On The Frontier: A Young Life Podcast

  ***ENCORE EP!***  Ben-less, but this ain't over till its over.  There are more pioneers out there. Can't stop. Won't stop. Alex Lewis, Young Life's digital marketing specialist, joins the show to talk about a year of story-telling, the #BestWeekofyourLife campaign launching this July in a surprise location, and ideas for Young Life's official podcast (launching soon!). Then, Bill Paige joins the show (19:55) to talk about the 10,000+ hours he's spent as a speaker, the origin of his catch phrase, pivot points in his life, and more.  Just for the record, I don't care that he called me the wrong name. My love for Bill Paige is unconditional. What a pioneer! Keep it coming! Have a great summer! Keep pioneering. 

This is the official series finale of On The Frontier, a podcast about leadership, creativity, and innovation in Young Life. From the bottom of our hearts to yours, its been a joy and pleasure of a project. Thank you to all our listeners and guests -- “the crazy ones” who made this whole project possible. To us, this was more than just a podcast.  The good news? Young Life will have a mission-wide podcast (we got picked up!), launching in late summer or early fall. You can click here to subscribe. I (Justin), would love for you to JOIN IN to this project. If you are interested, drop me a line here. You can also follow him personally at @jt_ryder on Twitter and Instagram. To follow Ben's next adventure, you can follow him on Twitter and Instagram @jbbattaglia. He is also launching a blog in the next few weeks at jbbattaglia.com. We'll see you On The Frontier. ???? 

Ben and Ryder discuss their initial reactions to the Pepsi and Heineken commercials, each which tackles social issues, as well as the recent Netflix show, '13 Reasons Why'. We hope you'll join into the conversation! Be a pioneer.   

Fil Anderson was and is a 'spiritual overachiever'. His journey lead him to discover the ’truest thing about him’ — while developing a contemplative spiritual life in the process. He sits down with Justin to talk about burnout, performance driven ministry, the beginning of his friendship with Brennan Manning, his favorite beach, and more. Journey with Fil at http://www.filanderson.com. 

Ryder and Ben discuss podcasts they love, lessons they learned when deciding whether to come on Young Life staff or not (4:45), and most importantly, they interact with a “sneaky” survey that Ben planted all over a recent Young Life training he was at to find out what people really thought about their jobs (18:00). Its an unofficial engagement survey, and we discuss it On the Frontier. Special thanks to our wonderful friends who answered their phone ;)

Ryder and Ben discuss mentoring and discipleship done with Radical Condor. Next, Ryder sits down with a 40 yr veteran of Young Life, Joe Belinko, to discuss how he coaches in lacrosse and life.  Who are you mentoring?  If someone were to ask, what would you teach them?   

We're back On The Frontier talking about new Young Life camps, Generation Z, and humor in Young Life. First, Ryder & Ben discuss Wild Ridge, Young Life's new property in West Virginia, and offer a challenge to listeners...you can win a pizza! They then unpack a new Google report called “It's Lit”. This report studies what's “cool” in the eyes of Generation Z (current teenagers), and which ideas, brands, celebrities, and social networks captivate them most. Later in the episode (12:40), we are joined by Byran Spillman, a Young Life Area Director in Mississippi. Bryan & Ryder discuss program in Young Life, and our opportunity to redeem the culture of kids and invite them into a new and greater world. In the end, they remind us that we are called to be Godly, but be funny.

Ben and Ryder continue their exploration of race & multi-cultural ministry with a variety of guests, including New York City Metro Director Aswan Morris, and Minneapolis Metro Director Hope Ledeboer-Smith. Hope and Aswan share their experiences from multi-cultural lives, leadership, and ministry. Starting with the world of kids, we begin to learn about systemic brokenness and the challenges of “togetherness”. Along the way we'll also discuss how Young Life can innovate and get better, from everyday ministry, to camp, and to large-scale organizational change. Ultimately, Aswan and Hope challenge us to grow, examine our own biases, and reframe how we view multi-cultural ministry. P.S. Don't forget to read “The New Jim Crow” for the next OTF Reads Episode...coming soon. P.P.S. Thank you to Michael, Angela, & Kelly who gave us extended interviews about their lives as high school students, only a small snippet of which made the final episode!

MOVE THAT BUS, MOVE THAT BUS! Welcome to week 34 of OTF. Ryder and Ben begin this week's episode by discussing a recent challenge given to Justin to “associate great memories with the Gospel”, especially at summer camp. They then discuss a few great memories and recent innovations, including a quick chat with Jayveon, the University of Texas YL leader whose small group surprised him with a car. Watch that here. Ben & Ryder kick off a theme for the next few episodes, desiring to wade into the waters of multi-cultural ministry, racial tensions, and growing more to reflect the kingdom of God in our lives and mission. They are joined by Josh Goodman, (AD in Baltimore City, MD). Josh speaks about his experience in doing MC&U ministry, strategies he's learned and used for healthy ministry and teams, and answers a few questions in a speed round. MOVE THAT BUS, MOVE THAT BUS!

Join Ben & Ryder as they discuss speaking at Young Life club. Joined by an ex post facto Steve Chesney, Regional Director in Tennessee, they break apart a seminar that Steve led back in 2008 about the nuts and bolts of speaking. Topics include: Humility in speaking How to prepare for a club talk 3 questions to improve your club talk How to handle your Bible How to use technology In the end, it's "none of our business" We hope you'll join us, and that this episode helps you think intentionally about your club talks!  You can find the entire Steve Chesney talk here.

Welcome to “OTF Reads”, a brand new part of living on the frontier. Each month, Ben and Ryder breakdown a book that has come highly recommended to them. This month, we discuss John Kotter's 'A Force for Change', a compelling leadership study that rightly frames the difference between leading and management.  Show Notes: Want to follow along with the episode? View our key ideas summary here! Buy 'A Force For Change' by John Kotter on Amazon Sign up for our newsletter to find out next month's book!    

We're back On The Frontier. Justin & Ben discuss the two spring leadership retreats they were at over the past few weeks, and celebrate a goal accomplished (thanks Vermontinians).  Later, Justin sits down with Brad Mowry, Capernaum Coordinator for the Eastern & Greater New York Divisions. Brad shares his story, both as a Young Life staff person to people of differing abilities, but also as a dad to his daughter Hannah. Brad talks about his heart for Capernuam (7:55), the impact on this ministry to families (9:40), and myths we hold about people with differing abilities (11:03). He also shares the origins of Capernaum (13:46), movement towards welcoming those with differing abilities (14:58), and innovation in Capernaum camping (17:49). Finally, Brad shares follow-up ideas for how to engage those with disabilities (23:17).  Thanks to Brad, and all our Capernaum staff, who continue to live On The Frontier. 

Singer-Songwriter Ellie Holcomb, a Nashville native, began her musical career by touring the country with her husband in Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors. Their first stop? Young Life camp. Drew & Ellie have spent more than 10 summers on assignment with Young Life, sharing their heartfelt music with kids everywhere. Join Ryder, Ben, and Ellie as they discuss her story (3:35), heart for Young Life (9:00), marriage to Drew (14:12), and her newfound success as a solo artist (23:10). Her debut solo album, As Sure As The Sun, charted at #1 on the iTunes Christian chart, and her newest release Red Sea Road is equally beautiful, heartfelt, and real. Purchase Ellie's new album, Red Sea Road, on iTunes today. You can find us @FrontierPod on Twitter, Insta, and Facebook, or on the web at www.FrontierPod.com. 

Is John Evans the most congruent person to ever live? Not according to him.  Ben and Ryder reminisce about personal health in ministry, much of which they learned by taking John Evan’s class, a long time Young Life staff person and professional counselor, as well as this week’s special guest (5:00). John and ben speak about marrying one's emotional health and humanity (7:05),  how younger leaders can tackle both (10:55), and understanding technology’s effect on this process (15:45). They also discuss the experience of grief and loss (18:00), and the most important things that leaders do to grow, including becoming a congruent and vulnerable person capable of significant conversations (19:50). Once again, John Evans took us to school ;)  Recommended reading for John's Class.  Check out our new website here, and sign-up for the forthcoming On the Frontier newsletter. Leave a comment! Let's do this. 

Ben & Ryder are back for season two of On the Frontier! In addition to discussing their initial reactions to Young Life Forward and their time with Young Life's senior leadership, they talk about millennials!  Bestselling author Simon Sinek has a new viral video about millennials, and since the majority of Young Life's staff and leaders are millennials, this conversation is a perfect return to On the Frontier, as we intentionally consider reaching and working with millennials. Unpacking quotes from Sinek, Ben & Ryder talk insecurity, happiness, connection, vulnerability, relationships, brain science, job satisfaction, and more. At the end, they discuss important questions to ask ourselves as we minister to millennials and point them towards Jesus.  Welcome back to On The Frontier.

These are some of our favorite moments from Season 1. See you soon! Be a pioneer. 

Ryder and Ben close out the first season of On The Frontier, live from Young Life's training in Florida. They discuss Young Life's new movement Forward, the beauty of worshiping with 900 staff, and their own memories of New Staff Training.  Later in the episode, they are joined by Brent Cunningham, Regional Director of Young Life in Alaska. Brent discusses his story, introduces us to Alaska, and talks about creating community across 600,000 square miles. Brent also talks about running the Boston Marathon during the year of the bombing, and the act of kindness that led him to national television. We hope you'll join us to hear about Brent's visionary leadership on the last frontier.  For the next six weeks, you can also find us on Young Life's Forward Podcast, discussing the future of Young Life with YL's senior leaders. We hope you'll join us. Thank you for being a part of season 1 of OTF, we'll see you On The Frontier!

Ben & Ryder discuss the latest Young Life news including great emails from Young Life's president (1:14), our new website, and our new unofficial Young Life Employee Engagement Survey (2:14), which can be found at www.frontierpod.com/survey. Then, Ryder & Ben dive into goal-setting in 2017. They explore how Justin comes up with his own yearly goals (5:20) and how Ben sets area & team goals (11:30). After discussing some quotes that have inspired them as they enter 2017 (19:10), they conclude with some things they want to STOP doing in 2017 (22:15), and a few hopes for the podcast in 2017 (25:00).  This episode is shmorgishborg of thoughts about goal-setting and productivity in the new year. How does your area or set goals? Have you set any personal goals for the year ahead of ministry? No idea is too small, please share them with us at frontierpod.com!

Ben and Ryder review some popular things from 2016. Some are fun. Some are more serious.  This episode is dedicated to our Vermont listeners (1:00). Topics include YL75 (3:52), tech stuff (6:09), the old logo (7:13), Zoom calls (8:31), the mannequin challenge (10:28), the Dentist game (11:33), our most liked instagram (12:10), the death of blobs (13:57), and our first impressions of Newt Crenshaw’s leadership (17:52).  Our guest musician today is Virginia Man, a group of leaders from Virginia. Their pretty rad song we played here is called “Paper Shields”. (iTunes | Spotify)  We’re officially on Instagram @frontierpod. Drop by and follow today for episode previews, and leave a comment to keep the discussion going. What were some of your most impactful ministry moments this year?  We are pumped for '17. 

In this special Christmas Ep of OTF, Ryder/Ben discuss their Christmas plans and hopes for the Christmas Break (0:46). After some James Tutson Christmas caroling, Ryder interviews Yousef, who is on Young Life staff in (the real) Bethlehem in Palestine. Yousef is an incredible leader, and to us, his thoughts on Jesus, life, and Young Life represent the best of what Christmas is about. We appreciate this conversation so much, which includes the significance of Christmas in Bethlehem (4:45), his Young Life journey and how it started (10:00), leadership lessons (14:00), a young man that Yousef works with in their Capernaum ministry (18:00), the next Frontiers for his team (19:00), and a speed round of questions (19:39). What would you say to whole Young Life world? “Pray for each other. Listen to each other's stories.” ~Yousef. MERRY CHRISTMAS.