Generation Uncharted

Reality TV twists, viral New Year traditions, and the identity debates dominating your feed — this episode breaks down why it’s all trending right now.

Jordan Chan joins Lewis Oakley on What’s Trending? to unpack the stories everyone’s talking about — from The Traitors’ controversial new twist and bizarre New Year’s Eve grape rituals, to the rise of “hetero-flexible” dating labels, LGBTQ+ representation on TV, and the culture wars playing out online as we head into 2026.

With sharp takes, lived experience, and a bit of humour, Lewis and Jordan dig into what these moments say about where culture is heading — and why some conversations are suddenly everywhere.

Featured in this episode:

• The Traitors’ secret twist — and why viewers are obsessed
• The £10 grape tradition that took over New Year’s Eve
• TikTok’s biggest food trends heading into 2026
• Why “hetero-flexible” is suddenly being searched everywhere
• The state of LGBTQ+ representation in TV and media
• Pride funding, backlash culture, and where the community goes next
• Stranger Things, nostalgia, and rewriting the past

Your weekly scroll — in podcast form.

Rory Sutherland sits down with Lewis Oakley on Generation Uncharted to unpack why housing has become a generational trap, why innovation stalled in the physical world, and how AI could reshape work in ways no one is prepared for.

Lewis flips the script and asks Rory what he would do if he were 20 years old today — where he’d live, what skills he’d build, and how he’d define success in 2025.

Chapters

00:00 Aspirational culture & redefining success

01:15 If Rory were 20 again

03:09 Housing as a generational tax

08:46 You’re not buying a house — you’re buying planning permission

12:19 Why driving expands your life radius

17:53 The tech that improved everything except housing

21:03 Liberty ships & how to build homes like cars

37:34 Flying cars, blocked innovation & regulation

45:52 AI: huge potential, huge downsides

56:00 Missed opportunities: pubs, co-working, smart glasses

1:02:44 Rory’s product recommendation

Eden Heath joins Lewis Oakley on What’s Trending? to break down the stories dominating feeds this week — from the rise of ChatGPT Wrapped and AI-as-therapy, to super flu panic, viral council chaos, and why creators think YouTube’s algorithm is broken.

This episode moves fast through internet culture, media shifts, and the mood of Britain right now, unpacking not just what’s trending, but why people are reacting so strongly to it.

Featured in this episode:

• ChatGPT Wrapped and why people feel weirdly exposed by it
• Using AI for therapy, astrology, breakups and life planning
• Super flu fears, mask panic and lingering COVID trauma
• The viral clip where a council painted a disabled bay around a parked car
• Is Britain quietly killing ambition?
• Ring doorbells turning real life into content
• A US news anchor reading her hate comments live on air
• YouTube creators blaming the algorithm — fair or delusional?
• The rise of second-screen viewing and attention burnout

• • Trending travel destinations for 2026

What happens when a private text message leads to a police arrest — and then goes viral on Piers Morgan’s show? Lewis breaks down the full story, plus the internet’s latest panic over AI, Meghan Markle’s Christmas special, and the chaos of Spotify Wrapped season.

Davis Fang joins Lewis Oakley on What’s Trending? to unpack the biggest stories shaping internet culture this week — from the UK’s growing free-speech battles to fake behind-the-scenes AI videos, Mars exploration hype, the Australia under-16 social media ban, and why teens are fleeing to new apps.

Featured in this episode:

• Lewis’ appearance on Piers Morgan and the free-speech arrest dividing the UK
• The rise of abusive-messaging laws and whether the public understands them
• Cashless societies, digital IDs and why China is years ahead
• AI companions, loneliness culture and the future of human connection
• Will humans walk on Mars in our lifetime?
• Spotify Wrapped reactions: who’s really dominating podcasts?
• The explosion of fake AI “behind-the-scenes” movie footage
• Meghan Markle’s Christmas special and the never-ending media obsession
• Australia’s under-16 social media ban + the rise of the app “Yoap”

This week on What’s Trending?, Lewis Oakley and journalist Nichi Hodgson unpack one of the biggest cultural moments of the year: the long-awaited release of the Epstein files. What will actually happen when the documents drop? Will justice be served — or will redactions protect the powerful yet again?

From there, we dive into the analog revival sweeping TikTok, the explosion of AI translation gadgets, the ethical line on robotics, the rise of Substack as a new home for writers, and the deeply concerning trend of AI-induced psychosis.

In this episode:
• Why the Epstein files may change nothing — and why that matters
• The return of analog hobbies in a digital-overloaded world
• Are AI translation devices killing language and culture?
• Should robots ever replace humans in care or policing?
• Why Substack is exploding — and what it means for writers
• AI-induced psychosis: the most worrying tech trend yet

If you enjoy thoughtful takes on what’s blowing up online, subscribe for more weekly episodes.

Find Nichi at: https://nichihodgson.substack.com/ 

Spencer Cooper joins Lewis Oakley to break down what’s trending this week. From Devil Wears Prada 2 hype to AI music crashing the charts, Kim Kardashian’s new TV show, and Apple’s bizarre new £220 “phone sock.” We’re diving into the stories your feeds won’t shut up about.

Featured in this episode:

• Devil Wears Prada 2 teaser reacts
• AI music charting weekly & what it means for artists
• Waitrose vs John Lewis Christmas ads
• Toy Story 5… tablets vs toys?!
• UK beach towns making a comeback
• Aurora Borealis visible in the UK
• Kim Kardashian’s new show All Is Fair
• Apple’s “pocket” meltdown
• California banning loud ads
• This week’s political drama

Chapters

00:14 — Introduction & What’s Trending Overview
02:29 — Devil Wears Prada 2 Teaser Reactions
09:22 — AI Music in the Charts
14:22 — Christmas Ads & Festive Trends
20:51 — UK Beach Towns & Nostalgia
26:40 — Aurora Borealis & Cosmic Events
29:40 — Kim Kardashian’s New TV Show
34:23 — Apple’s New Tech & The £220 Phone Pocket
37:41 — California Bans Loud Streaming Ads
41:56 — Political Drama & Digital Democracy

Can young people really buy homes anymore, or is the dream dead? Mortgage advisor Dan Knott joins host Lewis Oakley to expose the brutal truth about the UK housing market.

In this episode, we break down why London property is still out of reach, how buyers can actually prepare for homeownership, and what schemes like the Lifetime ISA get wrong. Dan shares insider tips for improving credit scores, choosing the right mortgage advisor, and avoiding costly mistakes that could set you back years.

Lewis sits down with Scott McGlynn, creator of Celebrity Skin Talk, to cut through the skincare noise. From £4 moisturisers vs. £400 marketing, to SPF myths, AI “skin analysers,” and the simple routine men can actually stick to, Scott keeps it funny, practical, and brutally honest. 

In this episode of Generation Uncharted, Lewis Oakley sits down with model and activist Yasmin Benoit, a leading voice for asexual visibility. Together they explore the misconceptions surrounding asexuality, the media’s obsession with rebranding queer identities, and the pressures that come with being a “face” of representation.

In this episode of Generation Uncharted, Lewis  sits down with wellness coach Camilla Sheeley to explore the evolving landscape of wellness, particularly in the context of modern overstimulation and the importance of intentional rest. They discuss the challenges many face in prioritising wellness amidst busy lives, the significance of finding practices that resonate personally, and the growing acceptance of wellness among men.

Camilla shares insights on seasonal resets, quick wellness tips, the role of crystals, and the benefits of attending wellness retreats. The discussion emphasises that wellness should feel harmonious and fulfilling rather than a chore, encouraging listeners to invest in their well-being without stigma.