Growing up, Amir Odom was always told what to think - “Because I'm black, I have to be a democrat, I have to stand with black lives matter, I have to believe America is a racist country. Because I'm gay, I have to hate republicans and I have to stand for everything the LGBTQ+ community advocates for”

But in Amir's words: “Like no...I am an individual.”

In this Father's Day Special, Amir tells his story about breaking free from the boxes he’s been forced into, and takes us on a sassy deep-dive into black culture - why it is the way it is, and whether any of its critics might actually have a point…

00:00 Why are so many black kids growing up without fathers?

04:52 I was pressured to ‘act black’

06:31 Is racism still holding black people back?

10:00 Why did you leave Black Lives Matter?

16:50 Why have we become so fixated on race?

19:57 Has identity politics shot itself in the foot?

26:11 Does DEI help or hurt black people?

34:56 Amir’s thoughts on Nick Fuentes

41”53 ‘Slutty’ music

45:27 What’s the blackest thing about you?

46:23 Gen Z didn’t get to be teenagers

49:37 Toxic influencer culture

54:14 Phones ruin the moment

58:04 What’s been your worst experience with a content creator?

1:03:16 What was the last thing you changed your mind on?

1:06:42 Coming out as conservative was harder than coming out as gay

1:12:55 Actions speak louder than words

1:17:17 What’s your advice for young black men?

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ABOUT THE NEXT GENERATION:

In a world saturated by social media and marked by skyrocketing rates of anxiety, depression, and ADHD among Gen Z, young people are growing up in a landscape of chaos and contradiction. While protests swell in city streets and activists hurl soup at famous artworks to demand climate action, a quieter crisis unfolds within - the mental and emotional battles faced by a generation trying to make sense of it all.

The Next Generation is hosted by 20-year-old Elliot Bewick, offering a raw and honest look at the world through the eyes of those living in it. Bringing together insight from professionals and young people on the ground, this podcast isn’t here to complain or chase clout. It’s here to bend the arc of the modern world towards solutions, truth and a love for the beautiful adventure of life itself.