by Travis Vangsnes
Writer Terry Pratchett once said, "People think that stories are shaped by people. In fact, it's the other way around." This podcast is about shared stories and mining meaning from them. It's about learning from one another as we look at our lives and the lessons we've learned. There will be plenty of laughs and randomness along the way. "That's So Rad!" is gonna be a fun, entertaining, and thought provoking ride.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
4/27/2025
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August 11, 2026
<p>Travis and Jeff continue their Xennial conversation with a focus on the decade of the 90s. They continue to discuss what it meant to grow up at the fault line between analog and digital life, and why that experience feels so specific to a small window of time.</p><p>A recent Instagram reel Travis shared from the previous episode went viral with nearly 2 million views within a week! They discuss some of the feedback and comments from it and talk about why this whole conversation has resonated with so many who grew up in this era!</p><p>Travis and Jeff also swap road trip stories full of Midwest Americana and quirky roadside attractions. Later, the conversation turns more reflective as Jeff, a therapist who works with teenagers, breaks down dopamine, social media and technology, and why constant documentation can pull us out of the moment.</p><h6>In this episode:</h6><ul><li>The follow-up to the Xennial conversation and why the reel about microgenerations took off, drawing nearly 2 million views and thousands of comments.</li><li>Travis and Jeff compare the Xennial experience to Gen X and Millennials, landing on the idea that Xennials lived through a true analog to digital fault line during formative years.</li><li>Jeff shares a family trip to Chicago, including the Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum’s Pokemon archaeology exhibit, and the Galloping Ghost Arcade.</li><li>They swap stories about unusual roadside stops like Uranus Fudge Factory, the circus sideshow museum, the world’s second biggest rocking chair, the Spam Museum, the Kazoo Museum, and the neon sign museum.</li><li>The conversation explores how generational labels are social constructs, and why microgenerations can feel more accurate for people shaped by rapid technological change.</li><li>Travis and Jeff discuss childhood freedom, how much more unsupervised play used to be normal, and how that clashes with the more protected parenting style many of them use now.</li><li>Jeff explains how social media is engineered around dopamine, rewarding attention without caring why you stopped scrolling or what it does to your mood.</li><li>They talk about the downside of over-documenting life, from concerts to family moments, and how recording everything can sometimes replace actually experiencing it.</li><li>Jeff notes that memory itself is imperfect and often more meaningful than raw documentation, since stories and recollection can add texture and emotional value.</li><li>The episode closes with a broader look at technology’s effect on dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins, and how real-world activity still matters for mental health.</li></ul><br/><p>Some cool videos that talk more about Xennials/microgeneration:</p><p>https://youtu.be/oCbxtjStZ6E?si=wG_ln6Pru14goI9P</p><p>https://youtu.be/Pqs0PokPDqo?si=-AhgOm-fM8xzkAPG</p>
July 29, 2026
<p>In this episode, Travis and his friend Jeff dive into the distinctive experience of Xennials — those born roughly between 1977 and 1983 — a microgeneration (between Gen Xers and Millennials) bridging the gap between analog childhoods of and digital adulthood.</p><p>They reflect on how shared cultural touchstones like the Oregon Trail game and childhood adventures shaped their view of the world, contrasting these tangible memories with today's digital experiences. From favorite childhood games to the evolution of technology from rotary phones to smartphones, the conversation unpacks how these shifts influence identity, resilience, and adaptability.</p><p>The episode also explores profound cultural moments such as the Challenger disaster and its impact on perceptions of safety and technological progress. Jeff and Travis discuss how technology's rapid advancement and social media's instant connectivity contribute to a sense of both opportunity and anxiety — particularly around the spread of tragedy and the dopamine-driven cycles of entertainment.</p><p>They highlight the importance of reconnecting with the physical world, nature, and tangible experiences for mental well-being in an increasingly virtual landscape. The conversation wraps with reflections on how being guardians of this experience allows them to serve as ambassadors for authentic, real-world interaction, urging listeners to step outside, embrace adventures, and reconnect with the tangible joys of life.</p><h6><strong>In this episode:</strong></h6><ul><li>The defining childhood experiences of Xennials, from Oregon Trail to early Nintendo</li><li>The cultural significance of the Challenger explosion in shaping safety perceptions</li><li>The transition from tangible, physical media to seamless digital consumption</li><li>The impact of social media algorithms and instant news on mental health</li><li>The importance of balancing digital tools with real-world, sensory experiences</li><li>Nostalgia for collecting and the physicality of media</li><li>The role of Xennials as cultural ambassadors, bridging analog and digital worlds</li></ul><br/><h6></h6><h6></h6>
July 15, 2026
<p>In this episode, Travis takes us on a nostalgic, caffeinated journey through the iconic 90s soda, Surge. With a blend of humor and insightful history, he uncovers how this seemingly simple citrus soda became a rebellious cultural phenomenon, vanished, and then came roaring back thanks to passionate fans and clever marketing. He also shares about his own love of Surge and some stories around his energy drink addiction in the early part of the 2000s.</p><p>From the historical roots of Mountain Dew to Surge's marketing blitz in the 90s, Travis showcases how branding, targeted advertising, and zeitgeist alignment can turn a beverage into a movement. And let's not forget the importance of social media activism—proving that sometimes, voice and passion can bring the wildest of brands back from the dead. Buckle up as we explore the chaos, culture, and comeback of Surge.</p><p>The Surge Movement:</p><p>https://surgemovement.org/</p><h6>In this episode:</h6><ul><li>The fascinating origin story of Mountain Dew and how it inspired Surge's aggressive branding.</li><li>Surge’s marketing strategy: chaotic commercials, extreme sports appeal, and its “feed the rush” slogan.</li><li>The cultural impact of Surge in schools, skate parks, and teen identity during the 90s.</li><li>The decline due to health concerns and school bans, despite Surge having less caffeine and sugar than Mountain Dew.</li><li>The grassroots movement and social media campaign that led to Surge’s surprising 2014 comeback.</li><li>The power of community activism in reviving discontinued brands and what modern marketers can learn.</li><li>The contrast between Surge and Red Bull’s branding approaches and the importance of understanding your audience.</li></ul><br/>
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Writer Terry Pratchett once said, "People think that stories are shaped by people. In fact, it's the other way around."
This podcast is about shared stories and mining meaning from them. It's about learning from one another as we look at our lives and the lessons we've learned. There will be plenty of laughs and randomness along the way. "That's So Rad!" is gonna be a fun, entertaining, and thought provoking ride.
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