In this powerful episode of the You Can Mentor podcast, Zach Garza sits down with Chris Cox from Back2Back Ministries. With over two decades of experience in youth work and 13+ years at Back2Back, Chris brings a wealth of wisdom around trauma-informed holistic care and mentoring vulnerable youth.

Chris shares his journey from youth pastor to launching Back2Back’s first U.S.-based site in Cincinnati, where he now leads a team serving children and families with trauma-informed, gospel-centered care. Together, Zach and Chris unpack what it means to create safe spaces for kids who’ve experienced hard things, how to mentor without fixing, and why community and consistency are essential in a child’s healing journey.

You’ll hear practical insights about the five components of holistic care, the difference between mentors and coaches, the power of presence over performance, and how Jesus modeled a trauma-informed ministry before the term even existed.

If you work with kids from hard places, or want to, this conversation will inspire, equip, and remind you that showing up consistently does make a difference.

Check out backtoback.org, traumafreeworld.org, and learn more about Chris’s work at https://back2backcincy.org/

Rate, review, and share the show, and don’t forget... You Can Mentor.

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Chapter 1: Introduction and Welcome (00:00)
Meet your hosts, Zach Garza and Chris Cox
Overview of the episode's focus on mentoring and community

Chapter 2: Chris Cox's Journey (01:23)
Chris shares his background and work with Back to Back Ministries The global impact of Back to Back's mission

Chapter 3: The Power of Youth Ministry (04:24)
Insights into the role of youth ministry in mentoring Personal experiences and lessons learned

Chapter 4: Trauma-Informed Holistic Care (08:00)
Understanding trauma and its impact on youth The importance of a holistic approach in mentoring

Chapter 5: Building a Community of Belonging (12:00)
Creating a sense of belonging and trust Strategies for mentors to foster inclusive communities

Chapter 6: Faith and Mentoring (16:00)
The role of faith in mentoring relationships Choosing faith over fear in challenging situations

Chapter 7: Self-Care for Mentors (20:00)
The importance of self-care in effective mentoring Tips for maintaining personal well-being

Chapter 8: Conclusion and Call to Action (24:00)
Recap of key insights and takeaways Encouragement to get involved in mentoring

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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 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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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 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