In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, Jody is joined by RJ McCauley to talk about what it really takes to reach the next generation—and why calling students to more than just showing up matters now more than ever. RJ shares lessons from years in youth ministry and gives practical advice on…

In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, we’re joined by Jake Mulder to discuss what it means to lead change in youth ministry—especially when you’re not the lead pastor. We unpack practical ways for you to influence vision, build trust, and lead transitions well. What You’ll Learn: How to lead effectively when…

In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, Jody sits down with Ashley Bohinc, a leader with over 22 years of experience working with middle schoolers, to talk about how to communicate effectively with this unique age group. Middle schoolers aren’t just “younger high schoolers” or “older kids”—they require a specific approach to…

In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, Jody sits down with Walt Mueller, founder of the Center for Parent and Youth Understanding (CPYU), to discuss how youth pastors can better understand and respond to today’s rapidly changing youth culture. They explore the unique challenges students face, strategies for equipping parents, and how…

In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Jody sits down with Ben Compton, a volunteer youth leader with nine years of experience building a thriving ministry while working full-time. Ben shares his journey of balancing work, family, and ministry, offering practical advice for volunteer leaders on how to manage time, recruit volunteers,…

In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, we kick off 2025 with a practical episode on how to make changes in youth ministry—without getting fired. As youth ministers reflect on the past year and plan for the future, change often feels inevitable. But making changes can be tricky, especially when it comes…