GenX Stories

Annnnnnnd we’re BACK! Today, the podcast crew is diving into the top tunes turning 40 in 2024. and you may be surprised how many are on the list. Plus we've got a rad '80s enthusiast joining us - author Tami Dever of Totally Cool 80’s - to talk about what made 1984 such an important year in music history. Putting aside how old this all makes us feel, hear our top picks from that iconic year as well as what our outspoken Facebook community had to say. Seriously, no self respecting GenXer would skip this one - listen now! Episode links Martha Quinn talks with Tamara Dever about “I Like Big Books and I Cannot Lie.”100 greatest songs of 1984100 Greatest Albums of 198424 Huge hits turning 40 in 2024Why 1984 Was the Greatest Year in Pop Music 1984 Was Pop Music’s Best Year Ever‘Purple Rain,’ ‘Born In The U.S.A.’: These Blockbuster Records Are Turning 40 In 202440 Years Ago, This Ad Changed the Super Bowl ForeverHistory of WHFS Radio in the DC area Links for our guest Tami Dever Websites https://www.totallycool80s.com/https://www.ultimatemixtapelive.com/Books Ultimate Mix Tape Music Quiz Book:Ultimate Mix Tape Music Quiz Book: Side BI Like Big Books and I Cannot LieTtally Cool 80’s Social Media Twitter/XInstagramFacebook Connect with us Subscribe to GenX Stories in your favorite podcast app Buy some kickass merch Write us a review Visit our site Join our Facebook Group Follow our 80’s inspired Instagram Send us an email

Well, we’re not back from our extended spring break just yet, have no fear, dear listeners. There will be new season five episodes very soon - we promise. For now, check out an encore of one of our favorite episodes: “You’ve got a friend: making BFFs at midlife “. Seeya next weds with a brand new episode you won’t want to miss. Original episode links Why It’s Harder to Make Friends After 40The Scientific Reason It's So Hard to Make Friends as an AdultWhy Making Friends in Midlife Is So Hard12 Ways to Make Friends in Mid-Life and BeyondBad Boys & Mother CrushesRide or Die - GenX Friendships30th College reunion friendsBumble for FriendsI Tried Bumble BFF for 30 Days—Here’s What HappenedCan you die of lonliness?How to make friends on the internetGenX Stories FB group Connect with us Subscribe to GenX Stories in your favorite podcast app Buy some kickass merch Write us a review Visit our site Join our Facebook Group Follow our 80’s inspired Instagram Send us an email

If you’ve tuned in expecting a brand new episode this week, surprise! The podcast crew is off on spring break right now but we’ll have some kick ass stuff for you when we get back. Topics like being resilient as a Gen Xer, and songs turning 40 in 2024. Meanwhile, why don’t you check out our website and catch up on past episodes you may have missed, like the perks of being over 50, favorite 80’s snacks, movies that defined our generation, making friends at midlife and more. See ya'll in April! Episode Links Our Website The Perks of Being GenX It’s a Snack Attack!Sincerely yours: Movies that define GenX You’ve got a friend: making BFF’s at midlife Connect with us Subscribe to GenX Stories in your favorite podcast app Buy some kickass merch Write us a review Visit our site Join our Facebook Group Follow our 80’s inspired Instagram Send us an email

Is there a better time to get real about the darker side of Valentine's Day, especially for GenXers? Is it all hearts and flowers, or is there more to the story? Things have definitely changed for a few of us since our last romance episode in 2021, but you know that we still have tons of opinions. Gird your loins for some straight-up GenX talk about this Hallmark Holiday and the Vday expectations game. Episode links romance topic last on Sept 8, 2021, season 3Dark Origins of Valentine’s DayYou Can Blame Geoffrey Chaucer for Valentine’s DayTo be or not to be your valentine: Shakespearean expressions of loveThe Best Candy Heart Sayings from the Past 120 YearsJake Ryan articleWhat Is a Sadie Hawkins Dance and Where Did It Come From?GenXers dont care about Valentine’s DayGalentine’s DayWhen is Galentine's Day? What to know about the 'Parks and Rec' holiday Connect with us Subscribe to GenX Stories in your favorite podcast app Buy some kickass merch Write us a review Visit our site Join our Facebook Group Follow our 80’s inspired Instagram Send us an email

Ready for some real GenX scoop? Today, we're dishing about the perks of being over 50 (yep, they exist!). From health and work to society, pop culture, relationships, family, and the dreaded 'Misc' category (aka, WTF moments) you know we never hold back. Want more? Tune in for the wisdom of our kick-ass FB group and our personal top three GenX bennies. Buckle up, kiddies. Episode links The 50 Best Things About Life Over 5050 Reflections at 50Top 10 reasons being 50 rocksReddit threadGolden age of happiness: Turning 50 is key to 'content and comfortable' lifeFB group member’s’ over 50 meme Connect with us Subscribe to GenX Stories in your favorite podcast app Buy some kickass merch Write us a review Visit our site Join our Facebook Group Follow our 80’s inspired Instagram Send us an email

Yeah, we get the irony of discussing this here, but buckle up because today's episode is about Chris’s favorite topic - social media (#not). What channels are GenXers on? Are the people we follow doing our generation proud or making us cringe? Do we even belong there? And what the fuck is an influencer? Tune in for all the good, the bad, the ugly, and the “whatevers” about the socials. because GenX has entered the chat. Episode links This is your brain on tech. DammitYeeting definitionaccidental textGenX Social Media StatsYour Old MySpace Profile Is Still Taking Up Space on the InternetPeople Increasingly Turn To Social Media For NewsEverything you need to know about the internet's obsession with eating Tide podsThe Role of Social Media in the Arab UprisingsWhat is an influencer?Is Social Media Addictive? Here’s What the Science SaysGenX Social Media Influencers6 Awesome Gen X Creators to Follow on TikTokWould Emily in Paris’s Bot-like Instagram Actually Go Viral?GenX social media peeps we dig Kevin Bacon Tik TokSesame Street GenXer on TikTokKelly Manno on InstagramThe Holderness FamilyGenX guy dancing in supermarketTueNightCorbette on TikTokGirls of a Certain Age on SubStackSmartLessGenX_Reference DeskYou Wish You Were GenX Even more ironic - our social media GenX Stories on IGGenX Stories on FacebookEve’s IGEve’s TikTokLori’s IGLori’s TwitterConnect with us Subscribe to GenX Stories in your favorite podcast app Buy some kickass merch Write us

Well, we survived 2023. Wanna hear what the GenX Stories podcast crew is looking forward to next year? Of course you do. Listen in and you’ll even hear our words for 2024 (because you know how we feel about those stupid resolutions). Happy new year everyone! Seeya in January. Episode links Genie Wishes & ResolutionsPick a New Year’s nudge word instead of a resolution6 Unusual Alternatives to Traditional New Year's ResolutionsNew Year's Day 2024: Why Does the Year Start on January 1? Connect with us Subscribe to GenX Stories in your favorite podcast app Buy some kickass merch Write us a review Visit our site Join our Facebook Group Follow our 80’s inspired Instagram Send us an email

Today we're talking all about video games, both what they were like when we were kids and what they've evolved into. From Pacman to Space Invaders, Donkey Kong to Pitfall, and even the OG Pong, we're spilling the tea on our top three all-time favorite games from back in the day. Oh and admit it - whether you were rocking arcade adventures and console classics in the basement with your crew or diving solo into a computer classic, we were all as competitive as our Facebook group. So, toss in that quarter and get those joystick skills warmed up, because this one's gonna rock! Episode links Best Video Games That Defined Generation XBack to the Classics: Video Games Then and NowBest 10 Atari 2600+ Games to Feed Your NostalgiaPizza hut Pacman tablePongTabletop Pacman gameHotter than Mothers Music Tee shirtDave & Busters ArcadeIntellivisionColecoVisionHandheld Mattel football gameThe Legend of ZeldaMyst gamePurple Game BoyNostalgic gaming: how playing the video games of your youth reconnects you to yourselfAtari 50: the Anniversary CelebrationGoogle Doodle PacmanTwitchVibrating football gameConnect with us Subscribe to GenX Stories in your favorite podcast app Buy some kickass merch Write us a review Visit our site Join our Facebook Group Follow our 80’s inspired Instagram Send us an email

Today we're taking on something Courtney has been after us to talk about for years - ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response). From chasing the elusive 'brain tingles' to pondering its potential as the ultimate sleep aid for a restless generation, we're exploring how (or if) GenX engages with ASMR. Between uses by AARP, Super Bowl ads and even sports teams, find out if there's a quiet(er) side to midlife or if ASMR just ain't for us. Episode Links ASMR, explained: why millions of people are watching YouTube videos of someone whisperingASMR Is About to Have a Huge Super Bowl Moment. Here's What You Should KnowWhat is ASMR? The calming benefits behind those brain tinglesFrom Slinkies To Trapper Keepers, This Gen X ASMR Series Transports You To The Sounds Of The ’80sAARP TikTok: Gen X ASMR Series entry in the 15th Annual Shorty AwardsKC Chiefs ASMRYouTube Massage ASMR channelsDog ASMRFood/Cooking ASMR Connect with us Subscribe to GenX Stories in your favorite podcast app Buy some kickass merch Write us a review Visit our site Join our Facebook Group Follow our 80’s inspired Instagram Send us an email

Get ready for a crazy musical ride on our latest episode. The experiment: Each host picked an GenX album they love, made the rest of us listen to it, and then we talked about it. This is a totally new thing for us so it could have been amazeballs or a total disaster (hint, it wasn't a disaster). From dissecting tracks to digging into behind the scenes trivia to just sharing personal stories about why these albums meant so much to us, we're dishing it all out. And trust us - you will NOT want to miss it. our album selections Tim (The new Ed Stansium mix)Upstairs at Eric’sDivaBeauty and the Beatepisode links Replacements documentary about Ed Stasium's muscular new mix of 'Tim'The Go-So's DocumentaryWham DocumentaryThe Replacements DocumentaryAn Open Letter to the Pair of Gen-Z Men in the Northeast Regional Quiet Car Loudly Discussing Pitchfork’s 100 Best Albums of All TimeConnect with us Subscribe to GenX Stories in your favorite podcast app Buy some kickass merch Write us a review Visit our site Join our Facebook Group Follow our 80’s inspired Instagram Send us an email

In this episode, we dig into the movies that shaped who we are as a generation. Whether you're looking to reminisce about your favorite coming-of-age movies (Breakfast Club anyone?) or are curious about the cultural touchstones that made us, step back in time with the GenX Stories crew. We even reveal some of our Facebook group’s favorite flicks. Let’s be demented and sad, but social together. Past movie episodes Epic Movie SoundtracksIs it a reboot or a remake?What makes a movie a cult classic?Episode links Quintessential Movies That Define Gen-X15 Gen X Movies That Summarize An Entire Generation of Angst25 Movies That Defined GenerationXThe 22 Most Gen X Movie Characters Of All Time25 Movies You Should Watch to Really Understand Gen XersJohn Hughes, Who Captured the Lives of Teenagers in the 1980s, Dies at 59John Hughes: 10 essential filmsSimple Minds Make The Breakfast Club UnforgettableThe Original Ending of ‘Pretty In Pink’ and Why It Was AxedThis '80s Thriller Was Chilling Enough to Affect National Security PolicyMolly Ringwald feels differently about ‘Sixteen Candles’ in the wake of #MeTooConnect with us Subscribe to GenX Stories in your favorite podcast app Buy some kickass merch Write us a review Visit our site Join our Facebook Group Follow our 80’s inspired Instagram Send us an email

We hope you're hungry! It's time to talk GenX's favorite snacks & drinks. What we loved as kids, what kept us going as young adults (at least when we moved away from our parents!) and even what we're feeding GenZ these days. So spread some florescent Cheeze on a cracker, dig out that 40 year old Twinkie to nibble on and wash it all down with some Tang while you listen to this tasty walk down memory lane. Past food episodes Season 2: Food Fight!Season 3: What’s Cookin; Good Lookin’Episode links The Existential Necessity of Midlife ChangePick Your Favorite Childhood Foods and We'll Guess If You're Gen X, Millennial or Baby Boomer27 Iconic Snacks Only Gen Xers RememberTop Ten Uniquely '80s Foods33 Foods That ’80s Kids Will RecognizeMaurice Lenell cookieAfter 98 Years, Twinkies-Maker Hostess Just Made a Bittersweet Announcement About Its FutureGet some Handi-SnacksThe California Raisins: How A Bunch of Dried Grapes Became A Hit BandCharcuterie Boards Are Adult LunchablesRemember these retro air-pop popcorn makers?24 Specialty Oreo FlavorsAll the Takis Flavors, RankedGen X Food PreferencesGen Z’s Favorite Snack Is Not What You’d ExpectChill, ‘Girl Dinner’ Is Literally Just a Snack PlateConnect with us Subscribe to GenX Stories in your favorite podcast app Buy some kickass merch Write us a review Visit our site Join our Facebook Group Follow our 80’s inspired Instagram Send us an email

On today’s episode of GenX Stories we wonder if you can really change your world in midlife? What have we done that we thought we were too old to try? Or what are we still planning to try? Life definitely ain’t over and you may be surprised how GenXers are choosing to reinvent ourselves in our 50s. Episode links The Existential Necessity of Midlife ChangeThe 5 Rules Of Reinventing Your Life At Any Age Here’s How Generative AI is Reshaping Hollywood & the Entertainment IndustryThe Future of AI in the Entertainment IndustryKevin Bacon celebrates 65Kevin Bacon "walking into 65" TikTok48 Stars Who Didn't Become Famous Until After 40This Terrible True thingA stunning second act! Meet the people who changed course in midlife – and loved itKim Hale on TikTokA new start after 60Connect with us Subscribe to GenX Stories in your favorite podcast app Buy some kickass merch Write us a review Visit our site Join our Facebook Group Follow our 80’s inspired Instagram Send us an email

On today’s kick-ass encore episode, we have a real treat - Eve’s cousin Jenny talks all about her debut semi-autobiograhical YA novel. Set in 1991 during the AIDS crisis, and revealed through sketches, journal entries & the music we grew up on, hear how sharing her story became an authentic statement about GenX for a younger generation. When we originally recorded this in season 3, the book wsn’t published yet but now it’s OUT! You can buy it or catch her on her book tour! Also check out the Spotify playlist for the book. Book blurb Told through sketches, journal entries, and first-person narration, This Terrible True Thing is a semi-autobiographical story of high school senior with a gay dad. Applying to art school, and yearning to escape her conservative boarding school, her world at home is struck by AIDS. Balancing mourning and physics, crushes and paralyzing fear, Danielle must struggle to find the positive in the dark days of the early 90s. In this heartbreaking multimedia debut--filled with drawings, poems, and journal entries--author Jenny Laden draws on her own experience to create a story of grief and transcendence, perfect for fans of Francesca Zappia and Jennifer Niven. Order from : Indiebound Amazon Barnes and Noble Episode links The RecollectorsAdult Children of AIDS Victims Take Their Memories Out of the Shadows'The Recollectors' Gives Voice To Children Who Lost Parents To AIDSJennyLaden.comFB pageTwitterInstagramThis Terribe True Thing book Spotify playlistJourney to Becoming a Solo Mom by Choice Connect with us Subscribe to GenX Stories in your favorite podcast app Buy some kickass merch Write us a review Visit our site Join our Facebook Group Follow our 80’s inspired Instagram Send us an email

Welcome to Season 5 of GenX Stories! While as kids we used to have a "break" over the summer, GenXers don't really get that anymore at midlife. So what the hell did we actually DO on our podcast hiatus? You'd actually be surprised what we've been up to. Between painting rocks, fuck-it travel and getting Covid, we were pretty busy. Plus our Facebook group shared all the cool shit they did. So listen, or don't. Whatever. Episode links I know what you did last summerRock On! Painting Rocks- The Best Hobby You Never Heard OfAlluvial DefinitionThe Azores Our Season 3 Summer EposideNYC Marriot Marquis hotelSweeney Todd on BroadwayMuseum of Modern Art (MOMA)What is an unveiling?The Shiva LadiesMary Tyler Moore DocumentaryConnect with us Subscribe to GenX Stories in your favorite podcast app Buy some kickass merch Write us a review Visit our site Join our Facebook Group Follow our 80’s inspired Instagram Send us an email

While season 4 of the podcast was shorter than we planned, the Gen X stories gang is getting ready for season five. Usually we keep our goofy-ass brainstorms private, but we totally want you to listen in on this one. Not only will you get a behind the scenes look into what we are planning, but you can hear what topics our Facebook group suggested for us. If you have thoughts about anything you hear please contact us here. We will try to do a few encore/silly episodes for you this summer but when season 5 drops, we promise you won’t be disappointed. Thank you for being there for us over this tricky year and listening to our little show. Seeya in September! Episode links ASMR Meaning and Why ASMR Videos Are So PopularAARP TikTok“The fuck you are”The Top 10 David Letterman Top 10 Lists100+ Hilarious Steven Wright Quotes and JokesWhy does everyone have a podcast?Kelly Manno on IGFrom Slinkies To Trapper Keepers, This Gen X ASMR Series Transports You To The Sounds Of The ’80sGeorge Carlin stuff bitPeople Are Saying GenX Retirement Homes Should Be in Abandoned Malls and It Sounds Like Heaven on EarthHow long should TV shows be? The rise of shorter TVConnect with us Subscribe to GenX Stories in your favorite podcast app Buy some kickass merch Write us a review Visit our site Join our Facebook Group Follow our 80’s inspired Instagram Send us an email

The band is finally back together! After months of dealing with so much personal big stuff this season, the GenX Stories crew is finally together just in time to talk about it all. On this episode, we discuss accountability and integrity, when we actually started adulting and how we manage the bumps along our midlife road with humor. We also gain insight from our Facebook community as they get really raw and vulnerable on a topic that demands it of us all. Cuz really - for such a grown up word, how do we determine what "adulting" means for our generation? Episode links What is “adulting”?Urban Dictionary definitionWhat does it mean to be a grown up?How Oprah Winfrey inspired a generation of outspoken womenShe Invented Adulting. Her Life Fell Apart. She Wants You to Know That’s OkayThe Benny Hill ThemeThe Chicken DanceChoose Joy memeConnect with us Subscribe to GenX Stories in your favorite podcast app Buy some kickass merch Write us a review Visit our site Join our Facebook Group Follow our 80’s inspired Instagram Send us an email

Today we've got a GenX topic that effects us all deeply: making friends at midlife. Weird you say? Well you may be surprised to hear that after years of doing this podcast together, Lori and I had actually NEVER MET. At least not in person. All that changed earlier this spring and we’re going to spill all the tea. (well, most of it). Not only did we meet (and talk and talk and talk and talk) we had dinner with 2 other new friends we made through our facebook group (and drank, and drank and drank.) So here is the question - is there a trick to making new friends at midlife, and are those “rules” different than when you were younger? Or is it just dumb luck. Listen and find out. Episode links Why It’s Harder to Make Friends After 40The Scientific Reason It's So Hard to Make Friends as an AdultWhy Making Friends in Midlife Is So Hard12 Ways to Make Friends in Mid-Life and BeyondBad Boys & Mother CrushesRide or Die - Gen Friendships30th College reunion friendsI Tried Bumble BFF for 30 Days—Here’s What HappenedGenX Stories FB groupConnect with us Subscribe to GenX Stories in your favorite podcast app Buy some kickass merch Write us a review Visit our site Join our Facebook Group Follow our 80’s inspired Instagram Send us an email

What happens when a generation that uses gallows humor to deal with trauma loses someone they love? That’s the question The Grief Mixtape Project will explore through stories from you, our community. To learn more and contribute your voice to the Grief Mixtape, go to at genxstories/grief. Related Podcast episodes Losing a Parent as a GenXerDo you gotta have faith?Becoming a sandwich generationEve’s writing about grief The problem with caringGirlDadDad’s EulogyConnect with us Subscribe to GenX Stories in your favorite podcast app Buy some kickass merch Write us a review Visit our site Join our Facebook Group Follow our 80’s inspired Instagram Send us an email

On today’s encore episode, the gang digs into what makes GenX the latest “sandwich” generation and how we’re handling it. Smushed between taking care of our parents and our kids, how did we go from being ignored to being needed by two different age groups? No matter what kind of generational sandwich you are - club, open faced, keto, whatever - hear about choosing support groups over ice floes. Episode links What is a sandwich generation?GenX women facing the caregiving crisisThe Sandwich Generation: When Caregiver Seems to Be Your Only RoleWhat Is a Mother-in-Law Suite, and Should I Consider Adding One?Swedish Death CleaningI Care A Lot movieCare Options for People with Dementia or Alzheimer's9 ways sandwich-generation caregivers can manage stressConnect with us Subscribe to GenX Stories in your favorite podcast app Buy some kickass merch Write us a review Visit our site Join our Facebook Group Follow our 80’s inspired Instagram Send us an email