Journey Of The Rhode Runner

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

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 Creepy Cool Movies, and In the Theater. Doug also wrote the eBook TV in My Time. While none of Doug’s past content is currently available online, we’re thrilled to preserve this conversation as a tribute to his fantastic contributions to the retro podcasting world. Inspired by Doug’s podcast Never Seen It, this episode takes the same approach: at least one of the three of us had never seen Highlander until prepping for the show. We discuss first impressions, what holds up, what doesn’t, and how this cult classic became such a defining piece of ‘80s sci-fi/fantasy cinema. Also in this episode:

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: reinvention, purpose, and soul alignment.

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 Journeys and The Long Rewind feeds—so no matter where you’re tuning in, you’re in for a rad ride through one of the best parts of ‘80s pop culture. In this episode:

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, fiction, and children’s literature, and has worked as a professional mime, improvisational comic, and radio announcer. These days, she splits her time between writing and traveling with ballet master class tours alongside her partner, artistic director of the Russian Ballet Foundation. Described by the San Francisco Chronicle as having “a dry, humorous tone” that makes her a “charming companion,” Laura brings warmth and wit to our conversation about her latest novel. About the Book Saturn’s Favorite Music takes us back to the summer of 1992, following Clara Jane, an alternative music-loving broadcast graduate starting her first radio job at a small station in northern Michigan. While dreaming of rock-star radio fame, Clara navigates quirky small-town life, morning show banter,

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 Reboot Overdrive. The League brought together several blogs and podcasts (including Return to the ’80s) to celebrate all things retro—and this month’s theme is ’80s Movie Villains! In this episode: Paul reviews the 2016 Ghostbusters reboot (Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, and crew). Robert and Paul discuss Robert’s then-controversial article, In Defense of Journey Without Steve Perry, released after Journey was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Neal Schon was being bombarded with questions about Perry’s return. A brand new Play This, Not That segment featuring Survivor—because they’re more than just “Eye of the Tiger”! And finally, a deep dive into our favorite 80s villains—from Biff Tannen and Hans Gruber to The Kurgan and The Fratellis.

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).

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.

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 writes for Empire Magazine and The Telegraph, and she had just released her brilliant book Best Movies of the 80s when we recorded this episode. We kicked things off by celebrating her book and our shared love for some of the most iconic films of the decade. Then we dove into The Princess Bride—a film beloved by many, and one of Helen’s all-time favorites (mine too!). We talked about the legendary cast, memorable moments, and the magic that’s made it a cultural classic. But the conversation also took an insightful turn as we explored how the title may have initially alienated some viewers, particularly boys and men, and why Hollywood still tends to avoid feminine-leaning titles. Whether you're a lifelong fan of The Princess Bride or just love geeking out over '80s movies, this

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 of Being a Wallflower—Stephen Chbosky’s raw and unforgettable coming-of-age story. We unpack the novel’s unique letter-based format and how it allows us to experience Charlie’s inner world with startling intimacy. Then we turn to the film adaptation—talking about the pitch-perfect cast (hello, Emma Watson and Ezra Miller), the soundtrack that’s pure mixtape magic, and those unforgettable Rocky Horror scenes that made us feel like we were right there in the audience. And yes, we get into that tunnel scene… Suzanne couldn’t help but slip into full-on mom mode at the sight of Sam standing in the back of a moving pickup truck. (“WHERE ARE THE SEATBELTS?!”)

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 iconic sitcom theme songs of the '80s! In this special Throwback Thursday re-release, I’m joined by my original cohost Robert Mishou as we each share our top 5 sitcom themes and talk about why they’ve stood the test of time.

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 going to do it, something shifted the moment I actually signed up. That one action sparked a wave of motivation, momentum, and commitment I hadn’t felt in a while. In this episode, I talk about: Why physically signing up or speaking your goals out loud creates a powerful mental shift How small steps like Day 1 of the Couch to 10K plan can reignite your fire What it felt like to return to the Boston Marathon as a spectator for the 4th year in a row Shoutouts to my amazing friends Kerri Nelson and Maurice Lowman, who crossed the Boston finish line this year like absolute champs And how seeing people of all backgrounds and abilities out there reminded me what resilience and reinvention really look like Whether you’re chasing a marathon, a creative dream, or a comeback