GenXGrownUp Podcast

A hot afternoon in the mid ’80s: you walk in, drop your stuff, switch on the TV, and there’s that same Gilligan’s Island episode you’ve already seen a bunch of times — and it still feels comforting. For Gen X, reruns weren’t just background TV; they were part of our daily routine and taught us jokes, culture, and how to share a living room. Now, in a world of endless streaming choices, we’re looki...

We reflect on the premiere of latest entry in the Star Trek franchise, get our brick on with a new LEGO set fashioned after an era-defining gaming console, & return to a highly reviewed post-apocalyptic open-world adventure game set in Sin City. (May contain some explicit language.) Patreon » patreon.com/genxgrownupDiscord » GenXGrownUp.com/discordFacebook » fb.me/GenXGrownUpTwitter » GenXGrownUp....

If you were a kid in the ’70s or ’80s and you ever built a little ramp in your back yard so you could do bicycle stunts, odds are pretty good you were inspired by the king of the daredevil stuntmen. In this Backtrack, we are taking an in-depth look at the life, career, and legacy of self-made death-defying superstar, the one & only, Evel Knievel! Patreon » patreon.com/genxgrownupDiscord » GenXGrow...

In this bonus podcast episode, Mo interviews Michael Weitz, author of the GenX coming of age book “We Be Dragons”. It’s a wonderful book about a young man growing up in rural America who spend his days working on a farm and dealing with small town drama while on weekends leads his friends on adventures as a Dungeon Master! About Michael Weitz Michael Weitz is the author of We Be Dragons and the aw...

A cornerstone of the GenX latchkey kid experience was the world’s best babysitter: the television. In this episode we’re running down some of our favorite 1980s detective tv shows that we enjoyed growing up! Patreon » patreon.com/genxgrownupDiscord » GenXGrownUp.com/discordFacebook » fb.me/GenXGrownUpTwitter » GenXGrownUp.com/twitterWebsite » GenXGrownUp.comPodcast » GenXGrownUp.com/podMerchandise...

Patreon » https://patreon.com/genxgrownupDiscord » http://GenXGrownUp.com/discordFacebook » http://fb.me/GenXGrownUpTwitter » http://GenXGrownUp.com/twitterWebsite » http://GenXGrownUp.comPodcast » http://GenXGrownUp.com/podMerchandise » http://GenXGrownUp.com/merchTheme: "Grown Up" by Beefy » http://beefyness.com Apple » https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/genxgrownup-podcast/id1268365641CastBox...

We reflect on the first season of a new TV series that explores Stephen King’s clown-centric horror universe, check out a decorative piece of technology for Christmas that will invoke some arcade memories, and play the early preview of a Zen-like game where the goal is to restore vintage electronics. (May contain some explicit language.) Patreon » patreon.com/genxgrownupDiscord » GenXGrownUp.com/d...

Remember when crafting a Christmas wish list felt like one of the biggest decisions of the entire year? This episode, we’re taking a trip back to those times when the Sears catalog, a handful of crayons, or a carefully written letter to the North Pole were all it took to dream big. Join us as we reminisce about the toys we circled, the treasures we hoped for, and the ways we let Santa know exactly...

We watch a new film about a prison escapee hiding out in a toy store, one of us finds new & interesting ways to feed his unhealthy obsession with pinball, and play an award-winning social board game where the odd man out has to fake knowledge of a secret word. (May contain some explicit language.) Patreon » patreon.com/genxgrownupDiscord » GenXGrownUp.com/discordFacebook » fb.me/GenXGrownUpTwitter...

In October 2025, George and Jon attended the Portland Retrogaming Expo in Portland, OR. During that convention, they chaired a panel discussing the background and challenges of creating and running GenXGrownUp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Picking just the right holiday gift for the GenX nerd in your life can be challenging, but we’re here to help. Each year around this time we release our Geek Gift Guide. Once more this year, we’re going to run down some great gift ideas for the 2025 holidays, regardless of your budget! (May contain some explicit language.) Patreon » patreon.com/genxgrownupDiscord » GenXGrownUp.com/discordFacebook...

We head to the theatre to see a remake of an ’80s classic based on a novel by Stephen King, add to our collection of limited-edition theatrical popcorn merchandise, and play a game with a fresh twist on minesweeper that might give you BBS flashbacks! (May contain some explicit language.) Patreon » patreon.com/genxgrownupDiscord » GenXGrownUp.com/discordFacebook » fb.me/GenXGrownUpTwitter » GenXGro...

Today we grab our cell phones and call pretty much anybody, anywhere, without a second thought. But it used to be that placing a call to anyone more than a few miles away could result in a hefty phone bill at the end of the month! In this Backtrack, we look back on something that has thankfully changed for the better: long distance phone calls! Patreon » patreon.com/genxgrownupDiscord » GenXGrownU...

As a kid, what could’ve been better than a new toy and a tasty snack? How about a new toy FOR FREE WITH your tasty snack? In this episode, we remember all those cool toy surprises that were packed into the food we pestered our parents to buy. Hear more of our guest, Will, on his show…The 80its Podcast » www.the80itspod.com/ Patreon » patreon.com/genxgrownupDiscord » GenXGrownUp.com/discordFacebook...

We’re celebrating the 40th anniversary of *Amazing Stories*, the 1985 anthology series created by Steven Spielberg. With its mix of science fiction, fantasy, and heartfelt storytelling, the show brought cinematic wonder to television in a way audiences had never seen before. We’ll look back at its legacy, revisit some of its most memorable episodes, and explore the creativity and optimism that mad...

We watch a new comedy thriller series about an unlikely workplace conspiracy, evaluate a mobile phone accessory to make your next flight a bit more tolerable, and play a vintage Atari game inspired by Mary Shelley’s horror icon. (May contain some explicit language.) Patreon » patreon.com/genxgrownupDiscord » GenXGrownUp.com/discordFacebook » fb.me/GenXGrownUpTwitter » GenXGrownUp.com/twitterWebsit...

We go back forty years to 1985, a landmark year in music history! We remember unforgettable hits that defined the decade and chart-toppers that still resonate today. In this Backtrack, we dive into the top songs from the 1985 Billboard Hot 100. (May contain some explicit language.) Patreon » patreon.com/genxgrownupDiscord » GenXGrownUp.com/discordFacebook » fb.me/GenXGrownUpTwitter » GenXGrownUp.c...

We head to the theatre for a new horror movie seen entirely through the eyes of man’s best friend, test some tech that helps make you look busy to keep the boss off your back, and play a new video game that puts a delightfully-maddening twist on pinball! (May contain some explicit language.) Patreon » patreon.com/genxgrownupDiscord » GenXGrownUp.com/discordFacebook » fb.me/GenXGrownUpTwitter » Gen...

We celebrate a true milestone in gaming history—the 40th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. The ’85 classic didn’t just put Nintendo on the map, it redefined what video games could be, inspiring generations of players. We’ll discuss its legacy, explore how it became a cultural icon, and look at why Mario’s first big adventure still holds up all these years later. (May contain some explicit language....

We check out the new animated superhero series with an undead twist, test drive a free PC app that can give your entire workspace a retro makeover, and play the enhanced, modern edition of a 1997 point-and-click sci-fi adventure! (May contain some explicit language.) Patreon » patreon.com/genxgrownupDiscord » GenXGrownUp.com/discordFacebook » fb.me/GenXGrownUpTwitter » GenXGrownUp.com/twitterWebsi...

We’re celebrating 50 years of Saturday Night Live from a GenX point of view. From groundbreaking sketches to unforgettable cast members and musical performances, we look back at how SNL became a cultural touchstone. Whether you’ve been watching since the very first season or just discovered it, this milestone is one worth laughing along with. (May contain some explicit language.) Patreon » patreon...

We tune in for the brand new spinoff TV series set in the world of The Office, unfold some cutting edge mobile phone tech from manufacturer, Samsung, and play a game where a zombie outbreak is sweeping through Los Angeles. (May contain some explicit language.) Patreon » patreon.com/genxgrownupDiscord » GenXGrownUp.com/discordFacebook » fb.me/GenXGrownUpTwitter » GenXGrownUp.com/twitterWebsite » Ge...

Dan Kitchen’s decades-long career in video game development has brought countless joy to millions, and his latest masterpiece, Casey’s Gold from Audacity Games, continues that legacy. In this exclusive interview, Dan recounts his early days in the business, his time with Activison, the storied career since then, and of course, his current work with David Crane and his brother Garry at Audacity Gam...

We dive into one of the most intriguing and mysterious television series of the late 1970s and early ’80, In Search Of… With its eerie narration and fascination with the unexplained, it explored everything from ancient mysteries to paranormal phenomena. We talk about how it came to be, why it captured so many imaginations, and what makes it so fascinating to revisit still today! (May contain some...

We watch a new dramatic series where an American attorney visits Ireland to unravel a family mystery, check out some tech to help alleviate some of those all-too-familiar GenX aches & pains, and play the new remastered version of a legendary Xbox original now available on all major platforms! (May contain some explicit language.) Patreon » patreon.com/genxgrownupDiscord » GenXGrownUp.com/discordFa...