GenX Journeys

GenX Book Club: The Last Mixtape with Steve Matsumoto

What if the songs that shaped your life could also help you heal? In this episode of GenX Book Club, Paul Stroessner and Suzanne Mattaboni welcome author Steve Matsumoto to discuss his heartfelt debut novel, The Last Mixtape. Set against the backdrop of the 1990s, The Last Mixtape follows first-grade teacher James Nakamura as he struggles to navigate life after the loss of his sister. Through grief, friendship, romance, and the music that defined a generation, Steve explores how memories can both haunt us and help us move forward. Together, we discuss: * The real-life experiences that inspired the novel * Why mixtapes were so much more than playlists * Balancing humor with grief * Writing authentic male vulnerability * Becoming an author later in life * Why physical music still holds a special place for Gen X * The emotional power of nostalgia without relying on nostalgia alone We also share plenty of memories about cassette tapes, vinyl records, CDs, discovering music before streaming, and the uniquely Gen X experience of communicating through songs. Whether you've experienced loss, love discovering new authors, or simply remember spending hours crafting the perfect mixtape, this conversation is filled with heart, humor, and plenty of 90s memories. About Steve Matsumoto Steve Matsumoto is the author of The Last Mixtape [https://amzn.to/4auc32M], a coming-of-age novel inspired by personal experiences with grief, family, and the music that shaped a generation. He lives in Southern California and is currently working on the next novel featuring James Nakamura. https://www.stevematsumoto.com/ [https://www.stevematsumoto.com/] 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 [https://onceinalifetimenovel.com/] 🔹 Visit her at suzannemattaboni.com [https://suzannemattaboni.com/] 🔹 Follow Suzanne: * 📷 Instagram: @suzannemattaboni80s [https://www.instagram.com/suzannemattaboni80s/] * 🐦 X: @suzmattaboni [https://twitter.com/suzmattaboni] * 📘 Facebook: Suzanne Mattaboni [https://www.facebook.com/] 🎙️ 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 [https://www.facebook.com/] 💡 Connect with GenX Journeys 🌎 Website: GenXJourneys.net [https://genxjourneys.net/] 📩 Email: paul@genxjourneys.net [Paul@GenXJourneys.net] 📺 YouTube: @GenXJourneys [https://www.youtube.com/@GenXJourneys] 📷 Instagram: @GenXJourneys [https://www.instagram.com/GenXJourneys/] 🐦 Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s [https://twitter.com/Returntothe80s] 📘 Facebook: GenX Journeys [https://www.facebook.com/GenXJourneys] 🎥 TikTok: @GenXJourneys [https://www.tiktok.com/@GenXJourneys] 🎧 Subscribe to the GenX Journeys Podcast on: ✅ Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/] ✅ Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/] ✅ iHeartRadio [https://www.iheart.com/] ✅ Podbean [https://www.podbean.com/] ✅ PlayerFM [https://player.fm/] 💡 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.

It's Never Too Late to Chase Your Dreams with Stacie Jones

What if the dream you had at five years old was still waiting for you? In this inspiring episode of GenX Journeys, Paul welcomes Stacie Jones, founder of AB & J Travel Agency, certified travel advisor, entrepreneur, stroke survivor, Guinness World Record holder, and someone who proves it's never too late to reinvent your life. As a little girl growing up in the 1970s, Stacie dreamed of seeing the world. Life took her in a different direction, leading her into a successful corporate career. But after suffering multiple strokes in 2022, she was forced to slow down and re-evaluate everything. Instead of giving up, she returned to the dream she'd carried since childhood. Today, Stacie helps others create unforgettable travel experiences while living the life she always imagined. Along the way, she shares why travel is about far more than vacations. It's about healing, perspective, renewal, and finding your way back to yourself. Paul and Stacie also take a nostalgic trip through Gen X memories, including favorite TV shows, music, childhood crushes, and plenty of laughs that every Gen Xer will appreciate. In This Episode: * Growing up Gen X in the 1970s and '80s * The childhood dream that never disappeared * Life after surviving multiple strokes * Leaving corporate America to build a dream business * Why travel can transform your perspective * Common misconceptions about using a travel advisor * Affordable bucket-list travel * Favorite travel destinations (including Sedona and Vietnam) * Dream trips still on the horizon * Gen X nostalgia: Dukes of Hazzard, Knight Rider, Buck Rogers, Duran Duran, Men at Work, The Muppets, and much more Whether you're dreaming about traveling, changing careers, or rediscovering the person you always wanted to become, this conversation is a reminder that it's never too late to begin again. Connect with Stacie Jones Facebook: Stacie N. Jones [https://www.facebook.com/staciejones.travel] AB & J Travel Agency [https://www.evotravelagent.com/abjtravelagency] Phone: (513) 991-2717 🎙 GenX Journeys is where Generation X comes to embrace the past, own the present, and build an epic future. Follow, subscribe, and share wherever you listen to podcasts. 💡 Connect with GenX Journeys 🌎 Website: GenXJourneys.net [https://genxjourneys.net/] 📩 Email: paul@genxjourneys.net [Paul@GenXJourneys.net] 📺 YouTube: @GenXJourneys [https://www.youtube.com/@GenXJourneys] 📷 Instagram: @GenXJourneys [https://www.instagram.com/GenXJourneys/] 🐦 Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s [https://twitter.com/Returntothe80s] 📘 Facebook: GenX Journeys [https://www.facebook.com/GenXJourneys] 🎥 TikTok: @GenXJourneys [https://www.tiktok.com/@GenXJourneys] 🎧 Subscribe to the GenX Journeys Podcast on: ✅ Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/] ✅ Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/] ✅ iHeartRadio [https://www.iheart.com/] ✅ Podbean [https://www.podbean.com/] ✅ PlayerFM [https://player.fm/]

There Are Places I Remember with Mike Di Leo

What if you could step back into the neighborhoods, friendships, and moments that shaped your life? In this episode of GenX Journeys, Paul welcomes author Mike Di Leo to discuss his remarkable book, There Are Places I Remember. More than a collection of short stories, the book is a tapestry of interconnected memories spanning the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and beyond. Through themes of family, friendship, music, loss, nostalgia, and the passage of time, Mike captures experiences that resonate with Gen X and anyone who has ever looked back on the places and people who shaped them. Mike shares how the book evolved from an abandoned novel into forty interconnected stories, written during his daily train commute into New York City. The conversation explores growing up on Long Island, the changing nature of memory, revisiting childhood neighborhoods, the impact of 9/11, the universal pull of nostalgia, and why certain moments stay with us forever. Whether you're a fan of storytelling, history, music, sports, or simply reflecting on life's journey, this episode is a heartfelt exploration of where we've been and how those experiences continue to shape who we are. In This Episode * Mike's journey from project manager to published author * How There Are Places I Remember came to life * Writing an entire book on an iPhone during train commutes * The challenge and joy of connecting forty separate stories into one cohesive experience * Why nostalgia plays such a powerful role in our lives * Growing up in the suburbs during the 1970s and 1980s * Revisiting childhood neighborhoods and seeing them through adult eyes * Mike's firsthand experience during the events of September 11, 2001 * The changing nature of culture from Gen X to today * Baseball fandom, the Yankees-Mets rivalry, and sports nostalgia * The Beatles, James Bond, and the cultural touchstones that shaped a generation * What Mike is working on next About Mike Di Leo Mike Di Leo is an independent author from Long Island, New York. His latest book, There Are Places I Remember, is a unique collection of interconnected stories that span decades and explore memory, family, friendship, and the moments that define our lives. He is also the author of Images of Broken Light and The Spy Who Thrilled Us: A Guide to the Best of Cinematic James Bond. Connect with Mike Website: MichaelDiLeoAuthor.com [https://michaeldileoauthor.com/] Books available on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4uKqEOS] and Barnes & Noble [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/search?attributes.contributorId=10727078&contributorName=Michael%20Di%20Leo] https://amzn.to/4vRWOZBhttps://amzn.to/4vTZNRmhttps://amzn.to/4oFGEQQ 💡 Connect with GenX Journeys 🌎 Website: GenXJourneys.net [https://genxjourneys.net/] 📩 Email: paul@genxjourneys.net [Paul@GenXJourneys.net] 📺 YouTube: @GenXJourneys [https://www.youtube.com/@GenXJourneys] 📷 Instagram: @GenXJourneys [https://www.instagram.com/GenXJourneys/] 🐦 Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s [https://twitter.com/Returntothe80s] 📘 Facebook: GenX Journeys [https://www.facebook.com/GenXJourneys] 🎥 TikTok: @GenXJourneys [https://www.tiktok.com/@GenXJourneys] 🎧 Subscribe to the GenX Journeys Podcast on: ✅ Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/] ✅ Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/] ✅ iHeartRadio [https://www.iheart.com/] ✅ Podbean [https://www.podbean.com/] ✅ PlayerFM [https://player.fm/]

GenX Book Club: Born Standing Up by Steve Martin

What do an arrow through the head, a white suit, a banjo, and two wild and crazy guys have in common? Steve Martin. In this episode of the GenX Book Club, Paul Stroessner, Suzanne Mattaboni, and Del Roehling take a nostalgic look back at Steve Martin's memoir Born Standing Up, a fascinating behind-the-scenes story of one of comedy's most innovative performers. The conversation explores Martin's journey from working in the magic shops of Disneyland to becoming one of the biggest stand-up comedians in America. Along the way, we discuss the discipline, persistence, and creativity that fueled his rise, as well as the personal struggles that shaped him. We also revisit some of Steve Martin's most iconic moments, including: 📚 The origins of the arrow-through-the-head routine 🎭 The development of his unique style of comedy 🎤 His groundbreaking stand-up performances of the 1970s 📺 Saturday Night Live and the "Wild and Crazy Guys" era 🎵 King Tut, Let's Get Small, and comedy albums as Gen X cultural touchstones 🎬 Favorite Steve Martin films including The Jerk, Three Amigos, Father of the Bride, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Parenthood, and more More than a celebrity memoir, Born Standing Up is a masterclass in perseverance, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Whether you grew up quoting Steve Martin's routines or are discovering his story for the first time, this episode celebrates a comedy legend whose influence continues to be felt across generations. 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 [https://onceinalifetimenovel.com/] 🔹 Visit her at suzannemattaboni.com [https://suzannemattaboni.com/] 🔹 Follow Suzanne: * 📷 Instagram: @suzannemattaboni80s [https://www.instagram.com/suzannemattaboni80s/] * 🐦 X: @suzmattaboni [https://twitter.com/suzmattaboni] * 📘 Facebook: Suzanne Mattaboni [https://www.facebook.com/] 🎙️ 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 [https://www.facebook.com/] 💡 Connect with GenX Journeys 🌎 Website: GenXJourneys.net [https://genxjourneys.net/] 📩 Email: paul@genxjourneys.net [Paul@GenXJourneys.net] 📺 YouTube: @GenXJourneys [https://www.youtube.com/@GenXJourneys] 📷 Instagram: @GenXJourneys [https://www.instagram.com/GenXJourneys/] 🐦 Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s [https://twitter.com/Returntothe80s] 📘 Facebook: GenX Journeys [https://www.facebook.com/GenXJourneys] 🎥 TikTok: @GenXJourneys [https://www.tiktok.com/@GenXJourneys] 🎧 Subscribe to the GenX Journeys Podcast on: ✅ Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/] ✅ Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/] ✅ iHeartRadio [https://www.iheart.com/] ✅ Podbean [https://www.podbean.com/] ✅ PlayerFM [https://player.fm/] 💡 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.

Finding Your Way Back with Greg Amici

What happens when the thing you love most is suddenly taken away? In this episode of GenX Journeys, Paul sits down with singer-songwriter Greg Amici to explore a story of resilience, reinvention, and returning to a passion that never truly left. After building momentum with his band Big Honey in New York City's music scene, Greg's journey took an unexpected turn when a vocal cord injury forced him away from music. What followed was a 16-year detour through screenwriting, acting, graduate school, and caring for aging parents before he finally found his way back to songwriting and recording. Greg shares: • Growing up in New Jersey and discovering music through classic rock • The rise and sudden end of his band Big Honey • How a vocal injury changed the course of his life • His years pursuing screenwriting and acting in Los Angeles • The moment that reignited his passion for music • Creating his acclaimed album Tragicomic • The challenges and opportunities of making music in the streaming era • Why it's never too late to reconnect with something you love Along the way, Greg opens up about criticism, creativity, family, aging, perseverance, and what he's learned at 64 that his 24-year-old self could never have understood. Whether you're a musician, writer, runner, entrepreneur, or anyone who has ever put a dream on hold, this conversation is a reminder that some passions don't disappear. They simply wait for us to return. Connect with Greg Amici: Website: https://gregamici.com [https://gregamici.com] YouTube: @gregamicimusic [https://www.youtube.com/@gregamicimusic] 💡 Connect with GenX Journeys 🌎 Website: GenXJourneys.net [https://genxjourneys.net/] 📩 Email: paul@genxjourneys.net [Paul@GenXJourneys.net] 📺 YouTube: @GenXJourneys [https://www.youtube.com/@GenXJourneys] 📷 Instagram: @GenXJourneys [https://www.instagram.com/GenXJourneys/] 🐦 Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s [https://twitter.com/Returntothe80s] 📘 Facebook: GenX Journeys [https://www.facebook.com/GenXJourneys] 🎥 TikTok: @GenXJourneys [https://www.tiktok.com/@GenXJourneys] 🎧 Subscribe to the GenX Journeys Podcast on: ✅ Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/] ✅ Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/] ✅ iHeartRadio [https://www.iheart.com/] ✅ Podbean [https://www.podbean.com/] ✅ PlayerFM [https://player.fm/]