A thought-provoking exploration of generational parenting differences featuring expert insights from acclaimed author Ashley Merryman, combined with the nostalgic humor Stupid Gen X Tricks fans love.

Key Topics Covered:

• Generational parenting evolution from Gen X to present day
• Expert analysis of participation trophy culture and its actual effects
• Social media's impact on modern child development
• Research-based parenting strategies for the digital age
• Gen X childhood experiences and their lasting influence

Featured Guest: Ashley Merriman - Renowned parenting expert and author whose research challenges common assumptions about praise, competition, and child motivation in contemporary parenting.

Episode Highlights: This episode masterfully balances serious parenting insights with entertaining cultural commentary. Listeners will gain valuable perspective on navigating modern parenting challenges while enjoying nostalgic references to Gen X pop culture, including classic television, film memories, and music discussions featuring the British band Pulp.

Value for Listeners: Parents and caregivers will discover evidence-based approaches to raising children in today's complex digital landscape, while Gen X listeners will appreciate the relatable humor and shared cultural touchstones that define the generation's unique perspective on parenting.

Additional Content: The episode includes the hosts' signature tangential conversations and a preview of upcoming content featuring a spirited debate between the co-hosts.

Tags: Parenting, Generational Differences, Child Development, Gen X Culture, Digital Parenting, Research-Based Parenting, Nostalgia, Pop Culture

In this heartwarming special episode of Stupid Gen X Tricks, we dive into the viral story that's giving us all the '90s video store feels! The Daves celebrate their guest David Kraning, the video store hero of Pocatello, Idaho who proves that sometimes the most rebellious act is simple kindness.

David's story reminds us of a time when Friday nights meant wandering aisles of VHS tapes and debating which movie to rent. When his longtime customer Christina Cavanaugh, who has Down Syndrome, faced losing her beloved weekly routine due to the store's closure, David refused to let the credits roll on their friendship. Instead, he created a mini-video store inside a local grocery store, ensuring Christina and her mother could still experience the joy of picking out movies each week.

Listen as our hosts unpack this beautiful testament to Gen X ingenuity and compassion. They'll discuss how small businesses once formed the backbone of communities, the importance of maintaining human connections in our increasingly digital world, and why sometimes the most punk rock thing you can do is to stubbornly insist on being kind.

This episode will have you reaching for your old membership cards and wondering if you ever returned that copy of "Reality Bites." Don't miss this celebration of how one man's small act of kindness created a blockbuster impact in his community!

What happens when one of your childhood friends grows up to be the Wall Street Journal’s music critic?

In this episode, hosts Dave and David talk with Mark Richardson—who went from late-blooming music nerd to Pitchfork Editor-in-Chief and became one of the most respected critics working today. Mark reflects on discovering music in the '80s, writing about Bay Area turntablism in the Web 1.0 era, and shaping music criticism as Pitchfork exploded into the mainstream.

They cover:

Why year-end lists still matter

What makes a music review worth reading

How he listens to 300+ albums a year

Early contenders for 2025 Record of the Year

And what it means to really pay attention to sound

Plus: Springsteen, Harold & Maude, and a few hidden retro surprises for the true heads.

Whether you still buy vinyl or just want smarter music takes in your feed, this one’s for you.