Strangers With Kittens

We're Gen X. We parented ourselves, we parented our kids, and now we're parenting our parents while living in the age of competitive menopause. That's fine. No, we're not mad at all.

The recent New York Times article, "The Gen X Career Meltdown" by Stephen Kurutz makes us feel seen.

Comedian turned teacher Tarik Daniels talks growing up Gen X and gay, soap operas, sitcom crushes, and his love for Susan Lucci.

Performer, comedian and improviser Tom Chalmers shares the Legend of the Tiltmobile and its brush with greatness. And that's Carey Reilly on the answering machine with a story about her first car.

Film and television composer Chris Hajian reflects on his all-time favorite themes and shares memories from attending "Fame" high school.

Comic, writer, and podcast host Ophira Eisenberg shares what movies scared the Canadian daylights out of her.

"Sesame Street" writer and TikTok sensation Jen Capra talks Muppets, machetes, and everything in between.

A juggler at kids' birthday parties, an annoying survey-taker at the mall, a hairnet-clad cocktail weiner maker. No job was too weird or too humiliating for Generation X. Emmy award-winning director Kimmy Gatewood joins Eileen and Maryanne for a game of who had the worst first jobs. 

Comedian Carolyn Castiglia joins Eileen and Maryanne to talk heavy breathers, abducting fathers, and the GenX-perience (see what we did there?) of suffering alone.

Behold the predator in his natural habitat. Schools in the 70s and 80s, abounding with nerds, asthmatics and softer souls just trying to get through the day, were fruitful hunting ground for the bully. Eileen, Maryanne, and improv actor Ray Barnhart talk surviving apathetic school staff and scheduled fist fights. 

Glass in your butt? Tell no one. TV writer Charlie Shanian joins Maryanne and Eileen to discuss why for Gen X, it was better to keep your injuries to yourself.

Perhaps you shared yours with three, six, twelve people? Eileen Kelly chats with playwright and filmmaker Cristina Pippa, author and three-time Moth StorySlam winner Kimmi Berlin, and comedian Maryanne Murray about life with the family phone. 

Host Eileen Kelly and comedian Maryanne Murray remember Christmas Gen X style, when the dangerous holiday chores were assigned to nine year-olds, you got in trouble for getting hurt, and a ride to the hospital was the greatest gift of all.