The Culture Translator

We look into teen culture every week to help parents and faith leaders have meaningful conversations with Gen Z.

The Met Gala and Mother's Day 05/10/2024

The Met Gala and Mother's Day This week we talk about this year's Met Gala, Meatfluencers, and "kinkeeping". Check out our new Parent's Guide to Summer: For more Axis resources, go to /episode/index/show/culturetranslator/id/31231322

Deep Dive: "The Fall Guy" 05/08/2024

Deep Dive: "The Fall Guy" Are action-adventure comedies back? This week on the Deep Dive, we're talking about the new film "The Fall Guy" starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt. Join us as we discuss the movie's themes and characters, and how we really liked it! In our shallow end, we talk about about Dua Lipa's new album "Radical Optimisim" and the 2024 Met Gala. Thanks as always for listening! If you want to find more free Axis resources or give a gift of support, you can check out our website at . /episode/index/show/culturetranslator/id/31179907

Roundtable: Star Wars and the Stagecoach Festival 05/06/2024

Roundtable: Star Wars and the Stagecoach Festival In the Culture Translator Roundtable we dive deeper into the context and nuance around the critical conversations and topics written about in the Culture Translator Newsletter. For more written, audio and video resources, go to Song of the Week: 0:45 1. Well Coached: 31:59 2. Under Protest: 42:59 3. May the Fourthnite: 1:00:00 /episode/index/show/culturetranslator/id/31165657

Star Wars and the Stagecoach Festival 05/03/2024

Star Wars and the Stagecoach Festival This week we talk about May 4th, Stagecoach, and student protests. We hope you'll take time to listen to the with Ron Deal. For more Axis resources, go to /episode/index/show/culturetranslator/id/31104773

Ron Deal on Blended Families, Stepfamilies, and Co-Parenting 05/01/2024

Ron Deal on Blended Families, Stepfamilies, and Co-Parenting Today we are reposting an interview with Ron Deal. Ron is one of the most widely read authors on blended families in the United States, and directs the international blended family ministry of FamilyLife out of Little Rock, Arkansas. Ron is a podcaster, bestselling author, conference speaker, and family therapist who specializes in marriage enrichment and stepfamily education. He is husband to Nan (since 1986) and father to three boys. For more parenting resources, go to /episode/index/show/culturetranslator/id/31041333

Roundtable: The Cass Report and Sleepless Nights 04/29/2024

Roundtable: The Cass Report and Sleepless Nights In the Culture Translator Roundtable we dive deeper into the context and nuance around the critical conversations and topics written about in the Culture Translator Newsletter. Check out our Resource of the Week here: For more written, audio and video resources, go to Resource of the Week: 1:16 1. Under Review: 4:41 2. Up All Night: 31:42 3. The Tik Tok Killer: 50:34 /episode/index/show/culturetranslator/id/31037728

The Cass Report and Sleepless Nights 04/26/2024

The Cass Report and Sleepless Nights This week we talk about The Cass Review, Gallop polling about stress and sleep, and The Biden Administration and Tik Tok. Check out our resource of the week here: For more Axis resources, go to /episode/index/show/culturetranslator/id/31002053

Deep Dive: "The Tortured Poets Department" by Taylor Swift 04/24/2024

Deep Dive: "The Tortured Poets Department" by Taylor Swift Taylor Swift is the biggest music artist in the world and maybe the biggest ever, and this week on the Deep Dive, we're joined by Kate to talk about her newest album "The Tortured Poets Department." We discuss Swift's celebrity and the way the album sometimes harmoniously, sometimes dissonantly, blends themes of audience, expectation, and artistic vulnerability. In our Shallow End, we discuss the NBA and NHL playoffs happening right now, MLB umpires being criticized, and women ruling in the desert at Coachella. Thanks as always for listening! If you want to find more free Axis resources or give a gift of support, you can check out our website at . /episode/index/show/culturetranslator/id/30968508

Roundtable: Hozier, Caitlin Clark, and JoJo Siwa 04/22/2024

Roundtable: Hozier, Caitlin Clark, and JoJo Siwa In the Culture Translator Roundtable we dive deeper into the context and nuance around the critical conversations and topics written about in the Culture Translator Newsletter. For more written, audio and video resources, go to Song of the Week: 1:40 1. Instant Karma: 10:19 2. Paying the Piper: 28:09 3. She Shoots, She Scores: 40:03 /episode/index/show/culturetranslator/id/30907168

Hozier, Caitlin Clark, and JoJo Siwa 04/19/2024

Hozier, Caitlin Clark, and JoJo Siwa This week we talk about JoJo Siwa's new look and song, a survey of modern teen trends, and WNBA super star Caitlin Clark. Check out the full interview with Mike Novotny, available on For more Axis resources, go to /episode/index/show/culturetranslator/id/30901583

Mike Novotny on Taboo Topics, Secrecy, and Healing Through Confession 04/17/2024

Mike Novotny on Taboo Topics, Secrecy, and Healing Through Confession Today we are posting an interview with Mike Novotny. Mike is an author, pastor, and speaker who holds a Master of Divinity from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He’s the lead speaker for Time of Grace, a global media ministry that is committed to ensuring that God’s grace, love, glory, and power are accessible around the world. For more parenting resources, go to /episode/index/show/culturetranslator/id/30853258

Roundtable: Incel Slang and Parent Anxiety 04/15/2024

Roundtable: Incel Slang and Parent Anxiety In the Culture Translator Roundtable we dive deeper into the context and nuance around the critical conversations and topics written about in the Culture Translator Newsletter. For more written, audio and video resources, go to Slang of the Week: 1:12 1. Incelpilled: 3:01 2. Worried Sick: 19:28 3. Trade's Cool: 33:37 /episode/index/show/culturetranslator/id/30832583

Incel Slang and Parent Anxiety 04/12/2024

Incel Slang and Parent Anxiety This week we talk about slang term origins, young adults anxiety, and choosing trade school over college. For the full episode on “Older,” . For more Axis resources, go to /episode/index/show/culturetranslator/id/30799258

Deep Dive: "Older" by Lizzy McAlpine 04/10/2024

Deep Dive: "Older" by Lizzy McAlpine We're back with another Deep Dive and special guest Mariah! This week we're talking about Lizzy McAlpine's newest album "Older," its melancholic themes, and McAlpine's impact on the singer/songwriter genre. In our Shallow End we discuss the new movie "Civil War," Disney's "Wish" coming to Disney+, and Kacey Musgraves' newest album. Thanks as always for listening! If you want to find more free Axis resources or give a gift of support, you can check out our website at . /episode/index/show/culturetranslator/id/30764688

Roundtable: Cowboy Carter and Chronic Absences 04/08/2024

Roundtable: Cowboy Carter and Chronic Absences In the Culture Translator Roundtable we dive deeper into the context and nuance around the critical conversations and topics written about in the Culture Translator Newsletter. For more written, audio and video resources, go to Song of the Week: 0:59 1. Meet the Baxters: 7:50 2. Absent Minded: 24:20 3. Empty Pews: 43:16 /episode/index/show/culturetranslator/id/30737333

Cowboy Carter and Chronic Absences 04/05/2024

Cowboy Carter and Chronic Absences This week we talk about students being "chronically absent," church attendance declining, and an adaptation of a wildly popular Christian novel series. We hope you’ll take the time to listen to the full interview with Amy Adamczyk, available on our . For more Axis resources, go to /episode/index/show/culturetranslator/id/30698123

Dr. Amy Adamczyk on Why Parents Are the #1 Influence On Their Teens 04/03/2024

Dr. Amy Adamczyk on Why Parents Are the #1 Influence On Their Teens Today we are posting an interview with Amy Adamczyk. Amy is Professor of Sociology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and the Programs of Doctoral Study in Sociology and Criminal Justice at The Graduate Center, City University of New York. Trained as a sociologist of religion, her research focuses on how different contexts (such as nations, counties, friendship groups), and personal religious beliefs shape people’s deviant, moral, and health-related attitudes and behaviors. We’ll be talking today primarily about the findings from her book Handing Down the Faith. For more parenting resources, go to /episode/index/show/culturetranslator/id/30649378

Roundtable: Phone-Free Teens and Good Friday 04/01/2024

Roundtable: Phone-Free Teens and Good Friday In the Culture Translator Roundtable we dive deeper into the context and nuance around the critical conversations and topics written about in the Culture Translator Newsletter. For more written, audio and video resources, go to Song of the Week: 1:15 1. A Rising Tide: 10:57 2. Split Screen Sadness: 33:12 3. Redemption Songs: 56:47 /episode/index/show/culturetranslator/id/30632968

Phone-Free Teens and Good Friday 03/29/2024

Phone-Free Teens and Good Friday This week we talk about a new book by Jonathan Haidt, Nickelodeon show secrets, and Easter weekend. For more on “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End,” you can check out the full podcast episode For more Axis resources, go to /episode/index/show/culturetranslator/id/30597868

Deep Dive: Frieren: Beyond Journey's End 03/27/2024

Deep Dive: Frieren: Beyond Journey's End It's another Wednesday and it's another Deep Dive. This week we're talking about a current and acclaimed anime, "Frieren: Beyond Journey's End." Join as we talk about the popularity of anime and its themes of time, legacy, and making fields of flowers with magic. In our Shallow End, we talk about Hozier's new EP album, X-Men '97, and Beyoncé's upcoming album. Thanks as always for listening! If you want to find more free Axis resources or give a gift of support, you can check out our website at . /episode/index/show/culturetranslator/id/30554228

Roundtable: Abortion Rates and MrBeast 03/25/2024

Roundtable: Abortion Rates and MrBeast In the Culture Translator Roundtable we dive deeper into the context and nuance around the critical conversations and topics written about in the Culture Translator Newsletter. Check out our Resource of the Week here: For more written, audio and video resources, go to Resource of the Week: 0:22 1. Babysitter's Snub: 3:15 2. Roe vs. Rates: 16:57 3. Showing Off: 35:28 /episode/index/show/culturetranslator/id/30538613

Abortion Rates and MrBeast 03/22/2024

Abortion Rates and MrBeast This week we talk about the decline of babysitting in the US, an increase in US abortions, and MrBeast's latest content. Resource of the Week: Check out the full interview with David Galvan on our For more Axis resources, go to /episode/index/show/culturetranslator/id/30502593

David Galvan on The Importance of Becoming Interruptible 03/20/2024

David Galvan on The Importance of Becoming Interruptible Today we are posting an interview with David Galvan. David has been speaking, training and facilitating conversations about whole-person health for nearly 15 years. In that time, David has personally spoken to over 30,000 students along the front range of Colorado and across the country. David is a certified trainer in ACEs, QPR, and both Youth & Teen Mental Health First Aid, where he has trained over 1,500 individuals—he is also a Director/Trainer with Soul Shop, a faith based initiative that equips faith leaders to minister to those that have been impacted by suicide. He is personally and professionally dedicated to the mission that every person should have access to help, healing and hope. For more parenting resources, go to /episode/index/show/culturetranslator/id/30447448

Roundtable: Dune: Part Two and Online Safety 03/18/2024

Roundtable: Dune: Part Two and Online Safety In the Culture Translator Roundtable we dive deeper into the context and nuance around the critical conversations and topics written about in the Culture Translator Newsletter. For more written, audio and video resources, go to Song of the Week: 0:28 1. Clocking Out?: 10:35 2. Discorded: 30:18 3. FAFSA Fail: 55:00 /episode/index/show/culturetranslator/id/30429743

Dune: Part Two and Online Safety 03/15/2024

Dune: Part Two and Online Safety This week we talk about a possible Tik Tok ban, targeting of minors on Discord and Telegram, and chaos with the FAFSA form. Check out the full on Dune: Part Two For more Axis resources, go to /episode/index/show/culturetranslator/id/30391773

Deep Dive: Dune: Part Two 03/13/2024

Deep Dive: Dune: Part Two This week on the Deep Dive we're talking about one of the biggest movie releases of the year, Dune: Part Two. Join as we discuss the film's themes of religious fanaticism, the anti-hero, and what, exactly, the movie is trying to say about bald people. In our Shallow End, we talk about the 2024 Academy Awards and the new Netflix film "Damsel". Thanks as always for listening! If you want to find more free Axis resources or give a gift of support, you can check out our website at . /episode/index/show/culturetranslator/id/30341043

Roundtable: OTC Birth-Control + Oompa Loompa Nightmares 03/11/2024

Roundtable: OTC Birth-Control + Oompa Loompa Nightmares In the Culture Translator Roundtable we dive deeper into the context and nuance around the critical conversations and topics written about in the Culture Translator Newsletter. Check out our Resource of the Week here: For more written, audio and video resources, go to Resource of the Week: 0:26 1. BC Goes OTC: 1:55 2. Willy Wonkish: 22:02 3. Clock is Tikking: 49:30 /episode/index/show/culturetranslator/id/30329918

OTC Birth Control + Oompa Loompa Nightmares 03/08/2024

OTC Birth Control + Oompa Loompa Nightmares This week we talk about a restriction free birth control pill, "Willy's Chocolate Experience," and Tik Tok losing control. Reource of the Week: The full interview with Preston Sprinkle is available on our For more Axis resources, go to /episode/index/show/culturetranslator/id/30292143

Dr. Preston Sprinkle on Does the Bible Support Same-Sex Marriage? 03/06/2024

Dr. Preston Sprinkle on Does the Bible Support Same-Sex Marriage? Today we are posting an interview with Dr. Preston Sprinkle. Preston is the president of the Center for Faith, Sexuality, and Gender and a New York Times–bestselling author who’s written a dozen books, including People to Be Loved, an award-winning book on faith and homosexuality, and the book which we’ll be talking about today, which is called Does the Bible Support Same-Sex Marriage? For more parenting resources, go to /episode/index/show/culturetranslator/id/30156088

Roundtable: Anime and Stage Moms 03/04/2024

Roundtable: Anime and Stage Moms In the Culture Translator Roundtable we dive deeper into the context and nuance around the critical conversations and topics written about in the Culture Translator Newsletter. For more written, audio and video resources, go to Song of the Week: 0:39 1. Thorny Therapies: 11:19 2. High Roller: 29:05 3. Unmanageable: 43:32 /episode/index/show/culturetranslator/id/30229493

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