Journey Of The Rhode Runner

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 Matt shares his story in his book Bully Behind Bars, this conversation focuses on what came after: the inner work. From moving out of victimhood and into accountability, to building discipline, faith, and self-awareness, Matt breaks down the principles that helped him rebuild his life from the inside out. This is a real, unfiltered conversation about mindset, mental health, and the kind of honest reflection most people avoid—but that leads to lasting change. If you're ready to stop making excuses and start taking ownership, this episode will challenge you in all the right ways.

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, we explore what it means to step out of alignment… and how to find your way back. If you've ever felt stuck, restless, or like something is missing—even when everything looks "right" on paper—this conversation will resonate. We talk about reinvention, authenticity, and why GenXers, in particular, are uniquely wired to evolve, adapt, and build something more meaningful in this next chapter of life.

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 conversation with Rob and Lisa of Rubixx, one of the country's premier 80s tribute bands. Together, they dive into what makes 80s music so unforgettable, how Rubixx creates a full-on experience rather than just a performance, and why the songs of that decade still bring people together across generations. Rob and Lisa share the origin story of the band, how they build their setlists to keep audiences singing and dancing, and the fun behind the costumes, visuals, movie-theme medleys, duets, and onstage chemistry that make a Rubixx show feel like a time machine with amplifiers. The conversation also explores the magic of MTV, the power of 80s soundtracks, the wide range of genres that defined the decade, and the challenge of performing these iconic songs live while keeping their en

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 of growing up Catholic in Youngstown, Ohio, drifting away from faith, serving in the Marines, and eventually confronting the emotional and spiritual weight of transition, regret, and moral injury after retirement. What followed was not just a return to Church, but a profound rediscovery of faith, healing, purpose, and mercy. Together, Paul and Louie discuss military life, identity after service, the challenges of civilian transition, the pull of social media and modern distraction, the importance of prayer, and how faith can reshape the way we show up for our families and the world around us. Louie also opens up about a dark season after retirement, the divine timing that helped save his life, and how that turning point led him back to the Church and into a new mission of help

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 the emotional depth of this story, from Conrad's survivor's guilt and fragile recovery to the very different ways each member of the Jarrett family processes grief. They discuss the novel's psychological richness, the film's remarkable faithfulness to the book, and how their perspectives on characters like Beth changed over time. They also talk about the film's standout performances from Timothy Hutton, Mary Tyler Moore, Donald Sutherland, and Judd Hirsch, why the story still hits hard decades later, and how Ordinary People remains a moving portrait of family, trauma, healing, and emotional survival. In this episode: Judith Guest's debut novel and why it became such a major success Robert Redford's directorial debut and the film's Oscar-winning legacy Why Ordinary Peopl

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 Who Defined the Decade. From early podcasting chaos to unforgettable celebrity interviews and the community built along the way, this episode is a nostalgic deep dive into the decade that still connects us.   Steve joins us to talk about his brand-new book: Stuck in the '80s: 20 Years of Conversations with Pop Culture Icons Who Defined the Decade The book pulls together stories, reflections, behind-the-scenes moments, and lessons learned from more than two decades of interviewing the artists, actors, and cultural figures who shaped Generation X. In this episode, we discuss: How Stuck in the '80s began as a newspaper assignment in the early days of podcasting What it was like recording episodes with handheld mics at a cafeteria table The nerves (and occasional nausea!) be

Put on your skinny tie, crank the horn section, and try not to "black out" when you meet your heroes.

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

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

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:

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. Thi

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

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, hy

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 Penzance with slapstick humor, ridiculous musical numbers, and more innuendos than we realized as kids. Del Roehling and I (Paul Stroessner) first covered this back on January 21, 2022, and it quickly became one of the most popular Return to the '80s episodes. With Kristy McNichol and Christopher Atkins leading the charge, The Pirate Movie is part musical, part parody, and pure early-'80s cheese. Does it hold up today? Honestly… we seriously doubt it

Midlife isn't the beginning of the end — it's the beginning of your encore.

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 motivational rock anthems that have inspired fans across generations. In this episode (originally released on December 22, 2020), Paul and Del chat with Stan about his journey from Gainesville clubs to LA studios, from winning an Emmy to being inducted into the Transformers Hall of Fame. We dive deep into: ✨ The story behind "The Touch" (and how it almost landed in Cobra instead of Transformers) ✨ The making of his 2020 album Dare to Dream ✨ Writing "Born to Fight" for Netflix anime shows Baki and Kengan Ashura ✨ Why '80s movie soundtracks hit different—and how his songs keep that legacy alive ✨ The discipline and healthy living that have kept his voice strong after all these years And on a personal note, several of Stan's songs are staples on Paul's running playlist—fueling miles, races,

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 like so many of us, I was stuck at home during lockdown. Del and I took the opportunity to dive into James Cameron's explosive follow-up to Ridley Scott's Alien, and we had a blast breaking it all down. We cover:

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 episode is full of laughs, unexpected takes, and a whole lot of side tangents—from Rob Lowe's dangly earring and Demi Moore's pink apartment, to the characters we loved (or loved to hate). Lizzie shares why she kept expecting the bar to literally burst into flames, Del questions why anyone liked these characters at all, and I revisit the movie with fresh eyes after not seeing it for decades. We cover:

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 revisits ten female-driven films of the 1980s with his mother, using them as a lens to explore family, loss, identity, and how movies shape the way we see the world. The discussion covers: How films like 9 to 5, Terms of Endearment, Aliens, and Baby Boom look different when revisited decades later Reflections on workplace inequality, motherhood, identity, and resilience portrayed in these movies How generational and personal experiences change the way we view iconic films over time Connections to movies like Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean and Crossing Delancey Why the '80s still feels like a "golden age" for character-driven, female-led stories The team also shares their own movie memories, from watching creature features as kids to experiencing