Gen Z Explains

We’re back once again with a deep dive into everything on our phones! From contact photos to app libraries to pinned messages, you might learn about things you never knew existed... if you’re not a Gen Zer, that is. Listen and find out!  Follow us on social media: @GenZExplainsPod This episode was recorded and produced on the traditional lands of the Congaree and East Cherokee tribes.

We’re back this month with part 2 of a popular past episode: the Meme Literacy Test! Have Omme and Katie’s meme analysis skills improved since the last one? Listen to find out.... the answer might surprise you!  Follow us on social media: @GenZExplainsPod This episode was recorded and produced on the traditional lands of the Congaree and East Cherokee tribes.

Long time no see! Hopefully you all weren’t completely adrift in the world without us to explain things. This episode, we’re splashing back in by talking about gaming! Lena teaches Omme and Katie why you shouldn’t just say “Oh, they’re playing their game.” Omme, predictably, mixes up Among Us and This Is Us. The Gen Xers reference olde timely video games such as Duck Hunt and Super Mario Bros, and encounter their first Twitch stream in the flesh. We saw a mouse run across the rafters while we were recording (occupational hazard of recording your podcast in your garage!) and you can still hear a little bit of us freaking out over it at the beginning. And along the way, we ask the real hard-hitting questions, such as: Does anyone really know their Apple ID? This episode was recorded and produced on the traditional lands of the Congaree and East Cherokee tribes, as evidenced by the cicadas in the background.

A special Gen Z guest joins Lena, Omme, and Katie for the month of June to discuss LGBTQ+ history, present, and future. This episode touches on the legacies of the Stonewall riots and the AIDS epidemic, gender identity and generational differences, debates and prejudices within the community, and the importance of allyship. Katie, characteristically, is intimidated by the concept of emojis as pronouns, and Lena reveals that while working on the show she may have (gasp) learned a thing or two herself. Episode sources and links can be found below: Nonbinary pronouns are older than you think explaining xenogenders Stonewall monument Interactive AIDS Quilt Omme's article on language is made up Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok: @GenZExplainsPod This episode was recorded and produced on the traditional lands of the Congaree and East Cherokee tribes.

So what, exactly, is a YouTuber? Lena attempts to break it down for Omme and Katie. We discuss a wide range of creators from comedy to beauty to kids to film critics, but despite Lena’s best efforts, the adults just can’t seem to grasp the concept of vlogs. Omme mixes up James Charles and Jeffree Star several times, and Lena reveals an obsession with the latter’s rumored affair with Kanye. Naturally, Lena’s Dan and Phil phase from middle school is brought up, and she’s embarrassed. References include Janet Jackson, Alf, and Lena mixes up “Cheers” and “Frasier”. It’s painfully obvious multiple times that this was recorded about three months ago. Content note: this episode includes brief references to predatory and abusive behavior. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & TikTok: @GenZExplainsPod This episode was recorded and produced on the traditional lands of the Congaree and East Cherokee tribes. Article explaining the updated James Charles allegations: https://www.thecut.com/article/james-charles-allegations-and-accusations-explained.html

In this episode, Lena breaks down exactly what Omme and Katie are doing wrong when they’re texting. From the smiley face emoji to the ellipsis, there is... a lot to unpack here. References include pagers and Katie's third grade art projects (spoiler: she failed). Find the full list of examples for the concepts discussed in the episode here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CNudMZ9FxCR/?igshid=1f94lz395b2ak Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok: @GenZExplainsPod This episode was recorded and produced on the traditional lands of the Congaree and East Cherokee tribes. 

In the second and final part of our fandom culture series, Lena tells Omme and Katie all about everyone’s favorite hellsite. Some of you might already know where this is going - we discuss Putin, the Hayes Code, and the most famous alum of Katie’s drama school. Omme and Katie’s references include Waterfalls by TLC and Victorian literary salons. We managed to cut down the amount of time Katie talks about Shakespeare to a surprisingly small amount. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and TikTok (the picture of Misha Collins we reference in the episode will be posted in the first four of those places!): @GenZExplainsPod This episode was recorded and produced on the traditional lands of the Congaree and East Cherokee tribes. 

In the first part of a two-part series, Lena walks Omme and Katie through some of the internet spaces that help make Gen Z fandom culture so unique. Omme doesn’t know what anime is, and Katie doesn’t know what fanfiction is. We also talk for a long time about Raúl Esparza, Shia LeBouf, and Matthew Shepard, and somehow it’s all connected! References include The Game, New Kids on the Block, and Newsies. Lena reveals her hatred for Justin Bieber, and doesn’t elaborate. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and TikTok: @GenZExplainsPod  This episode was recorded and produced on the traditional lands of the Congaree and East Cherokee tribes.

Lena teaches Omme and Katie about the proper usage of emojis (rule of thumb: whatever you think it is, it's the opposite), some new slang words (confusing and NOT poggers), and something called the Spice Cabinet (periodt!). Omme progresses from thinking everything is racist to thinking everything is dirty, and Katie once again proves that she can't go more than ten minutes without talking about Shakespeare. Neither Lena nor Omme know the difference between an adjective and a noun.  Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and TikTok: @GenZExplainsPod This episode was recorded and produced on the traditional lands of the Congaree and East Cherokee tribes. Special thanks to Dayzanae Sample, Brie Dixon, Star, and Cami Cruz. 

Omme and Katie are tested to see how well they know their memes - spoiler: not very well. Lena breaks down the elements of each, but it remains to be seen how much their understanding increases. We had a long conversation about white noise machines and box fans, which we had to cut for time but which you can still hear a little of at the beginning. Omme and Katie’s references include Comic Sans and Wayne’s World. Omme thinks everything is racist. The audio quality is... okay? Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and TikTok: @GenZExplainsPod This episode was recorded and produced on the traditional lands of the East Cherokee and Congaree tribes. Special thanks to Casper Smith.