Youth Culture Matters - A Cpyu Podcast

Walt and Jason start the podcast off with a discussion about taking a trip to Mars, as well as youth culture news and trends related to the Chicago Cubs, energy drinks, new technological advancements, football and brain injuries, cyber dating abuse and media recommendations for kids. Then we chat with Jamie Smith about our cultural liturgies and his new book, "You Are What You Love," and what that means for students, parents, and youth workers.

Puberty. Adolescence. Sadly, those are words that sometimes strike fear in the heart of parents. But should it be that way? Taking the time to understand the realities of puberty and adolescence in today's world goes a long way in preparing us to parent, lead, and minister to teenagers in today's rapidly changing world. We talk with our friend Crystal Kirgiss about puberty, adolescence, and a whole lot more on this episode of Youth Culture Matters. Our opening segment takes a look at trends and news in the world of youth culture including the physical activity of adolescents, a 9-year-old who graduated high school, social media and the teen brain, an after-school Satan club, talking with your kids about drugs and alcohol and bottle flipping.

This episode begins with Walt and Jason discussing youth culture news related to education outside of schools, name pronunciation, technology, virtual reality headsets, a new music platform and generational differences in finances. Then former Major League Baseball player and 3 time World Series Champion, Jeremy Affeldt, joins the podcast. He discusses being a professional ball player in a sports obsessed culture as well as the pressures we place on our young kids to perform athletically. He also shares his heart about helping those in our communities who are hurting, specifically those dealing with hunger and sexual trafficking issues, and how we can empower youth to make a difference.

Walt and Jason open the podcast discussing youth culture news related to playing in the dirt, new words in the dictionary, teens and food insecurities, and a new app to combat bullying. Then during the interview segment our friend Rick Lawrence, the Executive Editor of Group Magazine joins us. Rick is a strong advocate for creative teaching methods. As the times change and youth culture morphs into new shapes and forms, parents and youth workers must consider how to best engage kids in conversations and learning opportunities about the Christian faith. While the message remains unchanged, our methods must be flexible. Join us as we pick Rick's brain and talk about today's youth culture.

When you were a teenager did you want to be seen and perceived as cool? In today's youth culture, the concept of cool is what drives fads, trends, and purchases. In fact, marketers are all about capturing, mass-producing, and selling cool. But can cool become a hindrance to spiritual growth? Can it become an idol that consumes our lives? Walt and Jason take a look at these questions and more in this "Pumpkin Spice" episode.

Walt and Jason discuss the latest in youth culture including stories about negativity in pop culture, college and social media, TV and Snapchat, and 'The Shame List.' For the 2nd and 3rd segments of this podcast, Sean McDowell joins Walt and Jason discuss issues of faith, culture, worldview and apologetics. As a professor at Biola University and also a part-time high school teacher, Sean also helps us know what we can do as parents and youth workers to help prepare our kids for college and to thrive in their faith once they arrive on campus.

Walt and Jason discuss the latest in youth culture including stories about parental shaming on social media, Pokemon Go, texting while driving, Elizabeth Smart, magazine covers and more. For the 2nd and 3rd segments of this podcast, Walt and Jason discuss the devastating effects of pornography and what it does to our brains, our relationships, and even our marriages. They close by looking at both preventive and redemptive steps we can take in dealing with issues related to pornography, both in the lives of our students, as well as our own lives.

Walt and Jason discuss news related to celebrity endorsements, exposure to drugs and alcohol, cellphones and concerts, the Pope, the mindset of college freshmen and burping in school. Then Kara Twining and Barry Ferguson join the podcast to discuss the world of education and the changes they've seen working in various education fields over the last 20-30 years. Kara has worked as a middle school teacher as well as a high school guidance counselor, while Barry has taught middle school as well as serving for the last couple decades as a elementary school principal.

Walt and Jason discuss news related to selfies, YouTube celebrities, sexuality, reading, stories, weak handshakes and more. Then Dr. Marv Penner joins the podcast to talk about self-injury, self-mutilation, cutting, and what parents and youth workers can do to understand this behavior and move kids into healing. He takes a look at how the understanding of self-harm has changed over the last few decades and shares the insights he has gained over the years of counseling students who practice various forms of self-injury.

Walt and Jason discuss the latest in youth culture including stories about a new dating app for teens, Miss Teen USA, children, teens and resiliency, Draymond Green and naughty photos, Pokemon Go and trampoline parks. The rest of the podcast focuses on CPYU's most popular resource, "How to Use Your Head to Guard Your Heart: A 3(D) Guide to Making Responsible Media Choices." Walt talks about how the resource came about and provides a brief overview of the 3(D) steps and the role media discernment should play in student's lives. In the final segment, Walt uses the 3(D) review approach to mindfully critique the song and music video by popular artist Fergie called "M.I.L.F. $."

Walt and Jason have some fun looking back down memory lane and their athletic accomplishments but also take the time to reflect on people in their lives who greatly influenced their spiritual development. They then turn the conversation to speak with Dan Dupee, author of a new book titled "It's Not Too Late: The Essential Part You Play in Shaping Your Teen's Faith." Dan is also the former president and current Chairman of the Coalition for Christian Outreach. Dan discusses some of the surprise findings reported in his book and the role parents can have in the spiritual development of their children, even when their teenagers are getting older and parents may think they're "too late."

Walt and Jason speak with Dr. Virginia Ward, Director of Leadership and Mentored Ministry Initiatives, Youth and Family and Ministry Leadership Studies, for Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary - Boston, also called the Center for Urban Ministerial Education (CUME). Dr. Ward discusses what it was like growing up as an African American female, what systemic racism looks like, what we can do in the world of youth ministry and The Church to build relationships between urban and suburban communities, the Black Lives Matter movement, the O.J. Simpson documentary and much more.

Walt and Jason discuss the latest news in youth culture, including pre-marital sex and divorce rates, vegan teenagers, youth broadcasting crimes on social media and more. Then Dr. Diane Langberg joins the podcast to talk about trauma being the mission field of the 21st century and the role of suffering. Walt and Dr. Langberg also discuss her new book titled Suffering and the Heart of God: How Trauma Destroys and Christ Restores. They also discuss how church leaders must guard themselves from abusing their power.

Walt and Jason forgo the normal youth culture news section to dive right into a conversation about transgender issues. Chap Clark of Fuller Theological Seminary and Duffy Robbins of Eastern University join the conversation to discuss what it looks like for The Church, and youth ministry in particular, to address issues related to gender and gender identity. What approach should we take when thinking about these topics? What do we do when we have a transgender student in our ministry? These questions and more are addressed throughout this podcast episode.

Walt and Jason discuss the latest news in youth culture, including legalized marijuana, sleep problems, cultural morality, social media and anxiousness, the spending habits of Millennials and more. Then veteran youth workers Jodi Chung of West Houston Chinese Church and Danny Kwon of Young Sang Presbyterian Church join the podcast to talk about cross-cultural youth ministry with Asian students. Danny and Jodi help inform us of cultural issues such as academic pressure, the role of shame, ministry to Asian parents, language barriers, the value of family and issues related to identity that are unique to Asian students.

Walt and Jason discuss the latest news in youth culture, including pornography, concussion recovery, a look at teenagers 50 years ago, fentanyl and cultural lies. Then Dr. Dennis Hollinger, President of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and author of The Meaning of Sex: Christian Ethics and the Moral Life joins the podcast to talk about Christian ethics are how a Christian worldview should help inform the Church's response to current cultural hot topics such as homosexual marriage, sexual identity and transgender issues.

Walt and Jason discuss the latest news in youth culture, such as video game research, texting while driving, double standards regarding sex, monkey selfies and more. Then Amy Flavin joins the podcast to talk about the digital playground our teenagers grow up in today and how that plays a role in their identity formation. Amy brings insights from her counseling practice, her doctoral research and her 30+ years in youth ministry alongside her husband Mike.

Walt and Jason discuss the latest news in youth culture, such as Nordstrom using Snapchat, "The Curse of Being Cool," social media, moral values and more. Then Greg and Rebecca Sparks talk about their journey through the contemporary Christian music scene, leading people in worship, and connecting with others through local community ministry.

Walt and Jason discuss the latest news in youth culture, such new definitions surrounding gender identity, the death of Prince, substance abuse, masculinity and school shootings, suicide rates, generational parenting differences and more. Then Jason interviews Walt about the work CPYU is doing through the Digital Kids Initiative. Walt shares some of the blessings and curses this new digital frontier has brought and then discusses some best practices we can all use as we interact through social media.

Walt and Jason discuss the latest news in youth culture, such as Tommy John surgeries among young athletes, today's freshman class and protesting, rat studies and the teenage brain, raising the smoking age and more. Then Rich Van Pelt joins the podcast to talk about the what to do when crisis hits and how to help teens in crisis. Walt and Rich briefly look back at the Columbine massacre and Rich shares lessons that were gleaned from that tragic event.