Podcast Summary: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: It's a Numbers Game: Gen Z vs. Gen X Pop Culture Quiz + 2028 Election Forecast
Date: December 11, 2025
Host: Ryan Gradosky
Network: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This episode offers a dynamic blend of data-driven political analysis and lighthearted generational culture wars. Host Ryan Gradosky first dives into fresh CDC data on birth rates and immigration, drawing connections to the impact of recent policy and demographic shifts. The mood shifts in the second segment as Ryan tests his Gen Z employees' knowledge of Gen X and Millennial pop culture with a spirited quiz. The show wraps with an "Ask Me Anything" that forecasts the pivotal issues and shifting battlegrounds of the 2028 presidential election.

The tone is humorous, energetic, and at times wistful, especially during the culture quiz segment comparing generational reference points.

Key Segments & Insights

1. U.S. Birth Data, Immigration Trends & Demographics

[02:23-08:39]

• CDC Releases New Birth Data

  • Recent stats (Sept–Oct 2025) show a drop of 16,000 births to foreign-born women compared to the previous year ("the percentage of babies born to foreign women has decreased from 25% in January [...] to 23% in October" – [03:43]).
  • The change is widespread, with "decreases in 41 out of 50 states" ([03:58]).
  • Attributed to "Trump's mass deportations" and a shift toward "self deportation," not just large-scale removals.

• Population and Policy Impact

  • The estimated "illegal alien and foreign-born population is decreasing by about 2 million" ([04:44]).
  • Downward pressure on rents in certain urban areas as a possible side effect.
  • Overall U.S. births declined:
    • "603,000 births from September to October 2025—a 3% reduction over last year" ([05:15]).
    • Largest drops among Asians, Latinos, and Black Americans (Asians: -6%, Latinos: -5.3%, Black: -5.4%, White: -1.1%).

• Why Are These Changes Happening?

  • Factors include higher college education, delayed parenthood, decreased teen pregnancy, affordability concerns, contraception, and cultural/religious shifts.
  • Black American birth rates are "plunging [...] should be studied by sociologists" ([06:13]).

Notable Quote:
"Mass deportation is working. The illegal alien and foreign born population is decreasing by about 2 million people is what we're guessing."
— Ryan Gradosky, [04:44]

2. Gen Z vs. Gen X/Millennial Pop Culture Quiz

[11:23-27:37]

A humorous segment in which Ryan quizzes his Gen Z team (Will, Wiley, Alex, and Colton) about Millennial and Gen X music, TV, and pop culture references. The stakes: points off for wrong answers, glory (and a small prize) for the winner.

A. Music Round

[12:31-18:43]

• Sample Questions & Answers:
  • "I Think We're Alone Now" by Tiffany — no one recognized it.
  • "Good Vibrations" by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch — correctly identified by Will.
  • "The Sign" by Ace of Base — Alex recognized it.
  • "One Week" by Barenaked Ladies — Alex nailed both song and artist.
  • NSYNC challenge ("It's Gonna Be Me") — lots of confusion, some identify Justin Timberlake, but not the song.
  • "Hey There Delilah" by Plain White T's — Alex gets the win.

Notable Quote:
"I am actually so happy that you know one thing."
— Ryan Gradosky, celebrating a correct answer ([14:00])

B. Movies & TV Round

[19:43-23:16]

• The Breakfast Club — correctly named.
• Clueless — only vaguely recognized; no one has seen it.
• Boy Meets World — Alex eventually comes up with the title.
• Malcolm in the Middle — will gets it immediately; nostalgia ensues.
• Superbad — Will nabs it ("McLovin").

Notable Quote:
"Every time you say high school, I'm gonna guess Breakfast Club. Okay, but that's not the answer all the time."
— Alex, [21:58]

C. Historic News & Internet Moments Round

[23:16-27:37]

• Baby Jessica (1986 well rescue) — blank stares.
• Spice Girls split — Alex correctly says "Ginger Spice."
• Marlboro Man & Joe Camel — Will recognizes both.
• Tom from MySpace — Alex gets it.
• Napster — Will wins this throwback to the early file-sharing days.

Scoreboard:

• Alex wins handily, with only two correct out of sixteen.
• The segment wraps with good-natured ribbing and plans to "start instituting a movie and music song of the month" for the staff ([27:48]).

Notable Moment:
"This was worse than I thought it was. [...] I'm going to start instituting a movie and music song of the month for my employees so anyone knows what I'm talking about"
— Ryan Gradosky ([27:37-27:48])

3. Ask Me Anything: The 2028 Presidential Election Landscape

[30:37-39:44]

Host Ryan answers a listener's question from Tom in Australia about the changing political and demographic map for the 2028 U.S. presidential election.

• Key Points:
  • 2028 will be the last cycle where the Rust Belt is truly central; by 2032, population shifts give the Sun Belt (NC, GA, FL, TX, AZ, NV) far more Electoral College power.
  • GOP path: Focus shifts from manufacturing-heavy Rust Belt to growing southern and southwestern states, especially as FL and TX gain Electoral College votes at the expense of CA, NY, and IL.
  • Democrats' challenge: Turnout among Black voters (lower since Obama), and primary timing—early states can shape the ideological flavor of the nominee (Iowa, NH, NV vs. SC, GA).
  • Current policies (like mandatory voter registration in PA) may help GOP turnout among non-college-educated whites.
  • Georgia's "Black Belt" could be a key battleground for Republicans to offset Atlanta's influence.
  • Swing states for both: PA, MI, WI, GA, NC, and emerging Sun Belt states.

Notable Quotes:
"By 2032... North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Arizona and Nevada combined [...] will be only swing states that matter."
— Ryan Gradosky ([31:15])

"Democrats essential problem is that they've had an issue turning out black voters the way that Obama did. For obvious reasons."
— Ryan Gradosky ([36:28])

Memorable Moments

• Generational Disconnect Comedy:
  • Alex and Will try (and often fail) to name classic Millennial and Gen X tunes, much to Ryan's mock-despair and amusement.
  • Repeated confusion over NSYNC songs and retro pop-culture figures.
• Realization and Resolution:
  • After a low score, Ryan vows to assign his staff homework: "movie and music song of the month" ([27:48]).

Timestamps – Key Segments

• [02:23] — CDC birth data & immigration analysis
• [11:23] — Kickoff of Gen Z vs. Gen X/Millennial pop culture quiz
• [12:31-18:43] — Music round
• [19:43-23:16] — Movies and TV round
• [23:16-27:37] — Historic news and internet round
• [30:37] — Ask Me Anything: 2028 presidential election forecast

Conclusion

This episode marries macro-level political/demographic commentary with the micro-level humor of a cross-generational pop culture quiz, reflecting how both numbers and nostalgia shape America’s present and future. The blend of heavy data and light entertainment is classic "Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show," inviting listeners to laugh at generational divides—and consider how shifting trends will impact upcoming elections.

For full context, listen to the episode on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.