In this episode, Aaron, Kirsten, and Leslie share summer updates, travel adventures, and the realities of balancing family life with their musical past. Leslie's unexpected enthusiasm for Des Moines, Iowa, sparks discussion about affordable, walkable cities with thriving arts scenes and farmers markets. The conversation flows naturally from childhood TV nostalgia (Little House on the Prairie trauma, anyone?) to modern parenting challenges and the comedy of corporate sensitivity training. They their ongoing demand for reunion performances while acknowledging the homework aspect of maintaining musical skills. From designer thrift finds to high school reunion anxieties, pool setups to insurance company language policies, the hosts cover the wonderfully chaotic spectrum of Gen X mom life. The episode captures the essence of women who once rocked stages now navigating suburban adventures, complete with dog swimming preferences and grocery store cottage cheese quests. Their unfiltered commentary on everything from 1970s television to medical museums offers both nostalgia and fresh perspectives. Perfect for former musicians, classic rock fans, and anyone seeking genuine conversations about midlife's unexpected joys and challenges. The podcast proves that while the venues may have changed from concert halls to kitchen tables, the music and friendship endure.

1. "I'm a total fan of Des Moines, Iowa. Loved Des Moines. It is a gem. I think it's very affordable and kind of funky and cute." - Leslie
2. "Even if you've been playing for a long time, you have to practice. That's part of the deal. I'll be honest, I haven't been singing. That gets rusty real quick." - Leslie
3. "I don't want to be a pain in the ass. We can't have language like that. We can't have any language that could be misinterpreted as sexual harassment." - Leslie (recounting insurance conversation)
4. "Back in those days, it was, you want a career? This is happening. Let's go." - Aaron (discussing child actors in the 1970s)
5. "As soon as I went through, I was just like, that feels great. I don't know why that feels great, but that just felt awesome." - Aaron (after driving under a fallen tree)

Actionable Steps:

• Research affordable, walkable cities like Des Moines for quality of life alternatives
• Maintain musical skills through regular practice, even during breaks from performing
• Use platforms like Poshmark to monetize designer items you won't wear

Conceptual Insights:

• Childhood media exposure shapes adult perspectives more than we realize
• Small acts of calculated risk-taking can provide unexpected satisfaction

Strategic Applications:

• Former musicians can leverage their past for current social opportunities and events
• Travel planning benefits from researching local events and seasonal attractions
• High school reunions offer valuable reconnection opportunities despite initial anxiety

Resources Mentioned:

• Poshmark (online marketplace for designer clothing)
• Hy-Vee grocery stores (Iowa-based chain)
• Museum of Medical Oddities (Philadelphia)
• Fong's Pizza (Des Moines restaurant)

Locations Discussed:

• Des Moines, Iowa (farmers market, East Village, bike trails)
• Cedar Point (Sandusky, Ohio)
• Notre Dame University (South Bend, Indiana)
• Baltimore Aquarium and Children's Museum

Cultural References:

• Little House on the Prairie (1974-1983 TV series)
• 1970s television programming and UHF channels
• Designer brand Comme des Garçons (heart logo clothing)

"We went from learning chord progressions to managing carpool schedules - turns out both require perfect timing and the ability to improvise when everything goes wrong."

thesetlistofliffe@gmail.com

In this episode of The Setlist of Life podcast, the main focus is setting up a new game concept exploring "One Hit Wonders" - examining whether artists labeled as such actually had albums worth revisiting.

The hosts discuss their approach to music categorization and decide to divide decades among themselves: Aaron takes the 1960s, Kirsten the 1970s, Christine the 1980s, and Leslie the 1990s.

Each host researched and selected potential one-hit wonders from their assigned decade:

Aaron's 1960s picks: The Lemon Pipers ("Green Tambourine"), The Chamber Brothers ("Time Has Come Today"), and Tin House ("Slipping and Sliding")

Kirsten's 1970s selections: Manfred Mann Earth Band ("Blinded by the Light"), Blue Swede ("Hooked on a Feeling"), and The Knack ("My Sharona")

Christine's 1980s choices: Modern English ("Melt with You"), Kajagoogoo ("Too Shy"), and A Flock of Seagulls ("I Ran")

Leslie's 1990s picks: Macy Gray ("Try"), Primitive Radio Gods ("Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth"), and The Toadies ("Possum Kingdom")

The hosts plan to listen to full albums from these artists and discuss whether they deserve more recognition beyond their single hits. The episode ends with plans to start with the 1960s selections in future episodes.

1. Music categorization is more complex than decades: Musical movements and genres often span 3-7 year periods that don't align with decade boundaries, making genre-based analysis potentially more meaningful than decade-based analysis.
2. The "one-hit wonder" label may be unfair: Many artists categorized as one-hit wonders may have produced quality albums that deserved more attention, suggesting the need to revisit their complete works.
3. Record industry practices have dramatically changed: Earlier decades saw labels investing in 3-4 album deals, while modern practices often drop artists after one unsuccessful release, contributing to more one-hit wonders in recent decades.
4. Quality songwriting is exceptionally difficult: The hosts' research revealed how rare truly memorable, hook-laden songs are, emphasizing the craft and skill required for successful songwriting.
5. Collaborative music discovery enhances appreciation: The podcast format of shared research and discussion creates opportunities for deeper musical exploration and discovery that individual listening might miss.

00:00 Introduction

05:06 Exploring One Hit Wonders

09:45 Decade Breakdown of Music

15:11 The Process of Selecting One Hit Wonders

19:50 Discussion of Selected Songs and Artists

32:51 Exploring 80s Music and One-Hit Wonders

39:50 The Evolution of Music Industry and One-Hit Wonders

47:45 Diving into Personal Music Choices

56:45 Planning Future Music Discussions and Listener Engagement

This episode of The Setlist of Life is the second installment of their "Love Is A Battlefield" game, where they pit album against album. Leslie emphasizes that listeners should have heard the previous episode to understand the current standings. The episode begins with some lighthearted banter about late-night texts, phone notifications, and personal anecdotes.

The first segment revolves around Aaron, who was tasked with creating new album matchups. To save time, he admits to using ChatGPT for suggestions, leading to a discussion about the ethical implications and growing presence of AI in education and daily life. They touch upon a Northeastern student suing over a professor's AI use and the varying approaches professors take towards AI tools in the classroom. The hosts also discuss the potential of AI to revolutionize education in underdeveloped countries.

The second part of the episode focuses on the actual "Love Is A Battlefield" game with the winners from the previous round and the "wild card" albums chosen by Aaron from ChatGPT's list. The hosts go through a rapid-fire series of head-to-head album battles.

The hosts reflect on the selection process, noting that they chose albums they personally loved and would listen to, rather than strictly "technically best" albums. They end by encouraging listeners to share their own thoughts, additions, and "which one hurt" choices for future discussions.

1. AI's Growing Influence and Ethical Considerations: The discussion around ChatGPT's use for album matchups quickly pivots to the broader societal impact of AI, particularly in education. It highlights ongoing debates about academic integrity, the changing landscape of teaching methods, and the necessity for universities to develop clear guidelines for AI use.
2. Personal Preference Drives Entertainment: Despite the "battlefield" theme, the album selections often boiled down to personal favorites and emotional connections rather than objective musical merit. This underscores that entertainment, especially in a casual podcast format, thrives on genuine passion and relatable preferences from the hosts.
3. Music as a Source of Shared Experience and Nostalgia: The episode is rich with personal anecdotes tied to music, from Joey's favorite Metallica album to Leslie's memories of "Barbed Wire Streisand." The rapid-fire album battles also evoke strong nostalgic responses, showing how music acts as a powerful trigger for memories and shared experiences.
4. The Unpredictable Nature of Live Content: The hosts' spontaneous tangents, including discussions about phone settings, celebrity deaths (George Wendt, Kirstie Alley), and the technicalities of recording classes, demonstrate the organic and sometimes chaotic nature of unscripted podcasting, which can be both challenging and endearing to an audience.
5. The Power of Storytelling in Music Appreciation: Beyond just naming albums, the hosts delve into specific songs and the reasons behind their choices, such as the impact of The Chronic or the innovative orchestration of Tears for Fears. This provides a richer understanding of their musical tastes and offers listeners more than just a list of winners, fostering deeper engagement with the music itself.

• The Last Rockstar (Michael Hutchence documentary): Available on YouTube.

In this casual afternoon episode of "The Setlist of Life," the hosts Leslie, Kirsten, Christine, and Aaron gather to chat about their current song "Taking Care of Business" by Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO). The conversation meanders through various topics in a friendly, relaxed manner.

Leslie shares her accidental discovery of Eddie Rabbit songs on Spotify, which leads to a discussion about the singer who died in 1998. Aaron mentions having a guitar signed by Kenny Chesney, and the group discusses BTO's hits beyond "Taking Care of Business."

Christine talks about using her free time after finishing her class to organize 23 years of household items while watching "The Four Seasons" on Netflix. The hosts discuss their children finishing college semesters and summer plans.

The conversation shifts to a "Dolly For Sue" car magnet that needs to be relocated as a local business moves locations. Leslie then introduces a philosophical question about dragons, wondering if they might have existed since dragon stories appear in many distinct ancient cultures. This leads to a nostalgic discussion about childhood fears from movies like "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" and "The Wizard of Oz."

Aaron poses two questions to the group: things they don't do that most people do, and things they do that most people don't. The hosts reveal that Christine and Aaron don't drink coffee, Kirsten doesn't watch award shows, and Aaron backs his car into his garage (which most neighbors don't use). This leads to conversations about energy drinks, garages with car lifts, and European parking garage elevators.

The episode takes a more somber turn with a discussion about pet ashes and what to do with them, before ending with mentions of college decision day and some final thoughts about afternoon podcast recordings versus their usual evening sessions.

1. "I think it's weird that adults go around giving each other trophies. I'd rather have a Starbucks card. Don't give me a trophy or a medal. Give me five bucks." - Leslie on award culture
2. "Multiple civilizations who hadn't crossed paths yet have the dragon. Different civilizations in different parts of the world talk about dragons... Why wouldn't they come up with different animals if there wasn't a dragon?" - Leslie questioning whether dragons might have existed
3. "Caffeine doesn't give you energy. Caffeine just quiets the chemical that makes you sleepy... It's not giving you energy. It's just making you feel that you're not tired." - Discussion about caffeine effects
4. "I think different topics pop into our head in the afternoon than they do in evening." - Reflection on how timing affects their podcast conversations
5. "The process has started. Well, the process started six months ago. The process has continued. Accelerated." - Christine on the ongoing effort to declutter her home

The episode captures the warm, freewheeling conversation of long-time friends sharing stories, asking philosophical questions, and discussing life's peculiarities in an engaging, natural manner.

thesetlistoflife@gmail.com

00:00 Introduction to the Band and Song Choice

03:52 Personal Updates and Reflections

10:07 Conspiracy Theories and Dragons

17:00 Childhood Traumas and Movie Discussions

19:48 Questions and Personal Preferences

27:48 The Chicken Jockey Phenomenon

29:33 Social Media Disconnect

31:30 Driving Habits and Quirks

36:36 Unique Personal Practices

42:40 Dealing with Pet Loss

51:06 Decision Day and Celebrations

This episode of The Setlist of Life begins by jokingly lamenting the absence of bandmate Cow Bell Chris, who chose to attend the Frozen Four college hockey playoffs over the podcast recording.

The main topic of conversation revolves around travel. Kirsten is embarking on a European trip to Milan, Budapest, and London, partly for a soccer game and partly to meet distant relatives in Hungary, including a mysterious "Granny" she's never met. Leslie is heading to Miami with her youngest son for a relaxing pool and golf trip. This travel theme leads to discussions about European food, particularly Hungarian goulash and pickled foods.

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to a humorous anecdote about Leslie's recent phone mishap. Due to a Costco phone deal and a misunderstanding about phone colors and activations, Leslie's daughter accidentally received Leslie's's new iPhone, and vice versa. This resulted in Leslie being without a phone for three days and having to drive to Pennsylvania to retrieve it. This experience highlights our dependence on smartphones and the unsettling feeling of being disconnected.

The phone story naturally transitions into a discussion about doomsday prepping. Leslie reveals her "doomsday tub" with solar phone chargers, and the conversation expands to generators, water purifiers, and even a family zombie apocalypse plan with Pennsylvania as a central meeting point. Aaron, initially skeptical, is gradually drawn into the conversation, and Kirsten expresses interest in starting her own doomsday box.

The episode lightens up with a dad joke submitted by listener Charlie and then moves into a personality quiz involving choosing which pets to abandon in a forest scenario. The quiz results are humorously analyzed, revealing insights into the bandmates' values regarding ambition, courage, stability, and playfulness.

Kirsten then shares a pleasant experience of tulip picking at a local farm, describing the beauty of the tulip fields. This leads to a brief discussion about lavender fields and the possibility of lavender picking.

Finally, Leslie recounts a funny story about her son JJ and a school-wide email prank. A student emailed all the "James" in the school suggesting they "fight it out" for the name. While intended as a joke, the school principal took it seriously, leading to a humorous misunderstanding and JJ having to explain the situation to the vice principal.

The episode concludes with farewells as Leslie and Kirsten prepare for their respective trips, and a promise of a travel report in the next episode.

1. Embrace the Unexpected: The episode celebrates spontaneity and embracing the unknown, whether it's traveling to meet distant relatives or navigating a phone-less few days. Leslie's "go big or go home" vacation philosophy encourages listeners to step outside their comfort zones.
2. Technology Dependence is Real: Leslie's phone mishap vividly illustrates how reliant we've become on smartphones and the surprising sense of isolation and vulnerability experienced without one. It prompts reflection on our digital dependence and the value of basic preparedness.
3. Humor is Essential: The podcast uses humor throughout to navigate everyday life, from travel mishaps to school email pranks. The dad joke and the personality quiz lighten the tone and emphasize the importance of laughter and lightheartedness.
4. Preparedness Provides Peace of Mind: The doomsday prepping discussion, while somewhat humorous, touches on a genuine desire for security and control. Having basic emergency plans and supplies can offer comfort and a sense of readiness, even if the scenarios seem improbable.
5. Personality Quizzes Can Be Fun (and Slightly Insightful): The personality quiz, though lighthearted, sparks a conversation about personal values and self-reflection. It highlights how even simple activities can offer glimpses into our own motivations and priorities.

• 00:00 Introduction and Musical Guests
• 02:58 Travel Plans and Family Connections
• 05:51 Adventures in Food and Cultural Experiences
• 09:10 Spring Break Plans and Family Dynamics
• 12:14 Technology Troubles and Phone Mishaps
• 19:53 Doomsday Prepping and Emergency Preparedness
• 26:55 Pop Culture References and TV Shows
• 36:16 Resourcefulness in Survival Stories
• 39:57 Listener Engagement and Community Connection
• 40:25 The Joy of Dad Jokes
• 41:54 Psychological Tests and Self-Discovery
• 54:29 Flower Picking Adventures
• 01:00:04 Humor in School Life and Creative Pranks