Podcast
The Gen X Couple
Hosted by Robin and Chris Ruehrwein · EN
Listening to this podcast won’t fix all your problems, but it’s a good start. Join Robin and Chris as they delve into relatable topics such as parenting, marriage, food, travel and life in general. There is something for everyone here, so grab a snack and come along for the adventure!
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New episode every Thursday.
33episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The True Tale of Lela and Raymond and the Song It Inspired
2d ago00:14:25Tap to summarizeEvery 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 storyLove 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
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Beyond the Hills: Exploring the Berkshires
1w ago00:30:24Tap to summarizeExplore 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
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Cold Water Graveyard: The Shipwrecks of Lake Champlain
2w ago00:21:17Tap to summarizeLake 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
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Magic After Dark: Ghosts of Disney Parks
3w ago00:12:18Tap to summarizeWhen 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
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Fog, Rocks, and Ghosts: New England’s Haunted Lights
May 700:26:52Tap to summarizeNew 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
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Before Memes: The Strange True Story of Kilroy Was Here
Apr 3000:11:54Tap to summarizeDuring 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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Tiny Performer, Huge Fame: The Story of General Tom Thumb
Apr 2300:19:01Tap to summarizeStep into the fascinating world of General Tom Thumb, the tiny entertainer who became one of the first global celebrities in the 19th century. Born Charles Sherwood Stratton in Connecticut, he stopped growing as a baby and grew up to be just over three feet tall. Under the guidance of showman P. T. Barnum, he became a master performer, touring the United States and Europe, entertaining royalty, and captivating audiences with singing, dancing, and impersonations.In this episode, Robin and Chris explore his incredible life, including his historic marriage to fellow performer Lavinia Warren, their international tours, and the spectacle surrounding the famous “Fairy Wedding.” From the stages of New York to the courts of Queen Victoria, Tom Thumb’s story is a blend of showmanship, charm, and genuine talent, showing how a little man can leave a huge mark on 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
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From Jaws to Hocus Pocus: Massachusetts Movie Magic
Apr 1600:29:55Tap to summarizeMassachusetts has played a starring role in some of Hollywood’s most iconic films. In this episode, Robin and Chris explore movies filmed across the state, from the gritty streets of Boston in The Departed and The Town to the spooky charm of Salem in Hocus Pocus. They dive into behind-the-scenes trivia, discuss how real locations enhanced each story, and share personal observations that make these films feel even more connected to Massachusetts.Whether you are a Boston local or a movie fan from afar, this episode highlights how the state’s cities, coastlines, and historic towns have become more than just backdrops. Robin and Chris guide listeners through the iconic settings of Black Mass, Good Will Hunting, Jaws, Shutter Island, and Patriots Day, uncovering the unique magic and realism that Massachusetts brings to the big screen.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
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Walled Alive: The Deadly Duel That Haunted Poe
Apr 900:15:34Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we explore a chilling chapter of Edgar Allan Poe’s life and imagination. Long before he became a master of the macabre, Poe spent time at Fort Independence on Castle Island in Boston Harbor. There, he encountered the story of a deadly duel between two officers, Robert Massie and Gustavus Drane, and the dark legend that Drane was supposedly walled alive in a fort chamber as revenge.We examine the historical duel, the fort itself, the local lore that surrounded it, and how these real-life elements may have inspired Poe’s famous story, The Cask of Amontillado. We also dive into the atmosphere of Boston Harbor in the early 19th century, Castle Island’s foggy walls, echoing corridors, and the chilling tales told by soldiers — all of which shaped the young Poe’s imagination and contributed to his enduring fascination with revenge, confinement, and psychological terror.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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Pirates, Privateers, and Smuggling along the Massachusetts Coast
Apr 200:12:49Tap to summarizeSet sail with Robin and Chris along the Massachusetts coastline, from Boston Harbor to Cape Cod and beyond. Discover the daring exploits of pirates like Black Sam Bellamy, Revolutionary War privateers, and Prohibition-era rum runners. Explore hidden coves, mysterious islands, shipwrecks, and legendary treasure rumored to remain along the coast. Ghost stories, eyewitness accounts, and recovered artifacts bring centuries of maritime adventure to life in this immersive episode.If you love pirates, lost treasure, and New England history, this episode is your ultimate deep dive into the audacity and mystery of Massachusetts’ coastLove 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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