Millennials are getting old

January 30, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

🎙️ The Voices & The Context

The Format: Structured interview podcast with two segments: a discussion on internet nostalgia hosted by an unnamed lead (likely Sean Illing or similar, closing by Esthet Herndon), featuring expert guests.
The Key Players:
- Deja Tolentino: Internet culture reporter for NBC News alum, writes Yap Year newsletter; expert on TikTok trends and 2010s vibes, fascinating for decoding Gen Z's retro obsession.
- Emily Gould: Novelist and New York Magazine writer; shares personal research on millennial aging, drawing from reader stories and her pre-44 prep.
The Vibe: Nostalgic and reflective with fun pop culture hooks, blending lighthearted trend-spotting, cultural analysis, and poignant midlife introspection—educational yet relatable, sparking "water cooler" chats on aging anxiety.

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What you'll learn

1 (00:00) **🎙️ Introduction: Deja Tolentino**
2 (01:44) **Origins of the 2016 Nostalgia Trend**
3 (04:03) **Defining 2016 Vibes and Influencer Era**
4 (05:36) **Nostalgia's Link to 2020s Discontent**
5 (07:05) **2016 Monoculture and Political Disruption**
6 (09:52) **Gen Z Backward Gaze and Escapism Concerns**
7 (16:06) **🎙️ Introduction: Emily Gould**

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Show Notes

It's 2016 on the internet again. The nostalgia is a reminder that many Millennials are starting to his their first "aging cliff."

This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Andrea Lopez-Cruzado, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Astead Herndon.

Drake poses with his awards during the 2017 Billboard Music Awards. Photo by David Becker/Getty Images.

Further Reading: Falling off the aging cliff at 44

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