Tag Archives: genx

Anticipation



Binge watching, on-demand accessibility, and Amazon Prime have taken all of the fun out of waiting. Do you remember what it was like to plan your week via TV Guide? We do.


Social Drinking (and not drinking)



When did the peer pressure to drink change into peer pressure to NOT drink?


You Can’t Handle The Truth



This week is an interesting discussion of the generational divide of what constitutes “history” and how to spur interest of past events with the younger generations. Also Gregg gets to brag about his kid, so there’s that.


What’s in a Name?



This week we’re talking names! Tell Stephanie we said hi.

Gregg really wanted to call this episode “Fistfuls of Meat” but it was vetoed by the IOHWIT’s board of directors.


Brain Rot



This week we touch on seasonal affective disorder and then dive into brain rot. Why do we spend so much time on it when we know there are much better things for our mental and physical health? Plus, Shrimp Jesus.


Can I Buy You Some Broccoli?



On this week’s episode – which was recorded waaaaay back in November – Gregg falls off the diet wagon. Why is it so hard to get some habits to stick?


Let’s Go To The Mall



Remember Orange Julius? Radio Shack? That feeling of freedom to shop, see a movie, eat, and otherwise hang out with your friends only to encounter the ultimate embarrassment of running into…..your parents??? A trip down 80s memory lane.


It’s Not Fair!



Gregg stumbles across the concept of the Just World Theory which leads to a deeper discussion of empathy. Also, apologies for road rage.


Idiot Zoo for Me and You



Welcome to your new favorite vacation destination – and it’s educational too! If only the idiots in the real world were as safely hidden behind bars as those in our Idiot Zoo. Put on your headphones, the walking tour is free! Diet Coke in a souvenir cup is available for $8.95.


Relating to Z



Is there a place for the display of emotions in the workplace? We talk about the difference between the generations and how we all handle (and don’t handle) ourselves in public.


Step On A Crack….



This week for Halloween we look back at the superstitions of our youth. Some of them have a basis in logic and reason, and then there others that make no sense, but all of them bring back memories and stories.


Moons Over Madison



Season 4 begins! When selective memory crosses with yelling at clouds you end up questioning the moons over Madison.


Crisis of Infinite Mid-Life Crises



What is a Mid Life Crisis, really? Is it actually a “crisis” or just another inflection point on our respective journeys?


Risky Business



We remember being more risky as kids than they are today. Where is the line between early responsibility and neglect? Helicopter parenting and failing safely? Also discussed, the proper amount of salt on a pretzel.


Call Me Daddy



It’s one thing to feel old, but what about the realization that you’re viewed as old by others? James shares a recent experience that changed his self-perception.


Giving Back (whether they want it or not)



What is altruism? Is it truly for others, or really just for ourselves? Can’t it be both?


My TV Says I’m Crazy



In media there’s always a clamoring for better representation. What happens when that representation, specifically around mental health, is destructive?


What’s That Smell?



Dodge balls. Freshly cut grass. Chlorine bleach. Those plastic tubes with psychedelic goo you blow into balloons. These are our GenX aroma triggers that pull us back in time. What are yours?


Nutrition Over 50



Join us on the path to a healthier Gregg as we discuss eating habits and our very different relationships with food.


My Eyes Are Up Here



This week we talk about being seen. How important is it to receive recognition and validation? Do we even really want to be seen?


Glorious Multitudes



What’s the big deal with pronouns? Why are some people so offended by the fact that others are so insistent on them being used in just the right way?


Strategic Downsizing



Done mowing the lawn and fixing the roof? Your only other option is communal living. What do you want out of your next phase?


Released on our Own Recognizances



The boys are back! Are we better than ever? That’s debatable given the number of doctors and insurance claims we’ve both seen since the last episode.


I Hate it When A Plan Doesn’t Come Together



Are you a planner? What if you’re an obsessive planner surrounded by people who don’t take the plan seriously? Ask Gregg, he’ll tell you all about it.


Collective Negativity



We are at a fascinating cultural point of collective negativity. We no longer look for shared interests, instead we look for shared outrage as a bonding mechanism. What does any of this have to do with zoos and salves?


Communal Living



Retirement means finally being able to relax and do whatever you want, right? Sure, as long as your neighbors are okay with it.


Attempts at Self Improvement



Some things just aren’t you, while others come naturally. Then there are those that you strive to improve upon. This week we talk about why we make those choices. Plus, coffee pots.


Staying Relevant



Are you relevant? At what point are new technologies just “magic” and you know what you know?


I Hurt Myself Reading



Everything is broken. Parts of us make sounds that we don’t understand. What the #$*& happened?


Holidays



Lights on the house and caroling! New Year’s Eve in Times Square! Bar hopping for St Paddy’s Day! Or, like us, you can just sit on the couch.


Juvenile Delinquency



Kids these days. Are they really any worse than we were, or has parenting changed?


Afterlife



What’s next? There are so many theories out there, both religious and scientific, but in the end it all comes down to what you are comfortable believing in. Deep stuff this week with a healthy dose of the usual James & Gregg tomfoolery.


Millennial Accountability



Millennials are complaining that they aren’t getting the support they need. Is this about money, family, or something else?


Are you SAD?



Welcome Wintertime! We talk about Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as the holiday blues, winter funk and general blahs. It’s a real thing and starts with the science of light.


Habits



What are habits? We fundamentally disagree on how to define them, and it’s clear that one size doesn’t fit all.


Getting Old is Awesome



Would you want to be young(er) again? Is getting old so bad and was being young so good? Is age, in fact, just a number?


It Didn’t Age Well



A stroll down memory lane and all the things you just don’t see anymore, many for good reason. Cigarette machines, metal playground equipment, toll booth operators, and All In The Family.


Child Labor



Welcome to Season 2! We have a fresh intro, new topics and the same old crabby hosts.


The Social Price of Failure



This week we discuss the younger generations, failure and freedom on our Season 1 Finale. Wait, what? No one said there would be seasons….


Try Harder



Rant! We revisit the “boats and horses” conversation from a few weeks ago and then get into it, yelling at clouds and trying to understand why people can’t just try harder.


Bitten by the Travel Bug



What is “vacation”, really? This week we talk about our very different perspectives on travel, relaxation and new experiences.


Who Needs Sleep?



Whether it’s falling asleep, staying asleep, or staying awake, we all seem to have our share of sleeping issues as we grow older. What can you do at 3am to fix the problem? Listening to us likely isn’t the answer.


You spend money on that?



Part rant, part legitimate question. There are lots of ways to spend your time and money. Why are you burning it? We’re talking about horses, boats, fancy cars, camping, gaming, Disney, and golf.


OCD, OCPD or just Anal Retentive?



Will aliens invade if you don’t check to make sure the garage door is closed? This week we get into why having things out of place can drive you crazy (if you’re not already there). Also, number-form synesthesia.


Leaving the Nest #1



Gregg’s oldest is heading to college this week. We explore his mindset on the first to leave the nest.


Who Does Your Family Think You Are?



We recently had a full-on family reunion and noticed the ways everyone shifts their behavior when we see each other after a long absence. Do you put on a mask when your family is present?


The Pet Conundrum



This week we discuss the cost of pets, whether emotional, physical, or cash.


Mini-Me



Gregg has kids; James does not. This week we get into how we each got here, what else we could have done with that time & money, and what’s next.


Stuff and more Stuff



Following up on the “When It’s Time to Move Your Parents” episode, we talk about stuff: the perceived value of stuff, the actual monetary value of stuff, and the time and cost of removing the stuff.

Note the proper use of “it’s” and the Oxford comma above. We take this stuff seriously, folks.


Entitlement



Gregg is annoyed. He’s just trying to enjoy life in his little bubble and other people insist on encroaching on his space.


My Secret Life with ADHD



ADHD can be a curse but also a superpower. James shares his experience with a late-life diagnosis, finally understanding what is happening in his head and how he’s learned to use his powers for good.


Happiness Is…



Well? What is it? If you could just be 5% happier everything would be perfect. So how is happiness defined?


Mortality, or Make Sure Your Tool Drawers are Labeled



The number one unavoidable fact of life is death. For those left behind it prompts anger, fear, regret and so much more. How do we react to the evidence of our own mortality all around us?