The Gen-X-Perience Podcast

What do Snoop Dogg, Leonard Cohen, Genesis, Nigel Farage and reincarnation have in common?

Steven Machat. And this is one conversation that goes absolutely everywhere.

This week on The Gen-X-Perience Podcast, Stacey Jackson and Roy Basnett welcome legendary music industry lawyer, manager, producer, author and self-described Renaissance man Steven Machat for an extraordinary journey through rock 'n' roll history, politics, philosophy and the mysteries of human existence.

With more than five decades spent working alongside some of the biggest names in music, including Leonard Cohen, Genesis, Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins and Snoop Dogg, Steven has witnessed the extraordinary highs, backstage dramas and power struggles of the music business firsthand.

But while most music industry veterans might be content to reminisce about famous faces and legendary encounters, Steven has considerably bigger things on his mind.

Like why we're here, what happens when we die and whether everything we think we know about life is actually true.

And that's just for starters.

Steven shares his unconventional perspectives on spirituality, religion, reincarnation and the forces shaping society, alongside outspoken views on politics and public figures including Nigel Farage and Charlie Kirk.

One minute the conversation is about rock legends and record deals. The next, Stacey and Roy find themselves exploring the meaning of life, the influence of power and money, and whether our existence extends far beyond what we can see.

Naturally, nobody manages to stay on topic for very long.

There's also a particularly special connection to Stacey's own story.

Steven is a longtime friend and the man who introduced her to Snoop Dogg, leading to their musical collaboration and ultimately helping inspire her bestselling book, How A Gangsta Rapper Made Me A Better Mom.

It's a wonderful full-circle moment, revisiting the unlikely connection that helped change the direction of Stacey's career.

What makes Steven such a remarkable guest isn't simply the famous names in his past. It's his extraordinary knowledge, passionate curiosity, independent thinking and complete refusal to accept conventional wisdom without questioning it.

He's outspoken, philosophical, unexpectedly warm and never short of an opinion.

You don't have to agree with Steven Machat to find him absolutely fascinating.

For anyone interested in 1970s and 1980s rock music, legendary artists, music industry secrets, politics, spirituality, reincarnation or simply a genuinely original thinker who refuses to follow the crowd, this episode is quite unlike anything we've done before.

So settle in for a conversation that travels from backstage with rock stars to the mysteries of the universe.

One thing's for sure: you'll come away with plenty to think about.

This is Steven Machat: Rock Stars, Politics & Reincarnation | Ep13 S02.

Hosted by Stacey Jackson and Roy Basnett.

Find out more about Steven Machat at:

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Before Instagram, influencers and camera phones recorded every party, there were people who moved through the world of celebrity with the stories staying firmly inside the room.

And then there was Liz Brewer.

This week on The Gen-X-Perience Podcast, Stacey Jackson and Roy Basnett are joined by legendary society insider, event organiser and etiquette expert Liz Brewer for a gloriously unfiltered journey through celebrity culture, high society and some of the most extravagant parties of the 1980s and beyond.

Liz has spent decades surrounded by rock stars, royalty, billionaires and international society figures. Unsurprisingly, she has a story about almost everyone.

There is the infamous bare photograph taken on Richard Branson’s private island, skiing adventures with Ivana Trump, encounters with David Bowie and Elton John, and extraordinary memories involving Adnan Khashoggi, his family and one of the most famous superyachts in the world.

Liz also looks back at her role in pioneering nightlife in Portugal, which eventually led to The Sun accusing her of having “single-handedly ruined the Algarve.”

Not everyone can claim that particular achievement.

Together, Liz, Stacey and Roy explore a world before social media, when parties were private, celebrities could misbehave without instantly going viral and discretion was an essential part of moving through high society.

There are royal encounters, fabulous friendships, glamorous holidays, outrageous parties and enough name-dropping to fill several society columns.

Liz also reflects on how fame, etiquette and celebrity culture have changed, and whether today’s carefully managed world has lost some of the spontaneity, glamour and sheer fun of the past.

For anyone fascinated by 1980s nostalgia, British high society, celebrity stories, Richard Branson, David Bowie, Elton John, Ivana Trump or the wonderfully excessive world that existed before Instagram, this episode offers a front-row seat.

So pour something sparkling, imagine your name is on the guest list and join us for a glimpse inside a world where the parties were legendary and the stories were even better.

This is Liz Brewer: Bare on Branson’s Island | Ep12 S02.

Hosted by Stacey Jackson and Roy Basnett.

Find out more about Liz Brewer at:

Follow @thegenxperiencepodcast on Instagram and TikTok.

Before Spotify, playlists and algorithms decided what we listened to, there was one person who could make or break your Saturday night:

The DJ.

This week on The Gen-X-Perience Podcast, Stacey Jackson and Roy Basnett are joined by Liverpool DJ and broadcaster Pez Tellett for a nostalgic trip through the rise of DJ culture - from the underground dance floors of the 1980s, through the huge club scene of the 1990s and into the very different world of DJing today.

Pez was there as dance music itself was changing. In the mid-80s he was part of Liverpool’s emerging club scene as DJs experimented with soul, funk, electro, rare groove, hip-hop and the new sound that would soon become known simply as house music.

He went on to become part of Liverpool’s celebrated club culture, with sets associated with venues including The Buzz and Club 051, alongside a broadcasting career that included Radio City. Archive mixes featuring Pez from those clubs are still being listened to by nostalgic clubbers decades later.

Together, Pez, Stacey and Roy reminisce about the records, the clubs, the personalities and the nights out that defined a generation - and how completely the way we discover and consume music has changed.

Because for Gen X, music wasn’t instantly available.

You waited for the radio to play the song. You went into record shops. You discovered tracks on the dance floor. And sometimes the only person in the room who knew exactly what that incredible record was… was the bloke standing behind the decks.

There are plenty of brilliant anecdotes along the way, a healthy dose of Liverpool nostalgia and, naturally, the usual Gen-X-Perience detours.

From vinyl and packed dance floors to streaming, social media and algorithms, this is the story of how the DJ went from being the person in the corner playing records to becoming a cultural force in their own right.

And the big question: was clubbing simply better when the DJ was everything?

This is Pez Tellett: When the DJ Was Everything | Ep11 S02.

Hosted by Stacey Jackson and Roy Basnett.

Classic Pez Tellett club sets can also be found in the Liverpool Old Skool archive.

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Dr Guitta Harb’s story is one of survival, ambition and an almost relentless determination to keep moving forward.

Born into war-ravaged Lebanon, Guitta spent part of her childhood sleeping in bomb shelters before moving to the United States at 14, teaching herself English and building an extraordinary career in cosmetic dentistry.

Today, she is a successful dentist, entrepreneur, podcast host, mindset and health coach, author and mother - but behind all of that achievement came another challenge: figuring out how to balance a demanding career, family life and the constant pressure to do everything well.

In this episode of The Gen-X-Perience Podcast, Guitta joins Stacey Jackson and Roy Basnett to talk about resilience, ambition, motherhood, burnout and what it really means to “have it all.”

She opens up about the guilt that can come with juggling a high-pressure career and raising children, the expectations women often place on themselves, and the solution she eventually found when she realised that success, and balance, doesn’t have to look the same for everyone.

It’s a conversation Stacey relates to deeply, as they explore that familiar struggle between wanting to be fully present as a mother while still refusing to give up the career, ambition and identity you’ve worked so hard to build.

Guitta also takes us behind the white coat to discuss the often-overlooked mental-health pressures within dentistry, including burnout, anxiety and depression, and why such a demanding profession can take a serious personal toll.

She also shares the thinking behind AWAKEN, her new mindset and health coaching program focused on helping people improve their mindset, health, fitness and sense of purpose, as well as her upcoming book, The Key Holder.

For our Gen-X audience, it’s a conversation that will feel very familiar: work hard, keep going, raise the family, build the career and somehow hold everything together - often while carrying a healthy dose of guilt along the way.

So can we really have it all? Or is the real secret learning to decide what “having it all” actually means to you?

This is Dr Guitta Harb: Can We Really Have It All? | Ep10 S02.

Hosted by Stacey Jackson and Roy Basnett.

Find out more about Dr Guitta Harb: drguittaharb.com

Follow @thegenxperiencepodcast on Instagram and TikTok.

Keli Price may not technically be Gen X - but the generation’s films, music, attitude and storytelling have left a lasting imprint on the way he creates.

An actor, producer and filmmaker, Keli grew up influenced by the cultural icons and entertainment that defined the Gen-X era. Today, those influences continue to shape the projects he develops, the stories he wants to tell and the way he approaches an ever-changing film industry.

In this episode of The Gen-X-Perience Podcast, Keli joins Stacey Jackson and Roy Basnett to talk about the enduring impact of Gen-X culture, his journey from acting into producing, and what it really takes to turn an idea into a finished film.

He opens up about the persistence, relationships and sheer determination required to get independent projects off the ground, while sharing his perspective on Hollywood, creativity and why the films and music of previous generations continue to inspire new storytellers.

Keli also looks ahead to some of his latest work, including Runaway, the upcoming film starring Josh Duhamel, James Franco and Paula Patton, on which he serves as an Executive Producer, as well as CATnip, another forthcoming project from Price Productions.

It’s a conversation about influence crossing generations, and proof that you don’t necessarily have to be born Gen X to have a little Gen X in your creative DNA.

This is Raised on Gen X: Keli Price on Film, Music & the Era That Inspired Him.

Hosted by Stacey Jackson and Roy Basnett.

Follow Keli Price: @keliprice

Follow @thegenxperiencepodcast on Instagram and TikTok.

What were you doing at eight years old? Ben Reinberg was already figuring out how to make money - including selling cigarettes. Yes, really.

Ben joins Stacey Jackson and Roy Basnett on The Gen-X-Perience to talk about growing up with very little, developing his entrepreneurial streak early and eventually building a career in commercial real estate, business and investing.

It’s a refreshingly human conversation about ambition, resilience, money, success, failure and the difference between simply being rich and actually being wealthy.

There’s plenty of Gen-X grit, a few brilliant stories and some lessons that only come from years of figuring things out as you go.

If you grew up believing you had to work hard, take responsibility and make your own opportunities, you’ll probably recognise a little of yourself in this one.

Featuring entrepreneur, investor, author and I Own It podcast host Ben Reinberg.

Dan Regan has been writing jokes for more than 25 years - and nobody captures the chaos of being Gen X quite like he does.

A recent winner of America’s Funniest People, Dan has appeared on Access Daily, had one of his jokes quoted on The Pat McAfee Show - without being credited, naturally - and may even have made you laugh from the side of a Laffy Taffy wrapper.

Dan joins Stacey Jackson and Roy Basnett for a funny, relaxed conversation about growing up Gen X, getting older, marriage, relationships and finding comedy in the everyday frustrations of life.

He also shares the extraordinary story of believing he had been invited onto a famous celebrity’s podcast, only to discover the whole thing was a scam. The experience left him so suspicious of podcast invitations that he contacted Stacey personally to check whether The Gen-X-Perience was actually legitimate!

Expect stories, sarcasm, nostalgia and plenty of moments that will make every Gen-Xer say, “That is so true.”

Meet Dan Regan: The Gen-X Whisperer.

Follow Dan Regan Comedy on all social platforms: @DanReganComedy

Merchandise: danregancomedy.shop

Hosted by Stacey Jackson and Roy Basnett.

Angie Brown possesses one of the most powerful and recognisable voices in British music - yet she spent years not believing that she could ever have a truly successful career.

Before the records, international stages and superstar collaborations, Angie was cleaning offices across London at five o’clock in the morning. When her extraordinary voice finally began opening doors, she discovered that the industry did not always want the woman behind it to be equally visible.

In this honest and moving episode of The Gen-X-Perience Podcast, Angie joins Stacey Jackson and Roy Basnett to discuss being asked to step back while others used her vocals, the racism and image politics that shaped the music industry at the time, and how she went from early-morning cleaning shifts to working with legends including Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood.

She also reveals how deeply she struggled to believe in herself, despite possessing a voice that millions of people could instantly recognise.

But Angie is far more than her vocals. Her warmth, resilience, humour and extraordinary life experience reveal a woman with so much to offer the next generation — not only as a performer, but as a potential mentor.

This is the remarkable story of self-doubt, survival, reinvention and the woman we’re calling The Comeback Queen.

Hosted by Stacey Jackson and Roy Basnett.

Follow @thegenxperiencepodcast on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

Welcome to The Gen-X-Perience Podcast,  where nostalgia meets now!

Stacey Jackson and Roy Basnett welcome Dee Anderson to Mayfair Studio for a funny, uplifting and wonderfully honest conversation about growing up with Thunderbirds - and finding the courage to create a life entirely her own.

As the daughter of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, Dee grew up surrounded by the creative world behind Thunderbirds, Stingray, Captain Scarlet, Joe 90 and Space: 1999. But this episode is about far more than an extraordinary childhood.

Dee shares how she stepped away from the path that others may have expected her to follow, broke through barriers and built her own career in music, acting and voice artistry. It is a conversation about identity, resilience, ambition, family legacy and refusing to be limited by the role people think you should play.

There is also plenty of love for Lady Penelope. Dee’s mother, Sylvia Anderson, created and originally voiced the iconic character, while Dee has continued that connection by voicing Lady Penelope herself.

A warm, inspiring and very funny episode for fans of Thunderbirds, Lady Penelope, Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, classic British television, women making their own way, Gen X nostalgia and unforgettable behind-the-scenes stories.

Dee is currently touring with her live show, Growing Up with Thunderbirds. Visit deeanderson.co.uk for show information and current dates.

Follow The Gen-X-Perience Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok: @thegenxperiencepodcast

In this episode of The Gen-X-Perience Podcast, Stacey Jackson and Roy Basnett sit down with entrepreneur and beauty industry disruptor Adam Minto, founder of Revolution Beauty and War Paint for Men.

Adam pulls back the curtain on the global beauty industry, revealing how products are developed, manufactured, marketed, and sold. He shares why consumers often pay more for branding than ingredients, how some luxury and high-street products can come from the same factories, and what really influences our buying decisions.

From building Revolution Beauty into one of the world's fastest-growing cosmetics brands to launching War Paint for Men, Adam discusses entrepreneurship, innovation, branding, consumer psychology, and the changing attitudes towards beauty and self-expression.

He also reflects on how men's grooming has evolved, why makeup was more common among male celebrities in the 1980s than many people realise, and how social media has transformed the beauty landscape.

Expect fascinating insights into business, marketing, confidence, authenticity, and the psychology behind the brands we trust and buy every day.

👉 Follow for more celebrity interviews, business insights, music history, and Gen X nostalgia: new episodes every other week.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & more.