GenXGrownUp Podcast

“Here’s the story, of a lovely lady….” If you can finish the rest of that song then you want to listen to this week’s Backtrack. That’s because it’s all about TV theme songs! We each pick out some of our favorites from growing up in the ’70s and ’80s and talk about what made them so special to us. Patreon » patreon.com/genxgrownup Facebook » fb.me/GenXGrownUp Twitter » GenXGrownUp.com/twitter Webs...

Listening to music was a different experience when we were kids. DJs were local, you had to wait to hear your favorite song, and trying to record something off the radio took skill, patience and luck! Listen as we talk about the local radio experience and we would love for you to share some of your own! Discord » GenXGrownUp.com/discord Facebook » fb.me/GenXGrownUp Twitter » GenXGrownUp.com/twitte...

We’re Generation X kids who grew up largely unsupervised and left to our own devices. That often resulted in “play” time being a bit rougher and more hazardous than those who grew up in later generations. In this Backtrack, we’re taking a stroll down memory to lane littered with the most dangerous toys we shouldn’t have had. Discord » GenXGrownUp.com/discord Facebook » fb.me/GenXGrownUp Twitter » ...

We watch a post-apocalyptic TV series based on an equally post-apocalyptic game franchise, explore how artificial intelligence is creeping its way into our lives, and play a brand new game that adds a layer of story onto a 1979 Atari arcade classic. Patreon » patreon.com/genxgrownup Discord » GenXGrownUp.com/discord Facebook » fb.me/GenXGrownUp Twitter » GenXGrownUp.com/twitter Website » GenXGrown...

Photo-realism in video games is commonplace now, but for decades, storage and technology limitations meant blocky figures were the best we could get. But as the tech evolved, the use of actual video started to enhance the game experience. In this Backtrack, we look back at the rise and legacy of FMV: full-motion video games! Discord » GenXGrownUp.com/discord Facebook » fb.me/GenXGrownUp Twitter » ...

One of the coolest benefits of being a content creator is having the opportunity to actually speak with some of the key figures who laid the foundation of the video game industry, and my guest for this video is without a doubt one of those individuals. He was there in the very early days of Activision when they were forging new ground as the first third-party game developer for Atari and later oth...

We head back to the theatre for latest kaiju team-up movie from Legendary pictures, check out a capable mini computer with a budget price that just might surprise you, and play a new arcade-style indie game featuring a cow with a pickaxe gathering gems! Patreon » patreon.com/genxgrownup Discord » GenXGrownUp.com/discord Facebook » fb.me/GenXGrownUp Twitter » GenXGrownUp.com/twitter Website » GenXG...

Forty years ago, now, a Russian software engineer wrote a simple puzzle game in his spare time. It featured a variety of geometric shapes falling into a well, and in short order, the world was in love with his creation. In this episode, we dive into one of the most iconic and enduring video games of all time, Tetris. Discord » GenXGrownUp.com/discord Facebook » fb.me/GenXGrownUp Twitter » GenXGrow...

We head to the theatre for a demonic possession horror film unlike any we’ve seen before, check out some innovative inkjet printer tech that does away with those hated ink cartridges, and spin up a few hundred classic computer games with a new pint-sized gaming gadget from our friends at Atari! Patreon » patreon.com/genxgrownup Discord » GenXGrownUp.com/discord Facebook » fb.me/GenXGrownUp Twitter...

They say it’s not the destination, but the journey that matters. Striking out on a trip — be it for business or pleasure — has changed dramatically since our days growing up as Generation X’ers. In this Backtrack, we’re exploring all the ways that the travel experience has evolved from how we first experienced it in the ’70s & ’80s! Discord » GenXGrownUp.com/discord Facebook » fb.me/GenXGrownUp Tw...

We watch the new medieval fantasy film starring Hawkins, Indiana’s favorite daughter, assemble some fun with a cryptic building toy gifted to us by one of our fourth listeners, and spin up the latest release of our favorite video emulation front-end to see what’s new! Patreon » patreon.com/genxgrownup Discord » GenXGrownUp.com/discord Facebook » fb.me/GenXGrownUp Twitter » GenXGrownUp.com/twitter...

Four decades ago, young Alex Rogan got the highest score ever on his favorite game: Starfighter. He’s shocked to find out the game was a training & recruitment tool for actual intergalactic pilots, and his performance has earned him entry into an elite space force! Now, on its fortieth anniversary, we are remembering and celebrating the landmark GenX sci-fi adventure film, The Last Starfighter! Di...

We head to the theatres to see a new comedy/horror film that would feel right at home in the ’80s, check out some tech that delivers crystal-clear free content to your fancy Smart TV, and dive into the latest from the Life is Strange franchise where your superpower is psychic empathy! Patreon » patreon.com/genxgrownup Discord » GenXGrownUp.com/discord Facebook » fb.me/GenXGrownUp Twitter » GenXGro...

Before the days of media streaming & binging, we were often glued to our sets to watch contestants compete for cash and prizes! From quizzes, to puzzles, to trivia and more, game shows both entertain and allow us to play along at home. So, hands on your buzzers: it’s time to look back at some of our favorite GenX-era TV game shows! Discord » GenXGrownUp.com/discord Facebook » fb.me/GenXGrownUp Twi...

We head to the movies to see Jason Statham’s latest film where he’s a one-man vengeance machine, check out some innovative and entertaining tech designed to be used in the shower, and play a brand new game that evolves the classic, Pong, into a methodical action adventure! Patreon » patreon.com/genxgrownup Discord » GenXGrownUp.com/discord Facebook » fb.me/GenXGrownUp Twitter » GenXGrownUp.com/twi...

“Breaker, breaker 1-9, I just eyeballed a bear trap with a bunch of Evel Knievels about 10 miles past the coop. So if you don’t want a bear bite back it down.” Huh? That was just some CB talk in honor of this week’s Backtrack Topic all about Radio Shack! Any GenX’er who was into anything electronic will have a story about visiting a Radio Shack. They were the place to go when you needed a hard to...

Are we there yet? Are we there yet? How many times have we spoken those words to our parents on those long car trips? How in the world did we survive those trips without DVD players, phones and Game Boys? Well, in this episode we look at the things that helped keep our parents from killing us. Stop touching me! Discord » GenXGrownUp.com/discord Facebook » fb.me/GenXGrownUp Twitter » GenXGrownUp.co...

We likely all remember that moment in school when our English teacher passed out that first novel to the class. Whether you reacted with joy or terror, assigned material no doubt had an impact on your attitude and enjoyment of reading. So, in this Backtrack, we’re remembering and discussing the shared GenX experience of required reading in school. Discord » GenXGrownUp.com/discord Facebook » fb.me...

We find out if Seth Macfarlane’s teddy bear films have enough stuffing to fill out a tv series, take a legendary arcade classic on-the-go with a new handheld gadget, and revisit the world of Portal with a new mod that breathes fresh life into Aperture Labs! Patreon » patreon.com/genxgrownup Discord » GenXGrownUp.com/discord Facebook » fb.me/GenXGrownUp Twitter » GenXGrownUp.com/twitter Website » G...

Forty years ago, rock band Van Halen released their sixth studio album. Together, Eddie Van Halen, David Lee Roth, Alex Van Halen & Michael Anthony produced a hard rock album that kicked off what would come to be one of the best years for music ever. In this Backtrack, we remember and play through what is arguably one of Van Halen’s best albums ever, 1984! Discord » GenXGrownUp.com/discord Faceboo...

We watch a new animated series that explores how humanity might react to the end of the world, review an economical display solution to supplement or even replace your computer monitor, and play a surprising new indie game that channels one of our favorite arcade classics! Patreon » patreon.com/genxgrownup Discord » GenXGrownUp.com/discord Facebook » fb.me/GenXGrownUp Twitter » GenXGrownUp.com/twi...

Before the days of streaming & DVDs, live television was the only game in town, and our favorite shows were regularly interrupted by commercial breaks. Back then, they either an annoyance or a chance to go grab a snack, but over the years we’ve grown fond of those vintage ads. In this Backtrack, we look back and some of the most memorable TV commercials & campaigns from our youth! Discord » GenXGr...

We head to the theatre to see the origin story for our favorite movie chocolatier, evaluate a new solution to improve the quality of your 3-D printing projects, and tell you about a ton of free PC games you probably already own, if only you knew where to look. Patreon » patreon.com/genxgrownup Discord » GenXGrownUp.com/discord Facebook » fb.me/GenXGrownUp Twitter » GenXGrownUp.com/twitter Website...

Four decades ago, just when video games seemed to be the next big thing, the bottom dropped out. Compounding problems like market confusion, consumer confidence, and game quality to name just a few, nearly demolished a seemingly unstoppable new industry. They ultimately made a comeback, but the future looked bleak when the Video Game Crash of 1983 swept across North America.  Discord » GenXGrownUp...

We head to the theatre for what moviegoers are calling the best Godzilla movie in decades, test drive a gadget from our Geek Gift Guide that one of us couldn’t wait for Christmas to buy, and play a brand new game that you could easily mistake for a classic arcade platformer! Patreon » patreon.com/genxgrownup Discord » GenXGrownUp.com/discord Facebook » fb.me/GenXGrownUp Twitter » GenXGrownUp.com/t...