Gen X Men

Dan and Anthony (sans Derek, who couldn't be there this time around) check back in after a six-month hiatus (life has been very...interesting lately) to talk thankfulness and the possible fate of humanity. They start off with a memorial for Stan Lee, discussing their favorite Marvel characters and Stan's legacy as a modern myth maker. Then the guys stray a little too far into contemplating death before steering the conversation to more positive territory...literally. They talk about some concepts pertaining to positive psychology and the book A New Reality by the great Jonas Salk, who was most famous for his polio vaccine. Is the current strife in the world just the growing pains before a new epoch of human cooperation, one that will usher in a new set of beliefs for our species?  We hope you enjoy this episode! Happy Thanksgiving to all!

In honor of 4/20, we have an episode about marijuana and other drugs! We start off with a short discussion about the potential pitfalls of being too PC and the place of humor in society, then launch into our main topic. Our friend Jim joins the smoky shenanigans as a guest host, which is appropriate since he's had a self-described love affair with weed for about 30 years (so he's our resident expert).  We trace the history of marijuana from the days of our youth through today, as the long dream of legalized weed has started to come true. Then we delve into the harder stuff, especially heroin, which has taken the lives of so many grunge-era musicians. Dan shares his own experiences with heroin use and the road to recovery. We also talk about the seeming futility of the war on drugs, the possible roots of drug use (as self medication to deal with depression and disenfranchisement), alcohol, and the merits of moderation when it comes to all things in life. As usual, we use adult language. Take a hit of something if you need to calm your nerves.

The Gen X Men make a triumphant return with a super-sized episode! Dan, Derek, and Anthony were joined by their old friends Jay and Jim to reminisce about their youth, and ruminate in general about what it was like growing up Generation X. The guys are in fine, animated form as they talk about their experiences coming of age in the “good old days” of the late 80’s and early/mid 90’s. They also delve into their usual questioning of the merits and flaws of Boomers, Gen X, and Millennials. Topics include wondering if Gen X was disproportionately impacted by divorce, getting old and worrying about health (especially since Kevin Smith, one of our icons, had a heart attack), and what kind of parents we have become ourselves. This was a fun episode, with laughter, bluster, musing, nonsense, epiphanies, rambling, and beer. The usual disclaimer still applies, even more so for this one: we use profanity. Don’t listen if you’re easily triggered by bad words.

The Gen X Men are back and they're all fired up! In this episode, the guys are fed up with 2017 and the status quo, conspiracy theorists, and especially scapegoaters in their creepy little echo chambers. The show might not have high professional polish, but Derek, Anthony, and Dan make up for that with pure passion for change!  Generation X stands at a critical point in history: do we continue to sit back and just take care of ourselves, or do we become true philanthropists and give of our time, energy, and money in order to become leaders of positive change? Can we overcome our aloofness, cynicism, and bitterness of the Latch Key Kid Generation and lead the world into a better, more just future? Watch out, 2018. The open-minded among Generation X are coming for you. Note: We drank a few holiday libations during the recording of this episode. Apologies (sorrynotsorry) for all the raving, ranting, eardrum-busting shouting (watch for volume spikes!), and as usual the profanity!   

Is truth dead? Have the 24-hours news cycle and the Internet warped our perceptions so much we can no longer trust, or agree upon, objective facts? There's a war on for reality, with the winner controlling what we are fed through the media, social and otherwise! The Gen X Men tackle the question of fake news and how everyone We discuss the phenomena of echo chambers, confirmation bias, and gang/mob mentality.  And, as usual, we ask what Generation X can do about the situation! Is our generation a part of the problem, or is our famous/infamous skepticism just the right tool to sniff out the fakeness? Will we take the initiative to cross the divides of ideology and try to reinvigorate civil discourse?

Does Hollywood have an unholy obsession with remaking old movies these days?  Are movie studios strip-mining the films Generation X watched in our youth in order to make a quick buck? Are remakes a sign that film companies are unwilling to take risks on new material, a lack of creativity, or both? Is pure nostalgia the sole reason we think some films should not be remade, or should some movies be considered universally sacred and untouchable? The Gen X Men talk about reboots (soft and otherwise), sequels, and prequels. They debate the potential upsides and downsides of remakes: are they more often inferior to their source material? How often are remakes better than the original? Listen and get in on the debate about Hollywood's movie remake madness!

For our lucky 13th episode, we had our first guest host: Scott! One of our loyal fans, Scott challenged us and insisted that we avoid slavishly following the broad stereotypes of Generation X, because depending on when you were born, you might have different likes and dislikes, influences, personality traits, and beliefs.  That brought us to the topic of microgenerations, smaller segments within larger generations with aspects of the generations that come before or after. So, we insisted that Scott get on the mic and declare his thoughts face-to-face. Coincidentally, there was a HuffPost article that came out before this recording that proposed the existence of Xennials, who combine Gen X and Millennial traits. For our part, we've dubbed people like Scott, who were born closer to the Boomer years, "Xoomers" (trademark pending). In the end, generational labels don't really matter, and can't encompass a complex, individual human being. However, the time in which we are born does give us a context for our development, and leaves a distinct mark on us. This episode also marks the first time we were drinking heavily before and during production. All rambling, mispronunciations, interrupting, and ranting can be blamed on the alcohol...this time. Note: because we're all adults here (and we're drinking), there are curse words aplenty in this episode.

Dan, Derek, and Anthony delve into the relationship of Generation X with wealth, monetary and otherwise. Gen X is in what could be considered a difficult position when it comes to traditional financial thinking: we were sucker punched by the Great Recession during our prime earning/saving years, we have more debt than other generations, and we're even filing for bankruptcy more. What portion of these seemingly dire financial issues is beyond our control, and how much of it is self-inflicted? The guys also discuss how weath and abundance is more than just dollar signs. What are the other measures of success and security beyond what's in our bank accounts? Finally, can Generation X dig deep and get creative in order to secure more financial and spiritual wealth? It's up to all of us to find out! Follow us on Facebook, Podbean, and iTunes! Please leave a review, let us know how we're doing!

The passing of Chris Cornell has hit the Gen X Men crew pretty hard, as evidenced by the fact this entire episode covers the topic of death. Chris was an artist that defined the music of our generation. He had a voice that was distinctive and had a wide range, not only in terms of octaves but also moods, from soulful tones to scorching screams.  The guys ponder how grunge musicians, as older members of Generation X, often produced work tinged with pessimistic sounds and lyrics. By that logic, is it any wonder many of them struggle with depression and drug abuse? And how did those songs potentially color the outlook of younger Gen Xers regarding the world and life? We also explore how our generation is, hopefully, the last to suffer under the yolk of self-repression and self-isolation. Are the Millennials doing better than us psychologically, shrugging off the toxic rugged individualism that just might be the impetus behind many suicides? We also discuss the death of Bond actor Roger Moore, the suicide bombing of the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, and the latest idiocy of the Trump administration. Related Links:  It’s Not Just Chris Cornell: Suicide Rates Highest Among Middle-Aged Men Suicide Prevention Lifeline All My Favorite Grunge Musicians Are Dead The Deadliest Musical Genre

Anthony, Derek, and Dan lay claim to an entire subgenre of science fiction: cyberpunk! Cyberpunk and Gen X seem to share the same timeline, since our generation came of age just as the genre was hitting its peak in the 80's and 90's. In this episode, the guys talk about both the pop culture and real-world manifestations of cyberpunk. They also break down the two halves of the word: technology as the "cyber" and rebellion and dystopia for the "punk." Our generation saw technologies like cybernetics in cyberpunk books and movies, and now live in a time when artificial limbs can be connected to the human nervous system. And of course, cyberpunk showed us the rise of the Information Age before the Internet was born. The punk side of the coin speaks to depictions of chaotic and oppressive futures, where social structures break down and capitalism-gone-rampant has created powerful corporations that are almost nations unto themselves. In many ways, the current state of our world echos those themes. Go here for a good primer on cyberpunk. And true to the dystopian present, there's explicit language. Deal with it.

Generation X is approaching (or has reached) a "certain age." Is an inevitable mid-life crisis also approaching? The guys take on the concept of the mid-life crisis, considering its very veracity/existence and how it may or may not have affected the Boomers, and now Gen X. They question whether a skateboard is the Gen X equivalent of buying a sports car when you hit your middle years. What lures people into the latter-year trap of "negative nostalgia" for the glory days of youth? Can we overcome the desire to pine for "the good old days" and not obsess over the past? If so, what are the ways we can avoid regret? Perhaps it's enough to use nostalgia as a light flavoring for the present, and work to maintain your hope for the future.  Ultimately, can Gen X transform the mid-life crisis into a "fourth decade re-evaluation"? And yes, there's some adult language involved in this episode. Because we're all adults here...aging adults.

Join our intrepid hosts as they journey into the outer reaches...of absurdity! The Gen X Gentlemen explore the topics of space and the future.  They pay homage to the celebrities who have passed on into the real final frontier so far in 2017. Then, after some requisite rambling they launch into hyperspace! Dan, Derek, and Anthony discuss the progress of technology, the achievements of humanity, and the potential barriers and risks that may face us in the coming years. They also, of course, spend some time on space-based pop culture (Star Wars, Star Trek, Robotech, sci fi literature, etc). Ultimately, they ask the question: should we focus our technology on leaving the Earth, or fixing it? Will we allow our limitations to keep us from coming together in a bright Star Trek-like future? Can we even agree long enough to accomplish either of those goals?  And, as usual, what role does Gen X have to play in the grand scheme of things? Note: the guys succumb to the Dark Side again during this episode. Hear some bad language, you will!

The gurus of Gen X dive into relationships...romantic, platonic, and—of course—moronic! Derek, Anthony, and Dan wade into the weeds, asking questions about love and marriage as they pertain to the "slacker" generation. Is Gen X ironically more serious about tying the knot? Do we take everything too seriously? Apparently, we have fun wedding receptions, so suck it! There's the usual degeneration into talking about privates, but this time they have an excuse! The guys also get into questions of feminism, as well as the triumvirate of toxic masculinity, machismo, and misogyny. Then, there's friendship. Is Gen X more open to deeper platonic connections, especially between men, than the Boomers? Or are we just as prone to remaining aloof, repressing our feelings, and telling each other to "man up" and "deal with your problems" the old fashioned way: by burying them alive? This episode contains the usual occasional spraying of bad language. Be sure to wear a full-body condom while listening!

Anthony, Dan, and Derek take a long, hard look at the topic of babymaking!  Actually, they initially discuss how Gen Xers were raised. What did the parents of the Latch Key Generation do to us when we were growing up? The guys share some of their childhood experiences, especially the more difficult parts of what happened to them as kids. What parental forces shaped our generation, for better or worse? Then, they flip to the other side of the coin: what kind of parents are Gen Xers? How do we stack up against the Baby Boomers and how they raised us? Are we the helicoptering wimps the Boomers think we are, giving every kid a trophy? Are we better parents then the people who brought us up? And what about Gen Xers who don't want to have kids? Have some of us evolved beyond the urge to procreate? The episode contains the occasional bad word, so while you listen please...think of the children!

Anthony, Dan, and Derek take a look back over the year-that-was. In their recap of 2016, they discuss the many celebrity deaths that occurred (note: this was recorded before the passing of George Michael and Carrie Fisher; so just know they weren’t omitted on purpose, and may they rest in peace). Ultimately, the Gen X Men ask (and attempt to answer) the question on everybody’s mind: was 2016 the worst year ever? Perhaps more importantly, what can Generation X do about the state of our country and the world now, and in the future? Then the guys get into the nuance of political correctness versus just being nice to other human beings (and the connected 2016 issues pertaining to gender and where people poop). Derek waxes poetic about genitalia, Anthony (who is cisnerd) uses an Iron Man analogy to describe the state of the terrorized world, and as usual Dan cuts through his cohosts’ rantings with his typical humor. The trio also stray into societal issues once again, contemplating the overpowering fear infecting Western Civilization and the 2016 fallout of that fact (the election of Trump and the global resurgence of populism).  And stay tuned ‘til the end of the show to hear predictions for 2017 (you can judge their profundity, or lack thereof). Happy New Year to all!

Go on a Gen X pop culture nostalgia trip in the Way Back Machine with Derek, Dan, and Anthony! The dynamic trio has another calm, rational discussion, this time about the wonders and highlights of the TV, movies, games, and other things that helped define the youth of our generation. They start off with a potentially controversial theory: Gen X suffered to make geek culture mainstream. You're welcome, kids of today, because we made nerdiness cool so you wouldn't have to get beaten up for it! Then, the guys launch into an insightful retrospective that encompasses grunge, the shaming of males who watched Friends, the disturbing conspiracy behind the Smurfs, and much more! By the way, we still haven't overcome our dependencey on uncouth vocabulary. So don't let Santa know you're listening.

How's your faith these days, folks? The Gen X Men dive into totally non-controversial topics like religion in this episode. Join us as we explore the depths of atheism, spirituality, organized religion, morality (or the lack thereof) and what it all means for our generation. Then we dive into a bit of Satanism (and Santaism, with Christmas looming) as well as music, what bothers us about Western culture (including the bullshit of rugged individualism and 'Murican fear-mongering), and other issues facing us here in the United States of "Trumpistan." Here's the Al Jazeera article about Donald Trump's America we talk about in the episode. And if you're curious about the horrible, demonically possessed "lost" recording we reference during the show, download it here. As usual, there's some potty mouth language, so we're getting coal in our stockings this year.

In the wake of one of the most contentious elections in recent memory, what's the role of Generation X when it comes to our current political and cultural climate? Are we contributing to the growing division between political and social factions (either through action or inaction), or can we be the bridge that crosses the divide?   Derek, Dan, and Anthony tackle the big questions in the aftermath of the Trump presidential victory. Is there a path forward to a reunified nation, or will the country continue to fracture? And what can Gen X do about it?   Here's the Forbes article Anthony references during the show, which doesn't mention Generation X at all when referencing voters in the 2016 election (once again, we're treated as a "lost" generation).   Note: the episode contains some adult language, so please, think of the children!

The first episode of Gen X Men introduces our overarching question: what is the legacy of Generation X, or will we even have one at all? Defined by traits like disrespect for authority, stubbornness, and skepticism, are we the slackers many believe us to be? Is there more to us than grunge and flannel? Hosts Derek, Anthony, and Dan launch a long-overdue conversation about the place of Generation X in history. It's time Gen X learned to use its voice and find its place between the Boomers and the Millennials. Is Gen X destined to be a lost generation, or will we find our purpose at last? Make sure you listen and get into the conversation! We welcome your thoughts, feedback, opinions, death threats, etc. Note: the episode contains some adult language, so don't listen around your mom.