Write About Now The Magazine Traditional Media Refuses to Make
Nov 17, 2025
Lili Zarghami, founder of Jenny Mag and a veteran of women's magazines, dives into the challenges and triumphs of creating content for Gen X women. She shares why traditional media fails to connect with this audience and how dating stories resonate more than health topics. Lili also discusses the joys of personal storytelling, the complexities of empty nesting, and the generational rifts between Gen X women and their Boomer mothers. With humor and candor, she emphasizes the importance of owning your platform and creating a space that feels authentic.
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Magazines Abandoned Gen X Women
- Lili noticed mainstream women's magazines stopped reflecting Gen X women's lives once they hit 40.
- She concluded Gen Xers want honest, urban, non-cookie-cutter stories that traditional publishers ignored.
Launched Jenny Mag With Zero Budget
- After COVID layoffs Lili and two cofounders built Jenny Mag on nights and weekends with no budget.
- They launched using industry contacts and pro bono contributions because they couldn't pay writers yet.
Personal Narratives Drive Engagement
- Jenny Mag prioritizes personal narratives that feel specific yet universal to Gen X women.
- Lili favors stories advertisers won't run and headlines mainstream outlets would avoid.
