The YDisciple Podcast

EP24: The Trinitarian Missionary Dynamic

About this Episode What if the way we approach ministry isn’t just about strategy—but about reflecting the very nature of God? In this episode of the YDisciple Podcast, Pete Burds and Annie Grandell unpack NET Ministries’ guiding philosophy: the “Trinitarian missionary dynamic.” While it might sound like a complex theological phrase, it points to something deeply practical—how our identity, relationships, and mission are all rooted in the life of the Trinity. Drawing from NET’s formation model and the document Birthed by the Holy Spirit, they explore how relating to God as Father, following Jesus as disciple, and living in the Holy Spirit as missionary shapes not only personal faith, but the way we lead others. They also highlight how communion and mission are inseparable—our relationships fuel mission, and mission deepens our relationships. Whether you’re forming a small group, leading a ministry team, or simply seeking to grow in your own faith, this episode offers a compelling vision for living and leading from a place of identity, belonging, and purpose. CONNECT WITH US * Have questions? Email us at ydpodcast@netusa.org [ydpodcast@netusa.org] * Book your free call with a YDisciple Coach at ydisciple.com/coaching * Please take a moment to rate & review on Apple Podcasts * Visit https://theydisciplepodcast.fireside.fm/ [https://theydisciplepodcast.fireside.fm/] to learn more about the podcast REFLECTION FOR THIS WEEK Ask yourself: * Am I leading from what I do—or from who I am as a son or daughter of God? * How is my relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit shaping the way I approach ministry? * Where is God inviting me to grow in communion—and how might that lead me into mission? Spend time this week in prayer with the Trinity—speaking to the Father, walking with Jesus, and inviting the Holy Spirit to lead you more deeply into both relationship and mission.

EP23: The Intersection Between Discernment and Discipleship with Fr. Chase Hilgenbrink

About this Episode What does it really mean to discover your vocation—and how do we help young people get there? In this episode of the YDisciple Podcast, Pete Burds and Annie Grandell sit down with Father Chase Hilgenbrink, a former professional soccer player turned priest and vocations director. Father Chase shares his powerful story of chasing success at the highest levels of athletics, only to find that achievement alone couldn’t satisfy the deeper longing in his heart. Through a profound encounter with Jesus, he began to see that vocation isn’t something we stumble into—it’s an invitation. Together, they explore how discipleship is the foundation for every vocation, why mentorship (especially from parents) is essential, and what youth ministry often gets wrong when it tries to entertain instead of proclaim truth. They also discuss signs of hope among young people today, including a growing hunger for authenticity, stability, and meaning. If you’re leading teens or walking with others in their faith journey, this conversation offers both clarity and encouragement for forming disciples who are ready to give their lives away. CONNECT WITH US * Have questions? Email us at ydpodcast@netusa.org [ydpodcast@netusa.org] * Book your free call with a YDisciple Coach at ydisciple.com/coaching * Please take a moment to rate & review on Apple Podcasts * Visit https://theydisciplepodcast.fireside.fm/ [https://theydisciplepodcast.fireside.fm/] to learn more about the podcast REFLECTION FOR THIS WEEK Ask yourself: * Do I see my vocation as something I control—or something God is inviting me into? * Who are the mentors in my life that are helping me grow in discipleship? * Where might I be settling for comfort or success instead of responding to God’s deeper call? Take time this week to pray honestly about your future, asking God not just what you want—but what He desires for your life.

EP22: 7 Things Everyone in Ministry Should Do This Summer

About this Episode What if summer isn’t just a break from ministry—but one of the most strategic seasons for it? In this episode of the YDisciple Podcast, Pete Burds and Annie Grandell explore seven practical and intentional ways ministry leaders can make the most of the summer months. Whether your schedule slows down or ramps up with camps, trips, and events, they highlight how this unique season creates space for deeper connection, renewal, and forward-thinking leadership. From taking a personal retreat to investing in relational ministry, Pete and Annie unpack how summer rhythms open doors for meaningful discipleship—both with young people and within your parish staff. They also explore the value of pre-evangelization, building relationships outside your usual circles, and learning from other ministry leaders. You’ll also hear why reading and personal formation matter more than ever in leadership, and how thoughtful planning during the summer can set you up for a healthier, more fruitful year ahead. If you’ve ever felt like summer slips by too quickly—or gets filled without intention—this episode will help you approach it with clarity and purpose. CONNECT WITH US * Have questions? Email us at ydpodcast@netusa.org [ydpodcast@netusa.org] * Book your free call with a YDisciple Coach at ydisciple.com/coaching * Please take a moment to rate & review on Apple Podcasts * Visit https://theydisciplepodcast.fireside.fm/ [https://theydisciplepodcast.fireside.fm/] to learn more about the podcast REFLECTION FOR THIS WEEK Ask yourself: * Where do I need renewal or intentional time with the Lord this summer? * How can I be more relational—not just program-focused—with young people in this season? * What is one step I can take now to better prepare for the upcoming ministry year? Pray for the wisdom to use this season well—not just to rest or stay busy, but to be intentional in ways that bear lasting fruit.

EP21: You Can’t Give What You Don’t Have with Ali Hoffman

About this Episode What does it actually look like to put prayer first—not just in theory, but in the real, busy life of ministry? In this episode of The YDisciple Podcast, Pete Burds and Annie Grandell sit down with Catholic speaker and evangelist Ali Hoffman to explore why personal prayer and the kerygma are not optional foundations, but essential starting points for anyone walking with young people in faith. Ali shares powerful insights from her own journey in ministry, reflecting on the hidden years of relationship with God that bear fruit in visible moments of impact. Together, they unpack the tension many ministry leaders feel between productivity and intimacy—and why our identity as beloved sons and daughters must come before anything we do for God. From practical rhythms of prayer to the importance of community and starting fresh (no matter how long you’ve been in ministry), this conversation offers both encouragement and challenge. If you’ve ever felt stretched thin, distracted by the demands of ministry, or unsure how to prioritize your relationship with God, this episode invites you back to what matters most. CONNECT WITH US * Have questions? Email us at ydpodcast@netusa.org [ydpodcast@netusa.org] * Book your free call with a YDisciple Coach at ydisciple.com/coaching * Please take a moment to rate & review on Apple Podcasts * Visit https://theydisciplepodcast.fireside.fm/ [https://theydisciplepodcast.fireside.fm/] to learn more about the podcast REFLECTION FOR THIS WEEK Ask yourself: * Am I prioritizing time with God, or just doing things for God? * Where might productivity be shaping my identity more than my relationship with Him? * What would it look like to create intentional space for personal prayer—just me and the Lord? Take time this week to sit with God without an agenda. Ask Him for a deeper desire to be with Him—and the courage to make that time a non-negotiable.

EP20: Unique and Unrepeatable Teens

About this Episode What changes in ministry when we stop treating people like problems to solve and start seeing them as persons to reverence? In this episode of The YDisciple Podcast, Pete Burds and Annie Grandell continue their conversation following last week’s episode with Anna Carter, reflecting more deeply on what it means to honor the dignity and unique story of every person we encounter in ministry. Together, they unpack the temptation to reduce young people to categories, issues, or ministry outcomes—and why real discipleship begins by receiving each person as unique, unrepeatable, and deeply loved by God. Pete and Annie explore how easy it can be to minister from a distance through programs, strategies, and generalizations, rather than drawing near to the actual person in front of us. They discuss the importance of curiosity, the danger of seeing people as projects, and the need to remember that every young person is already in conversation with the Holy Spirit long before we enter the picture. Along the way, they reflect on how this vision of reverence applies not only to teens, but also to coworkers, pastors, staff members, and anyone we serve alongside in ministry. This conversation is a powerful reminder that discipleship is never a conveyor belt, and people are never a means to an end. Whether you’re a youth minister, volunteer, parent, or parish leader, this episode will challenge you to slow down, listen more deeply, and approach each person with greater wonder, humility, and love. CONNECT WITH US * Have questions? Email us at ydpodcast@netusa.org [ydpodcast@netusa.org] * Book your free call with a YDisciple Coach at ydisciple.com/coaching * Please take a moment to rate & review on Apple Podcasts * Visit https://theydisciplepodcast.fireside.fm/ [https://theydisciplepodcast.fireside.fm/] to learn more about the podcast REFLECTION FOR THIS WEEK Ask yourself: * Where am I tempted to approach people as issues, outcomes, or projects instead of persons? * How can I grow in curiosity toward the young people and coworkers in front of me? * What would it look like to reverence someone’s dignity more intentionally this week? Pray for the grace to see others as God sees them—unique, beloved, and worthy of reverence—and to accompany them with humility, patience, and love.