FY Pod Episode 11: "Gen Z's First Great Depression"

Release Date: April 5, 2025

Hosts: Cameron Caskey & Tim Miller
Guest: Jack C.
Produced by: The Bulwark

Introduction

In Episode 11 of FY Pod, hosts Cameron Caskey and Tim Miller delve into the pressing issue facing Gen Z: what they term "Gen Z's First Great Depression." Joined by guest Jack C., the discussion centers on the socio-economic challenges and political shifts influencing the youngest voters in America.

Generational Challenges: Housing, COVID, and Economic Uncertainty

Tim Miller (01:00) sets the stage by outlining the unprecedented hardships Gen Z has faced:

"We grew up during an unprecedented housing crisis. Then, as we reached our teen years and began to come of age, we got the next great epidemic that killed a lot of people and locked us in our houses for a couple of years. And now that we're finally entering our young adulthood and starting up our lives, we've got a new Great Depression."
— Tim Miller [01:00]

The hosts discuss how these overlapping crises have fostered a sense of disillusionment and economic instability among Gen Z, making them more susceptible to shifting political allegiances.

Trump's Influence and Gen Z's Political Shift

A significant portion of the episode examines why Gen Z has swung towards supporting Donald Trump in the 2024 elections, a surprising trend given Trump's historically polarized image.

Cameron Caskey (12:28) posits:

"Probably because they thought it was always broken whether or not the Trump tariffs and economic collapse more broadly."
— Cameron Caskey [12:28]

The discussion highlights that Gen Z perceives systemic failures irrespective of political leadership, leading to skepticism about traditional party platforms.

Tim Miller (15:54) adds:

"People our age don't know what tariffs are... Neither does the President."
— Tim Miller [15:54]

This reflects the disconnect between political rhetoric and the understanding of economic policies among young voters.

Effective Communication: How Democrats Can Reach Gen Z

The hosts and Jack C. explore strategies for the Democratic Party to better engage with Gen Z. They emphasize the importance of authentic, relatable content over traditional, scripted messaging.

Jack C. (18:04) suggests:

"Engage with the things that you understand, and if you can speak to them, then you should."
— Jack C. [18:04]

Cameron Caskey (21:08) emphasizes authenticity:

"Find the places of the Internet where a lot of people are culturally and maybe apolitically... engage with authentic voices."
— Cameron Caskey [21:08]

The conversation underscores the need for Democrats to present genuine, policy-focused messages that resonate with Gen Z's values and concerns.

Analyzing Republican Figures: J.D. Vance, Mike Johnson, and Elon Musk

The episode critically examines key Republican figures who influence Gen Z's political perspectives.

Tim Miller (55:34) remarks on J.D. Vance:

"J.D. Vance is a cardboard cuck loser who fucks couches. And we ought to talk about that."
— Tim Miller [55:34]

Cameron Caskey (58:11) discusses the impact of media portrayals:

"Annoyance on the Internet is way more powerful than anger... J.D. Vance is charmless."
— Cameron Caskey [58:11]

The hosts argue that unappealing portrayals of Republican figures like Vance and Elon Musk can further alienate Gen Z from conservative ideologies.

Media and Content’s Role in Political Mobilization

The discussion delves into how media representations and viral content shape political opinions among young voters.

Tim Miller (38:12) emphasizes economic populism over culture wars:

"The Democratic Party should focus all of our effort on positioning ourselves as the party that is fighting off the next Great Depression."
— Tim Miller [38:12]

Cameron Caskey (41:14) critiques the superficial focus on issues like egg prices:

"First they came for the global economy and I said nothing because I was fucking focused on eggs."
— Cameron Caskey [41:14]

The hosts argue that substantive economic policies resonate more with Gen Z than isolated cultural issues.

Proposed Solutions and Future Outlook

The episode concludes with actionable strategies for the Democratic Party to reconnect with Gen Z, emphasizing policy innovation and authentic communication.

Cameron Caskey (46:09) proposes:

"Here is a small thing that we're gonna do that's targeted because we care about you."
— Cameron Caskey [46:09]

Jack C. (53:04) suggests leveraging relatable cultural figures:

"We need more guys like Bill Burr who are no bullshit and speak for the people."
— Jack C. [53:04]

The hosts advocate for a balanced approach that combines economic reform with genuine cultural engagement to restore trust and support among Gen Z voters.

Notable Quotes

• Tim Miller [01:10]:
  "I want to figure out why the fuck Tim came to New York and just didn't tell me, even though I am his podcast co-host."

• Jack C. [06:57]:
  "If you survived World War I, all your friends died, you'd watch them all die face down. In the muck."

• Tim Miller [15:54]:
  "How much is he being a useful idiot for Peter Thiel and the other people who are trying to take down the economy and seize control?"

• Cameron Caskey [46:09]:
  "Here is a small thing that we're gonna do that's targeted because we care about you."

• Jack C. [55:34]:
  "J.D. Vance is a cardboard cuck loser who fucks couches."

Conclusion

Episode 11 of FY Pod provides a comprehensive analysis of the socio-economic and political factors influencing Gen Z's voting behavior. By identifying the generational challenges and critiquing both Democratic and Republican strategies, hosts Cameron Caskey and Tim Miller, along with guest Jack C., offer insightful recommendations for bridging the political divide and addressing the unique needs of America's youngest voters.

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