What did childhood feel like before smartphones, social media, GPS and cameras documented everything we did?

In Episode 57 of Sugar, Spice & Spirits, Natalie records from Lajitas near Big Bend, Texas—a place filled with some of her strongest childhood memories. She remembers outhouses and rattlesnakes, crossing into Mexico, riding through West Texas listening to Willie Nelson, her mom's saloon days, and the freedom of growing up when boredom usually meant figuring out something to do.

But this trip also creates a completely new memory: Brian proposed to Natalie at Santa Elena Canyon.

Natalie surprises Mindy and Kelly with the engagement news during the episode, leading to a candid conversation about love after you've already lived some life, second marriages, relationships after 40, recognizing red flags and knowing what you truly want in a partner.

Then the women tackle a bigger question: Did Gen X have a better childhood—or does it only feel that way?

They remember bikes, forts, camping, playing outside until the streetlights came on, Super 8 home movies and childhood mistakes that thankfully never ended up online.

They also talk about today's digital childhood, gaming, tablets, scrolling, instant dopamine and whether kids are losing the boredom, independence and problem-solving that helped shape Gen X.

Technology connects us in ways we couldn't have imagined as kids. But has constant connection cost us something too?

Would you return to your childhood for one week if you couldn't change anything?

• Natalie's surprise engagement at Santa Elena Canyon
• Growing up Gen X before smartphones and social media
• Big Bend, Lajitas and Alpine childhood memories
• Finding love again later in life
• Bikes, forts, streetlights and unsupervised childhood freedom
• Parenting kids surrounded by screens and technology
• Why nostalgia may really be about missing who we used to be

Follow Sugar, Spice & Spirits for weekly conversations where Happy Hour Meets Hustle.

🎙️ ABOUT YOUR HOSTS – SUGAR, SPICE & SPIRITS

Natalie Pilkinton

Real Estate | Investing | Strategy

HomeRock Realty

20+ years helping buyers, sellers, and investors build wealth through real estate.

📍 Houston, TX

🌐 https://nataliepilkinton.com

📅 https://calendly.com/nataliepilkinton

👉 Work with Natalie: Buy | Sell | Invest | Coach

Mindy Price

Speaker | Coach | Founder of Inside The Why

Helps entrepreneurs and leaders gain clarity, take action, and grow through speaking and coaching.

🌐 https://insidethewhy.com

👉 Book Mindy: Speaking | Coaching

Kelly Williams

Health | Performance | Lifestyle

Focuses on real-life performance, discipline, and sustainable success without burnout.

🌐 https://personalhomecareservices.com

👉 Connect: Performance | Health | Lifestyle

🍸 ABOUT THE PODCAST

Sugar, Spice & Spirits is where Happy Hour Meets Hustle

No fluff; just real conversations about investing, entrepreneurship, mindset, and growth.

New episodes weekly.

Follow, share, and connect with us.