Nate Starkey, Ashley Ward, Matt Vogel

SOLVE FOR GEN X

Arts EN ↓ 31 episodes

As Generation X approaches the “Hey you kids get off my lawn!” age, it’s the perfect time to take stock of what exactly it is that defines us. Join Nate Starkey, Ashley Ward, and Matt Vogel — three Gen Xers bringing their personal perspectives to a wide range of pop culture, historic, and coming-of-age memories as part of the “forgotten generation”.  If you, like us, are beginning to wonder if the crazy shit we grew up with actually happened, or was just some hair metal, Pac-Man, Speak & Spell-fueled fever dream…then SOLVE FOR GEN X is worth a listen.  But whatever.

Be sure to visit the podcast's website and support the creator: solveforgenx.buzzsprout.com

Author

Nate Starkey, Ashley Ward, Matt Vogel

Category

Arts

Podcast website

solveforgenx.buzzsprout.com

Latest episode

May 6, 2025

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Episodes

EP#20: Toy History (w/Generation Z Flynn Vogel) 06.05.2025

On the Season One Finale of Solve for Gen X, join Nate Starkey (Gen X 1971), Ashley Ward (Gen X 1972), and Matt Vogel (Gen X 1970) as they talk about their favorite toys growing up. From Lincoln Logs to action figures -- toys were an important part of growing up as Generation X, but what toys spark the imaginations of Generation Z? Joining our panel is Matt's son, Flynn Vogel (Gen Z 2012) to...

EP#19: SOLVE FOR GEN X REACTS "Sixteen Candles" (w/Generation Z Carter Kelly) 01.04.2025

On this episode of Solve for Gen X, join Nate Starkey (Gen X 1971), Ashley Ward (Gen X 1972), and Matt Vogel (Gen X 1970) as they react to watching the 1984 John Hughes film, Sixteen Candles, forty years after its release. Joining in the conversation is Generation Z Carter Kelly (Ashley & Nate's nephew).  Special Guest: Carter Kelly (Generation Z 2009) SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: https://so...

EP#18: Come and Get It! (w/Millennial Harper-Rose Drummond) 25.03.2025

On this episode of Solve for Gen X, join Nate Starkey (Gen X 1971), Ashley Ward (Gen X 1972), and Matt Vogel (Gen X 1970) as they dig in to what's for dinner growing up as Gen X! From canned vegetables to tuna noodle casserole, we've got a full menu of fun in this episode. And we're having someone over for dinner, too! We're joined by Millennial Harper-Rose Drummond who'll...

EP#17: I Was Probably Not a Fashion Icon, Part Two (w/Generation Z Bradley Freeman, Jr.) 18.03.2025

On this episode of Solve for Gen X, join Nate Starkey (Gen X 1971), Ashley Ward (Gen X 1972), and Matt Vogel (Gen X 1970) as they continue discussing the fashion choices they made and/or wished for when they were growing up as Gen X. Joined in Part Two by Gen Z Bradley Freeman, Jr. (Sesame Street, The Pigeon Explains). Special Guest: Generation Z Bradley Freeman, Jr. (1998) SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAS...

EP#16: I Was Probably Not a Fashion Icon, Part One 11.03.2025

On this episode of Solve for Gen X, join Nate Starkey (Gen X 1971), Ashley Ward (Gen X 1972), and Matt Vogel (Gen X 1970) as they talk about fashions that they wore or wanted when they were growing up!  SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: https://solveforgenx.buzzsprout.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@MattVogel_tv https://www.youtube.com/user/natestarkey1

REWIND: Pop Culture Crush (w/Millennial Franny Starkey) 04.02.2025

On this episode of Solve for Gen X, join Nate Starkey (Gen X 1971), Ashley Ward (Gen X 1972), and Matt Vogel (Gen X 1970) as they reveal their “Pop Culture CRUSH!” Special Guest: Franny Starkey (Millennial 1980) SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: https://solveforgenx.buzzsprout.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@MattVogel_tv https://www.youtube.com/user/natestarkey1

REWIND: American Top 40 with Casey Kasem (w/Generation Z Keaton Vogel) 28.01.2025

On this episode of Solve for Gen X, join Nate Starkey (Gen X 1971), Ashley Ward (Gen X 1972), and Matt Vogel (Gen X 1970) as they countdown to “American Top 40 with Casey Kasem". One of the most recognizable radio voices of all time, Casey Kasem hosted American Top 40 for decades, and we recount our times listening to Casey’s weekly countdowns and long-distance dedications while we “keep our...

REWIND: Pop Culture Bonanza (w/Baby Boomer Bill Ward) 21.01.2025

On this episode of Solve for Gen X, join Nate Starkey (Gen X 1971), Ashley Ward (Gen X 1972), and Matt Vogel (Gen X 1970) as they talk about “Pop Culture Bonanza”…and all that that implies. Generation X came of age at the tail end of the Cold War and it was reflected in nearly everything we did and saw from our movies to our music, our television to our classrooms. Gen Xers also saw the birth of M...

REWIND: Low-Tech Fun, Part Two (w/Generation Z Jack and Hunter Vogel) 14.01.2025

On this episode of Solve for Gen X, join Nate Starkey (Gen X 1971), Ashley Ward (Gen X 1972), and Matt Vogel (Gen X 1970) as they continue to talk about “Low-Tech Fun”. Back when we were kids we did fun things like play with Barbie, ride bikes, write plays, and read books — without a tablet or game console in sight (mostly). What will other generations remember about their low-tech fun? We’ll ask...

REWIND: Low-Tech Fun, Part One 07.01.2025

On this episode of Solve for Gen X, join Nate Starkey (Gen X 1971), Ashley Ward (Gen X 1972), and Matt Vogel (Gen X 1970) as they recount “Low-Tech Fun”. Ah, kids today! They sure do seem to spend a lot of time on their gaming devices. Generation X didn’t have high-tech gaming like they do today. What did we have? We had…Low-Tech Fun and we loved it. SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: https://solveforgenx....

REWIND: The Sanctity of Breakfast Cereal (w/Millennial Jess McKenna and Generation X Kelly Vogel) 31.12.2024

On this episode of Solve for Gen X, join Nate Starkey (Gen X 1971), Ashley Ward (Gen X 1972), and Matt Vogel (Gen X 1970) as they recall “The Sanctity of Breakfast Cereal”. Gen Xers grew up during the sweet spot of breakfast cereal culture and we have some strong opinions about it — and we’re not gonna sugarcoat it!  Special Guests: Jess McKenna (Millenial 1987) and Kelly Vogel (Gen X 1971) EPISOD...

REWIND: The Movie That I Could Quote On My Death Bed (w/Millennial Mary Jacobson) 17.12.2024

On this episode of Solve for Gen X, join Nate Starkey (Gen X 1971), Ashley Ward (Gen X 1972), and Matt Vogel (Gen X 1970) as they discuss “The Movie That I Could Quote on My Deathbed”. From H.I. and “Ed” McDunnough in “Raising Arizona” to Irwin M. Fletcher in “Fletch to Luke Skywalker in “Star Wars” characters in great movies often provide great quotes that we carry with us forever…even at the end...

REWIND: The Song That Ate My Teenage Heart (w/Millennial Zach Reino) 10.12.2024

On this episode of Solve for Gen X, join Nate Starkey (Gen X 1971), Ashley Ward (Gen X 1972), and Matt Vogel (Gen X 1970) as they remember “The Song That Ate My Teenage Heart”. If you were a teenager in the 1980s, music could often express emotions that you couldn’t articulate yet. Whether it was feelings of heartbreak, love, anger, betrayal, joy, sex…music touched us all.  Special Guest: Zach Rei...

EP#15: That _____ I Really Loved But Kept Secret...Until Now, Part Two (w/Millennial Scott Eckert) 26.11.2024

On this episode of Solve for Gen X, join Nate Starkey (Gen X 1971), Ashley Ward (Gen X 1972), and Matt Vogel (Gen X 1970) as they continue admitting “The _______ I Really Loved But Kept Secret From Everyone Until Now”. We can tell you that Millennial Scott Eckert (Born to Love with Scott Eckert & Ellie Kemper) is joining us for this episode — but we cannot reveal any more! Special Guest: Scott...

EP#14: The _____ I Really Loved But Kept Secret...Until Now, Part One 19.11.2024

On this episode of Solve for Gen X, join Nate Starkey (Gen X 1971), Ashley Ward (Gen X 1972), and Matt Vogel (Gen X 1970) as they confess “The _______ I Really Loved But Kept Secret From Everyone Until Now”. Secret things await you in this episode. These are things so secret, we dare not divulge them in this description. SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: https://solveforgenx.buzzsprout.com WATCH ON YOUTUB...

EP#13: Looking Glass, Part Two (w/Baby Boomer Carmen Osbahr) 12.11.2024

On this episode of Solve for Gen X, Nate Starkey (Gen X 1971), Ashley Ward (Gen X 1972), and Matt Vogel (Gen X 1970) continue peering into the “Looking Glass” by asking Sesame Street Muppet Performer and Baby Boomer, Carmen Osbahr, what she thought her life would be like when she grew up. Would she be a teacher? A bus driver? A tortured artist? Where would she live? And will she find out if Genera...

EP#12: Looking Glass, Part One 05.11.2024

On this episode of Solve for Gen X, join Nate Starkey (Gen X 1971), Ashley Ward (Gen X 1972), and Matt Vogel (Gen X 1970) as they look back on who they were and what they thought their lives might be like when they grew up. Would they be a teacher? A bus driver? A tortured artist? Where would they live? Join Ashley, Matt, and Nate in part one of a two-part topic as they peer into the “Looking Glas...

EP#11: Cruisin' in the Hood (w/Baby Boomer Marty Rudoy) 29.10.2024

On this episode of Solve for Gen X, join Nate Starkey (Gen X 1971), Ashley Ward (Gen X 1972), and Matt Vogel (Gen X 1970) as they talk about walking the halls in school, hangin’ out at Denny’s, or watching older kids drive by in cars. In the end, maybe we were all “Cruisin’ in the Hood” in one way or another after all…? Special Guest: Marty Rudoy (Baby Boomer 1950) MARTY RUDOY PAINTER: https://mar...

EP#10: Cartoon You Can't Believe Was On TV 22.10.2024

From Battle of the Planets and Laff - a - lympics to Smurfs and Turbo Teen , join us on this episode of SOLVE FOR GEN X as Nate Starkey (Gen X 1971), Ashley Ward (Gen X 1972), and Matt Vogel (Gen X 1970) discuss  “Cartoon You Can’t Believe Was On TV”.  Special Guest: Jadee (Generation Alpha 2014) and Willa (Generation Z 2011) SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: https://solveforgenx.buzzsprout.com WATCH ON Y...

EP#9: Our Middle Name Is Danger (w/Baby Boomer Martin P. Robinson) 15.10.2024

On this episode of Solve for Gen X, join Nate Starkey (Gen X 1971), Ashley Ward (Gen X 1972), and Matt Vogel (Gen X 1970) as they discuss seat belt laws, second-hand smoking, snakes, explosives, and the fact that “Our Middle Name Is Danger”.  Special Guest: Martin P. Robinson (Baby Boomer 1954) SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: https://solveforgenx.buzzsprout.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/...

EP#8: Pop Culture Crush (w/Millennial Franny Starkey) 08.10.2024

On this episode of Solve for Gen X, join Nate Starkey (Gen X 1971), Ashley Ward (Gen X 1972), and Matt Vogel (Gen X 1970) as they reveal their “Pop Culture CRUSH!” Special Guest: Franny Starkey (Millennial 1980) SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: https://solveforgenx.buzzsprout.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@MattVogel_tv https://www.youtube.com/user/natestarkey1

EP#7: American Top 40 with Casey Kasem (w/Generation Z Keaton Vogel) 01.10.2024

On this episode of Solve for Gen X, join Nate Starkey (Gen X 1971), Ashley Ward (Gen X 1972), and Matt Vogel (Gen X 1970) as they countdown to “American Top 40 with Casey Kasem". One of the most recognizable radio voices of all time, Casey Kasem hosted American Top 40 for decades, and we recount our times listening to Casey’s weekly countdowns and long-distance dedications while we “keep our...

EP#6: Pop Culture Bonanza (w/Baby Boomer Bill Ward) 24.09.2024

On this episode of Solve for Gen X, join Nate Starkey (Gen X 1971), Ashley Ward (Gen X 1972), and Matt Vogel (Gen X 1970) as they talk about “Pop Culture Bonanza”…and all that that implies. Generation X came of age at the tail end of the Cold War and it was reflected in nearly everything we did and saw from our movies to our music, our television to our classrooms. Gen Xers also saw the birth of M...

EP#5: Low-Tech Fun, Part Two (w/Generation Z Jack and Hunter Vogel) 17.09.2024

On this episode of Solve for Gen X, join Nate Starkey (Gen X 1971), Ashley Ward (Gen X 1972), and Matt Vogel (Gen X 1970) as they continue to talk about “Low-Tech Fun”. Back when we were kids we did fun things like play with Barbie, ride bikes, write plays, and read books — without a tablet or game console in sight (mostly). What will other generations remember about their low-tech fun? We’ll ask...

EP#4: Low-Tech Fun, Part One 10.09.2024

On this episode of Solve for Gen X, join Nate Starkey (Gen X 1971), Ashley Ward (Gen X 1972), and Matt Vogel (Gen X 1970) as they recount “Low-Tech Fun”. Ah, kids today! They sure do seem to spend a lot of time on their gaming devices. Generation X didn’t have high-tech gaming like they do today. What did we have? We had…Low-Tech Fun and we loved it. SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: https://solveforgenx....

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