The Focus Group Podcast S6 Ep10: Gen Z: They're Zooming Apart (with Rachel Janfaza)
Nov 8, 2025
Rachel Janfaza, founder of The Up and Up and a Gen Z expert, dives into the evolving political landscape of young people. She highlights the striking shift of young women towards progressive causes, driven by concerns like reproductive rights and safety. Meanwhile, young men are veering right, influenced by social isolation and echo chambers. Janfaza discusses the generational split in priorities shaped by the pandemic, the pervasive role of AI in their lives, and how loneliness impacts political beliefs, emphasizing a need for community.
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Two Distinct Gen Z Cohorts
- Gen Z splits into two cohorts: those who graduated before COVID and those after, shaped by different political moments and tech.
- TikTok and algorithms made Gen Z2's culture and politics distinct from Gen Z1.
COVID Interrupted Teen Social Learning
- A teen in Arkansas said she was in high school during COVID and never learned how to interact with boys.
- She now struggles with social skills as a senior in college.
High Anxiety And Educational Gaps
- Young women report much higher anxiety than young men and often outpace men in education metrics.
- This anxiety shapes priorities and classroom behavior, widening gender divides.
