Explore every episode of the podcast Strangers With Kittens

Realizing her daughter's entire social circle consists of her great aunt Lily, a 65 year-old woman who subsists on half a can of Campbell's soup, soap operas, and cigarettes, Maryanne's mother decides it's time for hippie camp.

Bad haircuts. We've all gotten them. Even my dog.

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. 

There's nothing in the world like Action Park! Especially when you're an awkward teenage girl and you're on your first date. What could possibly go wrong?

Remember in "Stranger Things" Max had that mean older brother Billy? And she loved him because he was her brother but he was scary and awful? That's Boomers to Gen X. They've been driving the car like a maniac and we'd just like to get out.

Junior High hits different these days. Maryanne remembers when after-school enrichment was spent where everybody knew her name. Belly up, kittens!

Remember when sitcoms would bum us out with a very special episode? Like the very special "Family Ties" when guest start Tom Hanks played an alcoholic uncle? Well, lots of people have asked where the name of the podcast comes from. Here's your answer. 

World feeling chaotic? Current war games got you on edge? Welcome to Gen X! We've got music and movie recs to get you through these trying times. We can't keep Drunk Uncle President from dropping bombs, but we can make you feel like you're stressing in excellent company. 

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.