Why Gen Z Is The Most Miserable Generation (And What Parents Don't See) episode artwork

EPISODE · May 16, 2026 · 22 MIN

Why Gen Z Is The Most Miserable Generation (And What Parents Don't See)

from First Principles · host Adrian Wells

What if everything you think you know about building wealth and raising successful kids is actually creating the most miserable generation in history? Adrian Wells breaks down Scott Galloway's explosive research on why Gen Z is drowning in depression while traditional wealth-building advice has become dangerously outdated. 🎯 What You'll Learn: • Why depression rates among teens jumped 50% between 2010 and 2020 (and what parents completely miss) • The brutal math: home prices up 400% since 1980, wages up only 25% • Why only 37% of Americans under 35 own homes compared to 69% of Boomers at that age • The new strategies that actually work when hard work alone won't cut it 👤 Perfect for: lifelong learners who want to understand what's really happening to younger generations and anyone rethinking traditional paths to success. 📍 Chapters: [00:00] Adrian Wells reveals the shocking mental health crisis nobody talks about [01:45] The wealth gap that's crushing an entire generation [04:20] Why your parents' advice about hard work is actually harmful now [06:30] Student loan debt: the 1,200% increase that changed everything [08:45] Scott Galloway's controversial take on what parents get wrong [10:30] Three strategies that actually work in today's economy This isn't another feel-good episode about following your dreams. Wells strips away the motivational fluff to show you the hard data behind why traditional success formulas are failing spectacularly. If you've wondered why young people seem so stressed despite having "every advantage," this episode connects dots you probably haven't considered. 🔔 Never miss an episode: Follow First Principles on your podcast app and turn on notifications. New episodes drop daily, your next favorite insight is one tap away. 🔍 Topics: Gen Z mental health, wealth building strategies, housing crisis, student debt, generational economics Find all episodes at First Principles --- Keywords: critical thinking podcast, billionaire mindset, thinking skills, health myths Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if everything you think you know about building wealth and raising successful kids is actually creating the most miserable generation in history? Adrian Wells breaks down Scott Galloway's explosive research on why Gen Z is drowning in depression while traditional wealth-building advice has become dangerously outdated. 🎯 What You'll Learn: • Why depression rates among teens jumped 50% between 2010 and 2020 (and what parents completely miss) • The brutal math: home prices up 400% since 1980, wages up only 25% • Why only 37% of Americans under 35 own homes compared to 69% of Boomers at that age • The new strategies that actually work when hard work alone won't cut it 👤 Perfect for: lifelong learners who want to understand what's really happening to younger generations and anyone rethinking traditional paths to success. 📍 Chapters: [00:00] Adrian Wells reveals the shocking mental health crisis nobody talks about [01:45] The wealth gap that's crushing an entire generation [04:20] Why your parents' advice about hard work is actually harmful now [06:30] Student loan debt: the 1,200% increase that changed everything [08:45] Scott Galloway's controversial take on what parents get wrong [10:30] Three strategies that actually work in today's economy This isn't another feel-good episode about following your dreams. Wells strips away the motivational fluff to show you the hard data behind why traditional success formulas are failing spectacularly. If you've wondered why young people seem so stressed despite having "every advantage," this episode connects dots you probably haven't considered. 🔔 Never miss an episode: Follow First Principles on your podcast app and turn on notifications. New episodes drop daily, your next favorite insight is one tap away. 🔍 Topics: Gen Z mental health, wealth building strategies, housing crisis, student debt, generational economics Find all episodes at First Principles --- Keywords: critical thinking podcast, billionaire mindset, thinking skills, health myths Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NOW PLAYING

Why Gen Z Is The Most Miserable Generation (And What Parents Don't See)

0:00 22:13

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

PodQuesting Dwight J Randolph- WolfShield Media PodQuesting: -By WolfShield Media and Dwight J RandolphJoin us on an exciting journey to master the world of fiction podcasting! At PodQuesting, we document our quest to improve and innovate, sharing valuable insights, strategies, and behind-the-scenes tips along the way. Whether you're an experienced podcaster or just starting your first show, our podcast is your go-to resource for everything podcasting.Discover practical advice, creative techniques, and lessons from our own experiences as we explore the ever-evolving podcasting landscape. Ready to level up your skills and embark on this adventure with us? Tune in and join the quest!Have questions or feedback? Reach out to us at [email protected] and visit our website:WolfShield.Media LIGHTS, CAMERA, SMILE! Creatives Club Media Lights, Camera, Smile, is a podcast for anyone with a dream to share something with the world, out of the overflow of themselves - be it their mind, their heart, their personalities, and much more. Each of us are alive in this moment in time, with an innate ability to have ideas and create various things to benefit both ourselves and the people around us for a reason, and here, you will find the encouragement, the inspiration, and the motivation to do just that. Hosted by Cicily, founder of Creatives Club, she dives into various topics surrounding creativity and business. Exploring entrepreneurship for creatives in a corporate reality, sharing tips and tricks in a media centered company, answering questions regarding what a creative actually is are just a few of the things discussed on this podcast. Be encouraged to create for yourself as Cicily gets vulnerable by pivoting the camera to herself for the first time.To submit questions for Cicily to answer, or have her address certain t Discworld 03 - Equal Rites Raghvendra Singh Equal Rites is a comic fantasy novel by Terry Pratchett. Published in 1987, it is the third novel in the Discworld series and the first in which the main character is not Rincewind. It introduces the character of Granny Weatherwax, who reappears in several later Discworld novels. Rich Dad's Guide to Investing II Robert T. Kiyosaki II Full Audiobook II Robert T. Kiyosaki Investing means different things to different people… and there is a huge difference between passive investing and becoming an active, engaged investor. Rich Dad’s Guide to Investing, one of the three core titles in the Rich Dad Series, covers the basic rules of investing, how to reduce your investment risk, how to convert your earned income into passive income… plus Rich Dad’s 10 Investor Controls.The Rich Dad philosophy makes a key distinction between managing your money and growing it… and understanding key principles of investing is the first step toward creating and growing wealth. This book delivers guidance, not guarantees, to help anyone begin the process of becoming an active investor on the road to financial freedom.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of First Principles?

This episode is 22 minutes long.

When was this First Principles episode published?

This episode was published on May 16, 2026.

What is this episode about?

What if everything you think you know about building wealth and raising successful kids is actually creating the most miserable generation in history? Adrian Wells breaks down Scott Galloway's explosive research on why Gen Z is drowning in...

Can I download this First Principles episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!