Ever feel like ministry life moves so fast that you barely have time to breathe, let alone slow down and notice what God is doing? In today’s episode, we’re talking about a simple 5-minute gratitude practice that can completely shift the tone of your day.    If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, distracted, or just a little worn thin, this short routine might be exactly what your heart needs. Grab your coffee, take a deep breath, and let’s walk through a small daily practice that can make a big difference.   Want to book a Ministry Life Coaching Call with me? Email me at youthpastorswifepodcast@gmail.com and we'll schedule a call!    Don’t forget to hit subscribe and leave a rating and review if you found this episode helpful!   Join the Facebook group - The Youth Pastor's Wife Podcast Community - to connect with Kristen and other youth pastors' wives!   Have a question or topic suggestion for a future episode? Share your idea with me here!   Follow me on Instagram - @kristenalexiscave

Have you ever walked into church, seen a ton of familiar faces, and still felt… alone? If so, you’re not the only one. Ministry life can be fulfilling in a lot of ways, but it can also make finding real friends feel a little tricky.   In today’s episode, we’re talking honestly about what it looks like to actually find your people as a youth pastor’s wife — the kind of friendships that feel safe, steady, and life-giving. I’m sharing a few simple things you can start doing this week to help community feel less intimidating and a whole lot more doable.   If you’ve been craving deeper connection or just wishing you had a couple of women who truly get your world, this episode is going to encourage you. Grab your coffee, get comfy, and let’s talk about how to take that first step toward the friendships you’ve been praying for.   Want to book a Ministry Life Coaching Call with me? Email me at youthpastorswifepodcast@gmail.com and we'll schedule a call!    Don’t forget to hit subscribe and leave a rating and review if you found this episode helpful!   Join the Facebook group - The Youth Pastor's Wife Podcast Community - to connect with Kristen and other youth pastors' wives!   Have a question or topic suggestion for a future episode? Share your idea with me here!   Follow me on Instagram - @kristenalexiscave

I know ministry life can be hard, and sometimes it feels like you’re giving everything you have and still wondering if it’s enough. Maybe you’re tired, maybe you feel unseen, or maybe you’re just wondering how to keep going without losing yourself along the way.   In this episode, I want to remind you that God sees you. He sees the little ways you serve, the quiet faithfulness in the moments no one else notices, and the love you pour out for the people around you. You’re doing more than you realize, and your work matters...but it’s also okay to pause, breathe, and let yourself be filled back up. If your heart is feeling weary and you need some encouragement, then this episode is for you.    And stick around until the end, because I have a big announcement I’m really excited to share with you — something I think could encourage you even more as you navigate ministry life.   Want to book a Ministry Life Coaching Call with me? Email me at youthpastorswifepodcast@gmail.com and we'll schedule a call!    Don’t forget to hit subscribe and leave a rating and review if you found this episode helpful!   Join the Facebook group - The Youth Pastor's Wife Podcast Community - to connect with Kristen and other youth pastors' wives!   Have a question or topic suggestion for a future episode? Share your idea with me here!   Follow me on Instagram - @kristenalexiscave

Ever have one of those weeks where ministry just feels like a lot? The events, the people, the emotions...it all starts piling up, and before you know it, you’re running on empty. I’m actually walking through a season like that right now.   In this episode, I’m sharing something simple that’s been helping me catch my breath and find calm when I start to feel stretched too thin. It’s a short, practical rhythm you can walk through anytime ministry life starts to feel overwhelming. It will help you slow down, reconnect with God, and remember what really matters.   So if you’ve been feeling weary, distracted, or just not like yourself lately, this one’s for you.   Don’t forget to hit subscribe and leave a rating and review if you found this episode helpful!   Join the Facebook group - The Youth Pastor's Wife Podcast Community - to connect with Kristen and other youth pastors' wives!   Have a question or topic suggestion for a future episode? Share your idea with me here!   Follow me on Instagram - @kristenalexiscave

I’ll be honest...some weeks I look back and realize I’ve been doing a lot for God, but haven’t really spent much time with Him. Have you ever felt that way? In this episode, I’m sharing some simple daily and weekly rhythms that have helped me stay grounded and grow spiritually, even in the middle of busy ministry life.   If you’ve been craving a deeper connection with God but aren’t sure where to start, this episode will give you practical ideas and gentle encouragement to help you build a rhythm that fits your real life.   Don’t forget to hit subscribe and leave a rating and review if you found this episode helpful!   Join the Facebook group - The Youth Pastor's Wife Podcast Community - to connect with Kristen and other youth pastors' wives!   Have a question or topic suggestion for a future episode? Share your idea with me here!   Follow me on Instagram - @kristenalexiscave

If you’ve been in ministry for more than five minutes, you know it’ll stretch you, humble you, and teach you things you never expected to learn.    In this episode, I’m sharing 11 lessons I’ve learned over the last 11 years of serving in ministry — through different seasons, different roles, and a whole lot of trial and error. Some lessons came through sweet moments of seeing God move…and others came through frustration, burnout, or tears in the church parking lot (we’ve all been there).   Whether you’re leading, volunteering, or simply trying to support your spouse in ministry, I think you’ll find something in here that reminds you you’re not alone and that God really does use every season to grow us.   So grab your coffee (or your Chick-fil-A Diet Coke if it’s that kind of day), and let’s talk about what ministry has taught me...and maybe what it’s been teaching you too.   Don’t forget to hit subscribe and leave a rating and review if you found this episode helpful!   Join the Facebook group - The Youth Pastor's Wife Podcast Community - to connect with Kristen and other youth pastors' wives!   Have a question or topic suggestion for a future episode? Share your idea with me here!   Follow me on Instagram - @kristenalexiscave

If you’ve ever felt like you can’t fully relax or be yourself around people at church, this episode is for you. Today, we’re talking about why it’s so healthy to have friendships outside your church or youth group...people who see you as you, not “the pastor’s wife.”   Having those outside friendships doesn’t mean you love your church family any less. It just means you’re human, and you need spaces where you can laugh, process, and breathe without feeling like you’re “on” all the time.   In this episode, I’m sharing how my friendships outside the church have helped me feel seen, grounded, and refreshed, and how you can build those kinds of relationships, too.   Don’t forget to hit subscribe and leave a rating and review if you found this episode helpful!   Join the Facebook group - The Youth Pastor's Wife Podcast Community - to connect with Kristen and other youth pastors' wives!   Have a question or topic suggestion for a future episode? Share your idea with me here!   Follow me on Instagram - @kristenalexiscave

You know that moment when someone texts, “Hey, we’re on our way!” and suddenly your house looks like a tornado hit it? Yeah…been there.   In this episode, I’m walking you through my go-to 20-minute system for getting your home guest-ready without losing your mind (or shoving everything into the nearest closet). It’s quick, realistic, and perfect for ministry life—because let’s be honest, last-minute drop-ins just come with the territory.   If you’ve ever wished you could make your home feel peaceful and welcoming in a hurry, this one’s for you. Grab your coffee (or light that candle), and let’s make “company’s coming” feel a whole lot less stressful.   Don’t forget to hit subscribe and leave a rating and review if you found this episode helpful!   Join the Facebook group - The Youth Pastor's Wife Podcast Community - to connect with Kristen and other youth pastors' wives!   Have a question or topic suggestion for a future episode? Share your idea with me here!   Follow me on Instagram - @kristenalexiscave

Ever feel like you’re constantly trying to juggle ministry, marriage, and your own sanity, but something always ends up crashing to the ground? Same. It can feel impossible to give your best in all three areas without running yourself ragged.   That’s why I want to share a simple little framework I use called the 3x3 Rule. It’s not fancy, it’s not complicated, and no, it doesn’t require a color-coded planner. It’s just a quick, doable way to invest in your ministry, your marriage, and yourself every single day in only a few intentional minutes.   If you’ve been feeling stretched thin, this episode will help you breathe a little easier and remind you that balance doesn’t come from doing everything. It comes from doing the right things consistently.   Don’t forget to hit subscribe and leave a rating and review if you found this episode helpful!   Join the Facebook group - The Youth Pastor's Wife Podcast Community - to connect with Kristen and other youth pastors' wives!   Have a question or topic suggestion for a future episode? Share your idea with me here!   Follow me on Instagram - @kristenalexiscave

I’ll be honest with you—this season has knocked the wind out of me a bit. There have been moments lately where I’ve felt unsure, unsteady, and even a little scared about what’s next. Maybe you’ve been there too…standing in the middle of change you didn’t ask for, wondering what God’s doing in the middle of it all.   In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain. I'm inviting you into my own wrestle with uncertainty and the quiet ways God keeps reminding me He hasn’t changed...even when everything around me has. If your world feels shaky right now, you're not alone, friend. Let’s walk through this together.   Don’t forget to hit subscribe and leave a rating and review if you found this episode helpful!   Join the Facebook group - The Youth Pastor's Wife Podcast Community - to connect with Kristen and other youth pastors' wives!   Have a question or topic suggestion for a future episode? Share your idea with me here!   Follow me on Instagram - @kristenalexiscave

Ever feel like ministry life turns you and your spouse into glorified coworkers instead of partners who actually like each other? (Been there. More than once.) In this episode of The Youth Pastor’s Wife Podcast, I’m sharing 8 simple but powerful questions you can use to keep your marriage, ministry, and spiritual life connected.   By the end of this conversation, you’ll feel re-centered, reconnected, and reminded that you’re not just doing ministry side by side—you’re building a life together. These questions will help you move past surface-level check-ins, strengthen your spiritual connection, and create space for honesty and grace in your marriage.   Your marriage doesn't have to be overwhelmed by ministry. So let's get back to the kind of conversations that brought you together in the first place.    Don’t forget to hit subscribe and leave a rating and review if you found this episode helpful!   Join the Facebook group - The Youth Pastor's Wife Podcast Community - to connect with Kristen and other youth pastors' wives!   Have a question or topic suggestion for a future episode? Share your idea with me here!   Follow me on Instagram - @kristenalexiscave

Leading a small group doesn’t have to feel like herding cats…though sometimes it definitely does. 🙃 The good news is, with a few practical hacks, you can take the stress out of small group time and actually enjoy it.   In this episode, I’m sharing 10 small group hacks every leader needs to know, things like embracing silence, the best way to learn names, and making sure every student has the chance to open up. These are quick, easy, and you can start using them this week.   So grab your coffee and let’s make small groups a little less scary and a lot more meaningful (and fun)!   Don’t forget to hit subscribe and leave a rating and review if you found this episode helpful!   Join the Facebook group - The Youth Pastor's Wife Podcast Community - to connect with Kristen and other youth pastors' wives!   Have a question or topic suggestion for a future episode? Share your idea with me here!   Follow me on Instagram - @kristenalexiscave

Have you ever felt like you’re not doing enough in ministry? Or maybe you’ve believed the pressure-filled thought that you should already have it all figured out? As youth pastors’ wives, it’s so easy for little lies to creep into our minds and start shaping the way we see ourselves, our marriage, and our ministry.   In this episode, I’m sharing 3 lies I’ve noticed many of us believe as youth pastors’ wives, and I'm going to teach you how to replace those lies with truth. My hope is that as you listen, you’ll feel seen, encouraged, and reminded that you don’t have to carry the weight of ministry on your own. God has freedom and grace for you right here, even in the middle of the lies you’re tempted to believe.   If you’ve been feeling invisible, overwhelmed, or just not enough, this episode is for you.   Don’t forget to hit subscribe and leave a rating and review if you found this episode helpful!   Join the Facebook group - The Youth Pastor's Wife Podcast Community - to connect with Kristen and other youth pastors' wives!   Have a question or topic suggestion for a future episode? Share your idea with me here!   Follow me on Instagram - @kristenalexiscave

Have you ever felt like you’re just done—like you love Jesus and you love serving, but you’re completely worn out and wondering if you can keep going? If so, you’re not alone. Ministry burnout is real, and it doesn’t make you weak—it makes you human.   In this episode, I want to sit with you in that feeling and remind you that you don’t have to give up on ministry altogether. I’ll walk you through three super practical steps you can take right now to pause, breathe, and reset before burnout takes over. These aren’t fluffy or complicated—just simple, tangible rhythms that will help you step back into ministry with a healthier heart and more energy.   If you’re tired, drained, or on the verge of throwing in the towel, this one’s for you.   Don’t forget to hit subscribe and leave a rating and review if you found this episode helpful!   Join the Facebook group - The Youth Pastor's Wife Podcast Community - to connect with Kristen and other youth pastors' wives!   Have a question or topic suggestion for a future episode? Share your idea with me here!   Follow me on Instagram - @kristenalexiscave

Does your week ever feel like it’s running you instead of the other way around?  Same. That’s why in this episode, I’m sharing how you can organize your entire week in less than 30 minutes. No fancy color-coded system, no overwhelming process—just a simple, practical way to plan that actually works for organizing everything from church events to work tasks to homemaking. If you’re tired of feeling scattered and want a little more peace and a lot more clarity in your week, this episode is for you.   Don’t forget to hit subscribe and leave a rating and review if you found this episode helpful!   Join the Facebook group - The Youth Pastor's Wife Podcast Community - to connect with Kristen and other youth pastors' wives!   Have a question or topic suggestion for a future episode? Share your idea with me here!   Follow me on Instagram - @kristenalexiscave

When you picture “discipleship,” do you imagine a perfect coffee shop setting, a cute notebook, and an hour of deep theological conversation? Yeah… me too. Until I realized real-life discipleship doesn’t always look like that. Sometimes it’s a quick conversation in the Taco Bell drive-thru. Sometimes it’s folding chairs after youth group. And sometimes it’s a text that says, “Hey, I’m praying for you today.”   In this episode, we’re breaking down what discipleship really looks like when you’re in the trenches of youth ministry. I’ll share the core components of discipleship, how to make the most of everyday moments, and practical ways to disciple multiple girls at once when your youth group is too big for all 1:1s.   Whether you’re brand new to discipling or you’ve been at it for years, you’ll walk away with simple, real-world strategies that fit into the life you’re already living — no perfect coffee shop required.   Don’t forget to hit subscribe and leave a rating and review if you found this episode helpful!   Join the Facebook group - The Youth Pastor's Wife Podcast Community - to connect with Kristen and other youth pastors' wives!   Have a question or topic suggestion for a future episode? Share your idea with me here!   Follow me on Instagram - @kristenalexiscave

Balancing a full-time job and serving in youth ministry with your husband? Girl, it’s a lot. Like, “eat dinner in the car while mentally prepping for small group” kind of a lot.   In this episode, we’re getting super real about what it looks like to show up for your students, support your husband, and still keep your sanity (and your job). I’m sharing four practical strategies that have helped me survive the chaos — including how to simplify your youth night routine, set boundaries that actually work, and finally stop feeling like you’re failing at everything.   If you’ve ever wondered, “Is it just me, or is this actually impossible?” — this one’s for you.   Don’t forget to hit subscribe and leave a rating and review if you found this episode helpful!   Join the Facebook group - The Youth Pastor's Wife Podcast Community - to connect with Kristen and other youth pastors' wives!   Have a question or topic suggestion for a future episode? Share your idea with me here!   Follow me on Instagram - @kristenalexiscave

Somehow, the weekend disappears faster than your coffee on a Sunday morning — and suddenly it’s Monday, your to-do list is staring you down, and the laundry pile has taken on a life of its own. If you’ve ever felt like the week starts before you’re even ready, this episode is for you.   I’m sharing 7 simple things I do over the weekend that help me feel more peaceful, less panicked, and actually prepared when Monday rolls around. It’s not about being superwoman — it’s about creating rhythms that make real life a little lighter.   So if you’re craving less chaos and more calm, hit play and let’s talk weekend routines, intentional planning, and what it really looks like to set up your week without losing your mind.   Don’t forget to hit subscribe and leave a rating and review if you found this episode helpful!   Join the Facebook group - The Youth Pastor's Wife Podcast Community - to connect with Kristen and other youth pastors' wives!   Have a question or topic suggestion for a future episode? Share your idea with me here!   Follow me on Instagram - @kristenalexiscave

Ever had one of those days where you're like, "I love Jesus... but I cannot talk to one more person"? Same. In fact, that was me yesterday. So if you're like me and you're introverted, in ministry, and completely peopled out, this episode is for you.   Today I’m talking about what to do when your social battery is dead, but ministry keeps moving. I’m sharing 3 practical ways to protect your peace, communicate your limits without guilt, and build in time to breathe—without quitting everything and moving to a cabin in the middle of nowhere. 😅   If you've ever felt bad for needing space or struggled to balance people time with actual rest, this episode will remind you: you’re not broken. You’re just introverted—and God knew that when He called you.   Don’t forget to hit subscribe and leave a rating and review if you found this episode helpful!   Join the Facebook group - The Youth Pastor's Wife Podcast Community - to connect with Kristen and other youth pastors' wives!   Have a question or topic suggestion for a future episode? Share your idea with me here!   Follow me on Instagram - @kristenalexiscave

My first year of being a youth pastor's wife wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. I came in with a lot of expectations, some pressure I put on myself, and a few assumptions that didn’t hold up in real life.   In this episode, I’m sharing five mistakes I made early on—some funny, some painful, all very real—because I know how lonely and confusing those first couple of years can feel. And if nothing else, at least you’ll walk away knowing you’re not the only one who’s tried to hold back tears in the church bathroom stall. (Just me?)   If you’re in your first year—or honestly, even your fifth—this one’s for you. I’ll share what I wish someone had told me early on, offer some encouragement, and remind you that struggling doesn’t disqualify you from ministry. (In fact, it just might be the thing God uses most.)   Don’t forget to hit subscribe and leave a rating and review if you found this episode helpful!   Join the Facebook group - The Youth Pastor's Wife Podcast Community - to connect with Kristen and other youth pastors' wives!   Have a question or topic suggestion for a future episode? Share your idea with me here!   Follow me on Instagram - @kristenalexiscave