In this special mini-episode of Common Threads, we take a step back from individual stories to look at the bigger picture—how the generation you grew up in can shape the way you see the world. From Baby Boomers to Gen Z, each generation has been formed by unique historical events, cultural moments, and social shifts that influence how they view politics, relationships, work, and even everyday situations.

We’ll explore how these shared experiences create generational “lenses” that impact not only what we believe, but also how we communicate across age groups. While it’s easy to get stuck in our own perspective, understanding the world through another generation’s eyes can build empathy, connection, and respect for one another.

This episode also kicks off a mini-series where we’ll unpack different themes and perspectives to help us better understand the people around us. If you enjoy this format, let me know—I’d love to hear your feedback and see if we should continue with more episodes like this!

Sources & Further Reading

• Smith, T. W., et al. (2019). Generations and Politics: A Research Overview. American Journal of Political Science.
• Pew Research Center. (2015). The Whys and Hows of Generations Research.
• Cai, Delia. Boomers? Zoomers? Gen X'ers? Millennials? The Psychologist Who Wrote the Book on Generations Thinks We Could All Use Some Perspective. Vanity Fair, April 24, 2023. 
• Stone, Deborah. (2025). Leading Multigenerational Teams. University of Utah.

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