PODCAST

Stuck In The Middle - A Gen X Podcast

Jason Ek

Welcome to Stuck in the Middle - the podcast about the music, movies, and culture of Generation X.

society & culture music history

All Episodes

65:13

The MAD MAX Franchise

Stuck In The Middle - A Gen X Podcast ·

2024/05/08

Witness me, Slackers!This week is a petal to the metal episode. No chit chat, no personal anecdotes from the week, nada - just straight out the gate just like the opening of every Mad Max movie. George Miller knows to keep all that pesky dialogue to a minimum and let the story unfold visually.From the very first installment, Max Rockatansky has been one of the most interesting cinematic characters, in large part because he says so little. Whether Max is played by Mel Gibson or Tom Hardy, so much is

57:41

Tech Innovation In Our Lifetime

Stuck In The Middle - A Gen X Podcast ·

2024/05/01

Is technology out to get us, Slackers?With the looming threat of AI, I wanted to take a look at all of the technological advancements that have happened just in our lifetime. Remember your first computer? Or your first cell phone?With the 1971 introduction of the Intel 4004 microprocessor, the pace in which tech has moved is terrifying. Even something that now seems so quaint, like the Sony Walkman, was the first big leap forward for personal, portable devices. Apple and Microsoft have been at this

62:40

Nostalgia on Tour 2024

Stuck In The Middle - A Gen X Podcast ·

2024/04/24

Rock & Roll, Slackers!After seeing some clips online of the band everyone loves to hate, Creed, I took a look at the full slate of 90’s nostalgia acts on the 2024 tour circuit.While the perennial big hitters like Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Green Day are once again hitting the road, a number of late 80’s/early 90’s acts are banding together for shows this summer.But it’s not just rock and metal artists. From the pop world there is New Kids On The Block (with Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy

52:50

FANDOM

Stuck In The Middle - A Gen X Podcast ·

2024/04/17

This week’s episode is all about fandom. It seems that by the time the mid to late 80’s arrived, being a fan of something - let’s say a genre of music - also lent itself to fashion choices & even the friends we made.If someone was wearing the shirt of your favorite band, there was a pretty good chance you could end up friends. But there is also the kind of fandom that leads to changes (temporary or permanent) in actual lifestyle. Ever know an actual Goth? This wasn’t just some dude wearing stage

64:35

The PMRC

Stuck In The Middle - A Gen X Podcast ·

2024/04/10

Warning, Parental Advisory, Slackers!Back in 1985, a group of politically connected women banded together to create the “Parent’s Music Resource Center”. Led by Tipper Gore, wife of future Vice President Al Gore, and Susan Baker, wife of then Treasury Secretary James Baker, the group sought to clamp down on what it perceived to be an increase of disturbing lyrical content in popular music. The main focus was on lyrics containing references to sex, drugs, violence, and the occult. To drive home

59:32

The Charts of 1987!

Stuck In The Middle - A Gen X Podcast ·

2024/04/03

Going old school, Slackers!It’s been a while since I did a single year chart recap. This week I chose 1987 - and it is an interesting time for music, and when sitcoms ruled the Nielsen ratings.The Billboard Hot 100 for 1987 was a big year for a number of artists that we now think of as legendary. Bon Jovi & Whitesnake both had breakout hits after years of plugging away. George Michael had his first taste of solo success after the demise of WHAM!. And the youngest Jackson, Janet, became an

48:01

Return of the Whatever Wednesday

Stuck In The Middle - A Gen X Podcast ·

2024/03/27

It's baaaack, Slackers!This is a "Whatever Wednesday". Basically, I couldn't decide on a single topic, so I'm going to cover whatever has popped into my head over the past 24 hours!Don't worry, all the key elements are still there: Gen X topics (uh, I got a little click-baited), music hits, movies releases, some TV charts, & a famous Gen Xer getting arrested (for some REALLY bad allegations). There is even some talk about ancient Sumeria and 1800's mercantile groups - which are totally relevent

47:35

Reality TV is a Gen X Phenomenon

Stuck In The Middle - A Gen X Podcast ·

2024/03/20

Love it or hate, reality television is here to say. It’s been said that reality tv as we know it started with MTV’s “The Real World”, making this type of program a uniquely Gen X phenomenon. I do agree that we as a generation led the charge for reality tv, but it is probably because we have always been exposed to it - just in a slightly different format. From the legendary “Wide World of Sports", to “That’s Incredible!”, to my personal favorite, “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” - we have been watching

61:07

3 Underrated Bands of the 90's

Stuck In The Middle - A Gen X Podcast ·

2024/03/13

The 90's was an interesting decade for music.Sure there was the grunge explosion, and with it the re-emergence of punk, but there were so many bands that occupied their own unique space in the music scene. On this week’s episode I’ll review my three favorite underrated bands, one of whom wasn’t just underrated, but entirely overlooked. From a California band that basically created the emo “pop punk” archetype - to a midwestern act that was parts grunge, parts r&b, parts Stonesy sleaze rock - to

49:25

What Does ChatGPT Say About Gen X?

Stuck In The Middle - A Gen X Podcast ·

2024/03/06

I’m back, Slackers! Ever wonder what this whole AI thing is all about? And this ChatGPT - what does it know about our generation? I ask those questions in the default ChatGPT settings, but I also ask “Marv - the sarcastic chatbot” - and “he” sounds like a Gen X programmed AI model!I also share the heartbreaking story of the Myjak family - the matriarch of the family is a friend of mine from high school and they could really use come help. Please consider helping if you can:

43:23

Tech Predictions of the 60's, 70's & 80's

Stuck In The Middle - A Gen X Podcast ·

2024/02/21

In the year 2000. In the year 2000!On this week’s episode, we explore…the future. Or really the present. But from the past. Or something like that.Throughout the 60s, 70s, & 80s, TV and movies tried to give us a glimpse into the future. While some things they got right, many things were way off base.The Jetsons, and later Blade Runner, promised us flying cars! We don’t have flying cars for our daily commute…and that would be a terrible idea anyway.Gadgets like the Starfleet Communicator was the

48:42

Gen X in the News

Stuck In The Middle - A Gen X Podcast ·

2024/02/14

Extra, extra, read all about it, Slackers! Does anyone read newspapers anymore? I don’t, but news is still an (important?) thing, and this week I take a look at Gen X in the news.Just this week there have been articles from Business Insider, the New York Times, Forbes, and the most prestigious of them all, HuffPost. Some of the business related articles delve into attitudes in the workplace regarding “corporate loyalty”, investment concerns, and general differences in work/life concepts.The Times

52:12

Rock Concerts: 1988 - 1991

Stuck In The Middle - A Gen X Podcast ·

2024/02/07

Time to get those lighters in the air, Slackers!From the late 80’s into the early 90’s, there was no shortage of amazing live music. The “hair” bands of the time were hitting on all cylinders, with live shows rivaling anything that came before or since. With the bands from the Sunset Strip already used to the competitive nature of the music industry, opening acts would try to outperform the headliners - and more often than not, the headliners would take that challenge head on. Sometimes the opener,

37:04

The Names of Generation X

Stuck In The Middle - A Gen X Podcast ·

2024/01/31

What's in a name, Slackers?Apparently, when it comes to a certain period of the Gen X timeline, names are little more than passing trends! How else can you explain the sudden rise - then fall - of names like Jason, Eric, Jennifer, and Amy! How about Heather or Christopher?!I was one of MANY Jasons in my graduating class, with easily as many Jennifers. And names like Heather became part of the lexicon thanks to films like, you guessed it, Heathers!While all the biblical names remain en vogue, I can

46:36

Fitness Fads

Stuck In The Middle - A Gen X Podcast ·

2024/01/24

Let’s get physical, Slackers!Did you ever use a Thigh Master? Maybe participate in some Tae Bo? Did your mom or grandma ever rock a pair of Air Shorts?This week I dig in to the fitness trends by year - starting of course with 1965. Some of these so called “fads” have actually become legitimately accepted aspects of health & fitness - treadmills, stationary bikes, inversion tables - all starting in the 60’s, 70’s or 80’s. For every winner, there are of course many scams, scientifically disproven

64:53

NFL Championship History is Gen X History

Stuck In The Middle - A Gen X Podcast ·

2024/01/17

Are you ready for some football, Slackers?!Given that professional football has been a thing since the late 1800s, it crazy to think that the “Big Game” has only been around in OUR LIFETIME. Starting with the NFL/AFL merger in 1967, there was finally a true world championship - but even then it wasn’t until the third season that the term (don’t sue me) "Super Bowl" was used. I don’t know why this seems so odd to me, but watching footage of Namath, Bradshaw, and Staubach doesn’t seem like it could

45:43

Iconic Cars of TV & Movies

Stuck In The Middle - A Gen X Podcast ·

2024/01/10

You like fast cars, Slackers?Perhaps a 1976 Ford Gran Torino? What about a 1977 Pontiac Firebird? Maybe even a 1969 Dodge Charger - or would you prefer something more practical, like a 1979 Ford LTD Country Squire? Whatever your preference, the cars (and trucks) of Hollywood in 1970s & 80s were all pretty badass.Starsky & Hutch. The Dukes of Hazzard. Smokey & the Bandit. Even National Lampoon’s Vacation - all had what have become iconic vehicles. Now, I am not much of an under the hood

64:24

Movie Trilogies

Stuck In The Middle - A Gen X Podcast ·

2024/01/03

Good things come in threes, Slackers! And when it comes to movies, Gen X is all about trilogies!Perhaps it all started with the OG Star Wars, but it didn’t stop there. Indiana Jones. Aliens. Mad Max. Evil Dead. It seemed at the time that every sci-fi/action hit would wrap up in a trilogy.Sadly, the allure of nostalgia & a big box office take has led to second - or even third - trilogies. Or just slap the “franchise” tag on there and keep spitting out movie after movie with diminishing returns

36:48

Gifts of Christmas Past

Stuck In The Middle - A Gen X Podcast ·

2023/12/27

Merry Christmas, Slackers!Christmas was so much simpler as a kid. All it really took to make you happy was that one big Santa gift. And boy, did the 70’s & 80’s have some great toys! This episode I recount some of my favorite toys from each year - I have a weirdly specific memory when it comes to Christmas - going from 1976 until about 1984. From Remco’s McDonald’s Playland (and figures), to the Millennium Falcon, to the King of Pop, those Christmas mornings were full of joy & gratitude,

52:08

The Gen Xers We Lost in 2023

Stuck In The Middle - A Gen X Podcast ·

2023/12/20

Hey, Slackers. No witty one liners this week - just taking some time to honor those Gen Xers that have passed away this year.Athletes, musicians, actors, all notable in some way - but more importantly - they were one of ours. Regardless of the reasons for their passing - addiction, illness, or freak accident - the one thing that is abundantly clear is that they were all far too young.May they all rest in peace.

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Stuck In The Middle - A Gen X Podcast

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