The Gen Z Turn to Tradition episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 28, 2026 · 1H 5M

The Gen Z Turn to Tradition

from Kinda Religious · host Eli Zaffirini

There are so many stories about Gen Z conversion to more traditional or more conservative denominations of Christianity. Whether this is a trend is debatable, but the lived experience of young adults in this cohort provides truly valuable insight into this cultural moment. Emily Dinneny is a prime example. She is a Gen Z convert to Roman Catholicism who also has a significant social media presence and now works in Catholic apologetics. Here she shares her journey from non-denominational Christianity to Catholicism, exploring the appeal of liturgy, tradition, and community.Links:Emily on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@catholic.converts/Emily on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/catholic.converts/Emily’s at Catholic Answers: https://www.catholic.com/profile/emily-dinnenySaint Ignatius of Loyola's Prayer: https://prayerguide.org/ignatius-prayerTopic Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to Gen Z and Religion03:12 Emily's Conversion Journey06:06 The Appeal of Traditional Liturgy08:54 Mental Health and Religion11:55 Navigating Online Discourse14:46 Authority and Trust in Online Content17:46 Constructive Argument vs. Conflict20:47 The Noise of Modern Discourse23:34 Diversity in Catholic Worship26:45 Comparing Protestant and Catholic Practices31:32 Exploring Community and Church Engagement34:26 The Role of Rituals in Faith35:39 Personal Experiences with Liturgy41:00 Human Dignity and the Value of Life45:58 The Impact of Consumerism on Faith48:13 The Search for Authentic Community53:13 Redefining Freedom in a Religious Context59:11 Perceptions of Religion Among Generations01:02:41 Meaningful Practices and Reflections

There are so many stories about Gen Z conversion to more traditional or more conservative denominations of Christianity. Whether this is a trend is debatable, but the lived experience of young adults in this cohort provides truly valuable insight into this cultural moment. Emily Dinneny is a prime example. She is a Gen Z convert to Roman Catholicism who also has a significant social media presence and now works in Catholic apologetics. Here she shares her journey from non-denominational Christianity to Catholicism, exploring the appeal of liturgy, tradition, and community.Links:Emily on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@catholic.converts/Emily on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/catholic.converts/Emily’s at Catholic Answers: https://www.catholic.com/profile/emily-dinnenySaint Ignatius of Loyola's Prayer: https://prayerguide.org/ignatius-prayerTopic Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to Gen Z and Religion03:12 Emily's Conversion Journey06:06 The Appeal of Traditional Liturgy08:54 Mental Health and Religion11:55 Navigating Online Discourse14:46 Authority and Trust in Online Content17:46 Constructive Argument vs. Conflict20:47 The Noise of Modern Discourse23:34 Diversity in Catholic Worship26:45 Comparing Protestant and Catholic Practices31:32 Exploring Community and Church Engagement34:26 The Role of Rituals in Faith35:39 Personal Experiences with Liturgy41:00 Human Dignity and the Value of Life45:58 The Impact of Consumerism on Faith48:13 The Search for Authentic Community53:13 Redefining Freedom in a Religious Context59:11 Perceptions of Religion Among Generations01:02:41 Meaningful Practices and Reflections

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The Gen Z Turn to Tradition

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This episode was published on April 28, 2026.

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There are so many stories about Gen Z conversion to more traditional or more conservative denominations of Christianity. Whether this is a trend is debatable, but the lived experience of young adults in this cohort provides truly valuable insight...

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