Pizza & Side Hugs

Do you ever struggle to ask good processing questions with teens? In this episode Paul, Rachel, and special guest Charlie Hardesty from the Diocese of Owensboro, break down what it looks like to engage with teens and ask better questions. 

Intro (0:52) 

Charlie Hardesty: Diocesan Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry in Owensboro (1:18)

What Are Better Questions? (2:08)

Creating a Space of Joy (7:44)

Best Practice to Help with Conversations (17:30)

Conclusion (22:40)

LINKS: 

Spinal Tap: Amp to 11 scene

Grow Games

Throw and Tell Ball: All About Me

Connect Deck: YDisciple

Connect Cards: Amazon

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Intro Slice (0:48)

Hiring a YM is Tough (1:53)

Decide What You NEED and is Possible with Your Resources (4:47)

There are a lot of things you may want in a YM, but you need to decide what you need first. 

• Do you need someone who is going to build a program? 
• Or do you need someone who can spend time with your 5-10 young people? Do you need someone who is going to fire everyone up and move on? 
• Or do you need a stable person to be there for years?
•  Do you need a director or a minister (who will then be receiving direction)? 
• Do you need a veteran or can you train a rookie? 
• Are you willing to pay for the best? 
• Or do you need to find a person with promise who may be more affordable?

Around the Horn (11:09)

What are some best practices you have when hiring a YM?

Conclusion (25:14)

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Budgets are an important part of ministry and the work we do for the Church. In this episode, the Pizza and Side Hugs team breaks open budgeting and the ways that it can be an asset to you. 

Intro Slice (0:50)

A Better Budget Perspective (1:08)

In what ways do budgets help us in youth ministry? (3:51)

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So you've asked your people and gotten a team together, but you may be wondering what it looks like to lead them in a positive and formational way. In this episode, the Pizza and Side Hugs crew jumps into what it looks like to lead a team well and the positive impact that has on ministry. 

Leading a Team

Big Picture: After Recruiting (8:00)

Show Up (10:21)

Partner with Families (16:51)

Cause Dialogue (23:18)

Be a Follower (32:00)

Play the Long Game (38:57)

Conclusion (43:40)

Recruiting a Team

How to Say Thank You

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We know it's only February...but it's time to start talking about NCYC! Once again, Indianapolis will be the host city for NCYC 2025, November 20-22nd. Whether you are a new youth minister or have been to NCYC dozens of times, this episode will have something for you. We hope that this episode will help as NCYC approaches!

P.S. Need help with fundraising ideas? Check out our episode on fundraising by clicking here! 

What’s an NCYC memory that stands out most for you? (4:22)

Big Picture: Why NCYC (11:40)

We treat NCYC like a pilgrimage. What are some reasons for that? (16:54)

I’m brand new. Where do I start? (22:24)

I’m a veteran. How do I make this even better? (34:12)

Timeline (46:57)

Please reach out with any questions to the ArchIndy Youth Ministry Office by visiting our website or emailing Coordinator of Youth Ministry, Megan Lauritsen- [email protected]. 

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Are you filled with gratitude for the people around you but not sure how to let them know that you appreciate all that they do to help? Look no further than this week's podcast episode to learn how to thank the people in your ministry that you appreciate so much!

Culture of Gratitude (2:25)

Around the Horn (5:50)

Conclusion (19:27)

Most of the time, we can think of our own experiences here. When did you receive thanks that really meant something? Try to imitate that style in your own thanks.

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Welcome to Season 5! 

There are a lot of different facets when thinking about mental health in youth ministry, and it can be an overwhelming topic to try to cover in ministry. In this episode, the team talks about 3 different areas of mental health in ministry. Listen in to hear some thoughts.

What’s one practice of self-care you’ve employed for your own mental health in the midst of youth ministry?(2:15)

Big Picture: Why Address Mental Health in Youth Ministry? (9:00)

Discussing Mental Health in Your Ministry (11:28)

Offering Support to Students Who Have Mental Health Struggles (21:27)

Setting Boundaries between Ministry and Need for Mental Health Professionals (33:32)

And introducing the newest P&SH segment...BOY'S CORNER!

• In this episode's Boy's Corner Paul and Jake talk about the boy, Pope Francis, Christus Vivit, and the USCCB's new document: Listen, Teach, Send and an awesome event going on in Indianapolis that you can register for HERE! 

Other links from the episode:

• Perfect Pan Pizza
• catholictherapists.com
• Overnight Overhaul Episode
• Joyful Counseling

Rachel's Questions to ask:

• On a scale of 1-10
  • How often are you feeling this way?
  • How debilitating is this feeling?

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Liturgical living can and should be a huge part of of our Catholic faith, but it can be daunting to know where to start. In this SLICE the team breaks open simple ways to start liturgical living in ministry.

Catholic Compendium for Liturgical Living
Frontiers of Faith Podcast
Is This for Kids Podcast

Thank you all for a GREAT Season 4! Looking forward to seeing you in Season 5!

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We think it's fair to say that we've all been there...you have a heart for ministry and are excited to serve the young people in the parish, but you can't seem to get them to show up. In this episode, the Pizza and Side Hugs team shares some stories and some laughs while talking about different strategies to recruiting people to ministry. 

Intro (0:13) 

When is a time you’ve been surprised by a turnout for youth ministry? (1:27)

Relationships  (8:15)

Adequate Time and High Quality (18:45)

If People Don’t Show Up (36:00)

Conclusion (45:47)

Show up for us. Send us something you’d like us to discuss!

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All good things must come to an end, which means that eventually students leave our youth ministry program. The first semester out of high school is a big transition as students begin college, working, a gap year, or esthetician school. In this slice, the Pizza and Side Hugs team dives into what it looks like to support your youth ministry students into this new phase of life. 

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