Strangers With Kittens: Gen X Stories from the Least Parented Generation.
We're the so-called "slacker" generation but we somehow raised ourselves, our kids, and now our parents. Laugh between breakdowns and bad decisions, and let's finally give credit where credit is due. Here's to Generation EX-CELLENT!
Episodes
46 episodes
Boston Family Vacation '76
In this episode, Eileen recalls a poignant moment between Gen X and younger generations, recognizing that we are all living life for the first time. That no matter our age or season, we are all human. A gift not given to most of Gen X.
Post-Vacation Babbles
Ushering in the summer season just a little bit early. Eileen recalls some of the more obscure products long forgotten from the 70s, were they too legit or just full of Formaldehyde? GLP-1s are giving major side-eye, but why? Plus, don't miss a...
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Creativity, Community & Chaos: The 3 C's of Gen X
This week GenXer Taigi Smith joins Eileen on Strangers With Kittens. The studio audience grows by one canine and doubles the drama, (or maybe trauma). Listen as these two dredge up some collective trauma, and some stories that feel unreal but a...
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Hey Mama, You're Doing Great
This one is for the moms. Join Eileen and special guest Audra Socinski while they hash out motherhood. In celebration of Mother's Day, this episode recognizes all the bits of motherhood, including the moments that nearly knock you out. Moms are...
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It's Deja Vu All Over Again
Are we the only ones reading the news headlines and wondering what year it is? This week on Strangers With Kittens, Eileen wrestles with time. In preparation of her own daughter's college graduation, Eileen acknowledges the similari...
Boys Don't Cry (And That's A Problem)
This week Eileen and special guest Kimmi Berlin, founder and creator of the non-profit organization BuildUpBoys discuss parenting, mentoring, and nurturing boys. These two GenXers are all too familiar with the clear gender roles of generations ...
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Necessity Is The Mother Of Invention
Strangers With Kittens' Eileen Kelly welcomes Dr. Theresa Lyons PhD. Dr. Lyons is a Yale-Educated and trained Scientist, Medical Strategist, Autism Parent and Founder of Navigating Autism and www.awetism.net. This week Eileen and L...
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Sibling Scars: Bad Blood Or Bad Parenting
Consider yourself lucky if you don't have a scar or two that came from an older brother or your scrappy little sister. Sure, there were swirlies, and noogies, and yes, you can remember the way you would squirm to avoid the loogie stretching its...
Building Boundaries Not Walls With Katrina Oliver
This week Gen X finds actually effective ways to enforce boundaries with the help of a licensed professional. Katrina shares her immense knowledge and expertise on the subject while teaching us how important it is to resist trickle-down trauma ...
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Surviving Spring Break (in the 70s)
The birds are singing, the weather is warming and even though it's been decades since you've had a true Spring Break Vacation, you continue to yearn for those blissful spring days. There's swimming in sub-zero lagoons. Water slides made of conc...
Did We Really Love The 90s?
Did we really LOVE the 90s or should we all take off our rose-tinted glasses?Remember when the only way to get ahold of someone who wasn't right next to you was through a landline? Maybe they had a pager. The music was loud, you saw movi...
Generation X-Hausted
Generation X has been called a lot of things. Cynical. Slackers. We might be cynical, but that's because we got shafted on so many levels. We parented ourselves. We were responsible for ourselves. We became the ones who carried the burden of th...
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Hitting Rock Bottom With Nikki Mammano: Making The Best Of Bad Situations
Eileen invites Nikki Mammano, author of Breaking Good to the show. Without spoiling the memoir the two discuss addiction, drug abuse, bad decisions, and even worse consequences. A harrowing and suspenseful glimpse in time that reminds us that s...
Good Grief
Strangers With Kittens returns this week after a 2-week hiatus. This week, Eileen confronts death and explores grief within our society. After losing a close friend, Eileen reflects on that core relationship. Wrestling with death, end-of-life c...
More Woo Please
Just can't get enough woo with Chris Nolan. This episode includes all the moments you missed from the previous episode. Think of it as a little treat. A bonus. Special Edition. Director's Cut. You've been fighting fascism all week; you...
I'm Glad My Mom Is WooWoo
Everyone has that one book that fundamentally alters their perceptions, perspectives, or, in this case, their future. We can't say that everyone finds their purpose in the eighth grade, but this week's guest will make you think about your life'...
Burning Down The House
This kitten is sincerely torn to pieces. Burning Down the House is an episode about releasing pent-up emotions, frustrations, and fears. Eileen confronts the social need to find a distraction or tune out during a time when it's crucial t...
Girls Just Wanna Live Unapologetically
This week, my Producer, Ashley, joins me on the podcast to hash out deep-rooted conflicts that have warped women's minds for generations. In this cross-generational episode, we confront some of the reasons we tend to feel crippled by comp...
L'eggo My Ego
You know that loud and inflated voice that asserts itself like some kind of arrogant moron? That's your ego talkin'. This is the second half of the episode with special guest Cynthia Levin and we get into the pits of ego and self-identity. Maki...
My Gen X Rockin' NYE
This year, we skipped the ball drop and did something a little different. Bring in the new year with Cynthia Levin and I. Together, we reflect on the year past and what we hope to do more of in 2026. They aren't really resolutions per se,...
Merry Christmas Ya Filthy Animals
Twas the week before Christmas and only chaos was brewing. Tune in with some strangers for comedic interviewing. Special guest Sam Tschida joins in on the fun. Sharing stories both bizarre and gleefully spun.
I Want My Mtv…and CDs and Concerts Back
Remember when you made mixtapes for your friends and every song was a reference and ode to your relationship? Or spending your entire check at Sam Goody? Eileen and special guest Chris Hajian are dusting off some of their most memorable music m...
The Nitty Gritty and Shitty Jobs Of Gen X
Have you ever looked back at your job history and wondered how the hell you ended up where you are today? Gen X, the generation that started working at the age of 10 hasn't stopped working in 40 years. We have worked in some of the most obscure...
From Bullies To Billionaires
The bullies have become the billionaires. In this minisode, Eileen draws distinct parallels between the kids who stole our lunch money in the fourth grade and those who are stealing our tax dollars today. The kids who made us feel scared, guilt...