Millennial: Pretend Adulting, Real Talk

Support #Millennial!⁠⁠⁠ Visit Patreon.com/millennial to get exclusive bonus episodes, live stream access, and more! Visit our merch store: ⁠⁠https://shop.millennialshow.com⁠⁠ Follow the show in your favorite podcast app and leave us a review! Welcome to Millennial, the home of pretend adulting and real talk — and this week, the vibes are… tense. In the Dumpster Fire Corner, we’re checking in on America where things feel one headline away from chaos: escalating threats overseas, whiplash policy shifts, and a President lashing out while juggling bad press on everything from gas prices to legal battles. Then we get into the main event: why the hell are concert tickets so expensive now? What used to be a fun night out is starting to feel like a luxury purchase, with fans dropping $1,000+ just to get in the door. We break down how pandemic fallout, rising production costs, and the loss of experienced crews have driven prices up — and why even face-value tickets now look like resale gouging. Plus, the psychology of fans: if you’re paying that much, you expect a show, which only drives costs higher. To wrap up, we’ve got recs: check out 5calls.org if you’re looking for a simple way to stay civically engaged, and don’t miss Record Store Day for a reminder of why music still hits different offline. And in this week's installment of After Dark: Pam's family has welcomed a new furry family member after a tragic origin story of owner abandonment. We get a little judgy this week behind the paywall about people who treat their furry companions as optional. We also give a little tease for what is to come in next week's After Dark - come hang out with us! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support #Millennial!⁠⁠⁠ Visit Patreon.com/millennial to get exclusive bonus episodes, live stream access, and more! Visit our merch store: ⁠⁠https://shop.millennialshow.com⁠⁠ Follow the show in your favorite podcast app and leave us a review! It’s chaos, community, and candid conversation on this week’s episode! We kick things off with Eric’s return before diving headfirst into the Dumpster Fire Corner where we're continuing to watch rising gas prices, market whiplash amid escalating tensions with Iran, and a wild SCOTUS ruling on conversion therapy that dropped on Trans Day of Visibility. Then, we shift gears for a powerful and deeply personal main discussion as Eric shares their journey of self-discovery, coming out, and navigating life as a non-binary trans person. From heartfelt family moments to the realities of gender-affirming care and the alarming wave of anti-trans legislation across the U.S., it’s an honest, eye-opening conversation you won’t want to miss. Of course, we have only the best recommendations for you inspired by today's discussion: Haus Labs Blush stick (Laura), IT Cosmetics do it all sheer tint face balm foundation (Pam), and Chris Pureka (non-binary singer/songwriter) (Eric). Interested in reaching out to Eric directly to hear more from them? Email [email protected] Other resources from today's discussion: Trans Lifeline USA: (877) 565-8860 The Gender Dysphoria Bible https://www.erininthemorning.com/ And in this week's installment of After Dark: We're all thinking about aging - but not in the grim, depressing way! We're getting really candid (but positive) about the changes we're seeing in our bodies as we get older. Not naming names, but someone on the panel got their first gray hair in an interesting location (and they decided to hold onto it). Tune in to hear who's getting botox next, how we feel about our own signs of aging, and how we've made peace with the inevitable march of time! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support #Millennial!⁠⁠⁠ Visit Patreon.com/millennial to get exclusive bonus episodes, live stream access, and more! Visit our merch store: ⁠⁠https://shop.millennialshow.com⁠⁠ Follow the show in your favorite podcast app and leave us a review! Thoughts and prayers to anyone flying this week (sorry Andrew)! This week’s Dumpster Fire Corner takes us straight to the airport chaos you didn’t ask for. With TSA agents working unpaid during the ongoing shutdown and hundreds quitting, wait times are spiraling and now ICE has been deployed to just... stand around? Are they helping or just vibing ominously in groups? It's Andrew's final episode of #Millennial, so we wanted to send him on his way with the most unhinged (and maybe useful) tips and tricks for using the world of AI to his advantage. People are using ChatGPT to win insurance appeals, write obituaries, and decode messy text threads. We also share our own random use cases (seriously, asking chat to look at pictures of dog poop? Ew!) Then, we unpack the rise of “typomaxxing,” where bad spelling is suddenly a power move to prove you’re human. This week's recommendations are important staples! Support independent podcasts (Andrew), Naturium's Glow Getter oil based cleanser (Laura), and getting a 3-in-1 soil tester (Pam). And in this week's installment of After Dark: The Roast of Andrew Sims! Y'all knew we weren't gonna let him get out the door without facing the music. Come one, come all for the airing of #Millennial family grievances one last time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support #Millennial!⁠⁠⁠ Visit Patreon.com/millennial to get exclusive bonus episodes, live stream access, and more! Visit our merch store: ⁠⁠https://shop.millennialshow.com⁠⁠ Follow the show in your favorite podcast app and leave us a review! It’s another week of pretend adulting and real talk as we welcome Eric (!!!) to the show and dive headfirst into the latest Dumpster Fire Corner. From a surprising Republican resignation over the Iran conflict to a leaky White House, rising gas prices, this doesn't look to be the easy in and out President Sundown promised. Then we blast off into a space-themed discussion inspired by Project Hail Mary, breaking down what makes a great space (and space disaster) movie, whether we prefer our sci-fi grounded in reality or pure escapism, and swapping favorites from Gravity to Star Wars. We also touch on the ever-weird “aliens are real” discourse making headlines after former President Obama baited Trump into making sweeping proclamations about releasing all files related to aliens (but not Epstein). This week in recommendations: Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Andrew), African exfoliating nets (Laura), no-slip clothes hangers (Pam), and dual-monitor setups, bonus points if you can acquire yours on the cheap through Facebook Marketplace (Eric). And in this week's installment of After Dark: We're unpacking Gen Z’s obsession with iPods, the rise of digital minimalism, and whether we’re all secretly craving a low-tech “analogue bag” escape from the chaos. Join us to find out what we'd each carry in our analogue bag to stay entertained on a desert island! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support #Millennial!⁠⁠⁠ Visit Patreon.com/millennial to get exclusive bonus episodes, live stream access, and more! Visit our merch store: ⁠⁠https://shop.millennialshow.com⁠⁠ Follow the show in your favorite podcast app and leave us a review! Trump and Israel's war on Iran isn't going well. There's mixed messages, rising gas prices, and Trump just admitted he doesn't know enough info about anything. Oh, and it's been confirmed that America bombed a school and killed over 100 girls. Is this the America voters wanted? Meanwhile, the clocks have changed in America, and rather than complaining about how much the time change sucks, we're striving to help you transition easier with each time change going forward (Let's be honest: Lawmakers aren't going to fix this for us). We look at best practices for jumping forward without feeling groggy, and offer some practical tips on how you can conquer winter blues (Pam's a big fan of alarm clocks that recreate the sunrise!). Plus, we talk about SAD Lamps... but why are we calling them SAD? That sounds a little... sad... Later, we look at if sleep tracking apps can help us conquer time changes and jet lag. Then of course there's always the medicine front - Andrew shares that he recently starting taking Wellbutrin, which can be used to take seasonal depression. This week's recs: Andrew's Favorite Things returns with Slow Closing Toilet Seats, Pam recommends a cheaper sunrise alarm clock before getting a more expensive one (like the Hatch), and Laura recommends the new HBO Max show DTF St. Louis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support #Millennial!⁠⁠⁠ Visit Patreon.com/millennial to get exclusive bonus episodes, live stream access, and more! Visit our merch store: ⁠⁠https://shop.millennialshow.com⁠⁠ Follow the show in your favorite podcast app and leave us a review! The Dumpster Fire Corner is in full blaze mode this week. We break down the potential Paramount takeover of Warner Bros. and why the Larry Ellison–Trump connection has media watchers sweating, especially with CBS News, CNN, HBO, and the future of bold LGBTQ storytelling hanging in the balance. Then: Trump and Netanyahu launch “Operation Epic Fury” against Iran, civilian casualties mount, oil prices teeter at the Strait of Hormuz, and the vibes are giving strong Iraq War flashbacks. TIME IS A FLAT CIRCLE. After, Andrew has an announcement to share about his role on the show going forward. More in the episode! Plus, we dive into HBO’s breakout hit Heated Rivalry: why it worked, why the yearning hit so hard, whether Hollywood will learn the right lessons, and how it’s literally boosting National Hockey League ticket sales. But does the NHL deserve all these new queer fans? We discuss. This week's recommendations are just a click away if you're ordering online! Flip 7: With a Vengeance (Andrew), Halovida dry shampoo gel (Laura), and Clipa bag hanger (Pam). And in this week's installment of After Dark: Patrons submitted their “final questions" for Andrew in light of his upcoming departure from #Millennial. We're getting reflective, grateful, and just a little unhinged. Plus some never before heard behind the scenes tea. It's giving deathbed confessions! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support #Millennial!⁠⁠⁠ Visit Patreon.com/millennial to get exclusive bonus episodes, live stream access, and more! Visit our merch store: ⁠⁠https://shop.millennialshow.com⁠⁠ Follow the show in your favorite podcast app and leave us a review! We’re skipping the State of the Union to spend much-needed time with our PALs! (Former Prince) Andrew was arrested (on his birthday!) amid the latest Epstein fallout, while King Charles III seemingly kept calm and carried on. Meanwhile, SCOTUS smacks down Donald Trump’s “emergency” tariffs in a 6–3 ruling that could lower costs (and raise his blood pressure). Then: making and maintaining friendships as adults. Trust your gut. Follow up. Send the meme. Plus, we discuss the rise of the “admin party” aka doing your life chores with friends, snacks, and vibes. This week's recommendations: Switchbot Automatic Curtain Openers (Andrew), build your sleep routine before the upcoming time change (Laura), and 'The Hunting Party' on Netflix (Pam). In After Dark, we get into big decision energy: flip the coin, test the waters, and stop fearing change. Growth is scary, but staying stuck is scarier. We get personal about how we break analysis paralysis and ultimately stay true to ourselves when faced with big life changes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support #Millennial!⁠⁠⁠ Visit Patreon.com/millennial to get exclusive bonus episodes, live stream access, and more! Visit our merch store: ⁠⁠https://shop.millennialshow.com⁠⁠ Follow the show in your favorite podcast app and leave us a review! Should talk shows be treated like news programs? CBS and the FCC seem to think so in light of Stephen Colbert's interview with Texas State Rep James Talarico being blacklisted from airing. The irony? The Streisand Effect strikes again, with the YouTube version of the interview getting way more attention because of the controversy. From there, we unpack the rise of luxury grocery culture spotlighted by The Wall Street Journal, including Erewhon’s viral $19 strawberry and the broader Gen Z/Millennial appetite for bougie “experiences,” plus how the MAHA movement led by RFK Jr. is reshaping food discourse around raw milk, beef tallow, and protein panic. This week's recommendations: Figo pet insurance (Andrew), EOS Cashmere Vanilla to smell good (affordably) (Laura), and the Whole Foods Coffee Bar (Pam). In After Dark, inspired by a The New York Times column on happiness, we dig into whether the real key to happiness is feeling loved. How have we found that active listening makes it easier to reciprocate in relationships? And we speak from experience about how to know when it’s time to stop pouring into relationships that don’t pour back. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support #Millennial!⁠⁠⁠ Visit Patreon.com/millennial to get exclusive bonus episodes, live stream access, and more! Visit our merch store: ⁠⁠https://shop.millennialshow.com⁠⁠ Follow the show in your favorite podcast app and leave us a review! This week we're joined by our friend and social media activist Tariq Ra'ouf and asking: how do you live a “normal” life when everything feels anything but normal? Tariq has been making a difference with his transparent and genuine coverage of tragedies that are going on in the world. We dig into a Vox advice column about the “dual state” theory and why some people carry on like everything’s fine while others feel like the ground is shifting beneath their feet. We share how we're talking to friends who just don’t seem concerned, and talk strategies for staying informed without losing our minds. We wrap with actionable recommendations in light of this week's topic: 5Calls.org (Andrew) and Indivisible.org (Laura). In the Dumpster Fire Corner, we unpack the alarming abduction of Nancy Guthrie: the strange digital trail involving Nest camera footage that supposedly didn’t exist, and what it means for your data privacy. Plus the latest Epstein file developments, including newly revealed names, political finger-pointing, and mounting pressure on powerful figures. And in this week's installment of After Dark, we're getting honest about marriage, long-term partnerships, divorce, and what commitment looks like for Millennials who aren’t in a rush to walk down the aisle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support #Millennial!⁠⁠⁠ Visit Patreon.com/millennial to get exclusive bonus episodes, live stream access, and more! Visit our merch store: ⁠⁠https://shop.millennialshow.com⁠⁠ Follow the show in your favorite podcast app and leave us a review! This week, the Epstein file dump raises more questions than answers. We break down the DOJ’s disastrous failure to redact victim information, the political spin flying in every direction, and the first criminal investigation sparked by the release. Plus: Trump’s renewed obsession with relitigating the 2020 election, federal agencies being weaponized to “prove” conspiracies, Tulsi Gabbard’s very sketchy side quest, and why all of this is quietly poisoning confidence in the 2026 midterms. Then we shift gears with a big, slightly uncomfortable realization: this is the year millennials officially got old (at least according to this Op-Ed). We talk “established adulthood,” saying no without guilt, going to bed early on purpose, being called “Ms.” by a 20-something, and the weird limbo of feeling young while society insists otherwise. We unpack how aging feels internally versus how it’s treated culturally, especially online, and why many of us just… never went back to posting the way we did pre-COVID. Then we ask our PALs a deceptively simple question: what’s something you didn’t realize was optional until you saw someone just not do it? From not explaining your “no,” to ignoring unexpected door knocks, renegotiating deadlines, abandoning books mid-read, leaving places you don’t want to be, and realizing you don’t actually have to climb the corporate ladder, we talk boundaries, burnout, and the freedom that comes with unlearning expectations. Per usual, we've got recommendations on tap for y'all: Slingz (Andrew), checking your voter registration status (Laura), and hydrahyde gloves for all your gardening needs (Pam). And in this week's installment of After Dark: Andrew introduces a new segment, asking: Is this weird? In this installment, Andrew seeks advice from Pam, Laura, and our Discord community about the best way to approach a neighbor with a well-intentioned question without seeming creepy. PLUS: is creeping with the drone creepier than asking a simple question? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support #Millennial!⁠⁠⁠ Visit Patreon.com/millennial to get exclusive bonus episodes, live stream access, and more! Visit our merch store: ⁠⁠https://shop.millennialshow.com⁠⁠ Follow the show in your favorite podcast app and leave us a review! In the Dumpster Fire Corner, MAGA finally drops the cosplay and admits the Second Amendment bit was performative all along.Then we dig into TikTok’s new U.S. entity and what (if anything) changes now that Oracle, Silver Lake, and friends are in charge. Are the updated terms sketchy, is there a new algorithm, and did anyone else notice the weekend chaos? Then, it’s time for a health check inspired by a NY Times aging test. We took a timed walk, tried to stand up from sitting on the floor with no hands, and balancing on one leg with our eyes closed. Then we got real honest about what was surprisingly harder than expected, where we want to improve, and how we’re thinking about fitness in 2026. On theme for this week, we've got some healthy recommendations for y'all! Undercover Chocolate Quinoa Crisps (Andrew), Cadense Adaptable Shoes (Laura), and a PSA from Pam about the importance of regular health screenings. And in this week's installment of After Dark: We get some part 2 updates about petty family dynamics and learn a new fun way to troll people you have shared digital photo frames with. Plus, how to handle people who insist on commenting negatively about your vacation choices... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support #Millennial!⁠⁠⁠ Visit Patreon.com/millennial to get exclusive bonus episodes, live stream access, and more! Visit our merch store: ⁠⁠https://shop.millennialshow.com⁠⁠ Follow the show in your favorite podcast app and leave us a review! This week we're kicking off The Dumpster Fire Corner, a quick way to discuss the latest news in our messed up world. Trump is back on his Greenland nonsense: floating taking it by force, firing off a letter to Norway’s PM about not caring about peace anymore (sir, Norway doesn’t hand out the Nobel), and tanking global markets because he will not log off. Public support is in the gutter, allies are understandably nervous, and experts warn that invading Greenland would effectively nuke NATO. Meanwhile, a German study confirms what we’ve all been saying: 96% of U.S. tariffs are paid by Americans, not foreign exporters, because of course they are. Then we unpack the rise of the “2016 Trend," and why everyone’s suddenly sharing photos from ten years ago. Then Pam breaks down what might be the first meme of 2026: not explaining yourself. From a viral TikTok comment about “365 buttons” to the broader rise of vagueposting, we ask whether this is chaotic nonsense, elite gatekeeping, or actually the perfect mantra for the year ahead. And yes, we absolutely speculate on what Tamara did with those buttons. This week's recommendations: Andrew shouts out a Stanley Steamer deep clean, Laura recommends The Pitt on HBO Max, and Pam loves HBO Max’s Like Water for Chocolate. And in this week's installment of After Dark: We're reflecting on 11 years of this show, past oversharing, former partners in old content, aging out of wild anecdotes, and what we’d do differently (or never change). Tune in for some juicy BTS observations about running #Millennial over the years! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support #Millennial!⁠⁠⁠ Visit Patreon.com/millennial to get exclusive bonus episodes, live stream access, and more! Visit our merch store: ⁠⁠https://shop.millennialshow.com⁠⁠ Follow the show in your favorite podcast app and leave us a review! This week, we’re cutting through the chaos with real talk about a terrifying few weeks in America: the killing of Renee Good by ICE, an administration racing to control the narrative, nationwide protests, secret-police energy, war crimes, intimidation of federal officials, and a president openly flipping off a worker on camera. We break down why “raw video is fact," and why knowing your rights when approached by ICE or law enforcement is essential. Check out the resources shared in this week's episode: National Immigrant Justice Center and ACLU: Immigrants' Rights. Then we switch gears to ask: have people actually gotten ruder since the pandemic, or does it just feel that way? We dig into Pew’s data, rank the most irritating public behaviors, air our own petty grievances, and take a nostalgic look at what got weirdly hot during COVID and then immediately died (RIP 3% mortgage rates, Peloton dreams, and plastic germ screens). Here's what's on tap for recommendations this week: Owala free sip water bottles (Andrew), Oli Pop prebiotic soda (Laura), and Olive & June's gel manicure system (Pam). And in this week's edition of After Dark: Move over Karen, there's a new name stereotype for a pushy demanding middle aged woman in town: apparently Jessica is the millennial generation equivalent based on how common the name is in our age group. Do we agree with this assessment? What's in a name, anyway? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support #Millennial!⁠⁠⁠ Visit Patreon.com/millennial to get exclusive bonus episodes, live stream access, and more! Visit our merch store: ⁠⁠https://shop.millennialshow.com⁠⁠ Follow the show in your favorite podcast app and leave us a review! We’re back from the holidays with fresh stories, fresh takes, and a little chaos. Andrew revisits 'Heated Rivalry' now that it’s fully shifted from steamy to surprisingly heartfelt, and Laura checks in on Venezuela with some uneasy historical déjà vu. Then we dig into what we’ve lost (and maybe found again) when it comes to communal millennial experiences, before asking our Patrons to give us their top hacks for finding cheap communal experiences in our cities. Our listeners came through! Art collectives, silent book clubs, run clubs, and parent groups are just a few of the examples that are inspiring us in the new year! We've (of course) got some top recs for y'all to kick off 2026: 'Heated Rivalry' on HBO Max (Andrew), 'Heretic' on HBO Max (Laura), and vision boarding to set intentions for 2026 (Pam). And in this week's installment of After Dark: Andrew gets into some crusin' stories that are too hot for the main show - including a full account of what he purchased in Mexico. 👀 And we hear some holiday updates from the panel that are reserved just for Patrons! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support #Millennial! The holiday season is here and so is our best offer at https://Patreon.com/millennial! Sign up for an annual membership and receive 20% off your subscription, guaranteeing perks through 2026!⁠⁠⁠ Visit our merch store: ⁠⁠https://shop.millennialshow.com⁠⁠ Follow the show in your favorite podcast app and leave us a review! We’re kicking off our final episode of the year by revisiting our 2025 predictions to see who deserves bragging rights (and who needs to quietly log off). We also make some 2026 predictions, and can't wait to see how wrong Laura is this time a year from now! Then we're getting reflective with a deep dive into personal values, resolutions, and themes for 2026, inspired by Brené Brown’s framework of choosing just two core values to guide your life. We unpack why clarity around values helps reduce shame, strengthens boundaries, and makes hard decisions easier, especially when life gets loud or uncomfortable. We get into how we plan to live these values in 2026, from setting firmer boundaries and protecting work-life balance to journaling, changing family dynamics, and choosing alignment over comfort. And we've got your final 2025 recommendations locked and loaded: Santa Fe Style Salad with Chicken - Fresh Retail, Private Label, Foodservice (Andrew), giving the gift of time with you to a loved one this holiday season (Laura), and Softymo deep cleansing oil (Pam). And in this week's installment of After Dark, we go deeper into our values and share some recent life events and realizations that have helped firm up our values and our boundaries. 2026 will be the year of boundaries, self-advocacy, equity, and having absolutely zero patience for bullshit as we get older. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices