In this episode, Mike and Kyle are joined by AJ from The Gathering — a young, passionate youth pastor who has some cool things happening in his ministry.

AJ shares how he’s intentionally building a youth ministry culture that fosters both authentic worship and real community. From creating environments where students feel safe to engage with God, to building relationships that actually last beyond youth group nights, this conversation is packed with practical ideas and honest ministry talk.

If you’ve ever wondered how to help students take ownership of worship, build deeper community, or create a ministry culture students actually want to invite friends into — this episode is for you.

Visit @theetapodcast on Instagram and embracetheawkward.com for merch and more!

Is Wednesday night still king… or is Sunday night (or another night entirely) the better move for youth ministry?

In Episode 102, Mike and Kyle jump into one of the most debated topics in youth ministry programming: What night of the week actually works best? From tradition and volunteer availability to student schedules, sports, church culture, and family rhythms — we break down the real pros and cons of Wednesday nights, Sunday nights, and even alternative options.

We also talk about how to know when it’s time to make a change, what to evaluate before you move nights, and how to lead that transition without creating chaos (or at least… less chaos).

Whether you’re in a big church, small church, or somewhere in between, this episode will help you think strategically about your weekly programming.

Visit @Theetapodcast on Instagram and embracetheawkward.com for merch and more!

After more than a year away, Embrace the Awkward is officially back for Season 2. And yes… things look a little different. DJ is out as co-host, Mike is in and we decided the only right way to handle it was to fully embrace the awkward. (No, you will not actually see DJ get fired live… sorry to disappoint).

In this relaunch episode, we’re being fully transparent. We talk about where Kyle and DJ have been over the last year, introduce you to Big Mike, and share what you can expect from the future of the podcast. New season, new direction, same awkward conversations that help youth workers handle ministry better.

Visit @Theetapodcast on Instagram and embracetheawkward.com for merch and more!