Unusually, kept pals using exhortations (3,5)
I believe the answer is:
pep talks
'exhortations' is the definition.
(I know this)
'unusually kept pals' is the wordplay.
'unusually' indicates an anagram.
'kept'+'pals'='keptpals'
'keptpals' anagrammed gives 'PEP TALKS'.
'using' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for pep talks that I've seen before include "Morale-boosters" , "Speeches to instil enthusiasm" , "Homilies urging more spirit and effort" , "Inspiring speeches" , "Homilies urging listeners to greater evergy or action" .)