Pizza & Side Hugs

Julia Eckrich, Paul Sifuentes, Rachel Gilman, & Jake Teitgen
  • 4.8 (6)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

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.

  1. Digital Evangelization

    12/09/2025

    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 balancing digital presence with personal connections, the challenges of content creation, and the necessity of having clear goals and boundaries when using digital tools. The conversation highlights successful examples of digital ministries and encourages listeners to share their experiences and insights. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Digital Evangelization 02:43 Understanding Digital Tools in Ministry 05:45 The Balance of Technology and Personal Connection 10:04 Engaging Youth Through Digital Media 15:05 Best Practices for Digital Evangelization 23:24 Highlighting Successful Digital Ministries 28:44 Conclusion and Call to Action Links ECLifeteen at Resurrection/ St. Paul, Ellicott City, MD: https://www.instagram.com/eclifeteen/ pizzasidehugs@gmail.com

    29 min

  2. 11/25/2025

    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 how to integrate mentorship into the process of writing a witness talk. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Power of Witness in Ministry 02:08 Memorable Witness Talks and Their Impact 10:00 Forming Effective Witnesses 18:45 The Role of Mentorship in Witness Preparation 24:00 The Power of Personal Witness 30:10 Best Practices for Preparing Witness Talks 39:45 Witness as a Way of Life Links Book: Witness By Leonard DeLorenzo https://www.leonardjdelorenzo.com/witness Proclaiming the Faith – “Talking Tacos” witness-formation packet  (no idea) Marian University “Preach All Ways” Initiative  https://www.marian.edu/faith/preach-all-ways 4-Part Personal Testimony Outline  (seems to be a resource paul and jake have) Contact: pizzasidehugs@gmail.com pizzasidehugs@gmail.com

    43 min
  3. Listen, Teach, Send

    11/04/2025

    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 Catholic faith, emphasizing the need for youth ministers to engage with young people and families. The conversation highlights the significance of the bishops' recognition of youth as a priority and the call for practical implementation of the framework in ministry settings. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Catholic Youth Ministry Conversations 01:10 Exploring the Personal Challenges of Listening, Teaching, and Sending 07:20 Exploring the USCCB Document: Listen, Teach, Send 09:50 The Importance of Listening, Teaching, and Sending 14:35 Implementing the Framework in Youth Ministry 18:45 Engaging Families and Communities 26:35 Concluding Thoughts and Call to Action Links Listen Teach Send: https://www.usccb.org/listen-teach-send Christus Vivit: https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20190325_christus-vivit.html pizzasidehugs@gmail.com

    29 min
  4. Phone Zone

    10/21/2025

    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 pros and cons of different approaches, and the importance of setting expectations for phone use. The conversation emphasizes the need for engagement and community input on effective strategies for integrating technology into ministry. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Phones in Ministry 02:55 Addressing Distractions in Ministry 08:21 The Crackdown Method 13:00 Confiscating and Outlawing Phones 20:07 Integrating Phones into Ministry 25:20 Final Thoughts and Community Engagement Links Working Genius: https://www.workinggenius.com/ pizzasidehugs@gmail.com

    27 min

  5. 10/07/2025

    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. Part 1 delved into the critical importance of partnering with parents in youth ministry and its effectiveness on your ministry. Part 2 pivots toward the Dos and Don'ts of cultivating effective parent engagement, and how to build supportive communities and relationships with parents. Part 3 focuses on practical steps for fostering engaged parents and ideas for how to build a family-centric ministry. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Partnering with Parents 05:00 The Importance of Family in Youth Ministry 08:40 Integrating Parents into Youth Activities 12:13 Building Relationships with Families 14:07 Communication Strategies for engaging Families 19:15 Creating Opportunities for Parent Involvement 32:10 Flexibility in Ministry for Family Engagement 38:40 Recognizing and Celebrating Youth Contributions 40:00 Innovative Ideas for Family-Centric Ministry 42:20 Conclusion and Call to Action Links Family Based Youth Ministry: https://www.amazon.com/Family-Based-Youth-Ministry-DeVries/dp/0830832432 (90's cover here: https://archive.org/details/familybasedyouth0000devr) Budget Episode: https://pizzasidehugs.buzzsprout.com/697273/episodes/16850484-big-picture-budgets Contact Us: pizzasidehugs@gmail.com pizzasidehugs@gmail.com

    44 min
  6. Partner With Parents - Pt. 2

    09/23/2025

    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. Part 1 delved into the critical importance of partnering with parents in youth ministry and its effectiveness on your ministry. Part 2 pivots toward the Dos and Don'ts of cultivating effective parent engagement, and how to build supportive communities and relationships with parents. Keep listening on for practical ideas and implications in Part 3. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Group Dynamics 03:09 Importance of Partnering with Parents in Youth Ministry 04:29 Common Mistakes in Parent Involvement 08:21 Understanding Parent Needs and Communication 14:51 Strategies for Effective Parent Engagement 22:40 Building Relationships with Parents 28:24 Creating a Supportive Community for Parents 39:00 The Role of Prayer in Partnering with Parents 43:35 Preview of Practical Steps for Youth Ministers 44:45 Conclusion and Call to Action Links https://open.spotify.com/episode/1aJ2zV0l0nNlxZNIeXLAwr?si=24e8f797527d4c99 pizzasidehugs@gmail.com  pizzasidehugs@gmail.com

    46 min
  7. Partner with Parents - Pt. 1

    08/26/2025

    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. Part 1 of this conversation delves into the critical importance of partnering with parents in youth ministry and the impact this has on the effectiveness of your ministry. This is the start of the conversation, keep listening on for practical ideas and implications in Parts 2 and 3. Chapters 02:58 The Importance of Partnering with Parents 05:50 Sharing Personal Experiences and Epic Fails 08:34 Understanding the Role of Parents in Youth Ministry 11:47 The Impact of Parental Influence on Faith Development 14:42 Reframing Youth Ministry: A Partnership Approach 17:38 Empowering Parents as Primary Catechists 20:51 Creating Effective Communication with Parents 23:41 Building Trust and Understanding with Families 29:35 Conclusion and Next Steps Links: Dr. Christian Smith Article pizzasidehugs@gmail.com

    42 min
  8. Youth Ministry Jubilee

    08/13/2025

    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 Jubilee, the importance of local community involvement, and practical ideas for youth ministry to connect with the larger church during this Jubilee year. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Jubilee of Hope 06:32 Understanding the Concept of Jubilee 12:12 Local Pilgrimages and Community Engagement 18:09 Connecting Youth to the Larger Church Links: Spes Non Confudit (Papal Bull) USCCB Jubilee Website Arch Indy Pilgrimage Sites Arch Indy Jubilee Page  pizzasidehugs@gmail.com

    20 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Julia Eckrich, Paul Sifuentes, Rachel Gilman, & Jake Teitgen
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    52
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Pizza & Side Hugs
  • Show Website
    Pizza & Side Hugs