Why Gen Z Can’t Handle the Real World (and How We Can Help Them) | Jennifer Cohen : 1266

The Human Upgrade with Dave Asprey

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26d ago 51:24

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You think you’re helping your kid. You clear the path. You smooth the bumps. You make sure they never feel too sad, too bored, too uncomfortable.

It feels like love.

But what if it’s making them weak?

In this episode, Dave Asprey sits down with bestselling author, TED speaker, and resilience expert Jennifer Cohen to reveal how today’s parenting norms are quietly producing the most anxious, dependent, and emotionally fragile generation in history—Gen Z.

Whether you’re raising kids, managing young employees, or trying to understand the next generation—you’ll walk away from this episode with a new lens on resilience, responsibility, and real-world readiness.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why Gen Z struggles with anxiety, confidence, and failure

• How smartphones, safe spaces, and overparenting weaken resilience

• The science behind boredom, chores, and grit-building discomfort

• Why participation trophies are doing real psychological harm

• The bold parenting shifts that build strong, adaptable adults

• How to model strength—even when it’s unpopular

• The simple framework to raise kids who can thrive, not just survive

If you want to raise strong kids—or work with a generation that’s struggling—this episode is a must-listen. It’s not just about parenting. It’s about the future. And it starts with getting uncomfortable.

SPONSORS

-Quantum Upgrade | Go to https://quantumupgrade.io/Dave for a free trial.

-Qualia | Go to https://www.qualialife.com/dave15 to get an additional 15% off subscriptions.

Resources:

• A Day of Biohacking and Consciousness Even (4/12): https://daveasprey.com/biohacking-and-consciousness/

• Dave Asprey’s New Book - Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated/

• Jennifer’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealjencohen/

• Jennifer’s Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBuPgI8lXTmy5T0D_EDMnVg

• Jennifer’s Website: https://www.jennifercohen.com/

• Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com

• Dave Asprey’s Website: https://daveasprey.com

• Dave Asprey’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/daveasprey

• Upgrade Collective – Join The Human Upgrade Podcast Live: https://www.ourupgradecollective.com

• Own an Upgrade Labs: https://ownanupgradelabs.com

• Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com

• 40 Years of Zen – Neurofeedback Training for Advanced Cognitive Enhancement: https://40yearsofzen.com

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Trailer

• 01:59 – Intro

• 03:38 – The Shift in Parenting Styles

• 07:04 – The Role of Technology and Social Media

• 10:59 – The Importance of Failure and Resilience

• 13:38 – Practical Parenting Tips and Challenges

• 24:06 – The Value of Chores and Responsibility

• 26:24 – Balancing Luxury and Adversity in Parenting

• 27:01 – Teaching Kids to Embrace Failure

• 28:00 – The 10% Target: Encouraging Persistence

• 29:35 – The Importance of Boredom and Creativity

• 30:58 – Role Modeling Healthy Habits

• 31:43 – Kids’ Reactions to Fast Food

• 32:49 – Extreme Parenting: Biohacking and Kids

• 36:30 – Rejection Therapy and Boldness

• 42:42 – Praising Effort Over Intelligence

• 45:32 – Challenges of Being Attractive and Intelligent

• 49:31 – Instilling Self-Esteem in Children

• 50:13 – Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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