California’s governor launched a podcast in hopes of understanding young men’s sudden right-wing shift. YPulse data confirms that Gen Z males, compared to their female peers, are leaning more conservative. Gov. Gavin Newsom says his new podcast is a deliberate dive into the minds of young men—as Democrats have increasingly struggled to connect with them. Newsom believes that while Democrats have focused heavily on uplifting marginalized groups, they’ve neglected addressing young men’s struggles with identity and masculinity. YPulse data shows that young men are the biggest podcast listeners, and with news being a top five podcast genre for them, they’re clearly paying attention to political pods. Newsom’s decision to bring on controversial conservative figures like podcaster Charlie Kirk and former chief strategist for the White House Steve Bannon has stirred backlash within both parties, but it may also reflect a larger strategy to understand—and win back—young male voters. (NYT)
👀 Read more from YPulse: Is the Political Gender Divide Real for Gen Z and Millennials?
