Axis Conversations

Three Big Conversations: RaptureTok reacts to the failed prediction of the rapture happening this past Tuesday. - 8:14 The R-rated anime movie Demon Slayer debuts at #1 in theaters. - 16:34 Ways parents can find solutions to the problem of parental loneliness.- 26:34 Song of the Week - “Man I Need” by Olivia Dean - 1:46 To read the lyrics, click here.  Elsewhere in culture: - 42:12 Fourteen-year-old influencer Zuza Beine from the Glow House passed away this week after an 11-year battle with leukemia.   Robot umpires are officially coming to Major League Baseball in 2026.  The Summer I Turned Pretty will return as a Prime movie, bringing Belly, Conrad, and the rest of the Cousins Beach crew back for the final chapter.  The “pi**er” trend has hit college campuses, with students posting viral clips of public urination and even sparking “pi**er hunter” accounts trying to track them down. Axis’s new Conversation Starter video, “What Social Media Steals From You,” looks at how scrolling on our smartphones shapes our presence, our kids, and even our faith. Become a monthly donor today, join the Table. For more Axis resources, go to axis.org.

RaptureTok reacts to the failed prediction of the rapture happening this past Tuesday, the R-rated anime movie Demon Slayer debuts at #1 in theaters, and ways parents can find solutions to the problem of parental loneliness. Song of the Week - “Man I Need” by Olivia Dean To read the lyrics, click here.  Elsewhere in culture: Fourteen-year-old influencer Zuza Beine from the Glow House passed away this week after an 11-year battle with leukemia.   Robot umpires are officially coming to Major League Baseball in 2026.  The Summer I Turned Pretty will return as a Prime movie, bringing Belly, Conrad, and the rest of the Cousins Beach crew back for the final chapter.  The “pi**er” trend has hit college campuses, with students posting viral clips of public urination and even sparking “pi**er hunter” accounts trying to track them down. Axis’s new Conversation Starter video, “What Social Media Steals From You,” looks at how scrolling on our smartphones shapes our presence, our kids, and even our faith. Become a monthly donor today, join the Table. For more Axis resources, go to axis.org.

Dr. Jean Twenge, a psychology professor at San Diego State University and the author of influential books like iGen, shares her insights on parenting in today’s tech-driven world. She emphasizes the importance of authoritative parenting—balancing love with firm boundaries to safeguard kids against technology's dangers. Twenge advises keeping devices out of bedrooms to improve sleep and mental health, delaying social media until after 16, and starting with basic phones. Her practical rules blend tech reality with nurturing, helping parents set effective limits without striving for perfection.

Three Big Conversations: The wilted rose emoji is the new broken heart emoji. - 12:32 The aftermath of the Charlie Kirk shooting. - 23:00 A new study about why the so-called “unhappiness hump” of midlife is shifting. - 43:36 Song of the Week - "Back to Friends" - sombr - 1:36 To read the lyrics click here. Elsewhere in culture: - 1:01:26 As of this past Sunday, Turning Point USA had reported 54,000 new inquiries from people wanting to start chapters of the organization Charlie Kirk helped to cofound. The game Borderlands 4 has been released, but it has several performance issues on gaming consoles. So-called “green witchcraft” is now trending, which is supposed to involve a mixture of herbalism and eco-friendly rituals. Apple’s iOS 26, with its new Liquid Glass design style, is now available to anyone with iPhone 11 or later. The new Gen Z trend of “reverse catfishing” involves deliberately underselling oneself online, in the hopes of finding a connection with someone based on more than just edited images. Become a monthly donor today, join the Table. And for more resources, go to axis.org.

The wilted rose emoji is the new broken heart emoji, a new study about why the so-called “unhappiness hump” of midlife is shifting, and the aftermath of the Charlie Kirk shooting. Song of the Week - "Back to Friends" - sombr Elsewhere in culture: As of this past Sunday, Turning Point USA had reported 54,000 new inquiries from people wanting to start chapters of the organization Charlie Kirk helped to cofound. The game Borderlands 4 has been released, but it has several performance issues on gaming consoles. So-called “green witchcraft” is now trending, which is supposed to involve a mixture of herbalism and eco-friendly rituals. Apple’s iOS 26, with its new Liquid Glass design style, is now available to anyone with iPhone 11 or later. The new Gen Z trend of “reverse catfishing” involves deliberately underselling oneself online, in the hopes of finding a connection with someone based on more than just edited images. To read the lyrics click here. Become a monthly donor today, join the Table. And for more resources, go to axis.org.

“We are very strict with our daughter about her presence on social media. However we often find that friends help her create accounts with Instagram and Snapchat on their phones and tablets. Just this morning I discovered an account (it isn't hard to find them) on Instagram where she was chatting with a boy from Miami she has never met. She was talking about how strict we are. He told her she needs to break free from her prison. The topic came up because he was wondering why she didn't have any photos of herself up. He also asked if she has a snapchat account. She doesn't realize how dangerous that very conversation is. This of all things is my "paranoid parent" issue. So I am reaching out to you Axis… how can we get our kids to understand how dangerous these conversations with strangers are. Sometimes I get afraid that the only way I can get her to understand would be to be far more graphic than I ever want to be. Can you discuss ways to have this conversation?” - Joy   Click here for the Everything Smartphone Guide on Amazon  Or experience it here. Become a monthly donor today, join the Table.   For more Axis resources, go to axis.org.

Three Big Conversations: Sabrina Carpenter’s new album pushes predictable buttons. - 9:22 Why Gen Alpha loves throwing up peace signs. -24:44 Why some people think online age verification is a dangerous idea. - 36:16 Song of the Week - "Dead Dance" - Lady Gaga-2:22 To read the lyrics click here. Elsewhere in culture: - 56:10 This week, Apple announced the next generation of iPhone, as well as new Airpods that feature live language translation. Ariana Grande is opting not to use dynamic pricing for her upcoming shows, ensuring tickets remain the same price regardless of demand. MTV’s Video Music Awards happened this week, with Lady Gaga winning “Artist of the Year.”AI videos stylized like video game cutscenes (specifically Final Fantasy) are being created to bring “Bible stories to life like no one’s ever seen before.” “Ranch Style,” i.e. fashion that focuses on looking like you work or live on a ranch, may be the hottest fashion trend in the upcoming months. Become a monthly donor today, join the Table.  

Sabrina Carpenter’s new album pushes predictable buttons, why Gen Alpha loves throwing up peace signs, and why some people think online age verification is a dangerous idea.  Song of the Week - "Dead Dance" - Lady Gaga To read the lyrics click here. Elsewhere in culture: This week, Apple announced the next generation of iPhone, as well as new Airpods that feature live language translation. Ariana Grande is opting not to use dynamic pricing for her upcoming shows, ensuring tickets remain the same price regardless of demand. MTV’s Video Music Awards happened this week, with Lady Gaga winning “Artist of the Year.”AI videos stylized like video game cutscenes (specifically Final Fantasy) are being created to bring “Bible stories to life like no one’s ever seen before.” “Ranch Style,” i.e. fashion that focuses on looking like you work or live on a ranch, may be the hottest fashion trend in the upcoming months. Become a monthly donor today, join the Table. For more Axis resources, go to axis.org.  

Clare is a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, where she directs EPPC’s Technology and Human Flourishing Project. Prior to joining the EPPC, Mrs. Morell worked in both the White House Counsel’s Office and the Department of Justice, as well as in the private and non-profit sectors. She is the author of The Tech Exit: A Practical Guide to Freeing Kids and Teens from Smartphones, which we’ll be talking about today. Click here for Clare's book: The Tech Exit: A Practical Guide to Freeing Kids and Teens from Smartphones Learn more about Clare: https://thetechexit.com https://claremorell.substack.com https://eppc.org/author/clare_morell/ Donate today through The Table For more resources, go to axis.org.

Three Big Conversations: A solution to the problem of what to do when our kids have friends we don’t like Why some high school and college students are giving up the use of AI The aftermath of the tragic shooting at Annunciation. Resource of the Week - The Table Elsewhere in culture: Sabrina Carpenter said that her new album Man’s Best Friend was “not for any pearl clutchers,” as reported by The Hollywood Reporter (strong language and sexual content). Memes about Wal-Mart’s recall of “radioactive shrimp” started trending. Episode 1 of the new season of The Great British Baking Show will be released tonight in the United States. TCU destroyed North Carolina 48-14 in Bill Belichick’s college football coaching debut. Long-awaited indie game Hollow Knight: Silksong was released yesterday and was so popular it was crashing digital storefronts. For more Axis resources, go to axis.org.