There’s nothing more enjoyable than connecting with friends and family over popular news, book and movie references and getting the scoop on trending topics that inspire animated conversations and playful banter. Pop culture knowledge certainly connects and entertains us all.
But how do we engage successfully in these exchanges when the people with whom we’re trying to bond are much younger than we are or have vastly different perspectives of culturally relevant conversation points – people who may use slang words we’ve never heard before? The answer is, we have some homework to do to make sure we “understood the assignment.” No cap.
Here’s the good news: this ongoing pop culture assignment is not only fun, it is totes enlightening and promises to bring us closer to the youthful people in our life – the folks who will be a support to us as we make our sunset stroll. And bonus, it’s guaranteed to keep us young at heart.
Ready to start vibing with the yoots? Let’s look at a few reliable sources that will help expand our pop culture fluency and flex better connections with the people we love. Bet.
Subscribe to People magazine
I say People magazine because it’s a pretty widely known piece, but really any publication or website in this genre will do. These sources include star sightings that give you an idea of who’s hip these days, book and movie reviews, fashion and product news and current salacious news items – all packaged in short, easy-to-digest texts that take no time at all to consume. This information will help you keep an eye out for related topics from other sources.
Stay Active and Connected on Social Media Platforms and Join Tiktok
Yes, to relate better with younger people you have to enter their world and be on their scene – and that place is social media. And specifically, social media that isn’t Facebook or LinkedIn. Try getting established on Instagram and SnapChat. In those spaces, you’ll get a better sense of what’s important to your younger peeps, where they are and how they’re engaging in life.
And to hit paydirt on social media, you simply must get TikTok. Share on it as much as you like or feel comfortable, but you will be highly informed on micro trends and ridiculous facts by just scrolling and lurking.
Keep an Eye on “Trending” News Stories
You can find out what’s trending during Google searches and simply being online. Many online news sources feature sections expressly for this purpose, including AP News and The Today Show. It’s a quick and easy way to see what people are talking about that day and decide whether you want to learn more about it.
Subscribe to a Newsletter or Media Source That Caters to a Younger Demographic
There are sooooooo many newsletters and news emails out there that reach different age demographics, you may get plenty already. But it’s fun and informative to sign up for email news targeting folks who aren’t in your age and stage. Many are free, though some require a small fee for subscriptions.
Substack is one great and newer source for finding new media publications. Two that are really fresh are The Newsette and 1440. Both link to stories about new trends and resources on young people’s radars.
Read the Dictionary, LOL!
No really. Each year, dictionary companies like Dictionary.com and Merriam-Webster’s publish current slang words or phrases that have wormed their way into common usage. Make note and use them carefully – claim your rizz!
Get a Real-World Education by Befriending and Talking with Younger People You Know, and Make Sure You Listen to Learn
This is where you get the good stuff. Not only is meeting and engaging with younger people informative, it also is critical for building and thriving in intergenerational relationships. Study after study shows our health and experience improves when we engage with people younger or older than we are. These relationships are good for everyone.
With any luck, this source list will help you build new pop culture fluencies that will enhance relationships with others. And surely there are plenty of other places to stay current.
Please Share Your Experiences:
Where do you go to up your cultural relevance game? And how do you integrate what you’ve learned into fresh conversations? Being “in the know” on topics that may be out of your comfort zone is a connection point for others, how will you build on this strength?