On The Frontier: A Young Life Podcast

By Justin Ryder and Ben Battaglia

Society & Culture Government & Organizations Religion & Spirituality Non-Profit Christianity

What's On The Frontier: A Young Life Podcast about?

On The Frontier, hosted by Justin Ryder and Ben Battaglia, is a podcast about Young Life. We'll unpack the latest Young Life news, explore innovation and creativity around the mission, and learn from the stories of our guests. Our hope is that this “cabin time on the record” inspires you, and is a hub for vulnerable, real conversation not just about Young Life, but all of life.

Find our more at www.onthefrontierpodcast.com

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On The Frontier: A Young Life Podcast episodes:

05.26.2017
"The Final Frontier."
This is the official series finale of On The Frontier, a podcast about leadership, creativity, and innovation in Young Life. From the bottom of our hearts to yours, its been a joy and pleasure of a project. Thank you to...
05.19.2017
#040: A Steady Diet of Truth
Ben and Ryder discuss their initial reactions to the Pepsi and Heineken commercials, each which tackles social issues, as well as the recent Netflix show, '13 Reasons Why'. We hope you'll join into the conversation! Be a pioneer.
05.05.2017
#039: How a Cucumber Becomes a Pickle (ft Fil Anderson)
Fil Anderson was and is a 'spiritual overachiever'. His journey lead him to discover the ’truest thing about him’ — while developing a contemplative spiritual life in the process. He sits down with Justin to talk about burnout, performance driven...
04.28.2017
#038: If I'm Honest about My Job...
Ryder and Ben discuss podcasts they love, lessons they learned when deciding whether to come on Young Life staff or not (4:45), and most importantly, they interact with a “sneaky” survey that Ben planted all over a recent Young Life...
04.21.2017
#037: They Just Became Fearless (ft Joe Belinko)
Ryder and Ben discuss mentoring and discipleship done with Radical Candor (a new book by Kim Scott). Next, Ryder sits down with a 40 year veteran of Young Life, Joe Belinko, to discuss how he coaches and mentors in lacrosse and...
04.07.2017
#036: Humor is a Way to Love People (ft Bryan Spillman)
We're back On The Frontier talking about new Young Life camps, Generation Z, and humor in Young Life. First, Ryder & Ben discuss Wild Ridge, Young Life's new property in West Virginia, and offer a challenge to listeners...you can win...
03.31.2017
#035: I Am Learning to Think Differently than I Ever Did Before (ft. Aswan Morris and Hope Ledeboer-Smith)
Ben and Ryder continue their exploration of race & multi-cultural ministry with a variety of guests, including New York City Metro Director Aswan Morris, and Minneapolis Metro Director Hope Ledeboer-Smith. Hope and Aswan share their experiences from multi-cultural lives,...
03.17.2017
#034: Gents and Gems (ft Josh Goodman)
MOVE THAT BUS, MOVE THAT BUS! Welcome to week 34 of OTF. Ryder and Ben begin this week's episode by discussing a recent challenge given to Justin to “associate great memories with the Gospel”, especially at summer camp. They...
03.10.2017
#033: A Kiss That Lingers For Eternity (ft Steve Chesney)
Join Ben & Ryder as they discuss speaking at Young Life club. Joined by an ex post facto Steve Chesney, Regional Director in Tennessee, they break apart a seminar that Steve led back in 2008 about the nuts and bolts of...
03.03.2017
#032: Leadership Creates Movement [OTF READS]
Welcome to “OTF Reads”, a brand new part of living on the frontier. Each month, Ben and Ryder breakdown a book that has come highly recommended to them. This month, we discuss John Kotter's 'A Force for Change', a compelling...
02.24.2017
#031: I Walked Her Down The Aisle (ft Brad Mowry)
We're back On The Frontier. Justin & Ben discuss the two spring leadership retreats they were at over the past few weeks, and celebrate a goal accomplished (thanks Vermontinians). Later, Justin sits down with Brad Mowry, Capernaum Coordinator for the...
02.17.2017
#030: Fighting Words (ft Ellie Holcomb)
Singer-Songwriter Ellie Holcomb, a Nashville native, began her musical career by touring the country with her husband in Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors. Their first stop? Young Life camp. Drew & Ellie have spent more than 10 summers on assignment...
02.10.2017
#029: Insides, Outsides, & the Most Congruent Person Who Ever Lived (ft John Evans)
Is John Evans the most congruent person to ever live? Not according to him. Ben and Ryder reminisce about personal health in ministry, much of which they learned by taking John Evan’s class, a long time Young Life staff person...
02.03.2017
#028: Two Millennials Talk About Other Millennials
Ben & Ryder are back for season two of On the Frontier! In addition to discussing their initial reactions to Young Life Forward and their time with Young Life's senior leadership, they talk about millennials! Bestselling author Simon Sinek has...
01.20.2017
BONUS: Best of Season 1
These are some of our favorite moments from Season 1. See you soon! Be a pioneer.
01.13.2017
#027: There Are Whales Outside My Window (ft Brent Cunningham)
Ryder and Ben close out the first season of On The Frontier, live from Young Life's training in Florida. They discuss Young Life's new movement Forward, the beauty of worshiping with 900 staff, and their own memories of New Staff Training. Later...
01.06.2017
#026: Right Actions, Healthy Growth
Ben & Ryder discuss the latest Young Life news including great emails from Young Life's president (1:14), our new website, and our new unofficial Young Life Employee Engagement Survey (2:14), which can be found at www.frontierpod.com/survey. Then, Ryder & Ben...
12.29.2016
#025: The Blob is Dead (& Other Hot Things from 2016)
Ben and Ryder review some popular things from 2016. Some are fun. Some are more serious. This episode is dedicated to our Vermont listeners (1:00). Topics include YL75 (3:52), tech stuff (6:09), the old logo (7:13), Zoom calls (8:31), the...
12.23.2016
#024: Leadership is Not Just Standing Up and Talking (ft Yousef Khalil from Bethlehem!)
In this special Christmas Ep of OTF, Ryder/Ben discuss their Christmas plans and hopes for the Christmas Break (0:46). After some James Tutson Christmas caroling, Ryder interviews Yousef, who is on Young Life staff in (the real) Bethlehem in Palestine....
12.16.2016
#023: Finding Truth in the Mountains (ft Jonah Werner)
This week, Jonah Werner (@jonahwerner) is On The Frontier to discuss his first Young Life experiences (1:56), how he handles a Young Life Banquet (6:00), and how he incorporates storytelling into songwriting (9:35). He also shares his favorite story from 1 of...
12.09.2016
#022: All Leaders are Readers
Ryder & Ben discuss Christmas lists, Ben's illustrious program career, and recap this week's Young Life Social Media webinar (9:43), “Missionaries in a Digital World.” If you want to think more intentionally about your area or personal social media presence,...
12.02.2016
#021: A Few Quintessential Experiences
Description: Ben & Ryder are On the Frontier this week discussing to call-ins from fellow YLer's asking about how to be great leaders where they are at. Isn't that we are all wondering? First, we ask for your frontier pics...
11.23.2016
#020: Fantastic Feasts and When to Eat Them (ft Celia Denson and Tex Piper)
To commemorate the Thanksgiving feast you are about enjoy, Ben and Ryder pack an audio feast into an early release this week, just in time for your Thanksgiving commute home. First thing is first, thankfulness (1:50). For an appetizer, our...
11.18.2016
#019: Bank to Bank (ft. Scott Berg)
LOOKOUT. Ryder & Ben are stoked to be back on the frontier discussing this semester's best leadership analogies thus far (0:39). These include Swimming Pools, Rocky, the in-between, and balancing the “no pressure” nature of Young Life with individual's opportunity...
11.11.2016
#018: Know Thyself
Ryder & Ben unpack their weekends, discussing fall camp (0:20 ), and the power of social media (1:19). Then, they jump into the enneagram (3:00). The enneagram is an ancient personality test helping people understand themselves, how the relate to...
11.04.2016
#017: En La Frontera (ft: Angel Ruiz & Mark Statema)
Ryder and Ben are back On the Frontier discussing Jim Rayburn's last address to Young Life staff and some assorted history of our mission (3:00), before diving into a discussion with Angel Ruiz (9:52) about his life, staff experience, and...
10.28.2016
#016: You Great Unfinished Symphony
Ben will attend “Hamilton” next month (in honor of his mom's birthday -- HBD Mom!) and an episode was inspired. A cultural phenomenon, the broadway musical Hamilton has inspired a world hungry for diversity, revolution, and legacy. Ben and Ryder are...
10.21.2016
#015: Market Realness
Ben & Ryder respond to and unpack an audio message from Seth Michels (Young Life Staff in Louisville, KY). Seth inspires us to think differently about how we “sell” Young Life: should we talk less about physical, crazy, wild aspects...
10.13.2016
#014: 10% More Dangerous, 90% More Thrilling (ft. Jack Nikcevich)
Join Justin & Ben in the Frontier as they discuss the challenges of ministry, and when they feel most alive in the midst of those challenges (2:37). Later in the episode, they are joined by Jack Nikcevich, Regional Director of...
10.07.2016
#013: Friendship Keeps Us In This Thing (ft. Cliff Wright)
Ben & Ryder discuss the importance of their friendships in shaping their journeys on Young Life staff, as well as a 31-year long example of such friendship. Ryder is joined on the podcast by his long-time best friend, and Young...
09.30.2016
#012: Can't Get That Boy Off The Dance Floor (ft. John Wagner)
Ben & Ryder review #FollowYLDay (2:40), discuss Ben's quixotic quest to save the calzone at Timber Wolf Lake (5:05), and learn more about how Justin is trying to improve his club talks (6:30). Later, Ryder sits down with John Wagner,...
09.26.2016
BONUS: #FollowYLDay
In this special mid-week episode, join Ryder & Ben, along with returning guest Alex Lewis to discuss #FollowYLDay, happening TODAY! We'll also discuss Donald Miller's Storybrand, and how we can use those principles to tell the Young Life story! Want...
09.23.2016
#011: Everything Changes (ft. Annie Lawrence)
Ryder & Ben are inspired by Grace VanderWaal (:30), a WyldLife sensation who won the most recent season of America's Got Talent! They also discuss their own musical backgrounds (1:05), and the vital importance of music in the mission of...
09.16.2016
#010: Frisbees & Questions
Brodie Smith (frisbee trick shot artist) just gave Young Life a shoutout on national TV at the Miss America Paegant (2:10)! This reminded us: it's hard to explain Young Life on the spot. Try it. Ben and Ryder discuss the...
09.09.2016
#009: Time For Living (ft. Alex Lewis)
Ryder and Ben relive the nostalgia of “Time for Living” (2:10), Young Life’s first viral video. Its legacy lives on in Young Life’s current social media team, who strive to tell the stories of the mission of Young Life (10:45). After the...
09.02.2016
#008: Tribes
Ben & Ryder are back On The Frontier discussing the appointment of the new Chief Diversity Officer of Young Life, BeBe Hobson. They also discuss elements of healthy tribes, or communities, across every level of an organization -- especially Young Life. They are also...
08.26.2016
#007: Endless Possibilities (ft. Pete Hardesty & Morgan McGhee)
Ryder & Ben, along with surprise guest host Morgan McGhee (@morgm91), explore the back to school season. They discuss their hopes and fears about a new year of YL (1:57), and learn Morgan thoughts on how to start a new school...
08.18.2016
#006: Worth It (ft. Kathy Craig)
Ben and Ryder revisit Episode #003, discussing comments from listeners about how to bring the radical nature of YL camp to everyday life. They also discuss autonomy and purpose in Young Life, and what keeps us going in ministry (2:25). Later,...
08.12.2016
#005: Heart First (ft. Drew Hill)
Ryder and Ben sit down with Drew Hill, author of The Young Life Leader Blog. Drew's site has been slammed over 3.3. million unique times in its life. Drew has been on the frontier for years -- providing resources, ideas,...
08.08.2016
#004: Zombie Haiku (ft. Ryan Mecum)
Join Ben & Ryder On The Frontier as they discuss the Coast to Coast bike ride to raise campership funds for Young Life. Also, Justin interviews special guest Ryan Mecum, Area Director and published author, about being a Young Life program...
08.04.2016
#003: Everyone Gets a Theme Song
Ryder & Ben begin to close out the summer with a conversation about Young Life camping. They discuss the radical atmosphere of Young Life camp, and explore the elements of assignment that would make our everyday lives more thrilling. We'd...
07.28.2016
#002: Revival (ft. James Tutson)
Justin & Ben are back On The Frontier to discuss Young Life summer camp assignments, Multi-Cultural & Urban camping, and the importance of vacation & rest. Later in the episode, join Ben for a conversation with James Tutson, professional musician...
07.27.2016
#001: Pilot
Ben and Ryder kick off their new podcast about the ministry of Young Life called, "On the Frontier". Topics include vision for the podcast, hopes and dreams, and a few other introductory comments. In the ministry of Young Life, there...

What's On The Frontier: A Young Life Podcast about?

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On The Frontier: A Young Life Podcast episodes:

"The Final Frontier."

#040: A Steady Diet of Truth

#039: How a Cucumber Becomes a Pickle (ft Fil Anderson)

#038: If I'm Honest about My Job...

#037: They Just Became Fearless (ft Joe Belinko)

#036: Humor is a Way to Love People (ft Bryan Spillman)

#035: I Am Learning to Think Differently than I Ever Did Before (ft. Aswan Morris and Hope Ledeboer-Smith)

#034: Gents and Gems (ft Josh Goodman)

#033: A Kiss That Lingers For Eternity (ft Steve Chesney)

#032: Leadership Creates Movement [OTF READS]

#031: I Walked Her Down The Aisle (ft Brad Mowry)

#030: Fighting Words (ft Ellie Holcomb)

#029: Insides, Outsides, & the Most Congruent Person Who Ever Lived (ft John Evans)

#028: Two Millennials Talk About Other Millennials

BONUS: Best of Season 1

#027: There Are Whales Outside My Window (ft Brent Cunningham)

#026: Right Actions, Healthy Growth

#025: The Blob is Dead (& Other Hot Things from 2016)

#024: Leadership is Not Just Standing Up and Talking (ft Yousef Khalil from Bethlehem!)

#023: Finding Truth in the Mountains (ft Jonah Werner)

#022: All Leaders are Readers

#021: A Few Quintessential Experiences

#020: Fantastic Feasts and When to Eat Them (ft Celia Denson and Tex Piper)

#019: Bank to Bank (ft. Scott Berg)

#018: Know Thyself

#017: En La Frontera (ft: Angel Ruiz & Mark Statema)

#016: You Great Unfinished Symphony

#015: Market Realness

#014: 10% More Dangerous, 90% More Thrilling (ft. Jack Nikcevich)

#013: Friendship Keeps Us In This Thing (ft. Cliff Wright)

#012: Can't Get That Boy Off The Dance Floor (ft. John Wagner)

BONUS: #FollowYLDay

#011: Everything Changes (ft. Annie Lawrence)

#010: Frisbees & Questions

#009: Time For Living (ft. Alex Lewis)

#008: Tribes

#007: Endless Possibilities (ft. Pete Hardesty & Morgan McGhee)

#006: Worth It (ft. Kathy Craig)

#005: Heart First (ft. Drew Hill)

#004: Zombie Haiku (ft. Ryan Mecum)

#003: Everyone Gets a Theme Song

#002: Revival (ft. James Tutson)

#001: Pilot