DYM Podcast

Latest Episodes:

446: What Students Ask When You Let Them Ask a Lead Pastor ANY Question Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

Josh Boldman and Michelle Anderson from DYM talk about how Michelle’s youth group used Sidekick Pro’s Live Responses for an anonymous “Ask Us Anything” night with their lead pastor. Students asked incredibly deep and transparent questions about violence and the military, politics, denominations, and more, leading to the most engaging Q&A the youth ministry has ever had.
If you’re a DYM Gold/Platinum Member or a Coleader Subscriber, the Brand New Sidekick Pro is already included in your membership!
If not, you can try it free for 30 days at sidekick.tv with code FIRSTMONTHFREE.

445: NEW SHOW ALERT - Youth Ministry Debrief Aug 20, 2026

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New show alert! Hey DYM listeners, check out Josh Griffin's new podcast Youth Ministry Debrief! Join Josh Griffin for the ride home after youth group in his soccer-mom 2018 Ford Flex! The drive home is 15-25 minutes - depending on how ugly the traffic is here in Southern California. Raw and uncut, thoughts, reaction, strategies, tips, tricks and more on the commute.
Subscribe here!

444: Behind the Scenes of the National Day of Volunteer Youth Ministry Training! Aug 13, 2026

Show notes

One of the best things that DYM produces each year is The National Day of Volunteer Youth Ministry Training! Fun, bits, laughter and great practical training for your volunteers, all rolled into an incredible 3-hour video event. Josh Griffin and Travis Prouty discuss the fun elements and hard work that goes into putting it all together so your volunteers can have a great time getting great training.
Links:
National Day of Youth Ministry Training
The Life Book

443: Sidekick Pro - The Best Kept Secret is Out Aug 03, 2026

Show notes

After years of development and months of behind-the-scenes testing, Sidekick Pro is finally here!!! Josh Boldman sits down with Nick Clason (one of the few youth pastors who got the opportunity to use a pre-release version of Sidekick Pro in front of real, live teenagers) to unpack everything the new app can do.
From returning legacy favorites like Survey Says, Boxes, and Photo Fury, to a fully reimagined Leaderboard that finally handles more than 10 teams, to brand new features like Live Responses, Live Ranking, Live Pick Me, Live Trivia, Countdown Loops, Songs, Stage Display, and AI-powered list generation for Wheels, Pick Me, Boxes, Trivia, and Survey Says… Sidekick Pro is packed.
Nick shares how Live Responses has increased pastoral conversations “a hundredfold” in his ministry, why Countdown Loops has replaced traditional countdown timers for him, and how Sidekick Pro can genuinely become your church’s full presentation software.
Head to sidekick.tv or search Sidekick Pro in the Mac App Store to check it out.

442: Starting Strong at a New Church Jun 25, 2026

Show notes

Josh Griffin and Brandon "Blarg" Smart talk about principles on starting right at your next church after you say yes. Be sandpaper, not the saw. Build relationships and be a learner first, changes at a later date. Enjoy the show and learn to start strong!

441: How and Why to Leave Your Church for Another One Jun 18, 2026

Show notes

Josh Griffin and Brandon "Blarg" Smart talk about his decision to leave a church, and how to interview your next church before you say yes. Some laughter and practical insights into what to ask your next church youth worker position.

440: What 90's Youth Ministry Got Right Apr 14, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of the Download Youth Ministry Podcast, Josh Griffin, Doug Fields, and Jessica Sanchez reflect on youth ministry in the nineties and what today's leaders can learn from it, especially when it comes to volunteer training. They also share details about DYM's National Day of Volunteer Youth Ministry Training and Youth Ministry University, two practical resources to help you equip your team. Oh, and producer Travis is never allowed to take vacation again.

439: Victory Beyond the Cup w/Heather Reddy Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

Do you love soccer? Josh doesn’t, but knows the importance of the upcoming World Cup as a possible opportunity to share the Gospel. Heather Reddy, chaplain of the US Women’s team, shares about her ministry Victory Beyond the Cup with Cru and Athletes in Action to reach people around the world’s most popular football event reaching over 5b people!
https://victorybeyondthecup.com/

438: A Blueprint For Youth Ministry Mar 03, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, we talk with Jonathan Donald-Kornelsen, author of Youth Ministry Blueprint, about guiding a youth ministry with clarity and purpose. We explore practical strategies, leadership insights, and how to build a Christ-centered ministry that lasts. Tune in for wisdom that helps you lead with confidence and heart and a fresh blueprint for ministry!
AMAZON: https://amzn.to/4rVqino https://amzn.to/4tLDTiL

437: Introducing PAKA: Small Group Toolkit! Feb 27, 2026

Show notes

Introducing PAKA: Small Group Toolkit! It's a PACK'a tools that are perfect for taking your small group to the next level! It's one app with a bunch of tools that PACK a punch!
It's totally FREE in the iOS Apple App Store!
Get it here
🧊 Ice-Breaker Questions
Get students talking! From fun and silly to deeper questions about faith.
🤔 Would You Rather?
Hundreds of dilemmas guaranteed to spark laughs, debates, and surprisingly real conversations.
🎮 Low-Prep Games
Fun games you can run instantly with zero setup. Perfect for filling time or kicking off a great night.
🎡Spinning Wheel
Add chaos to any decision or game. Spin to pick someone, choose a topic, or just watch your group stress out.
👆People Picker
Fair, random, and drama-free. No one can argue with the app when it picks who goes first.
🏆 Scorekeeper
Track points for any game or challenge without juggling a whiteboard or scraps of paper.
🍕 Pizza Calculator
Finally — a scientific answer to how many pizzas you need. Your group will thank you every time.
🦗Awkward Silence Detector
Nobody answering? Set a timer — the longer the silence, the louder the crickets get. Someone will speak up eventually.

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