
Talking Youth Ministry - A Youthscape Podcast
Join Martin, Lucy and Rachel for a weekly dive into all things youth ministry. Inspiring, fun and plenty of practical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes

Jan 2, 2025 • 39min
Looking Forward - setting goals and imagining the future
As the new year begins, the hosts share their hopes and goals for youth work in 2035. They reflect on the evolution of YouTube and its impact on youth culture and faith engagement. Discussion shifts to the importance of setting meaningful personal goals instead of fleeting resolutions. Insights on the SMART goals framework highlight collaboration and genuine connections in youth ministry. The atmosphere lightens with a fun game about squirrels, showcasing their humorous camaraderie.

Dec 19, 2024 • 35min
A stat is born: a Christmas special
Warning - there are some hard truths about Santa in this episode…Martin and Rachel are joined by Dr Gemma Madle, from the Youthscape Centre for Research, as the three of them dig into all things Christmas, research and young people! So get ready for this festive episode as we answer why is classical music having a comeback? What tangible evidence is there for Christmas spirit? Is there a gender pay gap between Mr & Mrs Claus?To hear more episodes like this, search for Talking Youth Ministry: A Youthscape Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.For more content from Youthscape, find us on Instagram and Facebook. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 12, 2024 • 37min
Wrapped… around the captain’s arm
What do you make of Marc Guéhi’s armband issues?Which one of the team is an avid Swiftie? What do Gen Z’s listening habits reveal to us?It’s that time of the year again and the team dig into what Spotify’s annual round up of music highlights to us as youth workers. They also delve into the world of football as one Christian footballer has been making headlines with what he’s put on his armband…Links:Martin's article on Taylor Swift - https://www.premierchristianity.com/culture/the-gospel-according-to-taylor-swift/17102.articleRachel Earwicker's early music career - https://open.spotify.com/artist/4nraS1AjH5xAsF3EWBAtEg?si=mMYMlZZhQiOq9mUhXXKwLgStudy that Lucy referred to - https://djmag.com/news/93-young-people-rely-music-lyrics-therapeutic-tool-study-findsTo hear more episodes like this, search for Talking Youth Ministry: A Youthscape Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.For more content from Youthscape, find us on Instagram and Facebook. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 5, 2024 • 38min
Faith in the jungle?
Ever wondered what happens when a priest enters a reality show jungle? This discussion digs into spirituality's unexpected rise in mainstream media and how it resonates with young audiences. Expect laughter as chaos erupts over the funny incident involving Matt Dobson at a recent youth event. The importance of community gatherings for youth faith is highlighted, alongside amusing hypothetical challenges that spark camaraderie. Tune in for insights on navigating the evolving spiritual landscape with humor and heart!

Nov 28, 2024 • 41min
Lauren Windle on sobriety, celebrity and saying the wrong thing
We have a special guest - the one and only author, presenter, speaker and all-round legend Lauren Windle. Martin sits down with Lauren as they discuss some of her story, and how to support young people who are going through challenging situations.Meanwhile, the hosting trio dig into Domingo, film fancies and a little game of 'would you rather' - youth-ministry-style!To hear more episodes like this, search for Talking Youth Ministry: A Youthscape Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.For more content from Youthscape, find us on Instagram and Facebook. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 21, 2024 • 33min
The Archbishop's resignation - what does it mean for youth ministry?
The recent resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury opens up significant discussions about accountability in youth ministry. The hosts tackle the importance of safeguarding practices while navigating this transition. Excitement builds for the National Youth Ministry Weekend, promising valuable resources and engaging seminars. They explore why the event is sold out, emphasizing the passion of both leaders and volunteers. With a mix of humor and insightful commentary, the dialogue remains vibrant as they seek to foster lifelong faith in young people.

Nov 14, 2024 • 37min
Have young people lost faith in politics?
Dr. Gemma Madle from the Youthscape Centre for Research shares fascinating insights on young people's discontent with traditional politics. They crave authentic engagement and express frustration over polarized discourse and social media chaos. The discussion highlights the intersection of faith and politics, emphasizing the importance of creating safe spaces for dialogue. With a new theme centered on hope for youth festivals and a fresh Bible study resource for reflective conversations, the episode is both enlightening and engaging!

Nov 7, 2024 • 37min
The Anxious Generation: a Discipleship Crisis?
The discussion dives into the influence of smartphones on today's youth, spotlighting the challenges of sleep deprivation and social isolation. There's a focus on recognizing successes in youth ministry, highlighting small wins and innovative strategies to engage young people. The hosts also tackle the spiritual aspects of youth curiosity about the supernatural. Fun playful activities for youth engagement are explored, along with memorable anecdotes that emphasize connection and community building.

Oct 31, 2024 • 35min
Witchtok: Hallowe'en horror... or youth ministry opportunity?
The hosts dive into the intriguing rise of 'WitchTok' and its implications for youth culture and ministry. They explore how driverless cars could affect traditional rites of passage for young people. The conversation touches on the challenges of navigating youth transitions, especially moving from primary to secondary school. Humor and personal anecdotes bring life to discussions about spirituality, community, and the evolving landscape of adolescence, all while emphasizing the importance of engaging youth during spooky season.

Aug 12, 2024 • 50min
A vision for intergenerational, lifelong faith - John Roberto | Episode 270
In the final episode of the season, Rachel interviews the legendary John Roberto, author, researcher and all-round expert on lifelong faith. He lifts the lid on faith development and lays down the challenge for those of us in ministry of 'how do we disciple people through all 10 decades of their life?'Meanwhile, Martin opens up about a recent toothache gone wrong story that isn't for the faint-hearted... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.