Pizza & Side Hugs
A Catholic Youth Ministry Podcast for anyone leading youth ministry. Whether you're a youth minister, parent, volunteer, priest, or student leader, you'll find this to be a great resource full of joy, experience, fun, and faithfulness.
Episodes
58 episodes
Pet Peeves
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 experi...
Structures That Help Others Thrive
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 thriv...
Things We've Tried
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...
Changing Your Ministry
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 lea...
Summer Ministry
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 minis...
Burnout
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.Chapters00:0...
Digital Evangelization
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 ...
Forming A Witness
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 ...
Listen, Teach, Send
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 Ca...
Phone Zone
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 p...
Partner With Parents - Pt. 3
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.<...
Partner With Parents - Pt. 2
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.<...
Partner with Parents - Pt. 1
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.
Youth Ministry Jubilee
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...
How to Talk to Your Pastor
In this episode, Paul, Julia, and Jake talk about building strong, honest communication between youth ministers and pastors. They share why these relationships matter, how to navigate tough conversations with courage and humility, and offer sim...
Transitions Between Ministries
In this episode of Pizza and Side Hugs, the hosts dive into a big topic in youth ministry—transitions. They open up with some personal stories and reflections, then get into why smooth transitions really matter—especially when it comes t...
Assigning Small Groups
This Pizza & Side Hugs conversation delves into the intricacies of assigning small groups in youth ministry, exploring the challenges faced, strategies for effective group assignments, and the importance of gender dynamics. The speakers sha...
Being a Mentor
In last week's episode, the Pizza and Side Hugs crew talked about the importance of having a mentor as a youth minister...but for new youth ministers to have mentors, that may mean it is time for you to step up and be a mentor. In this week's e...
Mentors for Mentors
Christ did not send out his apostles one by one, but two by two. In this episode, the Pizza and Side Hugs team talks about what that means when you are working in ministry- it is so important to be doing it with someone else. Having a mentor ca...
Curriculum for Youth Ministry
Struggling to figure out the curriculum situation for your youth ministry? It can be an overwhelming topic! With so many different topics and options available, curriculum may be a frustrating part of your ministry. In this week's episode, the ...
Youth Minister Self-Care
The average youth minister only lasts about 18 months...we want to help make sure that you don't fall into that statistic! In this episode, the Pizza and Side Hugs team talks about two main areas where you can take care of yourself: programmati...
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Asking Good Questions
Do you ever struggle to ask good processing questions with teens? In this episode Paul, Rachel, and special guest Charlie Hardesty from the Diocese of Owensboro, break down what it looks like to engage with teens and ask better questions. ...
What to Look for in Hiring a Youth Minister
Intro Slice (0:48)Hiring a YM is Tough (1:53)Decide What You NEED and is Possible with Your Resources (4:47)There are a lot of things you may want in a YM, but you need to decide what you need first....
