027: The Millennial Blame Game: How Millennials Had To Make Their Own Rules

Why does everything get blamed on millennials? In this episode, we unpack the reputation of a generation accused of killing industries, ignoring tradition and redefining adulthood. Callie is tired of being the scapegoat, Cole defends no-show socks and artisan bar soap and Mecca admits she might’ve been converted to some of these “ruined” trends. From housing crises and avocado toast to boutique soap and diamond rings, the team dives into the real stories behind millennial choices and challenges—and why being different isn’t the same as being destructive.

 

10,000-Foot View of this Episode:

• “Thanks, Millennials!” – Blaming an Entire Generation: Callie opens with a playful yet pointed gripe about millennials being blamed for ruining everything from bar soap to napkins. What starts as a rant turns into a breakdown of how millennial preferences are reframed as societal downfalls—when in reality, they’re often just a shift in values or innovation.
• Coming of Age in Crisis: The crew discusses the lasting impacts of growing up during major national and global events—9/11, the 2008 recession and the COVID-19 pandemic. These defining moments shaped millennial anxiety, finances and career paths in ways that older generations sometimes overlook.
• Killing Industries or Demanding Better? From chain restaurants and diamonds to wine and napkins, millennials are accused of “killing” industries. But the group reframes these shifts as a generational desire for quality, ethics and practicality—less Irish Spring, more goat’s milk soap.
• Goodbye, Diamond Standard: Mecca is surprised to learn millennials have turned away from traditional engagement rings, opting for moissanite, tattoos or nothing at all. Cole points out the artificial scarcity and ethical concerns of diamonds, while Callie highlights how generational values around love and commitment have evolved.
• Redefining Success and Loyalty: Callie and Cole explain how job-hopping, gig work and side hustles aren’t a lack of commitment but a strategic and often necessary response to toxic workplaces and wage stagnation. Mecca reflects on how her generation equated loyalty with staying put, even when it wasn’t rewarding.
• Therapy, Boundaries, and Bougie Soap: The trio highlights how millennials are prioritizing mental health, self-awareness and sustainable living—even if it means getting mocked for cloth napkins and snail mucus skincare. The conversation touches on generational trauma, setting boundaries and why being “bougie” might actually be healthier.
• The Rules We Ditched as Adults: Callie asks a fun and reflective question: What’s a household rule you had growing up that you no longer follow? From cussing in front of parents to ditching dress codes and social expectations, the answers are as funny as they are telling.
• Dying to Serve: One Man’s Final Mission: The team shares the inspiring story of a terminally ill Texas man traveling to all 50 states to volunteer and give back while he still can. His “Dying to Serve” tour is a beautiful reminder of purpose, kindness and the power of intentional legacy.

 

Memorable Quotes:

• "We all already have extremely high anxiety because we can't pay our bills, have a mountain of debt, the job markets are still relatively tight and we have degrees that are already obsolete." – Cole
• “For all of the gains that you guys have made, mental health, therapy, emotional intelligence, it's almost like it has been wiped out for that next generation of men.” – Mecca
• “We as a society have become bougie. Millennials just get blamed for it.” – Callie
• "We don't want to participate in an inefficient consumer waste machine!" – Cole
• “Eating McDonald's is not going to help your skin. I'm just saying.” – Mecca
• “I think that we were kind of forced to deal with things differently and forced to accept things differently to the point that, okay, we're just comfortable being uncomfortable.” – Callie
• "We brought down the diamond industry and got rid of crappy bar soap. We're getting blamed for good things like they're bad things." – Cole
• “I'm sitting here reminding myself that you're both very well adjusted people and not feeling bad about spanking you when you were little.” – Mecca
• “They ate Tide Pods, Cole. [Gen Z is] not exactly the most intelligent generation there's ever been.” – Callie

 

 

Resources Mentioned:

• A TikTok-er takes on how Millennials have set the new standard for aging.
• Ed Sheeran’s fast food opinions on the Call Her Daddy podcast.
• Some math on the paper towel vs cloth napkin debate
• Doug Ruch's Dying to Serve Tour

 

Call to Action:

Are you a millennial who’s been blamed for something ridiculous? Or a boomer who’s benefitted from the changes? Let us know what you think! Leave us a review, share this episode with your favorite scapegoat and follow us for more cross-generational chaos!