Pizza & Side Hugs

In this episode of Pizza and Side Hugs, the hosts discuss the challenges faced by youth ministers, including burnout, lack of support, and the importance of trust within their roles. They share personal experiences and insights on why many youth ministers leave their positions, emphasizing the need for better support systems and understanding of expectations. The conversation also touches on manag...

This episode is for anyone stepping into a youth ministry that is already running, and maybe even thriving. The hosts focus on how to learn the culture, build trust, and make wise early decisions without rushing to change everything. It matters because the biggest mistakes in a new role often come from moving too fast before you understand what already exists. Listen now! Chapters 00:00 Podcast in...

This episode of Pizza & Side Hugs closes out the Confirmation series by focusing on the liturgy itself and how to prepare young people, families, and parish teams for it well. The hosts discuss practical ways to reduce anxiety, clarify roles, and turn rehearsal into a catechetical moment—so the Sacrament is not just organized, but meaningful. They also explore what makes the celebration specia...

In this episode of Pizza and Side Hugs, the hosts discuss the importance of including families in the sacramental preparation for confirmation. They explore the challenges and opportunities that arise when engaging parents in the process, emphasizing the need for effective communication, relationship building, and creating meaningful experiences. The conversation highlights the transformative powe...

In this episode of Pizza & Side Hugs, the hosts discuss the significance of Confirmation sponsors in the Catholic Church, exploring their roles, responsibilities, and best practices for selecting and engaging with them. They emphasize the importance of building meaningful relationships between sponsors and candidates, ensuring that sponsors are not just chosen out of obligation, but are indivi...

In this episode of Pizza & Side Hugs, the hosts begin their Confirmation series by tackling the subject of Confirmation preparation. The discussion highlights key elements of this Sacramental prep, such as the true purpose and meaning of Confirmation, organization, and connection with families and their youth. The hosts also share memorable Confirmation stories and unusual prep challenges. Lis...

In this episode of Pizza and Side Hug, the hosts discuss the challenges faced by youth ministers who juggle multiple roles within their ministries. Inspired by a listener's email, they explore how to balance various responsibilities, avoid the comparison trap, and maintain a positive mindset. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the challenges of managing multiple roles in ministry, emp...

In this episode of the Pizza and Side Hugs, the hosts discuss the significance of details in Catholic Youth Ministry. The conversation highlights the balance between big picture thinking and the necessity of focusing on the finer details that can enhance the overall experience for participants. They emphasize the role of checklists and systems in managing details effectively, as well as the impact...

 In this episode of Pizza and Side Hugs, the hosts discuss the importance of saying yes in Catholic Youth Ministry. They explore the balance between saying no and yes, emphasizing the need for discernment and trust in the Holy Spirit. The conversation includes examples of successful initiatives that emerged from saying yes, the significance of piloting new ideas, and the role of parent involvement...

In this episode of Pizza & Side Hugs, the hosts discuss the critical role of saying no in youth ministry. They explore the importance of setting boundaries, understanding personal capacity, and crafting clear missions to avoid burnout. The conversation delves into how to navigate complaints and emotional responses, redirect ideas effectively, and the role of pastors in supporting youth ministe...

In this episode, the hosts engage in a lively discussion about the dynamics of group projects and the concept of Working Genius. They share personal anecdotes about their experiences with group work, highlighting the challenges and successes they faced. The conversation transitions into an exploration of the Working Genius framework, which categorizes different types of work styles and strengths....

In this episode, the hosts dive into their personal pet peeves related to youth ministry, discussing common misconceptions, frustrations with presentations, challenges in event management, and the impact of youth trends. They share their experiences and invite listeners to engage with their own pet peeves, creating a light-hearted yet insightful conversation about the realities of youth ministry....

In this episode of Pizza & Side Hugs, the hosts discuss the importance of structures in youth ministry that foster team buy-in and engagement. The conversation explores how leaders can create environments that encourage their teams to thrive, emphasizing the balance between understanding team members' personal lives and the vital nature of ministry work. They discuss how to create a thriv...

In this episode, the hosts engage in a candid discussion about their experiences in youth ministry, focusing on the failures they've encountered and the lessons learned from them. They explore various initiatives that didn't go as planned, such as the Secret Service ministry idea, packing blessing bags, and organizing events like Saturday Night Live and overnight retreats. They they emph...

In this episode, the hosts explore the essentials of implementing meaningful change within youth ministry. From understanding the importance of communication to leveraging the power of piloting initiatives, you'll gain practical insights to lead your parish through transitions smoothly, ensuring ongoing engagement and growth. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Change in Youth Ministry 03:04 Perso...

In this week's episode of Pizza & Side Hugs, the hosts discuss all there is to know about the summertime in youth ministry. They breakdown the best strategies and goals for how to effectively cater your ministry outside of the regular ministry season. Listen now for some practical steps to get your summer started! Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Icebreakers 02:15 Understanding Summer in Y...

In this episode, the hosts discuss all things burnout in youth ministry. They review the causes and signs of burnout, how to address burnout, prevention strategies, and how to use communication and seek support. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Credibility 01:25 Personal Stories and Off-Season Activities 06:00 Understanding Burnout: Causes and Signs 08:30 The Three Main Causes of Burnout 17:1...

In this episode of Pizza and Side Hugs, the hosts delve into the topic of digital evangelization, exploring how technology and social media can be effectively utilized in ministry, particularly in engaging youth. They discuss the importance of balancing digital presence with personal connections, the challenges of content creation, and the necessity of having clear goals and boundaries when using...

In this episode of Pizza and Side Hugs, the hosts discuss the power of personal witness within youth ministry and give some practical tips on how to form an effective witness. They also share stories of some memorable witness talks, as well as how to integrate mentorship into the process of writing a witness talk. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Power of Witness in Ministry 02:08 Memorable Witn...

In this episode of Pizza and Side Hugs, the hosts discuss the USCCB document 'Listen, Teach, Send,' which provides a framework for youth ministry. They explore the importance of listening, teaching, and sending young people in the context of Catholic faith, emphasizing the need for youth ministers to engage with young people and families. The conversation highlights the significance of t...

In this episode of Pizza and Side Hugs, the hosts discuss the impact of phones on youth ministry, exploring various strategies for managing phone use during ministry events. They delve into the challenges of distractions caused by phones, the pros and cons of different approaches, and the importance of setting expectations for phone use. The conversation emphasizes the need for engagement and comm...

We're doing a three-part series on one of the most important topics in youth ministry. If you want to do ministry that lasts, this is where you need to be heading with your ministry. Listen in for Part 3 of our Partner with Parents series. Part 1 delved into the critical importance of partnering with parents in youth ministry and its effectiveness on your ministry. Part 2 pivots toward the Do...

We're doing a three-part series on one of the most important topics in youth ministry. If you want to do ministry that lasts, this is where you need to be heading with your ministry. Listen in for Part 2 of our Partner with Parents series. Part 1 delved into the critical importance of partnering with parents in youth ministry and its effectiveness on your ministry. Part 2 pivots toward the Do...

We’re doing a three-part series on one of the most important topics in youth ministry. If you want to do ministry that lasts, this is where you need to be heading with your ministry. Listen in for Part 1 of our Partner with Parents series. Part 1 of this conversation delves into the critical importance of partnering with parents in youth ministry and the impact this has on the effectiveness of you...

In this episode, Paul, Julia, Jake and Rachel discuss the upcoming Jubilee of Hope declared by Pope Francis for 2025, emphasizing its significance for the Catholic Church and the call for youth engagement. They explore the historical context of Jubilee, the importance of local community involvement, and practical ideas for youth ministry to connect with the larger church during this Jubilee year....