In this episode of Generations, we dive into a mix of topics, from life updates to fandom deep dives. We kick things off with some behind-the-scenes podcast improvements and a shout-out to Audio Hijack before discussing the latest in our personal lives. Aubrey shares her packed schedule balancing work and classes, while Peter reflects on workplace stress and his latest reading adventures, including The Lost Metal and Think: A Compelling Introduction to Philosophy.

The discussion then shifts to Dungeons & Dragons, as Peter recounts the challenges of running a heist-based campaign and the group's struggle with strategic thinking. The episode's main event, however, is the two of us taking the Knights Radiant quiz to determine which order they belong to, leading to some fun surprises and in-depth analysis of our results.

On the music front, we geek out over Spiritbox, sharing excitement for an upcoming concert and reacting to the band's latest single, with a live first-time listen from Aubrey. We discuss the band's Grammy nomination, past Patreon exclusives, and the horror-inspired themes in their music.

The show wraps up with a discussion on the Little Red Dots discovered by the James Webb Space Telescope, which could either be ancient dwarf galaxies or remnants of supermassive black holes. We also touch on the state of the medical field and the broader societal climate, emphasizing the need for kindness and community in challenging times.

Key Takeaways

Audio Hijack is an essential tool for podcasters using Macs.

The Knights Radiant quiz led to fascinating discussions about identity and personality traits.

Spiritbox continues to push boundaries in the metal scene, and their upcoming album looks to be heavier than ever.

The James Webb Space Telescope is revealing strange and unexplained cosmic phenomena.

The medical field faces serious challenges, and we all need to support each other in tough times.

🎵 GENERATIONS: The Concert Chronicles 🎵

Ever had a concert experience that gave you chills? This week, Aubrey and Peter dive deep into the electrifying world of live music, sharing stories that'll have you reliving your own favorite shows!

From earth-shaking metal performances to hip-hop spectacles, our hosts bare their souls about the concerts that changed their lives – and a few that didn't quite hit the mark.

Peter takes us on a journey through:

• The mind-bending intensity of Neurosis that left an indelible mark on his soul

• His passionate pilgrimage following Rush across venues and through the years

• A poetic pandemic story, bracketed by the cosmic sounds of Cult of Luna and Yob

Aubrey lights up remembering:

• An unforgettable night with Tyler, the Creator, Vince Staples, and Kali Uchis bringing St. Louis to life

• Her gateway into concert culture with Twenty-One Pilots

• The anticipation building for an upcoming dream lineup featuring Kendrick Lamar and SZA

But it's not all standing ovations! Our hosts keep it real with some memorable letdowns:

• Iron Maiden battling against venue acoustics (and losing)

• Megadeth showing their age in all the wrong ways

• Keith Urban's performance that felt more like a rehearsal than a show

Join us for an episode that celebrates the raw, unfiltered magic of live music – from the transcendent highs to the occasional lows. Because whether you're a metalhead, hip-hop enthusiast, or country fan, nothing beats the thrill of seeing your favorite artists in the flesh!

🎧 Press play and relive the magic with us! 🎧

It's a new year, and on this episode of Generations, we talk about our plans for 2025, focusing on our goals and themes. We discuss our methods for tracking our progress, what some of those goals are, and how we think last year went.

• Aubrey discusses the start of the new semester and her excitement about returning to school and wedding planning.

• Peter reflects on a tough start to the year due to work challenges.

Wedding Planning Updates:

• Aubrey shares that she has chosen her wedding dress and secured a venue and photographer, expressing relief at having major tasks completed.

• She mentions creating a detailed master spreadsheet with her fiancé Hayden to track wedding planning progress.

New Year Reflections:

• The hosts reject the idea of New Year's resolutions, opting instead for broader yearly themes and systems to guide personal growth.

• Peter reflects on his 2024 theme, the "Year of Improved Health," and evaluates its successes and challenges.

• For 2025, Peter introduces his new theme, the "Year of Conscious Action," emphasizing mindfulness and intentionality in daily actions.

Aubrey's Themes and Goals for 2025:

• With significant life changes ahead--graduation, moving, and marriage--Aubrey focuses on being present in the moment and reducing anxiety.

• Her goals are categorized into academic, physical, mental, and relationship-focused areas. She emphasizes simplicity and achievability in her goal-setting.

Daily Routines and Habit Tracking:

• Peter discusses his efforts to optimize his morning routine, including journaling and habit tracking, to create a more intentional start to his day.

• He reflects on his use of the "Theme System Journal" for structured reflection and gratitude practices.

• Peter recommends habit-tracking apps, specifically highlighting Strides and Atomic Habit Tracker, explaining their features and benefits.

Aubrey's Habit Practices:

• Aubrey shares her experience using the Eden app for habit tracking but emphasizes the importance of separating habits from larger goals.

• She revisits her love of using GoodNotes on her iPad to organize her goals in a simple, structured format.

Other Topics:

• Aubrey shares her excitement about publishing her astrophysics research, which involved coding a program to simulate supermassive black hole growth.

• Peter comments on recent trends in continuous glucose monitoring and daily hormone testing, cautioning against unnecessary data overload for non-diabetic individuals.