Embrace the Awkward Podcast

Mission trips can be life-changing… or a complete disaster. In Part 3, Mike and Kyle get practical about how to plan a mission trip that "doesn’t suck" from preparation and expectations to helping students recognize what God is actually teaching them. Because a great mission trip doesn’t happen by accident… and neither does a terrible one.

You’ve picked a destination, started dreaming about matching T-shirts, and someone’s already asking about the packing list, but is your youth ministry actually ready for a mission trip? In Part 2, Mike and Kyle talk about what needs to happen before you ever load the van or board the plane, from choosing the right students and leaders to building a team that’s actually prepared to serve.  Because...

Are short-term mission trips actually worth it? They cost a ton of money, require months of planning, come with matching T-shirts and sometimes leave us wondering who the trip was really for. In this episode, Mike and Kyle unpack the good, the bad, and the awkward of short-term missions. Are we actually helping? Can helping sometimes hurt? Are mission trips more about changing our students than ch...

Embrace the Awkward gets extra awkward this week. Mike and Kyle take turns asking each other uncomfortable, ridiculous, and completely unprepared questions with no prep, no editing, and no escape. What could possibly go wrong? Come embrace the awkwardness with us.

Summer can either be a season of ministry growth or a season where everything slows to a halt. In Episode 106, Kyle and Mike discuss practical ways youth workers can build and maintain momentum during the summer months. From creating meaningful events and discipleship opportunities to balancing rest, relationships, and ministry, they share what has worked in their own contexts and how to keep stud...

Last episode, we opened the door to the world of gaming. This episode, we step into it. If video games are a massive part of student culture, how do we actually use that in ministry? We’re getting practical—sharing how to start, structure, and lead a video game ministry in your context. From creating connection points to building community and discipling students in a digital space, this is all ab...

Are video games ruining students… or are we missing one of the biggest ministry opportunities right in front of us? In this episode, we dive into the good, the bad, and the complicated world of gaming culture. From screen time concerns to connection, community, and influence, we unpack why video games are such a huge part of students’ lives and why youth workers can’t afford to ignore it. Instead...

In this episode, Mike and Kyle are joined by AJ from The Gathering — a young, passionate youth pastor who has some cool things happening in his ministry. AJ shares how he’s intentionally building a youth ministry culture that fosters both authentic worship and real community. From creating environments where students feel safe to engage with God, to building relationships that actually last beyond...

Is Wednesday night still king… or is Sunday night (or another night entirely) the better move for youth ministry? In Episode 102, Mike and Kyle jump into one of the most debated topics in youth ministry programming: What night of the week actually works best? From tradition and volunteer availability to student schedules, sports, church culture, and family rhythms — we break down the real pros and...

After more than a year away, Embrace the Awkward is officially back for Season 2. And yes… things look a little different. DJ is out as co-host, Mike is in and we decided the only right way to handle it was to fully embrace the awkward. (No, you will not actually see DJ get fired live… sorry to disappoint). In this relaunch episode, we’re being fully transparent. We talk about where Kyle and DJ ha...

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!

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!

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 mo...

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...

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.  

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.  

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!

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?