The Tudor Dixon Podcast: Welcome to the Sandwich Generation!

Summary

---

The Tudor Dixon Podcast: Welcome to the Sandwich Generation!

Date: August 22, 2025
Host: Tudor Dixon
Podcast: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show (iHeartPodcasts)

---

Episode Overview

Tudor Dixon delivers a personal and heartfelt solo episode, diving into her real-life experience as a member of the "sandwich generation": those balancing caring for aging parents while raising children. The episode is rich with reflections on family responsibilities, generational differences, parenting philosophies in the digital age, and the emotional journey of being "in the middle"—all delivered with warmth, self-awareness, and candid humor. Dixon shares both the joys and challenges of this stage, offering insights relevant to listeners navigating similar circumstances.

---

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Recognizing and Embracing the Sandwich Generation (03:08, 33:42)

• Dixon recounts a recent eye health scare with her mother, requiring her to rearrange her schedule, sparking the realization:

  “One of my friends was like, yeah, well, welcome to the sandwich generation. And I was like, am I in the sandwich generation? Am I now the person that takes care of my kids and my…my mother?” (03:25)

• She reflects on how demographics and timelines have shifted since her parents’ era—her mother became a caretaker at a different stage, and life was less busy (08:05).

2. The Overwhelming Busyness of Modern Life (08:36)

• Dixon contrasts her upbringing, when parents could disconnect from work, with today’s constant digital distraction:

  “We’re so busy and we allow busyness to invade every part of our lives. ...You see [people] on social media…telling you to put your phone down, to be a better parent. ...Why are you putting this on social media to tell me?” (08:51)

• She admits to the challenge of balancing work, family, and expectations:

  “I have friends who are like, we have a rule at night. We put our phones in the basket. ...I wish that were my house, but it’s not.” (09:38)

3. The Importance of Presence and Meaningful Vacation Time (09:55 – 12:32)

• Dixon discusses how "vacation" often remained a working week until a transformative family trip to Hilton Head Island, echoing her own childhood memories:

  “When I was a kid, my parents were just totally invested in us. ...There was nothing to distract you when you left work. There wasn’t even email.” (11:19)

• Her daughters notice the difference:

  “We were in the…waves with my girls…my oldest, who is 16, she goes…’thank you, Mommy…just being out here, being with us.’” (11:58)

• She has a realization about the fleeting nature of quality time:

  “How many nights of spring break do I get with my kids in their lifetime? ...Maybe 130.” (10:40)

4. Parenting: Friendship vs. Disciplinarian (12:55, 16:38, 20:34)

• Dixon challenges the prevailing wisdom that parents can’t be friends to their kids:

  “I have become incredibly close to my kids and…that vacation time is so incredibly important because we are sandwiched between our kids and our parents. ...With my kids, being really close to them and being their best friends has been one of the best choices that I can make.” (12:55)

• She shares an impactful anecdote about trust between her and her daughters:

  “One of my girls says…she told her friends she talks to me about boys. And one girl said, ‘I would never tell my mom about any boy that I liked.’ ...Best part of watching them grow up is hearing how they react.” (16:38)

• She observes that openness fosters honesty and mutual support:

  “These parents that are massive disciplinarians...their kids are hiding a lot from them.” (17:50)

5. Technology, Phones, and Generational Gaps (20:00 – 25:30)

• Dixon discusses nuanced perspectives on cell phone use among kids:

  “I’ve always kind of been a believer that you don’t have to ban your kids from having a phone until a certain age. ...That critical part of their life, where they go from…starting to communicate with their friends on their own, really starts when you’re 10, you’re in fifth grade when you’re a girl.” (20:45)

• She contrasts her own adolescence (cordless phones, late-night talks) to her daughters’ digital experiences, highlighting how technology changes social dynamics and parent-child relationships (23:15).
• She notes that now, parents must help both their children and their own parents navigate digital misinformation:

  “You’re sandwiched between telling your kids what’s true and telling your parents what’s true because they read something…‘That’s a lie. This is AI. It was manufactured.’” (26:58)

6. Loss, Change, and Multigenerational Connection (27:00 – 32:00)

• Dixon reflects on her father’s passing and the shift in family dynamics during this Hilton Head trip—their first without him:

  “We lost my dad in 2022. ...It’s my first time back to Hilton Head without my dad. ...She’s at a different point in her life, and I need to pour into my kids what she poured into me.” (28:50)

• She discusses the emotional impact of seeing her mother slow down, and the bittersweet realization that neither childhood nor parenthood are static.

7. The U of M Eye Appointment Saga—A Microcosm of Sandwich Life (33:42)

• Dixon recounts rushing to get her mother’s retina checked and the chaotic navigation of medical bureaucracies and Michigan roadwork:

  “We walk up to check in, and the lady’s like, your appointment’s in Ann Arbor. ...I was like, listen…you’ve got a hustle, woman. We are getting you to this appointment.” (34:41)

• She ties this story to the gratitude and obligation she feels toward her mother, recalling her mom’s unwavering support during her bouts with cancer:

  “When I went through breast cancer...my mom was like, I will be there for two weeks...empty these drains for you.” (36:09)

8. The Joy and Meaning of Being In the Middle (39:00 – 40:00)

• Dixon wraps with gratitude for this demanding stage:

  “I absolutely love being a part of the sandwich generation because I get to take care of my kids and I get to be there for my mom because she was there for me in so many cases.” (36:45)

• On caring for her mom (and her mom’s car!) on their drive, she quips:

  “‘Heaven forbid we go through the car wash. ...We will not take your car on this dirt road. ...Because she’s my mom. And if she tells me I’m not taking her car on a dirt road, guess what? I’m not taking her car on a dirt road.’” (38:46)

• Final reflection:

  “Everybody loves a sandwich. And for a short period of time I get to be in the middle of the sandwich and it seems like the very best spot.” (39:29) “I am good at being needed. I am not so good at needing. And I’m headed to the other side of the sandwich. ...I hope I have made good enough friends with my girls that they will drop everything and wipe their schedule clear to jump in the car and drive me to U of M when I need it.” (39:40)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the generational shift in caretaking:

  “Am I now the person that takes care of my kids and my...my mother? ...It started to hit me hard.” (03:20)

• On the challenge of parental expectations and social media:

  “You’re thinking the same thing I’m thinking. Well, why are you putting this on social media to tell me, obviously. You took time to be on your phone, to record this video, to put on social media, to make me feel guilty.” (08:55)

• On being present:

  “When I was a kid, my parents were just totally invested in us...there were no cell phones. There was nothing to distract you when you left work...It’s hard for my kids to even comprehend.” (11:19)

• On parenting styles:

  “There’s literally no rules outside of the Bible. ...But I will tell you that I have become incredibly close to my kids and I’ve realized that that vacation time is so incredibly important because we are sandwiched between our kids and our parents.” (12:34)

• On relating to kids through shared openness, not just discipline:

  “I am my girl's friends. I am also their disciplinarian. But I am in every part of their life.” (21:49)

• On recognizing life’s transitions:

  “That was her other half, so she's a little slower. ...Those days aren’t coming back. And that’s hard.” (29:24)

• On returning the gift of care:

  “Anything. I will do anything. ...I am so grateful that I get to do something for her back. ...Everybody loves a sandwich. ...For a short period of time I get to be in the middle of the sandwich and it seems like the very best spot.” (39:08, 39:29)

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Begin main theme and sandwich generation realization: 03:08
• On busyness and digital distractions: 08:36
• Reflection on meaningful vacation time & generational differences: 09:55 – 12:32
• Parenting philosophy: Best friend vs. disciplinarian: 12:55, 17:00, 21:49
• Kids and cell phones / technology struggles: 20:00 – 25:30
• The loss of Dixon’s father / changing family dynamics: 27:00 – 32:00
• U of M hospital trip (Sandwich generation at work): 33:42 – 38:46
• Conclusion: Gratitude and embracing the middle: 39:00 – 40:00

---

Tone & Style

• Warm, conversational, confessional: Tudor speaks directly to listeners, sharing both vulnerabilities and joys.
• Light humor: She often pokes fun at herself, her mother, and the quirks of parenting in the digital age.
• Reflective and encouraging: Ultimately, the message is positive—finding meaning in the unique challenges of the “sandwich generation.”

---

Final Thought

Tudor Dixon’s candor and storytelling make this episode relatable to anyone juggling the demands of family life from both directions. She encourages listeners to embrace the moment, value open relationships, minimize distractions, and appreciate their place “in the middle” of the generational sandwich.

---

End of summary.

Transcript

[Tudor Dixon]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Big Three Basketball Announcer]

IHeart presents the big three playoffs this Sunday. The remaining four teams battle to make the championship in the most physical, fierce and competitive basketball league in the world. The action starts with the Big three Monster Energy Celebrity game, then Dwight Howard and his LA Riot take on Montrez Harrell and Dr. J Chicago triplets. The finale will see popular Miami 305 with stars MVP Michael Beasley and Lance Stevenson take on Nancy Lieberman's Dallas power who will make it to the Big Three championship. The no holds barred action starts Sunday at 3P Eastern, 12 Pacific only on.

[Tudor Dixon]

CBS this Labor Day.

[Washable Sofas Advertiser]

Say goodbye to spills, stains and overpriced furniture with washablesofas.com featuring Annabe, the only machine washable sofa inside and out where designer quality meets budget friendly pricing. Sofas start at just $6.99, making it the perfect time to upgrade your space. Annabe's Pet Friendly stain resistant and interchangeable slipcovers are made with high performance fabric built for real life. You'll love the cloud like comfort of hypoallergenic, high resilience foam that never needs fluffing and a durable steel frame that stands the test of time with modular pieces you can rearrange anytime. It's a sofa that adapts to your life. Now through Labor Day. Get up to 60% off site [e-mail] Every order comes with a 30 day satisfaction guarantee. If you're not in love, send it back for a full refund. No return shipping, no restocking fees, every penny back. Shop [e-mail] Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[Christina Quinn]

If you eat too many ultra processed foods, you could be starving your gut microbes and they'll get hangry. That's one of many things I learned after working on a new audio course about the GUT microbiome. You can learn how to keep your gut happy by listening to Try this from the Washington Post. I'm Christina Quinn. I host Try this Dig in with me on practical advice for life's common challenges. Follow Try this right now. Wherever you're listening. Seriously, try it.

[Tudor Dixon]

Oh hey.

[Jamie]

Hey. Thanks for meeting me here. It's just you're my only lawyer friend and I need your professional opinion. You see that brand new Hyundai Tucson out there? That's all I paid for it.

[Hyundai Salesperson]

Ah, let me get back to you on that deal. So right it almost feels wrong. At the Hyundai Getaway sales event, get 0% APR for 60 months plus 0 payments for 90 days on all Hyundai Santa Fe models. And check out our other great deals at your Hyundai dealer today. Offer ends September 2nd. Call 562-314-4603 for details.

[Rodney Williams and Travis Holloway]

I'm Rodney Williams. And I'm Travis Holloway. Welcome to the Wealth Break podcast, a real conversation about finance. Let's be honest, building wealth doesn't look the same for everyone.

[Tudor Dixon]

I feel like sometimes being broke is a cycle and that we might have.

[Rodney Williams and Travis Holloway]

To revisit that and we're not stopping at success stories.

[Washable Sofas Advertiser]

What happens when it doesn't go right? How do you cope with it?

[Rodney Williams and Travis Holloway]

Because wealth isn't just about money. It's about creating a life where you thrive and help others do the same. Listen to the Wealth Break podcast on the iHeartRadio app.

[Tudor Dixon]

Welcome to the Tutor Dixon podcast today. You get me? You get me. Because the past few weeks have been interesting, and I just wanted to share a little bit about my life with you. And right now I'm literally rushing into the studio to record this because I. Life can be a little crazy sometimes, and that's okay. Today I had to run my mom to the University of Michigan, and I found this out just yesterday. This is like one of those things that happens to you. And it was like, hey, I think I tore my retina. And I got. I called and got this appointment for tomorrow. Drop everything and take me. And I was like, oh, okay, of course. Yes, this is my mom. I'm going to do this. So I don't know, this has probably happened to you guys, but I was changing everything around because I had to move on my schedule. And one of my friends was like, yeah, well, welcome to the sandwich generation. And I was like, am I in the sandwich generation? And am I now the person that takes care of my kids and my. My mother? And I don't really think that, but it started to hit me hard. I started thinking about it and I was like, I mean, I guess in a little bit of a way, I am. But I think we're different than our parents generation because my mom, when she hit that point, we were older because she had me younger than I had my kids. So we were older when she was taking care of her mother. And I think it was different also because there wasn't so much to distract my parents. And I'm really starting to realize this because we're so busy and we allow busyness to invade every part of our lives. And I know you guys probably see the same things that I see where there's, like, this person on Social media, that's like, hey, just so you know, your kids are suffering because you have your phone too much at home. You should, you should put your phone down. And I'm doing this video because I'm an influencer and I'm a great parenting advocate and I'm telling you exactly how to do this. And you're thinking the same thing I'm thinking, well, why are you putting this on social media? To tell me, obviously. You took time to be on your phone, to record this video, to put on social media, to make me feel guilty about the fact that I am also on my phone. We are all doing it. There's no solution. It's not like you're just going to give it up. I have friends who are like, we have a rule at night. We put our phones in the basket. None of us are on our phones. And that's fantastic. I wish that were my house, but it's not. And I almost, I kind of don't want that to be my house because I also think we're an incredibly social household and my kids have times when they talk to their friends. But it was like a wake up call that I am now taking care of my mom in a way. Not really, but at times. And I'm busier by choice than she was at my age. I kind of had a double whammy wake up call on this recently because we went on this vacation and I wrote an op ed about it. You can read it in the Washington Examiner. But so it's pretty simple. We really hadn't gone on vacation in a long time. So we've been on vacations. I shouldn't say that we've been on vacations, but did I really allow myself to go on a vacation? Because we have spring break every year and my parents have a house. We lost my dad a few years ago. So my mom is in the house in Florida and it's been like, just easy to take the kids there. And it's like moving from one house to another and still carry on with business during the week. And I say, oh, yeah, I can, I can do a zoom call while I'm at my mom's house. And I could do a podcast and I could go out on TV and I can have a dinner. And it wasn't really vacation because I've allowed myself to be too busy. So I started thinking about it and I'm like, I go out when I, When I was campaigning, I would. Everybody was like, oh, you're going to Florida for spring break. That's great. You can meet with people while you're there. And they schedule like four nights that I'm meeting with someone. And then even after I got out of the campaign season, it was like, well, there are still people who I want to meet with while I'm down there. So when I go, I will. And then you start calculating. You're like, how many nights of spring break do I get with my kids in their lifetime? It's like, what, 130 maybe, maybe. Maybe less. And I decide that I'm going to take some of those to do business. But honestly, I didn't even realize it until this summer. I went on vacation with my kids and my mom and my sister's family, and we went to Hilton Head Island. So Hilton Head is a place that my parents took us every year when I was a kid because my parents actually met there. So we went and it was just an escape. And when I was a kid, I didn't even think about this until I was there. When I was a kid, my parents were just totally invested in us. My dad would golf during the day, but the rest of the time it was. My mom was at the beach with us, she was playing with us. We would go back to the house, we would have a meal, we would go out to the shops, we would come back and play games. Was totally focused on us because there were no cell phones. There was nothing to distract you when you left work. There wasn't even email. I mean, you think about. It's like, hard for my kids to even comprehend. You were disconnected. You. Unless someone found out the number of the house you were staying at or your hotel, you didn't have anybody calling. So that I kind of did that when I went on vacation with my family this time. And my kids were like, this is amazing. This is so great. And one time we were at. We were in the. At the beach and I was in the waves with my girls. You know, phone is someplace else. I am totally engaged with them. And my oldest, who is 16, she was right next to me. We're playing in the waves, and she goes. She whispers, thank you, Mommy. And I said, what are you thanking me for? She's just being out here, being with us. It was like this recurring theme with my girls. We're just so grateful that you're here. And it was kind of like this wake up call. Have I been great at being the sandwich generation? Because part of that. The other end of that sandwich is my kids. And I would say, you know, I went on spring Break with them. Or I was campaigning and I took them. And I see this all the time. I think now, like hyper aware of politicians who are out there with their kids. And I, and I think it was great for them, don't get me wrong, because my kids are super outgoing. They can talk to any adult. They are up on the current topics and they can have these amazing conversations with no fear. And I think a lot of that was campaigning. But I mean, it's not like my kids are like, oh, man, I'd really like to go back and see the world's biggest ball of yarn. You know, it's like you do things like that when you're campaigning. You're like, man, look at that. I took my kids to see the world's biggest ball yarn. They don't care and they're literally never going to tell anyone. It's like the least important thing that's ever happened to them. The things you do with your kids, they've got to be meaningful. And I, and I'm telling you this not from the standpoint of a parenting expert, but I hear people on social media constantly, like I said those, those little videos where someone's like, you are not a good parent if you're doing this. Look, we're all figuring this out. That's the interesting part about parenting is there's literally no rules outside of the Bible. There are no, there's nothing that says when you come home. I mean, the very few rules of like, you know, you have to feed them and give them a warm place to sleep and, you know, give them water. But the general rules of, like how you parent, like, oh, you can't him a phone at this age and you can't have a bicycle until this age, and you can't have that. Really, no one has all of those answers. But I will tell you that I have become incredibly close to my kids and I've realized that that vacation time is so incredibly important because we are sandwiched between our kids and our parents. And as soon as one of those groups gets independence, the other group is losing independence and they need you. And it's a weird balance, but I've found that with my kids, being really close to them and being their best friends has been one of the best choices that I can make. And this I find interesting because I've heard a lot of people who have come out recently and said, don't be your kid's best friend. You're not your kid's best friend. You're the disciplinarian. So I went on this vacation and my kids talked to me about everything and we talked about school and all their fears and we just had time to talk about going into high school and what that's going to be like and they told me everything. Let's take a quick commercial break. We'll continue next on the Tudor Dixon Podcast.

[Big Three Basketball Announcer]

The reviews and ratings are in and Ice Cube's Big Three is the surprise hit of the summer. And to cap off the season, iheart presents the Big 3 basketball championship and 8th annual Big 3 All Star game this coming Sunday, August 24th. 4th live from Orlando. The remaining two teams fight it out for the Big 3 championship Dr. J trophy in the most physical, fierce and competitive basketball league in the world. Don't miss the wild conclusion of Big Three's eighth and most historic season ever. This is the game no one wants to lose and there's no crying in the Big three. The action starts with the Big Three eighth Annual All Star Game. Don't miss All Stars Dwight Howard, Montrez Harrell, MVP Michael Beasley, Lance will make you Dan Stevenson, Jordan Crawford, Greg Monroe, Earl Clark, Nazir Kor and more show you why they are the best three on three basketball players in the world. Big Three's exciting all star game plus the crowning of a new Big Three champion. The no holds part action starts Sunday at 2pm Eastern, 11 Pacific only on.

[Tudor Dixon]

CBS this Labor Day.

[Washable Sofas Advertiser]

Say goodbye to spills, stains and overpriced furniture with washablesofas.com featuring Anabe, the only machine washable sofa inside and out where designer quality meets budget friendly pricing. Sofas start at just $6.99, making it the perfect time to upgrade your space. Annabe's pet friendly stain resistant and interchangeable slipcovers are made with high performance fabric built for real life. You'll love the cloud like comfort of hypoallergenic, high resilience foam that never needs fluffing and a durable steel frame that stands the test of time with modular pieces you can rearrange anytime. It's a sofa that adapts to your life now through Labor Day. Get up to 60% off site [e-mail] Every order comes with a 30 day satisfaction guarantee. If you're not in love, send it back for a full refund. No return shipping, no restocking fees, every penny back. Shop [e-mail] Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[Christina Quinn]

If you eat too many ultra processed foods you could be starving your gut microbes and they'll get hangry. That's one of many things I learned after working on a new audio course about the gut microbiome. You can learn how to keep your gut happy by listening to Try this from the Washington Post. I'm Christina Quinn. I host Try this. Dig in with me on practical advice for life's common challenges. Follow. Try this right now, wherever you're listening. Seriously, try it.

[Tudor Dixon]

Oh, hey.

[Jamie]

Hey. Thanks for meeting me here on such short notice. This place isn't bugged, is it?

[Tudor Dixon]

Bugged?

[Rodney Williams and Travis Holloway]

Wait, Jamie, what's going on?

[Jamie]

It's just you're my only lawyer friend and I need your professional opinion. Do you see that brand new Hyundai Tucson out there? Yeah, that's all I paid for it.

[Rodney Williams and Travis Holloway]

Ah, I think I need to get back to you on that.

[Tudor Dixon]

Do you know what you want?

[Rodney Williams and Travis Holloway]

Yeah, I do now.

[Hyundai Salesperson]

Deal. So right it almost feels wrong. Get the car or SUV you've always wanted plus America's best warranty at the Hyundai Getaway sales event. The guilt is real, but so is the savings.

[Tudor Dixon]

Listen, I don't want to get in your business, but if that's all she.

[Christina Quinn]

Paid for it, I'll have what she's having.

[Hyundai Salesperson]

It's a great day for a new Hyundai at the Hyundai Getaway sales event going on now. Get 0% APR for 60 months plus 0 payments for 90 days on all Hyundai Santa Fe models. And check out our other great deals at your Hyundai dealer today. Offer ends September 2nd. Call 562-314-4603 for details.

[Vizio Advertiser]

Check out Vizio's complete lineup of home entertainment. From stunning smart TVs to immersive sound bars, Vizio has you covered. Experience entertainment like never before. With hundreds of built in apps including Watch Free plus for free live and on demand tv all ready to go right out of the box. You can even stream your favorite music, radio and podcasts with the iHeartRadio app available on every Vizio Smart TV. Transform your entertainment with incredible picture quality and next level audio. Visit vizio.com today.

[Tudor Dixon]

A few years ago one of my girls says to me they went to middle school camp and so in middle school they go to camp and they're like away from me for one night, right? So that's like a big deal because they're with all their friends and it's away from their parents and you're like at home thinking this is great because I finally have a night by myself and they're at middle school camp thinking like, I don't know what I'm thinking about this because I'm away from my parents. But it's like this transitional time, so apparently all the girls are in middle school camp, and they're talking about boys. And my daughter says something about, I was talking to my mom about this boy I liked. And one of the girls goes, what do you mean you were talking to your mom about it? And she's like, yeah, I lost telling my mom about this boy that I liked. And she said, I would never tell my mom about any boy that I liked. So then they go to bed and she hears, hey, hey, Elyn, what's it like when you tell your mom about a boy that you like? And she goes, I mean, I don't know. I just talked to her about it. And we go through it and we discuss what it's like and why I like him. And she goes, man, I'd never be brave enough. My mom would be so mad at me if she found out I liked a boy. I'm like, that's the best. One of the best parts of watching them grow up is hearing how they react to friends, how they react to relationships, what they think about boys, because at a certain point, they're going to have a boyfriend, and I don't want them hiding that from me. I found that these parents that are massive disciplinarians, they don't have a strong relationship with their kids. They think they do, but their kids are hiding a lot from them. Like I said, I'm not a parenting expert. I don't know. But my experience with my kids has been, like, the more we talk about things, the more open we are, the more I know about their lives. So we get back from vacation, and we're getting ready for school, and my girls are like, oh, you know, we're gonna go back to school. We're gonna see these friends and these friends. And my one daughter is like, man, I'm going to see friends that are going through this really awkward phase right now. And I said, what do you mean they're going through an awkward phase? And she said, you know, we've got these two groups of parents at school, which I think is really fascinating because there's, like, so many experts out there right now on, when should your kid have a cell phone? But this is, like the. This is the message from the actual kids. So they said, yeah, there's all these kids now in high school that are getting their first phones. So they're going through that phase. And I'm like, what do you. What's the phase? So let Me preface this by saying, I've always kind of been a believer that you don't have to ban your kids from having a phone until a certain age. But I will also say I was a kid that when I got into fifth grade, I was on the phone every night talking to my friends. My mom would have to pick up the other line, kick me off the phone, tell me to do my homework. But it was like a part of my life that was so important. Talking to my friends, having that interaction was so important to me. Then I look at my kids and I'm. I think they don't have phones that are in the house. And this idea that it's like they can't have a phone at all. Well, then that critical part of their life, where they go from. Especially girls. I mean, I only have girls, so I don't know about boys. But the critical part of their life, when they start to communicate with their friends on their own, it's really like, it starts when you're 10, you're in fifth grade when you're a girl. But these kids missed it because they went, we were in this generation where we're like the first generation parenting with phones. And these other parents, like, don't. Do not get your kid a phone so bad. They're going to be depressed. They're going to have all these problems. So then it was interesting because, you know, my theory was never that I always thought they should be able to communicate. So they're like, man, there's these kids in high school. They're going through their awkward phase. Like, what do you mean? Well, you know, you pull. You. You send out these messages, and they're embarrassing, and they don't know how to handle it, and they're starting to watch things they've never watched before, and they start to say weird things at school. And I'm like, man, this is like a side of the. The modern cell phone that nobody talks about. But I have this great relationship with my girls. So they tell me that I was talking to my girlfriend about it, and I'm like, hey, do your kids have a phone? And her kids are in middle school. And I was telling her this situation about, like, the whole awkwardness, and she goes, man, I never thought about that. But she said, yeah, my son is. He just got out of sixth grade. He'll be going into seventh grade. And she said, I read his text messages. And I'm like, buddy, you're saying some weird stuff. She's like, well, man, what if he were saying this when he was in high school. Exactly. So for people out there, it's like this big push right now. Do not be your child's friend. I am my girl's friends. I am also their disciplinarian. But I am in every part of their life. And guess what? My mom was in every part of my life. Every part of my life. My mom was my absolute best friend. I remember when I would come home from going out at night, my parents were always up. They were never asleep. They were always waiting for me, almost psychotically. But they were like, super overprotective. So every time I went out in high school. And I also think, like, when I was a kid, that was another weird difference. Kids went out every single night. And my girls, like, their friends don't go out every single night. But I would go out and when I would come home, every time I would, my parents would call me up to their bedroom and I would sit down on the end of their bed and tell my mom everything that went on, everything about my friends, everything. And so I feel like as this kid now in the sandwich generation, my mom is still my best friend. I get to talk to her about everything, and I get. And she talks to my kids like we are all very, very close. And we all know we've all gotten close even through this technology. But being. Being away from technology really, really reinforced the fact that I need to make space for my kids when I am home, because technology is different. When I got home from the. When I got home from going out when I was in high school, my parents weren't sitting in the bedroom on their phones. They were watching weird shows like Nick at Night and, you know, whatever the equivalent of Blue Bloods was back then, you know, like they're up there watching. Sometimes they would watch those stupid shows. They were like the Maury Povich show. And they'd be like, oh, you could be doing really bad. We just saw a girl that was doing really bad things. I'm like, maybe you should not watch these shows, mom and dad. Like, those were the shows that were on when I was young. But that's what it was. They were watching tv, you know, they weren't like doom scrolling. Now my mom will come to me and she'll be like, do you know what they're doing to children in India? I'm like, mom, that's not actually happening. This is something you saw on Facebook is true. That's the worst part. Like, none of this stuff is true. So you're sandwiched between what, telling your kids what's true and telling your parents what's true because they. They read something like, that's a lie. This is. This is AI. It was manufactured. No, I saw. I saw a video like, no, you didn't. It is a weird place for us to be in the sandwich generation. But I also think it's a good place as godly parents to sit and work through all of these issues with them. You've heard me say before that I talk to my girls about who they are, and that, to me, is really important, to know who they are and to hear through their own voice who they are. And if I were focused on only discipline and the stern exterior. And I know parents who feel that to be a godly parent, it has to be hardcore discipline and a stern exterior. And that works for some families. But for me, my godly parenting approach is to come alongside them and say, tell me what's happening in your life, and let's determine who you are in God's image, what gifts God has given you and how you can use who you are and those gifts God has given you to grow in life. And I feel like that was helpful to me when I was young, too, with my mom. And it might have been a little different approach, but she was different. Definitely talking to me about who I am. So they know I'm in their authority, but they also know that I'm there. And I guess this is the sandwich, because when we were in Hilton Head, so we went to Hilton Head. Like I said, we lost my dad in 2022. This is our first time back to Hilton Head. My parents met in Hilton Head. It's my first time back to Hilton Head without my dad. And I think this is the first time that I really felt like there's a difference. This is a different season in my life. My girls. My oldest is driving. She's independent, and when we're home, she can go wherever she wants and just head out with friends. She has that independence now. And my mom is a little more cautious now without my dad. And I think that she was. You know, there were times in Hilton Head that I could tell she was sad and we were sad. You know, my dad not being there felt crazy, crazy wrong. She's so strong, but it's like that was her other half, so she's a little slower. She's a little more cautious. She didn't go out to the beach as much. And I think that's a moment, too, as an adult, where you go, those days aren't coming back. And that's hard. And I didn't have enough of those days with my girls. I spent that time of busyness not stepping back and saying, man, I'm gonna spend all the time, all the vacations pouring into them every minute. And I want to take this time now to do it, because it was such a wake up call to be there, having my mom in the house with the girls and. And seeing my mom slow down and my mom take naps, you know? Like, this is a woman who never napped. And here she's like, she's at a different point in her life, and I need to pour into my kids what she poured into me. So she's listening to all of their stories, she's playing the games at night, she's watching the movies. But it's just a little bit different on the way back from Hilton Head. So I made us drive. That also drove her crazy. My dad would never have have driven to Hilton Head. And I'm like, yeah, hey, why don't we make an adventure? This. Why don't we drive? My mom's like, what are you talking about? Why. Why would we do that? Like, why wouldn't we do that? We're taking the dog. It'll be great. We'll stop in Lexington. We'll take the girls on a. A college tour of my alma mater. It'll be fantastic. And I actually. I do think it was great. It was a long ride, and I think she was kind of horrified by it. But it really didn't feel that bad because we got to talk the whole way. Then on the way back. This is like that moment where you see this vulnerability, and you're like, man, things are changing. She goes, the letters on my phone are getting distorted. Look at my phone. When I type, the letters look weird. Is something happening to my phone? Like, no, but she had just had this cataract surgery. I'm like, I think it's just. Maybe it's just your cataract surgery. Maybe something's different. She's like, I don't know. It's really weird. I feel like my vision's a little different. So she comes home and she goes to the doctor's office, and they were like, yeah, it looks like your retina is torn. And my sister and I are like, oh, man, this is a problem. We have to get this fixed right away. She sends her scans to the University of Michigan. They call her and they're like, we think we should see you tomorrow. So then we're panicked, you know, like, oh, my gosh. She's going to be blind. What are we going to do? My sister's in Florida. She's like, you got to take her. And I'm immediately, of course, like, yeah. Yes. And in my mind I'm like, oh my gosh, what am I? How do I get all of these things done? Which hence is the reason I'm like rushing to do a podcast and telling you about my whole life. But I feel like this is something we all go through. Let's take a quick commercial break. We'll continue next on the Tutor Dixon Podcast.

[Big Three Basketball Announcer]

The reviews and ratings are in and Ice Cube's Big Three is the surprise hit of the summer. And to cap off the season, IHOT presents the Big Three basketball playoffs this Sunday at 3pm Eastern. The remaining four teams battle it out for the right to make the Big Three Championship in the most physical, fierce and competitive basketball league in the world. The action starts with the Big three Monster Energy Celebrity game where your favorite stars compete in big three three on three battles basketball. Then the first of two semifinal games features Dwight Howard and the LA riot taking on Montrez Harrell and Dr. J's first place Chicago triplets. The finale will see popular Miami 305 with stars MVP Michael Beasley and Lance will make you Dan Stevenson take on Nancy Lieberman's Dallas power who finished the season winning five straight weeks to capture second place. Can Glenn Rice, Greg Monroe and Paul Millsap stop Miami's physical assault? Or will Miami and Beeze easily put an end to Dallas's winning ways? Who will make it to the Big Three championship? This no holds barred action starts Sunday at 3pm Eastern, 12 Pacific only on.

[Tudor Dixon]

CBS this Labor Day.

[Washable Sofas Advertiser]

Say goodbye to spills, stains and overpriced furniture with washablesofas.com featuring Annabe the only machine washable sofa inside and out where designer quality meets budget friendly pricing. Sofas start at just $6.99, making it the perfect time to upgrade your space. Anibe's pet friendly stain resistant and interchangeable slipcovers are made with high performance fabric built for real life. You'll love the cloud like comfort of hypoallergenic high resilience foam that never needs fluffing and a durable steel frame that stands the test of time with modular pieces you can rearrange anytime. It's a sofa that adapts to your life now through Labor Day. Get up to 60 off site [e-mail] Every order comes with a 30 day satisfaction guarantee. If you're not in love Send it back for a full refund. No return shipping, no restocking fees, every penny back. Shop [e-mail] Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[Christina Quinn]

If you eat too many ultra processed foods, you could be starving your gut microbes and they'll get hangry. That's one of many things I learned after working on a new audio course about the gut microbiome. You can learn how to keep your gut happy by listening to Try this from the Washington Post. I'm Christina Quinn. I host Try this. Dig in with me on practical advice for life's common challenges. Follow. Try this right now, wherever you're listening. Seriously, try it.

[Tudor Dixon]

Oh, hey.

[Jamie]

Hey. Thanks for meeting me here on such short notice. This place isn't bugged, is it?

[Tudor Dixon]

Bugged?

[Rodney Williams and Travis Holloway]

Wait, Jamie, what's going on?

[Jamie]

It's just you're my only lawyer friend and I need your professional opinion. You see that brand new Hyundai Tucson out there?

[Tudor Dixon]

Yeah.

[Jamie]

That's all. I paid for it.

[Rodney Williams and Travis Holloway]

I think I need to get back.

[Tudor Dixon]

To you on that. Do you know what you want?

[Rodney Williams and Travis Holloway]

Yeah, I do now.

[Hyundai Salesperson]

Deal. So right it almost feels wrong. Get the car or SUV you've always wanted plus America's best warranty at the Hyundai Getaway sales event. The guilt is real, but so is the savings.

[Tudor Dixon]

Listen, I don't want to get in your business, but if that's all she.

[Christina Quinn]

Paid for it, I'll have what she's having.

[Hyundai Salesperson]

It's a great day for a new Hyundai at the Hyundai Getaway sales event. Going on now. Get 0% APR for 60 months plus 0 payments for 90 days on all Hyundai Santa Fe models. And check out our other great deals at your Hyundai dealer today. Offer ends September 2nd. Call 562-314-4603 for details.

[Vizio Advertiser]

Check out Vizio's complete lineup of home entertainment. From stunning smart TVs to immersive sound bar. Vizio has you covered. Experience entertainment like never before with hundreds of built in apps including Watch Free plus for free live and on demand TV all ready to go right out of the box. You can even stream your favorite music, radio and podcasts with the iHeartRadio app available on every Vizio Smart TV. Transform your entertainment with incredible picture quality and next level audio. Visit vizio.com today.

[Tudor Dixon]

This is the point when my friend goes, oh, you're in the sandwich generation. I'm like. And I kind of feel it, right? Because I just rushed from a parent meeting the other night. Going from work to the parent meeting. Just had school Orientation feel like this is, like, pretty mom focused. Moms are probably more so in sandwiched between. And then it's like I am trying to get everything ready for the first day of school. Parent meeting, orientation, school supplies, backpacks, everything. All the last few minutes of summer. And it's like they think I have a torn retina. So we have to take a day and drive over to the University of Michigan. And I'm like, absolutely. So we get in the car and this is like. This is part of having a parent that, like, this would never have happened with my dad, but my mom is like, yeah, this is the address. This is where we're going. And for some reason, it never dawns on me that I should be like, show me where they told you this is the address. Because why wouldn't it be? That's what she's saying. So we drive, and as we're driving, it's like, Gretchen Whitmer, for six years, has said she was going to fix the damn road. So she decided to do it all in the last, like, 18 months of being governor. So I give her credit. They're getting fixed, but it is hellish to drive across the state. So we get in the car, and it's like, your time of arrival is 10, which is great because our appointment's at 1045. But then as we're driving, the GPS is like, 1017-1026-1036-1037. And I'm like, oh, my gosh, we're going to be late. So then, you know, technology says, oh, go this way. And you go on all these back roads, and you. And then we got there at 10:15, we drown. We walk into the building. This. My mom says, this is in Brighton. It's not in Ann Arbor. I'm like, oh, okay, that good. That's closer. We walk up to check in, and the lady's like, your appointment's in Ann Arbor. And there was like a full five seconds where I was like, well, we're screwed. We drove all the way across the state. Now we're gonna miss this appointment. And then I'm like, no, we are making this. I was like, listen, I know you are going to try to walk slow to the car, but you've got a hustle, woman. We are getting you to this appointment. And she was like, okay, all right, we're going to go. We bust a move down to Ann Arbor. We got in there, waited forever. So I guess it didn't really matter that we were late. The guy says, yeah, you've got to have surgery. So I'm like, okay, we're going to figure this out. We're going to. My sister and I are going to figure out how we get her through this, and I am glad to do it. I absolutely love being a part of the sandwich generation because I get to take care of my kids and I get to be there for my mom because she was there for me in so many cases. Not only when I was pregnant. My gosh, when I went through cancer, I had to go, ugh. When you go through breast cancer and you have a double mastectomy there, I am not good with medical things. And they have these drains coming out of your body, and they are disgusting. And my mom was like, I will be there for two weeks. I will sit next to you in a hotel room in Baltimore and empty these drains for you. I am so grateful that I get to do something for her back. Anything. I will do anything. In fact, even on the way home, this is so my mom. So we are coming home and it's like there's this huge slowdown on the highway. You've got to get off and take this detour. And we're in her car. We would have taken my car, but I had to take my car for an oil change because I made her take my car to Hilton Head. You know, we're. We'd just driven my car for a really long time. So of course I'm like, this also happens to be on the day we're going to U of M on the day that I am getting an oil change. So we get off the highway and we drive two and a half miles to what is going to be a 14 mile detour. When we get two and a half miles in, it's a dirt road. And she's like, like, oh, yeah? No. I said, what do you mean, no? She's like, we're not taking this car on a dirt road. I'm like, we're going to be on the highway for an extra 20 minutes if we don't take this dirt road. She's like, I got time. Awesome. Let me turn this car around. We will not take your. Heaven forbid we go through the car wash. We'll not take your car on this dirt road. We will get right back on the highway. And then. And we did, of course. Why? Because she's my mom. And if she tells me I'm not taking her car on a dirt road, guess what? I'm not taking her car on a dirt road. So we got back on the highway, we waited in traffic and we got to sit and talk and I love it. I get them all. I get my mom, I get the kids and I enjoy them. And guess what? Everybody loves a sandwich. And for a short period of time I get to be in the middle of the sandwich and it seems like the very best spot. I am good at being needed, I am not so good at needing and I'm headed to the other side of the sandwich. I know it. I hope I have made good enough friends with my girls that they will drop everything and wipe their schedule clear to jump in the car and drive me to U of M when I need it. So I think that my friend was actually complaining when she said welcome to the sandwich generation. But I say welcome indeed. I am so glad I get to be in the middle of the sandwich for this short period of time and I hope you guys enjoy whatever part of life you are in as well. Thank you so much for listening to me on the Tutor Dixon podcast today. For this episode and others go to tutordixonpodcast.com you can go to the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast or wherever you get your podcasts. Or you can watch at Rumble or YouTubeutter Dixon and make sure you tune in next time to the Tudor Dixon podcast. Have a blessed day and go out there and have a sandwich.

[Big Three Basketball Announcer]

Iheart presents the Big three Playoffs this Sunday. The remaining four teams battle to make the championship in the most physical, fierce and competitive basketball league in the world. The action starts with the Big three Monster Energy Celebrity game, then Dwight Howard and his Ellie Riot take on Montrez Harrell and Dr. J Chicago triplets. The finale will see popular Miami 305 with stars MVP Michael Beasley and Lance Stevenson take on Nancy Lieberman's Dallas power who will make it to the Big Three championship. The no holds barred action starts Sunday at 3pm Eastern, 12 Pacific only on.

[Tudor Dixon]

CBS this Labor Day.

[Washable Sofas Advertiser]

Say goodbye to spills, stains and overpriced furniture with washablesofas.com featuring Annabe, the only machine washable sofa inside and out where designer quality meets budget friendly pricing. Sofas start at just $6.99, making it the perfect time to upgrade your space. Annabe's pet friendly stain resistant and interchangeable slipcovers are made with high performance fabric built for real life. You'll love the cloud like comfort of hypoallergenic high resilience foam that never needs fluffing and a durable steel frame that stands the test of time with modular pieces you can rearrange anytime. It's a sofa that adapts to your life. Now through Labor Day. Get up to 60% off site [e-mail] Every order comes with a 30 day satisfaction guarantee. If you're not in love, send it back for a full refund. No return shipping, no restocking fees. Every penny back. Shop [e-mail] Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[Christina Quinn]

If you eat too many ultra processed foods, you could be starving your gut microbes and they'll get hangry. That's one of many things I learned after working on a new audio course about the gut microbiome. You can learn how to keep your gut happy by listening to Try this from the Washington Post. I'm Christina Quinn. I host Try this Dig in with me on practical advice for life's common challenges. Follow Try this right now, wherever you're listening. Seriously, try it.

[Tudor Dixon]

Oh, hey.

[Jamie]

Hey. Thanks for meeting me here. It's just you're my only lawyer friend and I need your professional opinion. You see that brand new Hyundai Tucson out there? That's all I paid for.

[Hyundai Salesperson]

Ah, let me get back to you on that deal. So right it almost feels wrong. At the Hyundai Getaway sales event, get 0% APR for 60 months plus 0 payments for 90 days on all Hyundai Santa Fe models. And check out our other great, great deals at your Hyundai dealer today. Offer ends September 2nd. Call 562-314-4603 for details.

[Rodney Williams and Travis Holloway]

I'm Rodney Williams. And I'm Travis Holloway. Welcome to the wealthbreak Podcast, a real conversation about finance. Let's be honest, building wealth doesn't look the same for everyone.

[Tudor Dixon]

I feel like sometimes being broke is a cycle and that we might have.

[Rodney Williams and Travis Holloway]

To revisit that and we're not stopping at success stories.

[Washable Sofas Advertiser]

What happens when it doesn't go right? How do you cope with it?

[Rodney Williams and Travis Holloway]

Because wealth isn't just about money. It's about creating a life where you thrive and help others do the same. Listen to the Wealth Break podcast on the iHeartradio app.

[Christina Quinn]

This is an iHeart podcast.