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In this episode, you’ll meet Pepper, an 18-year-old with a love for planes, a flair for music, and a thoughtful take on navigating young adulthood today. Pepper talks candidly about the realities of college applications, the highs and lows of participating in band and choir, and the challenges of finding a college that feels safe and welcoming as a trans student. There are genuine moments of joy—like making Allstate Choir—and lots of honest conversation about choosing a career that fits, moving between states, and the everyday balance of passion and practicality. With warmth and openness, Pepper shares what friendship, family support, and self-discovery look like alongside the complexities of growing up queer in today’s America. If you’ve ever felt unsure about your next steps, or just want to hear what life looks like from Gen Z’s perspective, this episode is an easy and inviting listen.

This is our Season 1 finale! Season 2 of Rated Gen Z kicks off in the new year—see you in 2026!

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In episode 32 of Rated Gen Z, we're diving deep into the power of youth-driven change with special guest Taylor Thigpen. From starting a thriving houseplant business at 14 to launching nonprofit initiatives that bridge cultures between American and Ukrainian youth, Taylor’s journey is all about purpose, passion, and real-world impact. Host Raquel returns from filming a Gen Z documentary to chat with Taylor about 4H, leadership, social entrepreneurship, and what it means to build authentic, intergenerational connections in a digital world. We cover creativity, critical thinking in the age of AI, and why young people aren’t just the leaders of tomorrow—they’re leading today.

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In this episode, we chat with Megumi, a Northwestern University student athlete who's got some real talk about what it's like to be Gen Z right now. She opens up about her work with the Evanston Special Olympics and how it changed her view on what success in sports really means. But that's just the start.

Megumi doesn't hold back when it comes to the job hunt struggle. She breaks down how weird it is that we're all told to be unique, but then companies just want to see the numbers. It's like, what gives? And don't even get her started on those robot interviews.

We also dig into the whole social media thing. Megumi's got some thoughts on why her generation is so into the 90s and early 2000s vibe. It's not just about the fashion - it's about missing a time when we weren't all glued to our phones 24/7.

Speaking of phones, we get into how they've changed the way we talk to each other. Megumi shares how watching "Sex and the City" with her mom is like looking at a whole different world of hanging out and dating. It's wild to see how much has changed, but also how some things about being human never do.

This conversation's got it all - laughs, real talk about the challenges Gen Z faces, and some surprising insights about how different generations can actually connect. Whether you're trying to figure out your own path or just want to understand what's up with the kids these days, Megumi's take is fresh, honest, and might just change how you see things.

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