What Happened to Millennials with Charlie Wells

🎧 Listen to this episode of Chatting with Betsy to discover the stories behind What Happened to Millennials and Charlie Wells’ powerful insights. Click here to listen…

In this episode, Betsy Wurzel speaks with award-winning journalist Charlie Wells about What Happened to Millennials, exploring how this generation’s experiences, challenges, and strengths have shaped their identity and future. Charlie’s new book offers a deeply researched and refreshingly human look at Millennials—who they are, what they’ve endured, and why they matter now more than ever.

This delightful and insightful interview begins with Betsy and Charlie discussing the book’s eye-catching cover. Its rich color palette paired with an older-model cell phone symbolizes nostalgia and the rapid technological evolution that has defined Millennial life. This is Charlie Wells’ first published book, and the conversation reflects his passion and purpose behind telling this generational story.

Charlie, a Millennial himself, explores how Millennials have become the largest living generation, with 72 million people born between 1981 and 1996, now ages 29 to 44. Originally known as “Gen Y,” Millennials have lived through extraordinary cultural and technological shifts—from dial-up internet to smartphones, from handwritten notes to social media networks that shape global conversation.

Charlie shares what motivated him to write What Happened to Millennials, including his extensive research and personal experiences. Together, he and Betsy explore:

• How technology rapidly changed during Millennial childhoods

• How Millennials adjusted to the rise of social media

• How this generation is now stepping into leadership roles

• Why Millennials have been misunderstood for so long

One of the most powerful stories Charlie discusses is that of Olivia, a woman he interviewed who lost her father in the 9/11 attacks. Charlie speaks with such compassion about how Olivia navigated losing a parent at a young age—while her grief became public due to the national tragedy. Her story illustrates how Millennials have carried both personal pain and collective trauma.

Betsy and Charlie address some of the negative assumptions often directed at Millennials—such as being “too sensitive” or “entitled”—and counter them with the realities:

• Millennials are resilient and adaptable

• They are financially stronger than many Baby Boomers were at the same age

• They are navigating a far more complex world

As a mother of a Millennial, Betsy reflects on the positive changes she sees:

• Acceptance of interracial relationships

• Openness toward alternative lifestyles

• Comfortable expressing emotions

• Seeking mental-health support

• Changing norms in dating and relationships

Charlie and Betsy agree that each generation can learn from the next—and understanding begins when people talk, listen, and share experiences. In Betsy’s view, each generation is often misunderstood until we look beyond assumptions.

Betsy highly recommends reading “What Happened to Millennials: In Defense of a Generation.”
It offers:

• Emotional storytelling

• Strong research

• Cultural insight

• A balanced, human perspective

Charlie Wells is an award-winning reporter for Bloomberg News, covering finance, tech, real estate, and culture. Before joining Bloomberg, he spent five years at The Wall Street Journal and four years at The Economist. He has contributed to Bloomberg TV, radio, podcasts, and major global outlets like BBC and Al Jazeera.

📌  To Contacr Charlie Wells
https://www.charlie-wells.com/

📘 Order the Book: Purchase Here

Every generation has a story, and Charlie Wells reminds us why understanding one another begins with listening.

Share this episode with someone from another generation and start a conversation about the world you each grew up in.

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