In this episode of #GenZ host Dr. Meghan Grace sits down with Gabby Beckford — award-winning travel creator and founder of  Packs Light and SeekPTO. From solo trips at 17 to funding travel through scholarships, fellowships, and global programs, Gabby has built a life around one belief:Travel isn’t about money. It’s about mindset.

Together, Meghan and Gabby explore how Gen Z is redefining travel — not as luxury or escapism, but as strategy, identity development, and empowered exploration. They unpack:

Why Gen Z is more likely to pursue growth-oriented travel over traditional vacations

The underrated world of paid travel opportunities and why they’re more accessible than you think

How “delusional optimism” and curiosity can open doors that credentials can’t

What it looks like to build your own eligibility in a world that waits for résumés

Whether you're a student dreaming of seeing the world, an educator looking to support global learners, or someone simply craving more possibility in your daily life, this episode shifts how you think about travel and the opportunities it creates.

Connect with Gabby Beckford:

Instagram & TikTok: @packslight

Explore travel scholarships & global programs: SeekPTO.com

“Going out” is getting a broader definition. More young people are choosing intention and wellness over traditional nightlife or bar hopping.  There’s a shift in what it means to “party” and Gen Z is driving that evolution.

In this episode of #GenZ, Meghan Grace sits down with Hannah Eyre—yoga teacher, breathwork facilitator, and co-founder of the Savannah Ice Tub Club—to explore how Gen Z is changing the way we gather and what it means to party. From cold plunges and contrast therapy to sound bowls and mocktails, Hannah is creating inclusive spaces that prioritize wellness, connection, and intention over traditional partying focusing on alcohol or other substances.

Together, they dive into:

Why Gen Z is trading nightlife for “daylife” gatherings

What it takes to create a community-first event culture

The power of starting small, staying weird, and showing up consistently

Connect with Hannah on Instagram: @icetubclub

Gen Z is approaching their relationship with alcohol differently and reshaping what it means to “go out”, socialize, and connect. 

In this conversation, Meghan Grace is joined by Todd Harris, co-founder of Plift, a THC-infused beverage company rooted in community, culture, and choice. Todd brings a mix of brand wisdom with personal vulnerability, opening up about his recovery journey and the motivations behind launching a new kind of social beverage.

Together, they explore:

How Gen Z is redefining drinking culture and socializing beyond alcohol

The rise of THC beverages, alcohol alternatives, and the wellness-minded, intentional consumers driving this shift

Todd’s take on creating brands with purpose vs. selling products with hype

Day parties, AM clubbing, and why 11 a.m. is the new midnight

Follow Plift on Instagram & TikTok: @drinkplift

Connect with Todd Harris on LinkedIn

Learn more about Plift

Gen Z’s intentional and informed approach to life is deeply aligned with their relationship with substance use - and how they aim to create safer environments. 

 In this episode, Meghan Grace sits down with Maddie Ward, Chief Operating Officer of End Overdose, to explore how Gen Z’s relationship with substance use is reshaping overdose prevention through peer-led education and advocacy.

In this episode, we explore:

Why substance use is declining among Gen Z, yet overdose risks remain high.

How peer-to-peer education creates safer, more open conversations about substance use.

What it means to lead authentically as a Gen Z changemaker.

The importance of community, connection, and small actions that multiply into real change.

This conversation offers practical wisdom and hope for how we can all play a role in supporting Gen Z’s relationship to substance use and preventing overdose.

Follow Maddie on LinkedIn

Follow End Overdose on Instagram: @end.overdose

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions most people will ever make. For Gen Z, it is feeling more intimidating than inspiring. Between rising interest rates, affordability challenges, and the shifting economy, young buyers often wonder if ownership is even possible.

In this episode of #GenZ, Meghan Grace sits down with Austin Whitaker, real estate investor, entrepreneur, and founder of Enrich Revenue Management, to unpack how Gen Z is reshaping the path to homeownership. Austin shares his journey from house hacking to building a career helping others maximize returns in real estate.

Together, Meghan and Austin break down:

The real estate landscape Gen Z is navigating

What house hacking really means (and why it’s gaining traction with Gen Z).

How mindset can be a bigger barrier than money when it comes to buying your first home.

The trade-offs young buyers are making to build equity through real estate.

Why community, creativity, and technology are shaping the next chapter of real estate.

This conversation is full of practical takeaways and fresh perspectives to help you understand Gen Z’s approach to real estate. 

Connect with Austin on LinkedIn 

Check out Enrich Revenue Management

What does retirement and financial planning look like when you're 25? And, why should young people start caring about it now?

In this episode of #GenZ,  Dr. Meghan Grace is joined by Zechariah Schaefer, founder of Ascent Personal Finance, to explore what financial planning and retirement preparation actually means for Gen Z. This conversation dives into how today's Gen Z professionals are redefining success, blending purpose with planning, and seeking financial strategies that truly fit the life they want to live today and in the future.

Zechariah shares his personal story—from growing up around Wall Street to launching his own advice-only wealth firm designed specifically for high-earning Gen Z and Millennial clients. Together, Meghan and Zechariah uncover how young people today are navigating wealth-building with intentionality, flexibility, and a healthy skepticism of outdated financial norms.

You’ll leave feeling empowered to reflect honestly on your finances and your future. Zechariah leaves us with simple, practical insights:

Connect with Zechariah on LinkedIn

Securities offered through Osaic Wealth, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Focus Financial. Osaic Wealth is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Osaic Wealth.

What is the key to a fulfilling career and life? Maybe it isn’t about what happens when we sign off for retirement - if we ever sign off at all. 

In this episode of #GenZ, Meghan sits down with Noah Sheidlower, economy reporter at Business Insider, to explore a surprising trend reshaping the workforce: more Americans than ever are staying on the job— including those in their 70s, 80s, and even 90s. 

Noah has spent the past year interviewing hundreds of older adults about why they work, what they’ve learned during their careers, and what they wish they had known earlier in life. From Home Depot cashiers to 80-year-old construction workers, these stories reveal both the financial realities and deeply human motivations behind working later in life.

Together, Meghan and Noah unpack:

Why retirement is no longer a one-size-fits-all milestone

The role of purpose and social connection in healthy aging

Common regrets older generations have — and how Gen Z can learn from them now

How younger workers are approaching financial planning earlier than ever

The freedom that comes with letting go of “life timelines”

Follow along with Noah’s work here: 

LinkedIn

Twitter/X

Business Insider Page

We’ve talked about the rise of in-person events and “fourth spaces”—but today, we’re zooming in on the real engine behind this shift: the people who gather others and bring communities together. In this episode, Meghan Grace is joined by Andrew Roth, Gen Z researcher, Forbes 30 Under 30 alum, and Founder of dcdx and Offline.

Together, they unpack how Gen Z is moving beyond algorithm-driven influence toward community-led, offline experiences—and what that means for brands, marketers, and changemakers alike.

In this episode: 

Why Gen Z is burnt out on social media and hungry for in-person connection

How dcdx’s research shows how young people feel “exhausted” by digital life

The difference between influencers and hosts who create influence, and why that matters

What is being done to support community builders and how brands can be a part of interest-driven communities 

How to build trust and connection without disrupting the vibe

Learn more about Andrew and Offline: offlinetalent.com

Reach out: [email protected]

Follow: @OfflineTalent on Instagram

What do Mahjong, knitting, and bread baking have in common? They are more than cozy pastimes and they’re at the heart of one of Gen Z’s fastest-growing cultural trends: Grannycore. In this episode, Meghan Grace is joined by Roseli Ilano, Head of Community and Trends Expert at Eventbrite, to explore why younger generations are turning to traditionally “old-school” hobbies and what it reveals about how they want to gather, connect, and decompress.

Going beyond retro aesthetics, Meghan and Roseli explore the shift away from digital burnout as Gen Z is choosing connection and presence by creating space to rest, learn, and play with others.

Topics Covered:

What “Grannycore” means and why it matters

Why Gen Z is drawn to slower, hands-on hobbies

How simple events are creating stronger community bonds

The mental health and cultural benefits of screen-free activities

Ideas for how workplaces and educators can support genuine connection

Follow on Instagram @eventbrite

Want to host your own event? Event Organizer

What does it mean to build a career on your own terms? And, how is Gen Z leading that shift? Meghan Grace sits down with Dr. Gabby Burlacu, Senior Research Manager at Upwork, to explore the rise of freelance and portfolio careers among Gen Z professionals.

Drawing on findings from Upwork’s 2025 Future Workforce Index, Gabby and Meghan unpack why over half of Gen Z skilled knowledge workers are choosing freelance work over the traditional 9-to-5. They explore the psychological importance of control, how portfolio careers offer more autonomy and growth, and why AI literacy is becoming a non-negotiable career skill. From organizational psychology to real-world strategies, this conversation offers insight for anyone navigating the evolving future of work.

 Here’s is covered in this episode: 

Key findings from Upwork’s 2025 Future Workforce Index

Why Gen Z is opting out of the traditional 9-to-5

The growing need for AI fluency in career growth

What organizations must rethink to retain the next-gen workforce

Learn more about the Upwork Research Institute: Future Workforce Index Report (2025)