Best Steve Cullum Podcasts (2025)

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168: Why Internships Matter with Ian Chrisler 19:19

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7h ago19:19

19:19

How can internships help train the next generation of student ministry leaders? Or if you are new to student ministry, why should you seek out an internship or residency? On this episode, Steve talks with one of his former students, Ian Chrisler, about his internship experience and why it is so important in the world of student ministry. Links refe…

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167: When Tragedy Strikes 12:39

13d ago12:39

12:39

What do we do when a tragedy happens in our world, country, or community, especially when it comes to our youth group? How should we respond? What do we do with our program? And how do we help students and families through it? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, we’re diving into the deeper end of ministry and talking through how to res…

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166: See You at the Pole with Rick Eubanks 33:52

1M ago33:52

33:52

How can the simple act of students praying for their school ignite not only changes within their school but also a global movement of prayer for over 35 years? On this episode, Steve is joined by Rick Eubanks to talk about the history of See You at the Pole, hear some amazing stories about what God has done through student-led prayer, and discuss h…

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165: Cell Phones in Youth Group 8:48

1M ago8:48

8:48

What do we do about cell phones in youth group? Whether you believe they have their place or they should be put away the entire time, Steve shares some tips on both sides of the argument and reminds us to look beyond the phone issue when interacting with students. Important links: Take the Thriving Youth Leader survey at bit.ly/thriving-yp-survey-2…

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164: From Summer Camp to School Campuses with Travis Deans 34:50

2M ago34:50

34:50

How can we leverage all the amazing things that our students experience at summer camps and mission trips for the entire school year, helping students continue to grow in their faith and share it with their friends? Travis Deans returns to talk with Steve about moving from summer camp to the school campuses. Links referenced in this episode: Take t…

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BONUS: Youth Leaders, I need your help! 4:04

2M ago4:04

4:04

Hey, youth leaders! I’m working on a nation-wide research project, and I’d love your help! We’re trying to answer this big question: What helps youth pastors thrive and stick around longer in ministry? We deeply believe that when a youth leader thrives—in their relationship with God, in healthy partnerships with others, and in making disciples—stud…

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163: Discipleship Beyond the Program 10:11

3M ago10:11

10:11

What if discipleship isn’t just about your weekly youth night? What if the real growth actually happens outside of your program? In this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks about what it means to disciple students beyond the structure—and how summer and back-to-school season give us a great opportunity to do exactly that. Links refe…

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162: Discipling Teen Girls with Krista McBroom 21:10

3M ago21:10

21:10

What does it look like to disciple teen girls well—and how can youth leaders do that in a healthy, intentional way? On this episode, Steve talks with Krista McBroom, who is passionate about making girls’ ministry a vital part of every student ministry, and she’s ready to help your church create space for teen girls to grow in their faith. Links ref…

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161: Discipleship with 3 Questions 8:38

3M ago8:38

8:38

We all know that discipleship is important, but what does it look like with a teenager? And how can we also make sure our teams and even ourselves are growing as disciples? Maybe it's as simple as 3 questions. Links referenced in this episode: Learn more about Footprints on Campus by visiting https://www.nnym.org/footprints Learn more about Steve's…

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160: Supporting Teachers as Youth Leaders with Mike Hicks 39:08

4M ago39:08

39:08

What if we began seeing school teachers as youth leaders on the mission field of the public school? How could we support them, equip them, and empower them as the church? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks with Mike Hicks of Christian Educators and Lift America about all that and more. Let’s get ready to connect and grow. L…

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159: Experimenting On the Margins 7:23

4M ago7:23

7:23

Want to try new ideas in your ministry without blowing up your program? In this quick episode of Student Ministry Connection, we’re talking about a simple way to test fresh ideas while keeping your core ministry strong. Links referenced in this episode: Purchase a copy of Growing Young on Amazon - https://amzn.to/4jlJupO Learn more about Steve's mi…

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158: Bible Engagement with Dr. Ken Castor 50:06

5M ago50:06

50:06

What if your students actually wanted to read the Bible—and understood it when they did? On this episode, Steve talks with student ministry veteran Dr. Ken Castor about how we can help teenagers engage Scripture in ways that are meaningful, lasting, and life-changing. From writing a year-long devotional to helping create an entire youth Bible, Ken …

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157: What's in a Ministry Name? 8:17

5M ago8:17

8:17

Does every ministry need a catchy name? Should it match your church’s branding—or stand out on its own? And what if your youth group’s name already sounds like a dozen others? In this episode of Student Ministry Connection, we’ll break down six essential questions to ask before naming—or renaming—your ministry or program, so you can avoid confusion…

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156: Collaborating for Bigger Impact with Dan Lynch 49:07

6M ago49:07

49:07

Ever wondered how collaboration among churches can create a powerful outreach opportunity? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks with Dan Lynch about his faith journey and his experience guiding about 50 churches that collaborate every year for camp. They talk about what it takes to create an impactful, large-scale youth retre…

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155: Planning Ahead for Mission Trips 11:31

6M ago11:31

11:31

Mission trips can be life changing for students, but if they're not planned well, they can be disastrous. On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve breaks down 3 crucial areas to focus on to set up our trips for the biggest impact. Links referenced in this episode: Save $25 off your Orange Conference 2025 ticket by visiting https://bit…

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154: Why Attend Conferences? 5:36

7M ago5:36

5:36

On this quick episode of Student Ministry Connection, we're talking about one thing you can do to both connect with others and grow in your ministry: conferences. Steve shares 3 reasons why they're important where you can find them. Links referenced in this episode: Steve's list of youth leader conferences is at https://stevecullum.com/2024/11/04/y…

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153: Theology of Fun and Games with Mike McGarry 46:38

7M ago46:38

46:38

Games in student ministry—some love them, some avoid them, but could they actually be a key tool for deeper discipleship? On this episode, Steve talks with Mike McGarry about the theology of fun and games—why they matter, how they can open the door to meaningful conversations, and how to use them effectively in your ministry. Get ready to rethink h…

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152: Make it Middle School with Ashley Bohinc 41:52

8M ago41:52

41:52

Middle schoolers are full of energy, questions, and chaos—but they’re also at one of the most pivotal moments in their faith journey. So how can we better connect with them and create a ministry that truly meets them where they are? My guest today has dedicated her life and ministry to helping churches do just that. On this episode of Student Minis…

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151: Unlocking Ministry Potential with Derry Prenkert 47:26

8M ago47:26

47:26

What if you could unlock a deeper understanding of how you work best in ministry? What if a simple tool could help you and your team thrive instead of just survive? In this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks with veteran youth pastor and ministry coach Derry Prenkert about the power of ministry coaching, the Working Genius assessm…

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150: Getting Students to Return 12:10

9M ago12:10

12:10

How do we keep students coming back to our ministry and our programs? What's going to help us open that front door really wide, but close that back door so that they don't escape and never experience the Christian community that we're creating in our student ministries? Well, that's exactly what we're talking about on this quick episode of Student…

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149: Growing a Student Ministry 11:21

9M ago11:21

11:21

How do you grow a youth group? And what does that even mean? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve digs into what growth should look like and how we can shift our priorities to get there. It starts by shifting our focus away from program growth to growing students and the Kingdom in these 3 ways: Equipping and empowering students to…

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148: Highlights from 2024 Guests 29:39

10M ago29:39

29:39

We had some great guests in 2024, so on this episode of Student Ministry Connection, we highlight some of the best moments from this year, including topics like: youth pastor compensation, empowering teenagers, anxiety, being fired, helping kids enter our student ministry, keeping students attention while teaching, using artificial intelligence, tr…

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147: When to Stay or Go with Todd Pearage 48:51

10M ago48:51

48:51

When do you know it’s time to move on from either a specific church or from student ministry altogether? This is a question we’ve all asked at some point, which is why we’re talking about it on this episode of Student Ministry Connection. Todd Pearage joins Steve to discuss some practical things to look for and some solid resources that will help y…

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146: Practicing Thankfulness 6:57

10M ago6:57

6:57

How can we practice the thankful attitude that Paul talks about in Colossians 2 and 3, especially in the middle of busyness, divisiveness, and struggles? On this quick episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve shares a simple method to remain thankful and shares some of the things he is thankful for, including you. Links referenced in this epis…

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145: Equipping Teen Evangelists with Andi Custer 38:35

11M ago38:35

38:35

Imagine a high school where students are leading their friends to Jesus, where outreach happens in the cafeteria, and the gospel is shared in classrooms across the campus. This isn’t just a dream—it’s happening right now, with over 10,000 students responding to the gospel through student-led events in their schools. On this episode of Student Minis…

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270: A Journey of Loss, Prayer, and Dependent Faith | Rachel Wojo 43:38

11M ago43:38

43:38

Amber sits down with Rachel Wojo to discuss her faith journey with Jesus, the unexpected challenges of parenting a child with a terminal diagnosis, and the transformative power of prayer, as written about in her new book, Desperate Prayers. SHOW NOTES cont. https://www.graceenoughpodcast.com/desperateprayer/ Follow Grace Enough on IG: https://www.i…

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144: Keys to Healthy Ministry with Dustin Fisher 35:22

11M ago35:22

35:22

If we want to be healthy ministry leaders, there are 3 big connections we need to focus on. First, we have to be pursuing Jesus. And the other 2 connections we need are with a network of other youth leaders and with a ministry coach or mentor. On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Dustin Fisher joins Steve to discuss how you can make both…

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269: Lavish Love, Burnout, and Finding Purpose | Hal Donaldson 40:47

12M ago40:47

40:47

Amber welcomes Hal Donaldson, a passionate advocate for change and founder of Convoy of Hope. Hal shares his personal journey from a childhood shaped by the traumatic loss of his father to a life dedicated to serving others. Through his experiences, Hal provides insights into the power of community, faith in Jesus, and the importance of self-care f…

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143: Longevity in Student Ministry with Jeff Glenn 57:23

12M ago57:23

57:23

How do we stay in student ministry for the long haul? And what would it look like to be at a church for 10, 15, 20, or more years? That’s exactly what Steve talks about with Jeff Glenn on this episode of Student Ministry Connection. Before stepping into his role with National Network of Youth Ministries, he served as youth pastor of a church for ov…

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268: Courtney Doctor | Discovering Our Place in God's Grand Narrative 34:45

12M ago34:45

34:45

Courtney Doctor shared her motivation behind writing her book, which aims to unravel God's grand narrative from start to finish for readers. Key themes included the significance of seeing the Bible not as disconnected stories but as a cohesive narrative and the importance of understanding our place within God's overarching story. SHOW NOTES cont. h…

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142: Ministry on a Small Budget 21:31

1y ago21:31

21:31

How do you make every dollar count in student ministry? Whether you’re working with a tight budget or just looking for ways to save, today’s episode is packed with practical tips to help you stretch your resources and still have an impact. On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, we dive into 15 tips on how you can maximize your student mini…

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267: Faith in the Fallout: Navigating Criticism, Grief, God's Grace | Steve Carter 51:04

1y ago51:04

51:04

Steve Carter offers listeners deep insights into resilience, forgiveness, and the transformative power of faith in the face of betrayal. Steve Carter’s story is one of faith, leadership, and the struggle to maintain personal integrity amidst professional turmoil. SHOW NOTES: https://www.graceenoughpodcast.com/grief/ Follow Grace Enough on IG: https…

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266: Living Out Jesus’ Teachings in Everyday Life | Yolanda Solomon 48:09

1y ago48:09

48:09

In a recent episode of the Grace Enough Podcast, our host Amber had the privilege of engaging in a thought-provoking conversation with Yolanda Solomon, author of "Discipleship as a Holy Collaboration." This episode dives deep into the roots of authentic discipleship, highlighting the significance of embodied faith, relational ministry, and counterc…

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141: Budgeting and Fundraising 22:14

1y ago22:14

22:14

Are you struggling to stretch your budget for student ministry or wondering how to fund that next big event? In this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve shares some practical tips to overcome budgeting challenges and offers advice on establishing, managing, and requesting a budget, along with strategies for effective fundraising. Emphasiz…

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265: Navigating Miscarriage, a Child's Disabilities and Finding God’s Strength | Julie Sunne 43:01

1y ago43:01

43:01

In a recent episode of the Grace Enough Podcast, host Amber chats with Julie Sunne about her profound journey through faith, suffering, and discovering God's sovereignty. Julie, an author and speaker, provides a heartfelt and raw account of her life's challenges, including dealing with multiple miscarriages, raising a daughter with disabilities, an…

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264: The Beatitudes Unveiled: A Vision of Flourishing Discipleship | Dr. Jonathan Pennington 53:04

1y ago53:04

53:04

In this insightful and inspiring episode of the Grace Enough Podcast, Amber Cullum welcomes Dr. Jonathan Pennington, a renowned biblical scholar, teacher, and pastor. Join us as Amber and Jonathan dive deep into faith journeys, the transformative power of college ministry, the essence of the Sermon on the Mount, and the nuances of discipleship. The…

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140: Single, Dating, Friendships, and Romance with Heather Flies and Tony Myles 42:32

1y ago42:32

42:32

How can we go beyond just teaching about singleness, dating, friendships, and romance at youth group? What if there was a resource that walked students through all of those topics in just 4 weeks, addressing many of the answers they already have, and offering solid interactive questions that were rooted in Scripture? Thankfully, our guests just wro…

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263: Trusting God's Plan After A Life Changing Diagnosis | Jay Hewitt 37:28

1y ago37:28

37:28

In this episode of the Grace Enough podcast, Amber chats with Jay Hewitt, who shares his transformative faith journey starting from his chaotic high school years. Jay reveals the challenges he faced growing up in a household plagued by substance abuse and mental illness, and how an invitation to a church camp changed his life. Jay focuses in on his…

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139: Using AI in Student Ministry with Tom Pounder 42:54

1y ago42:54

42:54

Have you wondered how artificial intelligence could change the way you connect with your students? Maybe you’re curious about how AI can help you create more engaging content, streamline communication, or even better connect with your students. On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Tom Pounder joins Steve to discuss some practical ways to…

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138: Help Parents Have Better Conversations with their Teenagers 7:19

1y ago7:19

7:19

A student gets home from youth group, camp, or a mission trip, and the parent asks how it was and all they hear is “good.” How can we help parents have better conversations with their teenagers? On this quick episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve shares 5 ways we can help parents to have good conversations with their kids. Sponsor for this …

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137: How to Evaluate and Change Your Ministry 17:55

1y ago17:55

17:55

How do you know when it's time to change or quit doing a program? When is it time to change up the way you do youth group, camp, mission trips, or even VBS? On this quick-hit episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve shares how to evaluate ministry programs and some ways to go about modifying or letting them go when it's time to change it up. S…

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136: Staying Connected to the Vine with Candice Wynn 39:19

1y ago39:19

39:19

Why is it sometimes so easy for us to forget Jesus in the middle of ministry? We get caught up in the doing of ministry and don’t spend much time with Jesus himself, the vine (John 15). On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Candice Wynn joins us to talk about staying connected to Jesus and also about her brand new ministry, BOON. Sponsor …

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135: Keeping a Kingdom Mindset with Steve White 38:15

1+ y ago38:15

38:15

How do we respond when someone decides to leave your church or ministry? Do we have a castle mindset or a kingdom mindset, seeing the bigger picture of the entire church? Steve White joins us this week discuss what it’s like to have a kingdom mindset and keep it. Sponsor for this episode of podcast: G Shades - https://gshades.org (Use code CONNECTI…

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262: Building Relationships through Mealtimes | Ryan Rush 39:30

1+ y ago39:30

39:30

In this episode of the Grace Enough Podcast, guest Ryan Rush shares personal experiences and insights on the transformative power of intentional meal gatherings. Ryan’s emphasis on the impact of meaningful conversations over distraction-free meals and the importance of inclusivity and authenticity at the table provides valuable insights for buildin…

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261: Embracing Slow Living | Jodi Grubbs 35:41

1+ y ago35:41

35:41

In this episode of the Grace Enough podcast, host Amber chats with Jodi Grubbs about the benefits and challenges of slow living. Jodi shares stories from her formative years on the island of Bonaire, discusses her faith journey, and talks about her upcoming book focused on living a slower, more intentional life. Key Topics: Importance of slowing do…

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134: GLS NextGen with Jenna Istvanik and Mariana Rubinec 20:17

1+ y ago20:17

20:17

How can we train up the next generation of leaders? The Global Leadership Summit has been thinking about that very question and they're ready to answer. On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, we talk with Jenna Istvanik and Mariana Rubinec, two young leaders from GLS NextGen about what we can expect from this year's event, why you should …

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133: Captivating Students' Attention When Teaching with Mike Haynes 39:03

1+ y ago39:03

39:03

We've all been there... You're teaching a group of teenagers, but one or more of them aren't paying attention. Frustrating, right? So how do we teach in a way that draws teenagers in and encourages them to engage rather than being distracted by their friends' phones or more. On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve is joined by Mike Ha…

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260: The Gift of Humility: Transforming Anxiety & Fear into Strength and Confidence | Joel Muddamalle 44:57

1+ y ago44:57

44:57

In this episode of the Grace Enough Podcast, Dr. Joel Muddamalle shares his personal journey of faith and the profound impact of humility on his life. Through his experience, including his son's medical challenges and being bullied as a child, Joel discovered the transformative power of humility in finding peace and inner strength. He shares theolo…

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132: Raising Up the Next Generation of Leaders 18:13

1+ y ago18:13

18:13

How did you get started in student ministry? And what are you doing to raise up the next generation of leaders? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks about how he got started and also provides some resources that we think will really help us in raising the next generation of leaders that will come after us. Links referenced in…

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259: Simple Practices for Building a Secure Attachment with God | Summer Joy Gross 42:37

1+ y ago42:37

42:37

Summer Joy Gross, an Anglican pastor, spiritual director, and author, brings a unique perspective to the conversation on secure attachment to God through spiritual practices. With a deep understanding of attachment theory, Summer's insights provide a fresh and relatable approach to experiencing God's love in a profound and transformative manner. He…