Axis Ideas

This is a good episode to notate directly from the supporting text.  Please enjoy this week's full issue of The Culture Translator, email newsletter edition.  ----------------------------------------------- Three Things This Week 1. Boy Erased What it is: Based on Garrard Conley’s memoir, this new movie tells the tragic story of the son of a Baptist preacher forced into gay conversion therapy. Why it's challenging: Especially for Christians, the movie asks some tough questions: How should I react if my son/daughter is same-sex attracted? How do I model the love of God while calling my child to pursue purity? Why does pop culture portray the church as an unsafe place for LGBT+ teens? How does your church respond to LBGT+ individuals? Luckily, Lead Them Home ministries has a movie kit to help you navigate this conversation with your teens. Following Jesus means living as He lived, and that is often uncomfortable. He always moved toward the outsider, included the marginalized, and embraced the outcastwhile call

1. Literal neuroscience on your teen's brain from Jerusha Clark. 2. Streamys celebrating the best and favorite Youtube streamers this year.  3. "Going Off-Grid...and Paying the Consequences" A non-tech weekend journey from Melanie.     ***Helpful links:  - Neuroscience for the masses  - How to Bridge the Gap  - Streamys summary  

Three Things This Week 1. Peace Prize What it is: Nadia Murad became the second youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts “to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war.” Why it's a start: In 2014 Mrs. Murad was kidnapped and taken into sex slavery by ISIS, where she and hundreds of girls were repeatedly raped and beaten. Thankfully she escaped to champion the rights of young women caught in the crossfire of war. In our slacktivism world, it’s encouraging to see a young person turn their empathy into action. It’s one thing to express outrage on social media, it’s quite another to go to work to end injustice. Whatever justice movement your teens are passionate about, help them mobilize their beliefs toward real change. Because “emotion without action is irrelevant.”   2. The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina What it is: Releasing October 26 on Netflix, this sister show of Riverdale stars Mad Men’s Kiernan Shipka as Sabrina in a dark spinoff from the original 1970’s Archie Comics characte

1. Environmental Apocalypse? What it is: The United Nations released a disturbing scientific report forecasting a global climate crisis by 2040 if extreme environmental changes are not implemented. Why it's our duty: If true, our children and grandchildren will inherit an earth drastically harmed by drought, rising sea levels, and food shortages. Regardless of your take on the report, as Christians, the theology driving our ecological involvement is centered in the belief that God made a very good world and He’s asked us to take care of it with Him. Therefore, caring for the environment isn’t optional for Christians, it’s a part of our vocation as God’s image bearers. Here’re 28 practical ways your family can steward God’s good creation in daily life.   2. World Mental Health Day What it is: October 10th was World Mental Health Day. This year was specifically focused on the mental health of young people in a changing world. Why it's necessary: Mental health has long been fighting a stigma of being a personal

Three Things This Week 1. Big Bad Bully What it is: October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Why you can help end it: Research shows that direct adult responses to bullying ends the behavior over time. If you see it, stop it! Bullying is the result of an unequal power dynamic, where the dominant person attacks a weaker individual. It happens in politics, on the playground, and in schools, the workplace, churches, and homes. Whenever you witness an altercation or public exchange, ask yourself these questions: Who has the power in this situation? Are they using that power to dominate, control, or manipulate? If so, you’re witnessing bullying. If your teen suddenly doesn’t want to go to school, is having trouble sleeping, or manifests signs of anxiety, its possible they’re being bullied. Watch our Conversation Kit on Bullying with your teens or youth group. Remember, hurt people hurt other people. Use the film to start these needed conversation with your students today.   2. TOP Drops Trench What it is: Tw

1. iOS 12 A useful link for iOS users: https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/how-to-use-screen-time-in-ios-12  2. Social Justice Statement (Nope, not Kaepernick yet...) 3. Just Do It (There it is.) +++ Biggest video games of the fall. 

 - What are the 5 steps to Culture Translation?   - "The world will always have an answer for our confusion - and it will always be apart from God's word." Agree? Disagree?   - How to have cultural conversations without being dualistic or off-putting to teens.   - What do the life of Jesus and culture translation have in common?   - Is CT a way of living missionally?  Subscribe to the show: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/axis-ideas/id1167709389?mt=2  Subscribe to the newsletter: https://axis.org/ct/archive/ 

Three Things This Week 1. Madden Shooting What it is: On Sunday, a gunman killed two of his fellow gamers at a Madden esports tournament in Jacksonville, FL before shooting himself. Why it can stop: The shooter actively targeted fellow gamers as revenge for being eliminated from the tournament. Most mass shooters... 2. The Legacy of John McCain What it is: Republicans and Democrats are gathering to honor the life and legacy of Senator John McCain, who died this week at the age of 81. Why it's encouraging: Incivility in U.S. public discourse is at an all-time high, leading to a social contagion of aggression, blame, labeling, and bullying. Partisanship is now a bigger wedge between Americans than... 3. A Little Privacy Please What it is: “It’s none of your business!” “Stay out of my room!” “Stop snooping!” Sound familiar? Why it’s normal: From a locked diary a generation ago to private social media activity on today’s smartphones, parents and teens continue to... Why They Can’t Stop Gaming Fortnite’s global p

Today, you get a special treat to sit down with Melanie and Gary Alan who compile, write, and edit The Culture Translator (CT) every single week.   They have the best eyes at Axis on the idea and process of Culture Translation.   - Hear their personal perspectives on parents/teens relating (even differing perspectives?! Whaaat??)  - Why did culture translation become to integral to Axis and how we serve our people?   - What does every day culture translation look like?   - Understanding differences between the generations  - How to "rest in the tensions" of the world.   - How does a team of 20-some experts on culture research, curate, and produce the written and audio CT every week? You'll hear the actual process we go through every week. Surprise Subscribe to the show: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/axis-ideas/id1167709389?mt=2  Subscribe to the newsletter: https://axis.org/ct/archive/ 

1. Teens getting paid for their posts on Instagram 2. Tattoos -- that's probably enough for today, eh? Tattoos alone could give us an episode.    Any topics you want to see us focus or do a special episode on?? Let us know at support@axis.org  Subscribe to the podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/axis-ideas/id1167709389?mt=2  Subscribe to the newsletter: https://axis.org/ct/ 

Show notes coming soon... For now:  Culture Translator updates: https://axis.org/ct/  Promised link (Facebook creating music talent app to rival Musical.ly -> Tik Tok) https://techcrunch.com/2018/07/31/facebook-is-developing-a-singing-talent-show-feature/  Thanks!  Shoot us recommendations and ideas at matt@axis.org then subscribe to keep getting the CT Podcast promptly so you can stay up to date on translating your teen culture. 

Show notes coming soon...  Get the Culture Translator in your inbox: https://axis.org/ct/  See past issues: https://axis.org/ct/archive/  Go deeper and get the CT Premium: https://axis.org/insider/ 

1. A BIG thank-you from Axis!!!  2. Momo game 3. Confusing Christian-ese + What is our culture's biggest religion...hint: It's not something from a church.  Subscribe: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/axis-ideas/id1167709389?mt=2 

Today is special -- Below, you'll find a full issue of The Culture Translator that corresponds with your podcast episode today!  Three Things This Week 1. Keep The Culture Translator Free What it is: July 31 is our second-annual Axis Giving Day. Join us in raising the $50,000 needed to fund this email for another year! Why we need you: Every week, we research, write, and give The CT to over 46,000 families worldwide—trust us, it’s not easy. If you’ve ever wondered what goes into it, check out this behind-the-scenes video with Gary Alan and Melanie ;). It’s because of friends like you that we can continue to pour so much time, energy, and love into it while still keeping it free and accessible for everyone. Will you join us in that endeavor? Click here to make your online gift to keep The CT free in 2018. Thank you! We couldn’t continue serving families without you.   2. Barb’s Back What it is: For any Stranger Things fans who thought Barb deserved better, she’s back (well, the actress is) in Netflix’s upcomin

It's not just a provocative title - it's the name of Arianna's newest (provocative) music video. That's one of the topics on this show -- along with Kylie's billion, FOMO, and a bit of discussion on "divine condescension."  Links mentioned:  https://axis.org/guides - Get the FOMO Parent's Guide https://axis.org/ct/ - Get The Culture Translator  

This week... 1) Drake talks pop culture and technology!  2) Tinder adds video 3) A theory on pop culture from the experts And the big deal conversation -- How do we serve God in the "ordinary?" The church has entered what is known in the liturgical calendar as "ordinary time" meaning, simply, nothing big is happening nor or for the next 6 months.  Ordinary is not desirable to Gen Z. How, then, do we make an "ordinary" faith and existence appealing when Gen Z thinks we are made to only be extraordinary - but so much of our lives will be drudgery and regular. 

Serious thoughts on a number of things this week including pornography. There is nothing explicit, but just know if you want your young kids to listen with you it will encourage more serious conversations!    We missed a couple weeks -- APOLOGIES!  We've had some serious business in the office.  If you want to get the Culture Translator in your inbox every Friday, go to https://axis.org/vol-4-issue-26/ and you'll see this week's content there as well!   

1. Post Malone is breaking Beetles records.  2. #byebyebikini Miss America Pagent changes some controversial rules to surprising response. 3. What social media platform has THE most users/time spent there?  Surprise, it's Youtube.  ***Bonus: It's Pride Month. What does that mean for you and your family?  [from weekly newsletter] "when deciding whether or not homosexuality is right or wrong, our kids don’t automatically go to Scripture to find the answers; they instead ask their friends or the internet. So how should we respond?"  Get your free subscription to The Culture Translator now: https://axis.org/ct/ 

This week's episode comes with music -- The Top 10 for the summer and so much more!  Subscribe to the show or get your own e-dition of The Culture Translator via email Friday at https://axis.org/ct/  Every Friday via email ad Every Monday/Tuesday via podcast.  Excerpt: Social media is an unforgiving beast, and whether you make a mistake on TV or on the playground, the voices can be relentless. “At its best, social media has given a voice to the disenfranchised. At its worst, it’s a weapon of mass reputation destruction.” For your teens, social media has the power of life and death, and what might seem like a funny joke can lead to shame. Help them remember that “online shaming is a door that swings only one way: You may have the power to open it, but you don’t have the power to close it. And sometimes what rushes through that door can engulf you too.”

This week - Focus on Smartphones.  We're doing the 30 Day Smartphone Family Reboot in June.  Hope you can join us!  Get updated on all manner of cultural events, happenings, icons, and Axis events with the weekly Culture Translator: https://axis.org/ct/