GenX Journeys
Self-Improvement
About
Welcome to GenX Journeys, the podcast that celebrates reinvention, resilience, and the unstoppable spirit of Generation X! 🎸💥Formerly known as Journey of the Rhode Runner and Inspiring Journeys, this evolution reflects the path so many of us are on—rediscovering our passions, rewriting our stories, and proving that it's never too late to thrive.Each week, we bring you:📅 Wednesdays – New episodes of GenX Journeys, featuring inspiring conversations with thought leaders, athletes, entertainers, and everyday warriors who embody the GenX mindset: work hard, play hard, and never stop growing.📅 Thursdays – Throwback Thursdays, where we revisit classic episodes from Return to the '80s—a nostalgic deep dive into the movies, music, and pop culture that shaped us.📅 Fridays – Power Surge, a short, high-energy dose of inspiration to fuel your mindset and keep you moving forward. Each episode begins with a heartfelt tribute to a fallen hero, honoring the mission of 22 Too Many.Because the best
Episodes
- From Vietnam to Burnout Recovery with Keith Cole
In this episode of GenX Journeys, Paul welcomes Marine Corps combat veteran and author Keith Cole for a deeply honest conversation about trauma, burnout, faith, resilience, and recovery. Keith shares his journey from growing up wanting to…
- The End of the Chapter, Not the Book with Devin Fish
For this episode of GenX Journeys, Paul sits down with Devin Fish for one of the most honest and emotionally powerful conversations the show has featured yet. Growing up in poverty, constantly moving from place to place, and surrounded by…
- Dreaming Again After Everything Changes with Chanoa Inez
What happens after life changes in ways you never saw coming? In this episode of GenX Journeys , Paul sits down with author and personal brand strategist Chanoa Inez to explore what it really takes to rebuild, realign, and start dreaming a…
- Bullied Behind Bars: The Road to a New Life with Matt Melvin
What does it really take to change your life? In this episode of GenX Journeys , Paul sits down with Matt Melvin, whose journey includes prison, addiction, and multiple life resets—but more importantly, a complete shift in mindset. While M…
- Realign Your Life & Purpose (When You Feel Stuck) with Camille Miller
What do you do when the life you built no longer feels like it fits? In this episode of GenX Journeys , I'm joined by Camille Miller—three-time bestselling author, business designer, and founder of the Soul Professional Movement. Together,…
- Keeping the 80s Alive: Inside the Rubixx Experience
What happens when the soundtrack of the 1980s comes roaring back to life with big vocals, big energy, and a whole lot of heart? In this episode of GenX Journeys , Paul is joined by GenX Book Club co-host Suzanne Mattaboni for a lively conv…
- A Marine's Return to Faith: Louie Alessio on Healing, Purpose, and Redemption
In this powerful episode of GenX Journeys , Paul welcomes Louie Alessio — a retired Marine who served 25 years, a husband, father, teacher in his parish, and author of the upcoming book So There I Was… Out of Ammo . Louie shares his story…
- GenX Book Club: Ordinary People by Judith Guest
In this episode of the GenX Book Club, Paul Stroessner and Suzanne Mattaboni dive into Ordinary People, Judith Guest's powerful 1976 debut novel, and the acclaimed 1980 film adaptation directed by Robert Redford. Paul and Suzanne explore t…
- GenX Journeys: Stuck in the '80s with Steve Spears
Steve Spears, creator and co-host of Stuck in the '80s , joins Paul Stroessner and Suzanne Mattaboni to celebrate 20 years of 80s podcasting—and to discuss his new book, Stuck in the '80s: 20 Years of Conversations with Pop Culture Icons W…
- GenX Journeys: Huey Lewis and the News
Put on your skinny tie, crank the horn section, and try not to "black out" when you meet your heroes. 😄 In this roundtable episode, Paul is joined by GenX Book Club cohorts Suzanne Mattaboni and Del Roehling, plus special guests Caroline…
- GenX Journeys: Walking on Sunshine: Self-Love, Voice, and the Power of Choosing to Live with Sanet Van Breda
What does it really mean to choose life? In this episode of GenX Journeys, Paul sits down with Sanet van Breda—a global community builder, voice amplifier, and passionate advocate for self-love—to explore how one powerful decision can chan…
- GenX Book Club: Future Boy by Michael J. Fox
Welcome back to the GenX Book Club—and happy New Year! Paul Stroessner, Del Roehling and Suzanne Mattaboni talk about Future Boy by Michael J. Fox , a fast, entertaining behind-the-scenes snapshot of one of the most intense stretches of Fo…
- GenX Journeys: 1980s Now & GenX Always — A Conversation with Will Padilla
This week on GenX Journeys, I'm joined by the multi-talented and endlessly creative Will Padilla — host of the hit podcast 1980s Now , composer, writer, actor, and author of Totally Bogus But True: Tales of the 1980s . If you grew up lovin…
- GenX Journeys: Reinvention at Any Age with Terry Yoffe
In this week's episode of GenX Journeys, I'm joined by the extraordinary Terry Yoffe — an 83-year-young business and communications coach, speaker, and podcaster who proves that it's never too late to grow, evolve, and reinvent yourself. T…
- GenX Book Club: The Celebrants by Steven Rowley
The GenX Book Club is back! Paul, Del, and Suzanne reunite to discuss The Celebrants — a touching, funny, and deeply relatable novel about lifelong friendship, midlife rediscovery, and the pact to celebrate each other before it's too late.…
- GenX Journeys: Caregiving, Resilience & Finding Yourself Again with Shellie Stark
On this episode of GenX Journeys, Paul welcomes Shellie Stark—creative entrepreneur, guided meditation instructor, and host of the brand-new Seen & Supported podcast. Shellie opens up about becoming a caregiver for her mom during and after…
- Throwback Thursday: The Pirate Movie
Ahoy, GenXers! This week we're revisiting one of the cheesiest, campiest, and most gloriously over-the-top cult classics of the '80s — The Pirate Movie ! Originally released on August 6, 1982, this wild ride mashes up The Pirates of Penzan…
- GenX Journeys: Fitness, Mindset & Midlife Confidence with Lydia Magnoli
Midlife isn't the beginning of the end — it's the beginning of your encore. 💥 In this episode of GenX Journeys , Paul sits down with Lydia Magnoli, online fitness coach, content creator, and founder of The Magnoli Method app. Lydia opens…
- Throwback Thursday: Dare to Dream with Stan Bush
We're cranking up the anthems for this week's Throwback Thursday with a very special guest—Stan Bush! Best known for "The Touch" ( The Transformers: The Movie ) and "Never Surrender" ( Kickboxer ), Stan has built a career around motivation…
- Throwback Thursday: Aliens
This week we're flashing back to June 25, 2020, when Del Roehling and I revisited one of the greatest sequels of all time — Aliens (1986). Back then, I had just wrapped up a tough semester in my master's program for Creative Writing, and l…
- Throwback Thursday: St. Elmo's Fire
We're rewinding to April 2020 for a fun and fiery discussion with the Return to the '80s Brat Pack —Lizzie Newton, Del Roehling, and me—as we take on the 1985 Brat Pack classic St. Elmo's Fire . Recorded in the middle of lockdown, this epi…
- Throwback Thursday: The Dirt
📅 Originally aired: April 12, 2019 🎧 Guest: Lizzie Newton (from Liz Laugh Cry ) This week on Return to the '80s , we're throwing it back to one of our most fun and unfiltered episodes — the wild ride that is Netflix's The Dirt , the biop…
- GenX Book Club: Films of Endearment by Michael Koresky
In this month's GenX Book Club, Paul Stroessner, Suzanne Mattaboni, and Del Roehling dive into Michael Koresky's heartfelt memoir-meets-film-critique, Films of Endearment: A Mother, a Son, and the '80s Films That Defined Us . Koresky revis…
- Throwback Thursday: Never Seen It – Highlander
Originally released: April 13, 2017 In this special Throwback Thursday episode, Paul and Robert are joined by the legendary Doug McCoy—host of the now-retired McCoyCast podcast network, which included shows like Never Seen It , Crazy Creep…
- Unlocking Inner Power with Neal Bakshi
In this deeply inspiring episode, Paul is joined by spiritual guide, author, and former Goldman Sachs VP Neal Bakshi, whose bold journey from Wall Street to worldwide healing retreats embodies everything GenX Journeys stands for: reinventi…
- GenX Journeys x The Long Rewind: '80s Movie Soundtracks
Get ready to crank up the volume and rewind the tape as GenX Journeys joins forces with The Long Rewind for an epic crossover episode all about '80s Movie Soundtracks! This is Paul's first official crossover episode, released both on GenX…
- GenX Book Club: Saturn's Favorite Music (featuring Laura Lee)
In this episode, we're joined by the wonderfully multi-talented Laura Lee, author of Saturn's Favorite Music . Laura's creative path has been as eclectic as her writing: she's the author of 21 books across biography, humorous reference, fi…
- Throwback Thursday: '80s Movie Villains
Originally Released: March 22, 2017 It's time to root for the bad guys—just this once. This week's Throwback Thursday is part of a special crossover event put together by The 80s League , a collaborative effort started by Dave from 80s Reb…
- Throwback Thursday: This is Spinal Tap
📅 Originally aired: February 23, 2017 🎧 Episode (Turn It Up to) 11 of Return to the '80s Today we're cranking the volume all the way up to eleven as we revisit one of the most iconic and hilarious cult classics of the '80s— This Is Spina…
- GenX Book Club: Fight Club
We're breaking all the rules—and talking about Fight Club . Paul is joined by author and returning guest Suzanne Mattaboni for a deep dive into Chuck Palahniuk's cult classic novel ( and the iconic 1999 film adaptation by David Fincher). �…
- Throwback Thursday: Slippery When Wet
🎸 Bon Jovi, Big Hair, and Our First Guest Ever! Originally aired: December 1, 2016 on Return to the '80s This Return to the '80s classic is one for the time capsule! Join Paul and Robert as they welcome their very first guest—Scott Compto…
- Cynthia Lok's Journey Through Song and Spirit
In this soul-stirring episode of GenX Journeys , Paul sits down with singer-songwriter and worship leader Cynthia Lok to talk about the power of music, faith, and rediscovery. 💫 Cynthia opens up about the defining moment that reignited he…
- Throwback Thursday: Helen O'Hara – Best Movies of the 80s / The Princess Bride
Originally aired: March 15, 2019 on Return to the '80s This week on GenX Journeys Throwback Thursday, we're revisiting a gem from the Return to the '80s archives—my incredible conversation with film critic and author Helen O'Hara! Helen wr…
- GenX Book Club: The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Hosts: Paul Stroessner & Suzanne Mattaboni In this episode of the GenX Book Club, Paul is joined by fellow GenX writer Suzanne Mattaboni ( Once in a Lifetime ) for a heartfelt, honest, and occasionally hilarious discussion about The Perks…
- Throwback Thursday: '80s Action/Adventure Theme Songs
📆 Originally aired: December 13, 2016 🎙️ Hosted by Paul Stroessner | Co-host: Robert Mishou | Special Guest: Jim Vilk We're revving up the nostalgia machine and heading full throttle into the golden age of TV intros—the action-packed, hi…
- Throwback Thursday: '80s Sitcom Theme Songs
Episode Title: '80s Sitcom Theme Songs (Originally aired: Oct 13, 2016) Cohost: Paul Stroessner & Robert Mishou Description: We're cranking the dial back to 2016—and even further back into our childhoods—for a look at some of the most icon…
- GenX Journeys: The Power of Signing Up
This week on GenX Journeys , I'm officially hitting the pavement—again. After months of knowing it was coming, I finally pulled the trigger and signed up for the 50th Marine Corps Marathon. But here's the thing: even though I knew I was go…
- Throwback Thursday: Rubix Kube and Trixter
🎙️ Throwback Thursday – My Backstage Interview with Rubix Kube + Steve Brown & PJ Farley of Trixter! 📅 Originally recorded: April 21, 2018 | 🎧 First aired: April 28, 2018 This may just be my favorite interview ever. Why? Because I got t…
- Throwback Thursday: The Breakfast Club
🎙️ Throwback Thursday – The Breakfast Club (with Lizzie Newton) 📅 Originally aired: May 10, 2019 🎧 Re-released: April 11, 2025 Description: It's Throwback Thursday time! This week, we're rewinding to a special in-person crossover episod…
- GenX Book Club: The Most Beautiful by Mayte Garcia
🎙️ GenX Book Club – Mayte Garcia's The Most Beautiful: My Life with Prince Hosts: Paul Stroessner & Suzanne Mattaboni Book: The Most Beautiful: My Life with Prince by Mayte Garcia In this emotionally rich episode of GenX Book Club , Paul…
- Throwback Thursday – Phil Collins March Madness
Originally aired: March 31, 2022 It's the final installment of our Return to the '80s March Madness series! For our 5th Annual Tournament, we focused on the solo hits of the legendary Phil Collins—no Genesis tracks here, just 16 powerhouse…
- GenX Journeys: Spring Forward (Even When You Feel Stuck)
The calendar says spring… but let's be honest — sometimes life still feels like winter. If you've been feeling stuck, restless, or like you're waiting for a spark that just won't come, this episode is for you. Join Paul Stroessner as he ex…
- Legacy Lives On: The Power of Emily Perez and John Martin III
A Special Power Surge Episode In this powerful and heartfelt episode of GenX Journeys , Paul Stroessner honors two remarkable American heroes—Captain John Thomas Martin III and Second Lieutenant Emily Jazmin Tatum Perez—whose legacies dese…
- Throwback Thursday: Whitney Houston March Madness Tournament
Originally released on May 7, 2021, this episode was an absolute rollercoaster! Between scheduling struggles, technical mishaps, and some hilarious behind-the-scenes chaos, this one took a little extra effort to bring to life. But in the e…
- From Mixtapes to Spotify: How Nostalgia Can Be a Superpower
Why does hearing just a few seconds of a song from the '80s or '90s instantly transport you back in time? Whether it's your childhood bedroom, cruising with friends, or staying up way too late watching Headbangers Ball , music isn't just s…
- Power Surge: The Flowers That Brought Her Back - A Story of Love & Resilience
Some acts of love are so profound that they stand the test of time. This is the story of Mr. Kuroki, a devoted husband in Japan who spent two years planting thousands of Shibazakura flowers—moss phlox—for his wife after she lost her sight…
- Throwback Thursday: Madonna March Madness
March Madness is back, and this time, we're putting the spotlight on the Queen of Pop herself: Madonna! 👑🎤 Back in 2020, while the world was on pause, Return to the '80s March Madness kept the spirit alive by diving into a head-to-head b…
- GenX Journeys: Real-Life Lessons from St. Elmo's Fire
In this episode of GenX Journeys , we're diving into one of the most iconic Brat Pack films of the '80s— St. Elmo's Fire ! This classic film perfectly captures the chaos, confusion, and camaraderie of life after college, and believe it or…
- Power Surge: A.J. Brown Honors Young Hero Andre 'Tre' Howard
In this week's Power Surge, we share the incredible story of Andre "Tre" Howard III, a 10-year-old boy who showed unbelievable bravery in the face of tragedy. After a devastating plane crash, Tre instinctively shielded his younger sister,…
- Throwback Thursday: Prince March Madness
Hey there, '80s fans! Welcome back to Throwback Thursday – Return to the '80s edition! It's that time of year again—March Madness! But we're not talking about basketball here. Oh no, we're diving into our very own Return to the '80s March…