The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway Why Young Americans Feel Stuck in Today’s Economy — ft. Ed Elson & Kyla Scanlon
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Jan 16, 2026 
In this discussion, economic commentator Kyla Scanlon, author of "In This Economy" and founder of the financial platform Bread, explores how the American Dream is evolving for younger generations. She dives into aspirational displacement, explaining why millennials prioritize experiences and pets over homeownership. Kyla and Ed Elson highlight the misleading economic signals that mask financial strain and emphasize the importance of discerning real financial health amidst today's media noise.
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Aspirational Displacement Explains Odd Spending
- Younger generations spend on accessible luxuries and experiences because housing and big purchases are out of reach.
- This aspirational displacement creates strong retail figures but low consumer sentiment.
Services Stay Costly While Goods Get Cheaper
- Services resist productivity gains so accessible luxuries remain relatively expensive compared with goods.
- International trade and cheaper goods amplify spending on experiences and imported luxuries.
Dog-Only Flights As A Cultural Signal
- Kyla notes niche businesses like airlines catering specifically to dogs as evidence of shifting priorities.
- Ed reacts with ironic dismay at people affording pet flights but not houses.
