Latest news with #GenZers
Straits Times
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Hear Me Out: Situationship or anti-relationship?
The many stages of modern-day romances for Gen Zers can complicate matters of the heart. PHOTO: PIXABAY SINGAPORE – I am 19, still single, and I'm beginning to wonder if relationships are overrated. A few years ago, I was befuddled by a friend's definition of modern-day romance. Check out the Headstart chatbot for answers to your questions on careers and work trends.
The Hindu
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Here's why Gen Z finds comfort in podcasts
If you have been keeping tabs on what Gen Z is up to, beyond their current obsession with matcha lattes and Labubu dolls, one trend that does not seem to be going anywhere is their love for podcasts. Unlike the fleeting social media fads, podcasting seems to have entrenched itself into Gen Z's daily routine. It is no longer just a flex to listen to podcasts, but a tool shaping their personality altogether! These days, India's top celebrities and even politicians are hopping onto the podcast train, sitting across content creators and chatting about everything, from their nostalgic childhood memories to fintech and beyond. And for Gen Zers, it is definitely not background noise while doomscrolling. 'Podcasting gives you a whole personality, it gives you conversation points among your peers,' says 24-year-old Darshit S., practising law in Chennai. 'Most importantly, what makes it special is how it breaks the wall between the listener and the speaker. It is not like an interview, but more laidback and real,' adds Darshit. The younger crowd is tuning in to podcasts on entertainment, lifestyle, global affairs, and crime, among other topics. What once started as a niche interest has turned into an everyday ritual among the listeners. And it is not just about listening anymore, Gen Zers from Chennai are making their own podcasts — especially college students looking for an outlet. Safa Salsabeel Z., a 22-year-old English literature student from Chennai, has already produced seven podcasts, covering everything from procrastination to how AI is reshaping literature, and even quirky historical topics like the origin of fans in pre-electricity times. For Safa, podcasting isn't just a post-lecture hobby but calls it the loudest form of creative expression. So, what makes podcasts the 'thing' for this generation, you ask. The podcaster breaks it down: 'As Gen Z, we usually gravitate towards podcasts that feel real, relatable, and authentic. We don't always look for perfectly polished interviews, professionally edited shows. What we love are conversations that sound like we are part of them,' says Safa. She further adds topics on mental health, productivity hacks, relationships, identity, personal growth, and even random 'shower thoughts' are what really clicks with her generation. Platforms such as Spotify and YouTube are the go-tos for most Gen Z podcast listeners, including Darshit. 'Honestly, it is not about the video, nothing much usually happens visually. It is all about what they are talking about. Podcasts let you get to know someone, especially celebrities, in a more authentic way. In a podcast, you end up listening your favourite cricketer speak about things you would never get from a well scripted interview in the 90s or 2000s,' he says. Another big draw is that you can learn about any new topic from a well-researched podcast in just a couple of hours. But for many Gen Zers from the city, it is about the comfort of hearing personal stories they can relate to, anecdotes that are a little more human, and banter that makes them feel seen and heard!
New York Post
16 hours ago
- Business
- New York Post
Are your coworkers ‘trauma dumping'? Here's why oversharing happens — and how to handle it
Your coworker came in at 9, overshared by 9:03, and now you know way too much about their breakup and their bowel movements. Some Gen Z employees are airing out all their drama on the clock — and bosses, coworkers and HR departments are wondering how to put the lid back on the tea kettle. 'It's kind of like you had your one work bestie, and you'd be, like, 'Oh, my God, you'd never guess what I did last night,'' Adriana Lima, a 32-year-old startup manager (not the Brazilian supermodel), told Business Insider. 3 Forget office politics — the real workplace hazard is finding out your cubicle mate's ex is back in the picture and possibly living in her car. LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS – 'Gen Z, in my experience, there seems to be a bit more openness in sharing about family trauma, diagnoses, things that they're struggling with.' Call it 'trauma-dumping,' 'emotional vampiring' or just plain oversharing — it's a rising trend in offices across America, thanks in part to Gen Z, remote work and a culture obsessed with 'bringing your whole self to work.' But now that your deskmate is unloading details about their ex's alcoholism again, some are begging for a little mystery. Lima's caught in the middle: 'At the end of the day, all of us would be doing the employee a disservice if we were trying to act as a mental health professional.' Blame blurred boundaries. 'We now take our work home readily and easily, basically in our pockets with our phones,' Carrie Bulger, a psychologist at Quinnipiac University, said to the outlet. 'Why wouldn't they blur in the other direction as well? It feels kind of normal.' But normal isn't always professional. 'Your reputation at work is built on how clearly and credibly you communicate, and oversharing can cloud both,' Carla Bevins of Carnegie Mellon warned Business Insider. 'There's a difference between being authentic versus being unfiltered.' 3 In today's workplace, some believe that every meeting doubles as a group therapy session — minus the privacy and the co-pay. motortion – The stakes are high. 'You don't want to invite bias or gossip, especially in very competitive and hierarchical environments,' Bevins added. Still, some Gen Zers say they're just being real. 'Gen Z has become much more comfortable with talking openly about mental health issues and is really determined to take away some of the stigma,' career columnist Alison Green told the publication. But as she also explained, 'workplaces and the culture more broadly [aren't] doing a good job of giving people guidance about how to preserve boundaries.' Meanwhile, as The Post previously reported, Gen Z's workplace revolution isn't limited to emotional transparency — it also includes an unexpected ritual: the 3 p.m. snack run. 'The 3 p.m. sugar break is more than just getting over that afternoon slump. It is a moment of self-care and indulgence,' said Grace Garrick, a 30-year-old PR boss whose Gen Z staffers are so devoted to treat time that the corner store knows them by name. '3 p.m. is like a victory lap after the daily grind,' she told It's part of a bigger Gen Z movement to 'refine corporate culture' and prioritize comfort, even if it means constant micro-breaks, multiple desk drinks, and mid-day TikToks. 3 One minute you're talking spreadsheets, the next you're hearing about your coworker's spiritual awakening in Sedona. Syda Productions – But not everyone's sweet on the habit. 'The breaks are constant,' warned workplace expert Roxanne Calder, who told the outlet that Gen Zers may be mistaking micro-breaks for 'micro-avoidances.' So, before trauma-dumping on your boss or crying to IT about your roommate, take Sasha Leatherbarrow's advice. 'You don't need to overshare; you just need to read the room,' the global talent leader at investment firm Bansk Beauty told Business Insider in the aforementioned report. 'We want personality, not personal drama.'
Miami Herald
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
YouTube makes a huge change that's long overdue
YouTube can provide endless entertainment, with opportunities for just about everyone to find something that piques their interest. Still, the video network has faced criticism on many key issues. Many have raised questions about how the site prevents inappropriate content, as well as whether videos posted on the site help spread misinformation. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Other concerns have emerged regarding where YouTube's moderation efforts cross the line into censorship or suppressing viewpoints, and controversy over whether YouTube should be doing more or less to control the content that appears on its platform. All of these are complicated questions that provoke many differences of opinion. Now, however, YouTube has finally taken decisive action to address one aspect of its platform that many have identified as a key problem. The change will go into effect on July 22, 2025, and while not everyone is happy about it, there is a very solid argument to be made that YouTube is doing the right thing with this new policy. YouTube has made the decision that it will raise the minimum age for live streamers on the platform from 13 to 16. Under the new rules, the only way that teens ages 13 to 15 will be allowed to appear on YouTube livestreams is if there is an adult visibly present within the video. If an underage user posts a live chat without an adult present, YouTube may remove the content. Related: TSA confirms, new Apple tech will be a game-changer for travelers Teens will also be allowed to go live on their own channelsonlyif an adult has been added as the manager of the channel, starts the stream via the Live Control Room on YouTube, and remains actively present on the camera during the entire stream. These changes are a part of the company's ongoing efforts to protect minors from exploitation. The new policy also follows efforts early in the year to weed out people who lie about their age to post content, including the use of machine learning that is designed to catch people who misrepresent thier age when posting. YouTube has more than 2.7 billion monthly active users, and more than a billion hours of YouTube are watched every single day. With so many audience members, it's probably not surprising that young people look up to their favorite YouTubers the way people used to idolize celebrities or sports players. Related: TSA says this cell phone is banned from all US planes The big difference is that just about anyone can start uploading videos on YouTube – and many people want to try. In fact, as many as 57% of Gen Zers want to be influencers, according to a 2023 Morning Consult Study. They aren't alone, either. A total of 41% of all adults surveyed said they'd love to have an influencing career. Unfortunately, while young people may be in love with the idea of making money by publishing YouTube videos, the reality is that it may not be good for their mental health. That's because studies have shown that the more time spent on social media, the greater the potential problems, including increased anxiety and depression, body image issues, and cyberbullying. More Retail: Costco quietly plans to offer a convenient service for customersT-Mobile pulls the plug on generous offer, angering customersKellogg sounds alarm on unexpected shift in customer behavior So while creators might not be happy about the fact that they face new limits on YouTube content posting, the reality is that there are good reasons for the company to finally protect those who may not yet understand all the consequences of their posts. Related: Veteran fund manager unveils eye-popping S&P 500 forecast The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
CNBC
a day ago
- Business
- CNBC
Trying to eliminate money stress 'isn't realistic,' financial therapist says—do this instead
This summer, young Americans are gearing up to socialize more. But those outings and trips will come at a cost, and many Gen Zers aren't feeling so hot about their finances. A recent Cash App survey found 65% of Gen Zers are ready to increase their spending for experiences this summer, but an equal-sized share say that planning those costly activities makes them anxious. It may be nice to get rid of that anxiety altogether, but "trying to eliminate all financial stress or anxiety isn't realistic," says Lindsay Bryan-Podvin, a financial therapist and founder of Mind Money Balance. For starters, some financial stress can be healthy. In the short-term, it can help you realize what's most important to you and help you develop a broader financial plan that reflects your values, Bryan-Podvin says. Stress can also be motivating and help encourage you to stay on track. But if you're trying to make a big financial decision like whether to take a trip with your friends or buy a new car, it's wise to make sure you're in the right headspace to do so. And that doesn't mean trying to eliminate the stress. "A healthier and more doable approach is to dial down the intensity of stress to a level where you still feel capable of making wise financial choices," Bryan-Podvin says. When you have to make a big financial decision, take the time to think through it and get your emotions in check. When you do that, Bryan-Podvin says it's a good idea to think about your money stress on a scale of one to 10, with 10 being the highest. "If you're about to make a large unplanned purchase, like saying yes to a spontaneous weekend trip with friends, and your stress level is at an eight, pause before you reply," she says. From there, go for a walk, journal or whatever else helps you calm down. When your stress level is closer to a four or five, you can make a better decision, Bryan-Podvin says. "It's not about waiting until your stress is at zero or avoiding extra spending altogether," she says. "It's about feeling emotionally good enough to make a wise financial decision." Financial stress can help you figure out what your priorities are. If you're worried about not having enough saved for emergencies, for example, "that can clue us in that we value the peace of mind an emergency fund could provide," Bryan-Podvin says. But it's also possible you're stressing for the wrong reasons, especially if you're doing well financially. If you're aiming for perfection or trying to meet an arbitrary standard of someone who's "made it," it's a good time to check in with yourself. "If your stress is at an eight because you feel like you need to invest more, ask yourself, 'According to who?'" Bryan-Podvin says. "That extra check-in can help you get back in touch with yourself instead of trying to keep up with someone else's financial rules." Everyone may need something different to ease their financial stress. To start, try these four strategies from Bryan-Podvin. If you're not sure what your financial priorities are, you could wind up getting even more stressed with decision fatigue every time a spending opportunity arises. Knowing what you value can take some of the anxiety out of making financial decisions. If boosting your emergency fund is a priority, for example, you may have to skip a concert or a few dinners out this summer, Bryan-Podvin suggests. The decision may require saying "no" to your friends who want you to join, "but it can save you the discomfort of not meeting your financial goals in the long run," she says. Using money tools like automatic contributions to your savings or investment accounts can make it easier for you to hit your financial goals, Bryan-Podvin says. If you don't have to think about moving money manually, you won't give yourself the opportunity to spend it on something else. She also recommends using a high-yield savings account to help your money grow faster. Younger generations are getting better at talking openly about money, and that's a good thing: It can help you actually stick to your financial goals, Bryan-Podvin says. She encourages you to try "cash yapping," a term coined by Cash App to describe talking about money without stigma. "Telling your people what you're focusing on financially can provide accountability, decrease awkward moments and reduce social stress," Bryan-Podvin says. It's good to have a pulse on the actual numbers in your savings account. But if you're checking it constantly and having an emotional reaction, Bryan-Podvin suggests setting some boundaries. "Strike a balance between avoidance and obsession by setting light boundaries, like checking your savings goals weekly instead of daily," she says. "That helps you stay informed without constantly feeding the stress loop."
