The 5 Biggest Obstacles Facing Gen Z and How Parents Can Help (w/ Dr. Jonathan Morrow) "Best Of" Episode 55

Are your kids prepared to withstand the tidal waves of our culture—or will they get swept away?

The cultural currents our kids are facing aren’t just subtle—they’re hitting like tidal waves, challenging the very foundations of our parenting. If you’ve ever wondered what exactly our kids are up against and how in the world we, as parents, can help them stand strong, this “Best Of” episode of CP/CW is for you.

Catherine welcomes back Dr. Jonathan Morrow, a true heavyweight in the world of apologetics and worldview training. With over 18 years equipping students and parents, Dr. Morrow is uniquely qualified to map out the storms facing our kids—and how you can help them stand strong.

To unpack these seismic shifts, Jonathan digs deep into the five biggest challenges facing this generation. He doesn’t just identify headlines or surface trends—he gets to the heart of what’s shaping our kids every single day.

In this episode, Dr. Morrow casts an unflinching light on what he calls the “cultural waves” crashing down on Gen Z and Gen Alpha:

• Digital Saturation & Distraction: Our kids are drowning in digital noise—a reality that shapes their minds and depletes their ability to reflect deeply on truth. “If Christianity never calls us to look different than the culture in which we’re in, we might want to reevaluate.” ~ Jonathan Morrow
• Scientism: Society treats the hard sciences as the only trustworthy source of truth, quietly nudging faith and morality out of the conversation. “If science is the only way you know something, guess what you can’t have knowledge of? Morality, spirituality, and history.” ~ Jonathan Morrow
• Relativism: “You do you.” In a world where truth is seen as subjective, our kids are tempted to believe there is no objective reality—just personal preference.
• Tribalism: Forget persuasion; today’s climate is about power and alliances. The result? A deeper us-vs-them mentality that threatens the unity Christ calls us to embody.
• The New Sexual Revolution: Cultural norms around sexuality and gender have been radically redefined—impacting even how our children understand themselves and others.
• Progressive Christianity: When secular ideologies get relabeled as Christian, children and teens may be drawn in by messages of acceptance and activism while losing sight of the Gospel’s transformative core.

This episode isn’t just an exposé of what’s broken in our world—it’s packed with encouragement, powerful insights, and actionable wisdom that will help you and your kids become steadfast in faith.

Don’t let culture catch your family off guard. Will you be a passive observer—or will you become the anchor your family needs?

About the Guest:
Jonathan Morrow holds master’s degrees in divinity and philosophy of religion and ethics, a doctorate in worldview and culture, and serves as Director of Cultural Engagement at Impact 360 Institute. He’s the author of Welcome to College, Questioning the Bible: 11 Major Challenges to the Bible's Authority, and Is God Just a Human Invention, and has trained thousands of young believers to build a lasting, reasonable, and robust faith. 

Resources & Next Steps:

• Other Episodes in this Series: Bridging the Generation Gap - 5 Keys to Reaching the Next Generation w/ Dr. Jonathan Morrow
• Learn more about Impact 360’s life-changing programs at impact360.org
• Grab Jonathan’s free resource, The Case for Christianity in Four Words, and discover his course for parents at jonathanmorrow.org
• Subscribe for more parenting resources at catherinesegars.com
• Share this episode with a fellow parent or leader navigating the Gen Z gap

Let’s raise a generation that owns their faith and shines in the “crazy world” they’ve inherited—by God’s design, and for His glory.

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