GenX Journeys

For this episode of GenX Journeys, Paul sits down with Devin Fish for one of the most honest and emotionally powerful conversations the show has featured yet.

Growing up in poverty, constantly moving from place to place, and surrounded by addiction and instability, Devin entered adulthood carrying more weight than most people face in a lifetime. Before even beginning his Army career, he experienced trauma that would shape the years ahead — including family addiction, loss, depression, online exploitation, blackmail, and moments where he seriously questioned whether he wanted to keep going at all.

But this isn't just a story about survival.

It's a story about resilience, reinvention, mental health, purpose, and learning how to rebuild your life one hard question at a time.

Devin opens up about how those experiences eventually led him to write his book, Answering the Hard Questions: Let It Be the End of the Chapter, Not the End of the Book, a deeply personal reflection on resilience, mental health, purpose, and finding hope after life's darkest moments.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Growing up with instability and poverty
• Joining the Army and searching for direction
• Losing his mother while serving
• Mental health struggles and suicidal thoughts
• Online scams, emotional isolation, and blackmail
• Reinventing himself through service and leadership
• Why vulnerability can help others heal
• Writing his book and speaking openly about resilience
• The importance of letting a painful chapter end — without ending your story

This episode is raw, inspiring, and deeply human — especially for anyone who has ever felt stuck, broken, alone, or overwhelmed by life.

Because as Devin says: "Let it be the end of the chapter… not the end of the book."

Connect with Devin Fish:

Book: Answering the Hard Questions on Amazon

Facebook: Devin Fish on Facebook

Email: [email protected]

If this episode resonated with you, please follow, rate, and share GenX Journeys with someone who might need this conversation today.

🌎 Website: GenXJourneys.net 📩 Email: [email protected] 📺 YouTube: @GenXJourneys 📷 Instagram: @GenXJourneys 🐦 Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s 📘 Facebook: GenX Journeys 🎥 TikTok: @GenXJourneys

🎧 Subscribe to the GenX Journeys Podcast on: ✅ Apple Podcasts ✅ Spotify ✅ iHeartRadio ✅ Podbean ✅ PlayerFM

What happens after life changes in ways you never saw coming?

In this episode of GenX Journeys, Paul sits down with author and personal brand strategist Chanoa Inez to explore what it really takes to rebuild, realign, and start dreaming again after loss, upheaval, or major life transitions.

After experiencing a sudden and devastating loss, Chanoa found herself in a place many of us know too well - functioning on the surface, but quietly shrinking her dreams without even realizing it. What followed was a powerful journey of self-discovery, healing, and reinvention that ultimately led to her book Dream On.

This conversation goes beyond surface-level positivity. It's about reclaiming your life, reconnecting with who you are, and giving yourself permission to dream bigger—even when it feels impossible.

• Why we unknowingly shrink our dreams after loss or setbacks
• The difference between real gratitude vs. surface-level gratitude
• How the simple shift from "I have to" → "I get to" can change everything
• The hidden ways we fall out of alignment in life and business
• Why being authentic is less exhausting—and more powerful—than wearing a mask
• How grief can show up in unexpected ways, including physical health
• The truth about meditation (and why "I can't do it" is a limiting belief)
• What it really means to reinvent yourself without losing who you are

Sometimes we think we've moved on—but in reality, we've just made our lives smaller to feel safe.

The real work is recognizing that… and choosing to dream again anyway.

• Chanoa Inez's book: Dream On: How to Create a New Life via Dreams After Upheaval or Loss
• Website: https://chanoainez.com
• Program: Magnetize Your Personal Brand
• LinkedIn: @chanoa
• InstagramL @chanoainez

(Full links also available in episode description on your podcast app)

• Follow the show for more conversations on reinvention, resilience, and living with intention
• Share this episode with someone who might need a reminder: it's not too late to start again

Life is going to change—sometimes in ways we never expect. But the ability to dream again? That's still yours. Always.

🌎 Website: GenXJourneys.net 📩 Email: [email protected] 📺 YouTube: @GenXJourneys 📷 Instagram: @GenXJourneys 🐦 Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s 📘 Facebook: GenX Journeys 🎥 TikTok: @GenXJourneys

🎧 Subscribe to the GenX Journeys Podcast on: ✅ Apple Podcasts ✅ Spotify ✅ iHeartRadio ✅ Podbean ✅ PlayerFM

What does it really take to change your life?

In this episode of GenX Journeys, Paul sits down with Matt Melvin, whose journey includes prison, addiction, and multiple life resets—but more importantly, a complete shift in mindset.

While Matt shares his story in his book Bullied Behind Bars, this conversation focuses on what came after: the inner work. From moving out of victimhood and into accountability, to building discipline, faith, and self-awareness, Matt breaks down the principles that helped him rebuild his life from the inside out.

This is a real, unfiltered conversation about mindset, mental health, and the kind of honest reflection most people avoid—but that leads to lasting change.

If you're ready to stop making excuses and start taking ownership, this episode will challenge you in all the right ways.

• The shift from victimhood to full accountability
• How small decisions can lead to life-altering consequences
• Why mindset is everything when it comes to personal growth
• The role of discipline, faith, and daily habits
• How environment and relationships influence your direction
• Why journaling and self-reflection are powerful tools for change
• The importance of real conversations over surface-level talk
• Why many people struggle to express emotions—and how to change that

• You can't change your life until you take responsibility for it
• Awareness is the foundation of growth
• Your environment matters more than you think
• Growth requires honesty, even when it's uncomfortable
• Real change is built through daily habits and decisions

Matt Melvin is the author of Bullied Behind Bars: A Gay Christian Trump Supporter Goes to Prison. His story is one of transformation through discipline, faith, and radical accountability after facing addiction and incarceration.

• Instagram: @BulliedBehindBars
• Facebook: Matthew Melvin
• X: @BarsBullied
• email: [email protected]
• Book: Bully Behind Bars (available on Amazon)

Available on all podcast platforms, with the full video version on YouTube.

You don't have to control everything that happens to you—but you do control what happens next.

🌎 Website: GenXJourneys.net 📩 Email: [email protected] 📺 YouTube: @GenXJourneys 📷 Instagram: @GenXJourneys 🐦 Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s 📘 Facebook: GenX Journeys 🎥 TikTok: @GenXJourneys

🎧 Subscribe to the GenX Journeys Podcast on: ✅ Apple Podcasts ✅ Spotify ✅ iHeartRadio ✅ Podbean ✅ PlayerFM

What do you do when the life you built no longer feels like it fits?

In this episode of GenX Journeys, I'm joined by Camille Miller—three-time bestselling author, business designer, and founder of the Soul Professional Movement. Together, we explore what it means to step out of alignment… and how to find your way back.

If you've ever felt stuck, restless, or like something is missing—even when everything looks "right" on paper—this conversation will resonate.

We talk about reinvention, authenticity, and why GenXers, in particular, are uniquely wired to evolve, adapt, and build something more meaningful in this next chapter of life.

• Why so many people feel out of alignment after years in traditional careers
• The shift from stability to purpose-driven work
• How authenticity attracts new opportunities
• Letting go of identities that no longer serve you
• The importance of community and surrounding yourself with the right people
• Simple ways to begin realigning your life and purpose

Camille shares a powerful starting point:

Take a piece of paper and write down:

• What you want in your life moving forward
• What you no longer want or will no longer accept

From there, start building a life that aligns with who you are today—not who you used to be.

Camille Miller is a three-time bestselling author and the founder of the Soul Professional Movement, a global community helping individuals create purpose-driven businesses and lives aligned with their authentic selves.

🌐 Learn more: https://soulprofessional.com

🌎 Website: GenXJourneys.net 📩 Email: [email protected] 📺 YouTube: @GenXJourneys 📷 Instagram: @GenXJourneys 🐦 Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s 📘 Facebook: GenX Journeys 🎥 TikTok: @GenXJourneys

🎧 Subscribe to the GenX Journeys Podcast on: ✅ Apple Podcasts ✅ Spotify ✅ iHeartRadio ✅ Podbean ✅ PlayerFM

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 build their setlists to keep audiences singing and dancing, and the fun behind the costumes, visuals, movie-theme medleys, duets, and onstage chemistry that make a Rubixx show feel like a time machine with amplifiers.

The conversation also explores the magic of MTV, the power of 80s soundtracks, the wide range of genres that defined the decade, and the challenge of performing these iconic songs live while keeping their energy intact. Along the way, there are plenty of laughs, behind-the-scenes stories, and a clear love for the music that shaped a generation.

Whether you were raised on synth-pop, power ballads, movie anthems, freestyle, new wave, or arena rock, this episode is a celebration of the music, memories, and community that still make the 80s hit hard today.

In this episode:

• How Rubixx came together and evolved into the band it is today
• Why 80s music still resonates so deeply with audiences
• The art of creating a full visual and musical experience on stage
• Favorite crowd-pleasers, duets, and movie-theme moments
• The influence of MTV on music, fashion, and identity
• Songs that are tougher to perform than they sound
• Why authenticity, camaraderie, and zero ego matter in a live band
• Upcoming shows and where to find Rubixx online

If you love 80s music, live performance, and stories about people keeping the spirit of a generation alive, this one is for you.

🎥 TikTok: @RubixxBand

📷 Instagram: RubixxBand

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rubixxband

📺 YouTube: @RubixxBand

📖 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

🌎 Website: GenXJourneys.net 📩 Email: [email protected] 📺 YouTube: @GenXJourneys 📷 Instagram: @GenXJourneys 🐦 Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s 📘 Facebook: GenX Journeys 🎥 TikTok: @GenXJourneys

🎧 Subscribe to the GenX Journeys Podcast on: ✅ Apple Podcasts ✅ Spotify ✅ iHeartRadio ✅ Podbean ✅ PlayerFM

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 military life, identity after service, the challenges of civilian transition, the pull of social media and modern distraction, the importance of prayer, and how faith can reshape the way we show up for our families and the world around us.

Louie also opens up about a dark season after retirement, the divine timing that helped save his life, and how that turning point led him back to the Church and into a new mission of helping others through writing, ministry, and witness.

This is a moving conversation about resilience, redemption, and the reminder that sometimes the road back becomes the most important journey of all.

• Louie's Catholic upbringing in Youngstown, Ohio

• Why he chose to follow his brother into the Marine Corps

• What 25 years of military service taught him about discipline, character, and identity

• How virtues can become distorted without a deeper moral foundation

• What "moral injury" means and how it can surface after service

• The difficulty of transitioning out of the military and back into civilian life

• Louie's darkest season after retirement and the intervention that changed everything

• How a faith-based veterans program helped awaken something in him

• Returning to Mass after decades away

• How faith transformed his outlook as a husband, father, veteran, and man

• The impact of prayer, compassion, and empathy in everyday life

• Why he began writing about healing, faith, and purpose

• His upcoming book, So There I Was… Out of Ammo

• A message of hope for anyone who feels distant from faith or unsure how to find their way back

📘 Facebook: Louie Alessio

🌎 Website: GenXJourneys.net 📩 Email: [email protected] 📺 YouTube: @GenXJourneys 📷 Instagram: @GenXJourneys 🐦 Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s 📘 Facebook: GenX Journeys 🎥 TikTok: @GenXJourneys

🎧 Subscribe to the GenX Journeys Podcast on: ✅ Apple Podcasts ✅ Spotify ✅ iHeartRadio ✅ Podbean ✅ PlayerFM

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 the film's standout performances from Timothy Hutton, Mary Tyler Moore, Donald Sutherland, and Judd Hirsch, why the story still hits hard decades later, and how Ordinary People remains a moving portrait of family, trauma, healing, and emotional survival.

In this episode:

• Judith Guest's debut novel and why it became such a major success

• Robert Redford's directorial debut and the film's Oscar-winning legacy

• Why Ordinary People still feels emotionally raw and relevant

• Conrad's healing journey and the impact of survivor's guilt

• Beth's complexity and how the book adds more nuance to her character

• The powerful therapy scenes with Dr. Berger

• Key differences between the book and film

• Why this story remains such a strong example of character-driven storytelling

Spoiler warning: This episode contains major spoilers for both the book and the film.

Next up in the GenX Book Club: A lighter change of pace with Born Standing Up by Steve Martin

📖 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

🌎 Website: GenXJourneys.net 📩 Email: [email protected] 📺 YouTube: @GenXJourneys 📷 Instagram: @GenXJourneys 🐦 Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s 📘 Facebook: GenX Journeys 🎥 TikTok: @GenXJourneys

🎧 Subscribe to the GenX Journeys Podcast on: ✅ Apple Podcasts ✅ Spotify ✅ iHeartRadio ✅ Podbean ✅ PlayerFM

💡 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:

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

The book pulls together stories, reflections, behind-the-scenes moments, and lessons learned from more than two decades of interviewing the artists, actors, and cultural figures who shaped Generation X.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How Stuck in the '80s began as a newspaper assignment in the early days of podcasting

• What it was like recording episodes with handheld mics at a cafeteria table

• The nerves (and occasional nausea!) before interviewing legends

• Interview "misfires" and what they taught Steve about preparation and connection

• Why the best interviews happen when you drop the script and just have a conversation

• How writing the book changed Steve's perspective on 20 years of work

• The powerful sense of community built around shared 80s memories

• The wild fun of The 80s Cruise, theme nights, and Steve's legendary trivia sessions

• Why nostalgia isn't about being "stuck" — it's about shared identity and connection

Steve's book is available through major retailers, and fans of the podcast will love the added context, behind-the-scenes reflections, and personal stories that didn't always make it into the original episodes.

• 🌎 Website: SIT80s.com

• Stuck in the '80s Podcast can be found on all podcast apps
• Order Stuck in the '80s: 20 Years of Conversations with Pop Culture Icons Who Defined a Decade on Amazon

• Book: Stuck in the '80s: 20 Years of Conversations with Pop Culture Icons Who Defined the Decade

🔹 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

🌎 Website: GenXJourneys.net 📩 Email: [email protected] 📺 YouTube: @GenXJourneys 📷 Instagram: @GenXJourneys 🐦 Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s 📘 Facebook: GenX Journeys 🎥 TikTok: @GenXJourneys

🎧 Subscribe to the GenX Journeys Podcast on: ✅ Apple Podcasts ✅ Spotify ✅ iHeartRadio ✅ Podbean ✅ PlayerFM

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 detour into 80s cruises, costumes, and the kind of friendship origin story you only get when someone barges into your office and says, "We're going on a boat."

• How Huey Lewis accidentally became the reason an entire friend group (and a whole company!) exists

• First Huey memories: MTV, family road trips, and that Back to the Future opening scene that still hits every time

• Album talk: Picture This, Sports, Fore!, and favorite tracks (including the underrated ones)

• Huey's Meniere's disease and how it changed his relationship with music and performing

• The legendary We Are the World documentary moments

• The American Psycho "Hip to Be Square" cultural imprint (and Huey's spoof with Weird Al)

• Meeting Huey in person… and the extremely relatable "I blacked out" phenomenon

• Back to the Future: The Musical and its extra love letter to Huey

• Bonus: 80s Cruise talk—lineups, traditions, costumes, and why the bathtub had to be sacrificed

Caroline Connelly + Claire Young (Clocktower Experiences)

• Website: ClocktowerEXM.com (Events, festivals, activations, fashion shows, tournaments, and more)

Suzanne Mattaboni

• 📖 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] 📺 YouTube: @GenXJourneys 📷 Instagram: @GenXJourneys 🐦 Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s 📘 Facebook: GenX Journeys 🎥 TikTok: @GenXJourneys

  🎧 Subscribe to the GenX Journeys Podcast on: ✅ Apple Podcasts ✅ Spotify ✅ iHeartRadio ✅ Podbean ✅ PlayerFM

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 people across the world.

This conversation dives into:

• Choosing life when everything feels heavy

• Reclaiming your voice after years of self-doubt

• How self-love becomes the foundation for confidence and boundaries

• The power of community, storytelling, and being truly seen

• Why it's never too late to rediscover your spark

With warmth, humor, and plenty of heart, this episode is a reminder that your story matters—and that even the smallest shift can lead to profound change.

If you've ever felt stuck, unseen, or unsure of your next step, this conversation is for you.

GenX Journeys is a podcast about reinvention, resilience, and becoming who you were meant to be—no matter where you're starting from. Hosted by Paul Stroessner, the show features honest conversations that celebrate growth, curiosity, and the power of shared stories.

Website: https://selflove4me.com Facebook Group (Women): Diamond Beauties Forever Facebook Group (Men): Tanzanite Heroes

Instagram: @sanetvanbreda/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanet-van-breda/

✅ Apple Podcasts ✅ Spotify ✅ iHeartRadio ✅ Podbean ✅ PlayerFM

📩 Email: [email protected] 📺 YouTube: @GenXJourneys 📷 Instagram: @GenXJourneys 🐦 Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s 📘 Facebook: GenX Journeys 🎥 TikTok: @GenXJourneys

💡 If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review or share it with a fellow GenXer—let's keep this community growing!

🎤 Until next time—embrace the past, own the present, and build an epic future!