Best Stick It In Your Ear Bud Podcasts (2025)

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Our Story, Calling, and the Heart of the Sherpas (Episode 37) 46:43

21d ago46:43

46:43

The Sherpas Podcast has been around since 2017, and we’ve had the privilege of interviewing dozens of amazing youth pastors and legends over the years. So it was nice to have the tables turn toward us for a change. We were invited to be guests on the Momentum Ministry Partners Podcast with Eric Miller. Brock couldn’t make it, but Shannon and Steve …

1
Ear Buds, Trashy Music, and Teaching Kids Discernment (Episode 36) 39:14

29d ago39:14

39:14

We’ve all been there. We spent HOURS! prepping for youth group. We’ve written the message, prepared the small group questions, set up the chairs and the game, and prayed for the kids. And then… they walk in wearing ear buds as if they don’t give a hoot who else is there or what is being said. Yes, we are annoyed, but this also might be an opportuni…

1
When to Confront Students (Episode 35) 37:09

2M ago37:09

37:09

Youth ministry is messy work. Being involved in the lives of teenagers means we get to see the good and the bad. It’s easy to celebrate the good. It’s challenging to know what to do with the bad. All of us have had moments where we called kids out for their behavior, speech, or attitude. Not our favorite thing. In this episode, Brock, Shannon and S…

1
Helping Students Stick (Episode 34) 35:21

2M ago35:21

35:21

Helping Students Stick (Episode 34)Every youth pastor wants to reach more students, and we are notorious for finding gimmicks to attract them. But what we really want is for students to come and stay. On this episode, Steve and Shannon talk about what students today might really be looking for. What does youth ministry offer that other places in th…

1
Making Youth Ministry Simple Again w_Eric Miller Part 2 (Episode 33) 35:41

2M ago35:41

35:41

Making Youth Ministry Simple Again with Eric Miller, Part 2 (Episode 33)We are once again joined by Eric Miller, National Director of Ministries for Momentum Ministry Partners. MMP influences hundreds of youth pastors and youth ministries around the country through their Momentum Conference, Urban Centers, Cohorts, Education, and Podcast. Eric brin…

1
Making Youth Ministry Simple Again with Eric Miller (Episode 32) 37:46

3M ago37:46

37:46

On this episode, Steve is joined by Eric Miller, National Director of Ministries for Momentum Ministry Partners. MMP influences hundreds of youth pastors and youth ministries around the country through their Momentum Conference, Urban Centers, Cohorts, Education, and Podcast. Eric brings a wealth of experience and perspective to what is and isn't w…

1
Soul Care vs. Chaos (Episode 31) 36:50

3M ago36:50

36:50

We’re all here! It’s not easy getting us all in the same room these days, with schedules, work, wildfires, and Brock going to Disneyland. But we did it. And we had a great conversation about our own spiritual rhythms and practices. It’s not easy staying in tune with God when the world is in chaos and our lives are full of demands. But it’s also not…

1
Youth Ministry in the Anti-Social Century (Episode 30) 31:08

3M ago31:08

31:08

According to a recent cover story in The Atlantic entitled “The Anti-Social Century” (by Derek Thompson), we are living in a time when many of us would rather stay home and organize life around our online bubble than hang out with friends or neighbors. Does this ring true, even after covid? Does this contribute to the rise in teen anxiety? Is this …

1
When your community is burning (Episode 29) 30:53

4M ago30:53

30:53

We’ve all seen the news. Wildfires have brought devastation to many communities along the Pacific Coast. Shannon’s church in Malibu has been spared (so far), but she and her family were right on the edge of the evacuation zone. Their bags have been packed for weeks. These fires have brought real trauma to her family, church, school, and community. …

1
How to stay at your church for 25 years (Episode 28) 38:09

4M ago38:09

38:09

Let’s face it – youth ministry is hard. It can be fraught with frustrations, doomed by discouragement, and crushed by conflict. We’ve all felt like quitting. We’ve all felt like the grass has to be greener at the church lawn down the street. The most recent data from the Youth Worker Compensation Survey shows that the average youth pastor stays at …

1
Episode 27: Ugh! Kids are so busy! 41:10

4M ago41:10

41:10

The crew is back together for a new episode about that old nemesis of youth pastors everywhere: Travel Sports! Shannon is just entering the Sports Parent Phase. Steve is a few years removed from it. Brock is smack in the middle of a softball apocalypse. Travel sports (and other high demand activities in our kid-centric world) are not going anywhere…

1
Episode 26: Our Predictions for Youth Ministry in 2025 30:35

4M ago30:35

30:35

Happy New Year from the Youth Ministry Sherpas! Shannon is out with a sick kid, but Brock and Steve got together anyway to look back on 2024. What a time to be alive! Literally. I mean, Brock had a freaking heart attack last year! That rattles the emotions and priorities in one’s life, for sure. We are both grateful to be given another year of frie…

1
Episode 25: Helping Students See Beyond Politics 33:28

6M ago33:28

33:28

The election is finally over. Not only are we glad to no longer be receiving political spam texts, but we are also glad to never have to talk about politics ever again, right? Well, we know that’s not true. Which is why we are back to beat the dead horse into submission. In this episode, Shannon and Steve talk about how to help students think beyon…

1
Episode 24: Brock’s Heart Attack 33:57

6M ago33:57

33:57

They say clarity comes in crisis. That seemed to prove true when our own Brock Morgan recently suffered a heart attack. At that moment, the things that matter most came clearly to mind, and it’s not surprising that, in addition to his wife and daughter, the students he cares about were among the thoughts racing through his mind. In this deeply pers…

1
Episode 23: Disruptive Youth Ministry 38:26

7M ago38:26

38:26

Episode 23: Disruptive Youth Ministry It's our first full-length episode in a while (dang day jobs), but we are back for a fun and fascinating conversation about the subversive role youth pastors can play in the lives of young people. In a time when it feels like the church is seeking certainty, status quo, and black and white answers, youth pastor…

1
Triple Play #21: 3 Things to Tell Yourself the Morning After Youth Group 7:52

8M ago7:52

7:52

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. It's a burst of llama love for youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works wi…

1
Triple Play #20: 3 Things We Would Ask in a Job Interview 6:46

8M ago6:46

6:46

By DYM Podcast Network

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Triple Play #19: 3 Things We Would Say to an Angry Parent 6:31

8M ago6:31

6:31

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. It's a burst of llama love for youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works wi…

1
Triple Play #18: 3 Things We've Bought for Youth Group 6:29

8M ago6:29

6:29

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. It's a burst of llama love for youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works wi…

1
Triple Play #17: 3 Things You'll Never Do Again 8:04

8M ago8:04

8:04

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. It's a burst of llama love for youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works wi…

1
Triple Play #16: 3 Things to Say to Your Church Accountant 7:12

8M ago7:12

7:12

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. It's a burst of llama love for youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works wi…

1
Triple Play #15: 3 Things We Should Do Before Any Retreat 8:13

8M ago8:13

8:13

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. It's a burst of llama love for youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works wi…

1
Triple Play #14: Three Things Most People Believe About Youth Pastors 7:46

8M ago7:46

7:46

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. It's a burst of llama love for youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works wi…

1
Triple Play #13: Three Things That Make a Great Volunteer 7:59

8M ago7:59

7:59

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. It's a burst of llama love for youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works wi…

1
Triple Play #12: Three Things We Should Spend Less Time On 8:31

8M ago8:31

8:31

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. It's a burst of llama love for youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works wi…

1
Triple Play #11 Three Worst Things Somebody Said To You 8:28

8M ago8:28

8:28

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. It's a burst of llama love for youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works wi…

1
Triple Play #10: Three Things Youth Pastors Should Stop Believing 8:38

8M ago8:38

8:38

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. It's a burst of llama love for youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works wi…

1
Triple Play #9: Three Things We Should Do Before We Go Home After Youth Group 7:44

8M ago7:44

7:44

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. It's a burst of llama love for youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works wi…

1
Triple Play Day 8: Three Things Not to Do When Leading a Small Group 7:02

8M ago7:02

7:02

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. It's a burst of llama love for youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works wi…

1
Triple Play #7: Three Songs We Should Stop Singing 7:24

8M ago7:24

7:24

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. It's a burst of llama love for youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works wi…

1
Triple Play #6: Three Habits Every Youth Pastor Should Have 6:11

8M ago6:11

6:11

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. It's a burst of llama love for youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works wi…

1
Triple Play #5: Top 3 Misconceptions About Youth Ministry 6:16

8M ago6:16

6:16

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. It's a burst of llama love for youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works wi…

1
Triple Play #4: Three Things Youth Pastors Should Say to Parents 4:38

8M ago4:38

4:38

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. It's a burst of llama love for youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works wi…

1
Triple Play #3: Three Things Youth Pastors Should Say to Volunteers 4:10

8M ago4:10

4:10

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. It's a burst of llama love for youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works wi…

1
Sherpa Triple Play (Day 2): "3 Things Youth Pastors Should Stop Worrying About" 5:05

8M ago5:05

5:05

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. The Triple Play is a burst of llama love for all youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and a…

1
Sherpa Triple Play (Day 1): "3 Things Youth Pastors Should Stop Saying from Stage" 4:35

9M ago4:35

4:35

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon are taking turns giving their answer to a "Top 3" Question in these short and fun episodes. The Triple Play is a burst of llama love for all youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, an…

1
Episode 22: Dark Hearts, Cynical Spirits, Bright Hopes 45:58

11M ago45:58

45:58

It’s already June, and Brock, Shannon and Steve finally managed to get together to record our final episode of the spring season. The last few months have been tough for all of us, with plenty of personal and ministry things to deal with. That has left us all feeling pretty tired, burned out, and cynical. Let’s just say, we aren’t exactly “killing …

1
Episode 21: Move Up Madness 34:11

1y ago34:11

34:11

It’s Move Up Season in youth ministry. There are new families moving their oldest child into a youth group for the first time. There are freshmen moving into high school. And of course, seniors graduating to the next thing, whatever that may be. For youth pastors, navigating these changes is a big challenge. We have to communicate well, help people…

1
Episode 20: A Conversation with Josh Griffin 1:02:27

1y ago1:02:27

1:02:27

Today the Sherpas welcome good friend and Download Youth Ministry Co-founder Josh Griffin to the podcast! We talk with Josh about his unforeseen call to youth ministry as a college student, and his discouraging first job at a small church in the upper midwest. It was during a hard time that he discovered Doug Field’s book, “Purpose Driven Youth Min…

1
Episode 19: Why We (Still) Love Summer Camp 48:27

1y ago48:27

48:27

Smelly Cabins, Snack Shack, Silly Skits, Scary Bus Rides, Smooching Kids – nothing says summer like Summer Camp! Even after our many years of experience and all the various programs we’ve led, we still believe in Summer Camp. It’s one of the foundations of our ministries. Summer Camp provides the chance to get away, break rhythm, avoid distractions…

1
Episode 18: The Beauty and Necessity of Contemplative Youth Ministry 44:49

1y ago44:49

44:49

Episode 18: The Beauty and Necessity of Contemplative Youth Ministry With anxiety at an all-time high and attention spans at an all-time low, how can youth pastors help our students experience God in deeper and more meaningful ways? Is it more than music, games and messages? On this episode, Shannon, Brock and Steve talk about the value and beauty …

1
Episode 17: When Youth Pastors Preach 42:04

1y ago42:04

42:04

Sadly, we are missing Shannon today, but Brock and Steve got together the day after they both preached in their churches’ main services to talk about our experiences with preaching. It can be a big deal for youth pastors. We both get to do it regularly, and we’ve seen the benefits our time in the “pulpit” has brought to our ministry within the cong…

1
Episode 16: The (dismal/hopeful) State of Youth Pastor Compensation 56:23

1y ago56:23

56:23

Today, we talk about money. It’s a sore subject in youth pastor circles. Many youth pastors and youth workers feel underpaid, unappreciated, and undervalued. What’s worse; talking about it or asking for more feels unspiritual. Aren’t we just in it for the kids? Well, yes, but what can we do to improve our financial viability so we can take care of …

1
Episode 15: Brockless No More 37:47

1y ago37:47

37:47

Brock is back from sabbatical, if you can call it that. A month off–albeit with two interruptions, a speaking engagement, and painful back issues. But there was also a trip to San Diego, another trip to London, and some sweet time with God. So, in hindsight, what did Brock learn about himself, about his identity in Christ, and what it is that keeps…

1
Episode 14: Can We Save Gen Z? 52:48

1y ago52:48

52:48

Our first-ever interview guest is Brad Griffin, Senior Director of Content and Research for the Fuller Youth Institute, and co-author of their new book, Faith Beyond Youth Group. It has been nearly 20 years since Sticky Faith brought to light the troubling truth about Millennials leaving the church. Those same problems–exacerbated by accelerating t…

1
Episode 13: When Students Outgrow Their Parents 38:24

1+ y ago38:24

38:24

It's February and we're still Brock-less. However, Shannon and Steve got together to talk about Valentine's Day, the Super Bowl, and more importantly -- Youth Ministry. What happens when our students surpass their parents in spiritual maturity? Sometimes it's students from nonChristian backgrounds, but it can also be students from within the church…

1
Episode 12: But We've Always Done It That Way! 35:56

1+ y ago35:56

35:56

Brock is still on sabbatical, but Shannon and Steve connect for a great conversation about tradition, innovation, and who should be playing in the Super Bowl this year. Youth Ministry is usually on the cutting edge of church culture, which means we are always up for trying something new. At the same time, creating stability and traditions for our s…

1
Episode 11: There's No Crying In Youth Ministry! 37:53

1+ y ago37:53

37:53

Our first episode of 2024, and we're already Brockless! Brock is on sabbatical and will miss a couple episodes, but Shannon and Steve are back to kick things off. Steve went to the Passion Conference in Atlanta the first few days of the year (along with 55,000 college students) and while it was awesome, it also got him thinking about worship, emoti…

1
Episode 10: Live from the West Coast! 37:22

1+ y ago37:22

37:22

The Youth Ministry Sherpas met for the very first time ever at Mariner’s Church in sunny SoCal at the Download Youth Ministry Conference. Not only did we have fun together, we also spent some time with some of the most amazing youth workers on the planet. Five of them – with a combined 140 years experience – are featured in this episode. When did t…

1
Episode 9: Outreach Nightmares, Defining the Win, and Changing the Church's Reputation 45:50

1+ y ago45:50

45:50

We've all experienced the outreach gone wrong. (Hint: It usually involves a lock-in.) In this episode, we talk about some recent outreach events we've done and share nightmares from the past. Then we back up and talk about the reason for doing them in the first place. What is the purpose and what is the win when it comes to outreach? In the bigger …

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Stick It In Your Ear Bud Podcasts

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