Thirteen tapes for a penny from Columbia House? Win a million dollars if you order some magazines from Publisher's Clearing House? PART of a complete breakfast? Learning to break dance from Alfonso Ribero's BOOK? In the 80's they really went all in on getting our attention—and our allowance money.

Gen X grew up in an advertising wonderland, where every cartoon had a toy line, every cereal had a mascot, and everything we saw on TV was a commercial in disguise. In this episode, Don and Eva talk bout their favorite ads and how marketers targeted an entire generation with jingles, prizes, and pop culture tie-ins that were impossible to ignore. Were we the most advertised-to generation in history—or just the first to know we were being sold to? Let’s rewind the VHS and find out.

Watch on YouTube

Where to find us:

Instagram - @chatandbother

Facebook Page - @chatandbother

YouTube - @chatandbother

Twitter - @chatandbother

TikTok - @chatandbother

Threads - @chatandbother

Email List - http://eepurl.com/igYlfv

Podcasting Help: Learn about how we make the Chat & Bother podcast and get podcasting tips

This Black History Month, let's take it back to the Gen X era! In this special Q&A Sunday episode, Don and Eva answer questions about the impact of Black culture from the ‘70s through the early 2000s. From the music that shaped a generation to the TV shows, movies, and historical moments that defined our time, they're bringing nostalgia and knowledge.

Watch on YouTube

Which Black Gen X icons had the biggest influence? What cultural shifts changed the game? We’ve got the answers—and maybe a few debates along the way!

Want to catch individual questions from this episode? They’re all in our Q&A Sunday playlist on YouTube!

Listen, comment, and tell us your favorite Black history moments from the Gen X era! Don’t forget to follow, rate, and share to support the Chat and Bother podcast.

What is Q&A Sunday?

Q&A Sunday is a weekly segment on the Chat and Bother Podcast where we answer fun, nostalgic, and thought-provoking questions, often inspired by Gen X culture. The questions appear live on our Facebook and Instagram Stories, allowing our audience to participate in real time. If you miss the live questions, you can still join the conversation by answering in the comments on our YouTube Shorts or watching the full episode on our YouTube channel. Listeners can also call in with comments or suggest new topics by visiting ChatAndBother.com and clicking the phone icon. Some responses may even be featured in future episodes!

Where to find us:

Instagram - @chatandbother

Facebook Page - @chatandbother

YouTube - @chatandbother

Twitter - @chatandbother

TikTok - @chatandbother

Threads - @chatandbother

Email List - http://eepurl.com/igYlfv

Podcasting Help: Learn about how we make the Chat & Bother podcast and get podcasting tips

This Q&A Sunday, we’re talking about what it takes to have a successful marriage! From communication and trust to navigating challenges together, we’re sharing our thoughts on making relationships last. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to join the conversation every Sunday! You can also check out our Q&A Sunday playlist on YouTube to see all the questions we’ve answered so far. Drop your thoughts in the comments on Facebook, Spotify, or This Q&A Sunday, we’re talking about what it takes to have a successful marriage! From communication and trust to navigating challenges together, we’re sharing our thoughts on making relationships last. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to join the conversation every Sunday! You can also check out our Q&A Sunday playlist on YouTube—we’d love to hear from you!

Watch on Youtube!

What is Q&A Sunday?

Q&A Sunday is a weekly segment on the Chat and Bother Podcast where we answer fun, nostalgic, and thought-provoking questions, often inspired by Gen X culture. The questions appear live on our Facebook and Instagram Stories, allowing our audience to participate in real time. If you miss the live questions, you can still join the conversation by answering in the comments on our YouTube Shorts or watching the full episode on our YouTube channel. Listeners can also call in with comments or suggest new topics by visiting ChatAndBother.com and clicking the phone icon. Some responses may even be featured in future episodes!

Where to find us:

Instagram - @chatandbother

Facebook Page - @chatandbother

YouTube - @chatandbother

Twitter - @chatandbother

TikTok - @chatandbother

Threads - @chatandbother

Email List - http://eepurl.com/igYlfv

Podcasting Help: Learn about how we make the Chat & Bother podcast and get podcasting tips

Did Baby Boomers create the perfect storm for Gen X anxiety? Or did they accidentally raise the most resilient (and hilariously unbothered) generation ever? In this episode, Eva and Don break down the chaos of growing up Gen X—where every game, playground, and news report felt like the apocalypse was just around the corner.

Watch on YouTube

In this episode:

• The nerve-wracking games like Operation and the Pop-Up Tic Tac Toe game that made kids sweat!
• Playground warfare: dodgeball, Red Rover, and other borderline-dangerous games that ruptured spleens and dislocated shoulders.
• The rise of 24/7 news and how it turned every headline into a kid’s worst nightmare.
• How the Baby Boomer “every man for himself” mentality shaped Gen X into the most anxious yet feral and unbothered generation.

We want to hear from YOU! What childhood games made YOU the most nervous? Do you think Baby Boomers are responsible for Gen X’s feral resilience? Call us and tell us what you think at 312-788-7827. Share your thoughts in the comments on Facebook and YouTube, and join the conversation!

Where to find us:

Instagram - @chatandbother

Facebook Page - @chatandbother

YouTube - @chatandbother

Twitter - @chatandbother

TikTok - @chatandbother

Threads - @chatandbother

Email List - http://eepurl.com/igYlfv

Podcasting Help: Learn about how we make the Chat & Bother podcast and get podcasting tips

Don’t miss out—subscribe to Chat and Bother on your favorite podcast platform to keep up with our nostalgic and hilariously relatable takes.

Did you ever dream of cruising the neighborhood on a Big Wheel, baking tiny cakes in an Easy-Bake Oven, or ruling over the ultimate Barbie Dream House? In this episode of Chat and Bother, Don and Eva take a nostalgic trip back to the 80s, reminiscing about the toys they desperately wanted as Gen X kids—some they got, some they didn’t, and some that still haunt them to this day.

Watch on YouTube (with bonus videos!)

From Tonka Trucks to backgammon sets, they explore how childhood toy wishes shaped their emotions (and maybe their need for therapy now). If you're still recovering from another Christmas of unmet gift expectations, you’re not alone. Grab your snack and join the conversation!

Where to find us:

Instagram - @chatandbother

Facebook Page - @chatandbother

YouTube - @chatandbother

Twitter - @chatandbother

TikTok - @chatandbother

Threads - @chatandbother

Email List - http://eepurl.com/igYlfv

Podcasting Help: Learn about how we make the Chat & Bother podcast and get podcasting tips

This week, Don and Eva tackle a heated AITA post that’s sparking plenty of opinions. A mother is thinking about taking her ex-husband to court to help pay for their child’s private school tuition after discovering he’s planning to pay tuition at the same school for his other child with his current wife. The twist? The ex might not be able to afford both, and tensions are running high as questions of fairness, finances, and parental responsibility come into play.

Don and Eva break down the situation, debating whether the mom is justified in her actions or if she’s stirring up unnecessary drama. They discuss the challenges of co-parenting, the complexities of blended families, and the emotional weight of trying to do what’s best for your child. Is she the a**hole? Call us and tell us what you think at 312-788-7827, or tell us what you think on our Facebook page.

Read the Full AITA Post!

Where to find us:

Instagram - @chatandbother

Facebook Page - @chatandbother

YouTube - @chatandbother

Twitter - @chatandbother

TikTok - @chatandbother

Threads - @chatandbother

Email List - http://eepurl.com/igYlfv

Podcasting Help: Learn about how we make the Chat & Bother podcast and get podcasting tips

In this episode of Chat and Bother, Don and Eva discuss the lasting influence of high school coaches and the powerful impact they have on shaping our character and future. Whether you were an athlete, mathlete, academic decathlete, debater, mock trial member, or watched it all from the sidelines, coaches often play a pivotal role in our development—far beyond the field, court, or stage. Join us as we share personal stories, discuss life lessons learned through discipline, teamwork, and perseverance, and reflect on how these experiences continue to guide our decisions today.

Did your high school coach help mold the person you’ve become? Share your memories in the comments and join our thought-provoking conversation on the connections between sports, leadership, and personal growth.

Where to find us:

Instagram - @chatandbother

Facebook Page - @chatandbother

YouTube - @chatandbother

Twitter - @chatandbother

TikTok - @chatandbother

Threads - @chatandbother

Email List - http://eepurl.com/igYlfv

Podcasting Help: Learn about how we make the Chat & Bother podcast and get podcasting tips

In this episode of Chat and Bother, Don and Eva discuss their recent experience of moving kids into their college dorms and how it’s changed over the years. They’ll compare the practical, no-frills dorm decorating of the 90s—milk crates and posters, anyone?—to the carefully coordinated, Pinterest-inspired setups of today - powered by parents.

We’ll also examine the shift in parenting styles, discussing how Gen X parents are much more involved in their kids’ college lives compared to the hands-off approach many boomer parents took. Join us for a conversation about how these changes reflect broader cultural shifts and what it means for students and families alike.

Where to find us:

Instagram - @chatandbother

Facebook Page - @chatandbother

YouTube - @chatandbother

Twitter - @chatandbother

TikTok - @chatandbother

Threads - @chatandbother

Email List - http://eepurl.com/igYlfv

Podcasting Help: Learn about how we make the Chat & Bother podcast and get podcasting tips