Embrace the Awkward Podcast

If you haven't listened to our last few episodes, GO DO IT NOW! In this episode, DJ and Kyle give their top ten tips for multi-sensory preaching and teaching, which engages more senses than one, and will DRIVE YOUR ENGAGEMENT UP wildly. 

In this episode, Kyle and DJ talk about how we can be better at teaching and preaching by using more senses than just hearing. You have a powerful message, and that message deserves to be said in a powerful way. 

How can you get the most out of your time on stage? We all want to be great speakers. How can we be engaging speakers with a lasting effect. As youth workers, our message is important. In this four part series, Kyle and DJ want to give you practical tips and tricks to be a better speaker, increase your engagement, maximize your stage time, and amp up your illustrations game through multi sensory t...

In this episode, Kyle and DJ talk about increasing the audience engagements in your sermons and messages. What you say is important. How can you keep your audience interested?

In this episode, Kyle and DJ are joined by the amazing Jake Stemo, leader of Presence Worship. Jake brings amazing experience and passion for the Kingdom, and in episode 26, discusses everything from starting a youth band from nothing to the importance of true worship in John 4. 

In this episode, Kyle and DJ are joined by the amazing Jake Stemo, leader of Presence Worship. Jake brings amazing experience and passion for the Kingdom, and in episode 26, discusses everything from starting a youth band from nothing to the importance of true worship in John 4. 

In this episode, Kyle and DJ talk about their predictions (some strange, some scary, some passionately accurate) for the year. 2020 was a year like no-one could have imagined. What are your predictions for the church in 2021? Let us know on the Embrace the Awkward Podcast community on Facebook!

In the last episode, Kyle and DJ talked about the awkwardness of following a really bad youth worker. You might seem like the savior! There are, however, two sides to every coin. Sometimes, you might follow a really good youth worker. You might have to win favor, or overcome a preconceived notion about yourself. 

The reality is, someone will come after you. In your case, you probably came after someone! What do you do when the person you are following was pretty bad? In this episode, Kyle and DJ discuss how to start your job on the right foot when you find yourself in this position. In part 2, we flip the coin and take a look at how to follow a great youth worker.

In the inception episode of the ABC (awkward book club) DJ and Kyle review several very outdated books. Times have certainly changed, and it can be fun to look back and see the evidence of that. 

Episode 20, WOW! We are thankful that you share life with us, and listen to us week after week share about the awkwardness of ministry. In this episode, DJ and Kyle talk about some of the ways to kill game time. Games are necessary for youth ministry, how can we make sure we use them effectively?

Hey parents! Welcome to the Embrace the Awkward Podcast! As you'll hear, we have one goal in mind, and that is to help you handle awkward better. Parenting can be awkward, we know that. Especially when navigating a teen through the world of social media. We recorded this episode specifically for you, and packed it full of helpful hints and encouragement for you as you parent your student. 

There is no debate. Social Media has quickly overtaken our world. Not only is it an incredible tool, it CAN and SHOULD be used for your ministry. In this episode, DJ and Kyle share some practical advise for your ministry to have a rocking social media presence. 

In this episode, DJ and Kyle are excited to welcome on Chris Chambers, who was a youth pastor for over 30 years. DJ and Kyle ask ALL of the questions. How do you make it that long? How did you know it was time to leave? Plus, you won't want to miss the many stories in this episode. 

This month, DJ and Kyle are talking about failed events. Have you ever been to a dramatically failed event? Maybe you've even put one on? These can be SO awkward and honestly are defeating. In this episode, you'll hear some funny stories (didn't seem funny in the moment, but sure are now) and some tips on how to better plan. The good news? God can use big and small events for His gl...

Through this month, we are talking about some of the things that scare us as youth workers. In this episode, Kyle and DJ talk about one of their biggest fears in working in ministry, creating an atheist.  What if we miss a meeting and a kid never shows up to church again? What if a student leaves your ministry and completely abandons their faith? Why is this even a scary thought? Because we'r...

This month, we are covering some of our biggest fears in ministry. In this episode, we talk about MiStAkEs! If you are anything like DJ, you mess up a lot! (Kyle is perfect...) When we mess up from stage, or say something wrong, what do we do? Most of the time, it's a minor mistake. But reacting wrong in these moments can create an even bigger mess! 

This month, we are hitting some of the things that have scared us or scare us the most in ministry. In this episode, DJ and Kyle talk about the realities and effects of break ups within your ministry. How can we handle these SUPER awkward moments well? It's always painful to lose a student. 

In this episode, DJ and Kyle respond to the Netflix original documentary, The Social Dilemma. Social media has overtaken our world. Has it overtaken us as humans as well? In this episode, we discuss our live response to the film. 

As youth workers, sometimes we face some, well, really awkward questions. DJ and Kyle ask each other some of the awkward questions that they have actually been asked. Don't worry if the podcast pauses, embrace that awkward moments, because we are trying to process what we have just been asked. 

In this episode, Kyle and DJ give their top ten list of reasons why you SHOULDN'T go in to youth ministry. Have we caught your attention yet? Every ten episodes, Embrace the Awkward will do a top ten list of some kind. At the end of the episode, a winner of our contest from episode 8 is announced!

Caring for ourselves spiritually is so important for our relationship with Jesus, and the effectiveness and longevity of our career. In this Episode, Kyle and DJ talk about some easy and different ways to get quiet and connect with God. Mentioned: https://www.youversion.com https://careynieuwhof.com/mypodcast/ https://www.streetlightsbible.com https://www.audible.com

In this episode, Kyle and DJ talk about some of the weird or awkward jobs that sometimes fall on the youth worker. For some reasons, youth workers automatically become jack-of-all trades. What are some of the weird jobs, and why are they given to us? Be sure to let us know on instagram or in our Facebook community group for a chance to win some limited edition Embrace the Awkward gear!

In this episode, Kyle and DJ talk about something really, well, awkward. Youth ministry is family ministry! We don't want to take the parents place, but team up with them! But, it can be difficult to do for many reasons. How can you guide parents when you don't have a kid, or maybe aren't even married! In episode 7, you'll find practical tips on ways to better help parents in r...