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What happens when you bring together a group of poets to celebrate one of rock music's most iconic voices? You get a conversation about a whole lot more than music!
In this special edition of GenX Book Club, host Paul Stroessner Jr. and co-host Suzanne Mattaboni welcome the editors and contributing poets of White Winged Doves: A Stevie Nicks Poetry Anthology, published by Madville Publishing.
Editors Collin Kelley and Megan Volpert share how the anthology came together, what they discovered while reviewing more than 300 submissions, and how Stevie Nicks continues to inspire writers across generations.
Joining them are contributing poets Ed Madden, Linda Sands, Gregg Shapiro, and Chris Wood, who share their poetry and the personal stories behind it. Suzanne also reads her own contribution, along with a poem by Donna Vorreyer.
But this isn't your typical poetry reading!
The conversation takes us from Fleetwood Mac and Stevie's solo career to childhood memories, first loves, heartbreak, identity, resilience, and the music that becomes the soundtrack of our lives.
Along the way, we explore some bigger questions: Does music help us preserve earlier versions of ourselves? Can art give us strength we haven't yet discovered? And why do certain songs transport us right back to a particular moment in our lives?
There's also plenty of laughter and Gen X nostalgia, including vinyl records, mixtapes, roller rinks, concert memories, and what it was like growing up before smartphones and social media.
Whether you're a lifelong Stevie Nicks fan, a poetry lover, or someone who believes music has the power to tell our stories, there's something here for you.
Featured Guests and PoetryCollin Kelley, co-editor: Wayfinder
Megan Volpert, co-editor: Life and Times of the Queen of Swords
Ed Madden: Tusk
Suzanne Mattaboni, co-host and contributing poet: PiquΓ©
Linda Sands: In Another Life You Cut Off My Head
Gregg Shapiro: In the Nicks of Time
Chris Wood: School Days for Gen X
Donna Vorreyer, poem read by Suzanne: Players 1977
White Winged Doves: A Stevie Nicks Poetry Anthology
Edited by Collin Kelley and Megan Volpert
Published by Madville Publishing
https://madvillepublishing.com/product/white-winged-doves/
The editors also encourage readers to support independent bookstores and request the anthology through their local libraries.
Connect with Our GuestsCollin Kelley (co-editor and poet) Website: https://collinkelley.com
Megan Volpert (co-editor and poet) Website: https://www.meganvolpert.com Author of Why Alanis Morissette Matters
Ed Madden (poet) University of South Carolina faculty profile: https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/artsandsciences/english_language_and_literature/our_people/directory/madden_ed1.php Author of A pooka in Arkansas
Linda Sands (poet and novelist) Website: https://lindasands.com Author of 3 Women Walk Into a Bar and the Cargo series
Gregg Shapiro (poet) Website: https://greggshapiro.com
Chris Wood (poet) Website: https://chriswoodwriter.com Facebook and Instagram: Chris Wood Writer Author of Yesterday Echoes
Suzanne Mattaboni (co-host and poet) Website: https://suzannemattaboni.com
Author of Once in a Lifetime and Gore, Lust & Kin: Stories of Women on the Brink
Instagram: @suzannemattaboni80s
X: @suzmattaboni
Facebook: Suzanne Mattaboni
π‘ Connect with GenX Journeys
π Website: GenXJourneys.net π© Email: [email protected] πΊ YouTube: @GenXJourneys π· Instagram: @GenXJourneys π¦ Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s π Facebook: GenX Journeys π₯ TikTok: @GenXJourneys
π§ Subscribe to the GenX Journeys Podcast on: β Apple Podcasts β Spotify β iHeartRadio β Podbean β PlayerFM
What happens when life takes away something you've always taken for granted, and the road to recovery leads you somewhere you never imagined?
In January 2015, Reid Robinson's life changed in an instant when a devastating car accident left him with catastrophic leg injuries. What followed was a grueling journey through 13 surgeries in two and a half years, years of chronic pain, and an eight-year struggle with prescription opioids.
But Reid's story isn't just about surviving. It's about finding a way forward.
Frustrated with the limitations of traditional crutches and mobility devices, Reid began sketching an idea while recovering from surgery. Armed with a welder, materials from the hardware store, and a determination to reclaim his independence, he built a prototype in his garage.
That invention became XLEG, a hands-free mobility device designed to help people with lower-leg injuries regain their independence.
In this episode of GenX Journeys, Reid shares his remarkable journey of resilience, reinvention, and discovering purpose through adversity.
We explore:
The terrifying car accident that changed Reid's life.
The physical and emotional toll of repeated surgeries and setbacks.
His difficult journey off prescription opioids after eight years.
How a simple desire to kick a soccer ball with his children helped inspire an invention.
The challenges of turning a homemade prototype into a medical device business.
Why helping others regain their mobility has become his mission.
The surprising reason Reid wouldn't go back and prevent the accident, even if he could.
And because this is GenX Journeys, we also take a nostalgic detour into the music of our generation, from Pearl Jam and Soundgarden to Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, and Canadian rock favorites.
Reid's journey reminds us that sometimes the life we never expected becomes the life that gives us our greatest sense of purpose.
Connect with Reid Robinson and XLEG:
Website: https://www.xleg.ca
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_xleg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reid-robinson-441a7837/
Connect with GenX Journeys
π Website: GenXJourneys.net π© Email: [email protected] πΊ YouTube: @GenXJourneys π· Instagram: @GenXJourneys π¦ Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s π Facebook: GenX Journeys π₯ TikTok: @GenXJourneys
π§ Subscribe to the GenX Journeys Podcast on: β Apple Podcasts β Spotify β iHeartRadio β Podbean β PlayerFM
This month, the GenX Book Club heads back to New York City in 1977, a city of punk rock, poetry, underground art, the blackout, Son of Sam, and a little club on the Bowery called CBGB.
Paul Stroessner Jr. and Suzanne Mattaboni are joined by author Gabriel Rotello to discuss his novel The CBGB Conspiracy, a historical murder mystery that mixes fictional characters with real people, places, and events from one of the wildest and most creative periods in New York City history.
Gabriel didn't just research this world. He lived in it. He arrived in New York in the 1970s, played music during the early CBGB era, and later became a journalist, activist, author, and documentary filmmaker.
The conversation quickly moves beyond the mystery itself and into the New York that inspired it. Gabriel shares memories of the downtown music and art scene, the real history woven throughout the novel, the Everard Baths fire, the Anderson Theater and CBGB's attempted expansion, and the remarkable collection of artists, musicians, writers, and outsiders who found one another in a city that was simultaneously falling apart and exploding with creativity.
Suzanne brings her own memories of New York and the New Wave era, while Paul digs into Gabriel's experience of turning history into fiction and why writing the novel was so much fun.
And at one point, Gabriel shares a piece of CBGB history that he says nobody else knows about.
They also discuss Steven Sprouse, William S. Burroughs, Holly Woodlawn, Lou Reed, Patti Smith, the transformation of New York nightlife, and whether the conditions that created that extraordinary downtown culture could ever happen again.
This is a spoiler-free conversation, so you can listen even if The CBGB Conspiracy is still sitting on your TBR pile.
Because sometimes a great book isn't the end of the conversation.
It's where the stories begin.
Connect with Gabriel Rotello:GabrielRotello.com
The CBGB Conspiracy can be found at Amazon and anywhere else where books are sold.
More from the GenX Book Club Crew
π Suzanne Mattaboni (Author of Once in a Lifetime) πΉ Get her book anywhere books are sold, including Kindle Unlimited and onceinalifetimenovel.com πΉ Visit her at suzannemattaboni.com πΉ Follow Suzanne:
ποΈ Del Roehling (Host of 80s at 8 on 91.1 WEDM FM) πΉ Tune in to 80s at 8 for all your favorite throwback tunes πΉ Get your daily dose of '80s news on the 80s at 8 Facebook page
π‘ Connect with GenX Journeysπ Website: GenXJourneys.net π© Email: [email protected] πΊ YouTube: @GenXJourneys π· Instagram: @GenXJourneys π¦ Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s π Facebook: GenX Journeys π₯ TikTok: @GenXJourneys
π§ Subscribe to the GenX Journeys Podcast on: β Apple Podcasts β Spotify β iHeartRadio β Podbean β PlayerFM
π‘ 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.
In Part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Linda Varisco, we continue her remarkable story where Part 1 left off.
After being sentenced to federal prison for a crime that began with a devastating scam, Linda shares what life was really like behind prison walls. From self-surrender and prison routines to unexpected friendships, creative survival, and finding purpose in the most difficult circumstances, she offers an honest and deeply human look at incarceration.
You'll hear stories about:
More than a story about incarceration, this is a conversation about resilience, reinvention, and refusing to let your worst chapter define the rest of your life.
If you haven't listened to Part 1 yet, be sure to start there to hear the events that led to Linda's prison sentence and the remarkable journey that brought her to this point.
About Dr. Linda Varisco
Dr. Linda Varisco is a chiropractor, bestselling author, speaker, and survivor whose life has been marked by extraordinary highs and heartbreaking lows. She is the author of The Girl with the Million Dollar Smile trilogy, where she shares her incredible journey of love, loss, betrayal, federal prison, and ultimately, hope.
Connect with Dr. Linda Varisco
https://lindavarisco.com
TikTok: @thelifeofmrpeaches
π 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.
π‘ Connect with GenX Journeys
π Website: GenXJourneys.net π© Email: [email protected] πΊ YouTube: @GenXJourneys π· Instagram: @GenXJourneys π¦ Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s π Facebook: GenX Journeys π₯ TikTok: @GenXJourneys
π§ Subscribe to the GenX Journeys Podcast on: β Apple Podcasts β Spotify β iHeartRadio β Podbean β PlayerFM
What happens when the life you've carefully built begins to unravel?
In this powerful first installment of a two-part conversation, Paul sits down with Dr. Linda Varisco, bestselling author of The Girl with the Million Dollar Smile, to explore a journey marked by heartbreak, betrayal, resilience, and the courage to keep moving forward.
Linda shares her early life on Long Island, the path that led her to a successful chiropractic career, and the personal and professional challenges that slowly transformed everything she thought she knew. Along the way, she opens up about marriage, family, loss, difficult decisions, and the betrayals that changed the course of her life.
More than anything, this is a story about resilience. Even in life's darkest moments, hope has a way of finding us.
This is Part 1 of Linda's remarkable journey. In Part 2, Linda shares her experiences with the federal investigation, life in prison, and the extraordinary path to rebuilding her life.
In this episode, we discuss:
If Linda's story resonates with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs the reminder that our toughest chapters don't have to define our future.
Connect with Dr. Linda Varisco
https://lindavarisco.com
TikTok: @thelifeofmrpeaches
π 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.
π‘ Connect with GenX Journeys
π Website: GenXJourneys.net π© Email: [email protected] πΊ YouTube: @GenXJourneys π· Instagram: @GenXJourneys π¦ Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s π Facebook: GenX Journeys π₯ TikTok: @GenXJourneys
π§ Subscribe to the GenX Journeys Podcast on: β Apple Podcasts β Spotify β iHeartRadio β Podbean β PlayerFM
Every family has stories. Some are passed down from generation to generation, while others are nearly lost to time.
In this episode of GenX Journeys, Paul Stroessner and Suzanne Mattaboni welcome author Lara Brenckle Malmont to share the remarkable true story that inspired her debut novel, Three Rivers Home. What began as childhood curiosity about a grandfather she never met turned into a twenty-year journey through family records, newspaper archives, courthouse documents, and long-forgotten letters.
Along the way, Lara discovered a little-known chapter of Pittsburgh history involving children who were "farmed out" through Allegheny County's early foster care systemβwhile also uncovering a deeper understanding of resilience, family, and the stories that shape us.
The conversation also explores growing up Gen X, the books that inspired a generation of readers and writers, the influence of journalism, preserving family history before it's lost, and why asking questions may be one of the greatest gifts we can pass on.
Whether you're fascinated by genealogy, historical fiction, or simply love hearing meaningful conversations, this episode is a reminder that every family has a story worth discovering.
In This EpisodeLara Brenckle Malmont is a Pittsburgh native, journalist, and author of Three Rivers Home. Her writing explores the people, places, and stories that define home. Her debut novel is inspired by the true story of her paternal grandfather's childhood in early twentieth-century Pittsburgh and the forgotten history surrounding Allegheny County's dependent children.
Connect with Laralarabrencklemalmont.com
Get Three Rivers Home on Amazon
Instagram (@lara_brenckle_malmont)
LinkedIn: larabrenckle
TikTok: @larabrencklemalmont
X: @larabrenckle
ClosingIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves great stories and meaningful conversations.
Because every journey begins with a question... and sometimes the answers change everything.
Who in your family has a story you've never asked about? Maybe it's time to start asking.
More from the GenX Book Club Crew
π Suzanne Mattaboni (Author of Once in a Lifetime) πΉ Get her book anywhere books are sold, including Kindle Unlimited and onceinalifetimenovel.com πΉ Visit her at suzannemattaboni.com πΉ Follow Suzanne:
ποΈ Del Roehling (Host of 80s at 8 on 91.1 WEDM FM) πΉ Tune in to 80s at 8 for all your favorite throwback tunes πΉ Get your daily dose of '80s news on the 80s at 8 Facebook page
π‘ Connect with GenX Journeysπ Website: GenXJourneys.net π© Email: [email protected] πΊ YouTube: @GenXJourneys π· Instagram: @GenXJourneys π¦ Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s π Facebook: GenX Journeys π₯ TikTok: @GenXJourneys
π§ Subscribe to the GenX Journeys Podcast on: β Apple Podcasts β Spotify β iHeartRadio β Podbean β PlayerFM
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:
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, 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/
More from the GenX Book Club Crew
π Suzanne Mattaboni (Author of Once in a Lifetime) πΉ Get her book anywhere books are sold, including Kindle Unlimited and onceinalifetimenovel.com πΉ Visit her at suzannemattaboni.com πΉ Follow Suzanne:
ποΈ Del Roehling (Host of 80s at 8 on 91.1 WEDM FM) πΉ Tune in to 80s at 8 for all your favorite throwback tunes πΉ Get your daily dose of '80s news on the 80s at 8 Facebook page
π‘ Connect with GenX Journeysπ Website: GenXJourneys.net π© Email: [email protected] πΊ YouTube: @GenXJourneys π· Instagram: @GenXJourneys π¦ Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s π Facebook: GenX Journeys π₯ TikTok: @GenXJourneys
π§ Subscribe to the GenX Journeys Podcast on: β Apple Podcasts β Spotify β iHeartRadio β Podbean β PlayerFM
π‘ 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.
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: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 JonesFacebook: Stacie N. Jones AB & J Travel Agency Phone: (513) 991-2717
π 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.
π‘ Connect with GenX Journeys
π Website: GenXJourneys.net π© Email: [email protected] πΊ YouTube: @GenXJourneys π· Instagram: @GenXJourneys π¦ Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s π Facebook: GenX Journeys π₯ TikTok: @GenXJourneys
π§ Subscribe to the GenX Journeys Podcast on: β Apple Podcasts β Spotify β iHeartRadio β Podbean β PlayerFM
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 EpisodeMike 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 MikeWebsite: MichaelDiLeoAuthor.com
Books available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble
π‘ Connect with GenX Journeys
π Website: GenXJourneys.net π© Email: [email protected] πΊ YouTube: @GenXJourneys π· Instagram: @GenXJourneys π¦ Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s π Facebook: GenX Journeys π₯ TikTok: @GenXJourneys
π§ Subscribe to the GenX Journeys Podcast on: β Apple Podcasts β Spotify β iHeartRadio β Podbean β PlayerFM
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:
π The origins of the arrow-through-the-head routine π The development of his unique style of comedy π€ His groundbreaking stand-up performances of the 1970s πΊ Saturday Night Live and the "Wild and Crazy Guys" era π΅ King Tut, Let's Get Small, and comedy albums as Gen X cultural touchstones π¬ 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
π Suzanne Mattaboni (Author of Once in a Lifetime) πΉ Get her book anywhere books are sold, including Kindle Unlimited and onceinalifetimenovel.com πΉ Visit her at suzannemattaboni.com πΉ Follow Suzanne:
ποΈ Del Roehling (Host of 80s at 8 on 91.1 WEDM FM) πΉ Tune in to 80s at 8 for all your favorite throwback tunes πΉ Get your daily dose of '80s news on the 80s at 8 Facebook page
π‘ Connect with GenX Journeysπ Website: GenXJourneys.net π© Email: [email protected] πΊ YouTube: @GenXJourneys π· Instagram: @GenXJourneys π¦ Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s π Facebook: GenX Journeys π₯ TikTok: @GenXJourneys
π§ Subscribe to the GenX Journeys Podcast on: β Apple Podcasts β Spotify β iHeartRadio β Podbean β PlayerFM
π‘ 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.
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