Andy Beshear Podcast

Episode: America’s Kids, A Thanksgiving Crashout and a Deepdive into AI

Host: Andy Beshear
Date: December 4, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Andy Beshear hosts two panels of high school students from Atherton High School in Louisville, Kentucky, for an open conversation about the unique challenges facing today’s youth. The episode then shifts to Beshear’s regular roundtable with “the Johns” (John Rabinowitz and John McConnell) for a deep dive on current events: a tragic shooting involving National Guardsmen, President Trump’s controversial Thanksgiving message, international affairs in Venezuela, and the opportunities and dilemmas of artificial intelligence and data centers. Classic segments like “In My Kentucky Accent” and “Gen Z Lingo” round out the show, blending personal insight with playful banter.

Panel 1: Listening to America’s Youth

(03:29–10:58)

Introductions

• Three high school students introduce themselves:
  • Hayden Gagle: Senior, transgender woman.
  • Bella Miranda: Junior, talented baker.
  • Bianca Phoenix: Senior, fencing and lacrosse enthusiast.

Key Discussion Points

How Gen Z Gets Its News

• Hayden: Aspiring journalist, uses AP News/WDRB/WAVE apps; notes most peers rely on social media.
• Bella and Bianca: Rely primarily on social media (TikTok, Instagram, X [Twitter], YouTube); also influenced by class discussions.
• Quote:

  “For most people my age, I would definitely assume social media.” — Hayden Gagle (05:09)

Perceptions of the World

• Overwhelming amount of negative news; concern about whether young voices matter, despite participation in youth government organizations.
• Maintaining faith in positive change despite daunting headlines.

• “I like to think that there’s more good people in the world than bad people.” — Bianca Phoenix (06:41)

Social Media: Net Positive or Negative?

• Acknowledgement of both upsides and downsides, with social media creating community but also generating anxiety.
• Most popular platforms: TikTok, Instagram, X, and YouTube.

How Should Adults Communicate with Youth?

• Use current lingo, humor, be authentic.
• Give space to express opinions and show understanding.
• “Research stuff you don’t understand.”

Students Interview Andy

• Superhero preference:

  “I’m probably somewhere stuck between Iron Man and Thor. I’m much more Marvel than DC, though I do like Batman.” — Andy Beshear (09:19)

• Favorite lingo from his generation:

  “We had more words for ‘awesome’ than we needed… radical and tubular… but we also had an annoying way of saying something we didn’t mean and then yelling ‘not!’ or ‘psych.’ And those two should not come back.” — Andy Beshear (09:38)

• Thanksgiving food: Andy likes his mac and cheese “made by someone else” and enjoys unique cheese combinations but appreciates traditional versions.

Panel 2: New Voices, New Concerns

(11:01–22:46)

Introductions

• Seniors Lacy Jones (photographer), Joey Gundol (lacrosse), and Elijah Gorman (baseball).

Key Discussion Points

News Consumption & Political Awareness

• Social media (especially TikTok and X) dominates news consumption; YouTube less common for hard news.
• Political discussions among peers occur mainly when big stories break (e.g., government shutdown).

• “It’s kind of hard for kids our age to really understand what everything means… only when something big happens or something that is easier to understand.” — Elijah Gorman (13:16)

Unique Concerns of Gen Z

• Climate Change: Overwhelming fear for the future after seeing the “climate clock” in New York City.

  “Our generation is the future… what can I do as an individual to change that?” — Lacy Jones (15:39)

• Nuclear Energy: Awareness of misinformation—curiosity about safer alternatives to coal/gas.
• Funding in Schools: Advocacy for public schools over private in government budgeting.

Students’ Questions for Andy

• Shoe collection:

  “Sneaker-wise… I’m 10.” — Andy Beshear (18:08)

• Baseball ties: Andy’s son Will plays for Frankfurt High; Andy is a lifelong (and long-suffering) Cincinnati Reds fan.
• Thanksgiving turkey secrets:

  “You gotta get under the skin with the salt… believe in a citrus brine… you cannot let it dry out, so you’re constantly opening the oven and basting it. If you don’t set off at least one fire alarm, then you haven’t had enough drama in your Thanksgiving.” — Andy Beshear (20:06)

• Advice to seniors: Andy shares his insecurities and how a state arts program helped him find confidence:

  “I was trying to figure out who I was… it’s a big gift to be comfortable in your own skin.” (22:04)

The Johns’ Roundtable: Processing a Wild Week

(23:23–42:46)

Tragic Shooting in D.C.

• National Guardsmen shot; perpetrator was an Afghan refugee, leading to a pause on refugee programs.
• Debate over proper vetting and government response, balancing security with promises to allies:

  “I do have concerns with folks that we told we will protect you when we were in Afghanistan… but we don’t abandon people that helped keep our troops safe.” — Andy Beshear (25:52)

Trump’s Thanksgiving Rant

• Trump’s Truth Social post politicized Thanksgiving, using inflammatory language including a slur toward Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

• “It’s not like we’re asking a lot of President Trump. Just be a little presidential, maybe not be cruel for just one day, the day Thanksgiving.” — Andy Beshear (44:18)

• “Even from this president, words have consequences. And just, I just say try to be presidential.” — Andy Beshear (31:11)

Venezuela & Foreign Policy

• Reports (disputed) of a “kill order” by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
• Questions about the legal basis for military action, lack of Congressional involvement, and contradictory pardons in Latin America.

• “You would potentially go to war with one country that you believe is sending drugs… but pardon someone else who is actually convicted.” — Andy Beshear (33:36)

On Drug Epidemic Solutions

• Emphasizes need for holistic approach: border security plus demand reduction, treatment, and hope for recovery.

  “We’ve got to address the demand side and not just the supply side.” — Andy Beshear (34:03)

AI & Data Centers

• AI’s dual potential: major medical advances vs. risk of unemployment.
• Data centers: pros (tax base, potential for school funding) and cons (energy use, few jobs, risk to grid).
• Community engagement is key to successful data center development.

  “If they’re going to come in and use a huge amount of power, they can’t ask the families in the surrounding communities to subsidize them.” — Andy Beshear (37:40) “This is going to be a part of the future. How do we do it in the right way for it to overall be a positive thing for our people?... I just want to get it right.” — Andy Beshear (41:37)

In My Kentucky Accent: A Lesson on Thankfulness

(42:53–45:33)

• Beshear contrasts Lincoln’s unifying intent for Thanksgiving with Trump’s divisive message.
• Advocates for decency and leadership, encourages listeners to focus on gratitude and kindness, not division.

  “No matter who you vote for… I hope you had a really good holiday. I hope there are things you can be thankful for in your lives, and I hope you’re doing just a little bit to help somebody out that might be a little less fortunate.” — Andy Beshear (45:07)

Gen Z Lingo: “Clean” vs. “Drip” & More

(46:21–50:25)

• Andy’s son Will introduces the word “clean” (an outfit looking really good), compared to “drip” (swaggy, showy style).
• Playful banter about whose outfit is “clean” or “drip,” with Will giving the rundown.

  “Clean… it’s like you were casually trying to look good.” — Will Bashir (48:23)

• Merch announcement: the podcast will soon offer “clean and drip” apparel and other items—inspired by audience input.

Memorable & Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• “We want our guests to talk about what drives them in life and how they make their decisions.” — Andy Beshear on podcast rules (01:32)
• “For most people my age, I would definitely assume social media.” — Hayden Gagle (05:09)
• “I like to think that there’s more good people in the world than bad people.” — Bianca Phoenix (06:41)
• “Try to always research stuff that you don’t understand.” — High School Student (08:43)
• “You gotta get under the skin with the salt… believe in a citrus brine… you cannot let it dry out.” — Andy Beshear’s turkey tip (20:06)
• “Even from this president, words have consequences. And just, I just say try to be presidential.” — Andy Beshear (31:11)
• “We’ve got to address the demand side and not just the supply side.” — Andy Beshear on the opioid crisis (34:03)
• “If they’re going to come in and use a huge amount of power, they can’t ask the families in the surrounding communities to subsidize them.” — Andy Beshear (37:40)
• “No matter who you vote for… I hope you had a really good holiday.” — Andy Beshear (45:07)
• “Clean… it’s like you were casually trying to look good.” — Will Bashir (48:23)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Youth Panel 1: 03:29–10:58
• Youth Panel 2: 11:01–22:46
• The Johns Roundtable (News, Thanksgiving, Venezuela, AI): 23:23–42:46
• In My Kentucky Accent: 42:53–45:33
• Gen Z Lingo/Podcast Merch: 46:21–50:25

Tone and Takeaways

The episode strikes a balance between real-world gravity and approachable humor. Andy Beshear’s authentic, empathetic style comes through in his direct engagement with students’ anxieties and hopes, and in his candid critiques of political figures. The students bring fresh, honest perspectives on social media, activism, and major issues like climate change and schooling. The roundtable with the Johns mixes informed commentary with personal asides and playful digs, keeping the conversation real and relatable.

Listeners come away with:

• A direct window into what today’s teens are thinking and worrying about
• Nuanced discussion of major political and social news
• Unvarnished insights about Thanksgiving, leadership, language, and AI’s impact on Kentucky
• Some new Gen Z lingo, and a preview of podcast merch that’s both “clean” and “drip.”