You Can Mentor: A Christian Youth Mentoring Podcast

In this powerful episode of the You Can Mentor podcast, Zach Garza sits down with Chris Cox from Back2Back Ministries. With over two decades of experience in youth work and 13+ years at Back2Back, Chris brings a wealth of wisdom around trauma-informed holistic care and mentoring vulnerable youth. Chris shares his journey from youth pastor to launching Back2Back’s first U.S.-based site in Cincinnat...

In this episode of the You Can Mentor podcast, Zachary Garza and Chad Higgins of Lifeway Christian Resources explore the essential role parents play in mentoring and discipling their children. Chad shares his background in parent ministry and emphasizes the need to empower parents as the primary spiritual leaders in their homes. They discuss how mentors can build trust with parents, engage those w...

In this episode of the You Can Mentor podcast, Zachary Garza talks with Brittany Sawrey-Coulson and Benjamin Crawshaw from True Face about the power of authenticity in mentorship and discipleship. They challenge performance-based models of discipleship, emphasizing identity in Christ and the value of genuine, trust-filled relationships. The conversation covers how mentors can create safe spaces fo...

In this episode of the You Can Mentor podcast, Zach Garza talks with Susie Gallo of Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance about the life-changing impact of mentorship. They explore the value of compassion, curiosity, and authentic connections with mentees. Susie offers practical advice on supporting mentors, creative approaches to recruitment, and the importance of patience in building meaningful relat...

In this episode of the You Can Mentor podcast, Zachary Garza interviews Randy Odom, President of Kids Across America (KAA), to explore the powerful impact of mentorship and the unique opportunities KAA provides for youth. Randy reflects on his own mentorship journey and discusses how camp experiences play a vital role in shaping young lives. The conversation highlights the Kaleo program, which dev...

In this episode of the You Can Mentor podcast, Zachary Garza speaks with Reverend Clarence Ford III, Program Director of the Crossroads Mentoring Program in Houston, Texas. They explore how mentoring serves as a form of discipleship and plays a critical role in youth development. Clarence highlights the power of building relationships within schools to bring hope to young people, and he emphasizes...

In this episode of the You Can Mentor podcast, Zachary Garza interviews Michael Morgan, founder of A Few Good Mentors, Inc. Michael shares his journey from being an FBI surveillance expert to becoming a dedicated youth mentor. The conversation explores the importance of mentoring, the challenges of recruiting male mentors, and the core values that guide their organization. Michael emphasizes the n...

In this episode, Zach shares an exciting update for the You Can Mentor podcast! The show, which started four years ago with co-founder Stephen Murray, has been dedicated to helping faith-based mentoring organizations collaborate, grow, and equip themselves with best practices. Over time, they’ve created 264 podcast episodes, a series of books, and hosted the National Christian Mentoring Gathering....

In this episode of the You Can Mentor podcast, Zachary Garza interviews AD, the Men's Mentorship Manager at GRIP Outreach for Youth in Chicago. AD discusses his faith journey, his background in mentorship, and the mission of GRIP, which focuses on building meaningful, life-on-life relationships with youth. The conversation highlights GRIP's programs, such as SLAM, a sports-based mentorship initiat...

In this episode of the You Can Mentor podcast, Zachary Garza sits down with John Barnard to dive into their new book, The Youth Mentoring Playbook , a must-read for anyone looking to make a difference in the lives of young people. They share key insights, practical strategies, and real-life experiences that help mentors build strong, meaningful relationships. Whether you're a coach, teacher, or co...

In this episode of the You Can Mentor podcast, Zachary Garza and Grant Skeldon dive into the significance of mentorship and discipleship, especially for young people who have faced tough challenges. They share personal stories, insights on starting a new church in Nashville, and the essential role of community in building meaningful connections. The conversation highlights the importance of creati...

In this episode of the You Can Mentor podcast, Zachary Garza and Brad Griffin of Fuller Youth Institute explore the impact of mentoring teenagers, with a focus on identity, belonging, and purpose. Brad, drawing from his research at the Fuller Youth Institute, stresses the importance of genuine connections with young people and fostering safe environments where they can express their thoughts and e...

In this episode of You Can Mentor , Zachary Garza speaks with Dominick Sanchez from Urban Story Ministries about the power of mentorship in urban communities. Dominick shares his journey from troubled youth to mentor, emphasizing the importance of understanding at-risk youth and addressing misconceptions about their behavior. He highlights the need for trained, compassionate mentors, home visits t...

In this episode of You Can Mentor , Zachary Garza speaks with Alyssa Bryant from Save Our Youth , a mentoring organization in Denver, Colorado. Alyssa shares her journey from the music industry to her role as Marketing and Events Coordinator. They discuss the organization's mission to instill God-given worth in young people, the impact of mentoring, and the various programs supporting youth aged 1...

In this episode of You Can Mentor , host Zach talks with Kent Evans, founder of Manhood Journey , about the role of mentorship in fatherhood. Kent shares how a mentor shaped his teenage years and emphasizes the power of asking questions over giving answers. They explore the dangers of mentoring, the importance of humility, and how mentors should guide mentees in building decision-making skills. Th...

In this episode of the You Can Mentor podcast, Zach Garza interviews Mike McGarry, a seasoned youth pastor and theologian, about the critical role of mentoring in youth ministry. They delve into the importance of presence in mentoring relationships, discipleship, and how to assess a mentee’s spiritual relationship with God. Mike highlights the significance of identity in Christ, emphasizing the ne...

In this episode of You Can Mentor , Zachary Garza and Norris Williams of Identity Exchange (www.identityexchange.com) explore the vital connection between identity and mentorship. Norris shares his personal journey, emphasizing how understanding our identity in Christ shapes everything we do and how societal labels can distort our self-worth. The conversation dives into the crucial role mentors pl...

In this episode of the You Can Mentor Podcast , Zachary Garza interviews John Shearer, leader of Academy 4, a nonprofit mentoring over 4,200 fourth graders annually by partnering with local churches to build sustainable relationships with schools and families. John shares how his cancer journey led him to nonprofit work and highlights Academy Four’s programs, which equip children with leadership s...

In this episode of the You Can Mentor podcast, Zachary Garza sits down with Noah McGuffey, Mentor Coordinator at Forerunner Mentoring in Dallas, Texas. Together, they dive deep into Noah’s inspiring journey—from his childhood experiences abroad to how those formative years ignited his passion for mentoring. Noah opens up about the powerful mission of Forerunner Mentoring, shedding light on the rea...

In this podcast, John and Zach discuss the "motorcycle metaphor" to highlight important lessons about mentorship through John's experience riding motorcycles with his 18-year-old son. Here are the key takeaways: Communication is Key : Effective communication is vital for mentoring, especially when introducing new experiences to a mentee. This includes preparing them beforehand, offering guidance d...

In this episode of You Can Mentor , host Zach sits down with Annie and Dennis from Club Christ Ministries in Las Vegas, an organization dedicated to mentoring kids and transforming communities. Annie, the Program Director, and Dennis, the Henderson Center Director, share powerful stories of how their work provides hope and support to kids facing challenges like violence and poverty. Through tutori...

In this episode of the You Can Mentor podcast, host Zachary Garza welcomes Andy Paul, a youth pastor from Salem Baptist Church in Georgia. They discuss the importance of mentoring in youth ministry, sharing personal stories and practical tips for connecting with young people. Andy shares his journey into youth ministry, the significance of radical hospitality, and the unique challenges and opportu...

In this episode, Zachary Garza sits down with Maggie Middleton, a passionate advocate for youth mentoring, to explore the life-changing power of guiding the next generation. Together, they dive into Maggie's personal journey in mentoring and discuss the transformative concept of Positive Youth Development (PYD) , which focuses on building strengths rather than highlighting challenges. Maggie share...

In this episode of the You Can Mentor podcast, Zachary Garza sits down with Dr. John Trent to explore the life-changing impact of mentorship and the power of words. Dr. Trent opens up about his own journey, overcoming a difficult childhood, and the crucial role mentorship played in his healing. He highlights the importance of having someone who truly believes in you and introduces the concept of "...

The Gate Youth Association is a 501(c)(3), non-profit corporation whose mission is to demonstrate Christ’s love to the youth of our community through academic, social, recreational, and spiritual activities. Currently, The Gate is open 5 days a week and serves 400 teens each week through various programs.  Their vision is a community where future generations experience, follow, and serve Christ. C...