Podcast Summary: Firewall with Bradley Tusk

Episode: The Gen Z State of Mind: "We're Just Trying to Survive"
Date: February 5, 2026
Host: Bradley Tusk
Guest: Rachel Janfaza, Founder of The Up and Up

Episode Overview

This episode explores the mindset, political inclinations, and economic realities of Gen Z, guided by insights from Rachel Janfaza, a journalist and the founder of The Up and Up, a Gen Z–focused research and strategy firm. Rachel is best known for her "two Gen Zs" theory, which delineates differences within the generation, particularly in regard to pandemic experience, technology adoption, and trust in institutions. The conversation dives into Gen Z's political engagement, anti-establishment posture, use and perception of technology like AI and crypto, shifting economic expectations, and what they want from leaders and society.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Rachel Janfaza's Background and Motivation

• Entering Gen Z Reporting: Rachel recounts her early interest in telling the story of young people's views—starting in high school journalism and continuing through college, especially amid the Trump era.

  “No one was talking about Gen Z. If they were, it was…a lot of misconceptions.” (02:42)

• Pushing for a Gen Z Beat: She had to pitch herself for youth-focused political coverage at CNN, leveraging clips from internships and her youth-led social movements thesis.

  “So I came up with the idea…They saw the value in it and I was really grateful.” (03:28)

2. The “Two Gen Zs” Theory

• Origin & Evolution: The idea stemmed from listening sessions on campuses since 2022—Rachel noticed stark behavioral and attitudinal differences between high school and college students, particularly regarding their experiences during COVID and social media use.

  “The earliest manifestation…felt were related to age and how old they were during the pandemic, and also their relationship to social media platforms.” (05:10)

• Formative Pandemic Experiences: Those at pivotal adolescent ages (~middle school to early high school) during COVID faced unique isolation and missed socialization, resulting in a pronounced anti-establishment, skeptical outlook.

  “For so many middle schoolers and high schoolers…locked in their rooms, essentially just scrolling all day long…that played a big difference.” (06:37)

3. Gen Z's Political Attitudes

• Anti-Establishment Posture: Recent history hardwired institutional skepticism—especially as many felt let down by both parties and major systems.

  “Young people do not want anything to do with either political party because they hate both of them.” (14:41)

• Not Moving Fully Right or Left: Even though some movement rightward occurred in 2024, this cohort quickly soured on Trump—without simply defaulting to Democrats.

  “We are seeing they are very quickly moving away from Trump. That doesn’t mean they’re moving toward Democrats, however.” (07:45)

• Desire for Solutions, Not Division: Listening sessions surface hunger for pragmatic, post-partisan leadership and concrete solutions.

  “Let’s talk about solutions…something other than the hyper-polarized norm. That is all they know.” (13:25)

• Higher Local Trust: Local governments are a rare bastion of relative trust and efficacy for Gen Z, in contrast with national-level disgust.

  “Young people have higher trust in local government and in what’s happening in their cities or their specific communities…” (14:54)

4. Political Engagement & Mobile Voting

• Voter Turnout Trends: Despite frustration, Gen Z is voting at higher rates than past youth cohorts—even in off years.

  “Young people are voting at relatively high rates compared to generations of young people before them…” (14:55)

• Potential of Mobile Voting: Rachel and Bradley discuss the promise (and challenges) of mobile voting to broaden primary participation, incentivize politicians to moderate, and counteract political extremes.

  “I agree with the premise that more people should vote in primaries 100%…That’s the only way democracy works.” (17:00)

  • Rachel expresses concern over ensuring trust and security in mobile voting, emphasizing starting local.

5. Economic Anxiety & Expectations

• Survival over Thriving: The dominant Gen Z aspiration is basic economic stability, not traditional prosperity milestones.

  “Gen Z is not trying to thrive, they’re just trying to survive.” —Rachel (21:37) “They define success as just being economically stable or having quote-unquote financial freedom.” (21:37)

• Redefining the American Dream: Homeownership is seen as increasingly unattainable, with many adjusting their definitions of success to include renting or simply cohabiting.

  “Everyone wants to be able to live in a home…and so that’s still part of the American dream. It just might mean renting rather than buying.” (21:41)

• Investment & Consumption Behaviors:
  • Interest in sports betting, crypto, and “sweet treat culture” (small, in-the-moment indulgences) marked 2025 and before, but is shifting toward longer-term investments and memorable experiences (e.g., travel, concerts).

  “We’ve seen a shift into this sort of investment era where young people are looking to make bigger purchases on things that will last longer…” (23:00)

6. Technology and Trust: Crypto, Betting, and AI

• Crypto’s Fading Momentum: Crypto’s appeal was partly its anti-institutional branding, but as it becomes more politically coded (and associated with Trump/MAGA), Gen Z’s attitude splits—especially across gender.

  “It just feels like another rug pull underneath them.” (25:03)

• Prediction Markets & Sports Betting: Seen as distinct (less politicized) from crypto.

  “I don’t think prediction markets are seen as tied to one political party. I think that crypto is.” (26:10)

• Missed Opportunities: Democrats lagged in embracing cultural trends like crypto, which Rachel frames as a fear of experimentation and base alienation.

  “They were so resistant to experimenting and yet…afraid of pissing off the more fringe of the party. And so…ended up kind of not appealing to anyone at all.” (26:54)

• Leadership “Rock Stars” Needed: Effective national leaders are those with charisma and risk appetite, not just resumes—a challenge for today's Democratic Party, per Rachel and Bradley.

  “You need to be able to ruffle some feathers in order to win an election in this modern day and age.” —Rachel (28:48)

• Gen Z’s Presidential Hopefuls:
  • No clear front-runners: AOC, Newsom, Kamala Harris, and Bernie Sanders get sporadic mention, but youth want a new face without a long track record.

  “I think it’s gonna have to be someone who comes out of the woodwork a little bit, someone who doesn’t have, you know, so much of a record to point to.” (29:48)

7. Gen Z and Artificial Intelligence

• Widespread Use, Lingering Hesitation:
  • 75% of Gen Z report using AI chatbots monthly, often for writing, search, or even relationship advice; yet, use is often out of necessity or pressure, not enthusiasm.

  “Despite the fact that they’re using it, they’re not necessarily comfortable using it and they don’t necessarily want to be using it.” (32:56) “They’re being told, either learn how to use this tool or you’ll be left behind.” (41:01)

• Mental Health & AI:
  • There is demand for chatbot-based mental health support, but Rachel cautions about limitations and the need for professional input/regulation.

  “These companies should be consulting mental health experts…Because yes, there is a crisis, there is a loneliness epidemic.” (34:41)

• Desire for Regulation:
  • Gen Z wants proactive regulation to avoid social media–like harms repeating; they expect leadership on AI policy.

  “What we hear in our Gen Z research is that young people don’t want a repeat of social media all over again. They’re really eager for regulations...” (35:22)

• AI as a Top Political Issue: Emerging as the likely defining issue for 2028 and beyond, with pressure for both parties to legislate around its risks, opportunities, and economic impact.

  “I think, to your point, [2028] is the AI election in terms of impact of AI, negative in economy, positive in the economy, catastrophic risk that you’re trying to prohibit...” (38:13)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On generational mindset:

  “Gen Z is not trying to thrive, they're just trying to survive.” —Rachel (21:37)

• On party disengagement:

  “The majority of young people are independents and don’t want anything to do with either political party because they hate both of them.” —Rachel (14:41)

• On digital pressure:

  “They're being told, either learn how to use this tool or you'll be left behind…or your degree is useless.” —Rachel (41:01)

• On voting behavior:

  “Young people are voting at relatively high rates compared to generations of young people before them.” —Rachel (14:55)

• On policy desires:

  “They have only grown up in Trump’s America, which has been hyperpolarized, and they want something different.” —Rachel (13:25)

• On Democratic shortcomings:

  “Too scared to experiment…afraid of pissing off the more fringe of the party…ended up kind of not appealing to anyone at all.” —Rachel (26:31)

• On future leadership:

  “You need to be able to ruffle some feathers in order to win an election in this modern day and age.” —Rachel (28:48)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:42] Rachel explains how she saw the need for Gen Z–focused reporting.
• [05:10] The initial insights that led to the "two Gen Zs" theory.
• [07:45] Discussion of how pandemic experiences have shaped anti-establishment attitudes.
• [14:54] Rachel describes Gen Z's higher trust in and engagement with local politics.
• [21:37] Rachel encapsulates Gen Z’s economic mindset: survival, not thriving.
• [23:00] Shift in consumption patterns toward long-lasting and experiential purchases.
• [25:03] The changing relationship with crypto and its politicization.
• [28:48] Need for charismatic, bold leadership in national politics.
• [32:56] Ubiquity of AI among Gen Z and ambivalence in adoption.
• [35:22] Gen Z’s desire for regulation of new technologies, especially AI.
• [38:13] Prediction that AI will be the defining issue of the 2028 election cycle.
• [41:01] Everyday pressure on young people to embrace AI or risk being “left behind”.

Conclusion

This episode offers a rich and nuanced overview of Gen Z’s mindset in 2026—marked by skepticism, pragmatism, a revision of traditional goals (like homeownership), and a fundamental desire for stability amidst rapid technological and political change. Rachel Janfaza’s perspective illuminates a generation that is more independent and hopeful than its media depiction suggests, eager for leaders and policies that break with the status quo, address economic and technological anxieties, and reflect their lived realities.