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Welcome to Stuck in the Middle - the podcast about the music, movies, and culture of Generation X.
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21 MAG 2025 · Picture it, Boston, 1995. A young man from Meriden, CT decides to uproot his life and move to a new city. New faces, new friends, and plenty of new music.
It has been 30 years since I made the fateful decision to make the move to Boston. It was also a time to expand my musical palette. Thankfully, there was plenty of new music to choose from, with tons of second hand music shops like CD Spins, interspersed with the big retailers like Tower Records.
Much of the music on the radio at the time was not for me (except TLC!), but thanfully there were rock friendly radio stations in the city, as well as some of the best clubs to see live music. TT the Bears and The Middle East come to mind.
Acts that would go on to become huge stars got their big breaks in 1995, while smaller indie, punk, and metal bands were just reaching their loftiest heights. Bands like Shelter and Jawbreaker achieved their biggest commercial successes, while bands like Rancid and Presidents of the United States of America were getting some air time on radio stations like WBCN and WAAF.
Plus, legends like Faith No More, Radiohead and Fugazi added to their legacies in 1995. Oh, and some band called Oasis had a huge record or something.
And everyone was asking the question, "What is a Foo Fighter"?
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14 MAG 2025 · Get ready to rock, Slackers!
This episode honors ECW legend Sabu and previews the killer music festivals lighting up summer 2025. From metal to alternative, these lineups prove ‘80s & ‘90s music is still very much alive.
Tribute to Sabu We salute Sabu, the hardcore ECW icon whose death-defying style defined ‘90s wrestling. His fearless dives and chaotic energy left a lasting mark on Gen X wrestling fans and the entire wrestling industry.
Summer 2025 Concerts & Music Festivals The Summer of 2025 is shaping up to be a great season for live music. Leading the charge are bands like Creed, My Chemical Romance, The Offspring, Def Leppard and the final show of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan.
Metallica is continuing the M72 tour, with Pantera, Ice Nine Kills, Limp Bizkit and Suicidal Tendencies in support. Metal is featured heavily on the festival circuit, none bigger than the lineup for Rockville 2025.
Lollapalooza is still a…thing. Check it out - it gets weird. 80’s synth/new wave is featured prominently in California with the Cruel World Festival. That lineup is crazy good. Plus, many more!
Summer and music. A perfect combination.
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7 MAG 2025 · Are things getting weirder, Slackers?
A social media claim challenges the authenticity of a core childhood memory, sparking passionate responses. Some Gen X men are embracing bold health experiments, raising eyebrows with their approach to aging. Others are playfully disrupting digital music culture with clever tricks, while a few adopt survivalist-inspired lifestyles reminiscent of the apocalyptic films of our youth. Gen X clearly has a knack for blending creativity with an ever-present urge to push buttons.
Serious challenges also take center stage. Growing anxiety about retirement security looms large as Gen X faces an uncertain financial landscape. Innovative social gatherings offer a nostalgic yet practical way to reconnect, reflecting a balanced lifestyle—and the need to be in bed at a reasonable hour!
The creative job market presents hurdles, with Gen X professionals adapting to new technologies and younger competitors. Additionally, our cautious approach to online commerce highlights a generational gap, as stats show we’re more than a little skeptical of social media-based commerce. Are these products even real? And are any of you actually using TikTok?
Share your thoughts at stuckinthemiddlepod@yahoo.com, follow @stuckpodx on Instagram, X, and YouTube, or visit the Stuck In The Middle Podcast page on Facebook. Suggest future topics and subscribe for more insightful discussions.
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30 APR 2025 · Hello, neighbor, I mean, Slackers!
This week we are going to explore the educational live-action children’s shows of the 1970s and 1980s that defined the Generation X experience. These programs were foundational, delivering lessons with creativity and care in an era before digital media. From the community spirit of Sesame Street to the gentle guidance of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, it’s all about the shows that made education engaging and actually fun.
My personal GOATs? Fred Rogers and Captain Kangaroo!
The Electric Company used characters like Morgan Freeman’s (!) Easy Reader to teach reading to older children, while Romper Room’s Miss Nancy instilled manners through her Magic Mirror. Reading Rainbow, hosted by LeVar Burton, encouraged a love for literature, and Mr. Wizard’s World made science accessible with Don Herbert’s experiments. Each program contributed to a foundation of curiosity and empathy.
There are also a ton of lesser-known shows like Zoom, which empowered children to create their own content, and The Big Blue Marble, which introduced global perspectives. Villa Alegre promoted bilingual learning, and 3-2-1 Contact brought STEM to life. These shows were more than entertainment; they were trusted sources of knowledge and connection for a generation.
Available on Apple Podcasts, Spreaker, and major streaming platforms. Connect with the podcast via email at stuckinthemiddlepod@yahoo.com, or follow on Instagram, X, and YouTube at @stuckpodx, and on Facebook at the Stuck in the Middle Podcast page.
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23 APR 2025 · Finish him, Slackers!
This week’s episode is all about how PC games like DOOM, console titles such as Mortal Kombat - on Sega Genesis of course - and early games on the first Xbox sparked intense controversy.
We dive into the societal fears that linked pixelated violence to real-world crimes, from Senate hearings scrutinizing Night Trap to media reports tying Grand Theft Auto and DOOM’s gory first-person action to youth aggression. It’s crazy looking back on how these games became scapegoats for violence, while also embodying our generation’s embrace of new technology, set against a backdrop of parental advisory stickers and early internet culture.
Long before there was WiFi and Xbox live, there were LAN servers - we have had this kind of online gaming culture far longer than we sometimes recognize! Fun? Yes! Toxic? Probably!
There were some wild true crime connections amid widespread cultural debates surrounding PC and console gaming. These controversies continue to influence modern gaming culture today. Whether gaming is good, or bad, or otherwise - who knows? I mean, who didn’t play Halo into the wee hours of the morning!?
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16 APR 2025 · What is up, Slackers!
On this week’s episode we explore the evolution of grunge beyond its iconic pioneers. Sometimes it is easy to forget that grunge had a second (early to mid-1990s) and even third wave (late 1990s to early 2000s) of bands that shaped the genre’s legacy.
We highlight 14 second-wave acts, from Seattle’s sludgy core to punk-infused and noise-rock outliers - some initially dismissed as posers who would go on to be massive stars.
Then, we cover six third-wave bands, blending "grunge" with more alt-rock and indie rock influences. Who knew there were this many grunge bands not named Nirvana, Soundgarden, or Pearl Jam?!
Oh, and I fully blame a certain early 2000’s band with completely taking down guitar driven rock music - possibly forever.
Listen now on Spreaker, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.
Follow the show:
- Instagram: @stuckpodx
- X: @stuckpodx
- YouTube: @stuckpodx
- Facebook: Stuck in the Middle
• Email: stuckinthemiddlepod@yahoo.com
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9 APR 2025 · I hate rain, Slackers,
This week, we’re digging into ten rainy day songs that capture the gray and the heavy. Spanning the late '70s to the late '90s, the list pulls from dark corners and quiet moments—think industrial beats, NY alt metal, acoustic ballads, and lyrics that can get pretty dreary. It’s the kind of music that fits a slow drizzle or a full downpour, perfect for staring out a window, preferably with a hot cup of coffee.
Mildly depressing? Maybe. Carthartic? Also, maybe. But probably.
Got a rainy day song I missed? Hit us up on X, Instagram, and YouTube @stuckpodx or head on over to the The Stuck in the Middle Podcast page on Facebook. Drop a comment wherever you stream this podcast.
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2 APR 2025 · Trigger warning: We’re diving into the heavy stuff related to mental health—stats, struggles, the works. If it hits too close to home, skip it and come back next week. I will not be offended.
It’s 2025, and Gen X (born ‘65–‘79, now 45–60) is wrestling a quiet crisis—too many of us are taking our own lives. Gen X men at a rate of 27–29 per 100,000, women at 7–8, both up since 2002. In this episode we unpack why—financial struggles, loneliness, physical & mental health issues—and how to fight back. I will share my own experiences and what I’ve learned and the steps I’ve taken.
Resources:
- 988 Crisis Line (call/text)
- NAMI.org (support groups)
- SAMHSA.gov (local help)
- Veterans Crisis Line (988, press 1)
- Text HOME to 741741
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26 MAR 2025 · Hip Hop Hooray, Slackers!
Today, we’re diving into ‘80s rap—a new genre that was exploding right before our eyes. We’ll cover the top-selling albums and the pioneers who started it all.
Rap kicked off in the early ‘80s in New York City. LL Cool J’s debut record Radio sold over a million units with “I Can’t Live Without My Radio” as the lead single. Then Run-D.M.C.’s Raising Hell broke huge, selling three million copies, led by the first rock/rap hybrid track - their reimagining of Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way.” The Beastie Boys’ Licensed to Ill hit ten million thanks to the massive anthem that was “Fight for Your Right (To Party).” Rick Rubin produced all three of these breathrough records.
Eric B. & Rakim’s Paid in Full sold a million records—“I Ain’t No Joke” set a new bar. Seriously, it wasn’t until I started revisiting this stuff that I recalled how ahead of his time Rakim really was.
Public Enemy’s It Takes a Nation of Millions moved a million units with songs like “Don’t Believe the Hype” and “Bring the Noise,” merging hip hop with social commentary. N.W.A’s Straight Outta Compton sold three million records with no radio support since almost all of it was censored. Only “Express Yourself” was clean enough to get airplay! Dr. Dre was already a genius in the studio - that album sounds amazing.
On the pop side of rap was Salt-N-Pepa’s “Push It,” DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince with “Parents Just Don’t Understand,” while the big dog was none other than MC Hammer’s massively popular Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ’Em, which sold ten million—“U Can’t Touch This” was a party staple.
For Gen X, rap was fresh and ours. These pioneers turned a street sound into a movement, selling millions on vinyl and cassettes.
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19 MAR 2025 · Be kind and rewind, Slackers!
This week we take a dive into cinema's cult classics - films that took the long road to legendary status. These films - think dark humored high school flicks like Heathers or demonic, medieval chaos courtesy of Army of Darkness - often stumbled at the box office, barely making a dent with opening crowds.
But at Blockbuster, they found their groove, turning late-night rentals into a rite of passage for fans. The question is, what exactly makes a cult classic a cult classic? Its a combination of unforgettable characters, quotable lines, and those unexpected moments that make you question what you just watched. It’s about stories that mix heart, humor, and a little madness - all the ingredients of the Gen X mindset.
What makes these movies stand the test of time isn’t flashy red carpet premieres and huge box office numbers but the way they kind of snuck into our lives. Some weave fairy-tale romance with clever twists, others bring vampires to the teenage coming of age story, or maybe just toss a trucker into some ancient, mystical weirdness. I mean, how do you even describe the awkward charm of a movie like Napoleon Dynamite?
It's sad that streaming has replaced the local video store, where so many of us found these weird little movies, turning often overlooked releases into beloved classics. This isn’t just nostalgia; it’s a nod to films that took time to find their people, proving that some of the best stories don’t need a red carpet - just a rewind button and a little love.
Welcome to Stuck in the Middle - the podcast about the music, movies, and culture of Generation X.
Informazioni
| Autore | Jason Ek |
| Organizzazione | Jason Ek |
| Categorie | Cultura e società , Storia della musica , Film e TV |
| Sito | - |
| stuckinthemiddlepod@yahoo.com |
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