For the final episode of Series 1, Jamz speaks to Alex Holder — author of Open Up: The Power of Talking About Money — and writer Remi Sade to discuss the new set of challenges young parents face as they look to balance their work and family lives.

A combination of an uncertain economic climate, limited access to home ownership and difficulties surrounding long-term saving has meant many millennials are choosing to start families later or, in some cases, not at all.

Working parents in this demographic face vastly different challenges to those before them — from new co-parenting dynamics, to concerns around social media and technology, to balancing fast-paced careers with family time.

This is reflected in the tools they look to use to help them stay on top of their family’s finances. The industry can no longer rely on the ‘nuclear family’ model to shape the financial products it develops; instead, businesses must take into account the new dynamics of modern parenthood to ensure these products are resonating with real people in meaningful ways.

In Episode 5, Jenny Costa (Rubies in the Rubble) and Jemma Finch (Stories Behind Things) join Jamz to discuss ways people can support environmentally-friendly lifestyles without spending beyond their means.

As consumers become more conscious of the impact their purchasing habits have on the planet, we explore the areas where people can make tangible differences to their carbon footprint – from the nature of fast fashion to waste reduction and smart shopping. 

It’s a theme supported by research, too; almost 2 in 3 young adults (61%) are willing to spend more on a product if it comes from a sustainable brand (you can read more on this in the ‘Searching for meaning’ section of the Futureproof report). 

Both Jenny and Jemma provide insight from two different industries – food and clothing – to shine a light on the growing prominence of ‘guilt-free consumption’, and how young people are engaging with brands that align closely with their own personal beliefs.

Episode 4 of Futureproof sees Jamz joined by Liv Little, founder of gal-dem magazine, and her mum Michelle to talk about ‘Generation Rent’ – a modern-day housing crisis impacting millennials across the U.K.

The discussion explores the new challenges faced by young people today as they attempt to take the first steps towards home ownership – as well as the practical steps they can take to succeed in an environment many feel has the odds stacked against them.

Here, both Liv and Michelle compare their different experiences of renting and trying to get onto the property ladder, and explore the potential solutions made available through shifting mindsets, technology and changing legislation.

Founder of BlackGirlFest, Unmasked Women and one of Forbes’ 100 Women Founders In Europe, Nicole Crenstil talks about staying positive and avoiding paycheck panic with Jamz.

Mahaneela – a photographer-filmmaker-artist-manager-publisher, a true ‘multi-hyphenate’ – talks to Jamz about a new paradigm of flexible work, side hustles and the gig economy.

Jamz talks to authors Katherine Ormerod ('How social media is ruining your life') and Laura Whateley ('Money: A User's Guide') about lives lived through online profiles.