The Focus Group Podcast — S6 Ep10: Gen Z: They're Zooming Apart (with Rachel Janfaza)
Date: November 8, 2025
Host: Sarah Longwell
Guest: Rachel Janfaza, founder of Up and Up
Episode Overview
This episode dives deep into the rapidly widening gender, generational, and political divides among Gen Z. Host Sarah Longwell is joined by Gen Z chronicler Rachel Janfaza to decode the era’s most persistent narratives: Why are Gen Z men and women "zooming apart"—in politics, identity, and life priorities? Drawing on focus group voices, Janfaza’s research, and new polling, the discussion explores how technology, social forces, and world events have splintered the youngest voting cohort, and what it means for American politics and culture.
Main Discussion Points & Insights
1. Gen Z Is Splintering: The Rise of Gen Z 1.0 vs. Gen Z 2.0
(01:07 – 06:39)
- Rachel Janfaza distinguishes between "Gen Z 1.0" and "Gen Z 2.0":
- Gen Z 1.0: Graduated high school before COVID, came of age with movements like March for Our Lives, BLM, and the climate strikes; defined by Trump’s first term, seen as liberal, idealistic leaders.
- Gen Z 2.0: Grew up under Biden/COVID, had lockdowns during formative years, often associate Democrats with restrictions and lost experiences; more exposure to TikTok and social media; slight shift rightward detected among this cohort.
- Technology’s accelerating pace means micro-generational differences are stark — the youngest Gen Zers have grown up living on TikTok and with AI, unlike their slightly older peers.
Notable Quote:
"We grew up maybe with a flip phone before an iPhone... there was an overarching narrative that Gen Z was overwhelmingly liberal, progressive, and idealistic. Then Gen Z 2.0 grew up during COVID... and I have seen a shift to the right amongst that younger cohort."
— Rachel Janfaza (02:39)
2. How Technology Shapes Language and Culture
(05:01 – 06:49)
- Algo speak and the TikTok effect: The rise of in-group language, memes, and mannerisms via social media has cemented generational divides.
- Even within families, tiny age gaps create vast cultural differences in what platforms, shows, and trends feel “native.”
Notable Quote:
"Even my youngest sibling... there's just distinct differences... what apps people were using, the way people dressed. It changes so quickly now, I think mainly because of how fast the algorithms work."
— Rachel Janfaza (06:49)
3. Focus Group Voices: What Drives Progressive Young Women?
(07:30 – 11:47)
- Key progressive women’s priorities (from focus groups):
- Reproductive rights ("life flighted" out of state for care, fear over birth control access)
- LGBTQ+ equality and civil rights
- Global human rights (Gaza, Ukraine), gun violence
- Financial instability, jobs, mental health, and survival concerns
Key Segment:
- Focus group vignettes highlight profound anxiety about loss of rights and physical safety, as well as a sense of solidarity among young women.
Example Quote:
"Every time I hear one [friend] is pregnant I'm happy and also very scared."
— Progressive Woman 2 (09:02)
- Post-election takeaways: According to Janfaza, young women continue to outpace young men in Democratic support, motivated by values, fear of hostility, and direct impact of policy on their lives.
4. The Gender Gap: More Than Just Politics
(14:17 – 18:25)
- The gender divide isn’t only political—it’s woven into social lives, educational outcomes, and daily anxieties.
- Anxiety gap: Young women significantly more anxious than young men; experience greater pressure planning for the future.
- Classroom dynamics: Young women outpacing men in efforts, sometimes creating insecurity or resentment among young men.
Quote:
"Young women feel a lot more pressure in planning for the future and in planning in general... and that's showing up in the day-to-day conversation and also in the classroom."
— Rachel Janfaza (16:31)
5. Progressive Women on Gen Z Men’s Shift to the Right
(19:55 – 23:40)
- Focus groups suggest "male loneliness" and social media algorithms play a role.
- Some men are moving right due to issues like gun rights, but also as a response to perceived female independence and changing gender roles.
- Progressive women cite the rise of "red pill" content and unmoderated online hate as undercurrents.
Memorable Moment (Cher reference):
"Women, in the words of Cher, we don't necessarily need men... It’s great if you have a guy, but we don’t need them. And I think maybe they’re starting to feel threatened by that."
— Progressive Woman 4 (22:43)
6. Rachel Janfaza on Male Gen Z Experience
(24:09 – 26:30)
- Young men’s turn right is pronounced—many feel unfairly blamed for patriarchy they didn't cause, sensing one political party listens to them and another dismisses them.
- Fear of social missteps or accusations inhibits social and romantic interactions.
- Social media is experienced in gendered ways—"two totally different sets of information" depending on gender.
7. The Ubiquity of Anxiety and Fear of Rejection
(28:25 – 33:43)
- Anxiety is the default state for many young women ("anxiety is the state that we live in").
- Both genders report a fear of rejection but don’t know how to cope; constant exposure to curated lives and "bubble-wrapped" upbringings has dulled real conflict resolution skills.
- There is desire—but no clear pathway—for more productive cross-gender dialogue.
8. The Problem and Potential of “Third Spaces” & Community
(35:01 – 44:42)
- “Third spaces”—settings outside home and formal institutions (e.g., clubs, social gatherings)—are vanishing, especially post-COVID.
- Men lack community opportunities; women have robust support networks but men’s groups are rare and less socially accepted.
- Religion is seeing a slight comeback as a space for belonging for some young people (not just conservatives).
- Many young people (of any politics) are painfully lonely after the pandemic, longing for in-person connection, which has real downstream political implications.
Quote:
"Part of the reason why religion and spirituality and faith is having this moment with young people is because they are looking for those spaces to come together that are outside of politics, outside of school, where they can just be in community."
— Rachel Janfaza (41:30)
9. Screens, AI, and the Quest for Connection
(46:59 – 51:13)
- Anxiety over AI is acute: many feel pressure to use it but are unsure how, are terrified of being left behind, and worry about its impact on relationships and jobs.
- AI as social surrogate: Young people use ChatGPT for relationship advice, to navigate breakups, and even as a friend.
- The digital world is simultaneously a support system and a source of isolation.
Quote:
"They're using it [AI] as friends, as mentors, as coaches, as dating gurus... teenagers, college students, are literally uploading screenshots of texts and having ChatGPT decode it for them, saying what they should send back..."
— Rachel Janfaza (49:01)
10. Life Priorities: Gen Z Women vs. Young Conservatives
(52:18 – 61:59)
- Progressive women deprioritize marriage, children, and sometimes homeownership; prioritize financial stability, helping others, emotional security, self-determination.
- Young conservatives/Trump voters place marriage, family, and spiritual grounding at the top.
- Progressive women see life as “if marriage/kids happen, great; if not, that’s fine.” Success is independence, not fulfillment of traditional archetypes.
- Conservative men and women articulate a spiritual view where family, marriage, and faith are inherently linked.
Notable Focus Group Quote:
"If I get married, I'm not suddenly considering myself successful. If I don't get married, I'm not considering myself a failure. It's just if it happens, it happens."
— Progressive Woman 5 (55:55)
Counterpoint Quote:
"My faith is the number one thing, and then my family. So, you know, that takes all three of the top ones right there."
— Trump Voter (58:31)
11. Are We Doomed? Rachel Janfaza’s Optimism
(61:59 – 65:10)
- Janfaza argues the “gender gap” is exaggerated: Young women aren’t universally anti-marriage/family, but want financial security and control first.
- The search for autonomy and balance transcends politics; both sides prioritize agency but express it differently.
- Gen Z is redefining work-life balance, resisting old categories, and seeking self-determination.
- Entrepreneurship is prized—but not for fame, for flexibility and independence.
Optimistic Take:
"I don't think it's that the progressive young women are saying that they never want to have kids or a family... they're just looking to be secure before they think about having family or kids... it's autonomy and being in control of one's own destiny instead of letting prewritten notions of what the world is supposed to look like—dictate it for you."
— Rachel Janfaza (62:19; 65:10)
Notable Quotes & Moments
-
On technology and generational divisions:
“If you look at a young woman's phone and a young man's phone, you're just going to get two totally different sets of information and entertainment and content, and it dictates the way that they view the world.”
— Rachel Janfaza (24:18) -
On anxiety as Gen Z’s default:
“Trying to make plans with a guy is the hardest thing that she can possibly think about to do.”
— Rachel Janfaza, recounting a focus group story (15:53) -
On gender, self-sufficiency, and shifting norms:
"There's also an element... women are empowered as they should be... having relationships is not necessarily what they care about all the time."
— Progressive Woman 1 (37:02) -
On the future and the post-COVID world:
"COVID... really shaped and colored the worldview that Gen Z is going to have for the rest of their lives."
— Rachel Janfaza (44:54)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 01:07 – Diving into Gen Z’s split: pandemic dividing line
- 07:30 – Voices: Young progressive women on motivation to vote
- 12:01 – Post-election analysis: Gender gaps in voting, values
- 14:17 – How gender differences manifest in daily life/anxiety
- 19:55 – Progressive young women reflect on young men’s rightward shift
- 24:09 – Janfaza on Gen Z men’s cultural and political context
- 28:25 – Fear, anxiety, and rejection as recurring themes
- 35:01 – Male loneliness, lack of community, and “third spaces”
- 46:59 – Screens, AI, and the transformation of relationships
- 52:18 – Focus groups: Top and bottom life priorities
- 58:31 – Trump group priorities: marriage, faith, family
- 61:59 – Rachel’s optimistic “hot take” on the gender/life gap
Summary & Key Takeaways
- Gen Z is splitting along both gender and microgenerational lines, driven by technology, world events, and rapid social change.
- Young progressive women are overwhelmingly motivated by issues of autonomy, rights, and financial independence, desiring control over their futures before marriage or kids.
- Young men, especially conservative ones, are feeling isolated, under siege, and pulled rightward—citing lack of spaces, rejection, and a nostalgia for traditional values.
- Technology, particularly social media and AI, shapes both the anxiety and the worldview of the generation, sometimes reinforcing divides rather than bridging them.
- The so-called crisis of loneliness and lack of 'third spaces' is both a cultural and political force; the loss of meaningful in-person connection is driving people online and into ideological silos.
- Despite the doom, both Janfaza and the focus group voices argue for nuance: Gen Z is anxious but adaptable, and most want balance and connection.
- The episode closes with cautious optimism that bridging these divides is possible, and with the reminder that Gen Z is not just ideologically split but fundamentally reimagining what adulthood, success, and connection mean.
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