Youth Ministry Podcasts

Podcasts are a popular way to effectively deliver content to listeners based on their needs and preferences. In a normal week, I take in several podcasts. The following list of 22 recommended podcasts include ones that I enjoy and find helpful to my ministry. The list is broken up into four categories.

• Apologetics

• Parent Ministry

• Church Leadership

• General Youth Ministry

Apologetics

1. Alisa Childers
   Allysa Childers is a dynamic apologist who tackles some of the most prevalent issues of our society from a Christian perspective.
   - Website - https://alisachilders.com/
   - Apple Podcast weblink -  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-alisa-childers-podcast/id1260262855

2. Frank Turek
   Frank is a gifted apologist, as well. My only negative commentary is that, from my perspective, he attacks the world of politics too much.
   - Website - https://crossexamined.org/
   - Apple Podcast weblink -  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-dont-have-enough-faith-to-be-an-atheist/id1297439270

3. Think Biblically
   Sean McDowell and Scott Rae cohost this deeply insightful look at the world around us through a biblical lens.
   - Website - https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically
   - Apple Podcast weblink - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/think-biblically-conversations-on-faith-culture/id1300837524

4. Thinking Out Loud
   Alan Shelmon is a gifted apologist who is a part of the “Stand to Reason” team. He offers short episodes dealing with a host of apologetic-based topics.
   - Website - https://www.str.org/thinking-out-loud
   - Apple Podcast weblink - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thinking-out-loud-with-alan-shlemon/id407846434

Parent Ministry

1. CPYU today
   This is a great one-minute podcast geared for parents. Each episode briefly highlights and wrestles with a cultural trend.
   - Website - https://cpyu.org/podcast-type/youth-culture-today-radio-show/
   - Apple Podcast weblink - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/youth-culture-today-with-walt-mueller/id1438133723

2. Plugged IN
   “Plugged In” is a ministry of Focus on the Family providing many reviews on the entertainment world. Their website is robust, and their podcast deep dives into the biggest trends in teen culture.
   - Website - https://www.pluggedin.com/
   - Apple Podcast weblink - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-plugged-in-show/id1489168110

3. Rooted Parent
   This is a good resource for parents. I tend to read more of their social media articles than listening to their podcast.
   - Website - https://rootedministry.com/
   - Apple Podcast weblink - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rooted-parent/id1519302525

4. Thanos to Theos
   If you would like a nerdy deep dive into culture, this is a great resource.
   - Website - https://rootedministry.com/podcast-series/thanos-to-theos/
   - Apple Podcast weblink - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thanos-to-theos/id1519304015

Leadership

1. Carey Nieuwhof
   Carey’s long format episodes offer insight into current church leadership issues. He seems to, at times, attempt to appeal to both mainline and evangelical churches.
   - Website - https://careynieuwhof.com/
   - Apple Podcast weblink - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-carey-nieuwhof-leadership-podcast/id912753163

2. Russel Moore
   Russel is the former Southern Baptist president and is currently the editor for Christianity Today. He offers deep dives into issues facing the church today.
   - Website - https://www.russellmoore.com/
   - Apple Podcast weblink - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-russell-moore-show/id1074011166

3. Unstuck Group
   This is one of my favorite podcasts and I rarely miss an episode. The podcast focuses on the roadblocks that churches face as they seek to grow.
   - Website – https://theunstuckgroup.com/
   - Apple Podcast weblink - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-unstuck-church-podcast-with-amy-anderson/id1154567507

4. Global Leadership
   Global Leadership offers a broad range of podcasts and resources for the church today. Every August they host a fantastic multi-day conference on leadership, as well.
   - Website - https://globalleadership.org/
   - Apple Podcast weblink - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-global-leadership-podcast/id1227526759

Youth Ministry

1. Culture Translator
   This is a very brief podcast that aims to name current teen trends. I especially value how they help me discover and understand teen lingo.
   - Website - https://axis.org/
   - Apple Podcast weblink - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-culture-translator/id1501393803

2. Middle School Ministry
   This podcast helps youth workers as they work with junior high-age students.
   - Website – https://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/middle-school-ministry/
   - Apple Podcast weblink - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/middle-school-ministry-podcast/id1297070959

3. Youth Culture Matters
   This is a CPYU podcast for youth workers focusing on teen culture.
   - Website - https://cpyu.org/podcast-type/youth-culture-matters/
   - Apple Podcast weblink - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/youth-culture-matters-a-cpyu-podcast/id1092280228

4. Youth Ministry Sherpas
   If you want to listen in on some conversations between veteran youth workers, this is the podcast for you.
   - Website - https://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/youth-ministry-sherpas/
   - Apple Podcast weblink - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/youth-ministry-sherpas-coast-to-coast/id1333665959

5. YM 360 Podcast
   This is a good general youth ministry resource.
   - Website - https://youthministry360.com/
   - Apple Podcast weblink - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ym360-podcast-youth-ministry/id1454387863

6. Download Youth Ministry
   I love the resources that “DYM” offers for sale. Their podcast often features Josh Griffth.
   - Website - https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/
   - Apple Podcast weblink - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dym-podcast/id467411244

7. Longer Haul in Youth Ministry
   The Youth Ministry Sherpas podcast (#5) and this podcast have a lot in common.
   - Website - https://thelongerhaul.com/
   - Apple Podcast weblink -https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/youth-ministry-for-the-longer-haul-podcast/id962429841

8. Rethinking Youth Ministry
   If you’re looking for fresh ideas in youth ministry, this is a good resource.
   - Website - https://rethinkingyouthministry.libsyn.com/
   - Apple Podcast weblink - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rethinking-youth-ministry-a-podcast-for-youth/id1280611266

9. Youth Ministry Hacks
   The name says it all. This is a great resource for gathering new ideas.
   - Website - https://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/youth-ministry-hacks/
   - Apple Podcast weblink - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/youth-ministry-hacks/id1229403372

10. The Word in Youth Ministry
    This is a great resource by CPYU to help youth pastors preach God’s Word faithfully and effectively.
    - Website - https://the-word-in-youth-ministry-a-cpyu-podcast.simplecast.com/
    - Apple Podcast weblink - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-word-in-youth-ministry-a-cpyu-podcast/id1566608336