In this episode of the You Can Mentor podcast, Zachary Garza and Chad Higgins of Lifeway Christian Resources explore the essential role parents play in mentoring and discipling their children. Chad shares his background in parent ministry and emphasizes the need to empower parents as the primary spiritual leaders in their homes. They discuss how mentors can build trust with parents, engage those who may be distant from faith, and remain faithful in their mentoring journey. The episode offers practical ways mentors can support families and create meaningful, transformative relationships for both parents and kids.

Check out Chad's book, Define the Relationship: Growing a Parent Ministry that Brings Families and Churches Together, here. To learn more about Lifeway Christian Resources, visit https://www.lifeway.com/.

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Takeaways:

• Parents are crucial in the discipleship of their children.
• Building trust with parents starts with knowing their names.
• Mentorship extends beyond the child to the family.
• Faithfulness in mentorship is essential for long-term impact.
• Engaging parents can lead to exponential growth in mentorship.
• The gospel is best communicated through relationships.
• Understanding parents' needs is key to effective ministry.
• Every interaction with a family can plant seeds for faith.
• Transformation in a child's life can influence their parents.
• Mentors should model healthy adult interactions for kids.

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Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Mentorship and Family Dynamics
02:42 The Journey into Parent Ministry
14:40 Understanding Parental Roles in Discipleship
20:24 Building Trust with Parents
28:01 Engaging Parents Who Are Uninterested in Faith
36:24 The Importance of Faithfulness in Mentorship

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Learn more about all we do at www.youcanmentor.com

In this episode of the You Can Mentor podcast, Zachary Garza talks with Brittany Sawrey-Coulson and Benjamin Crawshaw from True Face about the power of authenticity in mentorship and discipleship. They challenge performance-based models of discipleship, emphasizing identity in Christ and the value of genuine, trust-filled relationships. The conversation covers how mentors can create safe spaces for youth through authentic connection, meaningful dialogue, and shared experiences. They also discuss the role of food, curiosity, and presence in building trust, as well as the impact of social media and technology on mentorship. The episode wraps up with practical resources to help mentors guide deeper, more impactful conversations with their mentees.

Check out Brittany and Benjamin's book, The Path: What if the Way of Jesus is Different Than You Thought? on Amazon here. You can also download a sneak peek of the book or learn more at https://www.trueface.org/thepath.

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Takeaways:

• TrueFace helps Christians find peace through identity-based discipleship.
• Authenticity and humility are key to connecting with today’s youth.
• Mentoring starts with trust, not performance.
• The next generation craves real relationships and self-understanding.
• Safe, grace-filled environments foster growth and transformation.
• Shared meals and genuine curiosity deepen connection.
• Face-to-face, experiential learning is powerful in a digital age.
• Mentors must be secure in their identity to lead well.
• The Path Experience Guide provides practical tools for mentors.
• Social media brings both challenges and chances for deeper engagement.

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Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Mentorship and True Face
01:53 The Journey of True Face and Its Impact
06:12 Authenticity in Mentorship and Discipleship
08:55 Shifting from Performance to Identity
15:07 Building Relationships in Mentorship
21:07 The Role of Humility in Mentorship
23:01 Creating Safe Environments for Change
36:00 Navigating Challenges and Opportunities in Mentoring
44:03 Resources for Effective Mentoring Conversations

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It would mean the WORLD to us if you would leave a 5 star rating on our pod so we can reach more people! Scroll down to the bottom the You Can Mentor page on Apple Podcasts and click "Write Review." On Spotify, go to our page, click the three dots next to the admin wheel, and hit "Rate Show." Thank you!

Learn more about all we do at www.youcanmentor.com

In this episode of the You Can Mentor podcast, Zach Garza talks with Susie Gallo of Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance about the life-changing impact of mentorship. They explore the value of compassion, curiosity, and authentic connections with mentees. Susie offers practical advice on supporting mentors, creative approaches to recruitment, and the importance of patience in building meaningful relationships. The episode emphasizes how small, everyday experiences can shape young lives and calls for greater community involvement in mentoring efforts.

https://sonomamentoring.org/

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Takeaways:

• Mentoring is about building authentic relationships.
• Compassion should come before comprehension in mentoring.
• Curiosity helps mentors understand their mentees better.
• Simple experiences can create lasting memories for kids.
• Setting mentors up for success is crucial for effective mentoring.
• Community engagement is essential for recruiting mentors.
• Patience is key in the mentoring journey.
• Kids often face challenges that mentors may not see.
• Mentors should be aware of their mentee's family dynamics.
• Creating a supportive environment is vital for mentoring success.

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Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Mentoring and Connection
07:12 The Importance of Compassion in Mentoring
15:42 Building Authentic Relationships in Mentoring
23:40 Setting Up Mentors for Success
30:11 Innovative Approaches to Mentor Recruitment
37:33 The Journey of Mentoring: Patience and Growth

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It would mean the WORLD to us if you would leave a 5 star rating on our pod so we can reach more people! Scroll down to the bottom the You Can Mentor page on Apple Podcasts and click "Write Review." On Spotify, go to our page, click the three dots next to the admin wheel, and hit "Rate Show." Thank you!

Learn more about all we do at www.youcanmentor.com

In this episode of the You Can Mentor podcast, Zachary Garza interviews Randy Odom, President of Kids Across America (KAA), to explore the powerful impact of mentorship and the unique opportunities KAA provides for youth. Randy reflects on his own mentorship journey and discusses how camp experiences play a vital role in shaping young lives. The conversation highlights the Kaleo program, which develops young leaders, and offers insight into daily life at KAA—where the focus is on building strong relationships in a safe and supportive environment. The episode wraps up with a call for listeners to get involved and support KAA’s mission.

https://kaakamps.org/

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Takeaways:

• KAA provides a safe and nurturing environment for kids.
• Mentorship is crucial for youth development and overcoming challenges.
• The camp experience can lead to significant personal transformation.
• Building trust is essential in mentorship relationships.
• The Kaleo program empowers youth leaders to support their communities.
• Effective training for counselors is vital for impactful mentorship.
• Real-life stories illustrate the power of mentorship.
• Daily activities at KAA are designed to foster relationships and personal growth.
• The camp emphasizes Christian values and community support.
• Investing in youth workers is key to sustaining mentorship efforts.

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Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Kids Across America

02:11 Randy Odom's Journey and Mentorship

05:04 The Impact of Camp Experiences

08:31 The Need for Mentorship in Today's Youth

11:06 The Role of Mentorship in Overcoming Challenges

13:31 Training Counselors for Effective Mentorship

19:05 Real-Life Stories of Transformation

20:19 The Kaleo Program and Its Importance

25:47 The Camp Experience: Daily Life at KAA

35:38 Conclusion and Call to Action

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It would mean the WORLD to us if you would leave a 5 star rating on our pod so we can reach more people! Scroll down to the bottom the You Can Mentor page on Apple Podcasts and click "Write Review". On Spotify, go to our page, click the three dots next to the admin wheel, and hit "Rate Show". Thank you!

Learn more about all we do at www.youcanmentor.com

In this episode of the You Can Mentor podcast, Zachary Garza speaks with Reverend Clarence Ford III, Program Director of the Crossroads Mentoring Program in Houston, Texas. They explore how mentoring serves as a form of discipleship and plays a critical role in youth development. Clarence highlights the power of building relationships within schools to bring hope to young people, and he emphasizes the importance of community partnerships and proper mentor training. Framing mentoring as a meaningful ministry, the conversation calls on listeners to take part in the collective effort to support youth and families through mentorship and service.

https://crossroadsmentoring.org/

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Takeaways:

• Mentoring is a form of discipleship.
• Building relationships is key to instilling hope.
• Hope can be restored by helping kids dream again.
• Partnerships enhance the effectiveness of mentoring programs.
• Meeting basic needs is crucial before mentoring can take place.
• Training is essential for mentors to be effective.
• Unity in diversity is important in community work.
• Mentoring can change the trajectory of a young person's life.
• Everyone has a role to play in mentoring and community service.
• Use your gifts to serve and build the kingdom.

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Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Mentoring and Discipleship
03:00 The Role of Mentoring in Youth Development
05:58 Building Relationships in Schools
08:56 Instilling Hope in Youth
12:01 The Importance of Partnerships
14:58 Training Mentors for Impact
18:07 The Call to Mentoring
20:59 Conclusion and Encouragement

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It would mean the WORLD to us if you would leave a 5 star rating on our pod so we can reach more people! Scroll down to the bottom the You Can Mentor page on Apple Podcasts and click "Write Review". On Spotify, go to our page, click the three dots next to the admin wheel, and hit "Rate Show". Thank you!

Learn more about all we do at www.youcanmentor.com

In this episode of the You Can Mentor podcast, Zachary Garza interviews Michael Morgan, founder of A Few Good Mentors, Inc. Michael shares his journey from being an FBI surveillance expert to becoming a dedicated youth mentor. The conversation explores the importance of mentoring, the challenges of recruiting male mentors, and the core values that guide their organization. Michael emphasizes the need for male role models in the community, the impact of mentoring on young lives, and the significance of faith in overcoming challenges. The episode concludes with insights on how to engage and retain mentors while addressing the evolving needs of today's youth.

https://afgmentoring.net/

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Takeaways:

• Mentoring is about caring for the next generation.
• There is a significant need for male mentors in communities.
• Succession planning is a crucial aspect of mentoring.
• Recruiting male mentors is a challenging but necessary task.
• Core values like SHIELDS guide mentoring efforts.
• Engaging mentors requires personal connection and support.
• Today's youth face unique challenges, including mental health issues.
• Education needs to be made fun to engage students.
• The impact of mentoring can be seen years later.
• Faith plays a vital role in the mentoring journey.

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Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Mentoring and Michael's Background
02:52 Transition from FBI to Mentoring Youth
06:07 The Importance of Mentoring and Succession Planning
09:00 Challenges in Recruiting Male Mentors
12:01 Core Values: SHIELDS and Their Significance
15:01 Engaging and Retaining Mentors
18:08 Addressing the Needs of Today's Youth
20:48 The Impact of Mentoring on Young Lives
24:01 Overcoming Discouragement in Mentoring
27:06 Final Thoughts and Resources for Mentors

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It would mean the WORLD to us if you would leave a 5 star rating on our pod so we can reach more people! Scroll down to the bottom the You Can Mentor page on Apple Podcasts and click "Write Review". On Spotify, go to our page, click the three dots next to the admin wheel, and hit "Rate Show". Thank you!

Learn more about all we do at www.youcanmentor.com

In this episode, Zach shares an exciting update for the You Can Mentor podcast! The show, which started four years ago with co-founder Stephen Murray, has been dedicated to helping faith-based mentoring organizations collaborate, grow, and equip themselves with best practices. Over time, they’ve created 264 podcast episodes, a series of books, and hosted the National Christian Mentoring Gathering.

Looking ahead, the podcast is shifting gears with a new focus on quality over quantity. Zach explains that, while the podcast will still feature some familiar voices, the goal is to bring in the most valuable guests—experts in the mentoring field—who can provide listeners with practical tools and insights.

This season will also see a new episode schedule: bi-weekly episodes focusing on expert guests who can share mentoring tools to help organizations thrive. Zach also acknowledges that they’ve interviewed many of their contacts over the past few years, so re-interviews might be coming soon to catch up on what’s new with past guests.

The podcast will continue to provide resources like consulting, coaching, and downloads to support faith-based mentoring ministries. Zach encourages listeners to reach out with any questions, guest suggestions, or ideas for future episodes.

As always, the You Can Mentor team is committed to equipping and encouraging listeners to serve kids from hard places and their families. Zach wraps up by expressing love and support for all the listeners in their mentoring journey.

www.youcanmentor.com

In this episode of the You Can Mentor podcast, Zachary Garza interviews AD, the Men's Mentorship Manager at GRIP Outreach for Youth in Chicago. AD discusses his faith journey, his background in mentorship, and the mission of GRIP, which focuses on building meaningful, life-on-life relationships with youth. The conversation highlights GRIP's programs, such as SLAM, a sports-based mentorship initiative, and the Future Steps program, which helps prepare students for life after high school. AD underscores the importance of equipping mentors, connecting them with students, and fostering growth in both groups, concluding with inspiring stories of transformation and the role of prayer in mentorship.

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Takeaways:

• AD's journey from San Antonio to Chicago highlights the unexpected paths God can take us on.
• Mentorship is about building relationships and being present in students' lives.
• SLAM combines sports and mentorship to create a fun and engaging environment for youth.
• The Future Steps program helps students prepare for life after high school through practical skills and career guidance.
• Equipping mentors is essential for effective mentorship and building trust with students.
• Understanding the gap between expectations and reality can help mentors avoid discouragement.
• Prayer is a vital component in seeking mentors and guidance in mentorship programs.
• Growth in mentorship is a two-way street; both mentors and mentees learn from each other.
• Community partnerships enhance the effectiveness of mentorship programs.
• Stories of transformation remind us of the impact mentorship can have on young lives.

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Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to AD and GRIP Outreach
06:45 AD's Journey and Background
13:23 Understanding GRIP's Mission and Programs
19:30 SLAM: Sports and Mentorship
22:05 Future Steps Program: Preparing for Life After High School
25:35 Equipping Mentors for Success
31:18 Connecting Students and Mentors
35:31 Growing and Developing Relationships
36:18 Stories of Transformation and Encouragement

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It would mean the WORLD to us if you would leave a 5 star rating on our pod so we can reach more people! Scroll down to the bottom the You Can Mentor page on Apple Podcasts and click "Write Review". On Spotify, go to our page, click the three dots next to the admin wheel, and hit "Rate Show". Thank you!
Also, check out our National Christian Mentoring Gathering, which is April 16-18, 2025 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Learn more about all we do at www.youcanmentor.com