Welcome to the YOB ConvoCast, our 45-minute show, featuring one-on-one conversations with our director, Tom, and various YOB friends.
YOB ConvoCast 089: Andrew Moved Across America for a New Home and Queer Community
Andrew returns to tell the tale of his cross-country move from Ohio to Southern California! What led him to leave the only home he’d ever known to find a new one? He shares about his upbringing in the Midwest, including many years of homeschooling, and a friend who prompted him to ponder the possibility of a new start. Andrew basks in the literal and existential sunshine of his new life in SoCal, talking about his new queer community and an accepting church that makes him feel at home in his faith and sexuality. But what of his masculinity? Where does and doesn't he feel quite "at home" in that arena?
YOB ConvoCast 087: Marshall, Single and 65, Lives on a Farm with 23 People
We welcome back Marshall to talk more about his unique home life: a 20-acre farm, living alongside 23 people in a central house, cabins, tiny houses, and RV’s. How has Marshall enjoyed living alone in the past, and did he second-guess living with younger single men as an older single man? How did Marshall’s many living situations over six decades lead to his buying this farm, and what’s joyful and also challenging about leading such an intentional community of believers?
YOB ConvoCast 074: Tom & Daniel Explore Body Image and the Ideal!
Tom welcomes first-time guest and longtime community member Daniel to discuss journeys with body image and pursuit of the ideal! They share their adolescent vantages from both sides of the scale, Daniel overweight and Tom underweight, and how the gym and general fitness practices have factored into their lives in adulthood. Despite the lack of the ideal body or ideal life, is there something of value we can offer the world in our seeming lack?
YOB ConvoCast 073: Tom & Jesse are KENOUGH, Reviewing "Barbie"!
Jesse returns to discuss the summer’s biggest, if not most polarizing box office hit, Barbie! Tom reads off some community feedback from our Discord as we dive into hyperfemininity versus hypermasculinity, individuality versus relationships, and all the funny, moving moments from this film.
YOB ConvoCast 070: Matt Finally Comes Out as a Plain Old Gay
Matt’s been active in the YOB community for years, but why did it take so long for him to share his story publicly? He opens up about his long road of coming out to himself before he could ever come out to other people, referencing his Enneagram Three shame with authenticity and difficult emotions. He talks about taking metaphorical trips to the desert to lament his dreams of marriage, family, ministry, purpose, and influence, and he also beams about his sexuality's blessings, including a moment leading worship at his first YOBBERS retreat in 2021.
YOB ConvoCast 056: Tom & Michael Prep for the Retreat!
Michael makes his ConvoCast debut as one of YOB's newer bloggers and a fiercely established welcomer in our community! He shares with Tom about his love for Seattle and how his dog Rumour will not be making an appearance in this episode. Tom recounts meeting Michael for the first time at the 2019 YOBBERS retreat, including the brave moment when Michael "came out" to the whole group, and the guys share their excitements and anxieties for our upcoming retreat just a couple weeks away!
YOB ConvoCast 049: Tom & Alex Feel All the Feels as FOURs!
Tom and Alex discuss the qualities they love about being Fours: artistic, empathetic, and yes, unique. In times of security they're objective and productive, taking action and creating things that add beauty to the world. A Four's "superpower" is empathy, giving others permission to "feel all the feels" with them, too. Tom and Alex also dive into their dark side of Four-ness: the neediness, the manipulation, the constant craving for approval, particularly from other men. Fours are often described as people who perceive lacking a critical "missing piece," and as queer or SSA men this hits especially deep for Tom and Alex. In adolescence did they miss some critical component for masculinity or sexuality, along with connecting with the other boys? What is the path forward for a Four in those whirlwinds of emotional stress?
YOB ConvoCast 038: Tom & Kevin Live a Life Worth Living!
Kevin returns to talk about some of his latest reads! Including one of Tom’s favorite books, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller, which inspires you to live a life worth reading about. Tom and Kevin also talk about the magic of camp once again, early morning prayer gatherings at this year’s YOBBERS retreat, and a shared love for hoodies – sleeveless or otherwise.
YOB ConvoCast 031: Tom & Kevin Wanna Go Back to Camp!
Tom welcomes back Kevin into the proverbial podcast studio for the first time in YEARS! They discuss his recent departure from the Jewel of the Blue Ridge, and then they talk about camp the whole episode. Going to camp. Growing at camp. Working at camp. Even kids who used to go to our camps who now work at camp. They linger on this question: would we ever work (or go to?) camp again?!
YOB ConvoCast 025: Tom & Ben Think People Are a Lot!
Join us as Tom convos with one of our authors, Ben! We catch up with Ben from his last ConvoCast appearance and talk about his message on chosen family at our recently held YOBBERS retreat. We also riff about proportional haircuts, Ben’s upcoming blog on coming out to people you love, and where (and with whom) a pastor get his support. Also, who's YOB’s pastor: Ben or Will??
YOB ConvoCast 020: Tom & Nate Lose Control!
Tom welcomes back Nate to explain why he’s suddenly now on TikTok after dissing the app in his last ConvoCast. Tom also gives some TikTok and book recommendations, and the guys delve into a conversation on control – namely, losing it – during this coronavirus shutdown.
YOB ConvoCast 011: Tom & Ryan Are Cookin' and CrossFittin'!
Tom welcomes Ryan to talk about cooking with new creativity in the kitchen and CrossFit workouts at home during this coronavirus pandemic. They also recount Pastor Matt, AKA "Weird Jesus" from a previous YOBcast episode, and how he's bettering the world during this quarantine.
YOB ConvoCast 006: Tom & Daniel Zoom Across the Pond!
Tom welcomes new-ish author, Daniel, to the YOB airwaves for the first time! Daniel shares about life in the UK during this coronavirus pandemic and how his family is doing in the Philippines. The guys also talk about how "Side B" folks are uniquely prepared for something like this pandemic and how our mission of loving God and loving people has never been clearer.
YOB ConvoCast 004: Tom & Dean Remember How They Met!
Tom finishes out this first week of our new ConvoCast by welcoming back another OG YOB author, Dean, who recounts his flights around the country during this pandemic. The guys also talk about the church's role during these hard times and how something beautiful could be carried over into the "new normal" to come. In the episode's remaining minutes, Tom and Dean also recount how they first met and if Dean ever replaced Tom as a member of Tom's family?
YOB ConvoCast 001: Tom & Nate and the Mousey Elephant!
Tom kicks off this new semi-daily spinoff podcast with former YOBcast guest, Nate! We talk how coronavirus is affecting us, including the breaking down of our to-do lists and routines as God continues to move. Tom also shows Nate his recent driveway chalk art for some artistic critique, and we barely get into discussing "Tiger King."