March 8, 2026 — Episode #112

Jerry and Becky Drace open with a personal update, thanking American Family Radio’s staff for praying with their family through a difficult week involving their daughter-in-law’s ICU stay, before returning to their ongoing series on emerging adults.

They cite research estimating roughly 71 million emerging adults in the United States — about 29 percent of the population — and note that today’s young people are delaying marriage, parenthood, and career stability longer than previous generations. The couple walks through several defining traits of this age group: persistent uncertainty and anxiety about the future, a greater willingness to take risks (especially through job and career exploration), evolving and shifting relationships, and increased vulnerability to anxiety and depression. Drawing a parallel to the apostle Paul’s charge to “be anxious for nothing,” they encourage parents to help children stay spiritually focused rather than adrift. They also touch on emerging adults’ hunger for authenticity in church leadership and their increasing comfort with technology and artificial intelligence. Throughout, Jerry and Becky reflect on their own children’s varied job experiences — nannying, lifeguarding, retail, and banking — as formative preparation for adulthood. The practical takeaway: parents can ease their emerging adult’s transition by fostering early responsibility, honest conversation, and a Christ-centered sense of purpose rather than waiting until a crisis forces the issue.

Topics discussed:

• Seven defining characteristics of the emerging adult generation (ages 18–25, sometimes to 29)
• National statistics: an estimated 71 million emerging adults, about 29% of the U.S. population
• Anxiety and uncertainty about the future, tied to Paul’s charge to “be anxious for nothing”
• Taking healthy risks through part-time jobs and career exploration before marriage
• Navigating changing friendships and relationships during the emerging adult years
• Emerging adults’ desire for authenticity and spiritual guidance from church leaders
• Family update and gratitude for American Family Radio’s prayer support during a medical crisis

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