Podcast Summary: Más de uno – El 'pet parenting' de los modernitos

Host: Carlos Alsina
Date: 18 February 2026
Podcast: OndaCero

Main Theme

This lively episode of Más de uno explores the contemporary phenomenon of "pet parenting"—the tendency of younger generations to treat pets as genuine (sometimes replacement) children. Anchored by Carlos Alsina and a humorous, sharp-witted panel (Irene Ramírez, Begoña Gómez de la Fuente, and Emilio Domènech), the conversation blends generational contrasts, societal trends, and the blurred lines between caring for pets and human offspring. The episode also detours into adjacent conversations about AI, digital afterlives, and youth social rituals—always maintaining a playful and irreverent tone.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Generational Banter & Media References

(00:24–05:57)

• The show opens with light generational teasing about TV series, the concept of being “boomer” or “modernito,” and the cultural divides in pop references.
  • Alsina jokes about younger colleagues discovering old series (Enredo), causing a lively riff about what qualifies as "modern."
  • Memorable quote:
    • “Enredo seguro que ha envejecido muy bien. Desde aquí hago un llamamiento a que alguna plataforma la recupere.” – Carlos Alsina (04:00)
• Commentary on streaming platforms, nostalgia, and the evolution of watching TV.
• Sets an informal, cross-generational atmosphere that threads into later debates about changing attitudes in society.

2. Introduction to 'Pet Parenting'

(06:06–09:40)

• Begoña wishes to adopt a pet for the newsroom, suspecting workplace morale would benefit.
  • Alsina is open—if she assumes responsibility—but insists not to “use the program’s money” or the team’s name.
  • This initiates a discussion about the modern trend of “pet parenting”: treating animals truly as family or “perrijos” (pet children).
• Memorable quote:
  • “Pet parenting es la nueva forma de entender la convivencia familiar con una mascota, básicamente como si fuera un miembro más de la familia en sentido literal, o sea, un hijo o una hija.”
    – Begoña Gómez de la Fuente (09:57)
• Begoña explains the concept, its English terminology, and how social perceptions—and spending—have shifted.

3. Reactions and Street Testimonies

(10:50–15:05)

• The team discusses how society and services increasingly address pet owners as “parents” of their animals.
  • “Cuando voy a la guardería para que se la queden... no te preguntan cómo te llamas, preguntan cómo se llama la mascota directamente.” – Begoña (10:50)
• Vox populi: Shared stories and interviews with pet owners, covering degrees of pet pampering (e.g., allowing dogs on the sofa, cooking special menus, celebrating birthdays).
  • Notable segment:
    • “Lo tengo más consentido que a mi hija.” – Street Interviewee (13:31)
• Humor arises from owners who go to great lengths to indulge their pets, echoing the pet-as-child (or even grandchild) dynamic.

4. Where is the Line?

(15:51–17:20)

• The panel debates: Is letting pets on the sofa a sign of “pet parenting”? What acts go too far?
  • Cameras to talk to pets remotely, custom menus, pet parties—where does healthy affection end and excess begin?
  • Alsina presses for distinctions between how people treat children, grandchildren, and pets:
    • “¿Tu alguna vez le has dicho a tu perro el plato te lo recoges tú al terminar?” – Carlos Alsina (16:28)
• Some argue that “pet parenting” sometimes slips into treating pets more indulgently than human relatives—especially grandchildren.

5. Listener Participation

(18:25–19:03)

• Listener shares her own story: “Mi gata Samantha Teresa, vamos a ser la reina de la casa... la queremos un montón.” (18:30)
• The panel laughs about the depth of emotion owners can feel, sometimes even organizing family routines around the animal.

6. Digital Afterlives: AI and Social Media Accounts of the Deceased

(19:32–22:56)

• Emilio introduces a trending tech topic: AI “clones” that would maintain social media/WhatsApp profiles of deceased people.
  • “Meta... ha planteado una inteligencia artificial que permitiría crear un chatbot para mantener activas las cuentas de personas fallecidas.” – Emilio Domènech (21:12)
• References to Black Mirror and current digital grief technologies.
• Moral, practical, and social implications are debated, drawing both discomfort and dark humor from the rest of the panel.

7. Quickfire: Red & Green Lights on Modern Trends

(26:21–30:58)

• Red Light: Amazon’s “Ring” camera Super Bowl ad backlash – public unease about surveillance and privacy concerns, especially with police ties in the U.S.
• Green Light:
  • Emerging Z-gen trends:
    • “Bakery raves”—early-morning techno parties in bakeries.
    • “Conscious clubbing”—sauna-based, healthy, drug- and alcohol-free dance parties.
  • Memorable quote:
    • “El nombre modernito que le han puesto a este fenómeno os va a encantar, que es conscious clubbing.” – Emilio Domènech (29:38)
• Laughter as the team points out that many seemingly “new” phenomena are just familiar things rebranded or internationalized.

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• “Pet parenting es la nueva forma de entender la convivencia familiar con una mascota, básicamente como si fuera un miembro más de la familia en sentido literal...”
  – Begoña, (09:57)
• “Lo tengo más consentido que a mi hija.” – Street Interviewee, (13:31)
• “Cuando voy a la guardería para que se la queden... no te preguntan cómo te llamas, preguntan cómo se llama la mascota directamente.” – Begoña, (10:50)
• “No pienso y lata de toda la vida. Perro normal y corriente. Vulgarmente chucherías perrunas solamente de vez en cuando.” – Calle, (14:36)
• “Meta ha planteado una inteligencia artificial que permitiría crear un chatbot para mantener activas las cuentas de personas fallecidas.” – Emilio, (21:12)
• “El nombre modernito que le han puesto a este fenómeno os va a encantar, que es conscious clubbing.” – Emilio, (29:38)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Generational banter, TV references: 00:24–05:57
• Pet parenting concept explained: 09:40–10:50
• Pet parenting in practice (street interviews): 12:48–15:05
• Debate on boundaries of pet pampering: 15:51–17:20
• Listener stories of pet devotion: 18:25–19:03
• AI and digital afterlives debate: 19:32–22:56
• Cultural trends, raves & conscious clubbing: 28:30–30:58

Tone and Language

The episode radiates playful irony and mutual teasing, reflecting the generational divides on everything from TV habits to the role of pets and tech in modern life. Informal, fast-paced, and energetic, the hosts happily poke fun at each other, the audience, and social trends.

Conclusion

This episode of “Más de uno” presents a vibrant, intergenerational look at the rising phenomenon of “pet parenting”—the emotional, financial, and social investment in pets as family members—while drawing on humor, listener anecdotes, and smart cultural critique. The conversation seamlessly sails from the personal (beloved pets in the household) to the societal (AI, privacy, digital afterlife), always returning to the ways in which new generations reinterpret or rebrand familiar rituals and relationships.