Summary of 'Wellness Darties': Gen Z is Reinventing the Frat Party

Overview of CNN Podcasts’ “Wellness Darties”: Gen Z is Reinventing the Frat Party

This episode of CNN 5 Good Things is a feel-good roundup of stories about optimism, reinvention, and Gen Z’s changing priorities. The main feature looks at “wellness darties” — daytime college parties centered on fitness, sober socializing, and health — but the episode also spotlights a Boston man becoming the new voice of Logan Airport, a young woman living with a rare digestive disorder who got life-changing surgery, a teen crowdsourcing career advice, and the growing popularity of birdwatching as a brain-boosting hobby.

Key Stories

Boston’s New Airport Voice

• Chris Denisi, an HVAC pipefitter from Boston, won a contest to become the voice of Boston Logan International Airport.
• He beat out more than 6,000 contestants, with over 35,000 people voting.
• His mom encouraged him to enter, and he says the win means a lot because it lets him “welcome people home” in a voice that reflects Boston pride.
• Even Ben Affleck playfully joined the contest buzz with his own mock airport announcement.

“Wellness Darties” Replace Some Frat Party Traditions

• College students are reimagining partying with sober, daytime “wellness darties” that include workouts, cold plunges, and green juice instead of alcohol-heavy events.
• CNN visited one at the University of South Carolina.
• The trend is being driven by a desire to have fun while also prioritizing mental and physical health.
• Founder Marty Mox started Sweat & Soak in 2024 after losing his mother to breast cancer and wanted to inspire healthier lifestyles on campus.
• His events have expanded to multiple campuses, including UCLA, where one event raised money for breast cancer charities.

Why the Trend Is Growing

• Alcohol use among young adults ages 18–25 has declined every year since 2021.
• Last year, 46% of Gen Z reported drinking alcohol in the past month, down from 51% four years earlier.
• Students also cited safety concerns and discomfort with traditional frat-party culture.
• Many say wellness events create a more social, safer, and more genuine environment.

Birdwatching as a Gen Z Hobby

• Birdwatching is becoming more popular with younger adults, often through social media and bird ID apps.
• A 2022 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service survey found about 25 million Americans ages 16–34 birdwatched.
• In the UK, young birders have increased by more than 1,000% since 2018.
• Neuroscientist Eric Wigne says birdwatching can support attention, curiosity, and mental restoration.
• His research found expert birders showed more organized brain tissue and stronger activity in areas tied to attention, visual perception, and memory.

Olivia DeCold’s Medical Journey

• Olivia DeCold, 26, was born with intestinal pseudo-obstruction, a rare disorder that prevents her digestive system from processing food normally.
• She has relied on IV nutrition, a G-tube, and an ostomy for much of her life.
• After doctors warned that her liver was being damaged, she feared she might need a transplant.
• In 2023, surgeon Dr. Paul Wales performed a non-transplant surgery that shortened and narrowed her intestine, easing painful blockages.
• The surgery gave her a major quality-of-life boost: she was able to backpack the Appalachian Trail, graduate college, get married, and travel.
• She still has flare-ups and needs IV nutrition, but says the surgery restored her optimism and hope.

Teen Crowdsources His Future

• Avi Lichtenstein, a high school junior in New York City, was anxious about choosing a career path.
• He created flyers asking strangers if he could shadow them at work, using $500 of his own money to promote them around Manhattan.
• His TikTok went viral, and more than 350 people responded.
• He’s shadowed people in a variety of fields, including a dog groomer, tattoo artist, app developers, TV producers, and a ramen shop owner.
• The experience has helped him realize he prefers collaborative, people-focused work and wants to keep exploring before deciding on a career.

Main Takeaways

• Gen Z is reshaping old social norms, especially around partying and drinking.
• Health, safety, and mental well-being are becoming central to how young people socialize.
• Low-pressure hobbies like birdwatching are gaining appeal because they combine curiosity, community, and a break from screens.
• The episode’s personal stories all center on resilience: people finding creative ways to adapt, recover, and move forward.
• A recurring message throughout the episode is that optimism and experimentation can open unexpected doors.

Notable Data Points

• 46% of Gen Z adults ages 18–25 reported drinking in the past month, down from 51% four years earlier.
• 25 million Americans ages 16–34 participated in birdwatching.
• Young birders in the UK have increased by more than 1,000% since 2018.
• More than 6,000 people auditioned for the Logan Airport voice role.
• More than 350 people responded to Avi’s career-shadowing questionnaire.