Why Do Young People Feel Unheard? With Raquel Borras
👂 Bridging the generational gap begins when adults stop assuming and start listening. In this episode, James McLamb chats with Raquel Borras about what Gen Z is really experiencing, what adults often misunderstand, and why listening may be one of the most powerful ways to support the next generation. 💬 Raquel shares what she learned while traveling across the country, speaking directly with young people about mental health 🧠, social media 📱, identity, relationships 💛, AI 🤖, the future, and the pressures shaping their lives. Together, they discuss the surprising common ground she found among Gen Zers from different backgrounds, why mentorship matters more than many adults realize, and how parents, educators, and leaders can build stronger connections by replacing judgment with curiosity. ✨
🎬 Raquel Borras is a documentary filmmaker, youth advocate, media creator, and founder of RAQVISION LLC. A UCLA alumna and mother of two Gen Z children, she hosts Raq The Boat 🎙️ and Rated Gen Z, where she creates space for young people to share their experiences and perspectives. She is also the executive producer of the documentary I Hear You, Gen Z, a project that grew from her years of conversations with youth and her commitment to helping their voices be heard. 🫶
Connect with Raquel Borras:
Website: https://raq.vision/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/raquel.borras
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raquel-borras/
Movie: https://kinema.com/films/i-hear-you-gen-z-wwz0f
Episode highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:48) Raquel’s calling as a youth advocate
(3:04) Why young people need to feel heard
(5:00) Creating the I Hear You Gen Z documentary
(9:06) Hope and trust found across generations
(11:59) Conversations Gen Z wants adults to hear
(14:29) What united young people across America
(19:12) Why personal stories create real connection
(22:29) The mentorship Gen Z is asking for
(25:05) Turning screenings into meaningful dialogue
(27:42) Where to watch the documentary