EP21: You Can’t Give What You Don’t Have with Ali Hoffman

About this Episode
What does it actually look like to put prayer first—not just in theory, but in the real, busy life of ministry?

In this episode of The YDisciple Podcast, Pete Burds and Annie Grandell sit down with Catholic speaker and evangelist Ali Hoffman to explore why personal prayer and the kerygma are not optional foundations, but essential starting points for anyone walking with young people in faith.

Ali shares powerful insights from her own journey in ministry, reflecting on the hidden years of relationship with God that bear fruit in visible moments of impact. Together, they unpack the tension many ministry leaders feel between productivity and intimacy—and why our identity as beloved sons and daughters must come before anything we do for God.

From practical rhythms of prayer to the importance of community and starting fresh (no matter how long you’ve been in ministry), this conversation offers both encouragement and challenge. If you’ve ever felt stretched thin, distracted by the demands of ministry, or unsure how to prioritize your relationship with God, this episode invites you back to what matters most.

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Reflection for This Week

Ask yourself:

• Am I prioritizing time with God, or just doing things for God?
• Where might productivity be shaping my identity more than my relationship with Him?
• What would it look like to create intentional space for personal prayer—just me and the Lord? Take time this week to sit with God without an agenda. Ask Him for a deeper desire to be with Him—and the courage to make that time a non-negotiable.