Video Games Can Help Beat This Spooky World

Support #Millennial! Pledge on Patreon and receive lots of perks: https://patreon.com/millennial Visit our merch store: https://shop.millennialshow.com Watch episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@millennialpodcast It’s election season (again), and we've got the scoop on what’s at stake, from Georgia’s high-stakes Public Service Commission races to California’s bold Prop 50 redistricting move. Meanwhile, SNAP benefits hang in the balance and Open Enrollment looms, making November a month where politics and real life collide. It's rough out here, y'all. Then, Andrew leads us into the world of gaming, where a new generation of players say video games are boosting problem-solving, friendships, and even mental health. We dig into whether those claims hold up, share our own gaming habits, and hear from listeners about the titles that have them hooked (from Hades 2 to Powerwash Simulator 2). As always, we've got the best recommendations on deck: The Aura Frame (Andrew), Blue Prince (Laura), and checking out your local Library of Things (Pam). And in this week’s After Dark: Pam makes the case for ranking your friends. Is it helpful self-awareness or emotional chaos? Let’s talk about why knowing your “besties hierarchy” might actually make you a better friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support #Millennial! Pledge on Patreon and receive lots of perks: https://patreon.com/millennial Visit our merch store: https://shop.millennialshow.com Watch episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@millennialpodcast Real talk… people are tired. In fact, 37% of Americans say they’ve taken vacation days just to rest (and honestly, same). Andrew’s finally acting like a grown-up and getting his blood work done (shoutout to Function Health for making it surprisingly fascinating). Then, we dive into TikTok’s newest productivity trend inspired by the gaming community: “Locking In.” From work and school to personal goals, Gen Z’s challenge to hyper-focus through the end of the year might just be the motivation we need. Plus, we’re bringing back one of our favorite traditions: this year’s physical gift for BAE Patrons and higher: a handwritten “Dear PAL” letter from the three of us, complete with a surprise digital perk to help you chill. Join the BAE level by Friday, November 7 and submit your order by November 14 to get yours at Patreon.com/Millennial. We also share our favorite productivity hacks from listeners and reveal what actually helps us lock in. Per usual, we've got our top recommendations lined up for y'all: Function Health (Andrew), walking pads (Laura), and the Erin Condren Life Planner (Pam). This week's After Dark is a casual installment where we ask our Discord community to tell us what to talk about. It shouldn't be a surprise that it turned into an impromptu MuggleSuck segment. Oops! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support #Millennial! Pledge on Patreon and receive lots of perks: https://patreon.com/millennial Visit our merch store: https://shop.millennialshow.com Watch episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@millennialpodcast This week, Jane Goodall has her Final Interview on Netflix, and we talk about this new series that's going to be super compelling has time moves on. Then, we’re checking back in on the world of AI and how it’s transforming classrooms (for better or worse). Is AI just the latest boogeyman for academic dishonesty, or are there ways it can actually be beneficial for students and teachers? Some educators are saving time on admin tasks and lesson planning, and even see a future where AI can serve as a tutor for students. But not everyone’s convinced it’s a good thing. Who remembers written exams in blue books? Some teachers are going old-school with testing  to combat students cheating on their work with AI. We also hear directly from educators across the country about how AI is changing their classrooms. Some see it as a creative tool, others as a crutch that risks dulling students’ critical thinking. Are schools ready for this shift? Per usual, we came prepared with our latest recommendations: Screw Chrome, switch to DuckDuckGo (Andrew), look at perfume sampler kits for an affordable way to find your new fragrance (Laura), and a reminder that it's vax season and time to get your updated flu and covid shots! (Pam) And in this week's After Dark, we're declaring our midlife crises. What's in the Millennial Midlife Crisis Starter Pack™ for our subscribers? And we need to know if Botox qualifies as a midlife crisis, or just self-care. Asking for a friend. 👀 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support #Millennial! Pledge on Patreon and receive lots of perks: https://patreon.com/millennial Visit our merch store: https://shop.millennialshow.com Watch episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@millennialpodcast This week, we’re cashing our imaginary $51 Amazon class-action checks and debating what ridiculous Prime purchase we’d blow it on. Meanwhile in D.C., Trump flirts with yet another government shutdown (spoiler: it shut down) and calls in his army of “yes men” while real federal workers brace for furloughs (or worse). We’re also breaking down what tariffs on lumber and furniture could mean for your next splurge, and why sometimes, splurging is exactly what your budget needs. From “buy it for life” items to guilty pleasures that bring us joy, we’re asking: when is it worth spending big in an uncertain economy? Per usual, we've got recommendations handy: Hydration backpacks (Andrew), Netflix's 'Umbrella Academy' (Laura), and Orly in a snap quick dry top-coat formula (Pam). And this week's installment of After Dark has TOO MUCH TEA to plug in front of the paywall. Let's just say it's a new edition of MuggleSuck... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support #Millennial! Pledge on Patreon and receive lots of perks: https://patreon.com/millennial Visit our merch store: https://shop.millennialshow.com Watch episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@millennialpodcast Dear PALs, the rapture may be delayed, but the drama is right on time! We're digging into the FCC’s pressure on ABC and the fallout from Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension (and reinstatement). What this means for free speech, the politics behind Sinclair and Nexstar’s decisions, and how moves at the top trickle down to independent creators like us. Disney+ faced protests and cancellations over the Kimmel fiasco, and chose this moment to announce everyone's least favorite update: price hikes. All the while, stars and fans alike are canceling Disney+ in solidarity. As always, we're here with the best recommendations: Draft Top Lift Universal Topless Can Opener  (Andrew), weighted blankets to soothe your anxiety in these troubled times (Laura), and Mighty Patch to keep your visage clean and clear! (Pam) Did you get left behind? #Rapturegate may have disappointed some, but our 23% Patreon discount for new subscribers still stands for a few more days. Don't miss out! And in this week's installment of After Dark: Since y'all know we love to talk shit, we've got some updated neighborhood tea to spill. But we're not the only ones bitching this week! Our BAE Patrons weigh in to let us know what neighborhood nonsense is bugging them, and getting some tips from them on how to deal with the most annoying neighbor. PLUS: Is anyone actually using Nextdoor anymore? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support #Millennial! Pledge on Patreon and receive lots of perks: https://patreon.com/millennial Visit our merch store: https://shop.millennialshow.com Watch episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@millennialpodcast This week: It's been... quite a week. We check in on the latest breaking headlines, including Trump's (alleged) face drooping during last week's 9/11 memorial. We're also breaking down Anthropic’s $1.5 billion settlement with authors after a judge ruled the AI giant trained its chatbot on pirated books. Is this the “Napster moment” for AI, and what does it mean for the future of copyright battles in tech? We also reflect on the decline of reading for fun, and some of us get to humblebrag on the number of books we've read so far in 2025. From social media distractions to BookTok trends, we account for what makes reading difficult, and what inspires us to pick up new reading.  We love a theme, so this week we've got book recommendations on board for y'all! Dare to Lead by Brené Brown (Andrew), This Book Will Bury Me by Ashley Winstead (Laura), and The Third Gilmore Girl: A Memoir by Kelly Bishop (Pam). And in this week's installment of After Dark, we're talking about the aftermath of the Charlie Kirk assassination. How are we faring after the events of last week, and how are we navigating the constantly shifting details as they emerge? How are we dealing with friends on social media who latch onto single headlines and proceed to double down on a narrative? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support #Millennial! Pledge on Patreon and receive lots of perks: https://patreon.com/millennial Visit our merch store: https://shop.millennialshow.com Watch episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@millennialpodcast This week: The Supreme Court has once again reminded us whose rights really matter: profiling is officially A-OK according to SCOTUS (are we winning yet?). We unpack what this ruling means, why it’s so dangerous, and yes, whether we can finally start profiling white dudes with bad haircuts trying to buy guns. Plus, we’re talking about the new Biggest Loser documentary and the long list of TV shows that aged like spoiled milk (What Not to Wear, America’s Next Top Model, The Swan, and more). What current shows will make us cringe in a decade? We’ve got thoughts on Love on the Spectrum and MILF Manor. As always, we've got recommendations (Netflix edition) ready to go: 'Fit for TV: The Reality of The Biggest Loser' (Andrew), 'Wednesday' season 2 (Laura), and 'The Great British Bake Off' (Pam). And in this week's installment of After Dark: We're sharing some updates on some spicy drama we plugged a couple of weeks ago. But it's not all updates - there is new drama too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support #Millennial! Pledge on Patreon and receive lots of perks: https://patreon.com/millennial Visit our merch store: https://shop.millennialshow.com Watch episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@millennialpodcast We’re serving up real talk (WTF-style) about some of the latest weird health stories hitting the airwaves . From ticks that turn people vegan to whether owning a dog is bad for the planet, we’re digging into the bizarre headlines of the week. Andrew reveals his latest (real cause he's not a poser) collectible, and we unpack Vox’s list of the 25 pieces of culture that define the last 25 years. Does Harry Potter, Drag Race, Ramen, or The Eras Tour deserve the top spot? Plus, we add our own picks to the list, and debate listeners’ favorites. As always, we've got the best recommendations covered for you: BarProducts.com (Andrew), South Park season 27 (Laura), and creative reuse centers for all you crafters (Pam).  And in this week's installment of After Dark: we've got some piping hot tea that can only live behind the paywall. How to approach a friend or family member who has their priorities waaaaaay out of whack. We're not therapists, but you know we have opinions! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support #Millennial! Pledge on Patreon and receive lots of perks: https://patreon.com/millennial Visit our merch store: https://shop.millennialshow.com Watch episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@millennialpodcast This week we’re unpacking the political drama swirling around Newsom’s latest moves, Trump’s House seat strategy, and what the gerrymandering tug-of-war could mean for key states ahead of the 2026 midterms. Are Newsom’s GCN-signed tweets winning us over, or just adding fuel to the fire? Then, we dive into the bizarrely cute world of Labubu, the creepy, bunny-eared collectible that’s taken over TikTok, shot Pop Mart into Disney-level territory, and even sold for $200K at auction. Why are these “ugly cute” figurines so addictive, and what does it take for us to buy into a craze? As always, we have recommendations for y'all! Flip 7 card game (Andrew), checking your voter registration status (Laura), and Nescafe Gold Espresso (Pam). And in this week's installment of After Dark, Andrew relives the infamous Great Vegas Flood and SHARES HIS TRUTH! Do grudges ever really expire, and what is the statute of limitations for being pissed at someone for making a genuine mistake? Opinions and messiness abound... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support #Millennial! Pledge on Patreon and receive lots of perks: https://patreon.com/millennial Visit our merch store: https://shop.millennialshow.com Watch episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@millennialpodcast Real talk y'all: this week we're busting the myth about Instagram's new Map feature. No, it's not sharing your live location by default, so take a rest from those social media chain letters. We're also pouring one out for AOL Dial-Up: believe it or not, 1% of US internet users were still relying on this! Plus: Trump’s authoritarian move to federalize the police force in D.C., and the implications that move has for first amendment rights. We also tackle the latest CDC data showing the U.S. fertility rate has hit a historic low. What’s behind the drop, and why are politicians and pronatalists freaking out? We unpack the cultural, economic, and personal reasons more people are choosing to go child-free, and the absurdity of thinking. that restricting access to healthcare and a bigger tax credit can fix it all. It's a TV-centric recommendations kinda week: ABC Summer Games (Andrew), 'Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time' on Hulu/Disney+ (Laura), and 'Outlander: Blood of My Blood' on Starz (Pam). And in this week's installment of After Dark: Inspired by our findings in the main show that Instagram's new Maps feature is not sharing your location by default, we're asking ourselves... how much info is TOO much info to share? Location sharing may be a modern convenience, but it's also inspiring friend group drama and a ton of privacy fails. Should we be more deeply concerned about how much we're willing to share (and stalk) via location apps? And right on cue, a revelation is made on air that creates jealousy on the panel re: location sharing. Oops! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices