GenZ Unplugged

Why are fewer young people choosing marriage and children—and what can we learn from those who swim against the tide? Economist and author Catherine Pakaluk joins us to share the story behind her groundbreaking book Hannah’s Children. From her personal journey as a young wife and mother of six overnight, to her research on the cultural and spiritual roots of declining birth rates, Catherine unpack...

Amira Hawat, a summer 2026 Luce Center intern, grew up in Venezuela surrounded by propaganda, corruption, blackouts, water shortages, and fear — but she didn’t fully realize how abnormal it was until she came to America. In this episode of Gen Z Unplugged, Amira shares what it was like to leave Venezuela at 14, experience freedom for the first time, and watch young Americans romanticize the same i...

Erika Donalds joins Gen Z Unplugged to deliver a wake-up call on artificial intelligence, education, and the future of America. While many young people are being taught to fear AI, Erika argues it may be one of the greatest tools for opportunity, entrepreneurship, and learning—if we use it wisely. She also explains why parents must take back responsibility for teaching patriotism, civics, and trut...

At just 23 years old, Reagan Reese became one of the youngest reporters in the White House briefing room — and she had no idea if she was ready. In this episode of Gen Z Unplugged, Reagan shares how she went from Hillsdale College to The Daily Caller, what it’s really like covering the White House in the Trump administration, and why the most important thing young conservatives can do is stay brav...

It started with a hard “yes” in the middle of doubt—and turned into something no one expected. In this episode of Gen Z Unplugged, we sit down with Abigail DeJarnatt and Allie Paris of Counteract USA to unpack the unexpected story behind a movement that’s reaching young people across the country. What started with one reluctant “yes” quickly turned into something much bigger—answering a question s...

What happens when a college student can take an entire class on Marxism—but struggles to find courses on Locke, Burke, or the ideas behind America’s founding? Author Joelle Webb joins Gen Z Unplugged to explain why that experience inspired her to write Conserving Truth, how political philosophy can help Gen Z move beyond viral soundbites, and why understanding conservatism’s intellectual roots mat...

Is the American dream slipping away — or were we never told how the system really works? In this episode, we sit down with journalist and author Natalie Brunell to talk about why so many young people feel like they can’t get ahead… and why the problem might be deeper than politics. From growing up hearing stories about life under communism, to watching her own family lose everything in the financi...

Can young women build meaningful careers without sacrificing faith, family, or motherhood? Alexis Lange believes the answer is yes—and she grew up watching it happen. In this episode of Gen Z Unplugged, 2026 Luce Center summer intern Alexis Lange shares how her patriotic upbringing, Benedictine College education, and strong female mentors shaped her understanding of leadership, work, and womanhood...

AI isn’t just changing how we work—it could reshape politics, education, relationships, national security, and even how we understand what it means to be human. In this episode of Gen Z Unplugged, Wynton Hall, author of Code Red: The Left, the Right, China, and the Race to Control AI, breaks down the battle already underway over artificial intelligence. He explains why conservatives can’t afford t...

Gen Z is more connected than any generation in history—so why are young people desperate to escape the digital world? In this episode of Gen Z Unplugged, we introduce our new host, Anastasia Leffas. She shares how faith, family, mentorship, and conservative community shaped her worldview—and why Gen Z is searching for something more meaningful than social media, artificial intelligence, and online...

Alena entered Vanderbilt expecting to find a more conservative environment in Tennessee—but instead, she often felt alone in her beliefs and hesitant to speak openly in class. Now a Summer 2026 Luce Center intern, she reflects on how her faith gave her the courage to challenge political complacency, question ideological bias, and refuse to stay silent. She also explains why conservative students s...

Erika Donalds joins Gen Z Unplugged to deliver a wake-up call on artificial intelligence, education, and the future of America. While many young people are being taught to fear AI, Erika argues it may be one of the greatest tools for opportunity, entrepreneurship, and learning—if we use it wisely. She also explains why parents must take back responsibility for teaching patriotism, civics, and trut...

Alex Clark is engaged — but her love story didn’t come without years of waiting, heartbreak, and wondering why God kept closing the door. In this episode of Gen Z Unplugged, Alex opens up about meeting her fiancé, preparing for marriage in a season of singleness, and why young women shouldn’t waste the waiting. She also gets candid about backlash, courage, and why telling the truth matters more th...

At just 23 years old, Reagan Reese became one of the youngest reporters in the White House briefing room — and she had no idea if she was ready. In this episode of Gen Z Unplugged, Reagan shares how she went from Hillsdale College to The Daily Caller, what it’s really like covering the White House in the Trump administration, and why the most important thing young conservatives can do is stay brav...

Leah Francis Campos was nominated by President Donald J. Trump and confirmed by the United States Senate on October 8, 2025, to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic. Ambassador Campos is committed to deepening the relationship between the United States and the Dominican Republic, while prioritizing the vital national interests of the United States - in pursuit of peace, prosperity, r...

Liz Wheeler’s fire didn’t begin on a political debate stage — it sparked in a hospital room. A young athlete, a terrifying diagnosis, and a mother who refused to let the system decide her daughter’s fate. In this powerful conversation, Liz reveals how God redirected her passion from the pool to confronting corruption, exposing evil, and defending American families. She also gives raw wisdom on mot...

At Tulane University, Juliana learned that expressing the “wrong” opinion could cost her friendships, leadership positions, and reputation. The 2026 Luce Center intern opens up about campus censorship, being sidelined in hockey, the fight to protect women’s sports, and how faith helped her rediscover the beliefs she had buried to fit in. Her advice to incoming freshmen is simple: Know who you are...

Amira Hawat, a summer 2026 Luce Center intern, grew up in Venezuela surrounded by propaganda, corruption, blackouts, water shortages, and fear — but she didn’t fully realize how abnormal it was until she came to America. In this episode of Gen Z Unplugged, Amira shares what it was like to leave Venezuela at 14, experience freedom for the first time, and watch young Americans romanticize the same i...

Gen Z was promised endless connection—Snapchat, Instagram, Zoom, dating apps, group chats, and constant access to everyone we know. So why does this generation feel more isolated than ever? In this episode of Gen Z Unplugged, we unpack the loneliness epidemic: how screens replaced real friendship, why COVID made isolation feel normal, how self-checkout and QR codes made us avoid basic human intera...

AI is everywhere—from classrooms and workplaces to Google searches, social media posts, and even the way we brainstorm, write, and create. But Gen Z seems caught in a strange contradiction: we use AI constantly, yet many of us are anxious about where it’s taking us. In this episode of Gen Z Unplugged, Catherine and Rachel unpack why Gen Z is both the first generation to grow up with AI and one of...

Why are so many young people feeling isolated, anxious, and afraid to speak the truth? Former CIA analyst and author Stella Morabito reveals the terrifying strategy behind modern censorship, gender ideology, social media addiction, and cancel culture: the weaponization of loneliness. In this explosive interview, Stella dives into: How tyrants and regimes use fear and isolation to control the masse...

She walked into the White House with a notebook and conviction — and shook the room. Mary Margaret Olohan isn’t just reporting the news, she’s exposing the silence, breaking the narrative, and refusing to bow. From homeschooling to headline-making, Mary Margaret opens up about how her faith shaped her fight, what legacy media won’t say about abortion and gender ideology, and why Gen Z girls are do...

It started with a hard “yes” in the middle of doubt—and turned into something no one expected. In this episode of Gen Z Unplugged, we sit down with Abigail DeJarnatt and Allie Paris of Counteract USA to unpack the unexpected story behind a movement that’s reaching young people across the country. What started with one reluctant “yes” quickly turned into something much bigger—answering a question s...

What would make a successful finance executive walk away from it all to fight for America’s kids? Erika Donalds did exactly that. When her son came home miserable from school, she discovered a broken system—and made it her mission to change it. In this powerful episode of Gen Z Unplugged, Erika shares how one mom’s love turned into a nationwide movement for school choice and education freedom. Fro...

What starts as a quiet nudge can turn into something much bigger. In this episode of Gen Z Unplugged, two college students share how an unexpected calling—one they initially felt completely unready for—led to the creation of their podcast, Hot Mess, Holy Heart. From navigating loneliness on campus to wrestling with doubt, social media pressure, and the search for real purpose, their story is both...