Ep. 225 | The Analog Comeback Is Real — But AI Is Already Here

Ep. 225 | The Analog Comeback Is Real — But AI Is Already Here

From Rivera and Reeves by Meseidy Rivera and Rachel Reeves

April 21, 2026 · 1h 15m · Season 2 · Episode 225

About this episode

Meseidy and Rachel discuss the resurgence of analog trends among Gen Z and the rapid advancement of AI technology, exploring the implications of both.

The kids want tin can phones. Gen Z is buying vinyl at rates we haven’t seen since 1983. And somewhere in the middle of all that, AI quietly became everything. Meseidy and Rachel skip the Iran cycle this week to talk about what’s actually shifting underneath it — the pull back toward analog, and the tech disruption that’s moving faster than any generation before has had to process. They don’t agree. Meseidy’s cautiously optimistic that AI frees up time for real human connection. Rachel wants to know what gets lost in the trade. They push each other, they leave it unresolved, and they’re honest about the fact that nobody — including the people building the tools — really knows where this lands. Also in this one: Virginia’s redistricting vote, a 90s-week family experiment, the wait-until-8th movement, and the Oklahoma principal who tackled a school shooter and got crowned prom king. Episode Highlights Why Gen Z is driving a $1.4B vinyl resurgence and snapping up disposable cameras — the analog comeback isn’t a trend, it’s friction The “tin can” phone rundown: how Rachel’s daughter is actually talking to her friends again, and why wait-until-8th pacts are catching on A 90s-week…

People in this episode

Hosts: Meseidy Rivera, Rachel Reeves

Topics covered

  • analog comeback
  • AI technology
  • Gen Z trends
  • human connection
  • redistricting
  • school safety

Keywords

  • vinyl resurgence
  • AI
  • Gen Z
  • analog
  • human connection
  • redistricting
  • school safety

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Anthropic

Places: Virginia, Oklahoma

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