You may have tuned in to all or one Youth Ministry Podcast episode. Or perhaps you follow us on Instagram and see us refer to “Erik and Jake” all the time. Either way, you’re probably wondering who these two guys are and why we’re on a first name basis with them. 

The Youth Ministry Podcast was born out of the idea that youth ministry can feel like it’s constantly changing, and youth workers are navigating new issues all the time. Our hosts Jake Bouma and Erik Ullestad focus on talking about these changes and issues from creating integrity in your ministry to navigating the topics that make youth workers feel misunderstood.

If you’re new to our podcast (hello, welcome!) or are just curious to know more about your hosts, you’re reading the right blog post! For starters, both Jake and Erik are youth ministry veterans and Iowa natives. In today’s post, we’re sharing an exclusive interview we had with both of them.  

What is your favorite thing about working on the Youth Ministry Podcast?

JB: Probably the people. Everyone I've ever interacted with – Sparkhouse employees and freelancers alike – are super creative and passionate about the work they're doing.

EU:  Definitely collaborating with really creative people.

What’s the coolest thing you are working on right now? 

JB: Aside from the Youth Ministry Podcast? Probably the epic train tracks my son and I are building and re-building across the expanse of our living room. 

EU: I’m starting to read the Harry Potter series with my son. Neither of us have read it before. (Yeah, I know…)

What is one fun fact about yourself?

EU: I’m a lefthanded redhead. One half of one percent of the world’s population has that combination. 

JB: I'm a cancer survivor. Also, I can play the nose flute. (How's that for a low-percentage combination, Ullestad?)

What can listeners expect from the podcast in 2019?

JB: We've got plans to do a bit of experimentation with the format of the podcast later this year... we're cooking up some episode topics that I'm pretty excited about, too. You’ll just have to tune in to find out!

EU: Other than witty banter and piercing insights about youth culture and ministry practices? We’ll be doing more interviews with youth ministers, volunteers, and teens than we did in 2018.

Interested in getting to know these guys more? Looking to discuss these topics? Tune in to the Youth Ministry Podcast today.