Kennedy Saves the World: Episode Summary

Title: Gen Z Has Lost Its Mind
Host: FOX News Podcasts
Release Date: July 23, 2025

Introduction to Generational Warfare

In this episode of Kennedy Saves the World, host Kennedy delves into the perennial debate of generational differences, focusing sharply on the perceived missteps and misguided innovations of Generation Z (Gen Z). With characteristic humor and sharp wit, Kennedy positions Generation X (Gen X) as the superior generation, laying the groundwork for a spirited examination of what Gen Z is "getting wrong."

Gen X vs. Gen Z: Debunking "New" Ideas

Kennedy opens the discussion by asserting the superiority of Gen X, emphasizing their "technology-free" childhoods and independence. He contrasts this with Gen Z's reliance on technology, suggesting that many of their so-called innovations are merely reinvented concepts from previous generations.

Kennedy (00:45): "We had cash, usually what we had to work for or what we found rifling through the couch cushions... But you have an entire generation that has been raised in a cashless society, so they assume that that's normal."

Financial Habits: Cash-Only Weekends

A significant portion of the conversation critiques Gen Z's financial habits, particularly their "cash-only weekends." Kennedy argues that while managing finances with cash is practical and not a novel concept, Gen Z perceives it as revolutionary.

Kennedy (03:30): "They believe that’s normal. And this new invention of actually going to the ATM and only spending what you have. These are also the people who think that they have also invented something pretty great by making coffee and food at home."

He points out that previous generations also managed budgets without the digital conveniences that Gen Z takes for granted, such as smartphones and embedded credit cards in apps.

Food and Lifestyle Choices

Kennedy criticizes Gen Z's move towards making their own food, labeling it as another "reinvention" of an established practice. He emphasizes the practicality and economic benefits of preparing meals at home, a habit he has adopted himself.

Kennedy (07:20): "If you make your own food, you will know what’s in it. So you can follow your macros, bro."

Sleep and Discipline: Five to Nine

Shifting focus to daily routines, Kennedy discusses Gen Z's adoption of early rising and bedtime schedules, specifically the "five to nine" regimen. He acknowledges the benefits of such discipline but contends that these practices have long been advocated by previous generations.

Kennedy (05:50): "Gen Zers came up with the term five to nine, meaning you get up at five, you go to bed at nine. It's a great schedule and it's really good for your body."

He highlights the importance of consistent sleep schedules and how they contribute to overall well-being and productivity, traits he attributes to disciplined individuals from Gen X and older generations.

Social Media and Mental Health

A critical segment of the episode addresses the intersection of social media usage and mental health among Gen Z. Kennedy introduces the concept of "bathroom camping"—a term he uses to describe Gen Z's tendency to retreat to bathrooms to scroll through social media as a coping mechanism for anxiety.

Kennedy (08:15): "Bathroom camping is when you go in the bathroom and look at your phone, even when you don't have to go little or big potty. They just stay in there until they feel better about the world."

He argues that while discussing feelings and trauma is important, Gen Z may be over-relying on these conversations without seeking genuine solutions or treatments, thereby exacerbating their social anxiety.

The "Dumb Phone" Trend

Kennedy mocks Gen Z's flirtation with "dumb phones," devices stripped of modern smartphone functionalities. He views this trend as an attempt to escape the very technology that defines their generation, suggesting it’s a temporary fix rather than a sustainable solution.

Kennedy (09:40): "They want to go doom scroll in their bathroom camping, I don't know how they're going to give up on that. They'll probably just figure out a way to have two devices and they'll come up with a silly nickname for that as well."

Kennedy reminisces about BlackBerries, highlighting the irony in Gen Z's attempt to emulate simpler phone usage when it ultimately doesn't address the underlying dependence on digital connectivity.

Conclusion

Kennedy wraps up the episode with a reaffirmation of Gen X's longstanding practices and a tongue-in-cheek dismissal of Gen Z's "innovations." He encourages listeners to recognize that many of Gen Z's so-called new ideas are merely rebrandings of tried-and-true methods from previous generations.

Kennedy (09:50): "If Gen Zers come out and proclaim it, just know Gen Xers... you've already been there, done that, and you probably did it better."

He subtly underscores the value of experience and the wisdom that comes with it, positioning Gen X as the benchmark for successful living and societal contribution.

Notable Quotes:

• Kennedy (00:45): "We had cash, usually what we had to work for or what we found rifling through the couch cushions... But you have an entire generation that has been raised in a cashless society, so they assume that that's normal."

• Kennedy (03:30): "They believe that’s normal. And this new invention of actually going to the ATM and only spending what you have. These are also the people who think that they have also invented something pretty great by making coffee and food at home."

• Kennedy (05:50): "Gen Zers came up with the term five to nine, meaning you get up at five, you go to bed at nine. It's a great schedule and it's really good for your body."

• Kennedy (08:15): "Bathroom camping is when you go in the bathroom and look at your phone, even when you don't have to go little or big potty. They just stay in there until they feel better about the world."

• Kennedy (09:40): "They want to go doom scroll in their bathroom camping, I don't know how they're going to give up on that. They'll probably just figure out a way to have two devices and they'll come up with a silly nickname for that as well."

This episode offers a provocative take on the generational divide, blending nostalgia for the past with skepticism towards the present. Whether one agrees with Kennedy's perspectives or not, the discussion provides ample food for thought on how each generation perceives and adapts to the ever-evolving social and technological landscape.