Episode 13
Grit & Respect: Gen Z in the Airforce
Dr. Katherine Jeffery talks with Brandon, a Gen Z airman in the United States Air Force, about leadership, trust, and performance inside a high-stakes, structured environment. They explore how respect for rank differs from trust in a person, what real-time feedback looks like under pressure, and why clarity and presence matter to younger leaders. It’s a clear example of GenShift in action: the mission stays the same, but how we lead and communicate must evolve.
Episode 12
Understanding Millennials: What Shaped Them and How They Lead
In this episode of GenShift, Dr. Katherine Jeffery sits down with Millennial guests Andres Alvarado and Marissa Jennings to explore what shaped their generation and how those early experiences continue to influence today’s workplaces. From entering adulthood during economic instability to growing up alongside rapid technological change, Millennials learned to adapt quickly while redefining success, purpose, and leadership. They discuss why meaning at work matters, how burnout has reshaped expectations, and what millennial leaders value most.
Episode 11
Gen X Resilience, Grit, and a Shift Toward Empathy
Generation X is often called the bridge generation. In this episode of GenShift, Dr. Katherine Jeffery sits down with two “seasoned” Gen X leaders to talk about what it means to lead from the middle—between Boomers and Millennials—while the rules of work keep changing.
Topher Margolin, CEO of Health Designs, shares what it’s like to inherit leadership in a crisis, build trust across generations, and measure success in ways that speak to purpose as much as performance. Tracy Lampert, Head of Employee Experience and Culture at Zurich North America, reflects on Gen X independence, loyalty, and how leadership has shifted from top-down direction to shared ownership, empathy, and flexibility.
You’ll hear stories that feel familiar (payphones, busy signals, latchkey life), plus practical insight on hybrid work, employee wellbeing, belonging, and how Gen X grit shows up in today’s workplace. The conversation ends with advice for younger generations—and a look at the legacy Gen X hopes to leave behind.
Episode 10
Understanding Gen Z Teenagers and Their Perspectives
In this episode of the GenShift Podcast, Dr. Katherine Jeffery sits down with two Gen Z teenagers to hear directly from them about what it’s like to grow up right now.
They talk openly about school, phones, AI, leadership, mental health, and the everyday dynamics between teens and adults. Along the way, they share what helps them feel respected, what shuts conversations down, and how adults can offer guidance without taking over.
What emerges is a clear message: teens want partnership, not control. They value listening over lecturing, honesty over perfection, and real trust over symbolic roles.
This conversation offers practical insight for parents, educators, coaches, and leaders who want to better understand Gen Z teenagers and build stronger, more effective relationships across generations.
Episode 9
The Xennial Advantage: Leading from the Middle
If you’ve ever felt caught between generations, this episode will feel familiar.
Dr. Katherine Jeffery explores the Xennial experience with guests Ben Miner, Jessica Schneider, and Robbie Shaul. Born between Gen X and Millennials, Xennials grew up analog and adapted quickly to a digital world. That in-between perspective shapes how they approach work, change, and leadership today.
This conversation highlights why Xennials often act as natural connectors in the workplace, bridging generations, translating perspectives, and navigating constant change with flexibility and care.
Episode 8
Partnership at Work: When Boomers and Gen Z Team Up
In this GenShift episode, Katherine Jeffery brings together Carol Wagner (Baby Boomer) and Valerie Hebenstreit (Gen Z) for a real conversation about what it looks like when two generations choose curiosity instead of assumptions.
Their relationship started when Valerie joined Carol’s team as an intern during COVID. It grew into a true partnership built on trust, clear communication, and shared standards. They talk honestly about what helped them work well together, including coaching vs. command-and-control leadership, continuous feedback, introvert–extrovert differences, and the everyday tech and process gaps that can quietly create friction.
You’ll also hear how they challenged common stereotypes—about Gen Z and work ethic, about Boomers and flexibility—and how “reverse mentoring” turned into something better: co-mentoring.
If you lead, manage, teach, or work on a cross-generational team, this GenShift conversation offers practical insight and a refreshing model for collaboration across age and experience.
Episode 7
How to Manage Gen Z: Communication, Coaching, and Culture
How to Manage Gen Z: Communication, Coaching, and Culture explores what Gen Z actually wants at work and why it matters for every leader. In this episode, Katherine Jeffery talks with Paulina Seyffert, a Gen Z professional who shares a grounded and honest look at how her generation communicates, how they handle feedback, and what helps them feel supported on the job.
You’ll hear Paulina talk about social anxiety, remote learning, and the shift toward flexibility and stability. She also explains why simple human connection—like asking how someone’s day is—makes such a big difference.
This episode is for managers, teams, and anyone trying to understand Gen Z beyond the stereotypes. It offers practical insight into building healthier, more connected workplaces across generations.
Episode 6
Rewired, Not Retired: Boomer leaders on relevance, resilience, and the next chapter
We talk a lot about emerging generations—but we don’t talk enough about what we can learn from the ones who’ve led for decades. Katherine sits down with Baby Boomer leaders Meredith and Larry to explore the insight, pattern-recognition, and emotional steadiness that only comes from long experience. They share how they shifted from command-and-control habits to more collaborative, empathetic leadership, and what younger generations often miss about the pressures and realities Boomers grew up navigating.
They also unpack relevance, legacy, and why many Boomers feel “rewired, not retired.” It’s a clear reminder that generational intelligence isn’t just about understanding the new, it’s also about listening to the leaders who’ve already lived through cycles of change.
Episode 5: Handshakes & Hyperlinks: When a Traditionalist Meets Gen Z
What happens when two generations, separated by seven decades, sit down to talk about work and purpose?
In this GenShift Podcast episode, Dr. Katherine Jeffery brings together David Zerfoss, a Traditionalist leader shaped by loyalty and discipline, and Isabelle Patterson, a Gen Z professional redefining connection in a digital age. Their honest exchange reveals how trust and motivation evolve across time, and how shared values still bridge the gap between generations.
Episode 4: Navigating the In-Between as a Zillennial
Discover how Zillennials, those born between 1990 and 2000, bridge Millennials and Gen Z in GenShift Episode 4. Dr. Katherine Jeffery explores how this micro-generation blends ambition, balance, and empathy to reshape the modern workplace.
Episode 3: Gen Z is Building the Future of the Trades
In this episode of GenShift, Dr. Katherine Jeffery sits down with 23-year-old project manager Jake Eudy, who chose the skilled trades over the traditional college path. He shares how mentorship, grit, and a hunger for authenticity are shaping not only his career but also Gen Z’s redefinition of success in the trades.
Episode 2: Legacy and Loyalty: What the Traditionalist Generation Built
In this episode of GenShift, Dr. Katherine Jeffery explores the Traditionalist generation, highlighting how their values of hard work, loyalty, and responsibility helped shape today’s workplace culture. Guest Dave Zerfoss shares his personal experiences growing up in that era, the lessons learned through sacrifice and discipline, and the legacy Traditionalists continue to leave for future generations.
Episode 1: Not Entitled—Intentional: Gen Z Motivation and Meaning at Work
In the first episode of GenShift, Dr. Katherine Jeffery sits down with three Gen Z professionals to explore what motivates their generation at work, how they navigate stereotypes, and the values they bring into leadership and teamwork. Together, they uncover Gen Z’s desire for transparency, empathy, and purpose-driven workplaces.