes (Cole Clark & John Cuomo) 22.04.2026 44min

Text YGC to 64000 for your 2 free gifts with the purchase of any Pocket Hose Ballistic hose. By Texting 64000, you agree to receive recurring automated marketing messages from Pocket Hose. Message frequency varies and data rates may apply. Text STOP at any time to opt out. Text HELP for additional Information. No purchase required. Terms apply, available at PocketHose.com/terms.This week on Youth Group Chronicles, Sam is joined by guests as they dive into a lineup of stories that spiral from awkward to completely unhinged, including one moment during a scavenger hunt that felt like a scene straight out of The Other Guys—until reality hit way harder than expected. From a youth group accidentally inserting themselves into a situation they absolutely didn’t understand, to a camp incident that led to a shocking discovery in a church parking lot, to a Navy listener having the worst possible public listening experience, the chaos doesn’t let up. Add in a student sermon that goes completely off the rails, a lock-in snack situation that turns your stomach, and a prank call that goes from funny to regrettable in seconds, and you’ve got an episode that keeps escalating in the best (and worst) ways… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

223: 4,000 Problems (John Scarborough & Mackenzie Smolin) 15.04.2026 36min

This week, Sam is joined by John Scarborough and Mackenzie Smolin for an episode that spirals from chaotic camp pranks to stories that should’ve never made it past someone’s first idea, including one youth pastor who took revenge way too far and created a situation involving thousands of unexpected “guests” that no one in the cabin was prepared for… Along the way, a harmless flashlight game turns into full-blown survival mode, a summer prank instantly backfires in the worst possible way, a water park lunch decision leads to a moment of instant regret, and a late-night camp scare sends an entire group into panic over something that wasn’t what it seemed… It’s one of those episodes where every story somehow escalates past the last, and you realize way too late that it probably could’ve all been avoided… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

222: The Silent Struggle (Cole Clark and George Johnson) 08.04.2026 55min

In this episode, Sam is joined by Cole Clark and George Johnson for a lineup of stories that somehow keep escalating in chaos, with one particularly heavy moment at the center that sets the tone for everything else. What starts with a seemingly harmless church event quickly spirals into a frozen disaster no one saw coming, while a youth trip fireworks show takes a turn that nearly ends in catastrophe. There’s a bizarre medical situation at camp that had been quietly building all week, a story of ignored warnings that leads to devastating consequences, and a chain of events involving food poisoning that somehow turns into one of the strangest moments ever witnessed in a chapel. Add in a hotel stay with unexpected dangers, a nursing home visit that takes an awkward turn, and a speaker who probably shouldn’t have been trusted with props, and you get an episode that swings from hilarious to unsettling without ever letting up… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

221: Questions, Games, and Open Mics | After Hours Series (Micah, Zay, Sha & Buddy) 04.04.2026 1j 35min

Sam jumps on a chaotic After Hours Zoom call with Micah, Zay, Buddy, Sha and a bunch of YGC fans where nothing is off limits—diving into behind-the-scenes moments from the podcast, how stories actually make the cut, ministry advice, and plenty of unfiltered fan interaction along the way. The crew swaps stories, reacts in real time, and leans into the kind of conversations that definitely wouldn’t make it to a normal episode, all while keeping the energy loose, unpredictable, and exactly what you’d expect from a late-night call with the YGC community… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

220: Too Close for Comfort (Sha Racks & Buddy Jenkins) 01.04.2026 36min

In this episode, Sam is joined by Sha Racks and Buddy Jenkins as they dive into a lineup of stories that somehow keep getting more chaotic the closer they hit home—starting with a moment that gets way too close for comfort and only escalates from there. From a youth group garage sale quietly getting hijacked, to a church bus sending the wrong kind of message down the highway, to an altar call that turns unexpectedly awkward in front of a crowd, every story feels one step away from total disaster. Add in a freak accident that leads to serious consequences, a game night that takes a wild turn, and a camp tradition that spirals out of control, and you’ve got an episode packed with moments that leave everyone wondering how things went that far… and how they didn’t get worse. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

219: Chubby Hair (John Scarborough & Mackenzie Smolin) 25.03.2026 39min

Text YGC to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.Sam is joined by John Scarborough and Mackenzie Smolin for an episode that somehow keeps escalating, starting with a chaotic camp game that should have never existed and only gets worse the more you think about it… From a silent disco that completely backfires, to a cave tour that turns violent in total darkness, to a prayer night that accidentally destroys thousands of dollars worth of art, every story somehow tops the last. There’s also a painfully awkward small group moment that spirals out of control, a children’s pastor who says the absolute wrong thing at the worst possible time, and a late-night church gathering that crosses every possible line. Just when you think it can’t get more unhinged, it absolutely does… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

218: Tap to Pay (John Crist & Cole Clark) 18.03.2026 1j 39min

Text YGC to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.Sam is joined by John Crist and Cole Clark for an episode that starts with a seemingly normal interaction that spirals into one of the most uncomfortable moments you could imagine—thanks to a “Tap to Pay” situation that goes completely off the rails. From there, the stories only get more chaotic: a youth leader’s hiding spot turns into a full-blown rescue mission, a harmless group text takes a wildly unexpected turn, and a van ride with a complete stranger leaves everyone questioning every decision that led them there. Add in a teaching illustration that gets way too real, a painfully awkward misunderstanding in front of an entire church, and a few moments that should’ve never required adult supervision, and you’ve got an episode that somehow keeps getting worse… and better… at the same time. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

217: The Closet Squatter (LIVE at Unleashed Conference 2026) 11.03.2026 43min

Recorded live at the Unleashed Conference in California, Sam is joined on stage by Cole and Isaiah for a wild collection of youth group stories that somehow get more unbelievable with every minute. From a youth leader who tried to reward his students with pizza only to become the victim of their prank, to summer camp challenges that definitely should not have existed, the guys react to stories involving dangerous activities, questionable leadership decisions, and youth group games that went way too far. But the most unforgettable moment comes from a late-night lock-in game of sardines that leads one student to unknowingly share a dark closet with someone who absolutely wasn’t supposed to be there. It’s chaotic, hilarious, and the kind of live episode where the audience reactions make the stories even better. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.