Kennedy Saves the World

Episode: "Just Look 'Em In The Eye"

Date: February 18, 2026
Host: Kennedy
Podcast: FOX News Podcasts

Episode Overview

In this solo episode, Kennedy dives into the generational differences in workplace social skills, sharing her trademark wit and unfiltered opinions. She argues that the ability to make eye contact and hold a conversation is a superpower in today’s workforce—especially for young people looking to succeed. Drawing on her own media experience and peppering in humor, personal anecdotes, and some spicy generational rivalry, Kennedy lays out a case for basic social engagement as both a life skill and a career differentiator.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Generational Divide & Social Skills

• Kennedy contrasts Gen X’s upbringing—marked by independence and minimal parental oversight—with Gen Z and millennials, who she jokes were “raised by helicopter parents and technology.”
  • “As Gen Xers, you know, we were raised feral. We had to look out for ourselves. I don't even know if we had parents… Which is so completely opposite from young millennials and Gen Zers who… are being spied upon.” (01:05)
• She playfully singles out baby boomers, millennials, and Gen Zers for their perceived flaws, but insists:
  • “You cannot discount an entire generation of people.” (02:25)
• Kennedy gives high praise to Gen Zers who buck the stereotype and demonstrate poise:
  • “Gen Zers, for those of you who can look people in the eye and have a conversation and be self aware and self confident at the same time, the world is yours.” (03:30)

Succeeding in Media: The Value of Engagement

• Reflecting on her own media career (from MTV up to Fox News), Kennedy observes that those who rose in the industry had strong interpersonal skills early on:
  • “I had a number of production assistants… who now are running their own media companies… because they could string sentences together, they could think for themselves.” (04:35)
• She warns that entry-level workers who lack basic social graces—like making eye contact or saying thank you—are setting themselves up for failure:
  • “If you cannot have a conversation in exchange, like, ‘hey, how's it going?’ There is something wrong with you and I don't feel bad for you if you fail.” (07:00)
  • “You are a lump. You are a dime a dozen if you cannot… exchange pleasantries.” (07:15)

The Decline of Face-to-Face Interaction

• Kennedy criticizes the prevalence of “screen time” and socially awkward behaviors among Gen Z, offering sarcastic suggestions for gaining life experience:
  • “Socially awkward Gen Zers… have to go out, go to Florida, wrestle a reptile, take it into a Waffle House and show it… the divine glory… that is life experience.” (10:30)
• She underlines the importance of basic social actions even in media careers, where communication is essential:
  • “If you're working at a media company where your job is to communicate… then do that with alchemy by looking people in the face.” (13:05)

Self-Presentation and Success

• Kennedy references an Instagram reel about salary differences for women who wear makeup at work, noting:
  • “Women will make 20 to 40% more in their career in salary if they wear makeup at work… because how you present yourself matters.” (15:00)
• She uses this to reinforce her overarching point:
  • “So whether you're slathering on lip gloss and fake lashes or just giving someone a ‘hey, how's it going?’ That is all to your benefit.” (15:50)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Gen X upbringings:

  "As Gen Xers, you know, we were raised feral. We had to look out for ourselves. I don't even know if we had parents…" (01:05)

• On generational stereotypes and opportunity:

  “Gen Zers, for those of you who can look people in the eye… the world is yours. You will be able to run every city, every industry…” (03:30)

• On failing upward:

  “If you move up in the world, you will be failing upward. It will be just because there are not enough warm bodies wherever you are working.” (06:45)

• On the dangers of avoiding social interaction:

  “For all these people who can't make eye contact, I wish that I could lasso you all and throw you into the early 80s and watch you try and survive because you'd be better people for it.” (14:10)

• On office antics (humorously):

  “In free speech zones… a little bit of ass grabbing is kind of fun. Okay, only when people consent. But how can you consent if you can't look at someone?” (11:40)

• Final takeaway:

  “You will never succeed, you will never save the world unless you learn to do that one basic thing.” (14:40)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [00:10] Episode Introduction & Generational Overview
• [01:05] Gen X Upbringing vs. Millennials and Gen Z
• [03:30] Eye Contact and Social Skills as Keys to Success
• [04:35] Media Industry Anecdotes: The Success of Engaged Assistants
• [07:00] Critique of Socially Awkward Young Workers
• [10:30] Satirical Life Experience Suggestions (Alligator Baptism Story)
• [13:05] The Necessity of Face-to-Face Interaction in Media
• [15:00] Instagram Reel: Makeup and Salaries
• [15:50] Closing Statement: Self-Presentation Matters

Tone and Style

Kennedy’s tone is blunt, irreverent, and humorous, balancing tough love with encouragement. She mixes jokes and pop culture references with professional observations, keeping the episode fast-paced, direct, and unmistakably “Kennedy.”

Final Thoughts

This episode delivers a compelling, comical call for young professionals to get back to basics: make eye contact, be present, and communicate. Kennedy affirms that these basic interpersonal skills are more valuable than ever in a tech-heavy, remote-work world—and that embracing them is the real secret to saving the world (or at least your own career).