Legacy Lives On: The Power of Emily Perez and John Martin III
GenX Journeys
A Special Power Surge Episode In this powerful and heartfelt episode of GenX Journeys, Paul Stroessner honors two remarkable American heroesāCaptain John Thomas Martin III and Second Lieutenant Emily Jazmin Tatum Perezāwhose legacies deserve to be remembered, not erased. Captain Martin was a brilliant scholar, leader, and trailblazing West Point graduate who also earned a masterās from Harvard before serving in Vietnam. Lieutenant Perez was a fearless medical officer, record-breaking West Point cadet, and decorated track athlete who led from the frontāliterallyāon her final mission...
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Throwback Thursday: Whitney Houston March Madness Tournament
GenX Journeys
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 end, it turned out to be an absolute blast! š¤ In this episode, we discuss: ā The Whitney Houston March Madness Tournament and its wild journey ā Instant tournament resultsāsince someone (ahem, me) forgot to hit record the first time we did this š¤¦ ā Fun discussions on Whitneyās music videos, album covers, and the magic of liner notes ā A...
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From Mixtapes to Spotify: How Nostalgia Can Be a Superpower
GenX Journeys
Why does hearing just a few seconds of a song from the ā80s or ā90s instantly transport you back in time? Whether itās your childhood bedroom, cruising with friends, or staying up way too late watching Headbangers Ball, music isnāt just something we listen toāitās wired into our memories. In this episode, we dive deep into the power of music nostalgia and how we can use it to fuel motivation, resilience, and personal growth. In This Episode, We Cover: ā Why music nostalgia is so powerful (hint: science backs it up!) ā How the shift from mixtapes to Spotify changed our...
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Power Surge: The Flowers That Brought Her Back - A Story of Love & Resilience
GenX Journeys
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 flowersāmoss phloxāfor his wife after she lost her sight due to diabetes. Struggling with depression, she withdrew from the world. But Mr. Kuroki had a plan. He created a breathtaking sea of pink blossoms, their sweet fragrance filling the air, hoping it would bring her outside again. And it worked. Not only did the flowers help his wife step back into the world, but they also became a symbol of love and...
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Throwback Thursday: Madonna March Madness
GenX Journeys
March Madness is back, and this time, weāre putting the spotlight on the Queen of Pop herself: Madonna! šš¤ 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 battle of Madonnaās biggest hits. And to make things even more fun, I was joined by my very good friend Lizzie Newton, an āelder Millennialā and massive Madonna fan, who brought a fresh and exciting perspective to the tournament. Not only did we break down each matchup, but we also recorded this one in personāturning it into a full-on listening...
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GenX Journeys: Real-Life Lessons from St. Elmoās Fire
GenX Journeys
In this episode of GenX Journeys, weāre diving into one of the most iconic Brat Pack films of the ā80sāSt. Elmoās Fire! This classic film perfectly captures the chaos, confusion, and camaraderie of life after college, and believe it or not, there are some powerful life lessons tucked inside all the drama. From shifting friendships to messy love, from defining success to stepping into the unknown, this movie still resonates decades later. And just like the characters in St. Elmoās Fire, weāre all on our own journeysāfiguring it out as we go. In This Episode, Weāll Cover: āļø...
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Power Surge: A.J. Brown Honors Young Hero Andre āTreā Howard
GenX Journeys
In this weekās Power Surge, we share the incredible story of Andre āTreā 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, suffering a severe head injury but ultimately saving her life. When Tre woke up after surgery, his first concern? Whether he had missed the Super Bowl. Thatās the kind of die-hard Eagles fan spirit that caught the attention of A.J. Brown, who promised to visit Tre after the big gameāand he kept his word. Brownās surprise hospital visit, complete...
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Throwback Thursday: Prince March Madness
GenX Journeys
Hey there, ā80s fans! Welcome back to Throwback Thursday ā Return to the '80s edition! Itās that time of year againāMarch Madness! But weāre not talking about basketball here. Oh no, weāre diving into our very own Return to the '80s March Madness music tournament! š¶š Now, if youāve been with me for a while, you might remember that this all started back in the blog days when we kicked things off with Hall & Oates. It was such a blast that I decided to keep the tradition alive, and in 2019, we brought the tournament to the podcastāstarting with none other than Prince....
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GenX Book Club: Stephen Kingās Skeleton Crew ā The Mist & The Monkey
GenX Journeys
Hosts: Paul Stroessner, Suzanne Mattaboni, Del Roehling š In this episode of GenX Book Club, we dive into Stephen Kingās chilling collection, Skeleton Crew! Suzanne, Del, and I take a deep look at two standout stories: The Mist and The Monkey. From the eerie atmosphere of a small-town supermarket trapped in a supernatural fog to a haunted toy monkey with a deadly agenda, we explore what makes these stories so unforgettable. š¬ But thatās not all! We also discuss the movie adaptationsāhow they compare to the original stories, what worked, what didnāt, and how Kingās storytelling...
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Power Surge: The Power of Reinvention ā Gene Hackmanās Legacy
GenX Journeys
In this episode of Power Surge, weāre honoring the late Gene Hackman, a true legend who proved that reinvention is possible at any stage of life. Hackman wasnāt a Hollywood prodigyāhe was told he would never make it. But instead of accepting defeat, he pushed forward, breaking into acting in his 30s and becoming one of the most respected actors of all time. Then, at age 74, he did something remarkableāhe walked away from Hollywood on his own terms. No farewell tour, no clinging to past gloryājust a smooth transition into his next passion: writing. His journey is proof that...
info_outlineš„ "Welcome to the party, pals!" In this special holiday episode, originally recorded for Return to the '80s, weāre celebrating the ultimate Christmas action movie: Die Hard!
Join me, Paul Stroessner, along with the amazing Del Roehling, Claire Young, and Caroline Connely as we dive into the iconic 1988 classic that redefined holiday entertainment.
In this episode, we explore:
š¹ The great debate: Is Die Hard a Christmas movie? (Spoiler: we all say YES!)
š¹ Bruce Willis as John McClaneāan everyman action hero for the ages
š¹ Alan Rickmanās unforgettable debut as Hans Gruber
š¹ Some most iconic scenes
š¹ The witty one-liners and legendary quotes that have stood the test of time
š¹ Why Die Hard continues to be a GenX holiday favorite
Fun highlights:
š Nostalgic reflections on what made Die Hard so groundbreaking
š
Hidden Christmas references you might have missed
š Our favorite moments, characters, and quotes
So, grab some popcorn, take off your shoes, and join us as we relive the Nakatomi Plaza takeover. Yippee Ki-Yay and Happy Holidays!
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 ā80s on Facebook
Twitter: @returntothe80s
Email: [email protected]
You can find Paul - The Rhode Runner in the following places:
Twitter: @TheRhodeRunner
Instagram: @TheRhodeRunner
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Instagram: @InspiringJourneysPod
Email: [email protected]
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