Northbrook Next Gen Podcast

In our busy lives, it’s so easy for faith and family values to become just another event on the calendar—instead of the foundation driving how we actually parent.
In this solo episode, host Jon Mahlstedt breaks down how to stay on target and focus on what truly matters. He shares practical, thought-provoking questions to help you set intentional goals for your kids—whether that’s building strong character, fostering a deep relationship with Christ, or encouraging overall personal growth.

Meet Northbrook’s new Youth Pastor, Josh Kilde! In this special "get to know you" episode, host Jon Mahlstedt sits down with Josh to officially welcome him to the Northbrook family. Tune in to hear about:
His Journey: How Josh was called to Northbrook and his path to ministry.
Behind the Scenes: His background, favorite hobbies, and unique interests.
The Vision: What a successful youth ministry looks like to him. 
We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Josh and can’t wait to see how he impacts our community. Pull up a chair, get a front-row seat, and get to know our newest Pastor!

What are the building blocks of a healthy marriage? 
Host Jon Mahlstedt sits down with Paul and Jeri Robertson, who have spent years investing in and mentoring marriages. Together they discuss the role of shared faith in marriage, how to navigate seasons of spiritual misalignment, practical advice for younger couples, and when it’s time to seek help for your relationship. 
This conversation offers practical wisdom and encouragement for couples in every season of life. Whether you're newly married, or have been together for decades, you'll find valuable insights on building a relationship that grows stronger through every stage of the journey.

What does it mean to be a young adult today? In this episode, host Jon Mahlstedt sits down with Steven Argue from the Fuller Youth Institute for an honest conversation about the unique challenges emerging adults face in today’s world. Together, they discuss common misconceptions about young adults, shifting life milestones, faith crises, mentorship, and the important role both parents and the church play in creating spaces where young adults feel seen, valued, and supported.
This conversation is an encouraging reminder that it’s never too early—or too late—to strengthen relationships, ask meaningful questions, and walk alongside the next generation with grace, understanding and curiosity.

Raising kids doesn’t come with a manual—but wisdom helps. This month, host Jon Mahlstedt sits down with Northbrook Lead Pastor, Mike Bellanti, for an honest conversation about building lasting relationships with your kids. Drawing from his experience raising two, now adult children, Mike shares hard-earned wisdom and practical strategies for cultivating connection, trust, and respect through a biblical lens. Together, they explore the essential do’s and don’ts of parenting as well as tools and habits you can begin to prayerfully implement over time as your children grow.

Parenting comes with a lot of questions. In this episode, we explore the top ten parenting questions I’ve been asked over the years, and share practical wisdom and encouragement for the journey of raising kids.

My guests for this episode are Paul and Katie Bernard.  Whether you are thinking about foster care, whether you are in the trenches of foster care, or just curious, you will enjoy this conversation.  Paul and Katie have been foster parents of 15 children, 5 of which they have adopted.
Resource: Connecting Bridges Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/CBMilwaukee 

In this episode, Jenny Heckman, Pastor of Care, joins me for an honest and hopeful conversation designed to encourage and equip parents—not burden them.  In this episode, we talk about:• Why parents still know their kids best• Simple, powerful habits that support mental health• The real impact of social media on kids’ brains• When to step in—and when to seek help• How faith, hope, and connection make a difference.

Between sports, school events, church activities, and everything in between—family life is BUSY. But is all this activity helping or hurting us?In this honest and practical episode, Pastor Jon Mahlstedt (NextGen Pastor at Northbrook Church) and Pastor Zack Casper (Associate Pastor at Fulton Church) sit down for a real conversation about the silent killer of busyness. They talk about the toll it’s taking on parents, kids, and faith—and how we can fight back with intentional rhythms that honor God.💬 Why is busyness so normalized in Christian families?🙇‍♂️ What does it look like to steward your time for God’s glory?📅 How can we start reclaiming margin in our homes?🎧 Tune in now and join the conversation.

Why are so many students walking away from their faith after high school? As a Next Gen Pastor, Pastor Jon has seen the trends, had the conversations, and wrestled with the reality that too many young people disengage from church after graduation. In this episode, he unpacks five key reasons why this is happening—and what we can do about it. Whether you're a parent, pastor, or student, this conversation will challenge and encourage you to rethink how we disciple the next generation.Tune in and let’s talk about it!