The YDisciple Podcast

YDisciple Podcast
  • 5.0 (31)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to a space where curiosity meets mission. In this podcast, we explore the shifting landscape of youth culture and what it really means to walk with young people in faith today. Whether you’re a youth minister, teacher, pastor, volunteer, or simply someone who cares about the next generation — you’ll find insight, encouragement, and community here. We don’t pretend to have all the answers. But through years of experience (and conversations with incredible ministry leaders in the trenches), we’ve gathered stories, lessons, and honest reflections worth sharing. This is a space to stay curious, spark new ideas, and learn together as we serve young people and help them encounter Christ in a rapidly changing world. We’re learners and leaders on the same journey — and we’re so glad you’re here.

  1. 4d ago

    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 unique experience of seeing YDisciple from both sides of the small-group relationship. Lauren remembers her own experience as a teenager: watching videos in a dark room, falling asleep during confirmation, and feeling like there wasn't much real discussion happening. But when she returned as a mentor after high school, she discovered a very different approach. Instead of simply moving through content, her small group focused on conversation, relationships, flexibility, and creating space for the girls to be themselves. That experience became a powerful lesson in what YDisciple is actually trying to accomplish: programs don't make disciples—disciples do. Resources can help facilitate a conversation, but they can't replace the relationship between a mentor and a young person. Ultimately, this episode is an encouragement to mentors and ministry leaders: you don't have to have all the answers, perfectly lead every conversation, or make every meeting go according to plan. Sometimes the most fruitful thing you can do is slow down, listen, empower your young people, and follow the pace of the Holy Spirit. Connect with Us Have questions? Email us at ydpodcast@netusa.org Book your free call with a YDisciple Coach at ydisciple.com/coaching Please take a moment to rate & review on Apple Podcasts. Visit theydisciplepodcast.fireside.fm to learn more about the podcast. Reflection for This Week Ask yourself: Am I more focused on getting through my small group guide or on responding to the actual needs of my young people? Where might I need to slow down and give a conversation more room to develop? How can I create more opportunities for the young people I lead to take ownership of their faith and lead one another?

  2. Sep 14

    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 ministry leaders language for understanding the way they naturally approach their work. Rather than simply categorizing personalities, Working Genius looks at how ideas move from a question or need all the way through implementation and completion. Pete and Annie walk through the six working geniuses—Wonder, Invention, Discernment, Galvanizing, Enablement, and Tenacity—and discuss how each contributes something unique to a healthy team. They explore the difference between the work that naturally energizes us, the work we can competently accomplish, and the work that tends to frustrate or drain us. The conversation also explores what this looks like in real ministry settings—from parish teams and volunteers to mission staff and small group mentors. If the ministry is going to be bigger than any one person, we need to recognize the gifts already present in the people around us and create opportunities for those gifts to serve the mission. Connect with Us Have questions? Email us at ydpodcast@netusa.org Book your free call with a YDisciple Coach at ydisciple.com/coaching Please take a moment to rate & review on Apple Podcasts Visit https://theydisciplepodcast.fireside.fm/ to learn more about the podcast Reflection for This Week Ask yourself: What areas of ministry naturally give me energy, and what areas tend to drain me? Where might I be using my strengths—or my frustrations—as an excuse instead of an opportunity for growth? Who are the people God has placed around me whose gifts could complement my own and help make the ministry bigger than myself?

  3. Sep 7

    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 doesn't always fit neatly into a 9-to-5 schedule. They also share plenty of stories from their own marriages—including the mistakes, tensions, and lessons they've learned along the way. Pete and Annie talk about the importance of boundaries and expectations—especially when ministry schedules are unpredictable. The spouses share what it looks like to communicate about time, surrender jealousy, support one another's callings, and recognize that different seasons of life may require different roles. And, because this is the YDisciple Podcast, the episode isn't all serious. The conversation ends with a surprisingly revealing question: What is a quirky habit your spouse has that you secretly love? From improvised songs to “bobcat” chip bags and questionable road-trip navigation, it's a reminder that healthy marriages aren't built only on big spiritual conversations—they're also built on friendship, humor, and learning to love the little quirks of the person beside you. Whether you're married to a ministry leader, serving in ministry yourself, or simply trying to figure out how your vocation fits into family life, this episode offers an honest reminder: your ministry matters, but so does the person sitting across the table from you. Connect with Us Have questions? Email us at ydpodcast@netusa.org Book your free call with a YDisciple Coach at ydisciple.com/coaching Please take a moment to rate & review on Apple Podcasts Visit theydisciplepodcast.fireside.fm to learn more about the podcast Reflection for This Week Ask yourself: Have I allowed my ministry or work to become part of my identity in a way that competes with my vocation? What expectations around time, family, and ministry do I need to communicate more clearly? How can I better support the vocation of the person I'm married to? What would it look like for our family to discern how we are called to be “on mission” together?

  4. Aug 31

    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 Church. During the Nazi occupation of Poland, Jan was asked to care for the young people of his parish after many of the priests were arrested. His response was simple: gather a small group, pray together, and share life together. That small group became known as the Living Rosary, and of the ten young men Jan mentored, eight eventually became priests. One of them would go on to become a bishop, cardinal, pope, and ultimately St. John Paul II. Pete and Annie explore why Jan's story matters so much for youth ministers today. His life offers a powerful example of how small-group discipleship doesn't need to be complicated, expensive, or built around the latest program. It can begin with simply loving the people in front of you, creating space for prayer and relationship, and trusting God with the fruit. They also reflect on the reality that ministry leaders rarely get to see the full impact of their work. Jan died before John Paul II became a bishop, meaning he never saw just how far his investment in one young person would reach. His story invites us to trust that God can multiply the small acts of faithfulness we offer today. Connect with Us Have questions? Email us at ydpodcast@netusa.org Book your free call with a YDisciple Coach at ydisciple.com/coaching Please take a moment to rate & review on Apple Podcasts Visit theydisciplepodcast.fireside.fm to learn more about the podcast Reflection for This Week Ask yourself: * Who are the young people God has placed directly in front of me right now? Where might I be overcomplicating discipleship instead of simply creating space for prayer, relationship, and sharing life? What would it look like to faithfully invest in someone even if I never get to see the full fruit of that relationship?

  5. Aug 24

    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 discuss why "if you build it, they will come" no longer reflects today's culture, why curriculum is an important tool—but never the solution by itself—and why doing more ministry isn't always the path to greater fruitfulness. They also explore the temptation to compare Catholic ministry with larger Protestant churches and offer a refreshing reminder that every ministry faces similar cultural challenges. Throughout the conversation, Annie and Pete encourage ministry leaders to focus less on perfect programming and more on cultivating trust, relationships, and intentional discipleship. Whether you're serving in a parish, school, or volunteer role, this episode will help you rethink what truly leads to lasting impact in youth ministry. Connect with Us Have questions? Email us at ydpodcast@netusa.org Book your free call with a YDisciple Coach at ydisciple.com/coaching Please take a moment to rate & review on Apple Podcasts. Visit https://theydisciplepodcast.fireside.fm/ to learn more about the podcast. Reflection for This Week Ask yourself: Which youth ministry myth have I unknowingly believed or operated from? Am I investing more energy into programs than into relationships? What's one thing I could simplify so I can focus more intentionally on making disciples?

  6. Aug 17

    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 spending countless hours planning programs for a handful of students to leading a flourishing small group ministry that now reaches dozens of teens through empowered adult mentors. Together, they explore why ministry leaders often struggle to say "no," how properly ordering our vocations leads to greater joy, and why investing in adult leaders creates healthier, more sustainable discipleship. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the demands of ministry, this conversation offers practical encouragement—and a hopeful vision for doing more by trying to do less. Connect with Us Have questions? Email us at ydpodcast@netusa.org Book your free call with a YDisciple Coach at ydisciple.com/coaching Please take a moment to rate & review on Apple Podcasts. Visit https://theydisciplepodcast.fireside.fm/ to learn more about the podcast. Reflection for This Week Ask yourself: Am I trying to do ministry for people instead of equipping people to do ministry with me? Are my priorities rightly ordered, with my relationship with God and my vocation leading the way? What's one responsibility I could begin sharing with another leader instead of carrying it alone? Prayer Jesus, thank You for calling me to serve Your Church. Give me the wisdom to embrace the mission You've entrusted to me without neglecting the people You've entrusted to my care. Help me invest in others, trust You with what I cannot control, and find lasting joy in a ministry that's rooted in Your design rather than my striving. Amen.

  7. Aug 10

    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 never replace the relationships where discipleship actually happens. Annie and Pete share practical alternatives to video-based meetings, including Scripture studies, Lectio Divina, Visio Divina, book discussions, service projects, and prayer experiences. They also explain how to evaluate teaching resources through the lens of focus, human dignity, and Christian charity so every tool serves the ultimate goal—helping young people encounter Jesus and grow as disciples. Whether you lead a parish youth group, a Bible study, or a small group of teens, this conversation will help you think differently about the role content should—and shouldn't—play in discipleship. Connect with Us Have questions? Email us at ydpodcast@netusa.org Book your free call with a YDisciple Coach at ydisciple.com/coaching Please take a moment to rate & review on Apple Podcasts. Visit https://theydisciplepodcast.fireside.fm/ to learn more about the podcast. Reflection for This Week Ask yourself: Am I using content to support relationships—or to replace them? How could I create more opportunities for my small group to pray, discuss, and grow together without relying on a screen? What's one practical way I can help young people take greater ownership of their faith this week? Prayer Jesus, thank You for inviting us into relationship with You, not simply information about You. Give me the wisdom to use every resource well while never losing sight of the people You've entrusted to me. Help me create spaces where Your Word is encountered, Your love is experienced, and true disciples are formed. Amen.

  8. Aug 3

    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 themselves, strengthens relationships within the group, and creates natural opportunities to live out the Gospel in tangible ways. They also share practical ideas for helping students take ownership of service, from adopting a parish ministry to planning student-led projects that meet real needs in their community. Along the way, they unpack research showing why service resonates so deeply with today's young people and why putting faith into action is an essential part of lifelong discipleship. Whether you're leading a youth group, confirmation program, or discipleship small group, this episode will challenge you to think beyond curriculum and create opportunities for young people to become the hands and feet of Christ. Connect with Us Have questions? Email us at ydpodcast@netusa.org Book your free call with a YDisciple Coach at ydisciple.com/coaching Please take a moment to rate & review on Apple Podcasts. Visit https://theydisciplepodcast.fireside.fm/ to learn more about the podcast. Reflection for This Week Ask yourself: How is my small group putting our faith into action—not just talking about it? What gifts and passions has God given our group that could bless our parish or local community? What's one act of service we could plan together in the next month? Prayer Jesus, You came not to be served but to serve. Help me follow Your example by loving my neighbor with generosity and joy. Show me where You're inviting me to step beyond my comfort zone so that others may encounter Your love through my life. Amen.

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About

Welcome to a space where curiosity meets mission. In this podcast, we explore the shifting landscape of youth culture and what it really means to walk with young people in faith today. Whether you’re a youth minister, teacher, pastor, volunteer, or simply someone who cares about the next generation — you’ll find insight, encouragement, and community here. We don’t pretend to have all the answers. But through years of experience (and conversations with incredible ministry leaders in the trenches), we’ve gathered stories, lessons, and honest reflections worth sharing. This is a space to stay curious, spark new ideas, and learn together as we serve young people and help them encounter Christ in a rapidly changing world. We’re learners and leaders on the same journey — and we’re so glad you’re here.

Information

  • Creator
    YDisciple Podcast
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 NET Ministries
  • Show Website
    The YDisciple Podcast