The Gen X Couple

Robin and Chris Ruehrwein
  • 5.0 (12)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

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! Never miss an episode -- follow The Gen-X Couple on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon or wherever you listen to podcasts. New episode every Thursday.

  1. 2d ago

    Old Ironsides: Boston’s Floating Treasure

    Step aboard with Robin and Chris as they explore one of Boston’s greatest historical treasures: the USS Constitution, affectionately known as Old Ironsides. From her construction in 1797 using live and white oak, to her legendary battles against HMS Guerriere and HMS Java during the War of 1812, Constitution’s story is full of craftsmanship, bravery, and endurance. Robin and Chris guide listeners through life aboard the ship, including the daily routines of sailors, midshipmen, and officers, the challenges of navigating and maintaining a fully armed frigate, and her role in peacetime missions protecting American commerce and diplomacy. Discover how Constitution survived centuries through meticulous restorations and ongoing preservation efforts, allowing visitors today to experience history firsthand. Robin and Chris describe walking the decks, exploring the rigging, and imagining life at sea in the 18th and 19th centuries. Whether you’re a history buff, maritime enthusiast, or just love Boston’s rich heritage, this episode brings the story of Old Ironsides to life with vivid detail, fun insights, and a deep appreciation for one of America’s most iconic ships. 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

    Old Ironsides: Boston’s Floating Treasure

  2. Jul 9

    Quirky Stops and Hidden Gems Across the Bay State

    Join Robin and Chris as they hit the road to explore some of Massachusetts’ quirkiest, most memorable, and downright unusual roadside attractions. From the tiny yet symbolic Plymouth Rock, often disappointing first-time visitors, to the infamous Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast with its real-life 1892 axe murder history, this episode is packed with stories that are equal parts history, mystery, and roadside fun. You’ll hear about the giant Hood Milk Bottle in Boston and the playful Milk Bottle Restaurant in Raynham, towering tributes to dairy that have become iconic photo stops for travelers. The journey continues with the dramatic ruins of Bancroft Castle in Groton, the whimsical Three Sisters Sanctuary in Goshen filled with larger-than-life sculptures, the mysterious and ever-changing Ponyhenge in Lincoln, and the Bicentennial Giant Chair in Gardner, celebrating the town’s furniture-making history. Robin and Chris share fascinating backstories, historical context, and fun observations for each stop, making this episode the ultimate guide for anyone planning a Massachusetts road trip or just curious about the state’s offbeat attractions. Whether you’re a history buff, a fan of quirky roadside art, or just love a good story, there’s something here for everyone. 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

    Quirky Stops and Hidden Gems Across the Bay State

  3. Jul 2

    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

    Spite Houses: Buildings Built Out of Revenge

  4. Jun 25

    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

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

  5. Jun 18

    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

    Classic Dad Sayings: Where Did They Come From?

  6. Jun 11

    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 Christmas Shipwreck in Plymouth Harbor

  7. Jun 4

    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

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

  8. May 28

    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

    Beyond the Hills: Exploring the Berkshires
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About

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! Never miss an episode -- follow The Gen-X Couple on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon or wherever you listen to podcasts. New episode every Thursday.

Information

  • Creator
    Robin and Chris Ruehrwein
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    99
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 The Gen X Couple. All Rights Reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Gen X Couple