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GenX Journeys Episode 8: Scrooged

Release Date: 12/26/2024

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 heroes—Captain John Thomas Martin III and Second Lieutenant Emily Jazmin Tatum Perez—whose legacies deserve to be remembered, not erased. Captain Martin was a brilliant scholar, leader, and trailblazing West Point graduate who also earned a master’s 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 front—literally—on her final mission...

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! 🎤 In this episode, we discuss: ✅ The Whitney Houston March Madness Tournament and its wild journey ✅ Instant tournament results—since someone (ahem, me) forgot to hit record the first time we did this 🤦 ✅ Fun discussions on Whitney’s music videos, album covers, and the magic of liner notes ✅ A...

From Mixtapes to Spotify: How Nostalgia Can Be a Superpower

GenX Journeys

Why does hearing just a few seconds of a song from the ‘80s or ‘90s instantly transport you back in time? Whether it’s your childhood bedroom, cruising with friends, or staying up way too late watching Headbangers Ball, music isn’t just something we listen to—it’s 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: ✅ Why music nostalgia is so powerful (hint: science backs it up!) ✅ How the shift from mixtapes to Spotify changed our...

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 flowers—moss phlox—for 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...

Throwback Thursday: Madonna March Madness

GenX Journeys

March Madness is back, and this time, we’re putting the spotlight on the Queen of Pop herself: Madonna! 👑🎤 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 Madonna’s biggest hits. And to make things even more fun, I was joined by my very good friend Lizzie Newton, an ‘elder Millennial’ 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 person—turning it into a full-on listening...

GenX Journeys: Real-Life Lessons from St. Elmo’s Fire

GenX Journeys

In this episode of GenX Journeys, we’re diving into one of the most iconic Brat Pack films of the ‘80s—St. Elmo’s 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. Elmo’s Fire, we’re all on our own journeys—figuring it out as we go. In This Episode, We’ll Cover: ✔️...

Power Surge: A.J. Brown Honors Young Hero Andre ‘Tre’ Howard

GenX Journeys

In this week’s Power Surge, we share the incredible story of Andre “Tre” 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. That’s the kind of die-hard Eagles fan spirit that caught the attention of A.J. Brown, who promised to visit Tre after the big game—and he kept his word. Brown’s surprise hospital visit, complete...

Throwback Thursday: Prince March Madness

GenX Journeys

Hey there, ‘80s fans! Welcome back to Throwback Thursday – Return to the '80s edition! It’s that time of year again—March Madness! But we’re not talking about basketball here. Oh no, we’re diving into our very own Return to the '80s March Madness music tournament! 🎶🏆 Now, if you’ve 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 podcast—starting with none other than Prince....

GenX Book Club: Stephen King’s Skeleton Crew – The Mist & The Monkey

GenX Journeys

Hosts: Paul Stroessner, Suzanne Mattaboni, Del Roehling 📚 In this episode of GenX Book Club, we dive into Stephen King’s 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. 🎬 But that’s not all! We also discuss the movie adaptations—how they compare to the original stories, what worked, what didn’t, and how King’s storytelling...

Power Surge: The Power of Reinvention – Gene Hackman’s Legacy

GenX Journeys

In this episode of Power Surge, we’re honoring the late Gene Hackman, a true legend who proved that reinvention is possible at any stage of life. Hackman wasn’t a Hollywood prodigy—he 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 remarkable—he walked away from Hollywood on his own terms. No farewell tour, no clinging to past glory—just a smooth transition into his next passion: writing. His journey is proof that...

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🎄✨ GenX Journeys is back on Inspiring Journeys with another holiday classic! This time, we're diving into the iconic '80s film Scrooged starring Bill Murray. Originally released as an episode of Return to the '80s on December 18, 2023, this nostalgic deep dive is packed with laughs, memories, and sidebars that will make you feel like you're at your own '80s-style office Christmas party.

In this episode, we not only discuss the film’s humor and heart but also celebrate the legendary cameos and unforgettable quotes that make Scrooged a true holiday classic. You might even find yourself quoting Frank Cross by the end!

In the original episode, I mentioned rebranding Return to the '80s to We Are Generation X, but the name GenX Journeys ultimately felt like the perfect fit to continue celebrating our shared love of '80s culture and beyond.

I also talked about plans for a dedicated newsletter, which has since evolved into something even more exciting. Starting in 2025, I’ll be writing Inspiring Journeys or Journal of the Rhode Runner, and it will include a GenX section to keep the spirit of these classic conversations alive without the need for a separate newsletter.

So, grab your eggnog (or your VCR remote), and join me as we celebrate the hilarity, heart, legendary cameos, and holiday chaos of Scrooged!

💬 What are some of your favorite Christmas classics? I’d love to hear from you!

Let’s get inspired—and nostalgic—together. Enjoy the episode!

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

Facebook

Inspiring Journeys can be found on: