The YDisciple Podcast
YDisciple Podcast is a show for youth ministers, teachers, pastors, volunteers, and others who care about the next generation. It explores the changing landscape of youth culture and what it means to walk with young people in faith today. Through interviews with ministry leaders and honest reflections, it shares stories and lessons from years of experience. The podcast aims to encourage curiosity, spark new ideas, and support community among those serving young people.
Episodes
EP44: Why Your Ministry Needs Margin with Emma Chaplin
About This Episode
What does youth ministry have to offer in a world where young people can find almost any piece of content they could ever want with a few taps on their phones?
Emma Chaplin, Associate Director of Alpha in a Catholic Context, joins Pete and Annie for a conversation about why the answer isn't necessarily better content. Alpha and YDisciple both create content, but both
EP43: 5 Ways to Start Your Ministry Year Well
About This Episode
The ministry year is starting, and if you're a youth minister, you probably already feel it.
There's excitement around a new year, but there's also a lot to do. Programs need to launch, volunteers need to be trained, students need to be welcomed, calendars need to be filled, and suddenly it feels like you're sprinting before you've even made it out of the starting blo
EP42: Inspire, Inquire, Invite, and Invest with Sr Karolyn Nunes and Eve Anders of the FSGM
About This Episode
How do we actually help young people discern their vocation?
It's easy for youth ministers and ministry leaders to think that fostering vocations means hosting a vocations night, bringing in a religious sister or priest, or encouraging young people to consider religious life. But what if vocation discernment starts much earlier—and much more simply?
In this episode, P
EP41: I Hated YDisciple… with Lauren Riggs
About this Episode
What happens when a teenager who once said, “I hate YDisciple,” eventually becomes a YDisciple mentor—and discovers that she actually loves it?
In this episode of The YDisciple Podcast, Pete Burds and Annie Grandell sit down with Lauren Riggs, a former YDisciple small group member, former mentor, NET Missionary, and current NET Mission Staffer. Lauren shares her uniqu
EP40: What If the Thing That Drains You Is Someone Else’s Gift? Discovering Working Genius
About this Episode
Why does one part of ministry leave you energized while another part seems to drain you completely? And what if the answer isn’t simply about personality, but about the way God has gifted you to contribute to a team?
In this episode of The YDisciple Podcast, Pete Burds and Annie Grandell dive into Patrick Lencioni’s Working Genius framework and explore how it can give
EP39: When Ministry and Marriage Collide
About this Episode
In this episode of The YDisciple Podcast, Pete Burds and Annie Grandell bring their spouses, Emily and Jason, into the conversation for an honest look at marriage, family, and life in ministry.
Together, they talk about the unique challenges that come with being married to someone whose work involves relationships, retreats, late nights, travel, and a calling that doe
EP38: The Ordinary Man Behind an Extraordinary Pope
About this Episode
What if the most powerful kind of discipleship starts with something incredibly simple: a few people, a little time, and a willingness to say yes?
In this episode of The YDisciple Podcast, hosts Pete Burds and Annie Grandell dive into the remarkable story of Jan Tyranowski, a Polish tailor whose quiet life of prayer and discipleship had an extraordinary impact on the
EP37: Myths in Youth Ministry (Part 3)
About this Episode
It's easy to believe that better youth ministry simply requires better programs, better resources, or a bigger budget. But what if those assumptions are actually holding us back?
In this episode, Annie Grandell and Pete Burds continue their Myths in Youth Ministry series by tackling four common misconceptions that many ministry leaders unknowingly carry. Together they
EP36: Work-Life Balance is Possible in Ministry with Bobby Moren
About this Episode
Can you build a thriving youth ministry without sacrificing your family, your evenings, or your own well-being?
In this episode, Annie Grandell and Pete Burds sit down with Bobby Moren, youth minister at St. John XXIII Parish in Perrysburg, Ohio, to talk about one of the biggest challenges facing ministry leaders today: work-life balance. Bobby shares how he went from
EP35: Stop Watching Videos
About this Episode
Video studies have become a staple of youth ministry—but can we accidentally rely on them too much?
In this episode, Annie Grandell and Pete Burds unpack a surprising conviction at the heart of YDisciple: sometimes the best thing your small group can do is stop watching videos. While quality video content can introduce important topics and equip new leaders, it should
EP34: When Faith Becomes Action
About this Episode
Small groups are great places to learn about the faith—but discipleship was never meant to stay inside the meeting room.
In this episode, Annie Grandell and Pete Burds explore why serving together can become one of the most transformative experiences for a small group. Drawing from years of ministry experience, they discuss how service helps teenagers move beyond them
EP33: The Discipleship Practice We Skip Too Often
About this Episode
Accountability often gets a bad reputation. It can sound intimidating, uncomfortable, or even legalistic. But what if we've misunderstood it?
In this episode, Annie Grandell and Pete Burds explore why accountability is one of the most important tools in discipleship—and why it's about far more than simply checking whether someone completed a challenge. True accountabi
EP32: From Programs to Discipleship: Stories from the Field with Nick Scanlan & Makenzie Conner (Live Podcast Recording)
About this Episode
Talking about small group discipleship is one thing. Actually implementing it is another.
Recorded live at the Youth Discipleship Sprint, Annie Grandell welcomes ministry leaders Makenzie Connor and Nick Scanlan to share what happened when they moved beyond traditional youth ministry models and embraced small group discipleship in their own parishes. From casting visi
EP31: Are Our Efforts Paying Off?
About this Episode
Every ministry leader has asked it: How do we keep young people Catholic? But what if that isn't actually the right question?
In this follow-up episode of The YDisciple Podcast, Pete Burds and Annie Grandell continue reflecting on their conversation with Father Chad VanHoose, exploring why so many ministry leaders and parents carry this question—and what it reveals ab
EP30: The Real Reason You Can't Find a Youth Minister with Chris Wesley
# About this Episode
Why is it becoming harder to find—and keep—great youth ministers?
In this episode of The YDisciple Podcast, Annie Grandell welcomes Chris Wesley, founder of Marathon Youth Ministry and longtime youth ministry coach, to discuss one of the biggest challenges facing the Church today: developing healthy, sustainable ministry leaders. Drawing from more than two decades of
EP29: Affinity Groups– Is this the future of Small Group Ministry? with John Zimmer from FOCUS
# About this Episode
What if effective discipleship begins by paying attention to the friendships that already exist?
In this episode of The YDisciple Podcast, Pete Burds and Annie Grandell welcome John Zimmer, Vice President of Apostolic Development at FOCUS. With nearly three decades of experience in evangelization and discipleship, John shares lessons learned from serving thousands of
EP28: Enhance Your Ministry in 4 Days
What do ministry leaders need most right now?
In this special episode of The YDisciple Podcast , Pete Burds and Annie Grandell reflect on the recent Youth Discipleship Sprint and share some of the biggest themes that emerged throughout the week. Drawing from conversations with youth ministers, diocesan leaders, volunteers, and parish staff from across the country, they unpack the challen
EP27: What Happens When Great Ministry Minds Share a Room?
About this Episode
What happens when ministry leaders are given the space not just to learn, but to be cared for?
In this episode of The YDisciple Podcast, Pete Burds and Annie Grandell pull back the curtain on the Youth Discipleship Sprint, an immersive gathering hosted by NET Ministries that brings together youth ministers, diocesan leaders, campus ministers, pastors, and faith formati
EP26: “Can We Keep Kids Catholic?” with Fr Chad VanHoose
About this Episode
Can you actually “keep” kids Catholic—or is that the wrong question entirely?
In this episode of the YDisciple Podcast, Pete and Annie are joined again by NET’s chaplain, Father Chad VanHoose, to wrestle with one of the most common—and pressure-filled—questions in ministry and parenting. Together, they unpack the heart behind the question and challenge the assumptions
EP25: Going Off Script with YD Coaches, Molly & H
About this Episode
What if the most impactful moments in ministry aren’t the ones you plan—but the ones you’re willing to follow?
In this episode of the YDisciple Podcast, Annie Grandell are joined by YDisciple coaches Molly Gallagher and H. Dorian for another “Coaches at the Roundtable” conversation. Together, they explore what it really means to “go off script” in ministry—not as a lac
EP24: The Trinitarian Missionary Dynamic
About this Episode
What if the way we approach ministry isn’t just about strategy—but about reflecting the very nature of God?
In this episode of the YDisciple Podcast, Pete Burds and Annie Grandell unpack NET Ministries’ guiding philosophy: the “Trinitarian missionary dynamic.” While it might sound like a complex theological phrase, it points to something deeply practical—how our identi
EP23: The Intersection Between Discernment and Discipleship with Fr. Chase Hilgenbrink
About this Episode
What does it really mean to discover your vocation—and how do we help young people get there?
In this episode of the YDisciple Podcast, Pete Burds and Annie Grandell sit down with Father Chase Hilgenbrink, a former professional soccer player turned priest and vocations director. Father Chase shares his powerful story of chasing success at the highest levels of athletic
EP22: 7 Things Everyone in Ministry Should Do This Summer
About this Episode
What if summer isn’t just a break from ministry—but one of the most strategic seasons for it?
In this episode of the YDisciple Podcast, Pete Burds and Annie Grandell explore seven practical and intentional ways ministry leaders can make the most of the summer months. Whether your schedule slows down or ramps up with camps, trips, and events, they highlight how this uni
EP21: You Can’t Give What You Don’t Have with Ali Hoffman
About this Episode
What does it actually look like to put prayer first—not just in theory, but in the real, busy life of ministry?
In this episode of The YDisciple Podcast, Pete Burds and Annie Grandell sit down with Catholic speaker and evangelist Ali Hoffman to explore why personal prayer and the kerygma are not optional foundations, but essential starting points for anyone walking wit
EP20: Unique and Unrepeatable Teens
About this Episode
What changes in ministry when we stop treating people like problems to solve and start seeing them as persons to reverence?
In this episode of The YDisciple Podcast, Pete Burds and Annie Grandell continue their conversation following last week’s episode with Anna Carter, reflecting more deeply on what it means to honor the dignity and unique story of every person we en
EP19: Receiving the Whole Person with Anna Carter
About this Episode
What does it look like to truly receive someone’s story with reverence, curiosity, and care?
In this episode of The YDisciple Podcast, Pete Burds and Annie Grandell sit down with Anna Carter, co-founder of Eden Invitation, to talk about what it means to listen well when someone shares something vulnerable. Drawing from Anna’s work accompanying people with LGBTQ experie
EP18: The Life-Changing Power of NET Training
About this Episode
What happens when a young person is given the space to encounter God, grow in community, and be challenged to live on mission?
In this episode of The YDisciple Podcast, Pete Burds and Annie Grandell pull back the curtain on one of NET Ministries’ most formative experiences: missionary training. What begins as preparation for ministry quickly reveals itself to be someth
EP17: Let’s Get Practical with Andy Baker
About this Episode
What does it look like to lead with a discipleship mindset from the diocesan level—not just in theory, but in a way that actually transforms parish ministry?
In this episode of The YDisciple Podcast, Pete Burds and Annie Grande sit down with Andy Baker from the Diocese of Palm Beach for a rich conversation on relational ministry, diocesan leadership, and the slow, fait
EP16: Unlocking Your Influence
About This Episode
In this episode of the YDisciple Podcast, Pete and Annie explore what it looks like to unlock your influence in ministry. Drawing from Pete’s recent workshop at the NFCYM Exchange, this conversation is a thoughtful and practical look at leadership, especially for ministry leaders who feel the tension between wanting change and not always having the authority to make it
EP15: Should Catholic Youth Ministry Exist with Fr. Chad
About This Episode
In Episode 15 of The YDisciple Podcast, Annie and Pete are joined by Father Chad Van Hoose, chaplain of NET Ministries, to wrestle with a question that many ministry leaders quietly (or loudly) ask: Should Catholic Youth Ministry exist?
Rather than offering easy answers, this conversation dives into the real tensions, objections, and assumptions behind the question. To
EP14: Sacred Listening with Dr. Josh Packard
About This Episode
In Episode 14 of The YDisciple Podcast, Annie and Pete welcome sociologist and researcher Dr. Josh Packard of Future of Faith for a deeply timely and surprisingly practical conversation: Listening.
Drawing from years of research on young people, trust, and religious engagement, Dr. Packard challenges common assumptions about discipleship, formation, and what actually b
EP13: Finding the Mentors with YD Coaches, Molly & H
About This Episode
In Episode 13 of The YDisciple Podcast, Annie is joined by two voices who live daily in the realities of parish ministry: YDisciple coaches Molly Gallagher and H Dorian.
This episode marks the beginning of a new recurring series — Coaches of the Round Table — where conversations are grounded not just in theory, but in real stories from the field.
Together, they tackle
EP12: Camps, Conferences, and Where They All Fit
About This Episode
In Episode 12 of The YDisciple Podcast, Pete and Annie explore the role of conferences, camps, pilgrimages, and large-scale events in youth ministry.
From Steubenville conferences to Extreme Faith Camp to World Youth Day, they share personal stories of powerful mountaintop encounters — moments of awakening, conversion, and deep consolation. They reflect on how these ex
EP11: The Ones Who Stayed with Chenele Shaw
About This Episode
In this episode of The YDisciple Podcast, Pete and Annie welcome Chenele Shaw to talk about a theme that is both deeply personal and urgently needed in youth ministry: the power of adults who stay.
Chenele shares her own story of being a teenager navigating her parents’ divorce, getting kicked out of high school, and reluctantly walking into youth group with a bad atti
Bonus: Let's Keep The Conversation Going
About This Episode
In this special mid-season episode of The YDisciple Podcast, we take a moment to pause, reflect, and say thank you.
After ten episodes of honest conversations about discipleship, youth ministry, belonging, and accompaniment, we express our gratitude to the listeners who make this podcast possible. We reflect on the heart behind the show—not as a one-way delivery of con
EP10: How to Ask Good Questions
About This Episode
In Episode 10 of The YDisciple Podcast, hosts Annie Grandell and Pete Burds dive into the art and importance of asking great questions in ministry—and in life.
Drawing from personal stories, scripture, and years of ministry experience, Pete and Annie explore how questions build trust, foster authentic relationships, and create space for transformation. They reflect on
EP9: Let's Get Practical with Elena Pope
About This Episode
In this episode of The YDisciple Podcast, hosts Pete Burds and Annie Grandell are joined by Elena Pope, junior high youth minister from the St. Gabriel the Archangel Family of Parishes in Dayton, Ohio.
Elena shares her unexpected journey into youth ministry, how the Holy Spirit led her from a career outside the Church into eight years of missionary discipleship, and wh
EP8: Myths in Youth Ministry (Part 2)
About this Episode
In this episode of The YDisciple Podcast, Pete Burds and Annie Grandell continue their two-part series on Myths in Youth Ministry, turning their attention to four additional assumptions that often shape—and sometimes limit—our approach to ministry.
They explore the belief that big budgets are required for big impact, the tension around whether “it’s about the numbers,”
EP7: Myths in Youth Ministry (Part 1)
About this Episode
In this episode of The YDisciple Podcast, Pete Burds and Annie Grandell kick off a two-part conversation by naming and debunking some of the most common myths in youth ministry—and exploring how these assumptions can quietly limit our vision and fruitfulness.
Together, they unpack the belief that you have to be young to work with young people, the pressure to always be
EP6: Sexual Identity with Dr Julia Sadusky
About This Episode
In this episode of The YDisciple Podcast, hosts Pete Burds and Annie Grandell welcome psychologist, author, and speaker Dr. Julia Sadusky for a thoughtful and deeply human conversation about sexuality, gender, embodiment, and belonging.
Drawing from her clinical experience and Catholic faith, Dr. Sadusky reflects on what she wishes young people were hearing from the Ch
EP5: Pre-Evangelization and Hospitality with Jason Kidd
About this Episode
What if the key to reaching young people today isn’t better programming—but deeper belonging?
In this episode of The YDisciple Podcast, hosts Pete Burds and Annie Grandell are joined by Jason Kidd, National Director of Alpha in a Catholic Context, for a powerful conversation on pre-evangelization and radical hospitality. Together, they explore why young people need to
EP4: Vision for Small Group Discipleship
About this Episode
What if small group discipleship isn’t just one strategy among many—but the central way young people actually grow in faith?
In this episode of The YDisciple Podcast, hosts Pete Burds and Annie Grandell cast a clear and compelling vision for small group discipleship—why it matters, why it works, and why it’s so essential for forming young disciples today. Drawing from
EP3: Relational Ministry with Mark Berchem
About this Episode
What does relational ministry really look like—and why does it matter so much?
In this episode of The YDisciple Podcast, hosts Pete Burds and Annie Grandell sit down with Mark Berchem, founder of NET Ministries, to dive deep into the heart of relational ministry. Mark shares the story of how NET began, how God unexpectedly drew him into decades of youth ministry, and w
EP2: Defining Our Terms
About this Episode
What if youth ministry is far bigger than a Wednesday night in a youth room?
In this episode of The YDisciple Podcast, hosts Pete Burds and Annie Grandell widen the lens on what youth ministry really is—and who it’s really for. Together, they challenge the idea that youth ministry belongs to one role or one program and invite listeners to see anyone walking with young
EP1: What is Your Why
Welcome to the very first episode of The YDisciple Podcast!
Join hosts Pete Burds and Annie Grandell as they kick off this new journey of curiosity, honesty, and hope for the future of the Church. In this conversation, Pete and Annie explore the foundational question at the heart of ministry: “Why are you here?”
They share personal stories of conversion, the people who shaped them, and
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