Youth Culture Matters - A CPYU Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 20: "Pumpkin Spice" with Walt Mueller and Jason Soucinek Oct 14, 2016

Show notes

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.

Episode 19: "Maintaining Faith in College, Apologetics and Biblical Theology" with Sean McDowell Oct 04, 2016

Show notes

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.

Episode 18: "An Honest Discussion about Pornography" with Walt Mueller and Jason Soucinek Sep 21, 2016

Show notes

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.

Episode 17: "Learning from Educators" with Kara Twining and Barry Ferguson Sep 13, 2016

Show notes

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.

Episode 16: "Self-Injury" with Dr. Marv Penner Aug 30, 2016

Show notes

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.

Episode 15: "Media Discernment, 'M.I.L.F. $,' and Mindful Critique" with Walt Mueller and Jason Soucinek Aug 17, 2016

Show notes

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. $."

Episode 14: "How Parents and 'The Comb Over Guy' Can Influence The Faith of Teenagers" with Dan Dupee Jul 26, 2016

Show notes

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."

Episode 13: "Race, Youth Ministry and The Church" with Dr. Virginia Ward Jul 14, 2016

Show notes

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.

Episode 12: "Suffering, Trauma and Abuse" With Dr. Diane Langberg Jul 01, 2016

Show notes

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.

Episode 11: "A Conversation about Transgender Issues" with Chap Clark and Duffy Robbins Jun 15, 2016

Show notes

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.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Youth Culture Matters – A CPYU Podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected