Youth Ministry Soulkeeper

A podcast for your soul, with a little bit of coaching, a little bit of comic relief, and a whole lot of care.

Youth Ministry Soulkeeper is a religion podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 48 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Youth Ministry Soulkeeper, a religion show with 48 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Youth Ministry Soulkeeper

  Episode 48: When Volunteers Hurt the Ministry Instead of Help

  Mar 27, 202644 min

  Volunteers are the lifeblood of youth ministry. But what happens when a volunteer becomes the problem? James and Todd open up a conversation most youth leaders have needed to have for a long time.Struggling vs. Toxic: The Core DistinctionBefore you can address toxic behavior, you have to be able to name it. James and Todd walk through the key markers of each:A struggling volunteer: Is going through a hard season and may be temporarily off their game Makes honest mistakes because they’re still learning Responds to feedback with humility and a willingness to grow Genuinely cares about students even when their execution is imperfect A toxic volunteer: Shows consistent patterns of harmful behavior — not one bad day, but a recurring reality Damages students, divides teams, and undermines leadership Deflects, dismisses, or gets defensive when given correction Operates from self-serving motivations: control, ego, personal agenda Key diagnostic question: When you give feedback, how do they respond? Humility and openness are the marks of someone who’s struggling. Defensiveness, deflection, and blame signal something deeper. Links: ADAM KEEHN FOUNDATION https://adamkeehnfoundation.com/ Connect With The Show: Webpage - https://ymsoulkeeper.carrd.co Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088943467640&sk=followers Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ymsoulkeeper/ Youtube (watch pod vids here) - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIqvY3ftXO8-8poUuRYUZ8w Twitter - https://twitter.com/YMSoulKeeper Connect with James: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jamessabin13/ / https://www.instagram.com/edgestudentministries/ Instagram EDGE Students - https://www.instagram.com/edgestudentministries/ Youtube EDGE Students - https://www.youtube.com/@MinistryEDGEYouth Connect with Todd: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/toddpearage Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/toddpearage/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/toddpearage We would love to hear from you with questions and comments at the following email: ymsoulkeeper@gmail.com Check Out Coleader and plan your next month of ministry in just one click - https://www.coleader.co Sign-up for Coleader here: https://share.coleader.co/SikZuk/join Get help with the weekly grind with the help of Download Youth Ministry here - https://www.downloadyouthministry.com Youth Leader Summit Conferences: https://www.youthleadersummit.com/

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  Youth Ministry Soulkeeper

  Episode 47: How To Build Trust Before Belief

  Jan 28, 202642 min

  Summary: In this episode of the Youth Ministry Soul Keeper Podcast, Todd and James discuss the importance of building authentic relationships with unchurched students. They emphasize the need for youth leaders to accept students as they are, connect them with caring adults, and build trust over time. The conversation provides practical strategies for engaging students, being present in their lives, and fostering vulnerability and authenticity in leadership. The hosts encourage youth workers to commit to long-term relationships with students, highlighting that genuine love and acceptance can lead to curiosity about faith and ultimately, a relationship with God. Takeaways: Accept students as they are, not based on behavior. Building trust takes time and intentionality. Vulnerability in leadership fosters deeper connections. Be present in students' lives outside of church. Good intentions alone don't build relationships. Every student is an image bearer of God. Connect students with multiple caring adults. Authentic love creates curiosity about God. Discipleship is a long-term journey, not a quick fix. Ask good questions to engage students meaningfully. Show Notes: ADAM KEEHN FOUNDATION https://adamkeehnfoundation.com/ Connect With The Show: Webpage - https://ymsoulkeeper.carrd.co Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088943467640&sk=followers Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ymsoulkeeper/ Youtube (watch pod vids here) - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIqvY3ftXO8-8poUuRYUZ8w Twitter - https://twitter.com/YMSoulKeeper Connect with James: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jamessabin13/ / https://www.instagram.com/edgestudentministries/ Instagram EDGE Students - https://www.instagram.com/edgestudentministries/ Youtube EDGE Students - https://www.youtube.com/@MinistryEDGEYouth Connect with Todd: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/toddpearage Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/toddpearage/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/toddpearage We would love to hear from you with questions and comments at the following email: ymsoulkeeper@gmail.com Check Out Coleader and plan your next month of ministry in just one click - https://www.coleader.co Sign-up for Coleader here: https://share.coleader.co/SikZuk/join Get help with the weekly grind with the help of Download Youth Ministry here - https://www.downloadyouthministry.com Youth Leader Summit Conferences: https://www.youthleadersummit.com/

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  Youth Ministry Soulkeeper

  Episode 46: Beyond The Resolution: Setting Ministry Goals With Grace

  Jan 12, 202632 min

  Beyond The Resolution: Setting Ministry Goals With Grace Summary: In this episode of the Youth Ministry Soul Keeper Podcast, hosts James and Todd kick off the new year by tackling a topic every youth leader faces: New Year's resolutions and goal-setting. Moving beyond the typical resolution hype, they dive into what it means to set meaningful ministry goals rooted in grace rather than guilt. The hosts share personal stories about their own struggles with resolutions and explore why so many well-intentioned goals fall apart by February. The conversation centers on a crucial truth: your identity as a youth leader isn't found in your successes or failures, but in who you are in Christ. James and Todd emphasize the importance of soul care, sustainable habits, and building authentic relationships in ministry. They challenge listeners to shift from program-focused thinking to people-centered ministry, reminding youth leaders that grace isn't just something we extend to students—it's something we desperately need ourselves. Throughout the episode, the hosts offer practical encouragement for setting goals that actually matter: prioritizing relationships with students and parents, creating sustainable rhythms of ministry, and learning to embrace restoration when we inevitably fall short. This is an honest, grace-filled conversation that will leave you refreshed and ready to approach the new year with renewed perspective. Takeaways: New Year's resolutions often fail because they're disconnected from grace — goals without grace become a slippery slope to guilt and burnout. Your identity isn't tied to your success or failure — you are defined by who you are in Christ, not by what you accomplish in ministry. There's always restoration after the resolution — failure isn't final; God's grace meets us when we fall short. People over program should be your primary ministry goal — relationships matter more than perfectly executed events and curriculum. Lean toward being "annoying" with parent communication — over-communication with parents is better than under-communication. Soul care isn't optional for sustainable ministry — you can't pour from an empty cup; prioritize your own spiritual health. Build habits, not just goals — sustainable change comes from consistent, grace-filled practices rather than grand resolutions. Grace is Jesus' message to you — the same grace you extend to students is the grace Christ extends to you as a leader. Relationships are the foundation of effective youth ministry — invest in people, not just programs, for lasting kingdom impact. Show Notes: ADAM KEEHN FOUNDATION https://adamkeehnfoundation.com/ Connect With The Show: Webpage - https://ymsoulkeeper.carrd.co Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088943467640&sk=followers Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ymsoulkeeper/ Youtube (watch pod vids here) - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIqvY3ftXO8-8poUuRYUZ8w Twitter - https://twitter.com/YMSoulKeeper Connect with James: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jamessabin13/ / https://www.instagram.com/edgestudentministries/ Instagram EDGE Students - https://www.instagram.com/edgestudentministries/ Youtube EDGE Students - https://www.youtube.com/@MinistryEDGEYouth Connect with Todd: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/toddpearage Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/toddpearage/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/toddpearage We would love to hear from you with questions and comments at the following email: ymsoulkeeper@gmail.com Check Out Coleader and plan your next month of ministry in just one click - https://www.coleader.co Sign-up for Coleader here: https://share.coleader.co/SikZuk/join Get help with the weekly grind with the help of Download Youth Ministry here - https://www.downloadyouthministry.com Youth Leader Summit Conferences: https://www.youthleadersummit.com/ Connect with Guest Co-Host - Eben Eddy Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ebeneddy/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/eben.eddy

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  Youth Ministry Soulkeeper

  Episode 45: More Than A Weekend: The Art Of Intentional Youth Retreats

  Jan 5, 202646 min

  Summary: In this episode of the Youth Ministry Soul Keeper Podcast, hosts James and Todd discuss the nuances of youth retreats, including the debate between fall and winter retreats, tips for speakers, and the importance of building relationships with youth. They also address how to handle unexpected situations during retreats and emphasize the significance of clear communication and expectations between youth pastors and speakers. The conversation wraps up with practical advice for creating positive retreat experiences. Takeaways: Clear expectations help speakers deliver better messages. Building relationships with youth enhances the impact of the message. Being low maintenance as a speaker eases the host's stress. Treating volunteers as heroes fosters a positive environment. Assessing the situation calmly is crucial in a crisis. Documenting decisions helps maintain transparency with parents. Swag can create a sense of belonging among youth. Engaging with students during free time builds rapport. The focus should always be on the well-being of the kids. Show Notes: ADAM KEEHN FOUNDATION https://adamkeehnfoundation.com/ Connect With The Show: Webpage - https://ymsoulkeeper.carrd.co Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088943467640&sk=followers Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ymsoulkeeper/ Youtube (watch pod vids here) - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIqvY3ftXO8-8poUuRYUZ8w Twitter - https://twitter.com/YMSoulKeeper Connect with James: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jamessabin13/ / https://www.instagram.com/edgestudentministries/ Instagram EDGE Students - https://www.instagram.com/edgestudentministries/ Youtube EDGE Students - https://www.youtube.com/@MinistryEDGEYouth Connect with Todd: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/toddpearage Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/toddpearage/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/toddpearage We would love to hear from you with questions and comments at the following email: ymsoulkeeper@gmail.com Check Out Coleader and plan your next month of ministry in just one click - https://www.coleader.co Sign-up for Coleader here: https://share.coleader.co/SikZuk/join Get help with the weekly grind with the help of Download Youth Ministry here - https://www.downloadyouthministry.com Youth Leader Summit Conferences: https://www.youthleadersummit.com/ Connect with Guest Co-Host - Eben Eddy Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ebeneddy/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/eben.eddy

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  Youth Ministry Soulkeeper

  Episode 44: What It Takes To Stay: Jody Livingston on Ministry Longevity

  Jul 3, 202556 min

  Summary: In this compelling episode, hosts James and Todd sit down with Jody Livingston, a veteran youth pastor with over 26 years of ministry experience, to unpack the vital theme of longevity in youth ministry. Drawing from his personal journey and the insights found in his book, Staying Power: Essentials for Longevity in Youth Ministry, Jody shares candid stories, hard-earned wisdom, and practical encouragement for youth leaders who want to go the distance. Takeaways: *Jody has 26 years of experience in youth ministry. *Longevity in youth ministry is crucial for personal and community growth. *Mistakes in youth ministry can lead to valuable lessons. *The difference between a career and a calling is significant in ministry. *Community and friendships are essential for youth pastors. *Many youth pastors feel lonely despite being surrounded by people. *It's important to have friends who can speak truth into your life. *Revisiting your calling can reignite passion for ministry. *Youth ministry should be an overflow of personal growth and calling. *Jody encourages youth pastors to stay committed to their calling. Show Notes: Connect With Jody Livingston: https://thelongerhaul.com Connect With The Show: Webpage - https://ymsoulkeeper.carrd.co Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?.. . Instagram - / ymsoulkeeper Youtube (watch pod vids here) - / @ymsoulkeeper Twitter - / ymsoulkeeper Connect with James: Instagram - / jamessabin13 / / edgestudentministries Connect with Todd: Facebook - / toddpearage Instagram - / toddpearage Twitter - / toddpearage We would love to hear from you with questions and comments at the following email: ymsoulkeeper@gmail.com Youth Leader Summit Conferences: https://www.youthleadersummit.com/ Check Out Coleader and plan your next month of ministry in just one click - https://www.coleader.co Sign-up for Coleader here: https://share.coleader.co/SikZuk/join Get help with the weekly grind with the help of Download Youth Ministry here - https://www.downloadyouthministry.com

  ListenShow Notes

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