The Soapbox Lex

The Soapbox Lex

By Eric Green and Paul RossSociety & Culture
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The Soapbox Lex episodes

  • Growing Up in the 70s & 80s (with Steve Mills)
    In this nostalgic episode of SoapBoxLex, we sit down with special guest Steve Mills to unpack what it really means to grow up in the 70s and 80s—and how wildly different it feels to raise kids today. From riding bikes until the streetlights came on to today’s world of smartphones, social media, and scheduled playdates, Steve reflects on the freedom, risks, and simplicity of childhood decades ago.Together, we explore how parenting has shifted from “figure it out” independence to constant connectivity, how technology has reshaped friendships and attention spans, and whether kids today are missing out—or just growing up differently. Along the way, we share plenty of laughs, a few “back in my day” moments, and some honest conversation about what we’ve gained (and maybe lost) along the way.Whether you grew up with Saturday morning cartoons and cassette tapes or you’re navigating screen time limits and parental controls, this episode will hit home.🎧 Tune in and join the conversation at https://soapboxlex.com
    56 min
  • 90s Alt Rock Trivia
    This week on SoapBoxLex, we switch things up.No deep dive. No cultural commentary. No hot takes.Just a full-on round of 90’s Rock Trivia.We put our knowledge of flannel, distortion pedals, and alternative anthems to the test with questions covering grunge, Britpop, post-grunge, one-hit wonders, and the bands that defined a generation. From obscure B-sides to chart-topping hits, we see who actually remembers the decade—and who was just pretending to know the lyrics all along.It’s competitive. It’s nostalgic. It’s slightly humbling.If you grew up rewinding CDs, recording songs off the radio, or arguing about which band really defined the 90s, this one’s for you.Play along and see how you score.🎧 Tune in and join the conversation at https://soapboxlex.com
    43 min
  • Fit for Fatherhood
    What does it really mean to be a good, fit, and present father?In this episode of SoapBoxLex, we’re joined by special guest Mike Gardner and his son Lennox for an honest, multi-generational conversation about fatherhood. We talk about showing up consistently, modeling healthy habits, balancing fitness with family life, and what “being present” actually looks like from both a dad’s and a kid’s perspective.Lennox shares what matters most to him about having a good dad, while Mike reflects on the lessons he’s learned, the mistakes he’s made, and how fatherhood has shaped who he is today. This episode focuses on real-world parenting—no performative masculinity, no shortcuts—just effort, accountability, and connection.Whether you’re a dad, thinking about becoming one, or simply interested in conversations about healthy masculinity and family, this episode offers thoughtful insight and practical perspective.🎧 Tune in and join the conversation at https://soapboxlex.com
    33 min
  • Don't Shoot the Messenger (with Jim Caldwell)

    In this episode, Paul and Eric sit down with longtime Kentucky meteorologist Jim Caldwell for a wide-ranging conversation about life in the public eye. Jim shares what it’s really like being a local television personality—both the perks and the pressures—and reflects on how viewers form surprisingly personal connections with the people they see on screen every day.The conversation also dives into Jim’s transition from broadcast television to his new role at KEDC, what motivated the change, and how the pace and purpose of his work has shifted. Along the way, they unpack one of the most unavoidable parts of modern media: the social media comments section. Jim offers candid insight into how online feedback affects broadcasters, why people behave so differently behind a screen, and how he learned to navigate the noise without losing perspective.It’s an honest, funny, and thoughtful discussion about media, identity, and what happens when your job makes you a familiar face to thousands of strangers.🎧 Tune in and join the conversation at https://soapboxlex.com

    58 min
  • Friendsgiving

    This episode is all about tradition, friendship, and deep-fried ingenuity. Eric talks about his legendary Friendsgiving—a gathering that’s been going strong for 24 years and shows no signs of slowing down.

    What started as a simple get-together has evolved into a full-blown annual ritual, complete with a perfectly fried turkey or two and the crown jewel of the table: the Coney Chonga—a deep-fried Friendsgiving masterpiece that has to be heard (and probably tasted) to be believed.

    We dig into how the tradition started, why it’s lasted for nearly a quarter-century, and what it means to create something consistent in a world that’s constantly changing. It’s a conversation about chosen family, shared history, and the kind of traditions that keep people coming back year after year—sometimes just to see what’s going into the fryer next.

    🎧 Tune in and join the conversation at https://soapboxlex.com

    34 min
  • Linguistic Fossilization with Smiley
    In this episode of SoapBox Lex, Paul is joined by special guest Smiley for a fun, smart, and surprising dive into linguistic fossilization—those phrases we still use even though the original actions no longer exist. From “rolling down the window” to “taping a show,” we explore why these verbal fossils stick around, what they reveal about culture and memory, and how language keeps evolving even when our habits don’t. It’s a lively mix of nostalgia, linguistics, and laughs with Smiley’s signature charm.🎧 Tune in and join the conversation at https://soapboxlex.com
    42 min
  • Hi Bored, I'm Dad

    In this episode of SoapBoxLex, we dive into the wild evolution of boredom—from Gen X latchkey afternoons and Millennial AIM-era downtime to today’s hyper-stimulated, screen-saturated kids who rarely sit still long enough to feel bored at all.

    We explore what boredom used to mean, what it means now, and how each generation responds to it differently. Is boredom a problem? A skill? A lost art? And are we raising a generation that’s forgotten how to daydream?

    Join us for a funny, reflective, and slightly nostalgic conversation about growing up unplugged, surviving slow summers, learning creativity from boredom, and what modern parents can do to help kids build resilience, imagination, and attention in a world that never stops buzzing.

    🎧 Tune in and join the conversation at https://soapboxlex.com


    39 min
  • The devil wore a lab coat

    This week on The SoapBox Lex, Paul and Eric sit downwith rising country artist and Kentucky native Mary Kutter — a fearless songwriter and storyteller redefining modern country music. They talk about her small-town roots, her local connection to central Kentucky, her journey fromNashville songwriter to recording artist, and how faith, family, and fire shaped her new album. Put on your fancy boots, but don’t let your guard down because as Eric and Paul learn from Mary, the Devil Wore a Lab Coat.

    🎧 Tune in and join the conversation at https://soapboxlex.com

    49 min
  • Over the Hill!

    For our 50th episode of SoapBoxLex,we decided to celebrate the only way we know how — by biting off way more than we can chew. The plan? Cover 50 topics in 30 minutes. The result? Total chaos, hilarious detours, and absolutely no chance of hitting all 50.

    From pop culture and bad dad jokes to life lessons, random debates, and a few deep thoughts that came out of nowhere— this episode is part celebration, part trainwreck, and all SoapBoxLex.

    Grab your coffee (or something stronger)and join us for a fast-talking, tangent-filled ride through our most ambitious failure yet. Here’s to 50 episodes and all the laughs along the way!

    🎧 Tune in and join the conversation at https://soapboxlex.com

    44 min
  • Vintage Controllers on Modern Hardware with Sean Green

    In this episode, we bring on Sean (Eric’s brother) — the visionary behind Bliss-Box, a company focused on re-purposing old gaming hardware and building universal, modular adapters to bring classic controllers into the modern era. We dive deep into the challenges, triumphs, and philosophy of making retro and modern systems talk to each other.

    We cover topics such as:

    • How Sean first got into adapting hardware and what inspired him to start Bliss-Box

    • The evolution of the Bliss-Box product line: from the legendary 4-Play adapter (and its spirit lives on in the “4-Play Advanced”) to the Gamer-Pro and Bridge system Bliss-Box

    • What makes Bliss-Box adapters special: plug-and-play design, modularity, wide compatibility, no drivers, support for mixing and matching controllers and platforms Bliss-Box

    • The technical side: how the adapters work (USB interface, Bridge to non-USB consoles, low latency) Bliss-Box

    • Real use cases (your old controllers, combining two into one, splitting one into two, wireless experiments) Bliss-Box

    • Sean’s vision for the future: where Bliss-Box goes next — more configurability, more consoles, better wireless, possibly new form factors

    • Plus Sean spills the tea on some of Eric’s childhood mishaps.

    Whether you’re a retro gamer, hardware tinkerer, or just curious about Eric as a kid, this episode gives you a look behind the scenes!


    🎧 Tune in and join the conversation at https://soapboxlex.com

    www.Bliss-Box.com

    49 min

About The Soapbox Lex

From the publisher's feed

Soapbox Lex is an engaging, talk‑show style podcast that combines humor, curiosity, and respectful argumentation. Hosted by Eric Green and Paul Ross, this show delves into those quirky, everyday annoyances—basically, “the things that grind our gears.” Whether chewing on philosophical debates or nitpicking daily frustrations, we always strive for engaging and entertaining conversation.