GenZ Unplugged

Gen Z is more connected than any generation in history—so why are young people desperate to escape the digital world?

In this episode of Gen Z Unplugged, we introduce our new host, Anastasia Leffas. She shares how faith, family, mentorship, and conservative community shaped her worldview—and why Gen Z is searching for something more meaningful than social media, artificial intelligence, and online validation.

Anastasia also discusses the transition from college to working life, the responsibility of mission-driven work, the growing appeal of socialism, the battle over human dignity, and the competing ideas confusing young people about what it means to be a man or woman. 

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Anastasia Leffas was first introduced to the Luce Center during her Summer 2025 internship, which opened up a whole new world for her both personally and professionally. She joined as a full-time staff member in June of 2026, ready to further the Luce Center’s mission. Anastasia is thrilled to be a part of the Center’s work to reach and raise up phenomenal women like the ones she looks up to as mentors and friends.

Having graduated from Benedictine College in 2026 with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Minor in Theology, Anastasia is passionate about fostering a love for Western Culture and the Humanities. This love was especially encouraged through her time as a student leader in the Sheridan Honors Institute, a Presidential Scholar, a Constitutional Fellow with the Center for Constitutional Liberty, and an Angelico Fellow with the Center for Beauty and Culture. 

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0:20 Meet Gen Z Unplugged’s New Host

0:59 How Anastasia Found Her Conservative Voice

2:25 The Faith and Family Foundation That Shaped Her

3:10 Debating Abortion at Just 12 Years Old

5:32 The Post-College Identity Crisis Nobody Prepares You For

7:43 The Biggest Difference Between College and a Career

9:13 Why Gen Z Is Desperate to Escape the Digital World

10:20 Human Dignity, Socialism, and the Fight for Gen Z

11:29 The Gender Debate Is Trapping Men and Women

15:16 Anastasia’s Dream Podcast Guest

GenZ Unplugged is the official podcast for the Clare Boothe Luce Center for Conservative Women. Rotating hosts are Lauren Husmann, Anastasia Leffas, and Rachel Hurley.  Producer is Sandra Scarlatoiu. 

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Alena entered Vanderbilt expecting to find a more conservative environment in Tennessee—but instead, she often felt alone in her beliefs and hesitant to speak openly in class. Now a Summer 2026 Luce Center intern, she reflects on how her faith gave her the courage to challenge political complacency, question ideological bias, and refuse to stay silent.

She also explains why conservative students should not simply abandon liberal campuses, why Christians must remain rooted in Scripture, and why young conservatives need practical skills in AI and technology to shape the future rather than surrender it.

She also explains why conservative students should not simply abandon liberal campuses, why Christians must remain rooted in Scripture, and why young conservatives need practical skills in AI and technology to shape the future rather than surrender it.

0:00 Introduction

0:27 Meet Alina: Faith, National Security, and AI

1:20 Growing Up as a Pastor’s Daughter

7:52 How Social Media Made Her Liberal

10:52 Feeling Alone as a Conservative at Vanderbilt

12:46 The Required Class That Made Her Afraid to Speak

16:28 Why Conservatives Shouldn’t Flee Liberal Campuses

20:54 Why Conservatives Cannot Ignore AI

26:06 AI Therapy and Artificial Relationships

27:38 Her Advice for Christians Entering College

GenZ Unplugged is the official podcast for the Clare Boothe Luce Center for Conservative Women. Rotating hosts are Lauren Husmann, Anastasia Leffas, and Rachel Hurley. Producer is Sandra Scarlatoiu. 

Listen, rate, and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform! 

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Send us your thoughts on this episode @realgenzunplugged!  

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SFX Credits: 

neon sign buzz hum stereo close lowcut to taste6.flac by kyles -- https://freesound.org/s/453493/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

swipes and whooshes plastic umbrella fast and short swings stereo ORTF 8040.wav by Soundholder -- https://freesound.org/s/425853/ -- License: Attribution 3.0

Power Cord Unplug 1_2 by Joao_Janz -- https://freesound.org/s/477641/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

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Erika Donalds joins Gen Z Unplugged to deliver a wake-up call on artificial intelligence, education, and the future of America. While many young people are being taught to fear AI, Erika argues it may be one of the greatest tools for opportunity, entrepreneurship, and learning—if we use it wisely. She also explains why parents must take back responsibility for teaching patriotism, civics, and truth at home, what’s really happening with the Department of Education, and why young women don’t need to wait until motherhood to start defending the next generation. 

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Erika Donalds is the Founder of Education Freedom Foundation and Chairman of OptimaEd. Erika is a national expert on education policy and school choice, a frequent media commentator and speaker, and a seasoned business executive.

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0:37 Intro

1:15 Why Gen Z Shouldn’t Fear AI

1:48 Students Are Being Lied To About AI

3:00 How Parents Can Teach Kids to Use AI Wisely

4:22 AI Needs Guardrails—Not Panic

5:13 Why AI Is the New Internet

6:51 Educators Must Adapt or Fail Students

8:28 America’s Civics Crisis Before the 250th

9:40 Patriotism Starts at Home

12:08 The Plan to Dismantle the Department of Education

14:58 How Young Women Can Defend Education Freedom 

GenZ Unplugged is the official podcast for the Clare Boothe Luce Center for Conservative Women. Rotating hosts are Lauren Husmann, Catherine Hendershott, Rachel Hurley, and Hannah Faulkner. Producer is Sandra Scarlatoiu. 

Listen, rate, and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform! 

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Send us your thoughts on this episode @realgenzunplugged!  

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SFX Credits: 

neon sign buzz hum stereo close lowcut to taste6.flac by kyles -- https://freesound.org/s/453493/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

swipes and whooshes plastic umbrella fast and short swings stereo ORTF 8040.wav by Soundholder -- https://freesound.org/s/425853/ -- License: Attribution 3.0

Power Cord Unplug 1_2 by Joao_Janz -- https://freesound.org/s/477641/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

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Alex Clark is engaged — but her love story didn’t come without years of waiting, heartbreak, and wondering why God kept closing the door. In this episode of Gen Z Unplugged, Alex opens up about meeting her fiancé, preparing for marriage in a season of singleness, and why young women shouldn’t waste the waiting.

She also gets candid about backlash, courage, and why telling the truth matters more than staying popular — even inside the conservative movement. From dating and motherhood to faith, politics, and standing firm under fire, Alex shares the message every young woman needs to hear: God’s timing is not punishment — it’s preparation. 

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Alex Clark is the host of TPUSA's Culture Apothecary, where she explores remedies for the emotional, physical, and spiritual challenges in today’s culture. Her mission is to empower listeners with practical tools and natural remedies for living well in our culture.

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0:30 Alex Clark Returns With Big News

1:30 The Substack Shoutout That Started It All

2:52 Everyone Knew He Was the One

3:36 From First Date to “Be My Girlfriend”

4:53 Waiting, Singleness, and Wanting Marriage

5:54 Why God’s “No” Finally Made Sense

7:19 Becoming the Wife and Mother You Want to Be

9:51 Why You Can Have Convictions Before Marriage

11:59 Career, Motherhood, and Rejecting Feminist Lies

16:07 Truth, Backlash, and Standing Firm Under Fire 

GenZ Unplugged is the official podcast for the Clare Boothe Luce Center for Conservative Women. Rotating hosts are Lauren Husmann, Catherine Hendershott, Rachel Hurley, and Hannah Faulkner. Producer is Sandra Scarlatoiu. 

Listen, rate, and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform! 

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Send us your thoughts on this episode @realgenzunplugged!  

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SFX Credits: 

neon sign buzz hum stereo close lowcut to taste6.flac by kyles -- https://freesound.org/s/453493/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

swipes and whooshes plastic umbrella fast and short swings stereo ORTF 8040.wav by Soundholder -- https://freesound.org/s/425853/ -- License: Attribution 3.0

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At just 23 years old, Reagan Reese became one of the youngest reporters in the White House briefing room — and she had no idea if she was ready.

In this episode of Gen Z Unplugged, Reagan shares how she went from Hillsdale College to The Daily Caller, what it’s really like covering the White House in the Trump administration, and why the most important thing young conservatives can do is stay brave, stay curious, and stay grounded.

From unpredictable days chasing breaking news to the quiet habits that keep her sane, Reagan offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at political journalism — and a powerful reminder that politics matters, but it should never become your whole identity.

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Reagan Reese is the White House Correspondent for the Daily Caller and a Visiting Fellow at the Independent Women’s Forum. She previously reported on education for the Daily Caller News Foundation after graduating from Hillsdale College with degrees in Rhetoric and Public Address and Journalism. At Hillsdale, she captained the Division II softball team, leading them to multiple conference championships.

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0:34 Introduction to Reagan Reese

1:01 From Hillsdale to The Daily Caller

2:03 The call that changed Reagan’s career

2:25 Becoming one of the youngest reporters in the White House briefing room

3:52 Why Gen Z belongs in the room

4:50 What a White House correspondent actually does

5:17 When the news schedule changes overnight

5:42 Chasing sources and breaking news

7:29 Reagan’s advice for young conservatives

8:10 Why politics should never become your identity 

GenZ Unplugged is the official podcast for the Clare Boothe Luce Center for Conservative Women. Rotating hosts are Lauren Husmann, Catherine Hendershott, Rachel Hurley, and Hannah Faulkner. Producer is Sandra Scarlatoiu. 

Listen, rate, and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform! 

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Send us your thoughts on this episode @realgenzunplugged!  

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SFX Credits: 

neon sign buzz hum stereo close lowcut to taste6.flac by kyles -- https://freesound.org/s/453493/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

swipes and whooshes plastic umbrella fast and short swings stereo ORTF 8040.wav by Soundholder -- https://freesound.org/s/425853/ -- License: Attribution 3.0

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Leah Francis Campos was nominated by President Donald J. Trump and confirmed by the United States Senate on October 8, 2025, to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic. Ambassador Campos is committed to deepening the relationship between the United States and the Dominican Republic, while prioritizing the vital national interests of the United States - in pursuit of peace, prosperity, regional stability, and security.

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Our inspiring one-day summit features bold, unapologetically conservative women who are confronting cultural lies and restoring clarity, courage, and common sense in American life. At the summit, you’ll meet like-minded young women, form real friendships, and become part of a growing network of women who are ready to lead with purpose and conviction.

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This event was organized by The Clare Boothe Luce Center for Conservative Women, and recorded and produced by FIXR Media on Friday, June 26, 2026. The Luce Center is an all-women, mentorship organization dedicated to preparing and promoting conservative women leaders. 

For more information, visit here: https://www.conservativewomen.com/ 

🔴 Subscribe to Luce Center on YouTube ➡️ youtube.com/cblwomen 

SOCIAL MEDIA: 

@CBLWomen on X 👉 https://twitter.com/cblwomen 

@CBLWomen on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/cblwomen/ 

@CBLWomen on Facebook 👉 https://www.facebook.com/CenterforConservativeWomen/

GenZ Unplugged is the official podcast for the Clare Boothe Luce Center for Conservative Women. Rotating hosts are Lauren Husmann, Catherine Hendershott, Rachel Hurley, and Hannah Faulkner. Producer is Sandra Scarlatoiu. 

Listen, rate, and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform! 

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Send us your thoughts on this episode @realgenzunplugged!  

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SFX Credits: 

neon sign buzz hum stereo close lowcut to taste6.flac by kyles -- https://freesound.org/s/453493/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

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Liz Wheeler’s fire didn’t begin on a political debate stage — it sparked in a hospital room. A young athlete, a terrifying diagnosis, and a mother who refused to let the system decide her daughter’s fate. In this powerful conversation, Liz reveals how God redirected her passion from the pool to confronting corruption, exposing evil, and defending American families. She also gives raw wisdom on motherhood, vocation, and raising the next generation to pursue heaven — not likes.

If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to live boldly in truth while guarding the hearts of your children, this episode will light a match inside you.

Host of The Liz Wheeler Show on Blaze TV and author of Hide Your Children: Exposing the Marxists Behind the Attack on America’s Kids.

Liz commands an audience of over 1 million on X, and is known for exposing corruption and calling out the so-called “experts.” She is rigorous in her research, passionate about her faith, and unapologetically fearless.

0:56 — A fearless voice joins Gen Z Unplugged

Welcome & quick intro; Liz’s speech left a mark.

1:30 — The dream that disappeared overnight

Competitive swimmer → chronic illness → identity shaken.

2:59 — A mother’s relentless love against medical gaslighting

How Liz’s mom became the hero who saved her life.

5:20 — The moment Liz uncovered institutional corruption

Why America’s healthcare failures are about more than incompetence.

6:56 — Barack Obama, abortion votes, and political awakening

The exact turning point that launched her activism.

9:16 — Media, speaking tours & God’s redirected plan

How sorrow and passion became purpose.

10:53 — Marriage, vocation & motherhood as a battleground

What true presence requires — and why culture gets it wrong.

12:42 — “Our duty is to shepherd souls to heaven”

Liz’s life rule for career decisions.

14:50 — Protecting kids from culture’s silent predators

Screens, schools & soul-formational vigilance.

17:56 — The humbling truth of parenting

Why even the strongest parents can’t do it without God.

20:43 — Free will, spiritual warfare & raising saints

What happens when kids choose wrong — and why hope remains.

22:49 — When parenting means saying “no” to the entire world

How to be countercultural with courage.

23:53 — Final wisdom from Liz

A pep talk for future wives & mothers answering God’s call.

GenZ Unplugged is the official podcast for the Clare Boothe Luce Center for Conservative Women. Rotating hosts are Lauren Husmann, Catherine Hendershott, Rachel Hurley, and Hannah Faulkner. Producer is Sandra Scarlatoiu.

Listen, rate, and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform!

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Send us your thoughts on this episode @realgenzunplugged!

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SFX Credits:

neon sign buzz hum stereo close lowcut to taste6.flac by kyles -- https://freesound.org/s/453493/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

swipes and whooshes plastic umbrella fast and short swings stereo ORTF 8040.wav by Soundholder -- https://freesound.org/s/425853/ -- License: Attribution 3.0

Power Cord Unplug 1_2 by Joao_Janz -- https://freesound.org/s/477641/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

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At Tulane University, Juliana learned that expressing the “wrong” opinion could cost her friendships, leadership positions, and reputation. The 2026 Luce Center intern opens up about campus censorship, being sidelined in hockey, the fight to protect women’s sports, and how faith helped her rediscover the beliefs she had buried to fit in. Her advice to incoming freshmen is simple: Know who you are before college tells you who to be. 

0:00 Introduction

1:25 “Academic Freedom Doesn’t Exist”

4:22 Why Conservative Students Stay Quiet

5:51 Fighting for a Place in Hockey

8:47 Women’s Sports and Lost Opportunities

11:10 How Social Media Pulled Her Left—and Faith Brought Her Back

16:51 Finding a Conservative Community

19:11 The “Victory Files” and Fear of Being Exposed

23:44 A Professor’s Shocking Accusation

26:23 Advice for Incoming College Freshmen

GenZ Unplugged is the official podcast for the Clare Boothe Luce Center for Conservative Women. Rotating hosts are Lauren Husmann, Catherine Hendershott, Rachel Hurley, and Hannah Faulkner. Producer is Sandra Scarlatoiu. 

Listen, rate, and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform! 

ACAST - Apple Podcasts - Spotify - Google Podcasts - YouTube - Rumble 

Send us your thoughts on this episode @realgenzunplugged!  

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SFX Credits: 

neon sign buzz hum stereo close lowcut to taste6.flac by kyles -- https://freesound.org/s/453493/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

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Amira Hawat, a summer 2026 Luce Center intern, grew up in Venezuela surrounded by propaganda, corruption, blackouts, water shortages, and fear — but she didn’t fully realize how abnormal it was until she came to America.

In this episode of Gen Z Unplugged, Amira shares what it was like to leave Venezuela at 14, experience freedom for the first time, and watch young Americans romanticize the same ideology that destroyed her country. From writing essays by candlelight to seeing free speech treated like a crime, her story is a powerful reminder that freedom is fragile — and socialism is not the answer. 

00:50 Meet Amira: Escaping Socialism

01:59 Growing Up Surrounded by Propaganda

03:14 Venezuela’s Breaking Point

04:31 Writing Essays by Candlelight

05:53 Seeing Corruption Up Close

08:00 The Venezuela Americans Don’t Imagine

12:05 Two Realities: Luxury Online, Suffering at Home

14:54 How Her Family Escaped to America

17:31 What Happens When You Speak Out

31:09 Why Socialism Is a Lie

Amira is a 2026 Luce Center intern.

GenZ Unplugged is the official podcast for the Clare Boothe Luce Center for Conservative Women. Rotating hosts are Lauren Husmann, Catherine Hendershott, Rachel Hurley, and Hannah Faulkner. Producer is Sandra Scarlatoiu. 

Listen, rate, and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform! 

ACAST - Apple Podcasts - Spotify - Google Podcasts - YouTube - Rumble 

Send us your thoughts on this episode @realgenzunplugged!  

X - Instagram - Facebook - Truth Social 

SFX Credits: 

neon sign buzz hum stereo close lowcut to taste6.flac by kyles -- https://freesound.org/s/453493/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

swipes and whooshes plastic umbrella fast and short swings stereo ORTF 8040.wav by Soundholder -- https://freesound.org/s/425853/ -- License: Attribution 3.0

Power Cord Unplug 1_2 by Joao_Janz -- https://freesound.org/s/477641/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

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Gen Z was promised endless connection—Snapchat, Instagram, Zoom, dating apps, group chats, and constant access to everyone we know. So why does this generation feel more isolated than ever?

In this episode of Gen Z Unplugged, we unpack the loneliness epidemic: how screens replaced real friendship, why COVID made isolation feel normal, how self-checkout and QR codes made us avoid basic human interaction, and why Gen Z may have to relearn the lost art of simply talking to people.

00:52 — Why Gen Z Loneliness Is Getting Worse

02:47 — The Technology That “Connected” Us Started Tearing Us Apart

04:56 — The Shocking Loneliness Statistics Among Gen Z

07:42 — How COVID Trained a Generation to Live Online

09:34 — Why In-Person Connection Changes Your Biology

13:08 — Are We Forgetting That We’re Embodied People?

15:10 — When Phones Become a “Pseudo Sibling”

18:51 — Why We’re Scared to Talk to Real People in Public

22:52 — The College Cafeteria Test: Everyone Is Looking Down

27:12 — The Anxious Generation and the Childhood We Lost

31:17 — How Gen Z Can Start Rebuilding Real Community

GenZ Unplugged is the official podcast for the Clare Boothe Luce Center for Conservative Women. Rotating hosts are Lauren Husmann, Catherine Hendershott, Rachel Hurley, and Hannah Faulkner. Producer is Sandra Scarlatoiu. 

Listen, rate, and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform! 

ACAST - Apple Podcasts - Spotify - Google Podcasts - YouTube - Rumble 

Send us your thoughts on this episode @realgenzunplugged!  

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SFX Credits: 

neon sign buzz hum stereo close lowcut to taste6.flac by kyles -- https://freesound.org/s/453493/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

swipes and whooshes plastic umbrella fast and short swings stereo ORTF 8040.wav by Soundholder -- https://freesound.org/s/425853/ -- License: Attribution 3.0

Power Cord Unplug 1_2 by Joao_Janz -- https://freesound.org/s/477641/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Abstract Glitch Effects_015 by jalastram -- https://freesound.org/s/412303/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.