78. Why Your Students Crave 90s Nostalgia

Your students are obsessed with Outer Banks, rewatching Friends for the tenth time, and choosing shows from before they were born over algorithm-recommended content. This isn't random—it's sophisticated rebellion against hyper-personalization and a hunger for genuine community.In this episode, we explore why Gen Z actively seeks intergenerational cultural connection and how English teachers can use this craving to create deeper literary engagement.

Let's take a look at why and how your lived experience of the 90s and 2000s is suddenly valuable curriculum content, and learn how nostalgic anchoring creates emotional safety for intellectual risk-taking.

If you're tired of chasing trends to make literature "relevant," let's think about how to teach from authentic cultural knowledge that both energizes you and engages your students.

Resources mentioned:

Teaching with 90s Nostalgia Crash Course: subscribepage.io/eZSMtV