Hello dear listeners,

In this episode, we talked with Elena Avramosvska, a researcher with over 10 years of experience studying democracy, political participation, and gender equality, with a special focus on Generation Z across Europe.

The conversation was rich, nuanced and at times surprising. Elena challenged the common narrative that young people are simply apolitical or disengaged. The reality, is far more complex: Generation Z is not uninterested in politics, they are deeply disillusioned with the politics they are getting.

They feel unrepresented, and when something truly resonates with their lived experience, they can mobilise quickly and powerfully.

One of the most striking findings from her research is how socioeconomic anxieties have overtaken climate change as the dominant concern among young people across Europe. Housing, job insecurity, healthcare, and even pensions are now top of mind (yes, pensions) reflecting a profound and somewhat unexpected sense of long-term uncertainty.

As Elena explains, this generation feels they have done everything right, (finished their education, found work, tried to be good citizens) and yet the system doesn't seem to be holding up its end of the bargain.

We also explored the growing gender divide in political attitudes. Young women are moving towards more progressive positions, while young men lean increasingly towards the right. Yet beneath this apparent polarisation, Elena finds something more hopeful: both groups share the same diagnosis. They see the same broken system, the same economic insecurity. Where they differ is in how they interpret what that means for their own lives, and what should be done about it.

Authenticity, Elena notes, matters enormously, young people can tell when they're being talked about rather than talked to.

For youth workers, her message is clear: stop thinking about how to "activate" young people and start thinking about how to genuinely connect with their real, everyday concerns. Trust is built locally, one meaningful relationship at a time.

It was a truly inspiring conversation — we hope you enjoy it!

Here is the link to the study about gender divides among Gen Z.

For any ideas, comments, or suggestions, feel free to email us at talkingyouthworkpodcast@gmail.com.

This episode is part of the Inception of Learning project, funded by the Erasmus+ Youth Programme, which supports youth workers, trainers, and educators in delivering high-quality learning experiences for young people in the context of Generation Z and Generation Alpha.

#YouthWork # ElenaAvramovska #PoliticalParticipation #Democracy

Hello dear listeners,

We know you missed us, you don’t have to play tough, we missed you too!

In this episode we talked with Paul Menier, Executive Director of the Youth Intervention Programs Association (YIPA), and we discussed how we can support the next generation in a fast-paced world.

A clear idea that our guest left us was that effective youth work begins with the practitioner’s own self-awareness. He argues that we cannot separate the youth worker from the work, as our own integrity and life journey are our primary tools.

Another important takeaway was that technological shifts, like social media and AI, are shared human experiences. Instead of viewing the struggles of Gen Z and Gen Alpha as unique "problems," Paul encourages us to recognise that adults are navigating these same hurdles together, and everyone is struggling at some point.

Despite the rise of AI and digital connection, he argues that the biological and emotional nuances of human relationships cannot be replaced.

Paul advocates for a shift away from over-pathologising youth behavior and toward understanding the environmental context. Many behaviors often labeled as "mental health disorders" are actually survival-mode responses to a young person's environment.

Sometimes we can forget that the goal of youth work is to model healthy relationships and provide mentorship that helps young people navigate their own development.

Our guest left us with a lot to think about, and decision makers must reflect that, for youth work to be effective, leadership must prioritise and protect the space for practitioners to reflect on their practices.

Ultimately, Paul offers a hopeful vision: by staying grounded and curious, we help young people lead meaningful lives of integrity.

You can check Paul’s book “Relationships Are Everything: What Youth Workers Teach Us About Leadership”.

For any ideas, comments, or suggestions, feel free to email us at talkingyouthworkpodcast@gmail.com.

This episode is part of the Inception of Learning project, funded by the Erasmus+ Youth Programme, which supports youth workers, trainers, and educators in the context of Generation Z and Generation Alpha.

#YouthWork #PaulMeunier #Leadership #Relationships

Hello Dear Listeners,

In this episode we had the absolute pleasure (and a bit of a "starstruck" moment) of talking to Dr. Barbara Oakley, a professor of engineering, researcher, and the mind behind some of the most popular online courses on the planet, including the famous “Learning How to Learn” and “Mindshift”.

Youth workers, often pride themselves on creating engaging, social, and beautifully designed non-formal learning experiences, but Dr. Oakley poses a slightly uncomfortable question:

• Are the methods we cherish really helping our learners retain information, or are they just distracting them from gaining true expertise?

The younger generations have been told to "Just Look it Up", and according to to Dr. Oakley that is a myth. We’ve often been told that in the age of Google and AI, memorisation is dead. "Why learn the multiplication tables when you have a calculator?"

Dr. Oakley argues that this approach actually cripples the brain. Without internalizing "neural schemas" we lack the internal "radar" to realize when something is wrong. If a student hasn't memorized basic patterns, they can't think critically about the complex outputs AI gives them. To truly innovate, you need a foundation that is "rock solid," built through the very thing modern education often avoids: repetition and practice.

In the youth work field, we talk a lot about psychological safety. However, Dr. Oakley warns against the misuse of "safe spaces" where young people are protected from any emotional distress or differing opinions.

True critical thinking, she argues, requires the discomfort of hearing conflicting views and opinions. When we create environments where young people are afraid to speak for fear of causing offense, or where they never learn to truly listen to someone they disagree with, we aren't protecting them we are leaving them unequipped for the real world.

This episode is an invitation to balance our love for creativity with the neurological necessity of discipline and foundational knowledge.

Whether you are a teacher, a youth worker, or a lifelong learner yourself, this conversation with Dr. Barbara Oakley will leave you with plenty of "food for thought" to chew on for a long time.

For any ideas, comments, or suggestions, feel free to email us at talkingyouthworkpodcast@gmail.com.

This episode is part of the Inception of Learning project, funded by the Erasmus+ Youth Programme, which supports youth workers, trainers, and educators in delivering high-quality learning experiences for young people in the context of Generation Z and Generation Alpha.

#YouthWork #LearningHowtoLearn #DrBarbaraOakley