PODCAST · religion
Talking Youth Ministry - A Youthscape Podcast
by Youthscape
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.
Episodes
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Unfolding the Algorithm
Rachel and Lucy are joined by Jemimah Allen, Director of Resources and Youth Work at Youthscape, to talk about how one of Youthscape’s most popular resources - ‘Unfold’ - came to be. Jemimah also brings her wisdom to the team around tackling the ‘Trad Wife’ trend that seems to be infiltrating…
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BONUS: National Day of Prayer for Schools
To celebrate the National Day of Prayer for Schools (9th September 2026), Rachel interviews Pete Baker, co-founder, about the importance of schools ministry and why we should get involved in praying for our schools. Find out more: www.message.org.uk/prayforschools/ Hosted on Acast. See...
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Navigating tragedy with young people
Martin, Rachel and Lucy discuss the tragic incident at Big Church Festival and how we might navigate the question of suffering with the young people we work with. Plus, it’s the start of a new academic year and an age old question of when we begin youth groups resurfaces… Amy Orr-Ewing's substack...
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Hit’n’Run with a Club
Over the summer we’re doing things a little bit differently: shorter episodes, and the agenda set by you! Join Rachel, Lucy and Martin as they tackle your burning questions. Subjects this week include whether ‘hit’n’run’ youth work works in schools and how to set up and begin a new youth group.…
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Youth Work, Home Work, Together Work
Over the summer we’re doing things a little bit differently: shorter episodes, and the agenda set by you! Join Rachel, Lucy and Martin as they tackle your burning questions. Subjects this week include whether we should set young people homework and how to navigate ecumenical spaces. Do get in…
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Unknown Parents and Well-Known Teenagers
Over the summer we’re doing things a little bit differently: shorter episodes, and the agenda set by you! Join Rachel, Lucy and Martin as they tackle your burning questions. Subjects this week include how to engage parents who want nothing to do with your youth group and the best practice for…
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Talking Old Testament
Over the summer we’re doing things a little bit differently: shorter episodes, and the agenda set by you! Join Rachel, Lucy and Martin as they tackle your burning questions. Subjects this week include concerns and advice around how we help young people through the ‘talking’ phase of relationships...
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Worship Rucksacks and Staying Humble
Over the summer we’re doing things a little bit differently: shorter episodes, and the agenda set by you! Join Rachel, Lucy and Martin as they tackle your burning questions. Subjects this week include keeping young people focussed in church, and how you balance leadership authority with humility...
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What about girls?
The team explore how a recent focus on toxic masculinity and issues facing young men might have caused us to take our eyes off what’s happening for teenage girls. They also discuss the tricky issue of a youth group that never wants to move beyond the surface, and enjoy a game that helps them...
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Role models and regret
Lucy, Rachel and Martin tackle a listener question about using the Bible with a mixed age group, an Ask Us Anything on youth ministry regrets, and news of a major injection of funding into statutory youth services. Plus in our new ‘Rachel’s Rambles’ segment, we ask: has the voice of Hagbane’s…
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To Merge or not to Merge
Two crucially important questions are getting Martin worked up this week. Is it possible to combine very different groups and needs in one youth work? And should Britain’s motorists take a long hard look at themselves when it comes to lane discipline? Rachel also ponders how culture is shaping...
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Nerf and Nuggets
Rachel and Martin anticipate the end of term by asking if a summer break is the right thing for youth ministry. What’s the right time - and way - to end your youth work year in a manner that doesn’t short-change your young people… or your hard-working team? They’re also on uncertain ground as…
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Big Top, Wee Top, Kubb
Lucy and Martin chat to Jenny Hammill, Creative Director at Scripture Union Scotland, about changes in the spiritual temperature, a growing youth festival and an amazing suite of free youth ministry resources. Plus they consider the impact of Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation as British Prime…
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Ban United?
In the light of the stunning announcement of the UK Government’s social media ban for under 16s, Martin and Lucy return to a popular topic and ask: what will the impact be, and how can youth ministers respond? And as the football World Cup rolls on, we discuss whether the behaviour of a host…
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With great… skin?
The team dive in to the complex world of teenage skincare influencers, and the potential impact that a heavy focus on achieving a flawless look could be having on our teen girls… and boys. There’s a preview of this November’s National Youth Ministry Weekend and its theme – ‘With Great Power’ –…
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NEET and Slidey
The team respond to the recent government-commissioned report around young people who are Not in Education, Employment or Training. What are the headlines- and how can Christians and churches support and respond? We’re also looking into the broadening out of a trend, as young people overwhelmed…
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Examaxxing
Lucy, Rachel and Martin explore two big topics today- the youth culture phenomenon known as ‘maxxing’, and the question of how we best support young people as they navigate exams. Should we be their revision buddies, or their safe space to escape the constant demands of the school system? Martin...
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Lecture Notes
Rachel and Martin are joined by Jeronne Rudder to debrief this week’s Youthscape & St Mellitus Annual Lecture: Radical Hope. As well as reflecting on the events of the evening, they talk through some of the audience questions that didn’t quite get asked… and after all that highbrow activity,...
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Reform on the rise and managing your mates
The team discuss the recent local Government election results which saw a surge in support for Reform, and ask what the impact might be on young people. There’s an Ask Us Anything question about how to manage volunteers who also happen to be your friends, and amongst the continued deluge of Night...
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User Generated Content!
Our mailbag runneth over, after what appeared to be a series of utterly uncontroversial discussions on night hikes, 1-to-1 mentoring, and bedtime reading. Martin and Rachel will be revisiting all three subjects, and diving in to an honest conversation about how we disciple others when we're not...
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The Wonder of youth ministry
The sun is out, and so Martin and Lucy are getting excited about capturing moments of awe and wonder with young people. They also respond to a great listener question about getting the best out of student volunteers, and there’s a very replicable edition of Organised Fun, illustrated with some...
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Book Clubs and 1:1s
With Martin off the roster this week, Rachel and Lucy take the reins for today's episode. We're asking whether youth leaders should be reading more (and what’s actually worth your time), and exploring our top tips and practical wisdom on one-to-one ministry with young people. We also revisit the...
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Easter Break Pt 2: Jeronne Rudder
The team take a well-earned break over Easter, but over the next two weeks, we will be sharing some incredible talks from the Satellites summer event for young people. This week, we hear from Jeronne Rudder. Jeronne is a pastor, theologian, speaker, and all-around Bible nerd who is…
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Easter Break Pt 1: Shane Claiborne
The team take a well-earned break over Easter, but over the next two weeks, we will be sharing some incredible talks from the Satellites summer event for young people. This week, we hear from American author and activist Shane Claiborne. If you want to check out Satellites, head to...
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The Quiet Reversal
News of the biggest piece of Christian research in living memory being a bit flawed has sent us into Emergency Episode Mode. So join Lucy, Martin and Rachel as they discuss the implications of the Bible Society’s recent statement on the Quiet Revival, and some big questions raised by the various...
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Manage a manager
Rachel and Martin respond to a deluge of listener emails, including a question about how to manage upwards, and another about their luxuriant lifestyles as international speakers. Also, Rachel reveals her past as a Wetherspoons barmaid, and the team embark on their most self-indulgent organised…
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Back into the Manosphere
Rachel Lucie and Martin discuss Louis Theroux’s new Netflix documentary, in which the ever-curious interviewer meets some of the most controversial male influencers in the world. How do we help young people, and particularly young men, to process these kinds of voices? And if left unchecked, what...
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Warning Signs
Rachel meets Bekah Legg from the charity Restored, to explore how we can talk to young people about relationships, boundaries and spotting the signs of coercive behaviour. Plus - in our longest episode ever - we’re answering some of your big questions, including one around what to do when your...
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Batons, Bans and Bad Answers
As the UK Government launches a consultation on the impact of technology on young people, the team revisit questions around how social media intersects with youth ministry. They respond to a listener question around succession when there’s no obvious successor, and there’s a calamitous attempt to...
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Coast Busters
Martin sets sail for the coast with able shipmate Dr Hannah Bowden and special guest Thea Smith. They’re having a big conversation about an often-overlooked demographic: young people in coastal communities. With some staggering stats and deep insights from Thea’s experience working in this…
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Get Fast Fit
It’s the beginning of Lent, and Rachel, Martin and Lucy pack away the crisps and biscuits to ask: do we sometimes get this moment in the church calendar all wrong? Are there better ways to talk about and practice Lent with young people, and how do we make sure we’re not just dishing out a...
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Safe as Houses?
Martin sits down with David Howell to talk about whether meeting in homes is still a safe and effective way of doing youth ministry in 2026 after concerns from the NYA. The team are divided over the best way to get a group of noisy lads’ attention and give grace to a listener’s feeling of just...
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Lower Prophets
Lucy, Rachel and Martin discuss recent stories alleging that American charismatic minister Shawn Bolz used information from social media to inform 'prophetic words'. How does this challenging conversation help inform better charismatic youth ministry practice, and does it suggest that we need a...
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Troubling Parents
It’s a packed pod today, as Youthscape CEO Chris Curtis makes his Talking Youth Ministry debut to discuss the organisation’s new ‘Troubling Jesus’ research. Martin, Lucy and Rachel ask how you can get parents on board with your youth work- wherever they’re coming from- and there’s some anarchic...
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Unlearning Youth Ministry
This week Martin and Rachel explore how our youth work values and principles can change and evolve over time. Why did we once embrace purity culture? What’s the correct order of “believe, belong and behave”? And should we have ever wanted to be History Makers? Plus there’s a discussion- and…
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The Youth Ministry Overthink Paradox
Martin and Rachel discuss two apparently-contradictory struggles for youth ministers: believing it’s all on us, and worrying we’re not even worthy of doing it. They also discuss their unlikely starts in youth ministry, share a few surprise revelations, and end up in a brain-twisting,...
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Six Big Ideas for 2026
To kick off the new term, Rachel, Lucy and Martin share the things they think we should all be thinking about as we focus on the year ahead. There will be predictions; there will be controversy; there may even be some unwarranted singing. And as always, we’ll share lots of your feedback and…
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Organised Fun LIVE - from the NYMW
Happy New Year! Today we present a special treat to kick off 2026- the live recording of our special ‘Talking Youth Ministry’ event at November’s National Youth Ministry Weekend. If you’re looking for serious youth ministry content, maybe give this one a miss; if you’re in the mood for silly…
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A Stat is born… again!
Merry Christmas! The return of a now-annual tradition as the team invite Dr Hannah Bowden from the Youthscape Centre for Research to share some reports and statistics that are tangentially related to both the time of year and (in some cases) youth ministry! Join us as we work our way through…
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The Big Ban Theory
Lucy, Rachel and Martin discuss the implications of the recent ban on social media for under 16s in Australia. Is it a good idea? Could it work here- and should we want something similar? Plus with £500m of new funding announced for the UK youth sector, should Christian youth workers feel…
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Tara Twinkle and the Festive Feels
Martin and Rachel look ahead through Advent with some tips for leading others when you’re not quite feeling the Christmas spirit yourself. They also present our first full year of listening stats with some surprising revelations from around the globe. Plus we’ve got a bumper mailbag full of your...
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Two-Child Benefit Cap Scrapped and the Discomfort of Change
This week Rachel and Lucy discuss the decision to scrap the two-child benefit cap, how we can change worship culture in our churches and how to approach social media with young people. Find out which host has the bougiest Advent calendar and wait with expectation to hear what’s been planned for...
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A Good Childhood?
We’re joined by not one but two special guests this week as we unpack the latest edition of The Children’s Society’s annual Good Childhood Report. Dr Gemma Madle from the Youthscape Centre for Research shares some of the key findings, and Headstrong’s Laura Haddow helps us to think about how...
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Upturn girls (and guy)
It’s our National Youth Ministry Weekend review episode. Relive the UK’s biggest youth work gathering, or if you didn’t manage to get along, hear some of the main insights. Plus we’ve got a larger than normal amount of Hagbane’s Doom content, and to balance out the silliness, some amazing...
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Episode 50 with the Children's Commissioner
Rachel, Lucy and Martin are joined by a very special guest for the podcast's 50th episode. Dame Rachel de Souza is the Children's Commissioner for England, making her the most senior advocate for children and young people in the nation. She shares some sobering reflections from recent research…
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That wasn't in the job description...
Today the team are talking about the hidden extras in youth work roles that no-one mentioned in the interview. There's discussion around when a new Christian is ready for baptism, how we can help young men to encourage each other, and how you cope with the unforeseen challenges of a…
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Help (from) the Aged
This week we're discussing good news stories involving young people, including the hit new TV series Worlds Apart, which pairs old and young in a travelling adventure. We ask: what kind of role might elderly people play in your youth ministry, and why might they be reluctant to get involved? Plus…
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Spiritual Maturity or a bit... 6-7
The team demonstrate their grasp of both up-to-the-minute cultural trends and thoughtful Christian reflection in a wide-ranging episode! What's the 6-7 trend all about, and is it substantial enough to form the basis of a whole game? How do we figure out if someone is spiritually mature enough to...
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Single Sex Spaces and the Quiet Kid Revival
How do you make progress with young people who won’t talk to you? Is there still a place in youth ministry for working exclusively with boys or girls? Which of the hosts is most likely to have been chosen as a Traitor? All these questions and more will be addressed in this week’s action-packed...
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The Showgirl, the Archbishop & the Youth Group Social
n a wide-ranging episode, Rachel and Martin reflect on what it means to have a woman at the head of the Anglican Church, discuss the youth ministry-relevant merits of Taylor Swift's new album The Life of a Showgirl in a totally unbiased way, and exchange thoughts on the role and limitations of…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
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.
HOSTED BY
Youthscape
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Talking Youth Ministry - A Youthscape Podcast have?
Talking Youth Ministry - A Youthscape Podcast currently has 202 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Talking Youth Ministry - A Youthscape Podcast about?
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.
How often does Talking Youth Ministry - A Youthscape Podcast release new episodes?
Talking Youth Ministry - A Youthscape Podcast publishes regularly with 202 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
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Who hosts Talking Youth Ministry - A Youthscape Podcast?
Talking Youth Ministry - A Youthscape Podcast is created and hosted by Youthscape.
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