Axis Conversations

Happy Thanksgiving from everyone here at Axis!  As part of our yearly tradition, instead of our normal issue of the Culture Translator, here are 15 conversation starters to help you make the most of time around the table with family and friends this year. Enjoy!   What's something you're really excited about right now?  What's the funniest trend or meme you've come across lately?  If you could permanently fix one issue in our culture, what would you choose?  What's one way you've changed this year?  If TEMU offered you $2,000 to represent their brand on your platform, would you do it?  What band or musician do you think is seriously overrated? What about underrated? Has anything you've watched, read, or listened to changed you this year? What was it and how did it change you?  What's one show that you think more people should watch?  Are there any new skills you're trying to develop, or want to try to develop? What's something you're looking forward to in 2026?  If you could be a social media influencer known for only one thing, what would that be?  Serious question: why do you think so many people started saying "67" this year? Why did that catch on?  Does a hot dog count as a sandwich? Why or why not?  When the history books mention 2025, what do you think will be included? What won't be?  How would you describe your relationship with God at this point in your life? Click to sign up for  our audio Advent experience, for the record—that launches on Sunday, November 30!   Become a monthly donor today, join the Table. Get your question on Ask Axis! Send in your questions to ask@axis.org. For more Axis resources, go to axis.org.

"Could you speak to the subject of gossip? As we raise 2 girls this is something my husband and I talk about often. How can we explain the difference between venting and gossip? When does sharing about your day at school cross the line into gossip? How can we teach the idea of being loyal to the absent in the way we speak about others? When friends are gossiping, how can our kids redirect the conversation? How can our words be uplifting like we are called to in the Bible?" - Autumn Dr. Mayfield is a former pastor, award-winning author, speaker, certified master Christian coach, mental health counselor, and Assistant Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Colorado Christian University. To see more of Dr. Mayfield's resources click here. Click here to check out Dr. Mayfield's podcast - Mental Health Made simple This podcast is entirely Q&A based! Send in your questions to ask@axis.org. And for more resources, go to axis.org.

Three Big Conversations: Celebrities are making cigarette smoking cool for a new generation - 9:50 Wicked 2 is poised to blow the box office back to Kansas - 26:54 This year's runaway bestseller is the Bible. - 37:28 Slang of the Week: "Cracked" - 1:10 In Other News: - 51:04 The United States House of Representatives and Senate almost unanimously agreed to pass the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which now awaits President Trump's signature. A new study from Gallup found that in 2025, 40% of 15- to 44-year-old women would leave the U.S. permanently if given the opportunity (a slight decrease from 44% in 2024). The Game Awards has announced its nominations for 2025, with the turn-based role-playing game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 receiving 12 total nominations, more than any other game. Gaming company Valve has announced that it will release its own console, the "Steam Machine," which many expect to become a significant challenger to Xbox and PlayStation. The man who jumped the rope to embrace Ariana Grande at the Wicked: For Good movie premiere was sentenced to nine days in prison. Click to join the Pour Over's Newsletter We'd love to hear from you, fill out this form to share your Axis story. Become a monthly donor today, join the Table. Get your question on Ask Axis! Send in your questions to ask@axis.org. For more Axis resources, go to axis.org.

Celebrities are making cigarette smoking cool for a new generation, Wicked 2 is poised to blow the box office back to Kansas, and this year's runaway bestseller is the Bible. Slang of the Week: "Cracked" In Other News: The United States House of Representatives and Senate almost unanimously agreed to pass the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which now awaits President Trump's signature. A new study from Gallup found that in 2025, 40% of 15- to 44-year-old women would leave the U.S. permanently if given the opportunity (a slight decrease from 44% in 2024). The Game Awards has announced its nominations for 2025, with the turn-based role-playing game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 receiving 12 total nominations, more than any other game. Gaming company Valve has announced that it will release its own console, the "Steam Machine," which many expect to become a significant challenger to Xbox and PlayStation. The man who jumped the rope to embrace Ariana Grande at the Wicked: For Good movie premiere was sentenced to nine days in prison.   Click to join the Pour Over's Newsletter We'd love to hear from you, fill out this form to share your Axis story. Become a monthly donor today, join the Table. Get your question on Ask Axis! Send in your questions to ask@axis.org. For more Axis resources, go to axis.org.

This interview is with Sarah and Truman Wells, a mom and son who walked through a time of suicidal ideation together, and are now sharing their story together for the first time to help shed light on the real mental health issues that teens and parents are facing.  Axis Resources: Parent Guide to Suicide & Self-Harm Prevention How To Talk About Mental Health With Your Teen A Parent's Guide to Teen Emotion   Become a monthly donor today, join the Table. Get your question on Ask Axis! Send in your questions to ask@axis.org. For more Axis resources, go to axis.org.    

Three Big Conversations: The limited edition Bearista cup fosters true insanity. - 06:34  Article in Vogue suggests that "having a boyfriend is embarrassing,". - 15:04 The rising popularity of Contemporary Christian Music. - 35:50 Slang of the Week - "Twin" - 01:38 In Other News: - 57:18 The GRAMMY nominations were announced last week, with Gen Z and Alpha notables like sombr and KATSEYE being nominated for Best New Artist. MrBeast is launching a "Beast Land" theme park (in Saudi Arabia). The GOAT of League of Legends, Faker, led his team to their third consecutive World Championship win. The portion of actress Sydney Sweeney's interview with GQ where she was asked to apologize for her American Eagle ad has been turned into a meme format. Dictionary.com has announced its "Word of the Year," and we regret to inform you that it is "67." Click here to see Savannah Bananas - Your Way's Better Dance Click here for our Conversation Kit on Miracles. Become a monthly donor today, join the Table. Get your question on Ask Axis! Send in your questions to ask@axis.org For more Axis resources, go to axis.org.

The limited edition Bearista cup fosters true insanity, an article in Vogue suggests that "having a boyfriend is embarrassing," and the rising popularity of Contemporary Christian Music. Slang of the Week - "Twin" In Other News: The GRAMMY nominations were announced last week, with Gen Z and Alpha notables like sombr and KATSEYE being nominated for Best New Artist. MrBeast is launching a "Beast Land" theme park (in Saudi Arabia). The GOAT of League of Legends, Faker, led his team to their third consecutive World Championship win. The portion of actress Sydney Sweeney's interview with GQ where she was asked to apologize for her American Eagle ad has been turned into a meme format. Dictionary.com has announced its "Word of the Year," and we regret to inform you that it is "67." Click here to see Savannah Bananas - Your Way's Better Dance Click here for our Conversation Kit on Miracles. Become a monthly donor today, join the Table. Get your question on Ask Axis! Send in your questions to ask@axis.org. For more Axis resources, go to axis.org.

"I need some help! My son is struggling to make friends at his new school and is running to video games. It's hard to get him to share and open up. He's not eating a lot, I think he might be depressed. What should I do?" - Justin Dr. Mayfield is a former pastor, award-winning author, speaker, certified master Christian coach, mental health counselor, and Assistant Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Colorado Christian University. To see more of Dr. Mayfield's resources click here. Click here to check out Dr. Mayfield's podcast - Mental Health Made simple This podcast is entirely Q&A based! Send in your questions to ask@axis.org. And for more resources, go to axis.org.  

Three Big Conversations: Tech company 1X debuts a $20,000 robot to help with chores around the house. - 18:30 Changes in SNAP eligibility requirements will impact minors. - 39:17 Teens say luxury is a feeling, not a price tag.- 48:24 Song of the Week - "Dracula" - Tame Impala - 1:20 Elsewhere in culture: - 58:16 The video game Arc Raiders had a  very successful launch, signaling a growing preference in gaming for the "extraction shooter."Spotify is being sued for using bots to artificially increase streaming numbers, with rapper Drake being named as an artist who benefited. Popular and problematic AI chatbot site character.ai ended the ability for teens to chat with bots, a restriction that is likely to be ineffective, based on… all of internet history. Popular publication Teen Vogue is being absorbed into Vogue, but Axis will continue to help you understand teen culture, fear not! The LA Dodgers won the World Series this week as viewership for America's pastime surged back after weaker numbers in previous years. Become a monthly donor today, join the Table. Get your question on Ask Axis! Send in your questions to ask@axis.org. For more Axis resources, go to axis.org.  

Tech company 1X debuts a $20,000 robot to help with chores around the house, changes in SNAP eligibility requirements will impact minors, and teens say luxury is a feeling, not a price tag. Song of the Week - "Dracula" - Tame Impala Elsewhere in culture: The video game Arc Raiders had a very successful launch, signaling a growing preference in gaming for the "extraction shooter."Spotify is being sued for using bots to artificially increase streaming numbers, with rapper Drake being named as an artist who benefited. Popular and problematic AI chatbot site character.ai ended the ability for teens to chat with bots, a restriction that is likely to be ineffective, based on… all of internet history. Popular publication Teen Vogue is being absorbed into Vogue, but Axis will continue to help you understand teen culture, fear not! The LA Dodgers won the World Series this week as viewership for America's pastime surged back after weaker numbers in previous years. Become a monthly donor today, join the Table. Get your question on Ask Axis! Send in your questions to ask@axis.org. For more Axis resources, go to axis.org.

The Big Conversation: It is Mental Health November and we're releasing a whole suite of content aimed to helping parents and caring adults enter into conversations about mental health with wisdom for the next generation. Look in this feed for many more episodes with resources regarding this topic!  Click here for A Parents Guide to Anxiety Click here for Dr. Preston Sprinkle & Laurie Krieg on Helping Kids Navigate a Sexually Broken Culture Become a monthly donor today, join the Table. Get your question on Ask Axis! Send in your questions to ask@axis.org. For more Axis resources, go to axis.org.

Three Big Conversations: The new Frankenstein movie hits theaters. -  Deep-dive into the pornography-obsessed subculture known as "gooning,". - Why high-potency marijuana use is landing some users in the ER. -  Song of the Week - "The Fate of Ophelia" - Taylor Swift - Click here for the lyrics. -  Elsewhere in Culture: -  For the first time since 1990, there are no rap songs on the Billboard Top 40—marking the end of a 35-year streak. K-pop sensation BTS will end their three-year hiatus next year, embarking on a tour and releasing new music. A high school teacher went viral with a post on TikTok that showed the extreme way students reacted to his instruction to write a five-sentence paragraph.The as-yet-unidentified jewelry robbers who pulled off a heist at the Louvre were the topic of this week's social media fascination. YouTube is adding more content restrictions to better protect minors from encountering two types of content: online gambling and video games that depict graphic violence.  Check out our Ask Axis episode "How do I talk to my adult son about porn and screen addiction?" Check out Fight the New Drug for teens. Check out Pure Desire for adults. Become a monthly donor today, join the Table. For more Axis resources, go to axis.org.  

The new Frankenstein movie hits theaters, a deep-dive into the pornography-obsessed subculture known as "gooning," and why high-potency marijuana use is landing some users in the ER. Song of the Week - "The Fate of Ophelia" - Taylor Swift Click here for the lyrics. Elsewhere in Culture: For the first time since 1990, there are no rap songs on the Billboard Top 40—marking the end of a 35-year streak. K-pop sensation BTS will end their three-year hiatus next year, embarking on a tour and releasing new music. A high school teacher went viral with a post on TikTok that showed the extreme way students reacted to his instruction to write a five-sentence paragraph.The as-yet-unidentified jewelry robbers who pulled off a heist at the Louvre were the topic of this week's social media fascination. YouTube is adding more content restrictions to better protect minors from encountering two types of content: online gambling and video games that depict graphic violence.  Check out our Ask Axis episode "How do I talk to my adult son about porn and screen addiction?" Check out Fight the New Drug for teens. Check out Pure Desire for adults. Become a monthly donor today, join the Table. For more Axis resources, go to axis.org.  

"My daughter was given a deck of tarot cards. She says that they are simply self refelction tools but there is a lot of information that says they are a dangerous form of divination. Can you elaborate on this and other popular practices that seem like witchcraft?" Click here for the book - The Gift of Being Yourself Click here for the Parents Guide to Hearding From God This podcast is entirely Q&A based! Send in your questions to ask@axis.org. Become a monthly donor today, join the Table. And for more resources, go to axis.org.

Three Big Conversations: Why TikTokers are talking about being in "Group 7". - 9:00 A decrease in the number of young people self-identifying as trans and nonbinary. - 17:30 What it means that over half of the internet's articles are now written by AI. - 33:20 Resource of the Week -  Conversation Kit on Miracles - 02:18 Elsewhere in culture: - 52:54 Colleen Hoover, the #BookTok author of It Ends With Us, has another movie adaptation coming out this week called Regretting You. Twitch streamer Emiru was forcefully grabbed by a large man at TwitchCon, and has sworn off future participation in their conference because of how Twitch handled it. The massive power outage at AWS (Amazon Web Services), impacting the functionality of apps, banks, and alarm clocks (just to name a few), is sparking new conversations about the potential dangers of tech monopoly. MrBeast reportedly filed a trademark application for "MrBeast Financial," leading many to suspect that Jimmy Donaldson's newest stunt might be starting his own bank. A trending meme uses a drawing of the White Rabbit (from Alice in Wonderland) pointing at a clock to joke about how much time people do (or don't) have left. Click here for the Interview Dr. Jean Twenge on 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World Become a monthly donor today, join the Table. Get your question on Ask Axis! Send in your questions to ask@axis.org. For more Axis resources, go to axis.org.

Why TikTokers are talking about being in "Group 7," a decrease in the number of young people self-identifying as trans and nonbinary, and what it means that over half of the internet's articles are now written by AI. Resource of the Week -  Conversation Kit on Miracles Elsewhere in culture: Colleen Hoover, the #BookTok author of It Ends With Us, has another movie adaptation coming out this week called Regretting You. Twitch streamer Emiru was forcefully grabbed by a large man at TwitchCon, and has sworn off future participation in their conference because of how Twitch handled it. The massive power outage at AWS (Amazon Web Services), impacting the functionality of apps, banks, and alarm clocks (just to name a few), is sparking new conversations about the potential dangers of tech monopoly. MrBeast reportedly filed a trademark application for "MrBeast Financial," leading many to suspect that Jimmy Donaldson's newest stunt might be starting his own bank. A trending meme uses a drawing of the White Rabbit (from Alice in Wonderland) pointing at a clock to joke about how much time people do (or don't) have left. Click here for the Interview Dr. Jean Twenge on 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World Become a monthly donor today, join the Table. For more Axis resources, go to axis.org.

After earning a journalism degree at the University of Missouri, Strobel was awarded a Ford Foundation fellowship to study at Yale Law School, where he received a Master of Studies in Law degree. For fourteen years he was a journalist at the Chicago Tribune and other newspapers, winning Illinois' top honors for investigative reporting (which he shared with a team he led) and public service journalism from United Press International. He is a New York Times bestselling author whose books have sold millions of copies worldwide. We'll be talking today primarily about his new book Seeing the Supernatural: Investigating Angels, Demons, Mystical Dreams, Near-Death Encounters, and Other Mysteries of the Unseen World. Become a monthly donor today, join the Table. For more Axis resources, go to axis.org.

Three Big Conversations: #WitchTok is upset at Crock-Pot for not releasing a cauldron. - 07:50 New studies about how spiritual yearning changes with age. - 21:35 Sora becomes the most-downloaded free app in the Apple App Store. - 38:33 Meme of the Week: "The lion does not concern himself…" The phrase "the lion does not concern himself with [thing X]" has been gaining popularity on TikTok and Instagram over the last few weeks. The phrase itself entered the lexicon thanks to Game of Thrones. However, in recent days, it's turned into an ironic way to justify personal preferences (Ex. "The lioness does not concern herself with onions on her In-N-Out burgers.") or avoiding basic responsibilities (Ex. "The lion does not concern himself with folding laundry."). Elsewhere in culture:  Streamer and political commentator Hasan Piker sparked controversy in the streaming world after he appeared to use a shock collar on his dog while streaming. The new EA game Battlefield 6 is having a very successful first week, setting it up to potentially dethrone Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 as the go-to first-person-shooter this holiday season. Popular shonen anime My Hero Academia begins its final season this weekend. In fact, it's a big season for season premieres of popular anime in general. Swifties are up-in-arms over Taylor Swift's alleged use of AI in her promo videos for her new album The Life of a Showgirl. Instagram announced a policy going into effect later this year that attempts to limit teens' accounts to only show content that would appear in PG-13 movies, a rating system Meta called "familiar to parents." Become a monthly donor today, join the Table. For more Axis resources, go to axis.org.

#WitchTok is upset at Crock-Pot for not releasing a cauldron, new studies about how spiritual yearning changes with age, and Sora becomes the most-downloaded free app in the Apple App Store. Meme of the Week: "The lion does not concern himself…"  The phrase "the lion does not concern himself with [thing X]" has been gaining popularity on TikTok and Instagram over the last few weeks. The phrase itself entered the lexicon thanks to Game of Thrones. However, in recent days, it's turned into an ironic way to justify personal preferences (Ex. "The lioness does not concern herself with onions on her In-N-Out burgers.") or avoiding basic responsibilities (Ex. "The lion does not concern himself with folding laundry."). Elsewhere in culture:  Streamer and political commentator Hasan Piker sparked controversy in the streaming world after he appeared to use a shock collar on his dog while streaming. The new EA game Battlefield 6 is having a very successful first week, setting it up to potentially dethrone Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 as the go-to first-person-shooter this holiday season. Popular shonen anime My Hero Academia begins its final season this weekend. In fact, it's a big season for season premieres of popular anime in general. Swifties are up-in-arms over Taylor Swift's alleged use of AI in her promo videos for her new album The Life of a Showgirl. Instagram announced a policy going into effect later this year that attempts to limit teens' accounts to only show content that would appear in PG-13 movies, a rating system Meta called "familiar to parents." Become a monthly donor today, join the Table. For more Axis resources, go to axis.org.  

"My daughter has been trying to wear the gothic style in her clothes and makeup. I have explained several times the roots of this fashion but she doesn't believe me. How could I help her to understad and to follow the Bible messages about all this stuff?" - Laura Become a monthly donor today, join the Table. For more Axis resources, go to axis.org.