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By Paul Stevens

In this episode of Gen X Resistance, Paul Stevens takes us back to 1996 with a surprising find—an old grocery receipt. What used to cost $19 would barely cover two items today. But as Paul points out, being young has always been a struggle, whether it was 1996 or 2025.

While it’s tempting to think today’s youth have it easier, the reality is they face challenges of their own: student loans, high housing costs, and an unpredictable economy. Gen X knows those struggles firsthand—and as the bridge generation, we’re in a unique position to help.

Paul shares five ways Gen X can guide the next generation through the pain of just starting out:
 

1. Teach Financial Reality Without Doom and Gloom
   Show young people how to budget, plan, and manage money in today’s economy—not with lectures, but with real tools.
2. Share Career Advice and Real-World Skills
   From interviewing confidently to reading workplace culture, Gen X has hard-earned lessons that still matter.
3. Mentor Instead of Judge
   Break the cycle of criticism and offer guidance, whether it’s fixing a car, understanding a mortgage, or just answering questions without making someone feel dumb.
4. Model Balance in a Burnout Culture
   Work hard, yes—but also show that life beyond the job matters. That’s not weakness, that’s wisdom.
5. Remind Them Struggle Is Normal, Not Failure
   Being young means learning. Struggle isn’t a sign of failure—it’s the foundation for growth.

Closing Thoughts:
Prices may change, but the fight to find your footing when you’re young is timeless. Gen X doesn’t need to sit back and criticize—we can use our spot in the middle to guide, encourage, and equip the next generation.

Listen on your favorite podcast app or on YouTube. Got thoughts, stories, or maybe your own old receipts? Email Paul at [email protected]
or drop a comment.
 
Stay strong. Stay sharp. And most importantly—stay RAD, my friends.
 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLr2SNpWvi4dsbNOPbtyHTKr1U3FB9wepa

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In this episode of Gen X Resistance, Paul Stevens explores what it means to be the “middle child” of history. Just like Jan Brady lived in the shadow of Marcia and Cindy, Generation X has spent decades wedged between the spotlight-hogging Boomers and the endlessly discussed Millennials. But being in the middle isn’t a weakness—it’s a strength. 

Paul breaks down the unique resilience, independence, and perspective Gen X has developed from being overlooked. From latchkey kid survival skills to the art of “necessary apathy,” Gen X has turned cultural invisibility into an advantage. Along the way, he highlights how middle children—and Gen Xers alike—adapt, innovate, and bridge divides. 

What You’ll Hear in This Episode: 

• The disappearing middle child in America and what that says about culture today
• Why being overlooked actually builds adaptability and independence
• How Jan Brady is the perfect metaphor for Generation X
• Famous middle children who prove being in the middle can be powerful
• Why Gen X is uniquely positioned to be the bridge between analog and digital, Boomers and Gen Z

Paul also gives shoutouts to fellow Gen X creators—Gen X POV and Jason Eck at Stuck in the Middle Podcast—who are carrying the banner for Gen X voices in today’s media landscape.

If you’ve ever been called the “forgotten generation,” this episode is your reminder: Gen X isn’t forgotten—we’re the glue holding the whole thing together.

Connect with Paul:
Email: [email protected]

 Stuck in the Middle Podcast 

  https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stuck-in-the-middle-a-gen-x-podcast--5450199

  Gen X POV 

https://www.youtube.com/@GEN-X_POV

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What did it really mean to grow up in a world without Google, GPS, or the dopamine hit of a “like” button? In this episode of Gen X Resistance, Paul Stevens takes listeners on a trip back to when independence wasn’t an app, self-reliance wasn’t optional, and problem-solving didn’t require an algorithm.

This isn’t just nostalgia—it’s about remembering what gets lost when convenience replaces competence, and why choosing the harder road sometimes makes you stronger.

Topics Covered in This Episode:

• Finding Information — From card catalogs and encyclopedias to today’s instant (but shallow) Google searches.
  
  
  
• Navigation — How a Rand McNally atlas and grit got Paul and his brother across the country without GPS.
  
  
  
• Social Validation — What friendship and connection looked like before metrics, likes, and shares defined value.
  
  
  
• Communication — Answering machines, being unreachable, and reclaiming the right to be offline.
  
  
  
• Entertainment — From Thursday-night TV events and full albums to the endless buffet of streaming.
  
  
  
• Food & Shopping — Cooking, takeout, and walking into a store versus living on delivery apps.
  
  
  
• Memory — When birthdays, phone numbers, and addresses actually lived in your head.
  
  
  
• Problem-Solving — Replacing a truck transmission without YouTube tutorials and the lessons that stuck.
  
  
  
• Coping with Life — Dealing with stress before hashtags and memes turned “self-care” into a slogan.
  
  
  
• Buying Stuff — Why trusting your judgment used to be enough.
  
  
  

Paul makes the case that Gen X might be the last generation that had to figure things out without outsourcing every thought to a device. Resistance isn’t about living in the past—it’s about choosing independence in a world that increasingly pushes dependency.

Listen, if you’ve ever wondered:

• What did we gain from technology—and what did we lose?
  
  
  
• Are convenience and dependence the same thing?
  
  
  
• How do we pass real-world resilience to the next generation?
  
  
  

Connect with the Show:
 Email: [email protected]
 Leave a message: [Link in show notes]

Stay sharp. Stay independent. Stay RAD.

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his week on Gen X Resistance, host Paul Stevens takes a heartfelt look back at the life and legacy of Hulk Hogan — the man who turned wrestling into a cultural phenomenon. 

From the moment Hogan dropped that atomic leg drop on The Iron Sheik in 1984 to create Hulkamania, to his shocking heel turn as Hollywood Hogan and leader of the nWo, we walk through every major milestone of his career. 

Paul shares personal stories of being 10 years old in 1985, flexing in the mirror, ripping up old T-shirts, and living by Hogan’s commandments: say your prayers, train hard, and eat your vitamins. 

This episode isn’t just about wrestling — it’s about what Hulk Hogan meant to an entire generation. How his matches mirrored real-life events like the Iran crisis and the Gulf War. How he transformed from the ultimate American hero to one of wrestling’s greatest villains. And how, decades later, losing him feels like losing a piece of our childhood. 

Whether you were a lifelong wrestling fan or just someone who grew up knowing the name Hulk Hogan, this tribute is for you.  

💥 In This Episode: 

• The birth of Hulkamania and Hogan’s victory over The Iron Sheik (1984)
• WrestleMania I and how Hogan made wrestling mainstream (1985)
• The Mega Powers, The Ultimate Warrior, and cracks in the red-and-yellow image
• The nWo heel turn that changed wrestling forever (1996)
• Hogan’s comeback, his match with The Rock at WrestleMania X8, and his Hall of Fame induction
• Why Hulk Hogan’s story isn’t just wrestling history — it’s Gen X history

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🎧 Episode Description (for podcast apps & SEO):
In this episode of Gen X Resistance, Paul Stevens takes off the nostalgia goggles to deliver a fresh, no-fanboy-tinted review of Superman (2025). Is James Gunn’s vision a bold new beginning for the DCU—or just another caped cash grab? From deep fakes and disinformation to Krypto the Superdog and a standout Lex Luthor, Paul breaks it all down through a Gen X lens. Tune in for honest insights, cultural context, and why this Superman might actually be what the world needs right now.  

📌 What You’ll Hear in This Episode: 

• 🧠 The Critical Temperature
  IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, and Metacritic scores—how audiences and critics are reacting, and why they don’t always see eye to eye.
• 🎬 Meet the New Superman Crew
  A quick look at the cast and director James Gunn’s fresh take on the DCU—with a few surprising character additions (hello, Guy Gardner's bowl cut).
• 🔍 The Plot (Light Spoilers)
  A morally complex story involving a mysterious Kryptonian video, government fear-mongering, and ambiguous tech threats. Is it a deep fake… or something darker?
• ✅ The Good:
  • Corenswet brings sincerity
  • Lois Lane is sharp and credible
  • Lex Luthor steals the show
  • Relevant themes like disinformation & media trust
  • A flying super dog that somehow works
• ❌ The Bad:
  • A bloated second act
  • Side heroes underused
  • Ma & Pa Kent... too country, even for me
• 🎨 Style & Score:
  A visual mix of retro comic book flair and modern color—plus subtle nods to the classic John Williams theme.
• 🧓 A Gen X Perspective:
  Why Superman as an awkward, sincere outsider resonates with those of us who grew up in an analog world now ruled by algorithms.
• 🗣️ Critics vs. Audience:
  Why the movie’s deeper value might not be showing up on the critic checklist—and why that matters less than you think.
• 📼 Final Rating: “Dude! (But in a Good Way)” – 4/5
  Paul uses the Gen X Resistance Scale to rate the movie. It’s not perfect—but it’s got heart, punch, and purpose.

 
🧬 Gen X Resistance Movie Rating Scale:
 

• 🛑 Lame (1/5): Total garbage. Embarrassing.
• 🙄 As If! (2/5): Tried to be cool. Tripped on your parachute pants.
• 📀 Rental Worthy (3/5): Decent Friday night filler.
• 🎧 Dude! (4/5): Rewatchable. Solid story. Memorable lines.
• 🤘 TOTALLY RAD! (5/5): Instant classic. Deserves its own lunchbox.

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Episode Summary:
In this brutally honest review, Paul Stevens takes the latest dino-sized letdown—Jurassic World: Rebirth—to task. What was supposed to be a thrilling return to the franchise turned out to be a soulless, corporate content dump aimed at nostalgia-starved audiences. 

Paul revisits his personal connection to the original Jurassic Park, shares memories from his first date in 1995, and contrasts that magical experience with the overproduced, underwritten mess that is Rebirth. 

Spoiler alert: this reboot didn’t evolve—it devolved.  

🦖 What You’ll Hear in This Episode: 

• 🎬 A nostalgic look back at Jurassic Park (1993) and what made it timeless
• 📉 A breakdown of Rebirth’s weak plot, flat characters, and identity crisis
• 🤖 Why this movie feels like it was made by a committee or an algorithm
• 🧪 A rant on lazy science and the ridiculous oxygen zone theory
• 💸 The truth about the “villain” who just wanted to cure heart disease
• 🎭 Disconnected performances from otherwise talented actors
• 🤦 The failed attempt at humor, family bonding, and mutated dinos
• 🧠 Gen X’s demand for originality over IP-driven sludge
• 💬 Paul’s personal take: why Gen X isn't buying what Hollywood is selling

 
📊 Ratings Recap:
 

• IMDb: 6.3/10
• Metascore: 52/100
• Rotten Tomatoes: 56% Critics / 72% Audience
  (Paul questions that audience score—hard.)

 
📬 Connect with the Show:
📧 Email: [email protected]
💬 Leave a voice message or fanmail: [Link in show notes]
🔔 Subscribe and leave a rating if this episode made you laugh, think, or shout “Exactly!” in your car.
 

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Episode Summary:
 In this raw and honest episode of Gen X Resistance, host Paul Stevens pulls back the curtain on a personal battle that many Gen Xers know all too well: perfectionism. With over 70 unreleased podcast drafts collecting digital dust, Paul shares how the drive to be excellent—fueled by a lifetime of high standards and Swiss Army knife versatility—can quietly turn into a creative paralysis that stops progress in its tracks.

If you've ever held back from hitting publish, launching a project, or sharing your work because it didn’t feel “perfect,” this episode is for you. It’s not polished. It’s not flawless. But it’s real—and most importantly, it’s done.

What You’ll Hear:

• 🎯 Why perfectionism isn’t always about being tidy—it’s about control and fear
  
  
  
• 🛠 The “Swiss Army knife” personality and how it becomes a double-edged sword
  
  
  
• 🧠 The hidden cost of being capable at everything
  
  
  
• 🔄 How silence becomes a false safety net for creatives and thinkers
  
  
  
• ⚔ Why resistance starts by hitting publish—even when it’s imperfect
  
  
  
• 💬 A direct message to every multitasking, high-capacity Gen Xer who feels stuck
  
  
  

Takeaways:

• Consistency beats perfection.
  
  
  
• Silence may feel safe, but it keeps you from making an impact.
  
  
  
• If you're waiting to be ready, you're already late.
  
  
  
• Sometimes, hitting "publish" is the most rebellious thing you can do.
  
  
  

Call to Action:
 Are you a fellow Swiss Army knife stuck in your own head? Struggling to finish what you start? Paul wants to hear from you.
 📩 Email: [email protected]
 💬 Let’s talk. Let’s push each other forward. Let’s resist together.

Follow & Subscribe:
 🎧 Subscribe to Gen X Resistance on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.
⭐️ Leave a review—it helps the resistance grow.

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Host: Paul Stevens
Podcast: Gen X Resistance
Email: [email protected]
 

Episode Summary:
In this reflective episode of Gen X Resistance, host Paul Stevens looks into ancestry, identity, and what it truly means to be part of Generation X in a world increasingly shaped by algorithms and AI. 

From discovering centuries-old family legacies to questioning our place as the last analog generation, Paul weaves personal DNA discoveries with cultural commentary, challenging us to consider whether we’re the final link in a long human chain… or the bridge that carries timeless values into a digital future.  

🔹 Topics Covered: 

1. Introduction  

• Discovering personal ancestry through DNA
• The invisible lives that built one Gen Xer
• How our family stories shape our identity

2. Analog Values in a Digital World 
 

• What Gen X learned by watching, not scrolling
• Privacy, patience, and problem-solving before Google
• The cultural shift from slow-earned wisdom to instant algorithmic gratification

3. Are We the Last Link… or the Bridge? 
 

• Wrestling with our role: are we holding on, or passing on?
• How generational survival gave us strength—and a responsibility
• The danger of letting history fade into digital oblivion

4. Outro 
 

• What our ancestors gave us vs. what algorithms take from us
• Why Gen X may be the last true memory keepers
• A call to action: preserve, pass down, and resist

 
🔥 Quote of the Episode:
"There are no filters or apps that capture ancestral dignity. That comes from people. And we’re still here."
 

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Episode Summary: 

Hey, X’ers — welcome back to Gen X Resistance! I’m your host, Paul Stevens, and in this episode, we’re asking a tough but timely question: Are we, as Gen X, stepping up for the next generation — or just sitting back and complaining from the cheap seats? 

From the chaos of Arkansas weather to shoutouts for fellow Gen X podcasters, this episode shows us how our generation is uniquely positioned to help bridge the gap between analog resilience and digital overwhelm. Whether it’s mentoring Gen Z through mental health struggles, modeling real-world communication, or just showing up as steady guides in a chaotic world — Gen X has something real to offer. 

So grab your Jolt cola, tie that flannel like it’s ‘92, and let’s get into it.  

🧠 In This Episode: 

🎙️ Segment 1: Mental Health & Gen Z 

• 70% of Gen Z teens say anxiety and depression are major problems — even before COVID hit.
• The pressure to perform academically and socially is off the charts.
• Gen Z is more emotionally aware, but they still need tools — and Gen X has them.

📱 Segment 2: Tech & Social Skills Deficit
 

• Gen Z can swipe like pros but struggle with face-to-face communication.
• 37% of Gen Z say tech has weakened their people skills.
• Big Tech helped create the problem. We can help balance it.
• Why Gen X is the perfect bridge between digital fluency and analog wisdom.

🛠️ Segment 3: Coaching the Next Generation
 

• Gen X didn’t have it all figured out either — and that’s okay.
• Think of us like yard sales: not everything we offer will fit, but some of it might be exactly what they need.
• How to mentor without preaching, and guide without condescending.
• Gen Z doesn’t need our sarcasm — they need our steady hands.

 
🔥 Takeaways for Gen X:
 

• Mentor with intention: Show up, speak up, and help them navigate.
• Model resilience: They don’t just need to win — they need to learn how to bounce back.
• Prioritize connection: Job shadowing, community involvement, screen-free time — it all matters.
• Be the lighthouse: If you’ve walked through the fire, help someone else see their way through.

 
📣 Special Shoutout:

Big thanks to Jason Eck from The Stuck in the Middle Podcast for tackling Gen X and mental health. It’s an episode worth your time —https://www.spreaker.com/episode/gen-x-mental-health--65293338


💬 Join the Conversation:

Got thoughts on today’s episode? Want to share your own Gen X wisdom or Gen Z success story?

📧 Email me at [email protected]
🔗 Leave a voice message or DM via the link in the show notes


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If you liked this episode:
 

• Subscribe so you never miss an update
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Episode Show Notes

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Gen X Resistance, host Paul Stevens dives into the defining trait of our generation—resilience. From childhood scars (both literal and emotional) to the historic events that shaped us, we explore how Gen X has endured, adapted, and thrived despite life’s challenges.

Paul shares personal stories of physical scars, the loss of his mother, and the moments that left lasting marks on our collective identity—like the Challenger disaster, 9/11, and the ever-changing economy. He also discusses how our generation serves as the bridge between the analog and digital worlds, proving that our resilience is still as strong as ever.

So grab your caffeine of choice, get comfy, and join us for this deep dive into how our scars—seen and unseen—have made us stronger.

Key Takeaways:

🛠 Scars Tell Our Story – From childhood injuries to major surgeries, every scar is a souvenir of survival.
 🧠 Emotional Scars Matter Too – Loss, latchkey childhoods, and early independence shaped us in ways we’re still unpacking.
 🌍 Defining Moments of Our Generation – The Challenger explosion, Cold War fears, 9/11, and economic crashes all left lasting impressions on Gen X.
 📱 The Rise of Tech & Adaptability – From rotary phones to AI, we’ve had to constantly evolve—and we’ve nailed it.
 💪 Why Resilience Still Matters – In careers, family life, and an ever-changing world, our ability to endure keeps us moving forward.

How to Keep Moving Forward:

1. Acknowledge the Scars – They’re proof of survival, not weakness.
   
   
   
2. Find Your Crew – Independence is great, but community makes us stronger.
   
   
   
3. Adapt & Overcome – We’ve done it before, we’ll do it again.
   
   
   
4. Take Care of Yourself – Self-care isn’t selfish; it’s essential.
   
   
   

Connect with Paul & Gen X Resistance:

📩 Email: [email protected]
 📞 Leave a message: Click the link in the show notes!
 📢 Share this episode – If this resonated with you, pass it along to a fellow Gen Xer who could use the reminder that they are tougher than they think.

🔥 **Stay strong, keep resisting, and stay RAD!**🔥