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Throwback Thursday: Crushes 'n' Ballads

Release Date: 02/14/2025

GenX Journeys

📅 Originally aired: February 23, 2017 🎧 Episode (Turn It Up to) 11 of Return to the '80s Today we’re cranking the volume all the way up to eleven as we revisit one of the most iconic and hilarious cult classics of the ’80s—This Is Spinal Tap! In this re-release from 2017, Robert and I are joined once again by our good friend Scott Compton to break down the mockumentary that defined a genre and gave us some of the most quotable lines in comedy history. 🎸 Topics we cover include: Our favorite scenes (besides all of them) The band’s surprisingly catchy music Legendary...

GenX Book Club: Fight Club

GenX Journeys

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 Episode: The book vs. the movie: Why both versions hit hard in different ways Breaking down the twist (and how it still lands decades later) Themes of identity, consumerism, toxic masculinity, and waking up from the corporate coma Suzanne reveals the genius Easter egg of the quick Tyler Durden “splices” in early movie scenes ...

Throwback Thursday: Slippery When Wet

GenX Journeys

🎸 Bon Jovi, Big Hair, and Our First Guest Ever! Originally aired: December 1, 2016 on Return to the '80s This Return to the ‘80s classic is one for the time capsule! Join Paul and Robert as they welcome their very first guest—Scott Compton, host of the now-retired but still legendary podcasts 80s Mixtape Autoreverse and 80s Reboot Overdrive. We kick things off with some 2016-era Rock and Roll Hall of Fame talk (Scott was literally casting his ballot for Journey mid-show!), reflect on the recent passing of TV icon Florence Henderson, and then crank up the volume for a full track-by-track...

Cynthia Lok’s Journey Through Song and Spirit

GenX Journeys

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. 💫 Cynthia opens up about the defining moment that reignited her spiritual journey—and how that path led her into the world of music and songwriting. With raw honesty and contagious energy, she shares how her faith took center stage in her life, and how her songs are helping others find their way back to hope and healing. 🎶 We dive into the story behind her breakout single “The Breaker”—a bold, prophetic...

Throwback Thursday: Helen O’Hara – Best Movies of the 80s / The Princess Bride

GenX Journeys

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...

GenX Book Club: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

GenX Journeys

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...

Throwback Thursday: '80s Action/Adventure Theme Songs

GenX Journeys

📆 Originally aired: December 13, 2016 🎙️ Hosted by Paul Stroessner | Co-host: Robert Mishou | Special Guest: Jim Vilk We’re revving up the nostalgia machine and heading full throttle into the golden age of TV intros—the action-packed, high-octane theme songs of 1980s television! In this retro gem from the vault, I’m joined by our original co-host Robert Mishou and long-time Return to the '80s contributor and friend Jim Vilk, who’s been part of our crew since the early blog days. (Jim even wrote the popular piece One-Hit Wonders? Not Level 42! – ) 🎵 Main Topic: We each...

Throwback Thursday: '80s Sitcom Theme Songs

GenX Journeys

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. 🎵 From the heartfelt (Growing Pains) to the hilarious (Alf), the funky (Diff’rent Strokes) to the unforgettable (Cheers),...

GenX Journeys: The Power of Signing Up

GenX Journeys

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...

Throwback Thursday: Rubix Kube and Trixter

GenX Journeys

🎙️ Throwback Thursday – My Backstage Interview with Rubix Kube + Steve Brown & PJ Farley of Trixter! 📅 Originally recorded: April 21, 2018 | 🎧 First aired: April 28, 2018 This may just be my favorite interview ever. Why? Because I got to go backstage with my all-time favorite '80s tribute band Rubix Kube—and interview two absolute legends from the rock world: Steve Brown and PJ Farley of Trixter. 🤘 The night was electric, the energy was contagious, and the conversations? Unforgettable. 🎤 Interview Part 1: Rubix Kube I sat down with the band’s powerhouse vocalists...

More Episodes

Welcome to a new episode of Return to the '80s! This Valentine's Day week, the gang talks about their '80s crushes and '80s ballads. This is sort of a sequel to Episode 10 from 2017, which did not include ballads, and an #80sCrushes Crossover event from that same week. Please comment below with you're favorite crushes and ballads. In the meantime, enjoy this show!