The Vibe Shift

April on Gen Z and the Surprising Growth of Christian Universities / The Gen Z Role Models Project / Season 2, Episode 5

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2502733/fan_mail/new] April, a former corporate professional turned professor at Houston Christian University, joined Edward’s week-long seminar on Gen Z at the 2025 Oxford Theology Summer School.  In this conversation, she reflects on what she is seeing among her students: a generation often cautious of organised religion, yet deeply engaged in a search for meaning, truth, and community. Drawing on both her own vocational journey and her classroom experience, April explores the resonance of the Lost-and-Found Narrative, the importance of peer-driven and relational learning, and the emergence of unexpected moments of collective spiritual engagement. She offers a grounded perspective on how this generation is navigating faith and seeking authentic spaces—including faith-based universities—to explore belief. The Vibe Shift Podcast is part of The Gen Z Role Models Project, a study exploring how young people today make sense of religion, spirituality, and role models in a digital age. The new King’s Study is now open—anyone aged 18–28, from any background and location, can take part. And it’s easy to get started: https://bit.ly/GenZ2026 [https://bit.ly/GenZ2026] Visit us at oxfordexemplars.org [https://oxfordexemplars.org]. Music: 'Find Yours Dreams' by Art Flower [https://freemusicarchive.org/music/art-flower/contact]. CC0 1.0 Universal License [https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/].  Copyright: The Vibe Shift, 2025.

Michelle on Meaning, Community, and Gen Z Anxiety / The Gen Z Role Models Project / Season 2, Episode 4

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2502733/fan_mail/new] Michelle, a business professor whose research focuses on calling, purpose, and human flourishing, joined Edward’s week-long seminar on Gen Z at the 2025 Oxford Theology Summer School. In this conversation, she reflects on what the experience revealed to her about Gen Z’s hunger for meaning, the importance of authentic community, and the surprising places young people now turn when seeking order and purpose. Drawing on both her teaching and the seminar discussions, Michelle offers an honest look at the challenges today’s students face—and what educators and faith communities might need to reimagine in response. The Vibe Shift Podcast is part of The Gen Z Role Models Project, a study exploring how young people today make sense of religion, spirituality, and role models in a digital age. The new King’s Study is now open—anyone aged 18–28, from any background and location, can take part. And it’s easy to get started: https://bit.ly/GenZ2026 [https://bit.ly/GenZ2026] Visit us at oxfordexemplars.org [https://oxfordexemplars.org]. Music: 'Find Yours Dreams' by Art Flower [https://freemusicarchive.org/music/art-flower/contact]. CC0 1.0 Universal License [https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/].  Copyright: The Vibe Shift, 2025.

Kasun on Sri Lanka, Saints, and a Simple Faith / The Gen Z Role Models Project / Season 2, Episode 3

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2502733/fan_mail/new] Kasun Fernando, a young Roman Catholic deacon from Sri Lanka, joined Edward's week-long seminar on Gen Z at the 2025 Oxford Theology Summer School. In this conversation, Kasun reflects on what the experience taught him about listening, and how the five themes—or narrative-types—of The Gen Z Role Models Project has helped him better understand his generation. The Vibe Shift Podcast is part of The Gen Z Role Models Project, a study exploring how young people today make sense of religion, spirituality, and role models in a digital age. The new King’s Study is now open—anyone aged 18–28, from any background and location, can take part. And it's easy to get started: https://bit.ly/GenZ2026 [https://bit.ly/GenZ2026] Visit us at oxfordexemplars.org [https://oxfordexemplars.org]. Music: 'Find Yours Dreams' by Art Flower [https://freemusicarchive.org/music/art-flower/contact]. CC0 1.0 Universal License [https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/].  Copyright: The Vibe Shift, 2025.

Phoebe on Gen Z in the Church of England / The Gen Z Role Models Project / Season 2, Episode 2

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2502733/fan_mail/new] Phoebe, the Young Adult Mission Enabler for the Diocese of Durham, found faith at the age of 18. A Gen Z Christian herself, she now helps churches listen more deeply to a generation rediscovering spirituality. In this conversation, she reflects on why some young adults experience faith as a direct encounter with God—the “Simple Faith Narrative”—and how that insight shapes her ministry. We also discuss online spirituality, safety and honesty in faith spaces, and the Church of England’s efforts to bring young adults into leadership and decision-making. This Vibe Shift is part of The Gen Z Role Models Project, a study exploring how young people today make sense of religion, spirituality, and role models in a digital age. Following a successful Oxford Pilot, the new King’s Study is up and running—anyone aged 18–28, from any background and location, can take part: https://bit.ly/GenZ2026 [https://bit.ly/GenZ2026] Visit us at oxfordexemplars.org [https://oxfordexemplars.org]. Music: 'Find Yours Dreams' by Art Flower [https://freemusicarchive.org/music/art-flower/contact]. CC0 1.0 Universal License [https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/].  Copyright: The Vibe Shift, 2025.

James on Faith, Authority, and the Self-help Generation / The Gen Z Role Models Project / Season 2, Episode 1

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2502733/fan_mail/new] James, a London-based student, grew up in a religious home but now calls himself “pro-faith" but not practising. In this conversation, he reflects on why some Gen Zers turn away from organised religion and move toward self-help, how social media shapes shared anxiety and belonging, and why curiosity—and conversation—might be the best kind of therapy. This episode is part of The Gen Z Role Models Project, a study exploring how young people today make sense of religion, spirituality, and role models in a digital age. Following a successful Oxford Pilot, the new King’s Study is up and running—anyone aged 18–28, from any background and location, can take part: https://bit.ly/GenZ2026 [https://bit.ly/GenZ2026] Visit us at oxfordexemplars.org [https://oxfordexemplars.org]. Music: 'Find Yours Dreams' by Art Flower [https://freemusicarchive.org/music/art-flower/contact]. CC0 1.0 Universal License [https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/].  Copyright: The Vibe Shift, 2025.