The Gen X/Z Exchange: Navigating Career, Purpose & Modern Life Across Generations

Chris and Lily Perkins
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Self-Improvement

Ever find yourself wondering why you aren’t happier, where your career is going, or why life suddenly feels uncertain — even when everything looks fine on paper? If you’ve ever felt stuck, off-track, or unsure what comes next, you’re not alone. The Gen X/Z Exchange is a life navigation podcast where a Gen X dad and his Gen Z daughter explore the biggest challenges facing modern life - from career direction and purpose to relationships, wellbeing, identity and the changing world of work. Across generations but facing many of the same questions, Chris and Lily bring honest conversations and real-world perspective to the uncertainty so many people feel today. Chris has navigated layoffs, career pivots and the realities of midlife change, while Lily is figuring out early career decisions, identity and adulthood in a fast-changing world. Together, they bridge generational perspectives to help you: make sense of career and life transitions navigate work and purpose in a changing economy improve relationships and wellbeing feel less alone in the challenges of modern life These aren’t expert lectures or quick fixes. They’re candid conversations about figuring life out - together. If you’re navigating a career change, questioning direction, dealing with midlife or quarterlife uncertainty, or simply trying to understand how life looks different across generations, this podcast is for you. Follow us now and join a growing community learning how to navigate modern life - one honest conversation at a time.

  1. 3h ago

    Starting a new job? How to succeed in your first 90 days

    How do you make a great first impression in a new job? And what separates the people who thrive in their first 90 days from those who struggle? Starting a new role can be exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. Whether you're beginning your career, changing employers, stepping into leadership, or navigating a fully remote environment, the first few months can shape your success for years to come. In this episode of The Gen X/Z Exchange, Chris and Lily explore what it really takes to start a new job successfully. They dive into Michael Watkins' renowned 'First 90 Days' framework, Chris's experience of leading teams and changing roles throughout his career, as well as Lily's perspective having landed her first professional internship, plus there's advice from Chris' LinkedIn community. They unpack how to build confidence, credibility and momentum from day one. You'll learn: How to create a learning agenda for your first 30 days in a new roleThree clues that help you quickly understand a company's cultureThe four types of people you should identify and build relationships with earlyHow to secure early wins between from 30-60 daysWhat great employees and leaders do during days 60 to 90 to build trust and reputationFour powerful problem-solving questions to ask when tackling new challengesThe biggest challenge facing employees in today's remote and hybrid workplacesFive essential conversations to have with your manager at the end of your first 90 days Chris and Lily also compare the different concerns Gen X and Gen Z employees face when starting a new role and share the lessons that surprise them most. Whether you're starting your very first job, moving to a new organisation, or stepping into a leadership role, listen in and you'll discover how to navigate the first 90 days with confidence and set yourself up for long-term success. Hit play now and give yourself the best possible start. If this episode resonates, you might also find episode 14 from 3rd December 2025 useful: 'Gen X, Gen Z, Boomers & Millennials: Gabby Rosely decodes how the generations can all get along at work' 1.01 Lily's new job 2.05 Stats of the first 90 days 4.11 First 30 days - your learning agenda 7.31 Three clues to company culture 9.01 Four types of people to look for in the culture 11.30 30-60 days: how to secure early wins 15.05 60-90 days: building consistency and developing your reputation 15.35 For problem solving questions 17.28 Five mini conversations to have with your boss at 90 days 19.30 The biggest challenge being new and fully remote 22.27 Top concerns of Gen X & Gen Z starting a new job 28.21 Quick fire advice from our LinkedIn connections 31.03 Lily's key takeaways The Gen X/Z Exchange is a UK podcast exploring career change, purpose, wellbeing and modern life through honest conversations between a Gen X dad and his Gen Z daughter - helping you navigate life’s transitions with perspective across generations. Send us a voice message on Speakpipe! https://www.speakpipe.com/thegenxzexchange Connect with us: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisperkins172/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-perkins-8446a82bb/

    33 min

  2. May 20

    Preview of upcoming episodes summer 2026

    We don't have a full episode this week - there are two reasons for that you'll hear about in this preview. Instead, here's a sneak peek of some of the topics we have planned. If there are any others you'd like us to discuss, let us know! The Gen X/Z Exchange is a UK podcast exploring career change, purpose, wellbeing and modern life through honest conversations between a Gen X dad and his Gen Z daughter - helping you navigate life’s transitions with perspective across generations. Send us a voice message on Speakpipe! https://www.speakpipe.com/thegenxzexchange Connect with us: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisperkins172/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-perkins-8446a82bb/

    1 min

  3. May 6

    Why am I always tired? — and what’s really draining your energy

    “Why am I always tired?” — even when you’ve had a full night’s sleep? If you’re constantly exhausted, struggling with low energy, or feeling “tired and wired”, you’re not alone. And it might not be a sleep problem at all. In this episode of The Gen X/Z Exchange, Chris and Lily unpack why so many of us feel permanently drained — across both generations — and why the usual advice about sleep hygiene only scratches the surface. Drawing on personal experience, sleep science and the realities of modern life, they explore what’s really going on beneath the surface — from stress and overstimulation to how we’re structuring our days. You’ll learn:  Why you can feel tired even after getting enough sleep  The difference between sleep debt and sleep pressure (and why it matters)  How stress hormones like cortisol keep you “tired and wired”  Why screens, alcohol and caffeine quietly disrupt your sleep quality  The surprising role of deep sleep in long-term brain health and dementia prevention  Why modern life is leaving us mentally exhausted but physically under-recovered  How to design your day to naturally improve energy and sleep  Chris and Lily also share practical ways to regain energy — from building real recovery time into your day to managing stress and creating routines that actually work in a busy, always-on world. Listen in and you’ll discover that constant tiredness isn’t just about sleep — it’s a signal about how you’re living. Hit play now to start designing a life that gives you energy back. If you enjoy this episode, you might also want to dive into our episode on overcoming procrastination from 5th Nov 2025 or life design from 22nd Apr 2026. 0.52 Why are we all feeling tired all the time? 1.48 What do we mean by tiredness? 2.36 The basics of sleep 4.26 Sleep debt 5.15 The physiology of sleep - hormones and chemicals 8.30 Sleep and your long-term brain health 11.39 The effect of perimenopause & menopause on sleep 14.56 The hidden causes of constant tiredness 18.36 Why your tiredness is about your daytime, not just bedtime 19.39 Fatigue with modern life 20.40 The first of 3 things you can do to overcome being tired all the time 21.43 Sleep debt versus sleep pressure 25.15 The second thing we can do to overcome tiredness 28.47 the third thing to address constant fatigue 34.24 Things you can do this week to improve your energy levels 35.03 Our takeaways The Gen X/Z Exchange is a UK podcast exploring career change, purpose, wellbeing and modern life through honest conversations between a Gen X dad and his Gen Z daughter - helping you navigate life’s transitions with perspective across generations. Send us a voice message on Speakpipe! https://www.speakpipe.com/thegenxzexchange Connect with us: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisperkins172/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-perkins-8446a82bb/

    38 min
  4. What should I do with my life? Charlie Rogers on a smarter way to build a career at any age

    Apr 22

    What should I do with my life? Charlie Rogers on a smarter way to build a career at any age

    What should you do with your life - when there’s no clear path to follow? Whether you’re just starting out or rethinking your direction later in life, figuring out what comes next can feel overwhelming - especially when traditional career paths no longer seem to fit. In this episode of The Gen X/Z Exchange, we're joined by Charlie Rogers, author of Undefinable Life Design, to explore a different way of thinking about careers, purpose and progression. Charlie introduces the idea of the “Undefinable Ascent” - a more flexible, personalised approach to building a life and career that doesn’t follow a conventional path, but still leads to meaningful and sustainable success. You’ll learn:  How to figure out what you want to do with your life - at any age  Why traditional career paths don’t work for everyone anymore  How to find a 'good enough' job when you’re starting out  What it means to develop a Signature Expression that AI can’t replace  How to combine your skills and interests in the 'Semi-professional zone'  How to avoid comparing yourself to others on more conventional career paths  Ideas to rethink your direction without blowing up the life you’ve already built  We also reflect on how Charlie’s framework applies across generations - from figuring things out in your 20s to redefining what comes next in your 40s or 50s - and we share our own ideas on our 'golden threads' and next steps. Listen in and you’ll discover a more flexible, realistic way to think about your career - one that works with who you are, not against it. Hit play now and start designing a life that actually fits. Contact Charlie here: https://www.undefinablelifedesign.com/ Buy the book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/undefinable-life-design-unique-sustains/dp/1919392300/ 0.49 Introduction to Charlie 3.00 What is an 'Undefinable'? 3.43 The Undefinable Ascent explained 9.30 Mapping your interests 12.10 Finding a 'good enough' job to start with 16.58 How to develop your Signature Expression that AI can't replace 18.15 The semi-professional zone and how to combine your strengths in unique ways 19.50 Parallels between people in the 20s and 40s/50s 21.21 How to stop comparing yourself to others taking a more conventional route 25.45 How to break out of the conventional career ladder without blowing everything up 29.19 The Energy Toolkit: managing your energy - do you need a holiday or a midlife rethink? 31.33 How to combine your skills in the semi-professional zone 34.22 Your Golden Thread 35.03 Choosing your next mountain 39.30 Charlie asks us what we think our Golden Threads are 41.55 The importance of having someone to work with on your ascent 42.50 Contacting Charlie and getting the book The Gen X/Z Exchange is a UK podcast exploring career change, purpose, wellbeing and modern life through honest conversations between a Gen X dad and his Gen Z daughter - helping you navigate life’s transitions with perspective across generations. Send us a voice message on Speakpipe! https://www.speakpipe.com/thegenxzexchange Connect with us: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisperkins172/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-perkins-8446a82bb/

    46 min

  5. Apr 8

    How to stop people pleasing - and say no without feeling guilty

    Do you ever say yes when you mean no — just to avoid awkwardness, conflict, or disappointing someone? If so, you’re not alone. People pleasing is far more common than we think — and it can shape our work, relationships and sense of self. In this episode of The Gen X/Z Exchange, we unpack our own experiences of people pleasing, why it happens, and what it’s really costing us when we constantly prioritise others over ourselves. Together, we explore how social conditioning, fear of confrontation and the desire to be liked can lead us to overcommit, over-explain and ignore our own needs — often without even realising it. You’ll learn:  What people pleasing really is — and why so many of us fall into it  Why fear of being seen as “difficult” keeps us stuck saying yes  How social conditioning (especially for women) shapes this behaviour  The hidden cost of overcommitting and ignoring your own needs  How to say no at work and in life without feeling guilty  Why over-explaining undermines your boundaries — and what to say instead  Practical ways to set healthier boundaries without coming across as uncaring  We also challenge each other to change our own behaviour — sharing simple, realistic ways to become more intentional with your “yes” and more confident with your “no”. Listen in and you’ll discover how to stop defaulting to people pleasing, start setting boundaries, and make choices that work for you as well as everyone else. Hit play now and take the first step towards saying what you really mean. 1.00 Our own experience with people pleasing 2.24 A definition 2.55 How many of us in the UK say we're people pleasers 3.35 Why our fear of confrontation should not be perceived as being difficult 3.47 social conditioning for women and more stats on why we should be comfortable setting boundaries 5.28 The impact of saying yes when we mean no 6.00 How the problems arise 9.55 Giving yourself breathing space 10.55 Things we can do to change our behaviour 13.55 How to say no at work 16.54 How to stop over-explaining 18.15 Setting healthy boundaries without coming across as a flake or uncaring 20.00 How to be more intentional with your yes's 20.34 Challenging each other to get better at this 24.40 Our takeaways The Gen X/Z Exchange is a UK podcast exploring career change, purpose, wellbeing and modern life through honest conversations between a Gen X dad and his Gen Z daughter - helping you navigate life’s transitions with perspective across generations. Send us a voice message on Speakpipe! https://www.speakpipe.com/thegenxzexchange Connect with us: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisperkins172/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-perkins-8446a82bb/

    28 min
  6. How to talk to teenagers about drinking and drugs - without pushing them away with Diana Hu McDowell

    Mar 25

    How to talk to teenagers about drinking and drugs - without pushing them away with Diana Hu McDowell

    Why do teenagers take risks with alcohol and drugs - even when they know the dangers? And how do you talk to them about it without shutting them down or pushing them away? In this episode we're joined by Diana Hu McDowell, founder of East West Prevention, to explore how parents and young people can navigate one of the most difficult conversations in modern life. Drawing on her own journey and years of experience in prevention and recovery, Diana explains why teenagers are drawn to risk-taking behaviours, the role dopamine plays, and how today’s pressures - from social environments to wider culture - shape those choices. You’ll learn:  Why teenagers are more vulnerable to addictive behaviours than we might think  The early warning signs that drinking or drug use may be escalating  How to talk to teenagers about alcohol and drugs without triggering shutdown or secrecy  Why “no questions asked” policies can build trust between parents and teens  The risks of vaping, marijuana use and so-called 'legal highs'  How harm reduction approaches can keep young people safer in real-world situations We also explore how attitudes have shifted since 80s anti-drug campaigns, whether prevention initiatives at festivals help or hinder, and why addiction should be understood as a health issue rather than a personal failure. Listen in and you’ll discover how to have better conversations, build trust, and help young people make safer choices - without cutting them off from the world they’re growing up in. Hit play now and start the conversation that really matters. Contact Diana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-hu-mcdowell/ https://www.eastwestprevention.com/ If this episode resonates, you might also find our conversations on social media and teenagers and friendship and peer pressure helpful. 1.48 Diana's story 5.15 Diana's recovery 6.44 Why teenagers are drawn to addictive behaviour 8.01 The biggest pressures young people are facing today 9.57 80s anti-drugs campaigns and how the perception they created differed from reality 12.40 Early warning signs of things escalating 17.10 How parents can start the conversation with teenagers without them shutting down 19.08 Tips for parents to avoid overreacting 25.35 How the 'No questions asked' policy can work to build trust 27.15 Legal highs - how safe are they? 30.35 The consequences and risks of vaping and marijuana use 34.54 Are prevention initiatives at festivals encouraging certain behaviours or helping reduce harm? 37.19 Diana's successes with prevention and early intervention 39.20 Framing addiction as a health issue not a personal failure The Gen X/Z Exchange is a UK podcast exploring career change, purpose, wellbeing and modern life through honest conversations between a Gen X dad and his Gen Z daughter - helping you navigate life’s transitions with perspective across generations. Send us a voice message on Speakpipe! https://www.speakpipe.com/thegenxzexchange Connect with us: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisperkins172/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-perkins-8446a82bb/

    45 min

  7. Mar 11

    Why we’re losing the places that bring us together — The UK’s 'Third Place' problem

    Why does it feel like there are fewer places to meet people, spend time together, or just belong in your community? And what happens to society when those spaces disappear? In this episode of The Gen X/Z Exchange, we explore the idea of 'third places' - the pubs, youth clubs, community halls, sports clubs and local spaces that sit between home and work and help communities thrive. Across the UK, many of these places are disappearing. Pubs are closing at record rates, youth services have been cut back, and many towns are struggling to maintain the spaces that once brought people together. But there are also inspiring examples showing what’s possible when communities come together. We look at why third places matter for people of all generations - and why their loss may be affecting young people especially. You’ll learn: What we mean by the 3rd place and why these spaces matter so muchWhy UK pubs, youth clubs and community spaces are disappearingThe impact of losing third places on young people and community lifeInspiring UK examples of communities rebuilding local spacesHow schools, sport and shared projects can create new gathering placesWhat ideas like fourth places and fifth places might mean for the future Listen in and you’ll discover why the spaces where we gather matter more than we realise - and the one simple thing everyone can do to help keep their local third places alive. If this conversation resonates, you might also enjoy our episodes on friendship in modern life and why social drinking is changing, which both touch on the same question: where do we actually connect with other people today? Hit play and join the conversation. 1.23 The rate of pub closures across the UK 2.10 Youth Services cuts 2010-2024 2.55 Defining Third Places 4.38 Why are they struggling? 10.28 How schools can offer 3rd places for young people 11.50 Why a lack of places is problematic for young people 13.40 Examples of what's possible: Freddie Flintoff's Field of Dreams 16.48 DIY SOS Big Builds 17.20 Pride in Place and Community Right to Buy 19.04 Newton Aycliffe's Woolworths Model 22.24 The 4th Place - how to regenerate urban areas with more affordable housing 23.55 The 5th Place - combined areas that can be quarantined 25.32 One thing you can do to support your community spaces The Gen X/Z Exchange is a UK podcast exploring career change, purpose, wellbeing and modern life through honest conversations between a Gen X dad and his Gen Z daughter - helping you navigate life’s transitions with perspective across generations. Send us a voice message on Speakpipe! https://www.speakpipe.com/thegenxzexchange Connect with us: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisperkins172/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-perkins-8446a82bb/

    29 min
  8. Is AI taking our jobs? Gen Z starting out, Gen X being pushed out with Maureen Wiley Clough

    Feb 25

    Is AI taking our jobs? Gen Z starting out, Gen X being pushed out with Maureen Wiley Clough

    Is AI replacing jobs before young people even get started - and pushing experienced workers out before they’re ready to finish? And if the old advice to “work harder” no longer works, what does a secure career actually look like now? In this episode, we’re joined by Maureen Wiley Clough, creator of the ‘It Gets Late Early’ podcast and newsletter, to unpack how artificial intelligence is reshaping careers at both ends of working life. Together, we explore the uncomfortable truth that ageism affects every generation - from Gen Z struggling to access entry-level roles increasingly automated by AI, to Gen X professionals finding themselves displaced and unable to re-enter the workforce. Maureen reveals companies' real motives behind the ‘AI-washing’ we’re seeing, the myths that keep people feeling stuck, and what Gen X and Gen Z can do to keep their careers moving. You’ll learn: Whether AI is really eliminating entry-level jobs - and what replaces themHow ageism shows up in hiring (and how to respond to it)Why traditional career advice may no longer apply in the age of AIThe skills and mindset becoming more valuable right nowWhether everyone needs a side hustle - or a different way of thinking about work We also explore how Gen X and Gen Z can support each other through uncertainty, what holds older workers back from career change, and one powerful piece of advice for those just starting out - and those worried they’re being pushed aside. Listen in and you’ll discover how to navigate a working world where careers may last longer, change faster, and require reinvention more than ever before. Hit play now and rethink what “job security” really means in the age of AI. How to connect with Maureen: https://www.itgetslateearly.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/maureenwclough/ https://www.instagram.com/maureenwclough https://www.tiktok.com/@maureenwclough https://www.youtube.com/@itgetslateearly 1.58 Intro to Maureen and her role in The Gen X/Z Exchange starting 3.10 How ageism affects every generation 8.28 Will AI replace entry-level jobs before Gen Z get started? 13.27 Why mentoring should work both ways 14.22 Why Gen X is being displaced and can’t get back into the workforce 19.08 Coded language concealing ageism and how to respond to it 23.04 Does conventional career advice to work harder to keep your job still hold true? 26.29 The side hustle - should we all have one? 31.10 Myths holding people back and thinking that it’s too late to change 33.18 What skills and mindset are becoming more valuable right now 36.56 Maureen’s one piece of advice for someone starting out and someone afraid of being pushed out 38.07 How to connect with Maureen The Gen X/Z Exchange is a UK podcast exploring career change, purpose, wellbeing and modern life through honest conversations between a Gen X dad and his Gen Z daughter - helping you navigate life’s transitions with perspective across generations. Send us a voice message on Speakpipe! https://www.speakpipe.com/thegenxzexchange Connect with us: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisperkins172/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-perkins-8446a82bb/

    40 min
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Ever find yourself wondering why you aren’t happier, where your career is going, or why life suddenly feels uncertain — even when everything looks fine on paper? If you’ve ever felt stuck, off-track, or unsure what comes next, you’re not alone. The Gen X/Z Exchange is a life navigation podcast where a Gen X dad and his Gen Z daughter explore the biggest challenges facing modern life - from career direction and purpose to relationships, wellbeing, identity and the changing world of work. Across generations but facing many of the same questions, Chris and Lily bring honest conversations and real-world perspective to the uncertainty so many people feel today. Chris has navigated layoffs, career pivots and the realities of midlife change, while Lily is figuring out early career decisions, identity and adulthood in a fast-changing world. Together, they bridge generational perspectives to help you: make sense of career and life transitions navigate work and purpose in a changing economy improve relationships and wellbeing feel less alone in the challenges of modern life These aren’t expert lectures or quick fixes. They’re candid conversations about figuring life out - together. If you’re navigating a career change, questioning direction, dealing with midlife or quarterlife uncertainty, or simply trying to understand how life looks different across generations, this podcast is for you. Follow us now and join a growing community learning how to navigate modern life - one honest conversation at a time.

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