What happens when a mission trip to Cambodia turns into a race against anaphylactic shock — with a wheelchair heist, rats on the ER floor, and a $400 bill to save a student’s life? Or when a friendly game of broom ball ends with a youth leader’s fingernail on the ice and a 2 AM ER visit fueled by Greek flashcards?

In this episode, Nick and Mikiala sit down with youth pastor Dawson Campbell (Diamond Bar, CA) for two of the wildest, most chaotic, and somehow deeply encouraging stories from the front lines of student ministry. From mudfish dinners in Southeast Asia to bloody ice rinks in the South, Dawson proves one thing: youth ministry will absolutely test you — and God will absolutely show up.

Whether you’re a seasoned youth worker or just someone who loves a great survival story, this one’s for you. Buckle up.

Shop our Ministry to Youth Store. Check out our huge collection of youth ministry bundles, teaching series, one year curriculums, Bible studies, games and more.

In this episode, Nick busts these 5 youth ministry myths:

• Spiritual growth just happens over time. 
• Every event has the top the last one.
• I just need more volunteers.
• Wednesday night (or Sunday) is the ministry.
• If students drift away after graduation, your youth ministry failed.

He doesn’t just challenge these ideas - he unpacks the truth behind each one.

Plus, he dives into two bonus myths that 99% of youth ministry leaders widely accept!

Want more? Check out Nick’s YouTube Shorts for more youth ministry myths - busted. Or check them out on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok.

Shop our Ministry to Youth store. Check out our huge collection of youth ministry bundles, teaching series, one year curriculums, Bible studies, games and more.

We've been told over and over that healthy things grow. If attendance is up, God must be moving and you're doing something right. But here's the problem: You can pack a room and no one knows a single student’s story. You can high-five a hundred kids and not shepherd any of them.

Truth: Attendance is not the best scoreboard of a health youth ministry.

So, what is? That's the big question we tackle in this episode as we explore: Why are we so obsessed with having a growing youth ministry? How do you define a healthy youth ministry? What are the top indicators of a thriving youth ministry and how can we build one? And more.

Shop our Ministry to Youth store. Check out our huge collection of youth ministry bundles, teaching series, one year curriculums, Bible studies, games and more.

Camps and retreats are often where God shows up in powerful ways, and Nick and Mikiala have the stories to prove it. In this episode, they share personal moments that transformed students’ lives and unpack how youth leaders can intentionally create space for God to move.

Shop our Ministry to Youth store. Check out our huge collection of youth ministry bundles, teaching series, one year curriculums, Bible studies, games and more.

In this episode, Nick Diliberto, Mikiala, and Lydia Halma talk about why consistency, mentorship, and safe spaces matter in youth ministry. 

Lydia shares how one-on-one meetings, intentional engagement, and steady leadership build trust and lasting faith, and how addressing shame helps students feel safe enough to grow. 

If you’re a youth ministry wanting deeper relationships and a more impactful ministry, this episode is packed with practical encouragement.

Shop our Ministry to Youth store. Check out our huge collection of youth ministry bundles, teaching series, one year curriculums, Bible studies, games and more.

In this episode of Ministry to Stories, Nick sits down with Kristian Mendoza for a hilarious and heartfelt conversation about those ministry moments when you wish you could disappear through the floor.

From an unexpected small group confession to a big slip up in front of the entire youth group, Kristian shares two unforgettable “trap door” moments. If you’ve ever fumbled through a tough moment in ministry or just need a good laugh and encouragement, this episode is for you.

Shop our Ministry to Youth store. Check out our huge collection of youth ministry bundles, teaching series, one year curriculums, Bible studies, games and more.

In this episode of the Ministry to Stories podcast, we tell stories your senior pastor never needs to hear (yes, they’re that good!).

Your host Nick Diliberto and guest Jody Livingston (from The Longer Haul Youth Ministry in Youth Ministry) relive some crazy stories: road trip “memories” no training manual covered, lock in chaos, games with a plot twist & more. The stories are fast, unplanned, and hilarious - anchored by honest wisdom about staying in youth ministry long enough to see the fruit.

It’s unpredictable, hilarious, surprisingly encouraging - and absolutely worth the listen.

👉 Learn more about the Longer Haul in Youth Ministry

👉 Shop our Ministry to Youth store. Check out our huge collection of youth ministry bundles, teaching series, one year curriculums, Bible studies, games and more.

What happens when you’re a youth ministry leader for 44 years?

You get stories. Some hilarious, some heartbreaking, and all packed with wisdom. In this episode, we sit down with the one and only Mark Oestreicher (AKA Marko), a youth ministry legend who’s seen it all.

From an accidentally inappropriate moment on a mission trip to the terrifying experience of losing a student, Marko shares the raw, real side of youth ministry. The laughter, the lessons & more.

👉 To learn more about Marko’s coaching program, go to theyouthcartel.com

👉 Shop our Ministry to Youth store: ministrytoyouth.com Check out our huge collection of youth ministry bundles, teaching series, one year curriculums, Bible studies, games and more.

Get ready to laugh, cringe, and nod along in this can’t-miss episode of the Ministry to Youth Stories podcast! Hosts Nick Diliberto and Mikiala Tennie sit down with Willie Register, a veteran youth minister with a treasure chest of stories.

Willie pulls back the curtain on the beautiful madness of youth ministry — sharing unbelievable camp moments like the Balloon Pop Relay that went totally off the rails, the spicy (literally) Chubby Chihuahuas game, and the legendary Kissing Booth prank that left everyone speechless.

Through all the laughter and chaos, this episode dives deep into the heart of youth ministry — how to embrace the unpredictability, roll with the punches, and find joy in the holy mess of working with teenagers.

👉 If you’d like to invite Mikiala to speak at your event, you can email her at  [email protected]

👉 Shop our Ministry to Youth store. Check out our huge collection of youth ministry bundles, teaching series, one year curriculums, Bible studies, games and more.

Big things are happening on the Ministry to Youth Stories Podcast! Host Nick Diliberto is joined by our brand-new co-host, Mikiala Tennie — and trust us, you’re going to love her.

Mikiala opens up about her powerful journey in youth ministry, the students who’ve changed her life, and the moments that pushed her to go deeper into serving young people. From tough seasons to breakthrough stories, she brings real talk, heartfelt insights, and plenty of laughs along the way.

This episode dives into the beautiful two-way street of youth ministry — how pouring into students often fills you right back up. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just starting out, you’ll walk away inspired and reminded why this work matters so much.

👉 Shop our Ministry to Youth store. Check out our huge collection of youth ministry bundles, teaching series, one year curriculums, Bible studies, games and more.