Boomers on the Edge

The University of Michigan recently announced a new pass/fail grading system for incoming freshmen, saying the goal is to help first-year students acclimate to the demands of college and let intrinsic motivation guide their academic journey.

That gets Kenn and Ron thinking: What happened to the way Boomers learned to deal with pressure?

Kenn remembers his parents paying him a dollar for every A in elementary school—but being concerned when he brought home a bad citizenship grade.

Ron looks back at being a college freshman in 1977, when 18 was still th...

It’s old-school, back-to-school time on Boomers on the Edge as guest host Randy shares a hilarious childhood memory of 1970s fashion, family values, and a very different definition of manliness.

With a new school year approaching, Randy’s mom decides it’s time for a fashionable wardrobe update. She proudly picks out a matching pair of purple bell-bottom pants and a stylish wide-collar shirt—an outfit Randy isn't exactly thrilled to wear. Nevertheless, he survives the shopping trip and returns home with his new look in tow.

Back at the house, Randy finds his dad and...

Growing up in the 1970s meant figuring out life with limited information, plenty of imagination, and absolutely no internet to clear things up. In this episode, Kenn shares a coming‑of‑age misunderstanding so perfectly innocent it could only happen in that era.

At 13, Kenn was one of the bigger kids on
his little league team. One of the “coaches”—really just a 17‑year‑old who hung
around—liked to brag about his experiences with his girlfriend. One day, he
told Kenn he had “oral sex.” Kenn, unfamiliar with the term, interpreted it
literally: they just...

Ron shares another unbelievable business story from the 1990s.

Back when Detroit Red Wings games at Joe Louis Arena were the hottest ticket in town, Ron invited several executives from one of Detroit’s Big Three automakers to a game in his company’s corporate suite. One executive and his wife were new to Detroit, and she was nervous about visiting downtown, so Ron personally promised to make sure they had a safe evening.

While Ron escorted the VP and his wife, team member Harry brought two executives known for their hard-partying ways. Before long, the...

Men’s Grooming Today

Join Kenn and Ron as they take a humorous look at how men’s grooming has changed from the 1970s to today. Back in the day, most men kept their grooming routines simple—soap, shampoo, and maybe a comb. Today, the market is filled with specialized products for men’s hair, skin, beards, and more.

For years, Ron was known among the Buds as the one who paid the most attention to grooming, often becoming the target of good-natured jokes. As modern media and advertisers encourage men to embrace more ext...

Kenn joins Ron and guest host Randy to share one of the funniest and most memorable stories from their family — the tale of their grandfather's determination to keep romance alive well into his senior years, even as dementia began to take its toll.

The first clue came at Grandma's funeral. As friends offered condolences and assured him that "she'll be waiting for you in heaven," Grandpa quickly replied, "I hope she can wait a little longer!" His family soon realized he wasn't planning on slowing down anytime soon.

At a holiday gathering, Grandpa proudly told Ro...

Soccer wasn't part of everyday life when Boomers Kenn and Ron were growing up, so when their own kids wanted to play, they approached the game with a mix of curiosity, skepticism, and humor. With the World Cup underway, they share some of their funniest family soccer memories.

Ron tells the story of his five-year-old son, who really wanted to play American football. Since he was too young for tackle football, Ron signed him up for soccer instead. At his very first practice, his son enthusiastically tackled a group of kids while trying to get the ball...

As a public service announcement to younger generations, Kenn shares the three worst—and arguably dumbest—things he has ever said to his wife during their marriage. Spoiler alert: none of them ended well.

1. Hair and the Truth
Early in their marriage, Kenn's wife mentioned she was thinking about cutting her hair shorter. Wanting to be supportive, Kenn told her, "Do whatever you want." Later that day, she returned home with her new haircut and asked the dreaded question: "What do you think?" Kenn's honest response? "I had no idea you were going to cut...

Ron shares a hilarious family vacation story from an Alaska cruise in the early 2000s that became legendary for all the unexpected characters and unforgettable moments along the way.

The adventure begins with a special inland excursion to a remote fish hatchery, reached by bush plane. During the flight, Ron, his brother-in-law, and his young son meet an eccentric gentleman from Palo Alto, California. The man's unusually serious demeanor and distinctive voice strike Ron's son as endlessly funny, leading to nonstop imitations for the remainder of the trip.

Upon arriving at the hatchery, the group...

The world of Boomers on the Edge takes a mystical and hilarious detour in this unforgettable episode. Join Kenn and Ron as Ron recounts his adventure into Hollywood during the 2010s, when his longtime passion for screenwriting led him to a Pitchfest—where aspiring creators pitch movie ideas directly to entertainment industry insiders.

A screenwriter for more than 13 years, Ron arrived armed with three wildly original concepts:

What’s a 1970s household without a family dog—and one with a serious attitude? In this hilarious episode, guest host Randy shares the story of Pepper, the family’s scrappy little terrier who seemed to have a lifelong grudge against Randy’s dad… and made sure everyone knew it.

Looking a bit like Toto from The Wizard of Oz, Pepper may have been small, but he had a big personality and a mischievous streak. While Dad never cared much for the dog, Pepper appeared to return the feeling—with a daily campaign of revenge that was equal parts...

In the 1970s, young boys often looked up to larger-than-life action heroes like Rocky—but guest host Randy’s legendary friend Butchy may have taken “tough guy” culture to another level. In this episode, Randy shares hilarious and unforgettable stories about a friend who embodied the fearless, reckless, and wildly entertaining spirit of a true 1970s kid.

Always chasing danger, excitement, and a little neighborhood fame, Butchy’s adventures often blurred the line between toughness and total chaos:

Ron has a reputation—and not the subtle kind. Around the Buds, he’s practically known as a human lightning rod, with more close calls than most people would believe. In this episode, he shares one story that didn’t just describe lightning… it proved his point in real time.

While out of town on a rainy business trip, Ron finds himself at dinner, entertaining colleagues with his greatest hits: lightning striking his house, his car, his Sea-Doo—even near misses that came a little too close for comfort. It’s a full lineup of unbelievable encounters.

Not eve...

Guest host Randy, a single Boomer navigating the modern dating world, shares how the Buds—have a knack for unintentionally sabotaging his romantic evenings.

Randy has one firm rule on dates: no phone ringer. He keeps things polite and distraction-free, with only the vibration setting on—just in case one of his adult kids needs him in an emergency.

But one night at dinner, his phone won’t stop buzzing. It’s Kenn. Randy ignores it at first… then again… and again. Finally, trying to save face, he excuses himself and tells his date that, given his me...

In the 1990s, as Boomers settled into parenthood, everyday life came with its fair share of chaos—and comedy. In this episode, Kenn shares a story that perfectly captures both.

After noticing a neighborhood kid picking on his son, Kenn pulls him aside and gives some blunt, old-school advice: if the bully doesn’t stop, he has permission to punch him in the nose. Not exactly textbook parenting—but very on brand.

A few days later, while chatting with a group of moms as the kids play nearby, Kenn spots the same bully causing trouble again—...

Kenn and Ron take things back to the 1970s with another round of unforgettable high school track stories—this time featuring a mix of pranks, poor decisions, and plenty of laughs.

The first tale centers on a classic locker room prank: someone secretly slipped hair-removal cream into a teammate’s varsity jacket sleeves. The result? One very confused (and suddenly very smooth-armed) athlete. To this day, the culprit remains a mystery.

The second story shifts to a dedicated—but slightly over-the-top—long-distance runner who swore by using extra-strength warming ointments to battle the cold. Despite constant...

Guest host Randy is back with the crew, bringing along a classic (and slightly cringe-worthy) workplace story from the 1980s.

While managing a team project, Randy arranged for a vendor to host a lunch and present their product. During an internal meeting, he asked his secretary to let him know when the sales rep arrived. Not long after, she burst into the room in a panic, gesturing urgently. The issue? The sales representative had arrived—but the secretary was so thrown off by her being a little person that she awkwardly announced it in a way that st...

Weddings are unforgettable milestones—no matter the decade, they come with their fair share of chaos, comedy, and stories that only get better with time. In this episode, the buds take a nostalgic trip back to the 1960s and 1980s, sharing some truly over-the-top moments that perfectly capture the spirit of wedding day mayhem.

Ron kicks things off with fond memories of the music at weddings he attended as a kid. Back then, polka bands ruled the scene—but young Ron had other ideas. Whenever he requested a rock song, the band would reluctantly attempt classics like “Spinni...

Back in the 1970s, kids spent their days outside—running wild, getting into trouble, and occasionally turning an ordinary afternoon into an unexpected trip to the emergency room. In this episode, guest host Randy joins Ron to share a couple of unforgettable stories that both end the same way: with their dad asking, “How did that happen?!”

Randy kicks things off with a tale of youthful determination gone wrong. At 13, he and his friend Jonny set out to retrieve a tennis ball that had landed on a school roof. What started as a simple mission quickly escalated into c...

Ron takes us back to the wild 1980s with another unforgettable business trip story.

While traveling for training on the East Coast, Ron’s buddy Tom had a habit of hitting late-night discos and pretending he was single—despite being very married. His ego just needed a little reassurance now and then.

On one trip, Tom insisted they drive over 90 miles to revisit a place called the “Mutiny,” convinced it would be just like the “ladies’ night” they’d experienced a couple months earlier—full of energy and attractive women.

But the moment they walked in, so...

Kenn, Ron, and guest host Randy dive into a hilarious “coming-of-age” episode of Boomers on the Edge, as Ron recounts the unforgettable—and awkward—story of one of his very first drive-in dates.

Known back then as a clean-cut student and class president, Ron admits his dates usually leaned more toward conversations about academics and the National Honor Society than anything remotely romantic. Looking to change his luck, he seeks advice from the school quarterback on which girls might be a little more… adventurous.

After asking out one of the recommended girls, Ron quickly realizes he may be...

In this episode of Boomers on the Edge, Kenn and Ron dive headfirst into one of the most awkward—and hilarious—subjects known to mankind: the crotch. Because let’s face it… some of the funniest disasters in life seem to happen right there.

Ron kicks things off with the story of a poor guy who drops a hot cup of coffee straight into his lap and immediately performs what can only be described as the “scalded crotch shuffle” across the room. It’s the kind of dance nobody wants to do—but everyone in the room remembers foreve...

Kenn and Ron look back at the 1980s and the early days of ATV riding—when exploring the woods meant real risk and there were no cell phones to call for help if something went wrong.

Ron tells a story about riding Honda ATC 90 three-wheelers with his dad in the woods of northern Michigan. Their ride takes a dangerous turn when a truck and trailer cut them off on a narrow forest trail, forcing his dad off the road and down a steep embankment in a violent crash.

There’s just one complication: Ron’s dad ha...

The adventures continue as guest host Randy joins Kenn and Ron for another round of outrageous childhood stories straight from the 1960s.

Kenn kicks things off with a family “game” their mom introduced—one that put their love of snacks to the test. Forget competitive eating contests… the Coney Island hot dog challenge has nothing on a living room showdown involving an impressive number of cheese puffs crammed into eager mouths. It was messy, competitive, and absolutely unforgettable.

Following up on the fan-favorite Sibling Nighttime Antics episode, Randy shares his side of the story about Ron’s so...

It’s another hilarious flashback to the 1960s, when the Buds were just little kids and bedtime was strictly 8:00 PM — whether they were tired or not. Of course, sleep was the last thing on their minds. Causing chaos? That was a different story.

Ron kicks things off with a mischievous memory of convincing his much younger brother to go on a “top secret” mission. While their parents entertained guests, Ron saw an opportunity: maybe a snack raid on the kitchen. But his true plan? Outfit his unsuspecting little brother with a sheet for “camouflage” and send him straight int...

In this episode, Kenn and Ron swap outrageous workplace stories that prove no office day is ever truly “normal.”

Ron opens with a corporate curveball from his early management days. When new technology wipes out the company’s all‑female Message Center, he’s tasked with finding new roles for the displaced team. He thinks he’s got it handled—until his buddy Joe suddenly fills Ron’s open position with a stunning, mysterious secretary shipped in from across the country. Ron is left holding the bag, forced to deliver bad news to one of the loyal Message Center w...

Guest host Randy is back with another unforgettable tale from the 1970s.

As young teenagers, Randy and his buddy Johnny hatch a bold plan: a double-blind date while Johnny’s parents are away for the night. With the house to themselves, the boys “borrow” a little liquid courage from Johnny’s dad’s liquor cabinet and pass the time engaging in some classic ’70s teenage mischief—perched on the roof, laughing, and making questionable decisions.

Soon, the girls arrive on their bikes: one a well-known school beauty, the other a star athlete… and significantly taller than either Rand...

As Kenn, Craig, and Ron officially cross into “senior citizen” territory, one thing becomes clear: the doctor’s office is starting to feel like a second home. But in true Boomers on the Edge fashion, the “Buds” can’t seem to have a normal medical visit without it turning into comedy gold.

Kenn kicks things off with an orthodontics office disaster. Thinking the kid in the chair in front of him was his son, he starts clowning around—making goofy noises, cracking jokes, even pretending to dump Tic Tacs into the poor kid’s mouth—only to be stopped cold by...

Kenn, Craig, and Ron take listeners on a wild ride to topless beaches around the world, sharing unforgettable travel stories filled with questionable decisions and classic Boomer antics.

Kenn kicks things off with a hilarious tale from Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. While chaperoning a high school class trip, one overly enthusiastic dad feels compelled to “educate” the other fathers by sharing photos from his previous visit—helpfully confirming that the beaches are, in fact, topless. Excitement builds among the dads… until Kenn samples the local food and is struck down by Montezuma’s Revenge. Instead of beachsi...

Guest host Randy delivers another Boomers on the Edge classic, sharing a wild story from the early 1980s when he and his friend Herm worked as busboys at a restaurant with a very unusual past—a former funeral home. The setting alone sets the mood, with old “viewing rooms” transformed into elegant dining rooms, each with its own fancy name.

When a rodent is spotted scurrying through the main dining room, management quietly dispatches Randy and Herm on a top-secret mission: locate the mouse, eliminate the problem, and—most importantly—do it without alarming the guests.

What fol...

Boomers on the Edge takes a wild ride back to the 1980s as Kenn, Craig, and Ron relive some truly terrifying boating experiences on Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River. Each of the Buds shares a tale of danger that proves one universal truth: trouble on the water almost always starts when you trust someone else to be in charge.

Kenn recalls his days on the college rowing team, when a distracted coxswain nearly steered them straight into a barge. To this day, nobody knows what he was staring at.

Craig tells...