The Gen X/Z Exchange: Navigating Career, Purpose & Modern Life Across Generations
Ever find yourself wondering why you aren’t happier, where your career is going, or why life suddenly feels uncertain — even when everything looks fine on paper?
If you’ve ever felt stuck, off-track, or unsure what comes next, you’re not alone.
The Gen X/Z Exchange is a life navigation podcast where a Gen X dad and his Gen Z daughter explore the biggest challenges facing modern life - from career direction and purpose to relationships, wellbeing, identity and the changing world of work.
Across generations but facing many of the same questions, Chris and Lily bring honest conversations and real-world perspective to the uncertainty so many people feel today. Chris has navigated layoffs, career pivots and the realities of midlife change, while Lily is figuring out early career decisions, identity and adulthood in a fast-changing world.
Together, they bridge generational perspectives to help you:
- make sense of career and life transitions
- navigate work and purpose in a changing economy
- improve relationships and wellbeing
- feel less alone in the challenges of modern life
These aren’t expert lectures or quick fixes. They’re candid conversations about figuring life out - together.
If you’re navigating a career change, questioning direction, dealing with midlife or quarterlife uncertainty, or simply trying to understand how life looks different across generations, this podcast is for you.
Follow us now and join a growing community learning how to navigate modern life - one honest conversation at a time.
Episodes
27 episodes
Preview of upcoming episodes summer 2026
We don't have a full episode this week - there are two reasons for that you'll hear about in this preview.Instead, here's a sneak peek of some of the topics we have planned. If there are any others you'd like us to discuss, let us know!
Why am I always tired? — and what’s really draining your energy
“Why am I always tired?” — even when you’ve had a full night’s sleep?If you’re constantly exhausted, struggling with low energy, or feeling “tired and wired”, you’re not alone. And it might not be a sleep problem at all.In this ep...
What should I do with my life? Charlie Rogers on a smarter way to build a career at any age
What should you do with your life - when there’s no clear path to follow?Whether you’re just starting out or rethinking your direction later in life, figuring out what comes next can feel overwhelming - especially when traditional career...
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How to stop people pleasing - and say no without feeling guilty
Do you ever say yes when you mean no — just to avoid awkwardness, conflict, or disappointing someone?If so, you’re not alone. People pleasing is far more common than we think — and it can shape our work, relationships and sense of self.<...
How to talk to teenagers about drinking and drugs - without pushing them away with Diana Hu McDowell
Why do teenagers take risks with alcohol and drugs - even when they know the dangers? And how do you talk to them about it without shutting them down or pushing them away?In this episode we're joined by Diana Hu McDowell, founder of East...
Why we’re losing the places that bring us together — The UK’s 'Third Place' problem
Why does it feel like there are fewer places to meet people, spend time together, or just belong in your community? And what happens to society when those spaces disappear?In this episode of The Gen X/Z Exchange, we explore the idea of '...
Is AI taking our jobs? Gen Z starting out, Gen X being pushed out with Maureen Wiley Clough
Is AI replacing jobs before young people even get started - and pushing experienced workers out before they’re ready to finish? And if the old advice to “work harder” no longer works, what does a secure career actually look like now?In t...
Should social media be banned for under-16s? Phones, schools & the trust gap with Amit Singh Kalley
Should social media be banned for under-16s in the UK - and what can we learn from Australia? Do phone-free schools actually work, or do they just push problems underground? In this episode, we’re joined by Amit Singh Kalley - leadi...
How to write a CV that actually gets read – For Gen Z, Gen X & career changers with Carl Scutt
Ever wondered why your CV isn’t getting responses - or how you’re supposed to stand out when everyone’s following completely different advice? Should you write for AI screening, recruiters, or hiring managers… and can you do all three at once?<...
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Why Do I Like This Song So Much? The Psychology of Catchy Music
Why do you like a song so much… and why does it become your song? Why can't you recite the lyrics to an old favourite on demand - but the second the track starts, you’re singing every word?In this episode of The Gen X/Z Exchange...
2026 trailer and thank you message
We're taking a short break over Christmas and New Year....but we have lots planned for 2026!Have a listen to this short trailer to hear some of the topics we have coming up and a thank you message from us for all your support over the la...
Gen X, Gen Z, Boomers & Millennials: Gabby Rosely decodes how the generations can all get along at work
Ever wondered why your boss, your mentor, or your Gen Z colleague just doesn’t seem to “get” how you work? Or why feedback that fires up one generation can shut down another?Chris and Lily sit down with Gabby Rosely - former competitive ...
Sober Curious and wondering “Am I drinking too much?” – How to go alcohol free with Steve Kirchell
Ever caught yourself thinking, “Maybe I should cut back” or “Am I drinking too much?” If so, this episode is for you.We sit down with Steve Kirchell, Alcohol-Free Performance Coach, to talk about what it really means to be Sober...
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Overcoming procrastination at work or study - how to actually get started with Wilson Obeneme
“Why can’t I just get on with the things I keep putting off?” If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you.Gen X dad and Gen Z daughter Chris and Lily team up with productivity coach Wilson Obeneme to break down why we procrastinate,...
The workplace: as seen on TV!
We spend time at work, think about work, talk about work and then come home and watch TV shows about work!Would you love to message ‘Urgent exit required’ to get out of boring meetings?Would you sever your work self from your self...
Our Ultimate Guide to Friendship: from childhood BFFs to adult social circles
Is your social circle shrinking? Learn the rules of making and keeping friends, no matter your age.Why is it so much harder to make new friends after school? From the playground to the workplace, the rules of friendship change drasticall...
How to transition to a new chapter in life without feeling overwhelmed
Did you know you experience some kind of transition in life about every 18 months? Every now and then, we experience a major change that threatens to totally derail us. It can seem overwhelming, but there’s a practical toolkit you can use to he...
Your job interview playbook - our guide to nailing today’s job interview formats with confidence
Are you preparing for a job interview for your first ‘proper’ job, or getting back into the job market after not having interviewed for a while?You need to listen to this episode. While some fundamentals of the interview remain the same,...
Launching on LinkedIn with Sarah Burgess - new grad or new job seeker? How to get started on LinkedIn
If you’ve thought you need to be doing more with Linkedin, but don’t know how, this episode is for you. Whether you’re a student or new grad building your network, or a mid-career professional starting a job search, we break down how to get the...
Leaving the UK - where could you go and how would you do it?
Are you thinking about leaving the UK?Maybe you’re struggling with the cost of living. Or fed up with how broken the country feels right now. Perhaps you’ve been somewhere on holiday and thought ‘It would be so great to live here!’
Fear less, grow more: your guide to climbing Cringe Mountain
Whether you’ve heard of Cringe Mountain or not, this episode is for you if you’ve ever wanted to try something new or step out of your comfort zone and have been paralysed by the fear of being judged by others.This isn’t just about posting ...
The Gen X/Z Quiz - how much do you know about the other generation?
It’s an inter-generational battle! Well, not quite. More a fun and light-hearted quiz on how much Gen X and Gen Z know about some of the defining aspects of the other generation’s formative years.Ten questions each, four roun...
Bad bosses: why are they like that and what to do if you have one!
We’ve all had them. Bad bosses. From the infuriating to the bad habits to the downright dangerous.Whether it’s your first job and not knowing how you should react to something that seems off, or you’re in a senior role and someone is try...
How to tell if you’ve got Imposter Syndrome - and what to do about it
If you’re feeling like a fraud, like you aren’t good enough, or you’re going to get found out at work - you’ve got Imposter Syndrome.This isn’t about not being good at your job. In fact, you know you’re more than competent - you just hav...