A Gen Xer's Accidental Journey from Merrill Lynch to Dunder Mifflin

Should You Move Abroad in Midlife?

Many midlife Americans fantasize about living abroad—especially when the Orange Monster dominates our thoughts and our country seems to be going the way of the Handmaid's Tale. But what does it actually take to uproot your life and make the leap? To help us unpack the realities of expat life, I spoke to Sacha Cohen, a Gen X writer, journalist, and former public relations executive who recently traded the Beltway for the Belle Époque. After years of dreaming blue, white, and red, Sacha and her husband finally made the move earlier this year, embracing la bonne vie with both eyes open. Sacha writes A Good Vintage [https://goodvintage.substack.com/], a Substack exploring midlife reinvention and l'art de vivre. She's an animal lover (currently pet-less but planning for a French poodle), a Francophile, and someone who's learning what it really means to start over in your late 50s. We talked about: * The backstory of her move—how years of annual trips to France turned into test-runs in Bordeaux, Rouen, and Dijon before the final decision * What the French get right: quality of life, work-life balance, prioritizing family and friends, socialist values, healthcare, seasonal food. * What the French get wrong: toilet paper quality, no dryers * The challenges Americans don't expect from explaining yourself at the gym to buying sheets and towels * The truth about making a living in France, ageism without language barriers, and the reality that moving doesn't magically transform you * Why she loves having no history in Paris—the freedom to reinvent yourself with every new person you meet * Practical advice for anyone considering the leap: dip your toes in slowly, research relentlessly, learn the language, build community, and be emotionally resilient Sacha Cohen [https://open.substack.com/users/8407783-sacha-cohen?utm_source=mentions]!

What Gen Xers Need to Know About the Job Market Right Now

Career coach Colleen Paulson (founder of Ageless Careers, 100K LinkedIn followers) breaks down the brutal reality facing Gen X job seekers — and what we can do about it. The average search now takes 12-18 months. Portfolio careers aren't optional anymore. Smaller companies are hiring 50x faster than corporations. And our Gen X humility is killing us on LinkedIn. Sobering, frustrating, but ultimately empowering conversation about navigating work in 2026.

These '80s Records Changed Hip Hop Forever

The 90s usually get called hip hop's golden era. But the foundation was crafted in the 80s. I went live with journalist and cultural critic Jeff Chang, author of Can't Stop Won't Stop, to talk about the records that changed the game — from Blondie's "Rapture" to It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, from Run-DMC to Eric B. & Rakim. Then we talk about the greatest Gen X rappers of all time. Jeff drops some science here. Straight from the dome. I thought I knew everything there was to know about 80s hip hop. Man, was I wrong. For more content like this, sign up to the Small Talk Substack [https://jonsmalltalk.substack.com] Wanna go to Gen X Con? Find out more here [http://genxcon.com/].

Former MTV VJ Dave Holmes On the Rise and Fall of MTV

MTV was the center of the pop cultural universe in the '80s and '90s. Then, just like that, it wasn't. Dave Holmes had a front-row seat to both the meteoric rise and shocking fall of the network that defined Gen X. As an MTV VJ from 1998 to 2003, Holmes hosted iconic shows like "TRL" and "120 Minutes," interviewing everyone from Tom Cruise to Joe Strummer during the channel's peak years. But Dave also witnessed the critical mistakes that killed the video star—and they weren't what most people think. While many blame reality TV or changing viewer habits for MTV's decline, Holmes points to a corporate decision that sealed the network's fate. Today, Dave has successfully reinvented himself as editor-at-large for Esquire and producer and host of the popular podcast series Who Killed the Video Star? and Waiting for Impact. Dave is living proof that career pivots are possible even when entire industries collapse. In this interview, we talk about: * Being a closeted gay teenager in a conservative Catholic family in 1980s St. Louis * His first memories of MTV and how it changed the way he saw the world. * Dreaming of being an MTV VJ while DJing at a tiny local radio station as a 15-year-old. * The 4 AM decision to audition for MTV's "Wanna Be a VJ" contest despite his inner voice saying "you're too old" at 27 * Losing to Jesse Camp but parlaying runner-up status into hosting TRL and 120 Minutes and more. * Why MTV isn't what it was * Reinventing himself from TV host to magazine editor and podcast producer. Subscribe to: jonsmalltalk.substack.com for more Gen X content.

A Gen Xer's Accidental Journey from Merrill Lynch to Dunder Mifflin

Andy Buckley never expected to become David Wallace, one of television's most recognizable bosses. But a chance encounter at a farmer's market changed everything. In this Small Talk conversation, the Gen X actor tells the story of his surprising second act from a financial advisor in corporate America to CFO of Dunder Mifflin on The Office. He also shares stories from the set working with Steve Carrell, Jenna Fischer, and Melora Hardin, why The Office continues to be so popular decades after it stopped production, particularly with Gen Z, and the current state of Hollywood production for 50-plus actors. Subscribe to Small Talk [https://jonsmalltalk.substack.com] for more great Gen X content!