Many older workers complain that younger generations don’t work hard enough or don’t want their jobs to define them. But what if that behavior is actually a rational response to an economy that no longer delivers on its promises? In this episode, I talk about the economic reality facing millennials and Gen Z, featuring voices from young professionals navigating uncertainty, debt, layoffs, and housing insecurity, along with journalist Annie Lowrey from The Atlantic. We dive into how recessions, student debt, and rising inequality have reshaped ambition, risk-taking, and trust in institutions and more. Get ready to see generational anxiety through a much clearer lens.
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In this Episode, You Will Learn
00:00 How housing costs and economic insecurity shape career choices and risk-taking.
04:45 What graduating into a recession does to long-term earnings and opportunity.
09:45 How student debt impacts mental health, anxiety, and future planning.
14:45 Why younger generations delay homeownership, children, and entrepreneurship.
21:45 How recessions affect trust in institutions and increase social solidarity.
23:15 What psychological and financial toll does debt take on younger generations?
27:45 Has credential inflation devalued advanced degrees?
30:30 How distorted narratives impact job seekers, workers, and entire generations.
34:00 Why declining entrepreneurship is a structural problem, not a personal failure.
Resources + Links
Read Annie Lowrey’s reporting in The Atlantic
Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever
Watch the podcast on YouTube
Find more resources on our website morraam.com
Follow
Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam