The Gen X Couple | Podcast on RSS.com

The Gen X Couple

The Gen X Couple

by Robin and Chris Ruehrwein

Parenting Relationships

Spite Houses: Buildings Built Out of Revenge

From Boston to Beirut, humans have a long history of settling disputes in creative ways, and sometimes that creativity takes the form of architecture. In this episode, we explore some of the most famous “spite houses” and structures built to assert control, block neighbors, or comply with unusual legal requirements. We start with the Skinny House in Boston, built to reclaim sunlight and property in a tight urban space, then visit narrow homes in Alexandria, Alameda, and Seattle, including the Sam Kee Building in Vancouver and the legendary Pink House in Newbury. Each building tells a story about inheritance, city planning, or neighborly feuds, and how clever solutions turned disputes into lasting structures. We also cover international examples like the Grudge Wall in Beirut, where a sibling dispute inspired a 14-foot-long barrier to block a sea view. Along the way, we highlight the practical challenges these builders faced, from narrow urban lots to marshy foundations, and how they maximized every inch of space. Whether it’s a narrow hallway, a tall wedge of a home, or a wall built purely out of spite, these constructions provide fascinating insight into human ingenuity and the lengths people will go to protect what they consider theirs. Love this episode? Subscribe to our podcast and leave a review (please)! Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @thegenxcouple for more. Don’t forget to share this episode with friends or family who might also like it. Checkout Robin’s books: https://linktr.ee/authorrobinstephanie

Lost, Hungry, and Entertained: Pre-Digital Road Trips

Summer is here, and we’re taking a nostalgic ride down memory lane with “Road Trip Memories: Before GPS and iPads.” Robin and Chris dive into the chaos, fun, and unpredictability of classic childhood road trips. From giant paper maps that never seemed to fold properly to snack battles and middle-child backseat woes, these pre-digital adventures were full of laughter, arguments, and unforgettable moments. We reminisce about the games that kept us entertained for hours, like the License Plate Game, Punch Buggy, the Woody Game, and even old favorites like 20 Questions and I Spy. Of course, no road trip would be complete without music—and Robin shares how her dad always picked the tunes, which she used to hate but now truly appreciates. We talk about gas station pit stops, bathroom timing strategies, and the lessons learned from navigating long stretches of highway without GPS or tablets. Tune in for a mix of humor, nostalgia, and stories that remind us why the unpredictability of a backseat adventure is part of what makes road trips so unforgettable. Love this episode? Subscribe to our podcast and leave a review (please)! Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @thegenxcouple for more. Don’t forget to share this episode with friends or family who might also like it. Checkout Robin’s books: https://linktr.ee/authorrobinstephanie

Classic Dad Sayings: Where Did They Come From?

Step back into the phrases that defined childhood as Robin and Chris break down the classic dad sayings everyone has heard at least once. From “money doesn’t grow on trees” to “this isn’t a hotel,” they explore where these expressions came from, what they actually meant, and why they were so effective at shutting down any argument instantly. Along the way, they mix humor with a little history, showing how these sayings were shaped by different generations and why they stuck around. What starts as a lighthearted look at familiar one-liners turns into something more meaningful as they unpack the lessons behind them. Whether it is about money, manners, or learning to think for yourself, these phrases carry more weight than they seemed to at the time. With Father’s Day as the backdrop, this episode reflects on the small things that dads pass down without even realizing it and why those words tend to come full circle later in life. Love this episode? Subscribe to our podcast and leave a review (please)! Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @thegenxcouple for more. Don’t forget to share this episode with friends or family who might also like it. Checkout Robin’s books: https://linktr.ee/authorrobinstephanie

The Christmas Shipwreck in Plymouth Harbor

In this episode, Robin and Chris explore the tragic story of the General Arnold, a Revolutionary War privateer that wrecked in Plymouth Harbor during a brutal winter storm in December of 1778. Commanded by Captain James Magee, the ship left Boston on Christmas Eve with more than one hundred crew members on board, heading south to hunt British merchant ships during the American Revolution. When a powerful storm struck the New England coast, the captain attempted to take shelter in Plymouth Harbor, but the anchors failed and the ship was driven onto a sandbar near the entrance to the bay. For more than thirty six hours the crew remained trapped on the wreck as freezing wind, waves, and snow battered the vessel. When the storm finally weakened, rescuers reached the wreck and found dozens of sailors dead from exposure. Survivors were brought ashore and cared for in homes throughout Plymouth while the bodies of the dead were recovered from the ship. Because of the large number of victims and the frozen ground, the sailors were buried together in a mass grave in town. Over the years the wreck became part of Plymouth’s local history and folklore. Today the remains of the ship are still believed to lie beneath the sand in Plymouth Bay, and under the right conditions aerial images and drones can sometimes reveal the outline of the wreck site beneath the water. Love this episode? Subscribe to our podcast and leave a review (please)! Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @thegenxcouple for more. Don’t forget to share this episode with friends or family who might also like it. Checkout Robin’s books: https://linktr.ee/authorrobinstephanie

The True Tale of Lela and Raymond and the Song It Inspired

Every time the song The Way by Fastball comes on the radio, it’s telling the story of a real couple. Lela and Raymond Howard from Salado, Texas, left home one June morning in 1997 to go to a local festival and never arrived. Over the next couple of weeks, there were reports of sightings far from home, and they even had a few run-ins with police in Arkansas. Their car was eventually found in a ravine near Hot Springs, Arkansas, and that’s when the full story of what happened came together. In this episode, you’ll hear everything that happened. Who Lela and Raymond were, their health struggles, the unusual route they ended up taking, and what investigators learned from family and evidence. We go through the sightings, the crash site, and how this real-life story ended up inspiring a song that so many people know, but few understand the true story Love this episode? Subscribe to our podcast and leave a review (please)! Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @thegenxcouple for more. Don’t forget to share this episode with friends or family who might also like it. Checkout Robin’s books: https://linktr.ee/authorrobinstephanie

Beyond the Hills: Exploring the Berkshires

Explore the Berkshires with Robin and Chris in this full episode. We take you from the highest peak in Massachusetts at Mount Greylock to the tallest waterfall at Bash Bish Falls and everywhere in between. Discover world-class music at Tanglewood, incredible dance at Jacob’s Pillow, and mind-blowing contemporary art at Mass MoCA. Step back in time at historic estates like The Mount and Ventfort Hall, wander through charming small towns like Stockbridge and Lenox, and experience quirky must-see spots like Yankee Candle Village and Hancock Shaker Village. Learn about the history of the region, get tips for hiking trails and scenic drives, and uncover hidden gems that make the Berkshires such a special place to explore. This episode is perfect for anyone who loves nature, culture, history, and unique adventures in New England. Love this episode? Subscribe to our podcast and leave a review (please)! Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @thegenxcouple for more. Don’t forget to share this episode with friends or family who might also like it. Checkout Robin’s books: https://linktr.ee/authorrobinstephanie

Cold Water Graveyard: The Shipwrecks of Lake Champlain

Lake Champlain looks peaceful on the surface, but beneath its waters lies a hidden graveyard of more than 300 shipwrecks. Robin and Chris explore some of the lake’s most fascinating vessels, from Revolutionary War gunboats to early steamships, cargo schooners, and even a horse-powered ferry. Dive into the stories of ships like the Spitfire, the Phoenix, and the Water Witch, and discover how Lake Champlain’s cold, fresh water has preserved centuries of history. From deadly storms to cutting-edge steam travel, these wrecks reveal a rich and often surprising maritime past. Love this episode? Subscribe to our podcast and leave a review (please)! Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @thegenxcouple for more. Don’t forget to share this episode with friends or family who might also like it. Checkout Robin’s books: https://linktr.ee/authorrobinstephanie

Magic After Dark: Ghosts of Disney Parks

When the fireworks fade and the park closes, the magic doesn’t stop. Thousands of cast members remain behind the scenes, working in silent corridors, dark show buildings, and empty rides. And some of them report something else… In this episode, Robin and Chris explore decades of ghost stories and legends shared by Disney cast members. From Walt Disney’s apartment above the Firehouse on Main Street, to George in Pirates of the Caribbean, to unexplained footsteps in the utilidors beneath the Magic Kingdom, these stories are part of backstage culture and lore. Hear firsthand accounts of flickering lights, mysterious music, shifting animatronics, and subtle presences in the most iconic parks in the world. Are these true hauntings, tricks of the imagination, or simply part of the immersive magic? Step behind the gates and into the world of Disney after dark. The park may be closed, but the stories are wide. Love this episode? Subscribe to our podcast and leave a review (please)! Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @thegenxcouple for more. Don’t forget to share this episode with friends or family who might also like it. Checkout Robin’s books: https://linktr.ee/authorrobinstephanie

Fog, Rocks, and Ghosts: New England’s Haunted Lights

New England’s coastline is famous for its rugged beauty and treacherous waters, but it also hides centuries of dark maritime history. In this episode, Chris and Robin explore the haunted lighthouses of Maine, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, from Seguin Island’s eerie piano-playing ghost to Boston Light, the oldest U.S. lighthouse, where drowned keepers are said to still wander. Along the way, they uncover tales of shipwreck spirits, phantom footsteps, and shadowy figures seen by caretakers and visitors alike. Join them as they visit Seguin Island, Boon Island, New London Ledge, Wood Island, Highland Light, Owl’s Head, Penfield Reef, Nubble Light, Boston Light, and Minot’s Ledge, sharing the rich history, maritime tragedies, and chilling paranormal legends of each lighthouse. Whether it’s unexplained music drifting over the rocks, figures in old keeper uniforms, or ghostly cries on foggy nights, this episode is a journey through some of New England’s most haunted and atmospheric coastal landmarks. Love this episode? Subscribe to our podcast and leave a review (please)! Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @thegenxcouple for more. Don’t forget to share this episode with friends or family who might also like it. Checkout Robin’s books: https://linktr.ee/authorrobinstephanie

Before Memes: The Strange True Story of Kilroy Was Here

During World War II, a strange message began appearing wherever Allied troops landed. “Kilroy was here.” From sealed ship compartments to newly captured enemy bunkers, the phrase seemed to show up everywhere, sometimes before soldiers even arrived. In this episode, Robin and Chris explore the likely origin of Kilroy, the Massachusetts shipyard inspector often credited with starting it all, how the doodle spread across Europe and the Pacific, and why it became one of the most iconic pieces of wartime folklore. Was Kilroy a real man, a shared joke, psychological warfare, or the world’s first viral meme? Join us as we uncover the story behind the legend and why, decades later, Kilroy still feels strangely present. Love this episode? Subscribe to our podcast and leave a review (please)! Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @thegenxcouple for more. Don’t forget to share this episode with friends or family who might also like it. Checkout Robin’s books: https://www.amazon.com/author/robinstephanie

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