Odd Lots Podcast Summary
Episode: Emily Sundberg on How Nobody Is Coming to Save Gen Z
Release Date: July 5, 2025

Introduction

In this insightful episode of Bloomberg's Odd Lots, hosts Tracy Alloway and Jill Wiesenthal engage in a compelling conversation with Emily Sundberg, the author of the Feed Me Newsletter. Recorded in New York City on July 26th, the discussion delves into the perspectives of Generation Z regarding capitalism, money management, investing, consumption habits, and the prevailing sentiment that "nobody is coming to save them."

Gen Z’s Economic Outlook and Self-Reliance

Emily Sundberg opens the dialogue by highlighting a pervasive belief among Gen Z individuals that they cannot rely on external support systems to secure their financial futures.

[05:09] Emily Sundberg: "Gen Z has repeatedly been told, 'nobody is coming to save you.' You're going to graduate into a job market that barely exists. If you get a job, you might not even have a desk or an office to go into. It's up to them to make the most of this world while it's still in existence."

This sense of self-reliance is compounded by the challenges they've witnessed, such as the economic fallout from COVID-19 and societal issues like school shootings, fostering an urgency to "get the bag" before opportunities wane.

Investment Trends and the Creator Economy

The conversation transitions to Gen Z's affinity for stock market investing and alternative financial avenues like the creator economy. Sundberg notes a shift in where young people see potential for financial growth.

[06:08] Emily Sundberg: "Even at Goldman Sachs, you're probably making more money from making 'day in the life' TikToks than from your salary. The creator economy is growing, with Bloomberg reporting that the market for creator marketing is now a $33 billion industry."

She emphasizes that the visibility and communal aspects of investments like cryptocurrency create a sense of competition and public accountability, which can be both motivating and stressful.

Consumption Patterns and Cultural Homogeneity

Sundberg discusses the observable trend of homogenous consumer behavior among young people, particularly in metropolitan areas like the West Village.

[10:57] Emily Sundberg: "Everyone is buying the same things, whether it's at Starbucks or Gucci, to form this perfect life of what it means to be a 25-year-old. There's a real sentiment of 'the world is burning, so why shouldn't we enjoy the things we can.'"

This behavior extends to significant life events, such as weddings, where guests often wear identical or highly similar outfits, driven by influencer culture and the rapid spread of popular trends.

[15:04] Emily Sundberg: "When everyone is following the same influencers and brands, there's a lot more likelihood that you're all gonna buy the same thing. For example, a distinct hot pink dress with mirrors from Tory Burch became the 'wedding guest dress of the summer,' selling out rapidly as everyone clicked the link and purchased it."

Impact of Technological Advancements and Job Market Instability

The advent of AI and automation adds another layer of uncertainty for Gen Z about the stability of future employment.

[07:23] Tracy Alloway: "How much of the nobody is coming to save you mentality is like AI dread, like jobs as we know them might not exist."

[07:31] Emily Sundberg: "People are entering a very flat company structure where there's not a clear ladder to climb, and the fear of mass layoffs and AI replacing jobs looms large."

This anxiety drives Gen Z to seek alternative income streams and invest in volatile markets, often treating investments as lottery tickets rather than stable financial planning.

Entrepreneurial Endeavors Amid Economic Uncertainty

Despite economic uncertainties, Gen Z continues to pursue entrepreneurial ventures, albeit with different strategies compared to previous generations.

[18:03] Emily Sundberg: "People are doing it differently. They're more likely to bootstrap or collaborate with friends on ventures, and if they fail, they quietly brush it aside without the fanfare of taking large venture capital investments."

This pragmatic approach reflects a learning curve from past experiences, where high-stakes investments often required significant returns that may not always materialize.

Social Pressures and the Etiquette Epidemic

The discussion also touches on the social dynamics that influence Gen Z's consumption and lifestyle choices, particularly in social settings like weddings.

[20:32] Emily Sundberg: "Weddings have evolved from being bride-centric to emphasizing every individual guest's experience and the social media documentation of the event. This shift increases the pressure to spend more on appearances."

[20:57] Tracy Alloway: "There's an etiquette epidemic where people are not adhering to traditional social norms, like not holding doors or posting wedding photos prematurely, adding to the social stress."

Sundberg attributes these changes to the expanding definitions of friendship and the influence of digital communication platforms, which complicate traditional social interactions and expectations.

Conclusion

Emily Sundberg provides a nuanced exploration of Gen Z's financial mindset, underscored by a blend of ambition and anxiety. The generation's proactive approach to wealth-building, coupled with its consumption patterns and social pressures, paints a complex picture of young people striving to navigate a precarious economic landscape. The episode underscores the importance of understanding these dynamics to better engage with and support Gen Z in their financial and personal endeavors.

Notable Quotes:

• Emily Sundberg [05:09]: "Nobody is coming to save you. You're gonna graduate into a job market that barely exists."
• Emily Sundberg [06:08]: "The creator economy is growing, with Bloomberg reporting that the market for creator marketing is now a $33 billion industry."
• Emily Sundberg [10:57]: "Everyone is buying the same things... there's a real sentiment of 'the world is burning, so why shouldn't we enjoy the things we can.'"
• Emily Sundberg [15:04]: "There's a lot more likelihood that you're all gonna buy the same thing."
• Emily Sundberg [07:31]: "There's a fear of mass layoffs and AI replacing jobs looms large."
• Emily Sundberg [18:03]: "They're more likely to bootstrap or collaborate with friends on ventures."

For more insights and detailed discussions, listen to the full episode on Bloomberg's Odd Lots and subscribe to their daily newsletter.