Embrace the Awkward Podcast

Mission trips can be life-changing… or a complete disaster.

In Part 3, Mike and Kyle get practical about how to plan a mission trip that "doesn’t suck" from preparation and expectations to helping students recognize what God is actually teaching them.

Because a great mission trip doesn’t happen by accident… and neither does a terrible one.

You’ve picked a destination, started dreaming about matching T-shirts, and someone’s already asking about the packing list, but is your youth ministry actually ready for a mission trip?

In Part 2, Mike and Kyle talk about what needs to happen before you ever load the van or board the plane, from choosing the right students and leaders to building a team that’s actually prepared to serve.  Because sometimes the biggest mission-trip problems start before the trip even begins.

Are short-term mission trips actually worth it?

They cost a ton of money, require months of planning, come with matching T-shirts and sometimes leave us wondering who the trip was really for.

In this episode, Mike and Kyle unpack the good, the bad, and the awkward of short-term missions. Are we actually helping? Can helping sometimes hurt? Are mission trips more about changing our students than changing a community? And after leading plenty of trips ourselves, would we still say they're worth it?

Spoiler: Yes—but only if we rethink what a “successful” mission trip actually looks like.

Embrace the Awkward gets extra awkward this week. Mike and Kyle take turns asking each other uncomfortable, ridiculous, and completely unprepared questions with no prep, no editing, and no escape. What could possibly go wrong? Come embrace the awkwardness with us.

Summer can either be a season of ministry growth or a season where everything slows to a halt. In Episode 106, Kyle and Mike discuss practical ways youth workers can build and maintain momentum during the summer months. From creating meaningful events and discipleship opportunities to balancing rest, relationships, and ministry, they share what has worked in their own contexts and how to keep students engaged when school is out. Whether you're planning camps, hangouts, mission trips, or simply trying to survive the summer schedule, this episode will help you make the most of the season and set your ministry up for success in the fall. 

Last episode, we opened the door to the world of gaming. This episode, we step into it. If video games are a massive part of student culture, how do we actually use that in ministry? We’re getting practical—sharing how to start, structure, and lead a video game ministry in your context. From creating connection points to building community and discipling students in a digital space, this is all about turning gaming into a meaningful ministry tool. It’s an uncharted mission field… but one worth stepping into.

For more information, please visit embracetheawkward.com or follow us on Instagram  @theetapodcast ​

Are video games ruining students… or are we missing one of the biggest ministry opportunities right in front of us? In this episode, we dive into the good, the bad, and the complicated world of gaming culture. From screen time concerns to connection, community, and influence, we unpack why video games are such a huge part of students’ lives and why youth workers can’t afford to ignore it. Instead of fearing it, what if we learned how to understand it and even use it as a tool for ministry? Let’s embrace the awkward and step into the game.

For more information, please visit embracetheawkward.com or follow us on Instagram @theetapodcast.​

In this episode, Mike and Kyle are joined by AJ from The Gathering — a young, passionate youth pastor who has some cool things happening in his ministry.

AJ shares how he’s intentionally building a youth ministry culture that fosters both authentic worship and real community. From creating environments where students feel safe to engage with God, to building relationships that actually last beyond youth group nights, this conversation is packed with practical ideas and honest ministry talk.

If you’ve ever wondered how to help students take ownership of worship, build deeper community, or create a ministry culture students actually want to invite friends into — this episode is for you.

Visit  @theetapodcast on Instagram and embracetheawkward.com for merch and more!

Is Wednesday night still king… or is Sunday night (or another night entirely) the better move for youth ministry?

In Episode 102, Mike and Kyle jump into one of the most debated topics in youth ministry programming: What night of the week actually works best? From tradition and volunteer availability to student schedules, sports, church culture, and family rhythms — we break down the real pros and cons of Wednesday nights, Sunday nights, and even alternative options.

We also talk about how to know when it’s time to make a change, what to evaluate before you move nights, and how to lead that transition without creating chaos (or at least… less chaos).

Whether you’re in a big church, small church, or somewhere in between, this episode will help you think strategically about your weekly programming.

Visit @Theetapodcast on Instagram and embracetheawkward.com for merch and more!

After more than a year away, Embrace the Awkward is officially back for Season 2. And yes… things look a little different. DJ is out as co-host, Mike is in and we decided the only right way to handle it was to fully embrace the awkward. (No, you will not actually see DJ get fired live… sorry to disappoint).

In this relaunch episode, we’re being fully transparent. We talk about where Kyle and DJ have been over the last year, introduce you to Big Mike, and share what you can expect from the future of the podcast. New season, new direction, same awkward conversations that help youth workers handle ministry better.

Visit @Theetapodcast on Instagram and embracetheawkward.com for merch and more!