Because we are on the cutting edge of every trend (or more likely because we both currently have teenagers), Derek and I often have discussions about some of the nuanced issues that define the lives of the younger generations. Admittedly, by the time we hear about most of these trends, they are no longer trendy, but it keeps us feeling somewhat hip and modern.

One of my favorite recent trends (which probably stopped being trendy months ago) is the concept of “brat.” I was at a recent play where a Gen Z character tried explaining to the older folks in the cast–and the audience, who were mostly in the AARP demographic–why something is or is not “brat.” For those of you who aren’t quite as trendy as we are, I’ll give you a quick history lesson. Last June, something or someone called Charli XCX released an album called “brat.” It somehow mushroomed into this concept of a “brat summer” and debates over things that are and are not “brat.” Very loosely, something that is “brat” is messy, real, authentic, and fun. It’s essentially the opposite of the “Barbie” concept where things are pristine and everything is just OMG so amazeballs perfect! People can be brat, places can be brat, things can be brat. I guess by labeling something as brat, it earns some sort of authenticity and street cred (note from Derek: Wait…this is a really good explanation. I am stunned. I am typing this with my mouth hanging open. Where did this come from??)

But let’s get to the point of today’s blog where we address the critical question of, “Is CMEpalooza brat?” Since neither of us pretend to be qualified as the arbiter of these kinds of critical debates, I wanted to ask a panel of teens to weigh in. Alas, none of them could hear me over whatever nonsense that was blaring through their AirPods (I imagine it was Charli XCX), so I had to try another route.

The online checklists were kind of worthless, typically asking about personal preferences instead of characteristics of inanimate objects. I am still a bit confused about how various shades of green can and cannot be brat, but I otherwise didn’t learn much from these. I was a bit skeptical about going to one of the various AI chatbots because I feel like they often only tell you what you want to hear, but I couldn’t think of a better approach, so here goes.

“Tell me O wizard of everything that was and is, would you consider CMEpalooza to be brat?”

(Brief interruption while I insert more parameters to avoid responses like “No, CMEpalooza is not a bratwurst” or “You’ll need to ask Derek’s mother if he is a brat”)

CMEpalooza does have a bit of a “brat” vibe in the playful, rebellious, and unapologetically bold sense! It challenges traditional norms in the continuing medical education (CME) industry by offering a fresh, creative, and accessible platform for content… If you’re seeing CMEpalooza as confidently rebellious and playful, then yes—it’s totally brat in the best way possible!

I cut out some of the analysis because it is a little too fawning and self-serving, and probably sounds like some sort of marketing language that our crack team of interns would write. Just to make sure nothing was rigged, I tried two more queries:

“Is the ACCME brat?” (No)

“Is the Alliance for Continuing Education in the Health Professions brat?” (No)

OK, so I guess that settles it — CMEpalooza is clearly brat.

So, then what does it mean when two generally curmudgeonly 50-somethings can create and cultivate something that the coolest of the cool consider trendy? Beats me. I’ll ask Charli XCX the next time I see her.

Because Derek and I didn’t want anyone overloading our Google Form with too many urgent, off-the-cuff requests for advice, we gave out the wrong link yesterday for our new Ask Us Anything feature. If you followed the link, it went to our CMEpalooza Fall 2024 survey, for which we were hoping to squeeze out a few more responses. We are so sneaky!

But now that you’ve have some time to ponder, here is the correct link to Ask Us Anything. So please, don’t be shy. We are a fountain of advice (maybe not good advice, but advice nonetheless).

Click here to Ask Us Anything

Strangers ask Derek and I for advice all the time.

Just the other day, we were at one of our periodic planning lunches for CMEpalooza when our server sauntered over with a somewhat inquisitive look on her face.

“Do you mind if I sit down for a second?”

(Obviously, we were both going to tell her, “Yes, we do,” but she cozied up before we could say anything.)

“I have been eavesdropping a bit on your conversations about some sort of CMOpretzel kind of thing, and it’s obvious that the two of you are worldly and brilliant, so I’m wondering if you might be able to give me some advice about my roommate.”

It was the classic situation. One was neat, one was messy. One stayed out until the wee hours of the night, one liked to go to bed early. One ate all the food in the fridge whether she had bought it or not, one only ate what was hers.

“I really like her,” our server told us, “but I just can’t take this anymore. What should I do?”

Derek and I both looked at each other, simultaneously shrugged our shoulders and told her, “Move to another state, duh.”

Stunned by our brilliance, she got up with a strange look on her face, probably contemplating where she should move to next. Another life that had been invariably changed for the better thanks to our insightful advice.

Following this encounter, a lightbulb went off in my head. Why limit our life-changing advice to random strangers who are fortunate enough to cross paths with us on a daily basis? Why not offer our services to our adoring CMEpalooza fans?

So, with that in mind, we are launching a new blog feature that we are calling Ask Us Anything. Here is how it works:

1. You think of a current problem you are having that you want our advice about. Ideally, this problem will be professional in nature, but if you want our input on your nosy mother-in-law or any other pressing life issue, perhaps we can be helpful there as well.
2. Go to our Ask Us Anything form and submit your question(s). Provide us with as much detail as you want. Presumably, you’ll want your submission to be anonymous, so we’re also letting you pick out some sort of pithy moniker you’ll go by for our blog. If you can’t think of something, we’ll do it for you.
3. Derek and I will peruse the hundreds of expected submissions we’ll receive and select a handful to publicly respond to through our blog in periodic posts. Please don’t be disappointed if we don’t address your problem(s) right away. I am sure we’ll get to most everyone eventually.
4. We are going to take this semi-seriously. We are not Dear Abby or Ann Landers. If you have read our blog religiously through the years (and if you haven’t, shame on you), you should have a pretty good idea of the kind of “advice” you are likely to get from us. It is possible we’ll actually have advice that will help, but it’s also possible our advice will be completely nonsensical.

Let’s have fun with this, everyone.

Click here to Ask Us Anything