Keeping the 80s Alive: Inside the Rubixx Experience
GenX Journeys
What happens when the soundtrack of the 1980s comes roaring back to life with big vocals, big energy, and a whole lot of heart? In this episode of GenX Journeys, Paul is joined by GenX Book Club co-host Suzanne Mattaboni for a lively conversation with Rob and Lisa of Rubixx, one of the country’s premier 80s tribute bands. Together, they dive into what makes 80s music so unforgettable, how Rubixx creates a full-on experience rather than just a performance, and why the songs of that decade still bring people together across generations. Rob and Lisa share the origin story of the band, how they...
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A Marine’s Return to Faith: Louie Alessio on Healing, Purpose, and Redemption
GenX Journeys
In this powerful episode of GenX Journeys, Paul welcomes Louie Alessio — a retired Marine who served 25 years, a husband, father, teacher in his parish, and author of the upcoming book So There I Was… Out of Ammo. Louie shares his story of growing up Catholic in Youngstown, Ohio, drifting away from faith, serving in the Marines, and eventually confronting the emotional and spiritual weight of transition, regret, and moral injury after retirement. What followed was not just a return to Church, but a profound rediscovery of faith, healing, purpose, and mercy. Together, Paul and Louie discuss...
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GenX Book Club: Ordinary People by Judith Guest
GenX Journeys
In this episode of the GenX Book Club, Paul Stroessner and Suzanne Mattaboni dive into Ordinary People, Judith Guest’s powerful 1976 debut novel, and the acclaimed 1980 film adaptation directed by Robert Redford. Paul and Suzanne explore the emotional depth of this story, from Conrad’s survivor’s guilt and fragile recovery to the very different ways each member of the Jarrett family processes grief. They discuss the novel’s psychological richness, the film’s remarkable faithfulness to the book, and how their perspectives on characters like Beth changed over time. They also talk about...
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GenX Journeys: Stuck in the '80s with Steve Spears
GenX Journeys
Steve Spears, creator and co-host of Stuck in the ’80s, joins Paul Stroessner and Suzanne Mattaboni to celebrate 20 years of 80s podcasting—and to discuss his new book, Stuck in the ’80s: 20 Years of Conversations with Pop Culture Icons Who Defined the Decade. From early podcasting chaos to unforgettable celebrity interviews and the community built along the way, this episode is a nostalgic deep dive into the decade that still connects us. Steve joins us to talk about his brand-new book: Stuck in the ’80s: 20 Years of Conversations with Pop Culture Icons Who Defined the Decade...
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GenX Journeys: Huey Lewis and the News
GenX Journeys
Put on your skinny tie, crank the horn section, and try not to “black out” when you meet your heroes. 😄 In this roundtable episode, Paul is joined by GenX Book Club cohorts Suzanne Mattaboni and Del Roehling, plus special guests Caroline Connelly and Claire Young (from St. Louis, proudly repping their Huey shrine/koozie energy), to celebrate the music, movies, memories, and mythos of Huey Lewis and the News. We talk iconic hits, deep cuts, MTV-era videos, Back to the Future perfection, We Are the World, the “Ghostbusters” lawsuit, and Huey’s later-life health challenges—plus a...
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GenX Journeys: Walking on Sunshine: Self-Love, Voice, and the Power of Choosing to Live with Sanet Van Breda
GenX Journeys
What does it really mean to choose life? In this episode of GenX Journeys, Paul sits down with Sanet van Breda—a global community builder, voice amplifier, and passionate advocate for self-love—to explore how one powerful decision can change everything. Sanet shares her deeply personal journey of transformation, beginning with a moment of brutal honesty in front of the mirror and leading to a life rooted in purpose, joy, and service. Through self-love, mindfulness, and the courage to use her voice, she didn’t just change her own life—she began creating ripple effects that have touched...
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GenX Book Club: Future Boy by Michael J. Fox
GenX Journeys
Welcome back to the GenX Book Club—and happy New Year! Paul Stroessner, Del Roehling and Suzanne Mattaboni talk about , a fast, entertaining behind-the-scenes snapshot of one of the most intense stretches of Fox’s career: filming Back to the Future while also starring on Family Ties. The conversation dives into the pressure of stepping into a role that was already being filmed, the legendary production timeline, and the details Gen X fans love—like the Eric Stoltz “what-if,” Fox meeting Lea Thompson just minutes before filming, Marty’s iconic wardrobe, the Nike Bruins story,...
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GenX Journeys: 1980s Now & GenX Always — A Conversation with Will Padilla
GenX Journeys
This week on GenX Journeys, I’m joined by the multi-talented and endlessly creative Will Padilla — host of the hit podcast 1980s Now, composer, writer, actor, and author of Totally Bogus But True: Tales of the 1980s. If you grew up loving breakdancing battles, MTV, Knight Rider, The A-Team, Beastie Boys, or the neon-soaked energy of the 80s… this conversation will feel like coming home. But this episode isn’t just nostalgia. It’s creative reinvention, GenX resilience, and the reminder that it’s never too late to return to the passions you thought you left behind. ✨ In This...
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GenX Journeys: Reinvention at Any Age with Terry Yoffe
GenX Journeys
In this week’s episode of GenX Journeys, I’m joined by the extraordinary Terry Yoffe — an 83-year-young business and communications coach, speaker, and podcaster who proves that it’s never too late to grow, evolve, and reinvent yourself. Terry’s story is a masterclass in resilience: from overcoming childhood challenges, to building a thriving career in sales without experience, to launching a coaching practice at 60, to starting her own podcast at 78, and now stepping onto stages as a speaker. She brings the wisdom of someone who has lived reinvention again and again — and has the...
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GenX Book Club: The Celebrants by Steven Rowley
GenX Journeys
The GenX Book Club is back! Paul, Del, and Suzanne reunite to discuss The Celebrants — a touching, funny, and deeply relatable novel about lifelong friendship, midlife rediscovery, and the pact to celebrate each other before it’s too late. In this episode, the crew dives into the book’s themes of connection, mortality, and resilience — and why it feels especially relevant to Generation X. Along the way, they share laughs, personal stories, and a few tangents (including Paul’s triumphant Marine Corps Marathon finish 🏅). 📚 About the Book: After the sudden death of a college...
info_outlineWelcome back to the GenX Book Club—and happy New Year! Paul Stroessner, Del Roehling and Suzanne Mattaboni talk about Future Boy by Michael J. Fox, a fast, entertaining behind-the-scenes snapshot of one of the most intense stretches of Fox’s career: filming Back to the Future while also starring on Family Ties.
The conversation dives into the pressure of stepping into a role that was already being filmed, the legendary production timeline, and the details Gen X fans love—like the Eric Stoltz “what-if,” Fox meeting Lea Thompson just minutes before filming, Marty’s iconic wardrobe, the Nike Bruins story, the stunt double moment that sounds too ridiculous to be true, and how Fox’s comedic instincts helped shape one of the most beloved movies of all time.
Plus: a fun side-quest into the Back to the Future: The Hill Valley Cookbook (yes, it’s real), including how it connects to the Radical Sabbatical event.
In This Episode
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Why Future Boy is a perfect GenX Book Club pick
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Rewatching Back to the Future (including its return to theaters)
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The unbelievable detail: Fox met Lea Thompson about 10 minutes before filming their first scene
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TV actors vs. movie actors in the ’80s—and how that changed over time
- Back to the Future: The Hill Valley Cookbook
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The Eric Stoltz version: how different might the movie have been?
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The “no sleep” schedule: Family Ties by day, Back to the Future by night
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Stunts, wardrobe, and the real people behind the scenes
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Marty’s Nike Bruins and the origin story behind the shoe scramble
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The Johnny B. Goode performance and Fox’s attention to detail
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Why the audiobook works so well (Fox narrates, with additional audio clips)
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Next month’s possible pick: Ordinary People
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: paul@genxjourneys.net
📺 YouTube: @GenXJourneys
📷 Instagram: @GenXJourneys
🐦 Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s
📘 Facebook: GenX Journeys
🎥 TikTok: @GenXJourneys
🎧 Subscribe to the GenX Journeys Podcast on:
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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.
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow/subscribe on your favorite podcast app and leave a review. And tell us:
What’s your favorite Back to the Future moment—and have you ever seen footage of the Eric Stoltz version?