Gen X Dad and His Gen Z Teens

The food industry is playing a massive trick on Gen Z. Navigating food today is way more complicated than the one Gen X grew up in. This episode talks about the hidden sugar trap and the "portion distortion" that has become the new normal.

Creating genuine human connections sounds simple, but it has actually become a real challenge in our world today. Those of us who grew up in Generation X remember a very different reality.

Not everything in life comes easy. While we certainly seem to be living in an age where instant gratification is just a click away, real growth required sacrifice. This means putting aside something you want right now in order to achieve something bigger down the road. It means doing the hard work even when it's uncomfortable or inconvenient.

When we were coming of age, gambling was something you had to seek out. There were built in limits. You needed time, money, and access. That friction created natural guardrails whether we appreciated them or not. Today those guardrails are gone and gambling is embedded in the same devices our kids use for everything. That constant availability changes the equation.

Here we talk about those moments when emotions are high, voices are raised, and it feels like there is absolutely no common ground. We'll talk about how to reset those conversations. Not just stop the argument, but to actually move forward.

One of the hardest life lessons we ever learn is that of the importance of honesty and integrity. Not just telling the truth when it is easy but rather telling the truth when it is uncomfortable, embarrassing, or when you know that there are going to be consequences.

Today, so much of our communication is filtered through screens. But, in the real world there is no filter. There is just you. And in those moments, first impressions matter. A firm handshake and looking someone in the eye is about human connection. And that never goes out of style.

There is something powerful about having a personal code. It is a set of values that you live by and make decisions around. As dads, we have an important job as role models. Part of that job is to try and pass along to our teens a way to make their values an active part of their lives.

As a Gen X dad, I grew up in a different world. We rode bikes without helmets and disappeared for hours. Today, however, we track our kids' phones and know their location in real time. We schedule, supervise, and structure so much of their offline life. But at the same time we hand them a device that connects them to the entire world. Unfiltered. Unrestricted. Unrelenting.

Today we have a conversation about giving our teens a financial head start. This is about something that most of us did not learn early enough and that is how to give our kids a head start with money. Not just how to earn it, but how to think about it, manage it, and let it work for them over time.

Being "present" doesn't just mean being in the same room as your kids while they're scrolling through TikTok. It means being genuinely involved in their lives-emotionally, mentally, and physically. It's having those small, everyday conversations, showing interest in their hobbies, and even sitting down for a meal together, free of distractions.

Today, we're going to talk about something I think we can all relate to: getting our teens off their phones and into the gym—or at least getting them moving! If you’re like me, you’ve probably noticed how much screen time has taken over our kids' lives. Whether it’s social media, gaming, or just plain scrolling, it’s easy to see how much time is spent glued to a screen.But today, I want to focus on how we, as parents, can encourage our teens (and ourselves, to be honest) to develop better habits. We all know exercise is crucial for physical health, but the truth is, it’s just as important for mental health. And in this digital age, the need to get off the screen and into some physical activity has never been more urgent.

In my experience college admission preparation is best pictured as a four-legged stool. Each leg supports the others. If one leg is weak or missing, the whole thing becomes unstable. But when all four legs are solid, you're sitting on something strong!

Now, if you're a Gen X parent like me, you probably grew up with the idea that money talks were just something you avoided or left for later. I mean, the advice we often got was ‘just work hard, keep your head down, and you’ll figure it out.’ But things have changed, and today’s Gen Z teens face a whole new set of financial challenges that we didn’t have to deal with growing up. With everything from student loans to credit cards, and the rising cost of living, we can’t afford to put off these discussions anymore.

I want to talk today about education—specifically public school versus private school—and the part of the conversation that tends to get glossed over. Because when people debate education, they often focus on buildings, class sizes, rankings, and price tags… but not enough on responsibility.

You know, when your kids are little, everyone tells you it goes fast. And you nod, and you smile, and you think you understand what they mean. But what nobody really explains is how it goes fast. Not just that the years fly by—but that the role itself quietly changes underneath you.

We have reached the end of 2024 and take a couple of moments to reflect on our podcasting journey. We managed to create 38 episodes and have had some pretty cool conversations along the way.

This episode we trace the introduction of sports and energy drinks in the 80's and 90's to what that market is today for Gen Z. There are so many more options out there now.

This episode we discuss our opinions on cars. What was my experience when I got my license and started driving versus in particular my older teen who drives. Cars have definitely changed over time. What about generational attitudes towards them?

In this episode we discuss our experiences (or lack of experience) learning to play a musical instrument growing up. We also touch on how technology has opened up creative opportunities to produce music.

This episode is about pets and how we think about them. There is definitely a difference between my growing up in a rural area versus now living in an urban area. Also, there is a major change in how we think about our pets now.

In this episode we compare thoughts on going to college. The older teen is currently going through the application process so it is a good time to look at some differences between his experiences and mine. Some things are definitely different.

In this episode we talk about horror movies and how much I dislike them. Do the teens feel differently? Am I just too cowardly and weak from horror movie trauma when I was young? Listen and find out!

This episode explores our favorite fast food restaurants. We talk about options were available to us and which are our go-to restaurants in a pinch. Fast food restaurants will always hold a place in the lives of teenagers as a hangout and place to get grub. What has/had it best?

This episode is about the differences in the availability of gyms from the 80's to now. There is so much more available today and along with information and guidance from the internet do the Gen Z teens have it better?

In this episode we discuss manners and how important we feel it is to be courteous to other people. Have things actually changed or am I just old and grouchy? I know what I see but what do the teens think?

This episode looks at some of the ways that taking photos has changed since Gen X were teens. Those were the days well before digital cameras and the built-in cameras on our phones. Do we think the same about photos and photography?

In this episode we talk briefly about the upcoming US Presidential Election. I compare it to the elections that happened when I was growing up and highlight what I see are some differences.

This episode explores the differences in teen influencers back in the 80's versus how the internet has exploded the world of what an influencer is and can be.

This episode explores how conspiracy theories have grown over the years. The internet has definitely given them a bigger platform and made them a much bigger part of the everyday culture in the present day.

This episode explores the Nike Air Jordan shoe phenomena in relation to our generations. Nike really came into its own in the late 80's with the Air Jordan brand. Now it is not hard to find Gen Z members sporting these shoes.

In this episode we explore the differences in how gun culture has changed in the years between the generations. What is different between the rural background I grew up with versus my urban kids background? We also touch on how school safety has changed between the generations.

In this episode we talk about the effect that Disney has had on our childhoods. We talk about how influential this brand has been on us both growing up and moving forward.

This episode we talk about the possible differences between the generations in levels and feelings of patriotism. Are there any differences, and if so, what might be the reasons?

In this episode we talk about our overall view of the Olympics, the current US Olympic Trials, and a roundup of the NBA Finals, NHL Finals, and the upcoming MLB Allstar Game.

This episode explores the differences in how we used and were able to use money as a teen in the 80's versus now. It has really changed and teens today have many options.

On this episode we talk about the books we have read as teens. We briefly comment on the degree we enjoyed books like the Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and the Hunger Games and make recommendations to others. Check it out to see if you agree with our comments and share your own recommendations.

This episode explores the differences and challenges of youth sports. While the teens and I do agree on youth sports being a part of growing up, there are differences. The opportunities that are available with the advent of the internet, the differences in the level of pressure felt, and what my teens might have done differently are topics we discuss.

This episode explores similarities and differences in dating from my teenage years to what my teens experience now. Are there real differences or is dating universal and timeless in its difficulties? Do we all ultimately face the same challenges in our relationships?

This episode we discuss video gaming differences between the 80's and 90's and what is available to my teens now. The foundation was definitely set in the 80's but there are some pretty amazing gaming experiences available today. Who had/has it the best?

This episode we talk about attitudes toward traveling and our favorite trips. I compare my experiences traveling when I was growing up versus what travel opportunities I have been able to provide my teens. Note: there was an issue with our microphone so the audio is lower quality than normal.

This episode explores a few of the big name sports stars and heroes from the 80's versus some the big names today. Do Gen Z teens even know anyone playing sports right now?

This episode explores what we all think about college football. We are all fans and discuss how things have changed from the 80's and 90's to now. We talk about the teams we like and make a prediction or two.

This episode explores food, particularly fast food and drinks, that we experience differently. Availability, portion size, activity levels, and attitudes about fat and sugar are very different between generations. Is there better awareness now that will help our teens live healthier and better lives as they become adults?

This episode explores the differences in fashion from particularly the 80's versus how my teens dress now. The 80's was a pretty bold time with some interesting trends. Was Gen X more fashionable than Gen Z teens are today?

This episode explores the differences in high school. We contrast a small rural private school to a large urban public school. One big difference is the way that technology has changed. It is definitely not the same!

This episode explores social media in general and our attitudes toward it. We discuss how we feel about certain platforms and whether restrictions should be in place for teens. The teens actually surprised me on this episode!

This episode explores the different opinions related to the Star Wars movies and overall Star Wars universe. The original movies came out with Gen X were young children versus over 20 years later when Gen Z were were starting to watch movies. Could there possibly be a difference of opinion?

This episode explores the stereotypes associated with the current four main generations. We discuss what those stereotypes are and how true do we find them. We also discuss how well we fit into our generational stereotypes.

This episode explores the differences in the political issues of our respective day. As a Gen X member what do I remember about politics from the 80's and early 90's versus what my teens are paying attention to today.