GenX Journeys Episode 5: Mark Weiss and The Decade That Rocked
Release Date: 12/05/2024
Throwback Thursday: The Pirate Movie
GenX Journeys
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,...
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GenX Journeys: Fitness, Mindset & Midlife Confidence with Lydia Magnoli
GenX Journeys
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 up about leaving a “safe” tenured job as a school psychologist to follow her true calling, losing 65+ pounds naturally, and helping women over 40 build strength, confidence, and healthier habits without a gym. You’ll hear about: 🎭 Reinvention after 40: trusting the inner voice when others doubt you 💪 Why fitness after 40 is about energy...
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Throwback Thursday: Dare to Dream with Stan Bush
GenX Journeys
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...
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Throwback Thursday: Aliens
GenX Journeys
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: 👽 How Aliens shifted from horror to all-out action 🔥 Sigourney Weaver cementing her place as a true action hero 🎬 The...
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Throwback Thursday: St. Elmo's Fire
GenX Journeys
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...
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Throwback Thursday: The Dirt
GenX Journeys
📅 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 biopic based on the notorious rise (and mayhem) of Mötley Crüe. This episode marks the very first appearance of Lizzie Newton, and as listeners know, every episode she’s been on since has become one of our most downloaded. We recorded this one together, in person, and the chemistry is off the charts. 🎸 In this episode, we dive into: Lizzie’s...
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GenX Book Club: Films of Endearment by Michael Koresky
GenX Journeys
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,...
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Throwback Thursday: Never Seen It – Highlander
GenX Journeys
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...
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Unlocking Inner Power with Neal Bakshi
GenX Journeys
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. 💻 After narrowly recovering from a laptop disaster (kombucha meets keyboard!), Paul reflects on synchronicity and gratitude—and how sometimes, the universe has your back even when it doesn’t feel like it. From there, Paul and Neal dive into: ✨ Grief and Transformation – How the sudden loss of Neal’s mother became...
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GenX Journeys x The Long Rewind: ‘80s Movie Soundtracks
GenX Journeys
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: 🎵 Paul and Dustin share their earliest memories of movie soundtracks, and the albums that first hooked them on cinematic music. 🎶 They discuss why soundtracks exploded in...
info_outlineOn this special episode of GenX Journeys, we revisit a fascinating conversation originally recorded for Return to the '80s on January 28, 2021. Paul and Del had the privilege of interviewing legendary rock photographer Mark "Weissguy" Weiss. Mark’s story is not just a nostalgic trip through the 80s rock scene; it’s an inspiring journey of passion, persistence, and seizing opportunities.
Mark is the creative genius behind some of the most iconic album covers of the 80s, including Twisted Sister’s Stay Hungry and Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet. His photographs have graced the pages of rock magazines like Circus, cementing his place as a cornerstone of 80s rock culture.
But Mark’s career wasn’t handed to him—it started with a daring hustle. He was arrested for selling photos outside a Kiss concert, and that unlikely setback led to an opportunity with Circus magazine. In this episode, Mark shares unforgettable stories, including earning the nickname “Weissguy” from Mötley Crüe, hitting the road with Ozzy Osbourne, and the wild moments behind the scenes of rock’s golden era.
Mark also shares details about his incredible coffee table book, The Decade That Rocked: The Photography of Mark "Weissguy" Weiss. This stunning collection of photos takes you on a journey through the 80s rock scene and is an absolute must-have for any fan of the era.
Additionally, at the time of this interview, Mark was collaborating with Missy Whitney on a book called Keep On Rollin' - My Fan Club Years with Kevin DuBrow & Quiet Riot. That book is now complete and available, making this a perfect moment to revisit this conversation.
Links to Connect with Mark Weiss
- Website: TheDecadeThatRocked.com
- Book: The Decade That Rocked and other merchandise available on his website.
- Social Media:
- Twitter: @markweissguy
- Instagram: @markweissguy
Why This Episode Fits GenX Journeys
Mark’s journey is not just about capturing iconic moments in rock history—it’s a testament to resilience, creativity, and the ability to turn challenges into triumphs. His inspiring path aligns perfectly with the spirit of Inspiring Journeys and our focus on celebrating the human spirit through stories of perseverance and growth.
🎸 Sit back and enjoy this trip back to the 80s and the remarkable career of Mark Weiss, a true "Weissguy" in every sense of the word.
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We’d love to hear from you! What’s your favorite 80s rock memory or album cover? Share it with us on social media and tag us—we might even share your story in a future episode!
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review, sharing it with your fellow 80s fans, and subscribing to Inspiring Journeys so you don’t miss future episodes.
Del can be found on the show 80s at 8 on 91.1 WEDM FM as well the 80s at 8 Facebook page where he posts 80s news.
And you can still follow Return to the 80s at:
https://returntothe80s.wordpress.com/
Find Return to the ’80s on Facebook
Twitter: @returntothe80s
Email: [email protected]
You can find Paul - The Rhode Runner in the following places:
Twitter: @TheRhodeRunner
Instagram: @TheRhodeRunner
Inspiring Journeys can be found on:
Instagram: @InspiringJourneysPod
Email: [email protected]
You can also download and subscribe to the Inspiring Journeys Podcast at: