Mike Farris:
Alex, what inspired you and your brother Brett to begin a national campaign against pop culture’s low view of teenagers?

Alex Harris:
Well, we started our blog when we were 16 years old, certainly never expected for it to become a national campaign or a youth movement. But what happened is, we began writing articles on issues like the myth of adolescence, rebelling against low expectations, doing hard things, and suddenly young people started leaving comments and saying, “This is exactly what I’ve been missing at my youth group or at my church. Don’t stop.” And that’s when we really realized we’ve stumbled upon something big. And that’s when we were inspired to put to voice what a lot of young people around the world are feeling, and that is, there is so much more to the teen years than what society would have us think.

Mike:
Why do you think it’s important for teenagers to be self-motivated when taking on responsibility and not just be pushed by their parents?

Alex:
Well, because that’s what it means to grow up and to mature. It’s to take your own responsibility and to take initiative on your own instead of having to have an outside force pushing you to do something, and that’s the whole process of growing up. And that’s what the teen years are supposed to be about is increasingly taking on more responsibility, increasing your muscle, if you will, so that as an adult you’re able to effectively do what God has called you to do.

Mike:
Alex, thanks so much. I’m Mike Farris.