Explore every episode of the podcast What In The World?

Are we really the most stressed, broke, and politically powerless generation yet—or is there hope for Gen Z? In this episode of What In The World?, we’re breaking down the economic, political, and social realities facing Gen Z—and asking whether we’ve been dealt a uniquely raw deal.

From rising debt and lower incomes to political underrepresentation and the rapid return to organized religion, we explore what it means to come of age in a world that feels like it’s on fire.

We unpack why Gen Z is poorer than Millennials were at the same age, how youth unemployment is fueling instability around the world and why more young people are turning to faith, digital hustles, or both to find meaning and money.

Why Should You Care About Gen Z’s Struggles?

• We’re the most educated but the least financially secure 📉
• We dominate digital spaces but are locked out of political power 🗳️
• We crave stability—and sometimes find it in unexpected places, like church ⛪

💬 What In Your World? We want to hear from you! Drop a comment and share your thoughts:

• Is Gen Z truly worse off—or just differently challenged?
• Should we rethink how we measure success for young people today?
• Is the rise of religious identity among Gen Z a sign of hope—or concern?

📢 Don’t forget to follow What In The World? on all platforms for more fun takes on serious news every Monday:

INSTAGRAM: @whatinworld_pod

TIKTOK: @whatintheworldpod

WEBSITE: whatintheworldpod.com

What’s the difference between meaningful space research and a pricey PR stunt? In this episode of What In The World?, we’re blasting off into the strange new world of modern space exploration—where governments, billionaires, and startups are all racing to space.

From the Cold War space race to SpaceX launches and the all-women Blue Origin crew, we’re unpacking the new space race: who’s leading, who’s profiting, and who’s being left behind.

We break down the U.S.–China rivalry in orbit, the rise of private space companies, and the growing concerns about climate risks and whether space is becoming just another playground for the ultra-wealthy.

Why Should We Care About Space Exploration?

• It reflects power and wealth —and determines who shapes the future 🚀
• Space tourism emits more CO₂ per passenger than most of us do in a year 🌍
• Real women in STEM still get overlooked while celebrities dominate headlines 👩‍🚀

💬 What In Your World? We want to hear from you! Drop a comment and share your thoughts:

• Should private space travel be regulated for its climate impact?
• Are critiques of the all-women Blue Origin flight fair—or just sexist double standards?
• Will space exploration help us or just repeat Earth’s inequalities in orbit?

📢 Don’t forget to follow What In The World? on all platforms for more fun takes on serious news every Monday:

INSTAGRAM: @whatinworld_pod

TIKTOK: @whatintheworldpod

WEBSITE: whatintheworldpod.com

What’s the difference between being canceled and being censored? In this episode of What In The World?, we’re diving into the global state of free speech—who gets to speak, who gets silenced, and why it matters now more than ever.

From comedians and journalists being jailed or disappeared for doing their jobs, to social media takedowns and job losses over controversial posts, we’re breaking down the blurred lines between government repression, platform control, and public backlash.

We look at real-world examples from Uganda to the U.S., ask whether cancel culture is holding people accountable or just mob punishment, and explore how capitalism and politics are shaping the boundaries of free expression.

Why Should We Care About Free Speech?

• It’s a human right—but not equally protected around the world
• Governments and corporations are increasingly deciding who gets heard
• Free expression is essential to democracy, creativity, and social change

💬 What In Your World? We want to hear from you! Drop a comment and share your thoughts:

🗣️ Where do you think free speech is heading in your community?

🤐 Are you more worried about cancel culture or government censorship?

🎙️ Who do you think is being silenced most—and why?

📢 Don’t forget to follow What In The World? on all platforms for more fun takes on serious news every Monday:

• INSTAGRAM: @whatinworld_pod
• TIKTOK: @whatintheworldpod
• WEBSITE: whatintheworldpod.com

How do two financial institutions in Washington, DC control so much of the world’s economy? In this episode of What In The World?, we’re breaking down the hidden power of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank—and what it means for your wallet, your country, and your future.

We’re diving deep into the history and influence of these global giants: why they were created, how they became gatekeepers for economic development, and why so many countries today are pushing for major reforms. From debt crises to climate finance, we unpack how decisions made at the IMF and World Bank meetings affect inflation, jobs, education, healthcare and more. 

Why Should We Care About IMF & World Bank Meetings 

 🟢Global decisions have serious impact on local jobs, cost of living, and social services

🟢Governments commit taxpayer dollars to fund programs, initiatives, and reforms

🟢Decisions made by the IMF and World Bank shape the economic future we’ll inherit

💬 What In Your World? We want to hear from you! Drop a comment and share your thoughts:

🌎 What surprised you most about the IMF or World Bank?

💰 How do you think U.S. tariffs will affect the global economy?

⚡ Who would you like to see have a seat at the table during the IMF/World Bank meetings?

📢 Don’t forget to follow What In The World? on all platforms for more fun takes on serious news every Monday:

INSTAGRAM: @whatinworld_pod

TIKTOK: @whatintheworldpod

WEBSITE: whatintheworldpod.com

Is health a human right—or a luxury good? In this jam-packed episode of What In The World?, we break down the global cost of staying healthy, from the rising cost of fast food to popular transnational surgeries.

We’re diving deep into how economics, politics, and culture shape health today—why healthy meals are more expensive than processed snacks, why some countries have looser regulations than others, and why people all over the globe are travelling for cheaper medical care abroad.

From "Make America Healthy Again" to billion-dollar fitness brands waging war on processed food, we examine how governments, corporations, and Gen Z are influencing what health looks like in 2025 and beyond.

Whether you're trying to live well on a budget or curious about the Big Food industry—you’ll want to hear this one.

💡 Action Items: Tips for Living Healthy on a Budget

🔹Use free workout resources (YouTube, GymTok, outdoor activities)

🔹Cook at home to cut costs and improve nutrition

🔹Stay label-aware and question “healthy” marketing

🔹Build health routines around community and creativity

 💬What In Your World? We want to hear from you! Drop a comment and share your thoughts:

🥗 Is healthy living accessible where you live?

🩺 Have you or someone you know tried medical tourism?

🎯 Does Gen Z stand a chance at living healthy lives?

📢 Don’t forget to follow What In The World? on all platforms for more fun takes on serious news every Monday! 

INSTAGRAM: @whatinworld_pod

TIKTOK: ‪@whatintheworldpod‬ 

WEBSITE: whatintheworldpod.com

From sky-high literacy rates in Japan to underfunded U.S. schools, and elite boarding schools to trade careers that don’t require a degree—this episode covers the serious, the surprising, and the downright frustrating truths about education systems around the world.

If you've ever asked yourself whether a college degree is worth the debt, what charter schools actually are, or why some U.S. teachers are making less than their international peers—this is the episode for you.

Education affects everything—from how we think, vote, and earn to how societies grow and fall apart. And while there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, we’ve got to keep asking the right questions if we want to build systems that actually work for everyone.

💬 Join the Conversation! Drop a comment and share your thoughts:

🎓Is education a privilege or a right? Should we all be entitled to quality education. 

🌍Is the education system in your community doing its job to support students? 

💰Do you think your college degree was worth it? What would you have done differently? 

📢 Don’t forget to follow What In The World? on all platforms for more fun takes on serious news every Monday!

“Immigrants, we get the job done.” - Alexander Hamilton and Marquis de Lafayette, immigrants (as imagined by Lin-Manuel Miranda)

Immigration is a hot-button issue around the world, but especially in the U.S. and especially during these politically polarizing times. In this episode of What In The World? we explore the history of the U.S. immigration system, break down the laws and policies shaping it today, examine how immigration shapes the economy, and most importantly, how recent immigration policies affect us all–immigrant or not. 

Action Items:

🔹 Stay informed on immigration and visa policy changes before traveling to or out of the U.S. 

 🔹 Support immigrants in your community by educating them of their rights.

🔹 Take action against the detentions and deportations of legal status holders: 

• https://action.aclu.org/send-message/free-mahmoud-khalil
• https://action.aclu.org/send-message/protect-birthright-citizenship
• https://action.aclu.org/send-message/stop-mass-deportations
• https://action.aclu.org/send-message/dissent
• https://action.aclu.org/send-message/dissent-not-grounds-deportation
• https://action.aclu.org/petition/free-speech-on-campus

💬 Join the Conversation! Drop a comment and share your thoughts:

🗣️ What do you think about the Trump administration's immigration policies that directly impact students and young workers?

💰  Do you think the U.S. could become a golden visa hotspot?

🚨 Are you concerned by the arrest of international students and green card holders? 

📢 Don’t forget to follow What In The World? on all platforms for more fun takes on serious news every Monday!

What in the world is going on with the economy?!! Well… a lot. From tariffs threats to a treacherous job market, skyrocketing living costs, and fears of a looming recession, this episode of What In The World? unpacks it all.

We take a deep dive into how trade restrictions impact everyday consumers, fuel nationalism, and isolate the U.S. from global markets. We also explore the state of the job market around the world, discuss the challenges workers face, and brainstorm practical strategies to navigate economic uncertainty.

💬 Join the Conversation!

We want to hear from you! Drop a comment and share your thoughts:

🗣️ Have tariffs affected your daily expenses?

💼 How’s the job market in your community?

📉 What steps are you taking to prepare for a potential recession?

📢 Don’t forget to follow What In The World? on all platforms for more fun takes on serious news every Monday!

INSTAGRAM: @whatinworld_pod

TIKTOK: @whatintheworldpod

WEBSITE: whatintheworldpod.com

There’s a LOT going on in the world right now. From violent conflicts to trade wars, political polarization to misinformation overload, it’s no wonder that Gen Z feel overwhelmed by the flood of information on social media.

What In The World? is a podcast hosted by Laura and Eugene, Gen Z who understand the tension between staying informed and tuning out the news. With backgrounds in global affairs and business, this dynamic duo delivers fresh, balanced perspectives to help you stay informed on the headlines that have you saying, “What in the world?”

If you want a fun take on serious news, then stick around!

📢 Follow What In The World? on all podcast platforms.

INSTAGRAM: @whatinworld_pod

TIKTOK: @whatintheworldpod

WEBSITE: whatintheworldpod.com