GenX Book Club: Stephen King’s Skeleton Crew – The Mist & The Monkey
Release Date: 03/06/2025
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...
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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...
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Throwback Thursday: The Breakfast Club
GenX Journeys
🎙️ Throwback Thursday – The Breakfast Club (with Lizzie Newton) 📅 Originally aired: May 10, 2019 🎧 Re-released: April 11, 2025 Description: It’s Throwback Thursday time! This week, we're rewinding to a special in-person crossover episode recorded with my good friend Lizzie Newton, originally released in 2019. Lizzie and I teamed up for a nostalgic deep dive into one of the most iconic Gen X films of all time—The Breakfast Club. But before we get to detention with the Brat Pack, I reveal the long-awaited results of our Phil Collins March Madness tournament! Sixteen songs...
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GenX Book Club: The Most Beautiful by Mayte Garcia
GenX Journeys
🎙️ GenX Book Club – Mayte Garcia’s The Most Beautiful: My Life with Prince Hosts: Paul Stroessner & Suzanne Mattaboni Book: The Most Beautiful: My Life with Prince by Mayte Garcia In this emotionally rich episode of GenX Book Club, Paul is joined by writer and GenXer Suzanne Mattaboni for a heartfelt and thought-provoking discussion about The Most Beautiful: My Life with Prince, the memoir by Mayte Garcia. Mayte was not only Prince’s first wife but also a dancer, artist, and woman with her own compelling story. Suzanne and Paul dive into Mayte’s life before, during, and after...
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Throwback Thursday – Phil Collins March Madness
GenX Journeys
Originally aired: March 31, 2022 It’s the final installment of our Return to the ’80s March Madness series! For our 5th Annual Tournament, we focused on the solo hits of the legendary Phil Collins—no Genesis tracks here, just 16 powerhouse songs going head-to-head in a Sweet Sixteen-style bracket. And yes, a couple of early-’90s singles made it into the mix—Something Happened on the Way to Heaven and I Wish It Would Rain Down—but since they’re from his 1989 album ...But Seriously, they earned their place. Matchups include classics like: In the Air Tonight vs. One More Night ...
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GenX Journeys: Spring Forward (Even When You Feel Stuck)
GenX Journeys
The calendar says spring… but let’s be honest — sometimes life still feels like winter. If you’ve been feeling stuck, restless, or like you’re waiting for a spark that just won’t come, this episode is for you. Join Paul Stroessner as he explores what it really means to “spring forward” when your energy is low, your mind feels cluttered, and your motivation is in hibernation. You’ll learn how to recognize the signs that change is already stirring inside you — even if it doesn’t feel like it — and discover 5 simple ways to create momentum without overhauling your life....
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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...
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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! 🎤 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...
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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 ‘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...
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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 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...
info_outlineHosts: 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 translates to the big screen.
If you love classic horror, Stephen King, or just a good dose of GenX nostalgia, this episode is for you!
🔥 Topics Covered
✅ The terrifying world of The Mist – book vs. movie
✅ The creepy, cymbal-clashing (or drum-banging) horror of The Monkey
✅ Why Skeleton Crew is a must-read for King fans
✅ How Stephen King’s short stories stand the test of time
✅ GenX memories of discovering King’s books and films
More from the GenX Book Club Crew
📖 Suzanne Mattaboni (Author of Once in a Lifetime)
🔹 Get her book anywhere books are sold, including Kindle Unlimited and onceinalifetimenovel.com
🔹 Visit her at suzannemattaboni.com
🔹 Follow Suzanne:
- 📷 Instagram: @suzannemattaboni80s
- 🐦 X: @suzmattaboni
- 📘 Facebook: Suzanne Mattaboni
🎙️ Del Roehling (Host of 80s at 8 on 91.1 WEDM FM)
🔹 Tune in to 80s at 8 for all your favorite throwback tunes
🔹 Get your daily dose of ‘80s news on the 80s at 8 Facebook page
💡 Connect with GenX Journeys
🌎 Website: GenXJourneys.net
📩 Email: [email protected]
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📷 Instagram: @GenXJourneys
🐦 Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s
📘 Facebook: GenX Journeys
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💡 Whether you’re a die-hard ‘80s fan, a nostalgia lover, or just someone who enjoys a great book club discussion, this episode is packed with fun, wisdom, and plenty of throwback vibes.
📢 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share with fellow GenXers!