“The System Isn’t Working”: Why Young Americans Are Seeking Alternative Paths

What dozens of in-depth conversations reveal about how Gen Z is navigating a complex new reality in 2025

The Backdrop

Since President Trump’s inauguration, I’ve conducted more than 60 in-depth conversations with young Americans across the country. (I'd like to thank everyone who financially supports this newsletter.)

While political headlines fixate on administration drama, culture war flashpoints, and foreign crises, these one-on-one check-ins reveal a gen…