Youth Culture Matters - A CPYU Podcast

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 whol...

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...

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 int...

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 th...

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 help...

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...

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 t...

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 de...

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 ab...

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 forme...

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 w...

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 Trau...

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 thinki...

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. Da...

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...

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 h...

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 fronti...

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 s...

Walt and Jason discuss news related to co-sleeping, millennials and anxiety, body image, gender identity, Snapchat, water-less toilets and more. Then youth ministry veteran Duffy Robbins joins the podcast to talk about the markers of adolescent foolishness and how to develop wisdom in teenagers.

Walt and Jason discuss news related to caffeine, pornography, The Beatles, smartphone addiction, 'The Most Interesting Man in the World' and more. Then Byron Borger of Hearts and Minds books joins the podcast to talk about reading to the glory of God and the future of books. Then Byron runs through a long list of books that he highly recommends for our audience.

Walt and Jason discuss news related to sexting, selfies, performance enhancing substances, teens and driving and more. Then Dr. Marv Penner joins the podcast to talk about the challenge of church kids and what we can do as parents and youth workers to encourage church kids to grow and embody a vibrant faith in Jesus Christ.

In this premiere episode of Youth Culture Matters - A CPYU Podcast, Walt and Jason discuss substance abuse, youth sports and concussions, sexual violence and coercion, as well as "Five Non-Negotiables When It Comes to Talking to Kids About Sexuality."