Midlife Crisis, the Podcast

This week on Midlife Crisis, we break down the biggest stories in pop culture, sports, and entertainment while delivering the usual mix of humor, hot takes, and millennial nostalgia.
 
We kick things off with the shocking news that Paramount has outbid Netflix in a massive $111B deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, potentially reshaping the future of streaming and putting franchises like DC, Harry Potter, and Game of Thrones under one roof.
 
In honor of Women’s History Month, we highlight influential women in history and sports — including Serena Williams, whose dominance in tennis makes her one of the greatest athletes of all time.
 
We also discuss:
Uber’s new women-only ride option
A dramatic LA Marathon finish that went viral
The internet backlash over Timothée Chalamet’s opera/ballet comments
The return of Scary Movie and the final season of The Boys
 
Plus, we share what they’ve been watching, playing, and listening to lately — including Resident Evil 9, music picks, and upcoming sci-fi film Project Hail Mary.
 
We wrap things up with sports talk covering March Madness, NBA headlines, and NFL free agency moves before drafting our top actors we would cast in a movie ahead of the Oscars.

From high school weight rooms in Riverside to the sidelines of the NFL, this week’s episode of Midlife Crisis features longtime friend and Cincinnati Bengals Assistant Strength Coach Garrett Swanson.
Garrett shares his journey from Fresno State specialist to a short stint with the Arizona Cardinals — and how a torn ACL in high school could have ended it all before it even began. Instead, it fueled the long game. He walks us through transitioning into strength and conditioning, earning his spot in the NFL, and what it’s really like coaching elite athletes.
We go behind the scenes of the Bengals’ 2022 Super Bowl run, the chaos of a 30-minute halftime show, the intensity of Arrowhead Stadium, and the mental side of the weight room — where strength coaching becomes part sports psychology, part brotherhood.
Garrett also tells the wild story of missing the birth of his third child… because the baby was born in his garage while he was running offseason squats.
This episode is about discipline, resilience, redefining what “making it” looks like, and what it feels like to wake up one day realizing you’re living the dream you used to speak into existence.

Jeff and Adrian are back with another chaotic, thoughtful, and hilarious dive into everything happening in culture right now.This week, they unpack the escalating violence in Mexico following the reported killing of cartel leader El Mencho, and break down the controversy at the BAFTA Awards involving Michael B. Jordan and an unexpected on-stage incident. They also react to Shia LaBeouf’s Mardi Gras arrest and share a wild personal story involving David Blaine.
The episode takes a heartfelt turn as they reflect on the passing of Eric Dane and NFL player Rondale Moore, leading to a deeper conversation about mental health, legacy, and checking in on the people around you.
On the culture side, the guys debate whether hip-hop has lost its edge, discuss J. Cole’s latest album rollout (and the viral Honda moment), react to Baby Keem’s new music, and recap NBA All-Star Weekend and the Winter Olympics.
They close with hot takes, parenting reflections, gaming nostalgia, and their signature 5v5 draft — this time creating new Olympic events.
Sports, music, movies, fatherhood, and friendship — all in one episode.
 

This week on Midlife Crisis, we sit down with Real 92.3 LA DJ and radio personality Nico Blitz for a deep dive into music, entrepreneurship, and leveling up in your 30s. From DJing 365 days straight on Twitch during the pandemic to booking 60+ live shows across the country, Nico breaks down how consistency, the 10,000-hour rule, and faith helped him turn DJing into a full-time business.
We talk K-pop’s global takeover, hip-hop vs. crowd energy, Filipino representation in media, wedding DJ strategy, building multiple income streams, and what it really takes to sustain a creative career in today’s music industry.
If you’re into music culture, sports talk, millennial growth, and behind-the-scenes insight on building a brand in entertainment, this episode delivers.

This week on Midlife Crisis, we break down Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance, the Seahawks’ win, and the chaos of watching the big game solo in your 30s. We get into the rumored Drake x McDonald’s OVO meal, Cardi B and Stefon Diggs breakup headlines, and whether NBA All-Star Weekend is officially past its prime.
On the music side, we discuss J. Cole’s latest album, Kanye’s potential comeback, and upcoming projects from Isaiah Rashad and Jack Harlow. We also talk upcoming films like Wuthering Heights, Sam Raimi’s Send Help, a possible Helldivers movie adaptation, and why The Wolf of Wall Street might be one of the most rewatchable movies ever.
Plus:
Waste Management Open drama
LA 2028 Olympic ticket lottery
Super Bowl streaker insanity
Hot takes of the week
What’s been stressing us out lately
5v5 draft of top movies to Netflix and Chill
Pop culture, sports, music, and millennial overthinking — just the right amount.

Episode 41 of Midlife Crisis kicks things off with reacting to Bobby Hundreds’ rise from streetwear founder to Global Creative Director at Disney, breaking down what it means for creatives navigating corporate spaces. From there, we dive into Dr Pepper’s viral TikTok jingle turned national ad, highlighting how brands are finally tapping into internet culture the right way.
 
We lean into headline-grabbing pop culture moments, including Sydney Sweeney’s Hollywood Sign lingerie stunt and launch of her new brand—surprise, she’s hot af, debates around Meta smart glasses, privacy, and public recording, and Kanye West’s public apology, sparking a bigger conversation about separating art from the artist.
 
On the entertainment side, we give honest TV and film takes—from His & Hers (love-hate watch), The Rip, and Netflix hits, to early Oscar predictions, why award shows feel disconnected from real culture, and why marketing still matters. We also touch on the Mario bros. movie sequel, viral climbing feats by Alex Honnold, and what’s actually worth watching right now.
 
Super Bowl predictions (Seahawks vs. Patriots), Derrick Rose’s jersey retirement, NBA trade rumors surrounding Giannis, NFL conspiracy graphics, and why nostalgia still drives fandom. Wrestling fans even get a quick Royal Rumble check-in.
 
The episode wraps with personal reflections on career transitions, remote work, mental health, teaching moments, friendship, and gratitude, before closing out with a fun 5v5 draft of the best things to come out of New York—from hip-hop and graffiti to SNL, Broadway, Spider-Man, and Wall Street.

In Episode 40 of the Midlife Crisis Podcast, we record our first-ever remote episode and jump straight into the internet’s current obsession with 2016 nostalgia. We talk about why everyone suddenly wants to relive that era, what made it feel so special for millennials, and whether looking back is just fun... or a sign we’re burned out on where culture is today.
 
We break down Druski’s viral mega-church skit, why it blew up so fast, and why people completely missed the point of the joke. From there, we get into performative social media, fake viral headlines designed purely for engagement, and the rise of “vague posting” as people post less but try to stay mysterious online.
 
We also run through what we’re watching and what’s buzzing in TV and film, talk upcoming releases, and debate whether awards shows even matter anymore. On the music side, we react to J. Cole announcing The Fall Off, share early thoughts on A$AP Rocky’s new album, and reflect on how hip-hop eras age—and why some projects hit differently years later.
 
Sports-wise, we cover NBA All-Star starters, LeBron’s historic streak coming to an end, Kevin Durant climbing the all-time scoring list, NFL playoff chaos, tortured fan bases, and make some bold championship picks. We wrap things up with personal takes, life updates, and a 5v5 draft of the most iconic moments of 2016, from viral challenges and albums to unforgettable sports moments.
 
If you’re into pop culture, millennial nostalgia, sports debates, music talk, and navigating adulthood in real time, this episode feels like hanging out in the group chat—just with microphones on.
 
 

We kick off 2026 with a wide-ranging, relatable conversation on pop culture, sports, tech, and navigating adulthood in your early 30s. Fresh off the holidays, we dive into why people—especially Gen Z—are posting less on social media, the rise of “mysterious” blank Instagram profiles, and whether social media burnout is finally real. We also unpack news around a proposed 10% credit card interest cap and what it could mean for everyday consumers drowning in debt.
 
The episode shifts into real-life reflections on how hard it is to make new friends as adults, workplace boundaries, social anxiety, and why shared interests—especially sports—still matter for connection. We also react to an Instagram data breach affecting millions, questioning digital privacy, online footprints, and whether anyone truly cares anymore... apparently we don't.
 
On the tech and culture side, we discuss ChatGPT’s growing integration into everyday platforms like Apple Music, AI’s rapid evolution, and where skepticism still makes sense. Predictions for the rest of 2026 include bold takes on Hollywood backlash cycles, Kanye West’s next move, Marvel fatigue, and whether AI will finally deliver a truly life-changing consumer product.
 
TV, film, and gaming get plenty of shine with a heated breakdown of the Stranger Things finale, debates over character arcs and Vecna’s ending, plus thoughts on Better Call Saul, The Pitt, and current gaming obsessions like Arc Raiders. Music talk includes anticipation for new albums from A$AP Rocky and Zach Bryan.
 
For sports, we get football playoff reactions, Super Bowl predictions, NBA drama, NFL media moments, LIV Golf rumors, and firsthand impressions of the Clippers’ futuristic Intuit Dome experience. The episode wraps with personal wins and struggles—from career changes and new jobs to moving stress—before closing with a 5-on-5 draft of our goals for the year covering fitness, finances, creativity, parenting, and personal growth for 2026.

Midlife Crisis Podcast – Episode 38 (Final Episode of 2025) is a reflective, heartfelt, and culture-packed conversation featuring Jeff’s dad, longtime high school teacher Rodney Warren, as the crew looks back on life, careers, friendships, and pop culture while staring down their 30s—and a new year—a little wiser.
The episode opens with intergenerational perspective, as Rodney reflects on turning 60, navigating marriage, fatherhood, cancer survival, and a 35+ year teaching career. He shares candid wisdom on relationships, work, retirement, and why long-term friendships matter more as life evolves. The conversation explores how priorities shift with age, the realities of burnout, and what truly lasts when careers, locations, and identities change.
From there, the show shifts into its signature blend of current events, pop culture, sports, and nostalgia:
The future of podcasting as Netflix enters the video podcast space
Spotify’s new AI-generated playlists
TikTok’s U.S. sale and cultural relevance
Reactions to major TV and film moments including Stranger Things Season 5 and Timothée Chalamet’s Marty Supreme
A fun debate around “your song to escape Vecna” (Stranger Things fans will get it)
Sports fans get plenty of love with NFL playoff talk, Patriots nostalgia, college football matchups, NBA all-time starting fives, and classic wrestling debates featuring Stone Cold, The Rock, and Attitude Era icons.
The episode closes with emotional “What Hurts / What Feels Good” reflections—covering career changes, moving cities, new jobs, friendships drifting, and the excitement (and fear) of fresh chapters—followed by End-of-the-Year Picks spanning movies, music, TV, games, and cultural moments.

This episode opens with “slop” being named Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year, sparking a deeper conversation about AI-generated content, algorithm-driven culture, and why imperfect, human creativity may matter more than ever. That theme continues with reactions to Disney’s reported $1B partnership with OpenAI, raising questions about the future of film, intellectual property, and creative jobs. The hosts also discuss Adobe integrating ChatGPT into Photoshop, unpacking how AI is reshaping design, productivity, and creative workflows.
From there, the conversation shifts to modern consumer life, including Instacart’s alleged AI price discrimination, the ethics of dynamic pricing, and how convenience apps are quietly costing people more. The hosts also react to a study claiming Americans spend nearly two years of their lives hungover, using it as a springboard to talk about drinking culture, aging, Gen Z vs. millennial habits, and whether hangovers are “worth it” for real human connection.
Work culture takes center stage with a debate on remote work vs. salary, as new data shows many workers prefer flexibility over higher pay. This is paired with reactions to Meta ending remote work, signaling a broader shift back to the office and what that means for younger workers, parents, and work-life balance. The episode also touches on screen time, phone addiction, and parenting, including how kids—and even dogs—are pushing back against constant phone use.
In entertainment, Adrian and Jeff review Knives Out: Wake Up Dead Man, discuss the IT prequel series Welcome to Derry, react to 21 Savage’s new album, and revisit why Breaking Bad remains one of the greatest TV shows of all time. They also weigh in on rumors of Chris Evans returning as Captain America, debating nostalgia vs. creative fatigue in Hollywood.
Sports coverage includes John Cena’s emotional retirement, NFL chaos (Chiefs’ collapse, MVP talk, fantasy football heartbreak), NBA Cup reactions, and a heated breakdown of Michigan football’s coaching scandal, blending sports analysis with real-time cultural fallout.
The episode closes with personal reflections, a holiday-themed draft of “worst things to say at an office Christmas party,” and previews a special upcoming episode featuring Jeff’s dad for a year-end reflection.
Midlife Crisis continues to be a podcast for millennials navigating aging, ambition, culture, and chaos—with humor, honesty, and just the right amount of overthinking.