Teenage years are a mess. Honestly, they always have been. Between the social pressure, the weird body changes, and that constant feeling that nobody actually gets you, it’s a lot to handle. Back in the 90s, if you were a teen girl growing up in a Christian household, there was one specific thing you looked for in the mailbox every month. Focus on the Family Brio wasn't just another magazine; it was kind of a lifeline for a very specific demographic of girls who felt caught between MTV culture and their Sunday school lessons.
It’s actually pretty wild to think about how long it's been around.
The magazine first hit the scene in 1990. Susie Shellenberger was the founding editor, and she basically became the "big sister" to an entire generation. She had this way of talking about high school drama and faith without sounding like a boring lecture. It worked. At its peak, Brio had hundreds of thousands of subscribers. But then, in 2009, things took a turn. The economy crashed, the publishing world was falling apart, and Focus on the Family made the tough call to pull the plug. People were devastated.
Then, out of nowhere in 2017, they brought it back. It wasn't exactly the same—the world had changed—but the mission was still there.
The Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of Brio Magazine
Most people don't realize how much the magazine's disappearance in 2009 left a vacuum. For nearly twenty years, it had been the safe alternative to CosmoGirl or YM. While those magazines were focused on "how to get his attention," Brio was talking about inner beauty and mission trips. It was counter-cultural. When the magazine shuttered, it felt like the end of an era.
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Focus on the Family eventually realized they still needed a way to reach Gen Z. The relaunch in 2017 brought in a fresh look. They kept the name, kept the spirit, but updated the aesthetic to compete with the Instagram era. Today, it’s still one of the few places where a teen girl can read about fashion or celebrities without the content pivoting toward things her parents might not be ready for her to see.
What’s Actually Inside Focus on the Family Brio Today?
If you pick up a copy now, you're going to see a mix of things. It’s not just Bible verses. They do profiles on Christian artists, talk about mental health, and give advice on how to deal with toxic friendships.
The advice columns are still a huge part of the draw. Teens have questions. Real ones. "How do I deal with my parents' divorce?" "Is it okay to be friends with people who don't share my faith?" "Why do I feel so anxious all the time?" Brio tackles these by blending a Christian worldview with practical, boots-on-the-ground advice. It’s less "pray it away" and more "here’s how to navigate this difficult situation with grace and boundaries."
They also have a brother magazine, or they did for a while. Brio & Beyond was the version for older teens, focusing more on college prep and deeper life questions. Nowadays, the focus is back on that core 12-16 age range. That's the sweet spot where you're still figuring out who you are but you're old enough to want real answers.
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Why Parents Are Still Obsessed With It
Let's be real: parents are usually the ones buying the subscription. In a world where TikTok trends can get dark pretty fast, Brio feels like a safe harbor. It’s one of the few things left in print that parents don't feel like they have to "pre-screen" before handing it over.
There's a lot of talk in parenting circles about "digital minimalism." Getting a physical magazine in the mail is a novelty for a kid who spends eight hours a day on a screen. There's something tactile about it. You can tear out the posters. You can pass it to a friend. You can read it in bed without a blue light keeping you awake. That physical presence is a big part of why Focus on the Family Brio has survived the digital shift when so many other magazines have folded.
The Cultural Impact and the "Brio Girl"
Back in the day, being a "Brio Girl" was a whole thing. They had these national contests where a girl would be chosen to represent the magazine. It wasn't a beauty pageant. It was about character and leadership.
Critics have sometimes argued that the magazine is too "bubble-like." That it doesn't prepare girls for the "real world." But if you talk to former readers, many of them say it was the one thing that helped them hold onto their values when they finally did enter that real world. It gave them a vocabulary for their faith. It showed them they weren't the only ones trying to live differently.
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Navigating the Modern Challenges of Teen Faith
Today's teens are facing things the 90s Brio girls never dreamed of. Cyberbullying isn't just a buzzword; it's a daily reality. The pressure to look "filtered" at all times is exhausting. Focus on the Family Brio has had to pivot to address these things. You’ll see articles on social media boundaries and how to find your identity in something other than "likes."
It’s a tough balance. If you're too preachy, the kids check out. If you're too "cool," you lose the parents. Brio stays in its lane by staying focused on the core message: you are valued, you have a purpose, and your faith matters.
Actionable Steps for Families Considering Brio
If you're looking into getting this for a teen in your life, here’s the best way to approach it. Don't just hand it to them and walk away. Use it as a conversation starter.
- Check out the "Ask Brio" section together. Sometimes the questions other girls ask are the same ones your daughter is thinking about but doesn't know how to bring up.
- Look for the mission opportunities. The magazine often highlights ways to get involved in charity or service projects. It’s a great way to move from "reading" to "doing."
- Compare it to other media. Use the articles to talk about how the Brio perspective differs from what they might see on a popular Netflix show. It helps build critical thinking skills.
- Don't force it. If they aren't into it right away, leave it on the coffee table. Magazines are meant to be flipped through at someone's own pace.
Focus on the Family Brio remains a unique fixture in the landscape of Christian media. It has survived a decade-long hiatus and a massive shift in how we consume information. Whether you're a nostalgic former reader or a parent looking for a wholesome alternative for your daughter, it offers a consistent, faith-based voice in a very noisy world. It reminds us that even as technology changes, the core struggles of growing up—finding belonging, seeking truth, and building a foundation for the future—stay exactly the same.