Eileen ruminates on her most recent slang episode. As it turns out, she’s more embedded in slang than she originally realized. She shares new thoughts about how slang continues to evolve over generations, noting how words have different meanings based on our experiences. 

Eileen shares her shock about how much slang is still frequently used in her everyday conversations.  Remember  **“heinous,”** which has less to do with crimes these days and more to do with bad haircuts?  Or what about **banger**? Which once referred to headbanging music but now simply signifies a great song.

When everything feels fast-paced,  we find ourselves reaching for nostalgia in many forms. From the language we speak to the music we listen to and the stories we share.  

Step Back In Time With This Brand New Episode Of Strangers With Kittens 

Support the show

Strangers With Kittens is a podcast created by Eileen Kelly and Produced by Ashley Aker. Original music composed and performed by Chris Hajian. You can listen to full podcast episodes on Spotify, Amazon, Audible, and Apple Podcasts. 

✨ If you love raw, authentic Gen X stories, hit the FOLLOW button on Spotify to help our podcast grow!

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Staring at a wardrobe full of clothes but feel like you have absolutely nothing to wear?

This week on Strangers With Kittens, we are diving deep into Gen X fashion and closet organization. Eileen is joined by Alix from The Unruly Closet Co and @outfits.with.alix to bring you realistic, accessible wardrobe styling fixes for the pieces stuck in your closet.

Learn how to take your outfits to the next level, elevate your personal style, and feel entirely authentic doing it. We know fast fashion moves at lightning speed, but midlife style doesn't have to. Discover sustainable fashion solutions and practical closet cleanout tips tailored specifically for Gen X women who refuse to fade out.

Listen To The Brand New Episode Now
Watch Full Episodes on YouTube and Apple.

More About Alix:

Hi!  I'm Alix 🧡

For most of my life I did what most of us do…I followed the trends, bought what was in style, tried to put together outfits that looked like they were supposed to. But it never quite landed. I always felt like I was wearing someone else's idea of what I should look like.

So I kept trying to fit in. And kept feeling like myself less and less.

I'm not here because I have it all figured out. I'm here because I know what it feels like to stand in a dressing room trying on someone else's aesthetic and wondering why nothing ever feels right. And I know what it feels like on the other side of that too.

Join the Unruly Closet newsletter & receive my FREE Thrifted Denim Guide where I share my method for finding the perfect pair of jeans!  Each week you will receive a new email from me containing styling and thrifting tips, practical styling ideas you can use with what you already own, outfit formulas and the occasional rant about sizing culture.

Subscribe Here
https://www.unrulycloset.co/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/outfits.with.alix/

Support the show

Strangers With Kittens is a podcast created by Eileen Kelly and Produced by Ashley Aker. Original music composed and performed by Chris Hajian. You can listen to full podcast episodes on Spotify, Amazon, Audible, and Apple Podcasts. 

✨ If you love raw, authentic Gen X stories, hit the FOLLOW button on Spotify to help our podcast grow!

Follow Strangers With Kittens On Social Media 

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Remember 70s and 80s beach trips? It was all zero sunscreen, looking out for Jaws, and getting sun poisoning so bad you and your siblings would take turns peeling each other's skin off. But for author Heidi K. Brown, the beach meant working—specifically, pounding the hot sand to recruit kids for her parents' strict Vacation Bible School. Bitchin' summer? NOT! 

In this episode of Strangers With Kittens, Eileen sits down with Heidi K. Brown to discuss her powerful new travel memoir, THE MAP I DRAW. They dive deep into growing up in a conservative fundamentalist Gen X childhood, facing family dysfunction, and using solo travel as a tool for deep emotional healing. Heidi shares how an unexpected trip to Rome became a turning point in her life, leading her away from a rigid legal career and into a life of creative writing. Plus, Eileen and Heidi talk about aging powerfully in midlife, breaking free from fear and rebellion, and building a daily writing practice using morning pages and journals. If you are looking for inspiration on healing from religious trauma, reinventing yourself after 40, or embracing Gen X nostalgia, this episode is for you. They dig into family, faith, fear, rebellion, and the idea of “aging powerfully” instead of quietly accepting limits.

Heidi is a Law Professor and Associate Dean for Upper Level Writing at New York Law School. She earned her master’s degree in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania in 2021. She crafted a life of flourishing through teaching, writing, boxing, jumping up and down at U2 concerts, studying Italian, and traveling the world solo. You can find out more about Heidi at:

• Grab Heidi’s memoir: The Map I Draw [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-map-i-draw-a-memoir-of-travel-as-a-passport-to-self-heidi-k-brown/44490500bf2cd8a7?ean=9798992980707&bkshp-astro=t]
• Follow Heidi K. Brown: IG: https://www.instagram.com/introvertedlawyer
  IG: https://www.instagram.com/heidiographia/ 
  Substack: https://heidiography.substack.com/
  
  For information about Heidi's books and speaking engagements please email her at: [email protected]. 
  
  

 ✨ Hit the FOLLOW button on Spotify so you never miss an episode of Strangers With Kittens!

Support the show

Strangers With Kittens is a podcast created by Eileen Kelly and Produced by Ashley Aker. Original music composed and performed by Chris Hajian. You can listen to full podcast episodes on Spotify, Amazon, Audible, and Apple Podcasts. 

✨ If you love raw, authentic Gen X stories, hit the FOLLOW button on Spotify to help our podcast grow!

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Is your vocabulary still stuck in the 1980s? This week on Strangers With Kittens, we are diving into the world of Gen X slang and proving exactly why our generation refuses to lose its cool.

Eileen breaks down the legendary 80s slang and 90s phrases that still slip off our tongues today. We look at the words we didn't start but adopted, the catchphrases we can't believe anyone actually uttered in public, and the cinematic trends that shaped how we spoke. Did real teenagers actually say these things, or was it just the cast of Clueless? Where did these retro catchphrases even come from, and do you still say them today?

Tune in for a totally wild, wicked, and gnarly dose of 1980s childhood nostalgia.

Support the show

Strangers With Kittens is a podcast created by Eileen Kelly and Produced by Ashley Aker. Original music composed and performed by Chris Hajian. You can listen to full podcast episodes on Spotify, Amazon, Audible, and Apple Podcasts. 

✨ If you love raw, authentic Gen X stories, hit the FOLLOW button on Spotify to help our podcast grow!

Follow Strangers With Kittens On Social Media 

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For girls growing up in the 70s and 80s, retro skincare meant exfoliating with harsh apricot scrubs until you bled and washing your face with generic bar soap. And 80s makeup? It was bold, expressive, and completely chaotic. We applied eyeshadow with tiny foam Q-tips, used our fingers, and literally melted eyeliner pencils with a Bic lighter to get that smooth application. There was no setting spray, but man, was it fun.

In this episode of Strangers With Kittens, host Eileen sits down with Michele Spieler, a professional makeup artist with over 30 years of experience in the beauty industry.

Together, they dive into shifting midlife beauty standards, mature skin makeup tips, and finding empowerment as a Gen X woman aging in a society that often tries to make us feel invisible. Discover how to transition your makeup routine for your 40s and 50s, reclaim your confidence, and embrace pro-aging beauty.

Listen To This Brand New Episode Now

More About Michelle Spieler:

Founder of the Look-Good-Closeup-Club!  A 30 year professional makeup artist, with almost two decades in Hollywood production, Michelle learned how to do makeup on HD cameras🤣  and brought those techniques to her mature community. Since joining TikTok in 2020, she realized how ignored and invisible women this demographic felt. Teaching techniques using products geared for mature skin is her passion.

Connect With Michelle 

https://www.michellespieler.com/

https://www.instagram.com/michellespielermua

https://www.youtube.com/user/Mzlashes2/featured

https://www.tiktok.com/@maturemakeupmasterclass

Support the show

Strangers With Kittens is a podcast created by Eileen Kelly and Produced by Ashley Aker. Original music composed and performed by Chris Hajian. You can listen to full podcast episodes on Spotify, Amazon, Audible, and Apple Podcasts. 

✨ If you love raw, authentic Gen X stories, hit the FOLLOW button on Spotify to help our podcast grow!

Follow Strangers With Kittens On Social Media 

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Keep The Conversation Going 

https://www.strangerswithkittens.com/

Remember the electricity of childhood when the world could still surprise you? When you snuck out after dark, read the jokes on popsicle sticks, and didn't look at the future through a lens of fear or cynicism?

These days, after decades of navigating love, heartbreak, divorce, and career setbacks, it feels like nothing surprises us anymore. Is Gen X just stuck in a rut, or are we finally resting?

In this week's episode of Strangers With Kittens, we confront the realities of midlife burnout and the unique pressures of the sandwich generation. We dive into the heavy lifting of healing your inner child while simultaneously caring for aging parents who might not have cared for you, all while watching your own children mature into young adults. We also tackle the modern anxieties of midlife career changes, dealing with workplace ageism, and the rise of AI.

Listen for a powerful reminder to pause, re-evaluate, and decide what you want. Everything is up for negotiation, and you still get to decide who you want to be.

Support the show

Strangers With Kittens is a podcast created by Eileen Kelly and Produced by Ashley Aker. Original music composed and performed by Chris Hajian. You can listen to full podcast episodes on Spotify, Amazon, Audible, and Apple Podcasts. 

✨ If you love raw, authentic Gen X stories, hit the FOLLOW button on Spotify to help our podcast grow!

Follow Strangers With Kittens On Social Media 

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Don't touch that clicker! Keep your dial tuned right here for a special nostalgic episode of Strangers With Kittens.

This week Eileen is joined by special guest Cynthia Bemis-Abrams, the creator and host of the Advanced TV Herstory podcast. Together, they are diving deep into classic television history and exploring the evolution of feminism through the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s.

Revisit the cultural milestones we all watched together on the living room rug—shows that captured a moment in time and the groundbreaking women who kept us hooked. From sitcom icons to the trail-blazing women behind the scenes, Eileen and Cynthia celebrate the legendary figures who forced us to pause, empowered us to be ourselves, and changed how we viewed the world. Tune in for a beautiful trip down pop culture memory lane.

Listen Now

Watch Full Episodes on YouTube 

Keep The Conversation Going 
www.strangerswithkittens.com 

Follow and Connect WIth Cynthia Here 
https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/advanced-tv-herstory/
Instagram: ⁨@advancedtvherstory⁩  
Facebook: Cynthia Bemis-Abrams

More About Our Guest: 

"Cynthia Bemis Abrams is a dynamic force in the realm of media and cultural analysis, known for her insightful exploration of how television reflects and shapes societal norms. As the creator of the popular podcast Advanced TV Herstory, Cynthia delves into the feminist narratives and undercurrents within television history, bringing to light the often-overlooked contributions of women creatives. Her work is a testament to her belief in the power of storytelling to drive social change and expand cultural understanding." -AdvancedTVHerstory.com

Support the show

Strangers With Kittens is a podcast created by Eileen Kelly and Produced by Ashley Aker. Original music composed and performed by Chris Hajian. You can listen to full podcast episodes on Spotify, Amazon, Audible, and Apple Podcasts. 

✨ If you love raw, authentic Gen X stories, hit the FOLLOW button on Spotify to help our podcast grow!

Follow Strangers With Kittens On Social Media 

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Back in the 70s and 80s, Gen X pets were just as feral as the latchkey kids. They roamed the neighborhood streets, marked their territory, and didn't hesitate to scratch or bite if you got too close. There were no puppuccinos, no "gotcha days," no fancy groomers, and they definitely weren't allowed on the bed.

But thankfully, times have changed and our relationships with our animals have evolved.

In this episode of Strangers With Kittens, Eileen reflects on the hilarious and stark differences between 80s pet culture and how we love our animals today. She opens up about her own soul dog, Bear, and celebrates how pets went from backyard guards to deeply loved family members. Grab your fur baby, curl up, and tune in to this nostalgic look at growing up with pets.

Join the Conversation:

• Did you have a feral childhood pet? Tell us your funniest story in the  comments section below!
• Follow Strangers With Kittens on Instagram: [Insert Link]

✨ If you love your pets and your 80s nostalgia, hit FOLLOW on Spotify to support the show!

Support the show

Strangers With Kittens is a podcast created by Eileen Kelly and Produced by Ashley Aker. Original music composed and performed by Chris Hajian. You can listen to full podcast episodes on Spotify, Amazon, Audible, and Apple Podcasts. 

✨ If you love raw, authentic Gen X stories, hit the FOLLOW button on Spotify to help our podcast grow!

Follow Strangers With Kittens On Social Media 

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Keep The Conversation Going 

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We’ve all seen the memes celebrating how "tough" our generation is—but how much of that is actually just unhealed generational trauma?

This week on Strangers With Kittens, host Eileen meets a real-life stranger from the internet: the incredible Kira Sabin. Together, they connect, cackle, and dive deep into the Toxic Gen X Bullshit that many of us collectively wear as a badge of honor.

From our obsession with toxic comfort television and the survival tactics of a latchkey childhood, to navigating the absolute chaos of perimenopause symptoms, Eileen and Kira leave no stone unturned. It's time to break the subconscious patterns that are keeping us stuck in midlife burnout. Things get a little nutso in the buttso, but it's a conversation the latchkey generation desperately needs to have.

Connect With Kira

Kira is a personal coach who has over 18 years of experience helping people, primarily women, quiet their overthinking, realize their self-worth, build unshakeable relationships, or uncover more little moments of joy throughout their day. A self-proclaimed Hope Dealer helping others channel their rage. 

Kira offers group intensive coaching programs, personalized 1:1 midlife edit coaching, and inspiring retreats designed specifically for women who want clarity, confidence, and joy—without the BS. No fluff, just results. 
https://www.thrivewithkira.com/work-with-kira

Listen To Her Podcast: Thrive With Kira Podcast 
https://www.thrivewithkira.com/podcast


Follow Kira Here 
IG: https://www.instagram.com/thrivewithkira
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@kirasabin⁩  
TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@thrivewithkira


Chapters List 
00:00 Introduction and Excitement for Podcasting
05:07 Exploring Gen X and Historical Context
07:29 The Power Dynamics of Gen X Women
10:22 Navigating Aging and Life Challenges
13:00 Media Influence and Societal Norms
16:00 Trauma and Unspoken Experiences of Gen X
18:56 Addressing Past Harms and Healing
21:38 Numbing and Coping Mechanisms of Our Generation
24:16 Numbing Mechanisms and the Need for Healing
25:49 Encouraging Emotional Healing in Men
27:17 The Impact of Generational Trauma
29:21 Empowerment and Emotional Expression
31:32 Processing Trauma and Compassion
33:04 Breaking the Cycle of Silence
34:24 Navigating Parenting and Emotional Validation
36:13 The Humor in Childhood Experiences
39:06 Cultural Connections Through Food
41:23 Social Anxiety and Coping Mechanisms
47:17 Nostalgia and Television as a Babysitter
49:51 Cultural Influence of Past Generations
52:35 Romantic Comedies and Their Impact
55:20 Gender Dynamics and Societal Expectations
59:17 Breaking Generational Cycles
01:03:18 Navigating Relationships and Emotional Health
01:09:23 Sibling Abuse and Family Dynamics
01:11:11 Generational Trauma and Parenting Challenges
01:14:05 Healing and Empowerment of Gen X Women
01:16:49 Work-Life Balance and Generational Differences
01:19:03 Setting Boundaries and Self-Advocacy
01:22:03 Reflections on Childhood and Cultural Shifts
01:24:35 Humor Across Generations and Its Impact
01:31:24 FULLSWKOUTRO.mp4

Support the show

Strangers With Kittens is a podcast created by Eileen Kelly and Produced by Ashley Aker. Original music composed and performed by Chris Hajian. You can listen to full podcast episodes on Spotify, Amazon, Audible, and Apple Podcasts. 

✨ If you love raw, authentic Gen X stories, hit the FOLLOW button on Spotify to help our podcast grow!

Follow Strangers With Kittens On Social Media 

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Picture this: It's an 80s summer. You have sunshine for days, a bike, and a neighborhood ripe with opportunities. Your days are filled with movies at the drive-in, hours at the video arcade, a custom 80s mixtape pumping through the cassette player, and ice cream for a dollar. Could you do it all over again?

In this episode of Strangers With Kittens, Eileen uses the summer as a portal to travel back to the past. She dives into the ultimate 1980s childhood nostalgia to remind us to be greedy with our time and protective of the company we keep.

Discover how to reclaim the season, break free from midlife burnout, and spend more moments creating memories in the present—just like we did when we were young. Let's tap into that unfiltered Gen X freedom and live this season intentionally.

Support the show

Strangers With Kittens is a podcast created by Eileen Kelly and Produced by Ashley Aker. Original music composed and performed by Chris Hajian. You can listen to full podcast episodes on Spotify, Amazon, Audible, and Apple Podcasts. 

✨ If you love raw, authentic Gen X stories, hit the FOLLOW button on Spotify to help our podcast grow!

Follow Strangers With Kittens On Social Media 

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Keep The Conversation Going 

https://www.strangerswithkittens.com/