Unsuccess with Josh and David

Ep. 801 – Faith, Youth Ministry, and the Stories That Shape Us | Derek Beaudoin In this episode, we sit down with Derek Beaudoin, who served as the youth pastor at St. Johns Church for a number of years. We reflect on his time in ministry, the relationships that shaped those years, and the ways God works through the church and the people who become part of its story. It’s a conversation about fait...

Before her transfer to Sweden and Malmo FF Soccer Club Josh and David had the awesome privilege of sitting down with Portland Thorns Striker Izzy DAquila. They talked about some of the dynamics of being a professional athlete and the work required to make it happen. They also were able to pull back the curtain a little and explore some of the deeper things of life and how challenging it can be to...

Josh and David talk with Author, Editor, and Speaker, Drew Dyck about what it means to be faithful in ministry. They discuss what its like being a leader in the twenty-first century and talk about the metrics of how we measure success in our world today. You can find Drew on X (even though he and David will never call it that, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn or you can visit his website at http:...

Elise Galis, Program Manager at Together PDX and Director of Operations at Imago Dei Community, joins the infamous Unsuccess Podcast with Josh and David as they talk about church unity and collaboration and the difficulties of church led collaboration efforts vs third party organizations and how to build and maintain trust in these relationships.

Josh and David are joined on this episode by Carina Kunkel, a local worship leader and coordinator. They talk about a myriad of different things from college experiences to pain caused by church to what it means to be able to show up in a Christian community as ugly and authentically as oneself.

Josh and David kick it just the two of them and talk about David’s Substack, “All the Things I Haven’t Said” and they explore the topics that are generally off limits for pastors and people in leadership.

Josh and David talk with Zack Shoote, a long-time minister of music and youth, and currently working as a resident director at University of Portland. The guys discuss ministry vs being a layperson, as well as how the church often prefers division over unity. Check out Zach Shoote on Instagram and Facebook

Stephen is our first triple-hitter guest. What’s that say about him or us? No clue, but hey, it is what it is. Stoked to have him back on the show though. Join us as Stephen shares about some of the new elements in his journey and his training in spiritual direction. He shares with Josh and David about his new work he is calling “Soul Care – Tending to those in Helping Professions.” Soul Care…

Nathan Riley, Elder at Red Sea Church, joins Josh and David and shares about some of the ups and downs of ministry, what it is like to be a church planter of a church that blows up, and then the different life cycles a church goes through. They also spend some time talking about the North Portland community and what it means to be really present and to be a community pastor.

Josh and David are joined by two amazing people doing some amazing work in the North Portland Community. Marissa and Tyler run an after school homework club and serve one of the most diverse communities in our city. They talk about some of the joys and struggles of serving a community for the long haul and what it is like living amongst the kids and families you serve.

Josh and David are joined in this episode by Darrell Grenz, a St Johns native, Roosevelt Alumni, and over the top TicToker. Darrell and Josh reminisce about growing up in St Johns and talk about the change for the better and worse that has happened and share about some practical ways in which we can continue to embrace our community and continue to make it a better place to live. You can catch up...

Josh and David are joined today by a repeat guest, Matt Clark. Matt opens up and shares about some of his journey with mental health and depression. Living with depression is difficult and figuring out how public to be with our own journeys, especially when your professional roles require or ask of you a certain level of vulnerability. Matt, David, and Josh all share practices and disciplines they...

David and Josh are joined by the one and only amazing Marty Mertz. They talk about working with vulnerable populations and the often thankless job of Social Work and navigating the hurdles with faith, non-profit, and civic communities.

Josh and David share a little of their journey the last few years as they kick off a new fresh season of their amazing and spectacular podcast. They dig into what this journey and this podcast really is all about and examine some of what unsuccess looks like and if it truly is the answer to all the worlds problems. Make sure to check it out, subscribe to the show to make sure you get…

Josh and David are joined by Jay Braband (a returning guest) on this episode as he shares some of his story and the wrapping up of a season of ministry here in Portland, OR as he makes plans to move back to IA. They talk about some of the ups and downs of ministry and how the fruit of a person’s life and work can be different than the norms or expectations but that does…

Josh and David are joined this week by Kristle Delihanty of PDX Saints Love. She shares some of her amazing story of transformation, how she came to encounter the love of Jesus, and how she has then committed her life to serving and loving others.

Justin McRoberts returns to the podcast to discuss his new book, “It Is What You Make of It.” We talk about the importance of thinking creatively about what your life could be, and why you don’t need to view yourself in “just” one way. To find out more about McRoberts you can follow him on social media or check him out online at http://justinmcroberts.com

Josh and Dvid are joined by Ken Loyd on this week’s episode of the Unsuccess Podcast. Ken shares about some of his story and journey and how he found a home amongst the houseless in Portland, OR. He has had great impact on a number of people and he credits it all to “mostly nothing special.” You can meet Ken on most days at his office on the corner of N. Mississippi and N. Shaver…

Josh and David are joined this week by Alexis Harris of Because People Matter. They talk about some of the pressures and stresses of houselessness and what those of us who are housed can do about it. Alexis also shares some of her own story and some of her wounds that have been healed in large part because of her relationship with those who find themselves living on the streets. You can learn more...

Josh and David are joined by SheeAnna and Stephen Dilworth of “Breathe, Pray, Worship.” They share some of their own story and insights on how to journey through life, and how to be present with others, when things don’t turn out how we thought they would. You can find out more at breatheprayworship.com or you can follow them on Facebook or YouTube

Pastor, Professor, and Writer AJ Swoboda joins us on the podcast to talk about his new book After Doubt. We discuss the benefits and pitfalls that come with faith deconstruction, along with some thoughts about how to hold onto faith while deconstructing. Find out more about AJ at https://www.ajswobodawrites.com And pick up his new book After Doubt today!

Josh and David are joined by Tara Benavente, the St. Johns Village Program Manager as they explore some of the ins and outs of sabbath and rest and why taking a sabbath or day off in order to “recover” is not actually very sustainable. Tara talks about ways and practices she has been able to implement in her own life to keep peace and rest as she works in what many consider a high stress…

Today we’re joined by Leanor Ortega Till. Leanor talks with us about playing in ska-punk band Five Iron Frenzy, as well as her role as a pastor, both inside and outside of the institutional church. You can find out more about Leanor’s work with Urban Skye at www.urbanskye.org And check out Five Iron Frenzy’s new album, Until This Shakes Apart

Josh and David are a little ADD on this pilot episode of the FIFTH SEASON of the Unsuccess Podcast. They eventually get to some interesting conversation around this concept of people seeking out suffering or persecution. They share about how as pastors it can be easy for us to wear some of our failures as a badge of honor in certain circles.

Josh and David are joined this week by Jennifer Evans, a Black Lives advocate and single mother of three boys. Jennifer has an incredible story and an incredible passion for people. She cares deeply. Listen with a curiosity and a tender heart as Jennifer shares some of her pain and heartache and what that pain has been moving her toward.