Rich Villodas & Kara Powell: Future-focused leadership takes time

Quick fixes sound appealing, but ultimately, the pace of meaningful growth in leaders or ministries is slow and deliberate. In this conversation, Kara Powell and Rich Villodas discuss Rich's latest book, "The Narrow Path," and the impact that our spiritual formation has on our leadership.   1:00 - Are we scuba diving or snorkeling in our spiritual formation? 6:40 - The importance of our hidden life and spiritual practices 15:40 - How do we keep the long-view in mind in the midst of the urgent, everyday challenges? 20:00 - A healthy church culture 25:16 - A need for integration for the next generation & encouragement for youth leaders About this Season: The Future-Focused Leadership podcast season is hosted by Dr. Kara Powell, author and executive director of FYI. Kara invites pastors and leading voices to share leadership principles, lessons, and skills that will keep us future-focused and rooted in Christ. Every episode brings practical ideas and encouragement.  Sign up for our email list: https://fulleryouthinstitute.org/subscribe Related FYI resources: BOOK: Future-Focused Church: Leading Through Change, Engaging the Next Generation, & Building a More Diverse Tomorrow.  BLOG: "What you need to know about Gen Alpha in 2026"  

Kara Powell and Lisa Fields (Jude 3 Project) share about how listening is an important precursor to being heard. Lisa shares the story of why she founded an apologetics organization and about Jude 3 Project's latest initiative, the "Ask Initiative." Kara and Lisa get practical about potential barriers to listening and how we can listen for a young person's real concerns, which may be hiding under their surface questions.  About this Season: The future-focused leadership podcast season is hosted by Dr. Kara Powell, author and executive director of FYI. Kara invites pastors and leading voices to share leadership principles, lessons, and skills that will keep us future-focused and rooted in Christ. Every episode brings practical ideas and encouragement.  Sign up for our email list: https://fulleryouthinstitute.org/subscribe Related FYI resources: BOOK: Future-Focused Church: Leading Through Change, Engaging the Next Generation, & Building a More Diverse Tomorrow.  BLOG: "What you need to know about Gen Alpha in 2026"

Kara Powell invites Skye Jethani from the Holy Post Podcast to share how he approaches challenging conversations. Listen in as Kara and Skye discuss how to approach difficult topics and why it is worth finding ways to bring those discussions into our local, embodied expressions of the church and youth ministry.  About this Season: The Future-Focused Leadership season is hosted by Dr. Kara Powell, author and executive director of FYI. Kara invites pastors and leading voices to share leadership principles, lessons, and skills that will keep us future-focused and rooted in Christ.  BOOK: What if Jesus was serious about Justice? by Skye Jethani Sign up for our email list: https://fulleryouthinstitute.org/subscribe Related FYI resources: BOOK: Future-Focused Church: Leading Through Change, Engaging the Next Generation, & Building a More Diverse Tomorrow.  BLOG: "What you need to know about Gen Alpha in 2026"

Kara Powell and Christine Caine explore leadership and spiritual practices for flourishing in life and ministry. They discuss Christine's new book, "The Faith to Flourish," and the metaphor of the olive tree as a symbol of deep roots and fruitfulness. Christine shares insights on the role of young people in shaping the future of faith communities and highlights global movements of teens seeking authentic faith. The conversation emphasizes the need for divine interruptions, the importance of learning from younger generations, and the balance of structure and openness in ministry.  About this Season: The Future-Focused Leadership podcast season is hosted by Dr. Kara Powell, author and executive director of FYI. Kara invites pastors and leading voices to share leadership principles, lessons, and skills that will keep us future-focused and rooted in Christ. Every episode brings practical ideas and encouragement.  Sign up for our email list: https://fulleryouthinstitute.org/subscribe Related FYI resources: BOOK: Future-Focused Church: Leading Through Change, Engaging the Next Generation, & Building a More Diverse Tomorrow.  BLOG: "What you need to know about Gen Alpha in 2026"

Cultivate leadership wellbeing! Let's explore personal practices that can sustain youth leaders for the long haul. In this episode, we break down the habits that build resilience in ministry. Whether it's seeking mentorship, engaging in creative outlets, or simply stepping outside for fresh air, this conversation reminds us that small, intentional steps can lead to lasting impact. 🎧 Tune in for practical wisdom, encouragement, and a renewed vision for sustainable youth ministry. Hosts: Roslyn Hernández, LaTasha Nesbitt  Sign up for our email list Related FYI resources: The FYI Report on Youth Leader Burnout & Wellbeing  

Feeling the weight of ministry stress? According to youth leaders, prayer and spending time outdoors are some of the top go-to spiritual practices to help prevent burnout. This guided prayer walk encourages us to connect with God by observing our surroundings and reflecting on the beauty and wonder of creation. Learn more from our report on Youth Leader Burnout and Wellbeing.  

Feeling the weight of ministry stress? According to youth leaders, prayer is the top go-to spiritual practice to help prevent burnout. This 5-minute guided prayer meditation is designed to help youth leaders process stress, reflect on their calling, and connect with God. So, close your eyes in a quiet place or go on a short uninterrupted walk, take 5 minutes toward ministry health! Learn more from our report on Youth Leader Burnout and Wellbeing.

How can social support help you avoid youth ministry burnout? Let's dive into the power of relationships, community, mentorship, and boundaries in sustaining wellbeing for youth ministry leaders. Roslyn Hernández and LaTasha Nesbitt highlight how social practices can create a foundation for holistic wellbeing in youth ministry. Whether you're navigating the challenges of youth ministry or looking to support a youth leader, this conversation offers encouragement and tools to foster a healthy, thriving ministry life. Hosts:  Roslyn Hernández, MDiv Dr. LaTasha Nesbitt Mentioned in this episode:  Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle Sign up for our email list Related FYI resources: The FYI Report on Youth Ministry Burnout and Wellbeing

Youth ministry burnout is real! In this episode, LaTasha Nesbitt and Roslyn Hernandez unpack FYI's latest research on why so many youth leaders feel stretched thin—and what can help them thrive. Tune in to hear about the role of recognition in resilience, the unique challenges of women in ministry, the seasonal nature of burnout, and the factors that influence ministry burnout. Let's talk about what it takes to sustain the people shaping the next generation! Hosts: Roslyn Hernández M.Div Dr. LaTasha Nesbitt Sign up for our email list Related FYI resources: The FYI Report on Youth Leader Burnout & Wellbeing  

How do young adults make sense of their world? In this episode, we explore the meaning-making transition, diving into the personal faith journeys of young adults. From creating space for questions to walking alongside them in their struggles, we discuss how leaders can empower young adults to navigate their spirituality with intention and authenticity. Hosts: Roslyn Hernández, Steve Argue Sign up for our email list Related FYI resources: Guide: 7 things you need to know for successful young adult ministry