In this episode, we're joined by Lauren Wilson and Ryan Anderson to discuss mental health awareness and resources related to suicide prevention in young people today.

If you or someone you know needs support, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (https://988lifeline.org/).

Please note: This episode shares a variety of helpful intervention resources. As you consider how to use them, please be mindful of and follow your organization’s specific policies, including any required reporting or documentation after an intervention. In addition, some examples shared reflect clinical counseling techniques, which are best practiced by licensed professionals.

Lauren Wilson, founder and executive director of We Are Speak Out (https://wearespeakout.com/), a Christian nonprofit committed to breaking the stigma of mental health in the local Church by coming alongside organizations and churches, and equipping them to address mental health challenges with compassion and understanding.

Ryan Anderson serves as the Senior National Ministry Specialist for Youth for Christ USA, where he equips and supports leaders across the organization’s six ministry models: Campus Life, City Life, Juvenile Justice Ministry, Campus Life Military, Deaf Teen Quest, and Parent Life. He is passionate about relational ministry, leadership development, and helping leaders engage the next generation with authenticity, hope, and purpose.

Follow us on Instagram:

• Youth For Christ USA - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@yfcusa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Cory Huffman - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chuffman57⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Lauren Wilson - @wearespeakout

Youth For Christ/USA , Inc. is a founding charter member of Youth For Christ International, and one of more than 100 member nations in the global Youth For Christ movement. For more information or to get connected with Youth For Christ USA, visit ⁠⁠⁠https://yfc.net/⁠⁠⁠.

First a Follower is a podcast created and produced by Youth For Christ/USA, Inc. (“YFC”). It exists to support youth ministry leaders by offering practical guidance, relevant resources, and conversations designed to strengthen the spiritual formation of those discipling the next generation.

This podcast is provided for entertainment, educational, and general informational purposes only. It does not offer or constitute legal, medical, mental health, counseling, financial, or theological advice.

The views and opinions expressed by hosts, guests, or referenced third parties are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policies, positions, or doctrinal stances of Youth For Christ/USA, Inc., Youth For Christ International, any local YFC chapter, or any church, denomination, or faith community. YFC does not endorse or certify any products, services, organizations, or external content mentioned during the podcast.

The entire contents, branding, and design of this podcast are the property of Youth For Christ/USA, Inc., and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except for personal or non-commercial educational use, no part of this podcast may be reproduced, retransmitted, distributed, or edited without the prior written permission of Youth For Christ/USA, Inc.

Permission requests may be directed to:

Youth For Christ/USA, Inc.

P.O. Box 4478Englewood, CO 80155

https://www.yfc.net

Join us as we discuss the power of listening to the next generation with Dr. Josh Packard and Siouxland YFC staff member Drew Curiel.

Josh Packard, Ph.D., is one of the foremost experts in the spiritual lives of modern American youth and an accomplished researcher in the sociology of religion and new forms of religious expression. He has authored numerous books and articles in both popular and academic outlets. His most recent publication is "Faithful Futures: Sacred Tools for Engaging Emerging Generations." Learn more about Josh at: https://joshpackard.com

Josh is also the co-founder of Future of Faith, an organization that develops and curates resources to help connect current and future generations with their faith. Learn more at: https://www.futureoffaith.org/

Drew Curiel is a former YFC student whose life was impacted by the gospel, and now is on staff with Siouxland YFC , helping reach the next generation with that same message. Drew's favorite quote is, “more about the Man than the mission.” because she seek to know Jesus first and pour out from that by living John 15 type of life.

Follow us on Instagram:

• Youth For Christ USA - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@yfcusa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Cory Huffman - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chuffman57⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Josh Packard - ⁠⁠⁠@futureoffaith
• Drew Curiel - @drew_curiel22

Youth For Christ/USA , Inc. is a founding charter member of Youth For Christ International, and one of more than 100 member nations in the global Youth For Christ movement. For more information or to get connected with Youth For Christ USA, visit ⁠⁠⁠https://yfc.net/⁠⁠⁠.

First a Follower is a podcast created and produced by Youth For Christ/USA, Inc. (“YFC”). It exists to support youth ministry leaders by offering practical guidance, relevant resources, and conversations designed to strengthen the spiritual formation of those discipling the next generation.

This podcast is provided for entertainment, educational, and general informational purposes only. It does not offer or constitute legal, medical, mental health, counseling, financial, or theological advice.

The views and opinions expressed by hosts, guests, or referenced third parties are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policies, positions, or doctrinal stances of Youth For Christ/USA, Inc., Youth For Christ International, any local YFC chapter, or any church, denomination, or faith community. YFC does not endorse or certify any products, services, organizations, or external content mentioned during the podcast.

The entire contents, branding, and design of this podcast are the property of Youth For Christ/USA, Inc., and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except for personal or non-commercial educational use, no part of this podcast may be reproduced, retransmitted, distributed, or edited without the prior written permission of Youth For Christ/USA, Inc.

Permission requests may be directed to:

Youth For Christ/USA, Inc.

P.O. Box 4478Englewood, CO 80155

https://www.yfc.net

Join us as we sit down with co-author of the book, Slow Theology, Nijay Gupta, and friend of YFC USA's Leader Formation team, Myron Bernard, to chat about building resilient faith.

Myron Bernard currently serves as Deputy Director at the Tacoma Rescue Mission, where he oversees operations and works to advance holistic support for individuals experiencing homelessness. He previously served with Youth For Christ USA on the Leader Formation team, investing in the development of leaders nationwide. Myron also contributed to the YFC USA National City Life Team, helping shape ministry strategy and impact in urban communities. He is passionate about building systems and relationships that create lasting transformation in people and communities.

Nijay Gupta (DPhil) has written several academic books including A Beginner’s Guide to New Testament Studies, Paul and the Language of Faith, 15 New Testament Words of Life, and Tell Her Story: How Women Led, Taught, and Ministered in the Early Church. He has co-edited The State of New Testament Studies, Dictionary of Paul and His Letters (2nd ed.), and The State of Pauline Studies. Nijay co-chairs the Pauline Theology seminar of the Institute for Biblical Research and serves as a senior translator for the New Living Translation.

Check out Nijay's most recent book, published May 12, 2026: Paul for the World: A Grounded Vision for Finding Meaning in This Life―Not Just the Next

Nijay also blogs here and co-hosts the Slow Theology Podcast.

Follow us on Instagram:

• Youth For Christ USA - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@yfcusa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Cory Huffman - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chuffman57⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Nijay Gupta - ⁠⁠@nijay.gupta

Youth For Christ/USA , Inc. is a founding charter member of Youth For Christ International, and one of more than 100 member nations in the global Youth For Christ movement. For more information or to get connected with Youth For Christ USA, visit ⁠⁠⁠https://yfc.net/⁠⁠⁠.

First a Follower is a podcast created and produced by Youth For Christ/USA, Inc. (“YFC”). It exists to support youth ministry leaders by offering practical guidance, relevant resources, and conversations designed to strengthen the spiritual formation of those discipling the next generation.

This podcast is provided for entertainment, educational, and general informational purposes only. It does not offer or constitute legal, medical, mental health, counseling, financial, or theological advice.

The views and opinions expressed by hosts, guests, or referenced third parties are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policies, positions, or doctrinal stances of Youth For Christ/USA, Inc., Youth For Christ International, any local YFC chapter, or any church, denomination, or faith community. YFC does not endorse or certify any products, services, organizations, or external content mentioned during the podcast.

The entire contents, branding, and design of this podcast are the property of Youth For Christ/USA, Inc., and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except for personal or non-commercial educational use, no part of this podcast may be reproduced, retransmitted, distributed, or edited without the prior written permission of Youth For Christ/USA, Inc.

Permission requests may be directed to:

Youth For Christ/USA, Inc.

P.O. Box 4478Englewood, CO 80155

https://www.yfc.net