The 15 Best Gen X Podcasts (2026)

Jon Reddick, Mo Smith, and George Sumpter have been at this since 2017, and with close to 490 episodes, GenXGrownUp is one of the most prolific Gen X podcasts out there. The format feels like sitting at a table with three friends who refuse to grow up, bouncing between memories of growing up in the 70s, 80s, and early 90s and whatever's happening right now. They cover movies, music, video games, tech gadgets, toys, comics, and basically anything that made growing up in that era feel distinct. New episodes drop every Thursday, alternating between fresh main episodes and "Backtrack" episodes that revisit earlier conversations or topics. Recent shows have covered the Gen X mall experience, classic action heroes, and The Greatest American Hero. The podcast is produced by Evergreen Podcasts, which gives it solid production quality without stripping out the casual hang-out vibe. GenXGrownUp isn't just a podcast either. It's become a broader content creation brand dedicated to Gen X culture, with a website full of articles and retrospectives. If you want a weekly fix of nostalgia mixed with present-day commentary from three genuinely knowledgeable guys who clearly enjoy each other's company, this is a reliable pick.

Jason Ek launched Stuck In The Middle in March 2022, and he's been remarkably consistent since then, putting out weekly episodes that have added up to roughly 177 installments. Each one runs about an hour and covers the music, movies, and culture of Generation X with a level of enthusiasm that hasn't dimmed over three years. The show stands out for its willingness to go beyond simple nostalgia lists. One episode builds a personal tier list ranking of Quentin Tarantino's films. Another examines 80s sci-fi and fantasy deep cuts like Krull, The Beastmaster, and Flash Gordon. There are episodes on different waves of 90s grunge, the paranormal craze of the 80s, and even fandom gatekeeping culture from the Usenet era. Jason brings a polished presentation style that listeners have repeatedly praised in reviews, but it never feels overly produced. The show maintains the energy of someone genuinely excited to talk about this stuff, not just going through the motions. You can follow along on Instagram, X, and YouTube at @stuckpodx, or connect through the Facebook page. With its weekly schedule and diverse topic range, Stuck In The Middle has become a dependable staple for Gen Xers who want fresh takes on familiar territory.

Hosts Jim and Adam have built The Gen X Files into a seriously prolific operation, with 231 episodes and counting. Each week they pick a single topic that resonates with Generation X and spend the full episode on it, covering movies, TV, technology, and social issues with equal enthusiasm. What makes this show distinctive is the themed monthly approach. They'll dedicate an entire month to a concept like "CompuKids" (exploring the role of computers in Gen X childhoods), "First Loves" (the movies and shows that first captured their attention), or "June Doom" (focusing on disaster and apocalyptic films). Other months have featured deep examinations of Stephen King's 70s and 80s books alongside their many adaptations, classic game shows like Jeopardy! and Match Game, and sci-fi landmarks like Tron and WarGames. The themed structure gives the show a sense of direction that purely reactive nostalgia podcasts often lack. Jim and Adam clearly plan their content carefully, and their conversations benefit from that preparation. Episodes on The Six Million Dollar Man and Quantum Leap show real knowledge of the source material, not just fond memories. The podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. For Gen Xers who appreciate a structured, topic-driven approach to revisiting their formative years, The Gen X Files is one of the most organized and consistent shows in the space.

Sisters Jennie Barrese and Amye Barrese Archer don't just reminisce about Gen X childhood media. They rewatch it, dissect it, and call out all the wildly inappropriate things nobody questioned back then. Their first major arc took them through every episode of Little House on the Prairie, where they discovered Walnut Grove was far more unhinged than anyone remembered. From there, they've tackled Love Boat, after-school specials, and a string of 80s blockbusters like Heathers and Children of the Corn. The sibling chemistry is the real draw here. Jennie and Amye are self-described "sometimes mortal enemies," and their bickering gives every episode a lived-in, funny quality that scripted banter can't replicate. They aren't afraid to roast a beloved classic or defend something universally mocked, and the conversations often veer into personal stories about how these shows shaped their worldviews as kids. The podcast has built up a solid archive of over 100 episodes on Acast, though new episodes aren't currently being added. That said, the back catalog is enormous and endlessly bingeable. If you grew up watching questionable TV in the 70s and 80s and want someone to confirm that yes, it really was that weird, this show delivers. It's less a nostalgia trip and more a comedic autopsy of the media that raised a generation.

Christopher Setterlund brings a unique angle to Gen X nostalgia by weaving it together with New England history and travel. He's a nine-time published author and content creator who has built this podcast into a substantial body of work, with over 200 episodes covering music, movies, television, pop culture, and forgotten curiosities from the 1960s through the 1990s. The show updates biweekly and each episode tends to pack in multiple segments. A typical installment might jump from memories of Cape Cod's Compass Lounge to weird movies that somehow got turned into video games, then over to a road trip through Manchester, New Hampshire. It's that mix of personal storytelling and cultural history that sets the podcast apart from straightforward nostalgia shows. Setterlund clearly does his homework. Episodes on topics like 1990s fitness fad failures or 1996's year in music come loaded with specific details and genuine enthusiasm rather than surface-level "remember this?" content. His background as a travel writer gives him a knack for making places and eras feel vivid. The show also has a Patreon community for listeners who want bonus content. For Gen Xers who appreciate nostalgia served alongside real storytelling and a distinctly New England perspective, In My Footsteps scratches an itch that most generational podcasts don't even know exists.

Host Zabe has created something genuinely different in the Gen X podcast world: an actual game show. Two friends compete against each other in trivia rounds covering 70s, 80s, and 90s pop culture, with the winner earning a shot at a "fabulous" prize that's really just weird Gen X memorabilia Zabe found on eBay. It's a brilliant format because it turns passive nostalgia into active participation. Listeners can play along from home, testing their own memories while rooting for their favorite contestant. The show features multiple game formats to keep things fresh. "Doing Lines With The Judges" tests movie quote knowledge. "Does Robin Know?" is a Batman-themed round. "Satanic Panic" covers the moral outrage of the 80s, and "In a World Coming Soon" focuses on movie trailers. There's also "The Home Game," a longer format with extended rounds and special guests, plus the "Challenging Stage," a mini-game format created by listener demand. The podcast is hosted on RedCircle and has a Patreon where supporters help fund the show and presumably the eBay prize budget. A dedicated Facebook group keeps the community active between episodes. For Gen Xers who are tired of the standard talk-and-reminisce format and want something interactive, Who Will Save Generation X? is the most creative and entertaining twist on generational nostalgia podcasting out there.

Pitfall Gary describes Gen X Archives as a pop culture time machine, and that's honestly a fair label. Born in the 70s and self-described as "forged in the Decade of Decadence," he treats each episode like a curated exhibit examining the culture, trends, and events that shaped Generation X. The show covers mixtapes, mall arcades, blockbuster summer movies, cult classics, and the TV seasons that defined an era. One standout approach is how the podcast contextualizes pop culture within specific moments in time, like a detailed preview of the Fall 1985 TV season that examines which new shows debuted and why they mattered. It's not just listing titles but actually placing them in the cultural context of that moment. Pitfall Gary is also a contributor to The Retro Network, which gives the show a connection to a broader community of retro culture enthusiasts. Episodes cover everything from John Carpenter's horror filmography to the Scooby-Doo franchise to Halloween specials that defined October for an entire generation. The podcast is available on iHeart and other major platforms. If you're looking for a Gen X show that treats 80s and 90s pop culture as something worth serious (but still fun) analysis rather than just a nostalgia trigger, Gen X Archives delivers a thoughtful take that rewards close listening.

Lori Garcia and rotating friends revisit the TV, films, music, and music videos that every latchkey kid of the MTV Generation knows by heart. The Untitled GenX Podcast has been running since 2020 and even has an IMDb page, which tells you something about the show's ambition. Episodes zero in on specific cultural touchstones with impressive detail. A recent run covered The Golden Girls with guest Jessica Ashley, breaking down individual episodes like "Sick and Tired" rather than just doing a surface-level overview. Another installment dissected Skid Row's 1989 self-titled debut album, talking through the music videos and band dynamics. That specificity is what makes the show work. Instead of broad "remember the 80s?" conversations, Lori and her guests pick one thing and really sit with it. The podcast also has a companion blog on its website and a Patreon tier at $5/month that opens up exclusive episodes and an official sticker. Available on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeart, it's easy to find wherever you listen. For Gen Xers who want to go deep on the specific albums, shows, and movies that defined the MTV era rather than just skimming the highlights, this podcast treats those cultural artifacts with the attention they deserve.

Five 80s kids named Jimmy, Eric, Josh, Kane, and Jeremy threw a party and turned it into a podcast. Dancing With Ourselves has produced 128 episodes since launching, with new installments dropping weekly and averaging a hefty 74 minutes each. The crew celebrates the 80s through guest interviews, storytelling, and what they call "totally RAD events," and the energy never seems to flag across that runtime. The guest roster is one of the show's strongest features. Drew Arnott from the 80s New Wave band Strange Advance has appeared to discuss his musical journey. Aamer Haleem from VH1's Bands Reunited brought behind-the-scenes stories from the show. Jason Masek from the All 80s Movies Podcast stopped by for a cross-pollination of 80s knowledge, and London-based Gen-Z YouTuber JayFlex offered a fresh generational perspective on the culture these hosts grew up with. Having five hosts creates a group dynamic that's closer to a party than a typical two-person interview show. Conversations branch off in unexpected directions, and different combinations of hosts bring different energy depending on the episode. The podcast is self-funded, with a Patreon starting at $2/month helping cover costs, and they've even launched a merch store at dancingwithourselves.net. It's loud, enthusiastic, and unapologetically devoted to the idea that the 80s really were the greatest decade. Come for the nostalgia, stay for the crew.

Blythe Alpern's podcast takes a different route than most Gen X shows. Instead of focusing primarily on pop culture nostalgia, The GenX Experience tackles what it actually means to be a Gen Xer right now, in midlife. Launched in March 2024, the show releases two episodes per month, each running about an hour, and covers topics like dating after divorce, ageism in the workplace, caring for aging parents while raising teenagers, and mental health challenges that Gen X grew up never discussing. That said, the 80s kid nostalgia still shows up. Episodes regularly circle back to how growing up in that era shaped the generation's approach to the issues they're facing today. Notable guests have included Jon "The DadBod Veteran" Wellington, a viral social media figure who talked about becoming an empty nester and launching a stand-up comedy career in midlife, and Lauren Bates, founder of the women's travel company Wild Terrains. Blythe has also devoted episodes to perimenopause, the PBS documentary The M Factor on menopause, and solo travel for women over 40. The show fills an important gap. Plenty of podcasts will tell you about the best 80s movies, but very few address the real-life stuff Gen Xers are dealing with right now. It's honest, practical, and occasionally vulnerable in a way that feels earned rather than performative.

Alan and Dave have been friends for thirty years, and that history comes through in every episode of Project GenX. Updated weekly, the podcast bills itself as conversations about "the stuff you like and some stuff you don't," which is a pretty accurate summary of its sprawling scope. The show covers movies, music, television, wrestling, and especially Halloween with a passion that borders on obsessive. Their annual "OctoberFest" episodes are a highlight, featuring deep looks at horror classics like The Evil Dead, Pumpkinhead, and Fright Night, complete with discussions of Stan Winston's practical effects work and Lance Henriksen's career. Regular contributor A'riel joins for episodes on kid's Halloween specials, while co-host Barry jumps in for wrestling segments covering AEW, WCW, and the WWF/WWE glory days. The show has racked up well over 200 episodes since launching in 2019 through Apple Podcasts and other platforms. Episodes covering Fight Club, The Crow, and Stephen King adaptations show that Alan and Dave aren't just casually nostalgic. They're genuinely knowledgeable about the films and culture of the 80s and 90s at what listeners have called "guru level." Reach them at projectgenxpod@gmail.com if you want to suggest a topic or join the conversation.

The Gen X Journey takes a broader view than most generational nostalgia shows. It's as much about where Gen X is headed as where it's been, mixing classic pop culture retrospectives with episodes on health, family, travel, and the life issues that come with midlife. That dual focus keeps it from falling into the same nostalgia loop that can make similar podcasts feel repetitive after a while. Recent episodes have covered a three-part series on Live Aid's 40th anniversary, ranking the 15 best performances and dedicating a full episode to Phil Collins' legendary transatlantic day. Other installments tackle 1989 in sports, the best candy brands according to Gen X listeners, and the Saturday morning rituals of a Gen X childhood. There's also an episode on 15 events that shaped Generation X, which balances cultural moments with personal reflection. The podcast is active on Instagram, X, Threads, Facebook, and YouTube, building a community around shared generational experiences rather than just broadcasting into the void. Episodes on technology and its impact on the generation show a willingness to think critically about how Gen X adapted from analog to digital life. Available on Podbean and Apple Podcasts, The Gen X Journey offers a well-rounded listening experience for anyone who wants nostalgia paired with genuine perspective on where this generation stands today.

Lynn Chen and Christy Meyers describe Gen X Taste as a seasonal show about nostalgia and novelty, and that framework shapes everything about it. The podcast evolved from their previous long-running show The Actor's Diet, which ran for over 100 episodes from 2013 to 2024, so these two have serious chemistry and podcasting experience behind them. Gen X Taste launched in 2024 on Substack and has released about 9 episodes so far, organized into themed seasons. Each episode blends beauty, fashion, and lifestyle conversations with Gen X nostalgia in a way that feels natural rather than forced. One episode might cover perimenopause pain, purse organization, and Halloween stories in a single sitting. Another features poet Maggie Smith discussing whether childhood movies hold up decades later. The Substack format means subscribers get bonus content and community discussion threads alongside the audio. Lynn brings her background as an actress and food writer, while Christy adds her own perspective on parenting, aging, and the weird intersection of caring for seniors while managing teen hormones. The show targets Gen Xers who are over 40 and still figuring things out, which is honestly most of them. It's a smaller, more intimate podcast that rewards listeners who want thoughtful conversation over high-volume content.

Kelly, Steve, and Eric are three Gen Xers who look back on all things pop culture from the 80s, 90s, and 00s with the kind of unfiltered honesty the title promises. New episodes drop every Tuesday, giving listeners a reliable weekly dose of nostalgia served with snacks and drinks (they literally tell you to grab both before pressing play). The show launched in early 2024 and has been building a steady catalog of episodes that cover a wide range of topics. One episode breaks down the Mr. McMahon Netflix documentary from a distinctly Gen X perspective. Others tackle classic TV shows, movies, and music that defined the generation's cultural diet. The three-host format creates a dynamic where opinions actually differ, which is refreshing compared to podcasts where everyone agrees on everything. Kelly, Steve, and Eric each bring their own memories and preferences to the table, leading to genuine debates about which movies hold up, which bands were overrated, and which cultural moments actually mattered. The show is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart, and Podbean. It's a relatively newer entry in the Gen X podcast space, but the Tuesday release schedule and consistent format suggest these three are in it for the long haul. If you want a laid-back weekly hang that doesn't take itself too seriously, Gen X Unfiltered fits the bill.

Kim and Jen are long-time friends and teachers who bring a distinct perspective to the Gen X nostalgia space. Their "twist" is that they don't just talk about the music, movies, and trends of their formative years. They also tackle the good, bad, and ugly of midlife, filtered through the lens of two educators who've spent their careers watching generations come and go. New episodes arrive every two weeks on Buzzsprout. The show covers defining moments of what they call "the forgotten generation," from the Brat Pack documentary The Brats to the abduction of Adam Walsh and its lasting impact on Gen X childhoods. Lighter episodes feature nostalgic beverage throwbacks and debates about the trends that actually mattered versus the ones we've collectively agreed to forget. Their teaching backgrounds inform the show in subtle but important ways. Kim and Jen also host a separate podcast called Twisted Teachers that focuses on education, and that dual perspective gives Gen-X With A Twist a grounded quality. They aren't just reminiscing. They're thinking about how the experiences of their generation connect to what they see in classrooms today. The podcast also features interviews with current and former educators alongside authors, broadening the conversation beyond pure nostalgia. It's a solid pick for Gen Xers who want their trip down memory lane paired with some real-world perspective.