Why are fewer young people choosing marriage and children—and what can we learn from those who swim against the tide?

Economist and author Catherine Pakaluk joins us to share the story behind her groundbreaking book Hannah’s Children. From her personal journey as a young wife and mother of six overnight, to her research on the cultural and spiritual roots of declining birth rates, Catherine unpacks what it really means to see children as gifts rather than burdens. This conversation is raw, hopeful, and deeply countercultural—perfect for anyone wrestling with questions of calling, career, and family.

01:22 – Welcome and introduction to Catherine Pakaluk

02:22 – Why Hannah’s Children was written

04:22 – The birth rate crisis and cultural shifts in Gen Z

07:22 – Catherine’s personal story: marriage, family, and unexpected callings

13:22 – Balancing being a new wife and instant mother of six

18:22 – “Readiness” and why waiting for the “perfect moment” doesn’t work

23:22 – One child at a time: openness without numbers

25:22 – Money myths: why children aren’t “too expensive”

30:22 – The deeper reasons behind declining birth rates

37:22 – How faith and lived experience shape the desire for children

43:22 – Can the economy incentivize larger families?

48:22 – Marriage, career, and calling: why it’s not either/or

51:22 – Where to find Catherine’s work and a sneak peek at her upcoming project

GenZ Unplugged is the official podcast for the Clare Boothe Luce Center for Conservative Women. Rotating hosts are Lauren Husmann, Catherine Hendershott, Rachel Hurley, and Hannah Faulkner. Producer is Sandra Scarlatoiu. Listen, rate, and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform! ACAST - Apple Podcasts - Spotify - Google Podcasts - YouTube - Rumble Send us your thoughts on this episode @realgenzunplugged! X - Instagram - Facebook - Truth Social SFX Credits: neon sign buzz hum stereo close lowcut to taste6.flac by kyles -- https://freesound.org/s/453493/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 swipes and whooshes plastic umbrella fast and short swings stereo ORTF 8040.wav by Soundholder -- https://freesound.org/s/425853/ -- License: Attribution 3.0 Power Cord Unplug 1_2 by Joao_Janz -- https://freesound.org/s/477641/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Abstract Glitch Effects_015 by jalastram -- https://freesound.org/s/412303/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amira Hawat, a summer 2026 Luce Center intern, grew up in Venezuela surrounded by propaganda, corruption, blackouts, water shortages, and fear — but she didn’t fully realize how abnormal it was until she came to America. In this episode of Gen Z Unplugged, Amira shares what it was like to leave Venezuela at 14, experience freedom for the first time, and watch young Americans romanticize the same ideology that destroyed her country. From writing essays by candlelight to seeing free speech treated like a crime, her story is a powerful reminder that freedom is fragile — and socialism is not the answer.

00:50 Meet Amira: Escaping Socialism

01:59 Growing Up Surrounded by Propaganda

03:14 Venezuela’s Breaking Point

04:31 Writing Essays by Candlelight

05:53 Seeing Corruption Up Close

08:00 The Venezuela Americans Don’t Imagine

12:05 Two Realities: Luxury Online, Suffering at Home

14:54 How Her Family Escaped to America

17:31 What Happens When You Speak Out

31:09 Why Socialism Is a Lie

GenZ Unplugged is the official podcast for the Clare Boothe Luce Center for Conservative Women. Rotating hosts are Lauren Husmann, Rachel Hurley, and Hannah Faulkner. Producer is Sandra Scarlatoiu.

Listen, rate, and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform! ACAST - Apple Podcasts - Spotify - Google Podcasts - YouTube - Rumble Send us your thoughts on this episode @realgenzunplugged! X - Instagram - Facebook - Truth Social

SFX Credits: neon sign buzz hum stereo close lowcut to taste6.flac by kyles -- https://freesound.org/s/453493/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 swipes and whooshes plastic umbrella fast and short swings stereo ORTF 8040.wav by Soundholder -- https://freesound.org/s/425853/ -- License: Attribution 3.0 Power Cord Unplug 1_2 by Joao_Janz -- https://freesound.org/s/477641/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Abstract Glitch Effects_015 by jalastram -- https://freesound.org/s/412303/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Erika Donalds joins Gen Z Unplugged to deliver a wake-up call on artificial intelligence, education, and the future of America. While many young people are being taught to fear AI, Erika argues it may be one of the greatest tools for opportunity, entrepreneurship, and learning—if we use it wisely. She also explains why parents must take back responsibility for teaching patriotism, civics, and truth at home, what’s really happening with the Department of Education, and why young women don’t need to wait until motherhood to start defending the next generation.

---

Erika Donalds is the Founder of Education Freedom Foundation and Chairman of OptimaEd. Erika is a national expert on education policy and school choice, a frequent media commentator and speaker, and a seasoned business executive.

---

0:37 Intro

1:15 Why Gen Z Shouldn’t Fear AI

1:48 Students Are Being Lied To About AI

3:00 How Parents Can Teach Kids to Use AI Wisely

4:22 AI Needs Guardrails—Not Panic

5:13 Why AI Is the New Internet

6:51 Educators Must Adapt or Fail Students

8:28 America’s Civics Crisis Before the 250th

9:40 Patriotism Starts at Home

12:08 The Plan to Dismantle the Department of Education

14:58 How Young Women Can Defend Education Freedom

GenZ Unplugged is the official podcast for the Clare Boothe Luce Center for Conservative Women. Rotating hosts are Lauren Husmann, Catherine Hendershott, Rachel Hurley, and Hannah Faulkner. Producer is Sandra Scarlatoiu.

Listen, rate, and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform!

ACAST - Apple Podcasts - Spotify - Google Podcasts - YouTube - Rumble

Send us your thoughts on this episode @realgenzunplugged!

X - Instagram - Facebook - Truth Social

SFX Credits:

neon sign buzz hum stereo close lowcut to taste6.flac by kyles -- https://freesound.org/s/453493/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

swipes and whooshes plastic umbrella fast and short swings stereo ORTF 8040.wav by Soundholder -- https://freesound.org/s/425853/ -- License: Attribution 3.0

Power Cord Unplug 1_2 by Joao_Janz -- https://freesound.org/s/477641/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Abstract Glitch Effects_015 by jalastram -- https://freesound.org/s/412303/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.