#GenZ

For Gen Z, the line between creative expression and entrepreneurship is becoming increasingly blurred—but what does it take to turn a passion into a sustainable career? Research from Deloitte suggests that Gen Z is approaching career success through a combination of financial security, meaningful work, and personal well-being. At the same time, emerging opportunities in the creator economy are giv...

Gen Z may be the most digitally connected generation yet—but they’re also embracing analog technology, creating new rules for sharing their lives online, and borrowing language from gaming to make sense of everyday life. In this episode of #GENZ’s Teach Me Three series, Dr. Meghan Grace sits down with her former coworker and longtime friend Zach Jones, who has been teaching her abou...

True crime has always fascinated audiences—but TikTok, podcasts, and social media have fundamentally changed how we participate in it. In this episode of #GenZ, Dr. Meghan Grace sits down with Dr. Simon Hobbs, Senior Lecturer in Visual Culture at the University of Portsmouth and co-editor of #True Crime: Digital Culture, Ethics and True Crime Audiences, to explore how Gen Z is reshaping true crime...

Every generation evolves the way we speak—but what makes Gen Z’s language feel different? Research on language change suggests that the way we speak is constantly evolving alongside our social networks, identities, and culture. For Gen Z, growing up online has expanded networks dramatically, allowing slang, speech patterns, and cultural references to spread faster and farther than ever before. In...

Gen Z is constantly evolving—from the language they use to the way they travel, work, connect, and adopt new technology. In this episode, Dr. Meghan Grace kicks off a new #GENZ series where members of Gen Z teach her three things they think the rest of us should know. Her first guest is Charlie, a 23-year-old Butler University graduate, young sales professional, and Meghan’s former roommate—and lo...

Manifestation has a presence in Gen Z culture—but what's really driving its popularity? Research on self-efficacy, goal-setting, and positive self-talk suggests that our beliefs can influence our motivation, confidence, and ability to pursue opportunities. In a generation navigating economic uncertainty, rapid technological change, and constant digital connection, it's no surprise that concepts li...

What does it mean to come of age in an economy that feels increasingly expensive, uncertain, and impossible to navigate? In this episode, Megan sits down with economist, creator, and founder of The Junior Economist, Guyesha Blackshear, to unpack how Gen Z is experiencing today's economy differently than previous generations. Together, they explore everything from financial anxiety and "late-stage...

Parenthood is a major life milestone andGen Z is approaching it with their own mindset. In this episode of #GenZ, Meghan Grace sits down with perinatal therapist and Nameberry Editor-in-Chief Sophie Kihm to explore how Gen Z is rethinking parenting, relationships, emotional health, and family-building in real time. This conversation is about more than babies - It’s about how an entire generation i...

We knew this day would come, we just didn’t think it would be here so soon - Gen Z is getting married. In this episode of #GenZ, Meghan Grace sits down with Adrienna McDermott, founder of Ava and The Bee, to unpack what’s really shaping how Gen Z approaches weddings—and what that reveals about how they make decisions more broadly. Because this is about much more than weddings. It’s about what’s un...

Season 8 is here—and we’re starting with a question that feels bigger than dating: Is Gen Z actually avoiding love… or protecting themselves from it? In this episode of #GenZ, Meghan Grace sits down with Dr. Corey Seemiller to unpack what’s really shaping Gen Z’s approach to love, dating, and relationships right now. Because this isn’t about “dating advice.”It’s about what’s underneath it all. Fro...

In the Season 7 finale of #GenZ, Dr. Meghan Grace brings her production team, Callie Waters and Leah Kramer, from behind the scenes to the mic. Together, they reflect on the standout moments from this season and what the conversations revealed about where Gen Z is heading next. This year, #GenZ explored how young adults are navigating work, money, relationships, health, and purpose in an unpredict...

There’s a reason the phrase “laughter is the best medicine” became such a popular thing to say. A good helps us feel better, but is also a way Gen is making sense of the world and their lives. In this episode of #GenZ, host Meghan Grace sits down with the podcast’s own editor — comedian, creative producer, and grief group facilitator Leah Kramer— to explore how Gen Z is using comedy as a form of c...

In this episode of #GenZ host Dr. Meghan Grace sits down with Gabby Beckford — award-winning travel creator and founder of  Packs Light and SeekPTO. From solo trips at 17 to funding travel through scholarships, fellowships, and global programs, Gabby has built a life around one belief:Travel isn’t about money. It’s about mindset. Together, Meghan and Gabby explore how Gen Z is redefining travel —...

“Going out” is getting a broader definition. More young people are choosing intention and wellness over traditional nightlife or bar hopping.  There’s a shift in what it means to “party” and Gen Z is driving that evolution. In this episode of #GenZ, Meghan Grace sits down with Hannah Eyre—yoga teacher, breathwork facilitator, and co-founder of the Savannah Ice Tub Club—to explore how Gen Z is chan...

Gen Z is approaching their relationship with alcohol differently and reshaping what it means to “go out”, socialize, and connect.  In this conversation, Meghan Grace is joined by Todd Harris, co-founder of Plift, a THC-infused beverage company rooted in community, culture, and choice. Todd brings a mix of brand wisdom with personal vulnerability, opening up about his recovery journey and the motiv...

Gen Z’s intentional and informed approach to life is deeply aligned with their relationship with substance use - and how they aim to create safer environments.   In this episode, Meghan Grace sits down with Maddie Ward, Chief Operating Officer of End Overdose, to explore how Gen Z’s relationship with substance use is reshaping overdose prevention through peer-led education and advocacy. In this ep...

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions most people will ever make. For Gen Z, it is feeling more intimidating than inspiring. Between rising interest rates, affordability challenges, and the shifting economy, young buyers often wonder if ownership is even possible. In this episode of #GenZ, Meghan Grace sits down with Austin Whitaker, real estate investor, entrepreneur, and founde...

What does retirement and financial planning look like when you're 25? And, why should young people start caring about it now? In this episode of #GenZ,  Dr. Meghan Grace is joined by Zechariah Schaefer, founder of Ascent Personal Finance, to explore what financial planning and retirement preparation actually means for Gen Z. This conversation dives into how today's Gen Z professionals are redefini...

What is the key to a fulfilling career and life? Maybe it isn’t about what happens when we sign off for retirement - if we ever sign off at all.  In this episode of #GenZ, Meghan sits down with Noah Sheidlower, economy reporter at Business Insider, to explore a surprising trend reshaping the workforce: more Americans than ever are staying on the job— including those in their 70s, 80s, and even 90s...

We’ve talked about the rise of in-person events and “fourth spaces”—but today, we’re zooming in on the real engine behind this shift: the people who gather others and bring communities together. In this episode, Meghan Grace is joined by Andrew Roth, Gen Z researcher, Forbes 30 Under 30 alum, and Founder of dcdx and Offline. Together, they unpack how Gen Z is moving beyond algorithm-driven influen...

What do Mahjong, knitting, and bread baking have in common? They are more than cozy pastimes and they’re at the heart of one of Gen Z’s fastest-growing cultural trends: Grannycore. In this episode, Meghan Grace is joined by Roseli Ilano, Head of Community and Trends Expert at Eventbrite, to explore why younger generations are turning to traditionally “old-school” hobbies and what it reveals about...

What does it mean to build a career on your own terms? And, how is Gen Z leading that shift? Meghan Grace sits down with Dr. Gabby Burlacu, Senior Research Manager at Upwork, to explore the rise of freelance and portfolio careers among Gen Z professionals. Drawing on findings from Upwork’s 2025 Future Workforce Index, Gabby and Meghan unpack why over half of Gen Z skilled knowledge workers are cho...

In this episode of #GenZ, Meghan Grace explores the evolving landscape of modern leadership with Amanda Litman, author, political strategist, and co-founder of Run for Something. Meghan and Amanda unpack what makes this generation of leaders different - from prioritizing mental well-being and transparency, to rejecting outdated hierarchies and performative “professionalism.” This episode explores...

Conversations about AI are everywhere and Gen Z is welcoming the technology into many facets of life. Meghan Grace is joined by AI strategist and higher education consultant Claire Brady to explore how Generation Z is uniquely positioned to thrive in an AI-driven world. They dive into actionable strategies for using artificial intelligence with intentionality and fostering authentic human connecti...

What happens when a generation raised on digital connection starts craving real-world relationships? In this episode of #GenZ, Meghan Grace sits down with Alexis Benveniste, writer and trends expert at Eventbrite, to explore the powerful shift happening in how Gen Z gathers. Drawing from Eventbrite’s latest research, Alexis unpacks why young adults are trading screen time for shared experiences an...