Youth Group Chronicles
Unbelievable, hilarious, and sometimes horrifying stories from youth group — shared by listeners from around the world every week. Have a story for us? Email it to stories@ygcpodcast.com.
Episodes
252: Driven by Faith (John Scarborough & George Johnson)
To learn more about booking a Luke Robertson to perform for your Camp, Conference or Church event, go to http://lukerobertsonlive.com/contact This week, Sam is joined by John Scarborough and George Johnson for an episode packed with stories that go completely off the rails. A quiet afternoon at church turns into chaos when a car comes crashing through the building in a bizarre story
251: Controversial Art (Sha Racks & Dustin Coe)
This week, Sam is joined by Sha Racks and Dustin Coe for an episode packed with church stories that spiral out of control fast. Leading the chaos is Controversial Art, where an unexpected piece of artwork creates a situation nobody was prepared for. Plus, a sermon illustration sends an entire congregation into panic, a youth leader nearly makes a very awkward mistake with the wrong woman,
250: Backroom Draft Picks | After Hours Series (Cole Clark & Buddy Jenkins)
Sam sits down with Cole Clark and Buddy Jenkins for an After Hours bonus episode packed with random debates, hot takes, and behind-the-scenes conversations. They get into Sam’s quirks, favorite food combos and celebrities, sermon preaching tips, whether dating in youth group is a good idea, thoughts on the new Narnia movie, DC vs. Marvel, and the terrifying world of the Backrooms—includin
249: Signed, Sealed, De-briefed (John Scarborough & George Johnson)
JohnCristComedy.com/tour, for tour dates and tickets.This week, Sam is joined by John Scarborough and George Johnson for another round of youth ministry chaos, including a Secret Santa gift that turns into a very unexpected Christmas mystery in “Signed, Sealed, De-briefed.” They also get into a student hiding someone’s prosthetic leg at a retreat, a six-year-old giving an unforgettable an
248: E. coli Speedrun (Cole Clark & Gabe Cuomo)
To learn more about booking a Luke Robertson to perform for your Camp, Conference or Church event, go to http://lukerobertsonlive.com/contact Sign up for the Culture Translator at http://axis.org/YGC. The Culture Translator is one of the easiest ways to stay informed and equipped. It's free, arrives every Friday, and gives you practical insight into the world teenagers are growing up in,
247: The Pregnancy Announcement (Buddy Jenkins & Mackenzie Smolin)
http://JohnCristComedy.com/tour, for tour dates and tickets.Sam is joined by Buddy Jenkins & Mackenzie Smolin for an episode packed with youth ministry chaos, unforgettable church moments, and stories that escalate way faster than anyone expected. The main story starts with a girl pulling up after Bible study and announcing in front of a group of students, “I’m pregnant and it’s your
246: Twin Towers (Cole Clark & Gabe Cuomo)
Sign up for the Culture Translator at http://axis.org/YGC. The Culture Translator is one of the easiest ways to stay informed and equipped. It's free, arrives every Friday, and gives you practical insight into the world teenagers are growing up in, along with conversation starters you can use right away.Sam is joined by Cole Clark and Gabe Cuomo for an episode packed with youth ministry s
245: The Sacrificial Lamb (LIVE at Uproar Conference NY 2026)
LIVE from Uproar Conference NY 2026 in Horseheads, New York, Sam is joined by Cole Clark and Buddy Jenkins for a packed episode of Youth Group Chronicles! The guys dive into some of the wildest youth ministry stories yet, including a conference illustration involving a live lamb that left an entire room of students horrified, a mission trip that ended with police cars and a helicopter sur
244: Camp’s Got Talent (Buddy Jenkins & Mackenzie Smolin)
Sign up for the Culture Translator at https://axis.org/YGC. The Culture Translator is one of the easiest ways to stay informed and equipped. It's free, arrives every Friday, and gives you practical insight into the world teenagers are growing up in, along with conversation starters you can use right away.Sam is joined by Buddy Jenkins and Mackenzie Smolin for an episode packed with youth
243: Three Inches of Regret (Cole Clark & Gabe Cuomo)
http://johncristcomedy.com/tour, for tour dates and tickets.Sam is joined by Cole Clark and Gabe Cuomo for an episode packed with youth ministry decisions that went very, very wrong. The featured story, “Three Inches of Regret,” takes us to a mission trip in Mexico where one student’s attempt to help build a house turns into a medical emergency nobody saw coming. Plus, a youth trip with a
242: Silence of the Geese (Buddy Jenkins & Mackenzie Smolin)
Sign up for the Culture Translator at http://axis.org/YGC. The Culture Translator is one of the easiest ways to stay informed and equipped. It's free, arrives every Friday, and gives you practical insight into the world teenagers are growing up in, along with conversation starters you can use right away.This week on Youth Group Chronicles, Sam is joined by Buddy Jenkins and Mackenzie Smol
241: Porta Potty Confusion (LIVE at Uproar Conference Indiana 2026)
This week, Sam is joined LIVE from Uproar Conference Indiana 2026 for an episode packed with the kind of youth ministry stories you truly couldn't make up. From a first-time porta potty experience that leaves everyone speechless, to a camp snack discovery that changes an entire week's menu, a church game that got way more dangerous than anyone expected, and a youth leader who accidentally
240: Sole Searching (Sha Racks & George Johnson)
This week, Sam is joined by Sha Racks and George Johnson for an episode full of unforgettable youth ministry moments, headlined by a story that starts with one student waking up in the middle of the night to a cabin experience they definitely never signed up for. Along the way, they react to a youth conference crush confession that goes sideways in front of hundreds of students, a prank 9
239: Chemical Warfare (John Scarborough & Dustin Coe)
This week on the Youth Group Chronicles podcast, Sam is joined by John Scarborough and Dustin Coe for another round of unbelievable youth ministry stories, led by the unforgettable "The Text Offender." From a youth leader accidentally giving an entire amusement park full of students the wrong phone number, to a pastor whose sermon upload attracted all the wrong attention, to a camp game t
238: The Text Offender (Sha Racks & George Johnson)
JohnCristComedy.com/tour, for tour dates and tickets.Sam is joined by Sha Racks and George Johnson for an episode full of youth ministry moments that prove reality is stranger than fiction. The guys kick things off by revisiting the infamous Episode 225 story of the boy caught spying on kids changing in a cabin, leading into another unforgettable camp story featuring "The Text Offender,"
237: Forbidden Cheese (LIVE at Uproar Conference Maine 2026)
Recorded live at Uproar Conference in Charleston, Maine, Sam is joined by Tim Stearns and Buddy Jenkins for an episode packed with unbelievable youth ministry stories. From the legendary tale of the "Forbidden Cheese" to a pastor whose sermon illustration goes horribly wrong, a camp game that takes gross to a whole new level, a youth group survival experiment that may have gone too far, a
236: The Crucifixions (John Scarborough & Dustin Coe)
Text YGC to 64000 for your 2 free gifts with the purchase of any Pocket Hose Ballistic hose. By Texting 64000, you agree to receive recurring automated marketing messages from Pocket Hose. Message frequency varies and data rates may apply. Text STOP at any time to opt out. Text HELP for additional Information. No purchase required. Terms apply, available at PocketHose.com/terms.This week,
235: The Second Coming (Cory Asbury)
This week on Youth Group Chronicles, Sam is joined by Cory Asbury for one of the wildest church stories we've ever heard—a late-night encounter involving a mysterious "Jesus dude" that had an entire church unsure of what was going to happen next. Along the way, you'll hear about a lock-in interrupted by an unexpected visitor wandering through the church, a middle schooler's fiery attempt
234: Trippin’ and Strippin’ (Sha Racks & George Johnson)
JohnCristComedy.com/tour, for tour dates and tickets.This week on Youth Group Chronicles, Sam is joined by Sha Racks and George Johnson for an episode full of youth ministry chaos, questionable field trips, and moments that went sideways fast. The main story follows a youth group trip that became unforgettable when one student secretly made a dangerous decision in the city and things quic
233: The Sacrificial Middle Schooler (John Scarborough & Dustin Coe)
Text YGC to 64000 for your 2 free gifts with the purchase of any Pocket Hose Ballistic hose. By Texting 64000, you agree to receive recurring automated marketing messages from Pocket Hose. Message frequency varies and data rates may apply. Text STOP at any time to opt out. Text HELP for additional Information. No purchase required. Terms apply, available at PocketHose.com/terms.This week
232: Christian Red Flags & The Worst Church Traditions | After Hour Series (Cole Clark & Buddy Jenkins)
In this After Hours episode, Sam hangs out with Buddy and Cole for a completely unfiltered conversation that somehow covers everything from wisdom teeth removals and past surgeries to hunting, sports, hobbies, and trying to hit your daily protein goals. The guys also debate Christian red flags, rank bands against bands, discuss the worst Christian traditions they’ve experienced, and chase
231: Tree Rizz (Buddy Jenkins & George Johnson)
Visit https://grace.edu/landing-page/YGC, fill out the form, and they’ll send you a starter box of Grace merch and info, including a gift for the youth pastor.This week, Sam is joined by Buddy and Geo for stories that somehow keep getting weirder. A youth pastor spends an entire night guarding a cabin only for one student to sneak out the second he leaves, a game of hide-and-seek at camp
230: Four Lanes of Chaos (Cole Clark and John Cuomo)
Text YGC to 64000 for your 2 free gifts with the purchase of any Pocket Hose Ballistic hose. By Texting 64000, you agree to receive recurring automated marketing messages from Pocket Hose. Message frequency varies and data rates may apply. Text STOP at any time to opt out. Text HELP for additional Information. No purchase required. Terms apply, available at PocketHose.com/terms.Sam is joi
229: The Baptism Attack (Buddy Jenkins & George Johnson)
Visit https://www.grace.edu/landing-page/ygc/, fill out the form, and they’ll send you a starter box of Grace merch and info, including a gift for the youth pastor.Sam is joined by Buddy Jenkins and George Johnson for an episode full of absolute youth ministry chaos, including the now-infamous “Baptism Attack” story where a late-night spontaneous lake baptism takes a completely unexpected
228: The Urgent Prayer Request (Ruslan)
Text YGC to 64000 for your 2 free gifts with the purchase of any Pocket Hose Ballistic hose. By Texting 64000, you agree to receive recurring automated marketing messages from Pocket Hose. Message frequency varies and data rates may apply. Text STOP at any time to opt out. Text HELP for additional Information. No purchase required. Terms apply, available at PocketHose.com/terms.Cole Clark
227: Response Rate: Zero (Cole Clark & John Cuomo)
Visit https://go.grace.edu/YGC, fill out the form, and they’ll send you a starter box of Grace merch and info, including a gift for the youth pastor.This week, Sam is joined by Cole Clark and John Cuomo for an episode packed with the kind of youth group stories you truly couldn’t script—even if you tried. From a chaotic game of Mafia that takes an unexpected romantic turn, to a servi
226: Gentle Parenting, Controversial Takes and Prison Debates | After Hours Series (Sha Racks, Ciara Moss & Cole Clark)
In this After Hours bonus episode, Sam is joined by Sha, Ciara and Cole for a chaotic, hilarious, and surprisingly thoughtful conversation you didn’t know you needed. From bold personal hot takes to debating what actually counts as a “sheltered life,” nothing is off limits. The crew imagines future YGC guests, guesses what people would assume Sam went to jail for (it gets wild), and settl
225: Confirmation Received. (Buddy Jenkins & George Johnson)
Text YGC to 64000 for your 2 free gifts with the purchase of any Pocket Hose Ballistic hose. By Texting 64000, you agree to receive recurring automated marketing messages from Pocket Hose. Message frequency varies and data rates may apply. Text STOP at any time to opt out. Text HELP for additional Information. No purchase required. Terms apply, available at PocketHose.com/terms.This week
224: Aim for the Bushes (Cole Clark & John Cuomo)
Text YGC to 64000 for your 2 free gifts with the purchase of any Pocket Hose Ballistic hose. By Texting 64000, you agree to receive recurring automated marketing messages from Pocket Hose. Message frequency varies and data rates may apply. Text STOP at any time to opt out. Text HELP for additional Information. No purchase required. Terms apply, available at PocketHose.com/terms.This week
223: 4,000 Problems (John Scarborough & Mackenzie Smolin)
This week, Sam is joined by John Scarborough and Mackenzie Smolin for an episode that spirals from chaotic camp pranks to stories that should’ve never made it past someone’s first idea, including one youth pastor who took revenge way too far and created a situation involving thousands of unexpected “guests” that no one in the cabin was prepared for… Along the way, a harmless flashlight ga
222: The Silent Struggle (Cole Clark and George Johnson)
In this episode, Sam is joined by Cole Clark and George Johnson for a lineup of stories that somehow keep escalating in chaos, with one particularly heavy moment at the center that sets the tone for everything else. What starts with a seemingly harmless church event quickly spirals into a frozen disaster no one saw coming, while a youth trip fireworks show takes a turn that nearly ends in
221: Questions, Games, and Open Mics | After Hours Series (Micah, Zay, Sha & Buddy)
Sam jumps on a chaotic After Hours Zoom call with Micah, Zay, Buddy, Sha and a bunch of YGC fans where nothing is off limits—diving into behind-the-scenes moments from the podcast, how stories actually make the cut, ministry advice, and plenty of unfiltered fan interaction along the way. The crew swaps stories, reacts in real time, and leans into the kind of conversations that definitely
220: Too Close for Comfort (Sha Racks & Buddy Jenkins)
In this episode, Sam is joined by Sha Racks and Buddy Jenkins as they dive into a lineup of stories that somehow keep getting more chaotic the closer they hit home—starting with a moment that gets way too close for comfort and only escalates from there. From a youth group garage sale quietly getting hijacked, to a church bus sending the wrong kind of message down the highway, to an altar
219: Chubby Hair (John Scarborough & Mackenzie Smolin)
Text YGC to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.Sam is joined by John Scarborough and Mackenzie Smolin for an episode that somehow keeps escalating, starting with a chaotic camp game that should have never existed and only gets worse the more you think about it… From a silent disco t
218: Tap to Pay (John Crist & Cole Clark)
Text YGC to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.Sam is joined by John Crist and Cole Clark for an episode that starts with a seemingly normal interaction that spirals into one of the most uncomfortable moments you could imagine—thanks to a “Tap to Pay” situation that goes completely
217: The Closet Squatter (LIVE at Unleashed Conference 2026)
Recorded live at the Unleashed Conference in California, Sam is joined on stage by Cole and Isaiah for a wild collection of youth group stories that somehow get more unbelievable with every minute. From a youth leader who tried to reward his students with pizza only to become the victim of their prank, to summer camp challenges that definitely should not have existed, the guys react to st
216: Arm Wrestling, Star Wars & Studio Secrets | After Hours Series (Sha Racks & Dustin Coe)
In this laid-back After Hours bonus episode, Sam is joined by Sha and Dustin for a chaotic, hilarious deep dive into everything from our most expensive pieces of music gear to who would actually win in an arm-wrestling match (it gets competitive fast). We share our thoughts on the Olympics, Sam breaks down his homeschool curriculum, and we give a behind-the-scenes YGC studio gear reveal.
215: The Tap Heard ’Round the Room (Cole Clark & George Johnson)
This week, Sam is joined by Cole Clark and George Johnson to relive “The Tap Heard ’Round the Room,” a youth group lock-in moment that started with an innocent game of sardines in the dark and turned into a hilariously unforgettable misunderstanding that no one in that room could un-hear. From there, the episode dives into a lineup of youth ministry chaos: a high schooler collapsing durin
214: Lost in Translation (Sha Racks & Buddy Jenkins)
This week on Youth Group Chronicles, Sam is joined by Sha Racks and Buddy Jenkins for an episode that spirals from awkward to unhinged in record time. What starts as a simple mission trip translation swap slowly unravels into a situation no one saw coming, forcing leaders to make a decision that could’ve had serious consequences at the border. From a construction zone accident that goes h
213: Closet Stimulation (John Scarborough & Mackenzie Smolin)
This week on Youth Group Chronicles, Sam is joined by John Scarborough and Mackenzie Smolin for an episode that somehow escalates from mildly awkward to completely unhinged in record time. A concerned mom follows suspicious laughter into an upstairs closet and discovers four boys conducting what might be the strangest science experiment youth group has ever seen. Elsewhere, a simple bapti
212: The Summer Camp Hostage (Cole Clark & George Johnson)
Sam is joined by Cole Clark and George Johnson for an episode that spirals straight into summer-camp chaos, led by a story that starts with a leader walking into a cabin to solve a problem and immediately realizing he has become the problem. From there, things only get wilder—near-disasters at the pool, well-meaning Bible knowledge shouted at the worst possible moment, a youth trip that g
211: Rizz, Rap, and Random Phone Calls | After Hours Series (Sha Racks & Dustin Coe)
This After Hours bonus episode gets unhinged in the best way as Sam hangs with Sha and Dustin for a wide-ranging, no-rules conversation that somehow covers everything from Lord of the Rings vs. Star Wars debates to ranking the height and weight of podcast guests. Things take a turn when Taylor Ransom gets pulled into the chaos to settle whether blowing a shofar actually boosts your rizz,
210: Oh Snap (Sha Racks & Buddy Jenkins)
Sam is joined by Sha Racks and Buddy Jenkins for an episode that somehow keeps escalating. The centerpiece story sets the tone as a simple youth group moment turns into a split-second decision with consequences no one saw coming, and it only spirals from there. Along the way, the crew works through stories involving a late-night lock-in gone horribly wrong, a prank with catastrophic timin
209: The Altar Call No One Answered (Isaiah Smallwood & Dustin Coe)
This week on Youth Group Chronicles, Sam is joined by Isaiah Smallwood and Dustin Coe for an episode stacked with awkward moments, secondhand embarrassment, and stories that spiral fast. The centerpiece of the episode is a baffling altar call that goes completely sideways when no one responds, setting the tone for a run of youth group chaos that includes an innocent laugh at the worst pos
208: Forbidden Serving (Sha Racks & John Scarborough)
Sam is joined by Sha Racks and John Scarborough for an episode that quickly descends into chaos, led by the infamous Forbidden Serving story—a well-intentioned act of “helping” that becomes deeply uncomfortable for everyone watching and perfectly sets the tone for the episode. From summer camps gone horribly wrong and youth group games that should’ve been stopped immediately, to moments w
207: Welcome to 'Nam (Isaiah Smallwood & Dustin Coe)
Sam is joined by Isaiah Smallwood and Dustin Coe for an episode that spirals fast, led by the unforgettable Welcome to ’Nam story—a youth group game that goes from harmless fun to full-blown chaos in seconds and sets the tone for everything that follows. From Easter services that go wildly off-script, to camp rules that suddenly make terrifying sense, to leadership moments where one wrong
206: The Hungry Water Slide (LIVE at Calvary AOG 2025)
This week, Sam is joined by Cole Clark and Isaiah Smallwood for a live episode filmed at Who Told You at Calvary Assembly of God in Demotte, Indiana, and it’s exactly as chaotic as you’d expect. The night is anchored by the unforgettable story of The Hungry Water Slide, where a routine youth camp activity takes a sudden, horrifying turn, setting the tone for an episode packed with near-mi
205: Sam Exposed... Again? | After Hours Series (Ciara Moss & Cole Clark)
This After Hours bonus episode gets loose as Sam hangs out with Ciara and Cole for a wide-ranging, completely unfiltered conversation that somehow covers everything from personal weaknesses and settling long-running arguments to favorite movies, shows, and whether TV or films are superior. Along the way, we dive into homeschool lore, establish the pecking order in the Moss house, reveal m
204: The Mismatched Socks (Sha Racks & John Scarborough)
This week on Youth Group Chronicles, Sam is joined by Sha Racks and John Scarborough for an episode built around one painfully awkward youth group moment that spirals way faster than anyone expects, all sparked by a harmless comment about mismatched socks that goes very, very wrong. From there, the stories only escalate—camp chaos fueled by a misunderstood bottle of “relieving powder,” pr
203: The Youth Group Stowaway (Isaiah Smallwood & Dustin Coe)
This Christmas Eve episode of Youth Group Chronicles brings Isaiah Smallwood and Dustin Coe back with Sam for a lineup that somehow keeps getting worse the longer it goes, led by a youth trip stowaway story that spirals into full chaos before anyone realizes what’s happening. Along the way, things take a turn through painfully mistimed encouragement, prophetic words that land very differe
202: A Ruff Night in the Church Van (Sha Racks & John Scarborough)
This week on Youth Group Chronicles, Sam is joined by Sha Racks and John Scarborough for an episode packed with stories that spiral fast and never quite recover. From a late-night drive in a church van that turns into an unforgettable moral dilemma, to youth group trips that make the news for all the wrong reasons, to public moments so uncomfortable they permanently alter walking routes,
201: High-Speed Dating (Ross Johnston & Cole Clark)
Sam is joined by Ross Johnston and Cole Clark for an episode packed with youth-group chaos, questionable leadership decisions, and one high-speed love story that absolutely steals the show. From a late-night ride in Costa Rica that turns out to be much sketchier than anyone realized, to a campfire stunt that sends a show-off straight to the ER, to a leader who may or may not have facilita
200: Signed, Sealed… Sent to Voicemail | After Hours Series (Cole Clark & Buddy Jenkins)
In this 200th-episode After Hours celebration, Sam kicks back with Buddy Jenkins and Cole Clark as they call youth pastors nominated by their own students for some chaotic teenage-slang trivia, tear into a mountain of fan-submitted mail ranging from heartfelt letters to mystery packages, and spend the rest of the night hanging out on livestream—reacting, riffing, and answering comments wi
199: Mannequin Hunting (Buddy Jenkins & John Scarborough)
Sam is joined by Buddy Jenkins and John Scarborough for an episode loaded with unhinged youth ministry chaos—headlined by the story of a group of teens who were convinced they’d discovered a discarded mall mannequin deep in the woods, only to learn it was something far more real. From camp relay games gone horribly wrong, to sermons that nosedived at the worst possible moments, to a praye
198: Coffin Up a Sermon (Cole Clark & Mackenzie Smolin)
Sam is joined by Cole Clark and Mackenzie Smolin for an episode packed with the kind of chaos only youth ministry can produce. From a pastor’s bold coffin sermon illustration that went wildly off-script, to a campfire testimony that sparked an extremely awkward misunderstanding, to indoor obstacle courses involving electric fencing, ATV mishaps, late-night cabin nightmares, and a youth tr
197: “WHERE. IS. SHE.” (Buddy Jenkins & John Scarborough)
This week, Sam is joined by Buddy Jenkins and John Scarborough for one of the wildest mixes of youth group chaos yet. Things kick off with a counselor at camp whose nighttime “episodes” turn an entire cabin into a horror scene, setting the tone for an episode packed with unbelievable moments—from students making questionable decisions with their parents’ grooming tools, to lock-in games t
196: The Pregnancy Prophecy (Cole Clark & Mackenzie Smolin)
Sam is joined by Cole Clark and Mackenzie Smolin for a lineup of youth group chaos you won’t believe. From a well-intentioned prayer moment that goes wildly off the rails, to breakdance team disasters, hacked church announcement screens, and the most questionable camp experiences ever, this episode proves that ministry moments don’t always go as planned. Get ready for accidental injuries,
195: Halloween, Haircuts & Hot Takes | After Hours Series (Cole Clark & Buddy Jenkins)
In this After Hours bonus episode, Sam is joined by Buddy Jenkins and Cole Clark for a chaotic mix of stories, opinions, and questionable life confessions. From Halloween memories and the wildest things they’ve seen in church, to debating unbelievers, dissecting homeschool culture (including peak homeschool moments and prom takes), and roasting each other’s hair phases, nothing is off-lim
194: Welcome to the Splash Zone (Buddy Jenkins & John Scarborough)
This week on Youth Group Chronicles, Sam is joined by Buddy Jenkins and John Scarborough for a lineup of stories that prove youth ministry is never predictable. From a late-night “attempted kidnapping” that spiraled into a full parent meltdown, to a mysterious intruder shoving students awake in the middle of the night, to a kid secretly producing an entire army of paper cut-out gingerbrea
193: Wet Buns (Cole Clark & Mackenzie Smolin)
This week, Sam is joined by Cole Clark and Mackenzie Smolin for an episode that might just make your skin crawl. It all kicks off with a story about a bizarre youth group mystery involving a messy bun trend gone terribly wrong. From there, things spiral into fake healings, awkward baptisms, unexpected medical bills, and one seriously painful water activity gone sideways. Camp chaos, churc
192: "Who's a Good Girl?" (Cole Clark & John Scarborough)
This week on Youth Group Chronicles, Sam is joined by Cole Clark and John Scarborough for one of the most unforgettable house gatherings ever—let’s just say a tiny dog completely stole the show. From there, things only get wilder with stories of shocking camp confessions, an accidental “art project” that left a permanent mark on the church floor, and a movie night no one will ever unsee.
191: The Mysterious VHS Tape (Cole Clark & Mo Best)
This week on Youth Group Chronicles, Sam is joined by Cole Clark and Mo Best for a wild lineup of stories that’ll make your jaw drop. From a youth trip that took a seriously creepy turn when a mysterious VHS tape was discovered, to camp chaos involving an unfortunate bathroom incident, and even a ski trip stunt that went horribly wrong, these stories are the kind you can’t make up. Add in
190: Sam Moss Tell All | After Hours Series (Ciara Moss & Cole Clark)
In this After Hours episode, Sam sits down with Cole Clark and his wife, Ciara Moss, for a hilarious and surprisingly personal deep dive into life before Youth Group Chronicles. The crew talks about Sam’s early years running professional live audio, the mysterious secret YouTube channel he once ran, and the story behind Sam and Ciara’s very first kiss. Ciara shares her honest first impres
189: The Youth Group Furry... (Sha Racks & Buddy Jenkins)
This week on Youth Group Chronicles, Sam is joined by Sha Racks and Buddy Jenkins for one of the wildest episodes yet. From a VBS volunteer who fully embraced her “animal side” in the most unsettling ways, to a late-night lock-in game that ended with a dramatic twist, these stories prove youth ministry is anything but predictable. You’ll hear about chaotic camp accidents, wildly inappropr
188: Forbidden Herbs (Cole Clark & John Scarborough)
On this episode of Youth Group Chronicles, Sam is joined by Cole Clark and John Scarborough for another round of jaw-dropping youth ministry chaos. From a mission trip deep in the jungles of Ecuador that served up a “thank you gift” no one saw coming, to group chats gone wildly wrong, broken bones with bizarre explanations, and one unforgettable dirt bike stunt inside a church, this episo
187: The Day Public Confession Died (Cole Clark & Mo Best)
Sam is joined by Mo Best and Cole Clark for an unforgettable episode filled with jaw-dropping youth ministry stories. From a camp tradition that took a shocking turn and ended for good, to wild mishaps involving late-night pizza runs, dangerous games, and even some highly questionable student behavior, this episode captures the chaos, unpredictability, and dark humor that only youth group
186: AXE: Not-So-Full Body Spray (Sha Racks & Buddy Jenkins)
Sam is joined by Sha Racks and Buddy Jenkins for an episode packed with the kind of wild youth group stories you won’t forget. From a camp prank gone horribly wrong involving body spray to awkward moments during a police officer’s presentation and even a questionable new relationship for a youth pastor, this episode delivers laughs, shock, and the kind of chaos only youth ministry can pro
185: YGC Hot Takes | After Hours Series (Jon Rush & Cole Clark)
In this After Hours bonus episode, Sam is joined by Cole Clark and Jon Rush for a laid-back but lively conversation that covers everything from debating favorite airlines and best travel stays to comparing sermon prep routines. The trio dives into their go-to movies and shows, eras of history they’d want to experience, and even their top picks for video games, Marvel movies, political pos
184: Precision Airstrike Incoming (Cole Clark & John Scarborough)
In this episode of Youth Group Chronicles, Sam is joined by Cole Clark and John Scarborough for a wild ride through some of the most unbelievable youth ministry moments yet. From a high-stakes camp showdown that ended in a precision “airstrike,” to a purity talk that went completely off the rails, to unexpected chaos at retreats, bathrooms, and bonfires, these stories prove once again tha
183: Mid-Prayer Snack (Cole Clark & Mo Best)
In this episode of Youth Group Chronicles, Sam is joined by Mo Best and Cole Clark for another round of wild youth ministry stories. From a mid-prayer moment gone horribly wrong, to a student who walked away unfazed after a knife attack, to discovering a camp bunkmate’s disturbing “list,” the chaos doesn’t stop. Add in a car wash stunt gone off the rails, a retreat talk with an unforgetta
182: Tickle Sesh (Sha Racks & Buddy Jenkins)
In this episode of Youth Group Chronicles, Sam is joined by Sha and Buddy to react to some of the wildest youth group stories yet. From a late-night encounter that turned disturbingly awkward, to camp pranks gone way too far, to worship mishaps that left entire crowds stunned, the chaos never stops. You’ll also hear about sledding gone wrong, unforgettable injuries, and even a youth leade
181: Window Pain (Keenan Clark & Logan Sears)
Keenan Clark and Logan Sears join Sam for a wild lineup of youth group chaos, kicking things off with a camp story that will make you wince every time you walk past a window. From there, the guys swap tales about dangerous prize giveaways, missing kids at massive conferences, volunteers with shocking secrets, and injuries that should’ve never happened on a church trip. This episode is pac
180: The Hungry Grandma (Live at Uproar Conference NY 2025)
Sam is joined by Cole Clark and Sha Racks for a chaotic collection of youth group stories that will make you question every decision ever made in student ministry. From a girl turning a Chick-fil-A lunch into a full-on pepper spray evacuation, to a Christian club icebreaker that accidentally landed a student in the ER, to a nursing home visit that took a disturbingly sharp turn, the chaos
179: Royal Rangers Unite | After Hours Series (Taylor Ransom & Cole Clark)
In this After Hours bonus episode, Sam sits down with Taylor Ransom and Cole Clark for a late-night deep dive into everything from favorite books and Bible verses to go-to drinks and childhood denominations. Things get real crunchy as they swap thoughts on clean living, swap wild conspiracy theories, and even brainstorm survival plans for a Russian invasion. It’s an unfiltered, hilarious,
178: Stay Strapped or Get Clapped (Jon Rush & Buddy Jenkins)
On this episode of Youth Group Chronicles, Sam is joined by Jon Rush and Buddy Jenkins for a chaotic lineup of stories that include a youth trip gone off the rails, an outreach skit that left someone hospitalized, and a worship night wardrobe malfunction no one will ever forget. But nothing tops the infamous "Stay Strapped or Get Clapped" moment—a story that somehow combines a hand gun, a
177: World's Worst Foosball Injury...? (Taylor Ransom & Isaiah Smallwood)
Taylor Ransom and Isaiah Smallwood are back in the studio with Sam for a wild ride through some of the most insane youth group stories yet. From a foosball table injury that sent a student to the ER in the worst way imaginable, to a middle schooler questioning whether his nether regions were dislocated, this episode doesn’t hold back. You'll also hear about a youth leader who accidentally
176: Extra Virgin... Communion? (Taylor Ransom & Jon Rush)
Taylor Ransom and Jon Rush join Sam on this episode of Youth Group Chronicles, where things get out of hand fast—from a youth pastor who left communion in the wrong hands, to a well-intentioned sermon that ended with a live choke-out on stage. You'll hear how one prank turned into lasting trauma, a Bible lesson almost caused a panic, and a youth group accidentally found themselves at a ve
175: Summer Camp Hang Man? (Live at COH Youth Camp 2025)
Live from Community of Hope Youth Camp in West Palm Beach, Florida, Sam is joined by returning guests Isaiah Smallwood and Cole Clark for a chaotic round of real-life youth group stories. In this special episode, they react to a summer camp tradition gone horribly wrong when a late-night prank with a giant bell turns into a full-blown medical emergency. From a camper whose nipple gets spl
174: American Airlines Did Cole Dirty... | After Hours Series (Cole Clark & Isaiah Smallwood)
In this Youth Group Chronicles: After Hours bonus episode, Cole and Isaiah are back for another unfiltered hangout. We dive into Cole’s meltdown over American Airlines making him miss a live show, share some behind-the-scenes moments from our recent events, and interact with the live chat in real time. It’s a laid-back, off-the-cuff conversation full of laughs, rants, and the kind of chao
173: The Faithful Carpet Cleaner (Tim Stearns & Buddy Jenkins)
In this episode of Youth Group Chronicles, Sam is joined by Buddy Jenkins and Tim Stearns for another round of outrageous youth ministry stories. From a student’s unsanitary commitment to cleaning up spilled water, to a sleepwalking spaghetti fanatic, to a delivery gone terribly wrong, things get weirder by the minute. And just when you think it can’t get any worse, a prank goes sideways,
Recommended
The Healer Revolution
Becoming: HER with Nikki Spoelstra
Booked, Blonde & Busy w/ Olivia Ponton
McKinsey on Consumer and Retail
megahired.com
Hard Knocks Podcast
Effective Weight Loss for Moms | High protein, Strength Training, Lose Weight, Meal Planning, Fat Loss, Healthy Habits
The Human-Animal Connection - Pet Life Radio Original
Infinite Health with Dr. Arasi Maran
The Daily
World News Tonight with David Muir
English Vocabulary Help
