The KidzMatter Podcast
Join Ryan Frank each week as he interviews some of the brightest minds in children's ministry on The KidzMatter Podcast. Gain valuable insights and inspiration for your own ministry journey.
Episodes
249 episodes
Episode 237: Feeling Alone in Kids Ministry? The Conference That Changes Everything with Ryan and Beth Frank
If you're a children's pastor feeling alone, overwhelmed, or questioning whether you can keep going, Ryan and Beth Frank want to meet you at The KidzMatter Conference. This conversation isn't just about breakout sessions (though there are 170+ ...
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Episode 236: Accurate, Goal-Oriented, Engaging Kids' Ministry with Curt Hale
Sunday is always coming, and it's easy for kids' ministry to run on autopilot. The same games, the same songs, week after week. But what if there was a simple framework to help you evaluate every element of your large group ministry and ensure ...
Episode 235: Emotionally Intelligent KidMin Leadership with Shelby Honeycutt
Conflict is part of ministry — you can't avoid it, but you can lead through it well. In this episode, Hannah sits down with certified coach, speaker, and DISC behavioral analyst Shelby Honeycutt for a sneak peek of her upcoming KidzMatter Confe...
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Episode 234: Kids' Ministry on a Budget with Melanie Ringle
Big budget or no budget — what matters is how you steward it. In this episode, Hannah Augustine sits down with Melanie Ringle, a 10+ year KidMin veteran and self-proclaimed "thrifting" expert, to talk about stewarding your kids' ministry budget...
Episode 233: Crawl, Walk, Run - Growth as a Ministry Leader with Charlie Alcock
Comparison is a thief of joy — and so is trying to run before you've learned to crawl. Charlie Alcock (Good Days with Eddy and Charlie, youth pastor track leader at this year's KidzMatter Confe...
Episode 232: Bringing Real-Life Faith Heroes to Your Kids' Ministry with Ellen Vaughn
Kids are hungry for heroes — and too often, culture hands them fictional ones instead of the real, flesh-and-blood believers whose stories can shape their faith for a lifetime. In this episode, Hannah Augustine sits down with New York Times bes...
Episode 231: Why Fun is Essential in Kids' Ministry with Kayla Fowler
Is fun a distraction from real ministry — or the doorway into it? Hannah sits down with Kayla Fowler (Team Lead for Hyfi, Lifeway's next-gen curriculum) to unpack why fun isn't optional in kids' ministry — it's foundational. If you've ever wond...
Episode 230: Read the Room | Engaging Your Large Group in Kids' Ministry with Steve Bloom
If you've ever stood in front of a room full of kids and felt the chaos creeping in, this episode is for you. Hannah Augustine sits down with Steve Bloom, executive producer of The Park Curriculum, to tal...
Episode 229: What Actually Keeps Children's Ministry Volunteers Coming Back
What if the real problem in your kids' ministry isn't a lack of volunteers — it's that you can't keep the ones you have? In this episode of the KidzMatter Podcast, Hannah Augustine shares a sneak peek inside a
Episode 228: Start Here | The Building Blocks of a Fruitful Kids Ministry
How do you build a children's ministry from scratch — or step into one and make it better? In this special collaboration between the KidzMatter Podcast and the Cross Formed KidMin Podcast, hosts Hannah Augustine, Hunter Williams, and Tim Beilha...
Episode 227: From Copycat to Context - Your Ministry Doesn't Have to Look Like Theirs with Charlie Alcock
The 2026 KidzMatter Conference is launching its first-ever Youth Pastor Track, and in this episode, Charlie Alcock explains what you'll learn and how it differs from traditional conference teaching. Instead of copying tactics, you'll discover t...
Episode 226: A Volunteer’s Guide to Kids’ Ministry with Corey Jones
Just signed up to serve in kids' ministry? This is the essential starter episode. Hannah Augustine and Corey Jones walk through everything new volunteers need to know—from building authentic relationships with kids to safety protocols that prot...
Episode 225: How to Avoid Mistakes Young Leaders Make in Ministry with Sarah Carroll
Hannah Augustine and Sarah Carroll share the hard-won lessons they wish they'd known when they started leading, as well as some of the biggest mistakes young leaders make in ministry. If you're a young leader, a kids pastor, or you're mentoring...
Episode 224: 3 Ways to Build Biblical Literacy in Kids Ministry with Steph Bradac and Mark Campbell
If you’re a kids' pastor who has ever ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of Scripture or unsure how to make it stick, this conversation is your clear path forward. In this episode, Hannah Augustine welcomes Mark Campbell and Steph Bradac...
Episode 223: How to Help Kids Truly Encounter God with David Rausch
Most kids are leaving church and faith behind because they’re starving for a balanced, genuine encounter with God—not just education or entertainment. But what if you could change that in your ministry—and see lives transform?In this ey...
Episode 222: P.R.A.Y. Pals for KidMin with Christy Hooper and Jonathan Hooper
Join Hannah Augustine as she connects with Christy and Jonathan Hooper, the creative minds behind "P.R.A.Y. Pals," an interactive children's book designed to teach kids the power of prayer. Discover how the P.R.A.Y. acronym—Praise, Repent, Ask,...
Episode 221: Foster-Friendly KidMin with Dr. Alan Bixler
Over half of America's children are growing up without close contact with their biological fathers, and more than 670,000 kids pass through foster care each year. But what if the church saw this crisis as the greatest mission field right in our...
Episode 220: KidMen with Curt Nelson
There's a common stereotype that serving with a kids' ministry is predominantly a female role. However, as Curt Nelson and Hannah Augustine discuss in this podcast episode, boys and girls must see godly men serving in the church. Think outside ...
Episode 219: Summer Ready with Ryan Frank
Get ready for summer in KidMin with strategic planning tips and practical tools. Hannah Augustine and Ryan Frank discuss how to embrace the unique season of summer, turn challenges into opportunities, and prepare your team and environment for a...
Episode 218: A Masterpiece-Minded Kids' Ministry with Brian Dollar
Unlock the secret to transforming children's lives by building a vibrant identity rooted in Christ—it's easier than you think! In this episode, Hannah Augustine teams up with Brian Dollar, a seasoned Kids' Pastor and founder of High Voltage...
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Episode 217: Holy Week in KidMin with Christen Clark
Don't let the busy interrupt the holy! In this episode, Hannah Augustine and Christen Clark discuss the importance of preparing for Holy Week. With a little intentionality, KidMin leaders can engage families and kids alike in understanding the ...
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Episode 216: Expectant for Easter with Brittany Nelson
Most KidMin leaders underestimate how crucial Easter planning is, and often miss the opportunity to serve with purpose amidst the busy chaos. In today's conversation with Brittany Nelson from Deeper KidMin
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Episode 215: Beyond the Bunny with Corinne Noble
When it comes to KidMin Easter egg hunts, we seem to be doing the same things, the same way, for the same reasons - but without the same effectiveness. This week's conversation with Corinne Noble will have you laughing, nodding in agreement, an...
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Episode 214: Next Gen Ready KidMin with Chuck Peters
In this episode with Chuck Peters from Lifeway Next Gen, we explore five enormous needs facing today’s kids and students in Gen Z and Gen Alpha. If you want to better understand and disciple the next generation, this conversation will help you ...
Episode 213: Bridging the Gap | The Future of Kids and Youth Ministry with Ryan Frank and Rev. Dr. Charlie Alcock
Join us as we kick off Global KidMin Week with an exciting announcement! This episode with Ryan Frank and Rev. Dr. Charlie Alcock explores the vital bridge between children's and youth ministry, highlighting new initiatives designed to strength...