GenX Journeys

Paul Stroessner
  • 5.0 (4)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

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 part of your story? It's still being written. 🎤 Hosted by Paul Stroessner, runner, writer, pop culture enthusiast, and proud GenXer on a mission to inspire. #GenXJourneys #NeverTooLate #ThrowbackMeetsFuture #Reinvention #NostalgiaAndGrowth

  1. 4D AGO

    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 Connelly and Claire Young (from St. Louis, proudly repping their Huey shrine/koozie energy), to celebrate the music, movies, memories, and mythos of Huey Lewis and the News. We talk iconic hits, deep cuts, MTV-era videos, Back to the Future perfection, We Are the World, the "Ghostbusters" lawsuit, and Huey's later-life health challenges—plus a detour into 80s cruises, costumes, and the kind of friendship origin story you only get when someone barges into your office and says, "We're going on a boat." What You'll Hear in This Episode How Huey Lewis accidentally became the reason an entire friend group (and a whole company!) exists First Huey memories: MTV, family road trips, and that Back to the Future opening scene that still hits every time Album talk: Picture This, Sports, Fore!, and favorite tracks (including the underrated ones) Huey's Meniere's disease and how it changed his relationship with music and performing The legendary We Are the World documentary moments The American Psycho "Hip to Be Square" cultural imprint (and Huey's spoof with Weird Al) Meeting Huey in person… and the extremely relatable "I blacked out" phenomenon Back to the Future: The Musical and its extra love letter to Huey Bonus: 80s Cruise talk—lineups, traditions, costumes, and why the bathtub had to be sacrificed   Guests & Links Caroline Connelly + Claire Young (Clocktower Experiences) Website: ClocktowerEXM.com (Events, festivals, activations, fashion shows, tournaments, and more) Suzanne Mattaboni 📖 Suzanne Mattaboni (Author of Once in a Lifetime) 🔹 Get her book anywhere books are sold, including Kindle Unlimited and onceinalifetimenovel.com 🔹 Visit her at suzannemattaboni.com 🔹 Follow Suzanne: 📷 Instagram: @suzannemattaboni80s 🐦 X: @suzmattaboni 📘 Facebook: Suzanne Mattaboni 🎙️ Del Roehling (Host of 80s at 8 on 91.1 WEDM FM) 🔹 Tune in to 80s at 8 for all your favorite throwback tunes 🔹 Get your daily dose of '80s news on the 80s at 8 Facebook page 💡 Connect with GenX Journeys 🌎 Website: GenXJourneys.net 📩 Email: paul@genxjourneys.net 📺 YouTube: @GenXJourneys 📷 Instagram: @GenXJourneys 🐦 Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s 📘 Facebook: GenX Journeys 🎥 TikTok: @GenXJourneys 🎧 Subscribe to the GenX Journeys Podcast on: ✅ Apple Podcasts ✅ Spotify ✅ iHeartRadio ✅ Podbean ✅ PlayerFM

    1h 8m
  2. You Might Also Like: Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

    4D AGO · BONUS

    You Might Also Like: Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

    Introducing "The Mayor" (w/ Laura Dern) from Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang. Follow the show: Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang Um, is this thing on? Because a pink corduroy-clad Laura Dern bursts like the sun into the Las Cultch studio to speak with Matt & Bowen at length and... that's OUR world! That's the world that WE're livin' in. Dern whips out a Reese impression, discusses channeling anger better than anyone in the biz, talks creating Amy Jellicoe alongside Mike White in Enlightened, and gets into both the comedic and dramatic brutality of Big Little Lies. Also, defining wonder whilst looking up at CGI Brachiosaurii, starring as Ellen's gay love interest in The Puppy Episode of her sitcom, and even more on Jeff Goldblum's chest, if you can believe it. All this, growing up in Hollywood in a different era, reflections on the current status of the entertainment industry, going punk rock at 12 years old, David Lynch as niche yet mainstream culture, and Laura's real life interaction with a Real Housewife. See one of Laura's thousands of current projects (Is This Thing On?, Jay Kelly, Palm Royale on Apple TV+), as well as her millions of indelible ones you probably already love. I SAID THANK YOU! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

  3. JAN 22

    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 change everything. Sanet shares her deeply personal journey of transformation, beginning with a moment of brutal honesty in front of the mirror and leading to a life rooted in purpose, joy, and service. Through self-love, mindfulness, and the courage to use her voice, she didn't just change her own life—she began creating ripple effects that have touched people across the world. This conversation dives into: Choosing life when everything feels heavy Reclaiming your voice after years of self-doubt How self-love becomes the foundation for confidence and boundaries The power of community, storytelling, and being truly seen Why it's never too late to rediscover your spark With warmth, humor, and plenty of heart, this episode is a reminder that your story matters—and that even the smallest shift can lead to profound change. If you've ever felt stuck, unseen, or unsure of your next step, this conversation is for you. About GenX Journeys GenX Journeys is a podcast about reinvention, resilience, and becoming who you were meant to be—no matter where you're starting from. Hosted by Paul Stroessner, the show features honest conversations that celebrate growth, curiosity, and the power of shared stories. Connect with Sanet van Breda Website: https://selflove4me.com Facebook Group (Women): Diamond Beauties Forever Facebook Group (Men): Tanzanite Heroes Instagram: @sanetvanbreda/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanet-van-breda/   🎧 Listen & Subscribe to GenX Journeys ✅ Apple Podcasts ✅ Spotify ✅ iHeartRadio ✅ Podbean ✅ PlayerFM 🌎 Connect with Me 📩 Email: paul@genxjourneys.net 📺 YouTube: @GenXJourneys 📷 Instagram: @GenXJourneys 🐦 Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s 📘 Facebook: GenX Journeys 🎥 TikTok: @GenXJourneys 💡 If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review or share it with a fellow GenXer—let's keep this community growing! 🎤 Until next time—embrace the past, own the present, and build an epic future!

    50 min

  4. JAN 7

    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 Fox's career: filming Back to the Future while also starring on Family Ties. The conversation dives into the pressure of stepping into a role that was already being filmed, the legendary production timeline, and the details Gen X fans love—like the Eric Stoltz "what-if," Fox meeting Lea Thompson just minutes before filming, Marty's iconic wardrobe, the Nike Bruins story, the stunt double moment that sounds too ridiculous to be true, and how Fox's comedic instincts helped shape one of the most beloved movies of all time. Plus: a fun side-quest into the Back to the Future: The Hill Valley Cookbook (yes, it's real), including how it connects to the Radical Sabbatical event. In This Episode Why Future Boy is a perfect GenX Book Club pick Rewatching Back to the Future (including its return to theaters) The unbelievable detail: Fox met Lea Thompson about 10 minutes before filming their first scene TV actors vs. movie actors in the '80s—and how that changed over time Back to the Future: The Hill Valley Cookbook The Eric Stoltz version: how different might the movie have been? The "no sleep" schedule: Family Ties by day, Back to the Future by night Stunts, wardrobe, and the real people behind the scenes Marty's Nike Bruins and the origin story behind the shoe scramble The Johnny B. Goode performance and Fox's attention to detail Why the audiobook works so well (Fox narrates, with additional audio clips) Next month's possible pick: Ordinary People   More from the GenX Book Club Crew 📖 Suzanne Mattaboni (Author of Once in a Lifetime) 🔹 Get her book anywhere books are sold, including Kindle Unlimited and onceinalifetimenovel.com 🔹 Visit her at suzannemattaboni.com 🔹 Follow Suzanne: 📷 Instagram: @suzannemattaboni80s 🐦 X: @suzmattaboni 📘 Facebook: Suzanne Mattaboni 🎙️ Del Roehling (Host of 80s at 8 on 91.1 WEDM FM) 🔹 Tune in to 80s at 8 for all your favorite throwback tunes 🔹 Get your daily dose of '80s news on the 80s at 8 Facebook page 💡 Connect with GenX Journeys 🌎 Website: GenXJourneys.net 📩 Email: paul@genxjourneys.net 📺 YouTube: @GenXJourneys 📷 Instagram: @GenXJourneys 🐦 Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s 📘 Facebook: GenX Journeys 🎥 TikTok: @GenXJourneys 🎧 Subscribe to the GenX Journeys Podcast on: ✅ Apple Podcasts ✅ Spotify ✅ iHeartRadio ✅ Podbean ✅ PlayerFM 💡 Whether you're a die-hard '80s fan, a nostalgia lover, or just someone who enjoys a great book club discussion, this episode is packed with fun, wisdom, and plenty of throwback vibes. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow/subscribe on your favorite podcast app and leave a review. And tell us: What's your favorite Back to the Future moment—and have you ever seen footage of the Eric Stoltz version?

    49 min

  5. 12/10/2025

    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 loving breakdancing battles, MTV, Knight Rider, The A-Team, Beastie Boys, or the neon-soaked energy of the 80s… this conversation will feel like coming home. But this episode isn't just nostalgia. It's creative reinvention, GenX resilience, and the reminder that it's never too late to return to the passions you thought you left behind. ✨ In This Episode We Dive Into: 🔥 Will's journey from the theater world of NYC to rediscovering his creative voice decades later 🔥 How podcasting became his gateway back into storytelling and the arts 🔥 Why the 1980s still captivate us — and how the decade continues to influence pop culture today 🔥 Landing interviews with icons like Nina Blackwood, Diane Franklin, and Cassandra Peterson (Elvira) 🔥 Writing his book of bizarre-but-true 80s stories — and the massive leap into publishing 🔥 The parallels between writing a book and running a marathon 🔥 The GenX creative comeback: why so many of us are returning to the passions we buried long ago 🔥 Breakdancing battles, Beastie Boys fandom, and chasing down DMC as a dream guest 🔥 Our lightning round: favorite 80s music, celebrity crushes, and the shows that shaped us This conversation is packed with heart, humor, creativity, and classic GenX spirit — the drive to reinvent, rediscover, and keep moving forward, one step at a time. 📚 Will's Book Totally Bogus But True: Tales of the 1980s Available on Bookshop.org and Amazon. 🎧 Listen to Will's Podcast 1980s Now — a smart, funny, nostalgia-driven deep dive into the pop culture that shaped us and continues shaping the world today. YouTube All Audio Platforms   Website https://1980snow.com/   Facebook https://www.facebook.com/1980snow   Instagram https://www.instagram.com/1980snowpod   TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@1980snow   🎧 Listen & Subscribe to GenX Journeys ✅ Apple Podcasts ✅ Spotify ✅ iHeartRadio ✅ Podbean ✅ PlayerFM 🌎 Connect with Me 📩 Email: paul@genxjourneys.net 📺 YouTube: @GenXJourneys 📷 Instagram: @GenXJourneys 🐦 Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s 📘 Facebook: GenX Journeys 🎥 TikTok: @GenXJourneys 💡 If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review or share it with a fellow GenXer—let's keep this community growing! 🎤 Until next time—embrace the past, own the present, and build an epic future!

    1h 1m

  6. 11/26/2025

    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. Terry's story is a masterclass in resilience: from overcoming childhood challenges, to building a thriving career in sales without experience, to launching a coaching practice at 60, to starting her own podcast at 78, and now stepping onto stages as a speaker. She brings the wisdom of someone who has lived reinvention again and again — and has the mindset and energy of someone decades younger. We dive into what holds people back, how to move through fear, why age is truly just a number, and how Gen Xers (and anyone midlife and beyond) can create a powerful next chapter. I also share a big personal milestone of my own — finally finishing the Marine Corps Marathon after missing the time cutoff last year. Perseverance, discipline, and trusting the process carried me through. This conversation is packed with insight, humor, tough love, and the reminder that your best chapters may still be ahead of you. In This Episode We Talk About: My Marine Corps Marathon comeback and what it taught me Terry's lifelong pattern of reinvention (60s… 70s… 80s… and still going) How to make a career or life pivot when you feel stuck Why fear keeps us clinging to the "old trapeze" Viewing setbacks as redirection — not failure Why Gen Xers tend to feel younger than our age The power of self-advocacy and asking for what you want What companies gain when they blend younger and older generations How to turn inward and identify what's really holding you back Terry's latest chapter: speaking, inspiring, and rewriting the rules of aging   Connect with Terry Yoffe https://trycoaching.com/ Facebook Instagram YouTube Extraordinary Work: Conversations About Creating Change (available on all podcast apps)   🎧 Listen & Subscribe to GenX Journeys ✅ Apple Podcasts ✅ Spotify ✅ iHeartRadio ✅ Podbean ✅ PlayerFM 🌎 Connect with Me 📩 Email: paul@genxjourneys.net 📺 YouTube: @GenXJourneys 📷 Instagram: @GenXJourneys 🐦 Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s 📘 Facebook: GenX Journeys 🎥 TikTok: @GenXJourneys 💡 If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review or share it with a fellow GenXer—let's keep this community growing! 🎤 Until next time—embrace the past, own the present, and build an epic future!

    35 min

  7. 11/13/2025

    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. In this episode, the crew dives into the book's themes of connection, mortality, and resilience — and why it feels especially relevant to Generation X. Along the way, they share laughs, personal stories, and a few tangents (including Paul's triumphant Marine Corps Marathon finish 🏅). 📚 About the Book: After the sudden death of a college friend, five classmates make a pact: whenever one of them feels lost, the others will gather for a "living funeral" to remind them how much their life still matters. Years later, as they hit their 50s, the group reunites again — proving that it's never too late to reconnect, forgive, and start over. 💬 In This Episode: The unique premise of "living funerals" — and why it hit home for Gen X What the book says about friendship and second chances Our favorite scenes (no major spoilers!) The power of celebrating people while they're still here How The Celebrants could make a perfect Netflix series A few side trips: marathons, reunions, and even Ouija boards 👻   More from the GenX Book Club Crew 📖 Suzanne Mattaboni (Author of Once in a Lifetime) 🔹 Get her book anywhere books are sold, including Kindle Unlimited and onceinalifetimenovel.com 🔹 Visit her at suzannemattaboni.com 🔹 Follow Suzanne: 📷 Instagram: @suzannemattaboni80s 🐦 X: @suzmattaboni 📘 Facebook: Suzanne Mattaboni 🎙️ Del Roehling (Host of 80s at 8 on 91.1 WEDM FM) 🔹 Tune in to 80s at 8 for all your favorite throwback tunes 🔹 Get your daily dose of '80s news on the 80s at 8 Facebook page 💡 Connect with GenX Journeys 🌎 Website: GenXJourneys.net 📩 Email: paul@genxjourneys.net 📺 YouTube: @GenXJourneys 📷 Instagram: @GenXJourneys 🐦 Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s 📘 Facebook: GenX Journeys 🎥 TikTok: @GenXJourneys 🎧 Subscribe to the GenX Journeys Podcast on: ✅ Apple Podcasts ✅ Spotify ✅ iHeartRadio ✅ Podbean ✅ PlayerFM 💡 Whether you're a die-hard '80s fan, a nostalgia lover, or just someone who enjoys a great book club discussion, this episode is packed with fun, wisdom, and plenty of throwback vibes. 📢 Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and share with fellow GenXers!

    56 min

  8. 10/01/2025

    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 the pandemic, how she gradually lost pieces of herself, and the exact steps she used to find her way back. We dig into practical tools Gen Xers can use right now—especially those caring for aging parents while juggling everything else. What we cover How caregiving can slowly make you disappear—and how to notice it  Shellie's 3 core tips to begin finding yourself again: Ask for help (use your voice, say "yes" to support) Regulate your nervous system (simple 5-count box breathing) Small, consistent self-care (10 minutes to breathe, step outside, a routine that makes you feel good) Building community when you don't think you have one (family, friends, friends-of-loved-ones) Daily non-negotiables: affirmations on sticky notes, short morning meditation, hydration, Scripture, scheduling connection time, getting outdoors Shellie's clean beauty brand IHP Beauty (I Have Peace Beauty)—why she created toxin-free products after an allergic reaction, and how beauty begins within  Connect with Shellie Stark Website: https://www.shelliestark.com/ YouTube: Seen & Supported with Shellie Stark Instagram: @iamshelliestark Twitter/X: @iamshelliestark LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shellie-stark-6b493227a   🎧 Listen & Subscribe to GenX Journeys ✅ Apple Podcasts ✅ Spotify ✅ iHeartRadio ✅ Podbean ✅ PlayerFM 🌎 Connect with Me 📩 Email: paul@genxjourneys.net 📺 YouTube: @GenXJourneys 📷 Instagram: @GenXJourneys 🐦 Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s 📘 Facebook: GenX Journeys 🎥 TikTok: @GenXJourneys 💡 If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review or share it with a fellow GenXer—let's keep this community growing! 🎤 Until next time—embrace the past, own the present, and build an epic future!

    49 min
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out of 5
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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 part of your story? It's still being written. 🎤 Hosted by Paul Stroessner, runner, writer, pop culture enthusiast, and proud GenXer on a mission to inspire. #GenXJourneys #NeverTooLate #ThrowbackMeetsFuture #Reinvention #NostalgiaAndGrowth

Information

  • Creator
    Paul Stroessner
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    198
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    GenX Journeys