Childhood Ruined

Your hosts speak about a summer of travel and optimism along with some wariness about the end of the year and possible pandemic restrictions. Chris talks about his venture into an all-day music festival and is found wanting. They discuss how hobbies related to collecting have subsided in recent years. Mike talks about breaking up with Hearthstone and introducing his son to Star Wars - only to learn that his son's favorite character is.... slightly disturbing!

Your hosts discuss the joys of vaccination combined with the realities of a world that is far from "back to normal." We talk about the coming weeks and months and how one goes about judging what activities are worthwhile. We touch on some pop culture subjects including a brief review of WandaVision along with some book and music recommendations. Chris plugs his stream, where you can join Ladies' Night each and every Wednesday!!!

Chad joins Chris and Mike to talk about Christmas music and how we all readily accept that these songs will only be in our lives for one month out of the year. We explore how this relates to our Vault theory from a prior episode and detail (and defend) our holiday favorites. The show briefly turns to all things Star Wars at the end as we discuss The Mandalorian and the openly corporate approach to Star Wars in recent years. Happy holidays!

Your hosts talk about recent activities including Ring Fit Adventures and the construction of a consistent DJ Stream complete with plans for a basement rave cave! Chris and Mike discuss the challenges of creating a successful stream and the difficulties of building and maintaining an audience. The later portion of the show focuses on the  perceived highs and lows of The Mandalorian; your hosts find the show entertaining though increasingly disappointing as the show relies on cameos from characters from other shows and films. Does Mando find its own identity again or are we headed for de-aged Luke Skywalker and CGI-zombie Palpatine?

Your hosts return to talk about Chris' successful debut as a DJ on Twitch. Chris talks about the process of setting up a stream and the wonderful support from the Club Quarantine crew. Michael talks about the experience of viewing the stream and how pleasant the community seemed to be during the event. The hosts cover the 2nd and 3rd episodes of The Mandalorian, and briefly address the bit of controversy about The Child slurping down fertilized eggs. Hey everyone, stay safe out there!    You can watch Chris' DJ streams at: https://www.twitch.tv/booteus 

Your hosts are back to talk about managing a world with COVID-19 the night before a noteworthy General Election. We cope with our collective anxiety by discussing recent coping strategies including Chris' ongoing delve into Club Quarantine culture and Michael shares his attempt to play Squadrons, which was quickly overwhelmed by the genius that is Hades. We discuss the satisfaction achieved by Chapter 9 of The Mandalorian, and explore how the show "feels" like the Star Wars we grew up with. We discuss the pros/cons of venturing out into public and how we share that information with others; it's not often simple!

Your hosts discuss how the world slowly attempts to return to normal while nothing with the virus has changed, and are joined by Chad to discuss parenting challenges in the age of COVID. We explore how we are finding meaning in the summer months; Chris talks about his connection with Club Quarantine, Chad offers some book recommendations, and Michael explains the mindfulness of hitting golf balls (poorly). Musical choices are questioned, allegiances are challenged, and we all openly worry about "blowing COVID all over someone's face." 

Your hosts talk about a challenging month of civil unrest in the Twin Cities and beyond. They acknowledge their white privilege while exploring systematic injustice in law enforcement. Michael shares his perspective as the son of a police officer killed in the line of duty, and discusses the culture of law enforcement and "getting home to see your family." Chris talks about his friends in communities of color and how difficult it has been for them - and how he's tried to listen and find a way to be helpful. We review efforts to cope with COVID restrictions including video games, social-distanced group hangs, and plamping. Yes, plamping! We discuss the month of June, which marks anniversaries of different family members lost to suicide. We spend some time remembering Al and Mia, and close by offering some suggestions on how to take care of ourselves and each other.

Your hosts are back with another round of commentary on how to survive social distancing. Chris talks about his efforts to start a band, Turd Ferguson, and organize a virtual tabletop for his students to safely game. Michael discusses the challenges of going for a hike and being out in public as people begin to get back to "normal" activities. Both explore the anxiety that can arise from attempting to cultivate an audience for an activity that should likely be - first and foremost - a personal interest and hobby. If anyone knows of a fiddle player looking for work, then contact Chris!

Your hosts gather on a Friday night to talk about the week that was and discuss how to stay positive when a torrent of news and idiocy tries to drown you. Chris talks about his experiments with the House Party app, which seems to provide a unique online social experience compared to Zoom. The hosts discuss a variety of entertainment options ranging from Final Fantasy VII Remake to online performances to an array of creative endeavors by folks including the SNL From Home effort. Mainly, we're just trying to ride this out like everyone else!

Your hosts are joined by fabled guest, Siri, as she describes her array of professional and hobby skills. We discuss parenting during the coronavirus and explore what we'd like to incorporate into the new lifestyle whenever the world "returns to normal." We celebrate the rare situation of playing the same videogame at the same time - Final Fantasy VII Remake. We talk about early impressions of the game and wrestling with the real-time/turn-based combat system. We discuss the objectification of Tifa and exploitation of Barrett, and Michael learns for the first time that FF7R doesn't contain the entire FFVII experience. Siri shares a story that deserves some Stand By Me music and we close with a review of Be Kind, Rewind offerings to keep you busy.

Your hosts talk about their privileged efforts to manage positive self-care as the weeks of social isolation continue. They offer strategies for dealing with the magnitude of change ranging from practicing musical instruments to painting rocks. Michael provides a lukewarm review for Epic Tavern, an early-access game that seems to offer a lot of potential. Both hosts talk about the goals they'd like to accomplish - if only they had the talent to pull them off!

Your hosts provide brief updates on the status of their quarantine efforts and launch into a new task of listing "perfect albums." The instructions were to name an album that is "perfect" in the sense that it is easy to listen to in its entirety without a need to skip any songs. We review a few listener suggestions before getting into our lists. We agree on 'Appetite For Destruction' by Guns N' Roses and otherwise provide non-obvious suggestions to the audience. We encourage others to let us know what album you consider perfect!

Your hosts welcome "other Chris" onto the show, our friend who is a long-time veteran of the Postal Service; he talks about delivering mail during a global pandemic and the oddities he has encountered during his career. Your hosts recap developments related to recent episodes and Michael goes out of his way to defend the Spin Doctors. The trio discuss how they are striving to maintain a sense of mindfulness and purpose as the outside world stands still.

Your hosts talk about their efforts to keep touch with old friends and discuss strategies for finding just the "right" music in these trying times. Chris talks about a quest to create a playlist of "pretty" songs, and Michael shares his journey to find an obscure band - that he later learned was a duo of great renown. Michael grumbles like an old man yelling at clouds about the scale of modern videogames and how most games take too long to complete. He is informed what the "J" in JRPG stands for (hint, it's not Junior) and spends some time exploring game design choices in the latest God of War, "No wonder Kratos' arms are jacked - he's rowing a damn boat for 60 hours!"

Your hosts reconnect as the entire world grinds to a halt because of coronavirus. They talk about their efforts to stay connected with interests and friends, and offer some suggestions for how others can do the same. They discuss bygone days (approximately 15 days ago) when they went out to a bar for a drink and were propositioned by a daring female with an agenda! Hopefully we can all return to "normal" life one day. In the meantime, check out this episode.

Your hosts return for the first time this decade to review a strategy for consuming more new music, and discuss the merits and perils of discovering a sub-culture's popular artist perhaps too late. The focus is on branching out to absorb more music beyond the same, tired playlists that have sustained us over the past 20-30 years. Michael talks about his efforts to "self-monitor" his consumption of new music (and other media), and Chris continues in his Jedi Master role of providing education about musical genres and trends. We conclude with a discussion of whether or not to travel to Red Rocks to see Above & Beyond this summer.

Your hosts discuss the fervor leading up to the sale of tickets for The Rise of Skywalker and the efforts it took to procure said tickets. The hosts discuss how marketing for films has changed over time and their hopes and expectations for Episode IX. We watch the trailer and offer initial impressions, which include's Mike whimsical notion for Force Ghost Hayden to appear before all is said and done. We conclude with a new segment, Ruining Childhoods, which features our midadventures as parents.

When Chad gifted us an unopened pack of ProSet Super Stars MusiCards featuring "10 Hot Photocards with facts and photos of your favorite rock, rap & pop stars" from 1991, your hosts immediately reacted, "That's an episode!" We opened the pack on the pod and provided our instant reactions to artists that were - if we knew them - prominently involved in our late elementary and early high school lives. This was a fun episode, and you're likely to get a smile from some of the musical artists discussed. Who did we find in the pack? Listen and find out!

Your hosts take in a performance by The Raconteurs, and one of the conditions to enter the venue was to secure your cellphone in a sealed pouch. This wrinkle added to the mystique for Michael who had yet to see Jack White perform. The hosts discuss the merits of the "no cellphone" policy and how it was implemented before talking about the performance itself. The show was great, though Michael wondered if the concert (15 songs) was long enough; he created two polls on Twitter to get feedback from others and shares the results with Chris. The origins of concert expectations for your hosts are explored, and Chris heavily endorses the approach of going into a show with low expectations and being mindful.  

After viewing the first episode of Stranger Things Season 3, your hosts discuss the vastly different reality parents and children experienced in the mid-80s including crowded malls and the ability to wander around town without parental supervision. We explore why everyone seems to assume the world is more dangerous now even though statistics and research indicate that crime has *decreased in recent decades. We talk about the freedoms we had as children and whether or not we'd allow our children to experience the same independence - and whether or not society would even allow that these days. We also discuss mall culture and how that has changed over time. Even though we have better technology to know where our children are 24 hours a day, we rarely seem to let them out of our sight now. Is this a good thing?

We're joined by Duane Sibilly to process the visual and emotional feast that was Avengers: Endgame. The discuss what worked the most in the film, identify he film's Most Valuable Player, and explore how it concludes this phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We also ponder how Endgame gives additional life to past MCU films and wonder how well the film will age given the complex questions and potential plot holes that arise with too much prodding into the time-travel business. We share our thoughts on the final moments for some of our heroes and explore how the MCU films might be saving the movie-theater experience.

Your hosts consume The Dirt by Mötley Crüe and talk about the thoughts and emotions that arise when listening their music, which was created by guys who tormented, injured, murdered and raped (according to Nikki in the book version) people. We talk about our first exposure to Mötley Crüe in the 1980s, and how their image was cultivated for maximum shock value. We try to figure out the best way to approach artists that have complicated and troubled behaviors, and wonder if you can - or even should - separate the art from the artist.  

Your hosts are joined by Chad once again (he previously appeared on our Yacht Rock episode in August 2018) to explore the concept of The Vault, a place where overplayed songs are retired for a period of time so they can reclaim their powers. Michael encourages Chris and Chad to justify why The Vault is necessary, and a list of reasons is presented for why some songs need to be put to rest - at least for a little while. Other songs get Rocket To The Sun status as the hosts discuss music that has been pounded into the ground for decades. Laughs are had, barbs are tossed, and a teen drama television series is righteously defended.

We take the Presidents Day holiday to record a new episode and give each other an update on our son's behavior. Chris prods me on my lofty expectations for my two-year-old son, and I encouraged him to follow his son's diet of recreational activities. Chris brings up the topic of the Grammys, and discusses how they seem even more irrelevant than usual. The hosts ponder if an organization like the Grammys is losing prominence as the pace of the music accelerates and the scope of music broadens. The conversations expands to discuss the Oscars, and how the film industry in heading in a similar direction. The hosts debate over whether awards shows do (or should) mean anything to a wide audience given that they are still decided by a group of people that are older, wealthier and whiter than the general population. 

Your hosts briefly detail how the polar vortex scraped their original plans for this evening, which involved a brewery and a night of music trivia. Michael introduces a topic that has been burning his mind, which is the various forms of nostalgia that seem to be spinning in the news. The possible looming death of GameStop is discussed including how purchasing trends of physical media seem to be declining to the point of extinction. Chris talks about some of the unpleasant aspects of the GameStop experience, and Michael ties this into other efforts to capture the attention of similar demographics with nostalgia efforts in games like Dungeons & Dragons and franchises such as Transformers and Star Wars. Chris and Michael detail their reactions to Bumblebee, which both agree was a quality movie that "felt" like it was right out of the 1980's. Michael inquires about the problems with nostalgia, and wonders if the glossed-over-the-rough-edges Queen biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody, is a sign of people being too keen to celebrate nostalgia in a safe way while overlooking reality.    

We're back with an emergency episode about Weezer's Teal Album. We discuss our shared confusion about the aims of the artistic endeavor while going through the album track-by-track, and explore why a popular band from the mid-90's still inspires such blazing-hot takes across the internet. Chris and I talk about what makes a good cover album, or even a good cover song. We throw around the question, "What is the best Weezer album?" while being completely self-aware that Saturday Night Live already executed the best version of this conversation! As a bonus, I got to test out a new microphone and headset combo for the podcast, so it feels good to be back. Stay tuned for more episodes in 2019!

Your hosts recount a somewhat harrowing return trip from Montana and the hilarious Yacht Rock episode from the summer. Michael complains about the lack of instruction manuals in modern video games, and the hosts transition to discuss a recent concert they both attended to see Dead Sara. Michael talks about his appreciation for the band and thorough enjoyment of the intimate venue while Chris explains the "Minnesota Nice" politeness of Twin Cities' concert crowds. We review the Gritty phenomenon, and examine the costs and benefits of pop culture and news cycles moving so - damn - fast. Michael shares his initial shock at the adult themes and sexism that are presented for one character early in Octopath Traveler, and we close out the show by lining up future episodes.

A special on-location episode from gorgeous West Glacier, Montana! Your hosts sit down on a porch just outside of Glacier National Park to enjoy a drink and talk about a shared family vacation. We discuss how each night of the vacation was given a musical theme, and how everyone was looking forward to Yacht Rock Night. Mike talks briefly about preparing a session of Dungeons & Dragons for a group of 8-12 year-olds, and then our special guest joins the pod to talk about his appreciation of Yacht Rock. Our guest details an elaborate 50-point scale for determining just how smooth a Yacht Rock song can be. A summary cannot do his scale justice; you just have to listen to take in the magic and majesty. We unironically talk about our newfound love of artists like Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins, and how the meaning of songs and music changes for us over the years. Listen as we celebrate our special guest's birthday, and swim in the wake of Yacht Rock's glory!

Chris and Mike briefly catch-up during the early minutes of the episode this week, and (2:00) Mike talks about his efforts to raise money and awareness for suicide prevention around the one-year anniversary of his brother's suicide. The hosts turn to (6:00) the demise of Toys R' Us, and talk about their memories of the store over the years. They explore (14:00) why the store failed, and lament (18:00) that they will not be able to take their kids through the store. A long discussion (28:00) starts about how Chris and Mike played with various lines of action figures over the years including G.I. Joe, Transformers, M.A.S.K., and He-Man. We celebrate the decades spent in Toys R' Us, and wonder what might come along that could replace that feeling of walking into a HUGE store of so many toys.

We return after another hiatus to talk about Father's Day and discuss the challenges of handling open-world games like Fallout 4 (6:00). Mike talks about his roadblocks in Horizon Zero Dawn while Chris laments his long history of leaving games like Grand Theft Auto unfinished (9:00). The hosts share tales of getting owned in Fortnite (17:00), and briefly provide some background on the State of the Pod (27:00). Mike details how he had to use Dungeons & Dragons to sweet talk an internet technician (30:00), and Chris looks for a reaction about the Chris Hardwick news (34:00). A long conversation about privilege and fandom ensues (49:00) including the limitations of online communication (52:00). We discuss how the current political climate overlaps with recent developments in fandom, and explore how responsibile we are as consumers of the same nerd/geek ecosystem.

The hosts catch up after taking a two-week break from recording the show. Michael talks openly about his brother's suicide last year, and describes how he is contacting family and friends to gather stories about his brother's life. At the 15-minute mark, the conversation turns to the new album by Jack White. The hosts express their confusion about the album, and ponder the motivations of Jack White for making it. A long discussion about fandom's relationship with art and artists ensues, and touches on numerous other performers. 

The hosts talk about recent games they have returned to playing - Magic: The Gathering for Chris, and XCOM for Michael. The hosts explore how stress produced by a game relates to their level of engagement and enjoyment. At the 14-minute mark, the conversation turns to Ready Player One, and stays there for most of the episode. The hosts express their original reactions to reading the book years ago, and detail the growing backlash about the author and elements of the book. The hosts talk openly about being two privileged, White, straight, cis-gendered men, and how that creates blind spots. Other questions are posed during the episode. Can you enjoy a piece of art while disliking the artist? Can you listen to a song by Ted Nugent or John Lennon, and block out the problematic believes those men held? The show closes with another installment of What's On Chris' Turntable - and this week it's St. Vincent. 

Michael talks about his excitement (and sleep deprivation) that resulted from the Olympic gold won by the Men's Curling Team. The hosts discuss how Michael's tabletop roleplaying game charactes seems to draw Chris' ire, including his most recent creation - a human Bard named "The Stone." A major topic for the show is the delightful combination of breweries and tabletop games, and the hosts explore how fans of games and beer can get the most out of this combination. Another installment of What's on Chris' Turntable? concludes the show with a review of The Grateful Dead.

Michael talks about completing Battle Chef Brigade, and the perils of getting stuck on a final boss and trying to watch endgame credits in a timely manner. Chris talks about recent success in the Eternal card game, and transitions into a conversation about the unbannings in Magic: The Gathering. Michael explains how he is focused on building a character for a new Dungeons & Dragons campaign, and decide that combining elements of D&D and MtG would result in a wonderful gaming experience. Chris speaks about growing up in the South in a culture of gun ownership, and Michael talks about the death of his father to a firearm, which is the foundation for strong beliefs about gun control. The discussion about guns in our culture starts around the 25-minute mark and lasts for some time. It is an important topic, and the hosts believe everyone should be open to communication about the subject - and take action like the survivors in Florida. The show concludes with another installment of Be Kind, Rewind!

Chris and Mike talk about Super Bowl week in Minneapolis, and delve into the haftime show of one Justin Timberlake. Mike grew up in South Jersey, so he offers some commentary on the mentality and behavior of Philadelphia fans - how it can be horrific, completely inappropriate, yet celebrated. The hosts talk about their passion for sports, and how that has mellowed with age, and then transition into how nerd fandom also shares some characteristics with irrational sports' fan behavior. They ponder the new trailer for Solo, and explore the vastly different reactions to the casting choices for Han and Lando. This week's show is closed with some suggestions for television shows - Atlanta and Alterd Carbon. 

The hosts talk about recent explots with video games; Chris talks about reaching an achievement in the digital card game, Eternal, and Michael relays his excitment about a new game, Battle Chef Brigade, which he describes as a strange alchemy of Dr. Mario, Shinobi, and American Idol with roleplaying game elements. Chris presents his tradition with friends of setting aside a night once in awhile to watch bad movies; he highlights specific bad movies and talks about the allure of dissecting the films. The show concludes with a new edition of What's On Chris' Turntable? 

We talk briefly about the euphoric high that surrounded Minnesota after the Vikings miracle win in the playoffs, then quickly transition to talking about the Hearthstone Tour Championship in Amsterdam. Michael questions Chris about his experience with Magic: The Gathering tournaments, and seeks out advice to process emotions after watching the championship match. We talk about balancing hobbies with family commitments, as Michael admits that he was streaming the championship match while feeding his son, talking to his wife, and walking his dog. Chris talks about the perils of trying to get his son into some classic videogames, and we agree that games designed to be difficult for difficulty's sake is not our preference any longer. Yes, Michael spoke poorly of Dark Souls II; you've been warned! We also sneak in our selections for Track of the Week.

Chris and Michael offer vague commentary on their long hiatus from Childhood Ruined, and then shift into reviewing the holidays. Chris talks about a gift he puchased for his son - a collection of 999 classic arcade games that can be played through his television at home. We talk about how some vintage games are best left as memories! We then turn our attention to Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Please avoid our conversation unless you have already seen the film, as we talk about multiple spoilers. I review some of my thoughts on how The Last Jedi challenged my expectations for the Star Wars Universe, and Chris discusses how he enjoyed the film as a piece of entertainment - and is fine not trying to dissect it any further. 

We're back after handling some personal issues over the summer month. Michael discusses his efforts to achieve Legend in Hearthstone, and how the anxiety of such an endeavor is not working out well. Chris provides some perspective as a long-time Magic: The Gathering player, and we talk about coping strategies for the stress that can come with competitive gaming. Chris explores his reasons for holding onto various collections in his life, and the benefits and consequences of keeping up with those hobbies. We conclude with another installment of Be Kind, Rewind - and I spare Chris from making comparisons that would have spoiled Game of Thrones for him.

Chris reviews his visit to an outlaw menagerie while Michael discusses a recent curling tournament. Chris details how he became interested in electronic dance music (EDM), and turned that into a hobby of mixing music and DJ'ing. This transitions into a conversation about music festivals such as Electric Daisy Carnival, and the psychological principles that often result in bad behavior at these shows. We discuss the grief associated with losing touch with important hobbies as we age, and how our children fill that void in some way. Chris talks openly about his son being on the autism spectrum and how that shapes his experience as a father. We conclude with another round of Track of the Week.  

Chris and I briefly review items from last week's episode, and detail some of the concerts we are excited to see later this year. We discuss a recent article by @GreenRangerHS titled, Why Do We Play Games Nowadays? The article presents eight reasons for playing games, and we detail our reactions to the reasons presented. Along the way, we detail how our approach to gaming has changed over time. We explore the changing nature of community in gaming, and the rise of eSports. We conclude with another riveting installment of Be Kind, Rewind!

We discuss our differences in how music has changed in importance over time. We each offer a recommendation for a new song that we enjoy in the Track of the Week segment, and then dive into how our consumption of music has changed in the past 20-30 years. From buying cassette tapes in the 80's to streaming music in the present day, we explore how and why music feels different now. A recent research article about engagement in music over the lifespan is reviewed, and then we conclude with a couple of movie recommendations in a new segment - Be Kind, Rewind.

Welcome to the first episode of Childhood Ruined, which is a title that hits too true on the mark of today's topic. We recorded the weekend after Chris Cornell died, and learned that his death was by suicide. We talk about our love of alternative music in the 1990's, which was during our high school years, and how Cornell's suicide complicates the relationship with his music. We talk about the stages of grief, the realities of life with depression, and how it is vital to openly talk with loved ones about suicide. This leads into a conversation about the show, 13 Reasons Why, and closes with an summary of how one of the hosts has easily-manipulated heartstrings!