The Culture Translator
Axis
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We look into teen culture every week to help parents and faith leaders have meaningful conversations with Gen Z.
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6 days ago
Sex Miseducation
Sex Miseducation, #narcissisticparent, Post-Cool World, Opioid Epidemic | Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct | Slang of the Week survey: bit.ly/3jEqt6V
Jul 16, 2021
Songs of the Summer
Photo-dumps, Swimwear, Code Red, Songs of the Summer
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct | 6 Steps to Culture Translation: bit.ly/3wLDLBa | Axis.org/Membership
Jul 9, 2021
Catfish Camera
Cuomo comes out, catfishing, watermelon, and 3 Big Questions.
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct
| Slang of the Week survey: bit.ly/3jEqt6V
| Parent’s Guide to Teen Identity: bit.ly/3wuyuxT
Jul 1, 2021
Vax On, Vax Off
Secret vaccinations, American friendship, the TikTok purge, and Britney Spears.
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct
| Slang of the Week survey: bit.ly/3jEqt6V
Jun 25, 2021
How to Translate Niche Culture
Twitch streamers in hot water, sexuality at Christian colleges, modern loneliness, and niche culture.
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct
| Future Conversation Kit topics survey: bit.ly/3zVTf8M
Jun 17, 2021
In Honor of Juneteenth
Apple app store safety, Chrissy Teigen’s apology, Billie Eilish’s new video, and Juneteenth.
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct
| Parent’s Guide to LGBTQ+ and Your Teen: bit.ly/3xoVn6A
| Conversation Kit on Racism: bit.ly/3wNLkrO
| Parent’s Guide to Racism in the U.S.: bit.ly/3qgOX7z
Jun 11, 2021
Glowing Up is Hard to Do
Loki, Ivy Leagues, #CoupleGoals, and Glow Ups
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct | Blog on Eating Disorders: info.axis.org/blog/adeles-weight-loss-sparked-a-heated-debate
Jun 4, 2021
What Teens Need From Parents
“Kickback” Parties, Pride Month, Teen Parenting, Memes and Messengers. | Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct | Gospel Coalition Parenting List: thegospelcoalition.org/article/teens-need/
May 28, 2021
Influencers Sweet and “Sour”
Student Bodies, #What I Eat In A Day, Detransitioners, and Olivia Rodrigo | Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct
May 14, 2021
Critical Race Theory
The achievement-resilience ratio, a place for pronouns, redeeming forgiveness, and Critical Race Theory.
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct
| Unbelievable? podcast episode on Critical Race Theory: youtu.be/KbzPDoEgO_s
| CRT interview with Dr. Neil Shenvi on Relatable: youtu.be/Kie9r89naF0
| How to talk with teens and tweens about CRT: youtu.be/lroR6Q5Shzs
May 7, 2021
Influencers Are Not Your Friends
Embracing the cheug, the rise of parasocial relationships, Billie can’t win, and The Mitchells vs. The Machines.
Apr 29, 2021
The Snapchat Heard Round the SCOTUS
From Snapchat to SCOTUS, Willow Smith gets candid, TikTokTarot, and New Atheism isn’t woke enough.
Apr 23, 2021
The Bigg Chill Brouhaha
Audio Apps, Roblox, Demi Lovato, and Money Management
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct | Parent Guide on Money: bit.ly/3eki1Fi | Conversation Kit on Money: https://app.axis.org/learn/840/money-ck-1 | Mashable Budgeting Apps: mashable.com/article/money-allowance-apps/ | Axis Membership: axis.org/membership/
Apr 16, 2021
Our Mission, Should You Choose to Accept It
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct | Help crowdfund the Culture Translator: bit.ly/3kNnyar | Axis Membership: axis.org/membership
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Abraham Piper, OnlyFans, Axis Membership
Apr 9, 2021
Are the Kardashians Gaslighting America?
Post-pandemic parties, the prank industrial complex, Khloe’s photoflop, and comic book identity politics.
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| How was this week’s CT? Let us know in a quick survey: bit.ly/3t4x8cb
Apr 2, 2021
Nas That Innocent
Addison Rae, Church Membership, #EveryonesInvited, Lil Nas X | Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct | Support the Culture Translator: bit.ly/3kNnyar
Mar 26, 2021
Shrimp Tales
Digital Branding, Cinnamon Toast Shrimp, Kidstagram, Racialization | Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct | Help crowdfund the Culture Translator: bit.ly/3kNnyar
Mar 19, 2021
$1400 Will Buy a Lot of Squishmallows
Squishmallow, Bank Account: $1400, Cardi B vs Candace Owens, Caught in 4k | Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct | Parent’s Guide to Talking About Pornography | Help crowdfund the Culture Translator: bit.ly/3kNnyar
Mar 12, 2021
The Human Stock Market
Content Creators for Sale, Mental Health Professionals, Sports Gambling, and Deepfakes. | Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct | Support the Culture Translator: bit.ly/3kNnyar | 15 Tips to Discern Deep Fakery: https://nr.tn/30zr2UK
Mar 5, 2021
You Can’t Believe Your Eyes
The original Problematic Fave, Tom Cruise deepfakes, #CancelP*rn, and canceling Dr. Seuss.
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| Help crowdfund the Culture Translator: bit.ly/3kNnyar
Feb 26, 2021
Are You Raising a Sin Concealer or a Sin Confessor?
How Gen Z tips, LGBTQ+ stats, the loneliness pandemic, and confession.
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| Axis Membership: axis.org/membership
Feb 19, 2021
Cracking Up is Hard to Do
TikTok meets Tinder, pandemic tech crackup, Gen Z knows everything, and the anti-institutional teen.
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct
| Springtide Research Institute Report: bit.ly/2OQAdNX
| First Things interview: bit.ly/3bhViIv
| Axis Membership: axis.org/membership
Feb 12, 2021
The Cat Lawyer Is All of Us
Framing Britney Spears, TikTok pasta, cat lawyer, data collection.
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct
| SpreadPrivacy.com article: bit.ly/3rHY3tm
| Parent’s Guide to A Doubting Teen: bit.ly/3tS18cj
Feb 5, 2021
Halftime Weeknd
Halftime Weeknd, WallStreetBets, lockdown suicide “surge,” and Fake Famous.
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct
Jan 29, 2021
Curtains for “Cry-Face”
Tempest in a Tee Shirt, Your Laugh is Cringe, Bright Hair, Fate: The Winx Saga | Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct | LGBTQ+ PG: bit.ly/3r1dNqV | Join the Axis Legacy Club: axis.org/donate
Jan 22, 2021
This Is Your Life on AI
#FinTok, Life in WandaVision, FYP and Your Teen, Spotify’s Top 10 Songs | Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct | Join the Axis Legacy Club: axis.org/donate
Jan 15, 2021
When Family Ties Don't Bind
#NoseJobCheck, When Family Ties Don’t Bind, Trolling the Trolls on Omegle, #SeaShantyTok | Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct | Join the Axis Legacy Club: axis.org/donate
Jan 8, 2021
Bean Dad Gets Canned
Bean Dad Gets Canned, Helen Keller Hoax, Twitch Bans, Soul | Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct | Join the Axis Legacy Club: axis.org/donate
Dec 25, 2020
A Christmas Like the First One
Brand Comedy, Wonder Woman, Facebook, and Christmas | Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct | Donate: bit.ly/2KAjjB9 | Axis Survey: bit.ly/3oY8Ez0
Dec 18, 2020
Instagram Makes the Naughty List
Perez Hilton, Instagram, Cyberpunk 2077, Evermore | Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct | Donate: bit.ly/2KAjjB9 | Taylor Swift’s Evermore: info.axis.org/blog/review-taylor-swifts-evermore
Dec 11, 2020
The Kid LAROI and Cuffing Season
TikTok Top 100, the dark(er) side of P*rnhub, poison in the microphone, and the challenges of “cuffing season.”
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct
| Join the Axis Legacy Club: axis.org/donate
Dec 4, 2020
The Heart is a Lonely (Bounty) Hunter
Mandalorian+Fortnite, searching for God knows what, TikTok shot, and mind vs. body.
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| Join the Axis Legacy Club: axis.org/donate
Nov 27, 2020
It’s What’s for Dinner
Charli D’Amelio, embarrassing TikToks, Thanksgiving, Permission to Struggle | Free Culture Translator Newsletter: axis.org/ct | Giving Tuesday!: axis.org/givingtuesday
Nov 20, 2020
Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Advent in a Pandemic
Animal Crossing, Harry Styles, Parler Games, Holidays during a Pandemic. | Free Culture Translator Newsletter: axis.org/ct | Parenting Pivot LIVE!: bit.ly/3eXS3aT
Nov 13, 2020
Young Adults Are DTRing
United in Despair, Ballot Count Memes, Young Adults Are DTRing, LGBT Christians and the Church | Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct | Parenting Pivot LIVE!: bit.ly/3eXS3aT | Axis Conversation Kits: https://bit.ly/3pnZCMG
Nov 6, 2020
"Z" You at the Polls
Tuesday Night Fever, United States of Self-Care, The Dispensary Is Open, Positions | Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct | Search “Axis One” in the app store to download our app! | Axis Membership: Axis.org
Oct 30, 2020
The Phanto
Fortnitemares, lessons from the pandemic, the TikTok election, and The Queen’s Gambit.
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct
| PIVOT Parent Coaching: bit.ly/34FljPW
| The Queen’s Gambit IMDB guide: imdb.to/35OKH53
Oct 23, 2020
From Victims to (More Than) Conquerors
#makeJesusviral, a theology of strength, teenagers feeling old, and Twitch ministry.
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct
| The Gospel Coalition article: bit.ly/37vOfvJ
| PIVOT Parent Coaching: bit.ly/3jhWLR3
Oct 16, 2020
How It Started vs. How It’s Going
This week’s big meme, sweet dreams for quaran-teens, Zoomtopia, and Gen Z’s sudden love for Fleetwood Mac.
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct
| Blog post on Gen Z during quarantine: bit.ly/3dHaRup
| Support Axis: axis.org/donate
Oct 9, 2020
You May Now Unmute Yourself
Rules of the Digital Classroom, Conway vs. Conway, POV TikTok, and Facebook banning QAnon.
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct
| Parenting Pivot Challenge: bit.ly/30oICLd
Oct 2, 2020
YouTube Becomes a Battleground State
Among Us, Youtube Battleground State, Youth Voter Registration, The Art of Conversation
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct | Parenting Pivot Challenge: https://bit.ly/30oICLd | All Axis Pass: axis.org/all-axis-pass/
Sep 25, 2020
The Kids Have Left the Candy Store 🍬
Video Game Money, iPhone Home Screen, Screen-Time Audits, Ruth Bader Ginsburg
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct | Screen-time Audits: https://bit.ly/334dNgW | Axis Blog: Kelly Clarkson: https://bit.ly/2HmNry3
Sep 18, 2020
The Social Dilemma
TikTok, Social Media Fake News, Keeping the Faith, and The Social Dilemma
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct | Axis Expert Speaker Series: https://bit.ly/3cbo39N | Engaging Your Teen’s World Book: amzn.to/326reeq
Sep 11, 2020
America Runs on Charli
America Runs on Charli, TikTok Fails Its Users, Singing the Screentime Blues, The Cost of Unity
| Free Culture Translator Newsletter: axis.org/ct |Axis Expert Speaking Series: axis.org/expert-series-mental-health | Engaging Your Teen’s World Book: amzn.to/326reeq
Sep 4, 2020
How to Succeed at Home Learning Without Really Trying
#newteacherchallenge, Cyberbullying, School starts again, MTV’s Video Music Awards
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct | Axis Blog: COVID Schooling: https://bit.ly/31WYypf | Engaging Your Teen’s World book: amzn.to/326reeq
Aug 28, 2020
Does This Text Make Me Look Angry?
Punctuation intimidation, AI moderation, social media censorship, and handling anxiety.
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Aug 21, 2020
Kanye Wants to Create “Jesus Tok”
Corporate battle royale, pasta takes a dark turn, Instagram as a political PowerPoint, and Jesus Tok.
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct
| Parent’s Guide to Suicide & Self-Harm Prevention: bit.ly/3j0XOFy
| Engaging Your Teen’s World book: amzn.to/326reeq
| “Prepare your child for the path” episode: bbva.info/329Yy4m
Aug 14, 2020
Is This Really Good News?
New song by Cardi B/Megan Thee Stallion, vaping and COVID, #InfluencerChallenge, and TikTok evangelism.
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct
| The Path to Teen Connection free video series: axis.org/teen-connection
| Evangelism Conversation Kit: axis.org/product/evangelism
Aug 7, 2020
Lip-Sync Heaven
TikTok ban, the Content Authenticity Initiative, seven ways to misery, and National Book Lovers Day.
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct
| Parent’s Guide to TikTok: bit.ly/3a1nXR8
| Parent’s Guide to Snapchat: bit.ly/3ihAvH6
| Parent’s Guide to Instagram: bit.ly/3fy7pkL
| Thought patterns article: bit.ly/33DAZTJ
| Engaging Your Teen’s World book: bit.ly/3gAhjUD
Jul 31, 2020
Getting into Good Trouble
Microsoft Family Safety, Teenager Therapy, TikTok pregnancy, and getting into good trouble.
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct
| Refer a friend: axis.org/refer-a-friend
| The Axis Blog: axis.org/blog
Jul 24, 2020
“You’re voting for WHO????”
Body image, Instagram Reels, Normalcy in uncertain times, and teen politics.
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct | Parent’s Guide to Eating Disorders: axis.org/product/membership-product-for-eating-disorders | Ana Homayoun: wapo.st/2OSsPyb | Axis Blog: info.axis.org/blog | How to Parent a Teenager Who Has Different Political Views: bit.ly/39qLpHp
Jul 17, 2020
Are We a People of Hope?
The New Fake ID, Lil Nas X, Roblox, and hope during dark times.
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct | Parents guide to LGBTQ+: axis.org/product/a-parents-guide-to-lgbtq-your-teen | All Axis Pass with free book offer: axis.org/all-axis-pass | Email support@axis.org with your stories of hope!
Jul 10, 2020
TikTok May Be on the Clock ⏰
“Whats Poppin,” the “TicTokalypse,” Our Kids Online, and safety schools.
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct
| Our Kids Online documentary: bit.ly/2OcW7Hr
| Axis Webinar Series: axis.org/webinar-series
Jul 2, 2020
How to Pray by Coach K
Kanye’s big week, Hamilton comes home, “Kids, Race and Unity,” and Coach K’s prayer.
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct
| Kids, Race and Unity: youtu.be/OWsMEIODo6g
| Parent’s Guide to Racism in the US: axis.org/product/racism-in-the-us-guide
Jun 26, 2020
Gen Z Is Speaking (or Singing) Loud and Clear
#BullyMillennials, video game news, “I Just Wanna Live,” and summer streaming.
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct
| A Parent’s Guide to Boredom: axis.org/product/boredom-guide
Jun 18, 2020
Is Your Teen A Digilante?
The newest teen drama, digilantes, keeping the Culture Translator free, and VeggieTales on racism in the U.S.
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct
| Gender Video Kit: axis.org/product/gender
| Sexuality Video Kit: axis.org/product/sexuality-video-kit
| Give to keep the Culture Translator free: axis.org/KeepCTFree
| Bridge the Gap free video series: axis.org/bridge-the-gap
| Phil Vischer’s video Race in America: youtu.be/AGUwcs9qJXY
Jun 12, 2020
What is Gen Z’s Biggest Problem?
Nintendo’s data breach, YouTube vs. TikTok, Gen Z’s biggest problem, and a tale of two Independence Days.
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct
| Parent’s Guide to Boredom: axis.org/product/boredom-guide
| Qustodio report on teen screen time: bit.ly/2XTvvkv
| Museums to visit on Juneteenth: bit.ly/2BZVher
Jun 5, 2020
Juneteenth (the forgotten day)
TikTok’s censorship and its new competition, #BlackOutTuesday backfiring, and why Juneteenth is even more significant this year.
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct
| Free webinar series: axis.org/webinar-series
| Talking with Your Children About Protests and Racism: cnn.it/3cClMmG
| A Collection of Resources for Teaching Social Justice: bit.ly/2XB06TY
| How White Parents Can Talk to Their Kids About Race: n.pr/2XYZruk
| Racism and Violence: How to Help Kids Handle the News: bit.ly/3dA9UDb
| It’s Never Too Early to Talk About Race: bit.ly/3gXoOVW
May 29, 2020
Make Sure You Listen to This Standing Up
Financial advice for graduates, the consequences of sitting, the downsides of social media fame, and this summer’s (potential) top songs.
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct
| BiggerPockets Money Podcast Episode: bit.ly/3ezUj6N
| The All Axis Pass: axis.org/all-axis-pass
May 21, 2020
Virtual Music Festivals Are Taking Over
Teens reaching out to senior citizens, a Minecraft music festival, video chat’s pressure on women, and how to disciple your teens during quarantine.
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct
May 15, 2020
Is Your Teen a “None”?
Helping your teen transition from adolescence to adulthood, remaking religion, Ahmaud Arbery, and why you deserve a break.
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct
| Adolescence to adulthood from The Art of Manliness: apple.co/3fNFEpV
| All Axis Pass: axis.org/all-axis-pass
May 7, 2020
Our Top 10 Book Picks
Gen Z’s DIY fashion, digital well-being, a “body editor” app, and a summer book club for your family.
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct
| The Center for Humane Technology guidelines: bit.ly/2L9Q9po
| The All Axis Pass: axis.org/all-axis-pass
May 1, 2020
Digital World, Digital Beauty? 🤔
Netflix’s newest teen comedy, monitoring TikTok, digital beauty, and The Last Dance.
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct
| Our Parent’s Guide to TikTok: bit.ly/3f6ZX1b
| Webinar sign-up: axis.org/webinar-series
Apr 24, 2020
A Survey Worth a Thousand Worries
Travis Scott’s Fortnite concert, teens worried about the pandemic, the up-and-coming app Cameo, and why Gen Z loves Dr. Fauci.
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct
| Parent’s Guide to Fear & Worry: bit.ly/2VX40o9
Apr 17, 2020
Starving for Socialization
COVID’s future impact on Gen Z, teens addicted to socializing, Pandemic Parenting, and why we shouldn’t go back to normal life.
| Free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct
| Free drugs webinar: bit.ly/3ajEG0s
| Axis Facebook Live: facebook.com/axisideas
| Pandemic Parenting free virtual conference: village.me
Apr 10, 2020
Beyond Boredom
Easter in exile, virtual prom, Gen Z helping others, and the benefits of boredom.
| Our free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct
| Christianity Today’s Easter article: bit.ly/3a2dvYd
Apr 3, 2020
Teens Are Ditching Their Phones...No, Really
Teens abandoning their phones, Some Good News from John Krasinski, video games during quarantine, and finding relief in the world outside.
| axis.org/ct Our free Culture Translator newsletter
| youtu.be/zXg28CEcgQI Video games and your family during quarantine
Mar 27, 2020
How Are You Doing?
Stay At Home challenge, sheltering without screens, mental health, and the crucible of COVID-19.
Our free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct
Share your #covidparenting stories and tag @AxisIdeas
Christianity Today on sheltering without screens: https://bit.ly/2ycjwnQ
Mental health tips: https://bit.ly/2UjKd2v
Online counseling: https://engt.co/2UjKlPx
Sex Talk 2.0 free video series: https://axis.org/talk1
Mar 20, 2020
Coping with Coronanxiety
Filling the sports void, productivity pressure, digital vigilance, and handling anxiety during a pandemic.
Our free Culture Translator newsletter: axis.org/ct
14 Things to Do with Teens If You’re Quarantined: bit.ly/2U3RL9v
The Daily Office app: bit.ly/3dcJtDG
Mar 13, 2020
To Fear Is Human, To Love Divine
This week we will talk about Billie Eilish’s bold move, how to handle kids stuck at home, and what to do in the face of coronavirus cancellations.
Get our Parent’s Guide to Modesty: https://bit.ly/39PMQ1m
Read C.S. Lewis’ thoughts on modesty: https://bit.ly/33f9CgJ
A list of monitoring and filtering options: https://bit.ly/39RMuHt
A list of indoor activities: https://bit.ly/33lbt3p
This is the audio version of our weekly email newsletter. To get our free newsletter, sign up here: http://axis.org/ct
Mar 6, 2020
Join the National Day of Unplugging!
This week we talk about intrusive advertising, Twitter’s new trick to stay relevant, a new social media platform deliberately filled with bots, and the need to unplug from all of these things.
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Mar 3, 2020
Are teens voting with their $$$?
This week we cover an odd new dating app, teens seeking new vaping options, raising thoughtful citizens, and the fickle nature of stardom on Tik Tok.
To learn more about how to talk with your teen about vaping, check out our Parent's Guide to Vaping.
You can find all of the articles and websites mentioned in this episode here.