GenXGrownUp Podcast

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REWIND: GenX Mall Experience Jul 03, 2025

Show notes

Today, shopping malls are struggling to keep their doors open, but a few decades ago they were booming. To many kids who grew up in the ’70s and ’80s, the mall was a favorite hangout, an entertainment center, a cafeteria, and even a date night destination! In this episode, our parents have dropped us off at the front entrance where we start reminiscing about the Generation X mall experience.

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Theme: “Grown Up” by Beefy » beefyness.com

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History of malls in the U.S. » www.sunsetplaza.com/the-history-of-malls-in-the-u-s/
History of retail stores » www.bigcommerce.com/blog/retail/
Retail Archaeology » www.youtube.com/channel/UCR2LNeZSqINp0WTd_eWCIGg
Dead malls » deadmalls.com/
10 Largest mall in the world » www.touropia.com/largest-malls-in-the-world/
Amazing Classic Arcade Pictures » arcadeblogger.com/2017/08/18/time-out-arcade-amazing-classic-arcade-pictures/
Email the show » podcast@genxgrownup.com
Visit us on YouTube » GenXGrownUp.com/yt

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REWIND: GenX Photography Jun 26, 2025

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Imagine a time when you didn’t know if your pictures came out for days or weeks after you took them. Imagine only being able to take a limited number of pictures at one time before having to change film. Imagine having to store your pictures in huge binders in order to see them. If that sounds like photo hell to you then you are obviously not a GenX’er! It was the way pictures were done when we were growing up. Listen as we reminisce (and lament!) over what we had to go through in order to capture that perfect memory!

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Theme: “Grown Up” by Beefy » beefyness.com

Great guide on cameras and film » bit.ly/2w5g3S8
Different film types » bit.ly/2wHHzJX
Where can you get film developed today? » bit.ly/2IlUtyJ
Instamatic camera turned 50… in 2013! » usat.ly/2wJwhFj
Professionals who still use film, and why » ti.me/2k7Bzmm
10 Famous photographers who use film » bit.ly/2uBhbhR
Email the show » podcast@genxgrownup.com
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SINGLE: Jon's First Vehicle Jun 21, 2025

Show notes

In this "Single," Jon remembers the day he got his very first vehicle.

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REWIND: Roadside Attractions Jun 19, 2025

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If you’re looking for the world’s largest ball of twine, Foamhenge, or a house made out of beer cans, then you’re looking for some amazing roadside attractions! In this episode, we talk about some of the more famous ones around the country. Some of these our parents stopped for; some they didn’t!

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Theme: “Grown Up” by Beefy » beefyness.com

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Time’s Top 50 » bit.ly/2LbjEcf
US News 13 Unusual Roadside Attractions Across America » bit.ly/2L7sM1F
National Geographic Top 10 » on.natgeo.com/2L938d8
World’s Largest Ball of Twine » www.kansastravel.org/balloftwine.htm
(Formerly) World’s Largest Garden Gnome » bit.ly/2L92oEN
World’s Largest Fish Statue » www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2244
World’s Largest Teapot » chester.lib.wv.us/teapot.html
Hats N’ Boots » highwayhighlights.com/2013/05/hat-n-boots-seattle-wa/
Hood Milk Bottle » www.worldslargestthings.com/washington/milkbottle.htm
Journey to the Official Center of the World » nyti.ms/2L8a7me
Jolly Green Giant » thevacationgals.com/jolly-green-giant-statue/
Lucy the Elephant » www.lucytheelephant.org/
Miles the Monster » www.atlasobscura.com/places/miles-the-monster
Cabazon Dinosaurs » www.cabazondinosaurs.com/
South of the Border » www.thesouthoftheborder.com/
Clown Motel » www.tonopahnevada.com/clown-motel/
The Farnham Fantasy Farm » bit.ly/2L5yBg0
UFO Welcome Center » www.atlasobscura.com/places/ufo-welcome-center
The Mystery Hole » www.mysteryhole.com/
Spook Hill » bit.ly/2La96ua
Bishop Castle » www.bishopcastle.org/
Beer Can House » www.orangeshow.org/beer-can-house-history
Hole N’ the Rock » phoenix.org/hole-in-the-rock/
The Thing » bit.ly/2L7DaXh
Igloo City » bit.ly/2LaJ4GY
House on the Rock » www.thehouseontherock.com/about/
Carhenge » carhenge.com/history/
Foamhenge » www.atlasobscura.com/places/foamhenge
Georgia Guidestones » www.radioliberty.com/stones.htm
Secret Caverns » www.secretcaverns.com/
Rock City » www.seerockcity.com/
Ruby Falls » www.lookoutmountain.com/ruby-falls
Email the show » podcast@genxgrownup.com
Visit us on YouTube » GenXGrownUp.com/yt

Show Notes

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REWIND: GenX Childhood Autonomy Jun 12, 2025

Show notes

We didn’t know it at the time, but as Generation X kids, we were among the last to enjoy a childhood that gave us a deep sense of independence and autonomy. Everything from the proliferation of technology to changes in media and politics have forever changed that for modern generations, but in this Backtrack, we remember and discuss the singular experience of growing as a GenX kid.

Generation X 101 » bit.ly/3Kuq4hR
How Gen X’s ‘Latch Key Kid’ Mentality Propels Their Financial Success » bit.ly/3M0OtvX
It Took a Global Pandemic, But Generation X is Finally Getting Love » bit.ly/3KydWMG
Free Range Kids » bit.ly/3jp3US2
Mail the show » podcast@genxgrownup.com
Visit us on YouTube » GenXGrownUp.com/yt

Show Notes

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Dan Kitchen Interview: Casey's Gold Game Secrets! Jun 07, 2025

Show notes

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 Games.

YouTube version of this interview » youtu.be/m0djFAAed6M
Audacity Games » adgm.us
Dan’s Site » www.dankitchengames.com
NVGM » nvmusa.org/
Visit us on YouTube » GenXGrownUp.com/yt

Show Notes

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REWIND: Ice Cream Truck Experience Jun 05, 2025

Show notes

As a kid playing outside with our friends, when we heard that tinny, out-of-tune rendition of “twinkle twinkle little star”, we knew we were in for a treat. It meant the Ice Cream Truck was not far away! In this episode, we remember that shared Ice Cream Truck experience from growing up Generation X.

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A Brief History of the Ice Cream Truck » ⁠bit.ly/2T40hHB⁠
The History of the Ice Cream Truck » ⁠bit.ly/34WwUJY⁠
Wu-Tang’s RZA wrote a new ice cream song » ⁠cnn.it/2T9Imzi⁠
Summer Sounds: Ice Cream Trucks » ⁠bit.ly/3wcqEd7⁠
Email the show » ⁠podcast@genxgrownup.com⁠
Visit us on YouTube » ⁠GenXGrownUp.com/yt⁠

Show Notes

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REWIND: GenX Summertime Toys & Play May 29, 2025

Show notes

It’s mid-June, school is letting out for the summer, and youngsters will be filling their next few weeks with warm-weather activities. In this episode, we remember how we spent our summer months growing up as Generation X kids!

Listen to our Backtrack on GenX Childhood Autonomy » genxgrownup.com/bt120/
Midlife Mixtape: Favorite Summertime Memories » bit.ly/3Nh58LD
Ultimate Summer Road Trip Playlist for Gen Xers » bit.ly/3HJWeFF
38 Ways to Give Your Kids a Carefree 80’s Summer » bit.ly/3bdyZaF
I Want a 1980s Summer For My Kids » bit.ly/3zVJs51
What Summer Camps Looked Like in the 1970s and 1980s » bit.ly/3QBGk3X
New York City fire hydrants: a summer tradition – in pictures » bit.ly/3zVpKGw
Roadside Attractions Fading from Landscape » n.pr/3xMEHrv
Mail the show » podcast@genxgrownup.com
Visit us on YouTube » GenXGrownUp.com/yt

Show Notes

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Dark Tower (1981 Board Game) May 22, 2025

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We turn the dial back to 1981 to explore one of the most ambitious and mysterious board games of its time. A fantasy adventure powered by a mechanical, electronic tower at the center of the board, this game combined strategy, storytelling, and a touch of eerie 80s tech magic. Whether you owned it, envied it, or just heard legends, get ready as we unlock the secrets behind the Dark Tower.

(May contain some explicit language.)

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Dark Tower board game manual (1981) » bit.ly/3YVb7Pb
Restoration Games Return to Dark Tower » restorationgames.com/return-to-dark-tower/
Milton Bradley’s 1981 Dark Tower Board Game Complete » bit.ly/3FcahXE
‘It was a mess’: The disappearance and return of legendary ’80s board game DarkTower » bit.ly/43kjUeM
Remembering the Dark Tower » bit.ly/3SaG3XZ
Rare 80’s Game ‘Dark Tower’ Had Legal Trouble But Now A Bright Future » bit.ly/3YUy0SO
Art of the Genre: Dark Tower and Bob Pepper » bit.ly/4jVZ0d0
Well of Souls Tower Page » well-of-souls.com/tower/
Email the show » podcast@genxgrownup.com
Visit us on YouTube » GenXGrownUp.com/yt

Show Notes

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Sinners, Laptop Stand, & Typoman May 15, 2025

Show notes

We head to the theatre for the new horror film set in 1936 Mississippi, spend some quality time with a popular ’80s console, and play a comedy adventure game full of puzzles, challenges, and charm!

(May contain some explicit language.)

Sinners » youtu.be/bKGxHflevuk?si=T_wh7DZ0J0cXQxbT
The Luckiest Man in America » youtu.be/5Dw_pujgp5Y?si=mzdicgqyS8sNie30
Celtics City » youtu.be/8QHDwO9onJ8?si=jp7kyqweBMekNJ_A
Laptop/Monitor Stand » amzn.to/4da1HFo
Chuchel » store.steampowered.com/bundle/6272/CHUCHEL_Cherry_Edition/
Typoman » store.steampowered.com/app/336240/Typoman/
Typoman Live Stream » youtube.com/live/CbwuEEJA2Wc?feature=share
Rick and Morty Season 8 » youtu.be/ySYnTO7leqI?si=48EK0Aa2Hx6W1kpo
Karate Kid Legends » youtu.be/LhRXf-yEQqA?si=718ldrOnOMwsr9Tg
SFGE – Use Promo Code: “GENXGROWNUP” » gameatl.com/
Email the show » podcast@genxgrownup.com
Visit us on YouTube » GenXGrownUp.com/yt

Show Notes

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