• Baby Boomers: The Strangest Generation

  • Written by: John Ward
  • Podcast
Baby Boomers: The Strangest Generation cover art

Baby Boomers: The Strangest Generation

Written by: John Ward
  • Summary

  • A light look at growing up in the 60's and 70's, TV, music, family life, politics, drugs are just a few of the topics we cover. Whether you're a Boomer or not there was no other time like the Strangest Generation.

    © 2024 Baby Boomers: The Strangest Generation
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Episodes
  • Disco Sucks?
    May 3 2024

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    Explore the seismic waves that rocked the fabric of our society as we dissect the anthemic '60s and '70s rock scene, and how it ventured beyond mere entertainment to become a beacon for change. Feel the heartbeat of a generation in our latest episode, where we reflect on the political and social narratives woven into the music of the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. We'll discuss how these artists straddled the line between amplifying social issues and living in the wealth they sung against. With the help of a music mogul who witnessed this transformation firsthand, we examine the complexity and philosophical turns in rock music, pondering if its revolutionary edge got buried under its own depth.

    As the era of rock began to wane, a new rhythm emerged to fill the void—disco. This episode captures that transition, shedding light on the 'Disco Sucks' movement and the polarizing effect it had on music lovers. Yet, amid the backlash, we acknowledge disco's undeniable groove and discuss its surprising inclusivity and lasting cultural impact. Prepare to reevaluate the misunderstood legacy of disco through the eyes of our insider, as nostalgia meets a fresh perspective for a dance-worthy trip down memory lane. Join us for a lively discussion that will rock your nostalgia and set your feet tapping to the memories on "Baby Boomers: The Strangest Generation.

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    32 mins
  • Evel Knievel: The Daredevil Blueprint for Seventies Manhood
    Apr 24 2024

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    Step back with me to a time when the definition of masculinity was as shifting as the tides and every young man was searching for his place in the world. I unfold tales from my teenage years during the tumultuous mid-70s, wrestling with the legacy of my father's wartime heroism and the contrasting peace-and-love ethos of the era. Through the haze of Vietnam War protests and the sounds of Alice Cooper and Creedence Clearwater Revival, I found an unlikely role model in the fearless Evel Knievel—a man who defied death with a charisma that cut through the confusion and offered a different kind of blueprint for manhood.

    Join us as we explore the enigmatic life of Evel Knievel, whose death-defying antics and complex persona captured the imagination of a generation caught between old war tales and the search for a new peace. From his iconic jump at Caesar's Palace to his candid interviews on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Knievel lived a life of authenticity that made him an emblem of raw, uncompromising manhood. We'll consider the dichotomy of his off-stage battles and the principles he lived by, and how these reflections helped to shape my own understanding of masculinity. Evel Knievel's legacy, fraught with personal contradictions yet undeniably impactful, offers a nostalgic yet insightful look at the courage to live by one's own terms.

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    31 mins
  • Give me a head with hair: Long hair in the 70’s
    Apr 10 2024

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    When my father firmly clutched the scissors, threatening the life of every strand that dared grow past my ears, little did I know this battle of the locks was a rite of passage—a generational dance as old as time. Today, we embark on a journey through the follicular revolution that witnessed men's hair transform from a symbol of conformity to one of rebellion. We'll traverse the cultural landscape of the 60s and 70s, where locks grew long in defiance, and icons like Elvis and the Beatles dared to let their hair down, quite literally, setting the stage for what was not just a style, but a statement. Listen closely as I recount the tales of personal confrontation and societal shift; a time when a head of hair could speak volumes about war, peace, and the pursuit of individuality.

    Fast forward to a time when the man bun reigns and the pandemic has thrown the rulebook out the salon window, we reflect on how current hair trends echo the past's cultural clashes and signify more than mere fashion. My own journey from a hair skeptic to an observer of the pandemic's accidental hair liberation movement reveals a surprising truth: while hair may serve as a canvas of expression, it is but one thread in the tapestry of our identity. Tune in for a heartfelt dialogue on the evolution of male hairstyles, a nod to the icons who paved the way, and a celebration of the freedom to let our hair—whatever its length, style, or statement—truly be our own.

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    23 mins

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