Gen Z spends more than seven hours a day on screens yet reports the highest loneliness ever recorded—fully one-quarter of young American men say they feel isolated every day. Award-winning civics teacher Jeremy S. Adams, author of Lessons of Liberty and the bestseller Hollowed Out, joins Elevated Thoughts to unpack why perpetual connection breeds emptiness and how schools, families, and faith communities can fight back.
Jeremy recounts classroom moments that shocked even him: seniors admitting “we cheat on everything,” AI tools ghost-writing homework, and attention spans that vanish after 90 seconds. Hosts Cooper Simmons and Mike Marro grill him on Gallup’s new loneliness data, TikTok’s looming U.S. ban, and whether radical individualism has turned freedom into misery. They also debate real-world fixes—from reviving family dinners to mandatory civic service—and why Jeremy still sees a path to purpose for the “hollowed-out” generation.
Parents, teachers, and students: this hour delivers blunt stats, vivid stories, and a hopeful blueprint to refill Gen Z’s civic and emotional tank.
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📖 Get our guest's book → https://a.co/d/7vVSrK6🛍️ Support Elevated Thoughts by shopping our affiliate link! https://www.amazon.com/shop/broopersimms🧠 Find more from us → http://www.ElevatedThoughtsPod.comWe are also on YouTube and Apple Podcasts!🎧 YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@ElevatedThoughtsPod🎙️ Apple Pods → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/elevated-thoughts/id1736414535💬 Please drop a comment: What’s the ONE habit Gen Z must change first?
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00:00 Introduction to Hollowed Out and Its Themes
01:34 The Impact of Technology on Gen Z
07:30 Liberty vs. Licentiousness in Modern Society
10:41 The Unhappiness of Today's Youth
12:17 Civic Engagement vs. Political Distraction
18:35 The Loss of Meaningful Connections
22:19 Awareness of Technology's Impact on Youth
29:38 The Role of Teachers in Society
34:03 Navigating Political Discourse in Education
36:58 The Evolution of Social Gatherings
39:26 Generational Shifts in Attention and Engagement
40:38 The Political Divide: Gender and Ideology
44:05 The Changing Landscape of Political Identity
49:52 The Complexity of Trump and Conservatism
55:59 The Resilience of American Political Culture