1. Chappell Roan
What it is: Chappell (pronounced “Chapel”) Roan, self-proclaimed as “your favorite artist’s favorite artist,” is having an extremely successful year.
Why she’s someone to pay attention to: Chappell Roan’s popularity really took off when she began opening for Olivia Rodrigo’s “GUTS World Tour.” She’s maybe most famous for her drag queen-inspired look, as well as how explicitly gay her lyrics are. While the drag makeup might be a costume of sorts, part of the draw of artists like Chappell Roan is their unapologetic authenticity and the way they use their on-stage personas to express their “true selves.” Teens in particular love the eclectic artist, with her song “HOT TO GO!” and its associated dance being a TikTok staple. For more on Chappell Roan, check out our most recent episode of the Deep Dive, where we talk through the big moments and trends from the first half of 2024.
Continue the conversation: Have you heard any of Chappell Roan’s music?
2. Fizzing Out
What it is: A new anonymous, private messaging app called Fizz is, perhaps unsurprisingly, wreaking havoc in high schools and colleges.
Why it’s causing trouble: The Stanford students who designed Fizz call it “an uplifting digital space for Gen Z.” In reality, it has become a place to spread rumors, cyberbully, and share harmful photos, as one high school in Vermont learned. Apps designed to be anonymous message boards often become havens for the worst impulses of humanity (see: YikYak). These apps can create a catch-22 for teens, who may feel the need to make sure people aren’t talking about them on the app, which, in turn, increases app engagement. Fizz can provide fuel for conversations about integrity and how we behave when no-one is looking, but it’s also a space in culture where parents and trusted adults might advise teens to simply opt out.
Continue the conversation: Why do you think some people behave differently when no-one is watching?
3. Family Guy and Fatherhood
What it is: A new skin in Fortnite is just one indication that after 20 seasons of Family Guy, Peter Griffin remains one of our culture’s most iconic, if unflattering, portraits of fatherhood.
Why it matters: The enduring appeal of Family Guy might be hard for parents to fully grasp, but teens still say it’s one of their favorite shows. Father-of-three Peter Griffin is portrayed as selfish and hare-brained, consistently creating chaos for his family, and uninterested in any type of moral improvement. That this caricature resonates so deeply with Gen Z is perhaps an indictment on our culture, which often devalues or dismisses fatherhood as motherhood’s sillier, less sentimental counterpart. But being a dad is serious work; positive fathering helps children develop social, cognitive, and self-regulation skills. As Americans celebrate Father’s Day this weekend, remember that dads can be arbiters of strength, righteousness, and godliness that empower their kids like no other figure can.
Continue the conversation: Do you think dads in our culture get enough appreciation?
Resource of the Week
You probably already know that our Culture Translator Roundtable podcast takes the insights and perspective from our weekly newsletter to the next level—with more cultural insights, conversation starters, and practical, biblical steps to connect with the teens in your life. What you may not know is that now you can watch our weekly roundtable discussions on YouTube!
We hope you’ll join us this week to hear more about how fathers are superheroes, why Chapell Roan is everywhere, and how to talk with teens about anonymous apps like Fizz!
Anger, Revisited
In our therapeutic age, we are often encouraged to understand the source of our anger and not suppress the way we feel. If we take the time to slow down and listen to our anger, the idea goes, we’ll be able to more intentionally process whatever is under the surface.
There’s certainly some value in this framework. But it’s also very different from how Jesus addresses anger in the Sermon on the Mount, when He said: “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.”
It can be confusing to see Jesus blacklisting an entire emotion. But one of the things He seems to be calling out is that, while we often think of anger as something that happens to us, anger can also be something we deliberately cultivate and nurture, building it up into contempt and hatred in our minds. In other words, choice is involved. And even if things don’t end in murder, these dispositions are toxic to our relationships.
This week, we spoke with Kent Evans, the Executive Director and co-founder of Manhood Journey, on the One Conversation podcast. Evans argues that anger fuels discord, saying, “What I find in engaging my teen children—and I’ve led small groups, and I’ve been the coach of teams and sports, so I’ve been around zillions of kids between the ages of 10 and 19—I can’t think of any situation where anger helps me connect.”
At Axis, we’re all about connection, and removing obstacles to connection. And as impossible as it may seem to let go of our anger, Jesus wants to help us do it—so we can take our relationships to this next level.
Our full podcast conversation with Kent Evans this week is well worth your time. In the meantime, here are three questions to help spark conversation with your teens:
- Do you think anger is more likely to help relationships or harm them?
- What do you think is the purpose of anger?
- How much of what Jesus does are Christians called to do?