The Gen-X-Perience Podcast

Chesney Hawkes Talks Pop Stardom, Pressure & Living Authentically

This week on The Gen-X-Perience Podcast, Stacey Jackson and Roy Basnett sit down with pop icon Chesney Hawkes for an honest conversation about fame, family, friendship, and reinvention.

Best known for the global hit The One and Only, Chesney reflects on life as a teen heartthrob, navigating decades in the entertainment industry, reality TV experiences including Dancing on Ice and Celebrity Big Brother, his friendship with Nick Kershaw, meeting his wife, and coping with the recent loss of a close friend.

A candid, funny, and heartfelt conversation about music, resilience, authenticity, and what it really means to grow older in the public eye.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe for new episodes every other week.

In this episode of The Gen-X-Perience Podcast, Stacey Jackson and Roy Basnett sit down with global music icon Rozalla, the voice behind the legendary 90s anthem Everybody’s Free (To Feel Good).

From singing at family parties in Zambia to touring the world and opening for Michael Jackson, Rozalla shares her incredible journey through the music industry - revealing the highs of international fame and the lows when “the phone stopped ringing.”

She opens up about the story behind Everybody’s Free, one of the most iconic dance tracks of all time, and how it continues to resonate with audiences across generations. Rozalla also discusses her latest album, her continued global touring, and what it takes to sustain a decades-long career in music.

Expect powerful insights on perseverance, timing, faith, resilience, and longevity in the music industry, along with inspiring reflections on doing what you love every single day.

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

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

We’re Back! Live Aid, Music Legends & Gen X Memories | Season 2 Episode 1

Season 2 of The Gen-X-Perience Podcast kicks off with Stacey Jackson and Roy Basnett diving straight into one of the most iconic cultural moments of all time - Live Aid 1985.

From unforgettable performances to the global impact of music uniting a generation, Stacey and Roy unpack what made Live Aid more than just a concert, it was a defining moment for Gen X culture, music history, and social awareness.

Expect nostalgic throwbacks, personal memories, and honest conversation as they revisit the artists, the atmosphere, and the legacy that still shapes the music industry today. This episode also sets the tone for an exciting new season filled with celebrity interviews, behind-the-scenes stories, and insider insights from music, entertainment, and beyond.

👉 Hit follow for more Gen X nostalgia, music history, and real conversations - Season 2 starts here.

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

Craig J Snider: Remixing the Soundtrack of Our Lives

Craig and Stacey go way back in the studio, crafting unforgettable tracks together—including their urgent 80s-inspired cover of Foreigner’s “Urgent,” which stormed UK charts. And the magic continues: they spill the tea on an unreleased single tied to Stacey’s forthcoming immersive novel and soundtrack, a project that’s been years in the making and is about to drop.

From his early days remixing icons like Lady Gaga and U2 to co-creating fresh music that fuses nostalgia with cutting-edge production, Craig shares how Gen X grit and creativity shaped his career. Expect deep dives into 80s influences, behind-the-scenes studio stories, and the art of making music that keeps dance floors alive decade after decade.

👉 Hit follow for more nostalgic stories and new perspectives—this finale is a must-listen for music lovers and 80s kids alike.

In this episode of The Gen-X-Perience, Stacey and Roy sit down with psychotherapist Holli Rubin, whose work centres on body image, confidence, and mental wellbeing.

Holli believes that growing older isn’t something to fear—it’s something to embrace. She shares how midlife can bring clarity, strength, and new purpose, while also highlighting the mental health tools we all need to thrive through change.

We talk about the pressures Gen X grew up with, how today’s world has shifted conversations around self-image, and why confidence can actually grow with age. With humour and heart, Holli reminds us that midlife isn’t a crisis—it’s an opportunity.

👉 Like, follow, and subscribe for more nostalgic stories and fresh takes from the Gen X point of view. New episodes drop twice a month!

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

In this episode of The Gen-X-Perience, Stacey and Roy sit down with actor, director, and musician Scott Wright - best known for his time on Coronation Street and now making waves behind the camera.

Stacey and Scott go way back, so expect plenty of laughs and personal stories, while Roy discovers a whole new side to Scott’s creative journey. From soap star fame to carving out a career in film, Scott shares the highs, the challenges, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

We chat 80s inspirations, life in front of and behind the lens, and how Gen X grit keeps fueling reinvention. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to pivot careers while staying true to yourself, this one’s for you.

👉 Like, follow, and subscribe for more nostalgic stories and fresh takes from the Gen X point of view. New episodes drop twice a month!

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

In this episode of The Gen-X-Perience, Stacey and Roy sit down with Tom Bell - founder of DrinkWell UK - the brand redefining what it means to drink well in your 40s, 50s, and beyond.

Though technically a millennial, Tom’s mission is pure Gen X: keep the fun, skip the nonsense. From launching low-sugar wines and better-for-you spirits to building a brand that resonates with the health-conscious-but-still-up-for-it crowd, Tom shares his journey from wine skeptic to wellness wine disruptor.

We chat 80s booze flashbacks, modern drinking habits, and what it means to “age well” without giving up everything we love. If you’ve ever found yourself reading the label before uncorking or just want to know what’s really in that “clean” wine trend - this one’s for you.

👉 Like, follow, and subscribe for more nostalgic stories and fresh takes from the Gen X point of view. New episodes drop twice a month!

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

What was it like running one of the UK’s most influential radio stations before podcasts were even a thing? How has journalism changed in the digital age? And what really goes on behind the mic?

This week on The Gen-X-Perience, Stacey and Roy sit down with Mick Ord, the former head of BBC Radio Merseyside, veteran reporter, and producer turned podcaster, to talk shop, storytelling, and how the media landscape has evolved from the 80s to now.

Mick shares wild tales from inside the BBC, the joys and challenges of local radio with national reach, and how the role of the broadcaster has shifted in a world of TikTok, YouTube, and infinite scroll. He also opens up about his current project, Misadventures in Music, a podcast he co-hosts with musician Ian Prowse, where the duo digs deep into music’s messiest and most magical moments.

🎧 From pirate radio to playlists, cassette tapes to content creators, this episode is a front-row seat to how we got from there to here.

Whether you remember tuning into the BBC for the news and your favourite tunes, or you're a Gen Xer trying to make sense of media in the age of algorithms, this one’s for you.

Follow Mick:

🗣️ Instagram: @mickordmedia

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Fashion icon, jewelry designer, and accidental influencer Carla Rockmore joins Stacey and Roy on The Gen-X-Perienceto talk style, reinvention, and why life after 50 is just getting good.

From going viral in her closet to becoming a voice for Gen X women who still love to play dress-up, Carla dishes on 80s fashion, social media fame, raising a trans child, and staying authentic through every season of life.

✨ Expect big laughs, bold fashion truths, and Carla’s signature mix of glam and grit.

Whether you lived through shoulder pads the first time or just love a woman who owns her narrative - this one’s for you.

🎙️ Hosted by Stacey Jackson & Roy Basnett

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In this episode of The Gen-X-Perience Podcast, Stacey Jackson and Roy Basnett sit down with legendary celebrity hairstylist Paul Edmonds, known for creating some of the most iconic hair moments of the 1980s and styling A-list stars across film, fashion, and music.

Paul takes us behind the scenes of the beauty industry during the golden age of glam rock, power pop, and bold self-expression. From perfecting perms and mullets to crafting red carpet looks that defined an era, he shares unforgettable stories from photo shoots, film sets, and the ever-evolving world of celebrity style.

But this isn’t just a nostalgic look back - Paul reflects on his career path, the changing landscape of beauty and fashion, and how creativity, adaptability, and authenticity have shaped his decades-long success.

Whether you’re a fan of vintage style, a beauty professional, or just love a peek behind the curtain of pop culture history, this episode is packed with candid conversation, industry insight, and inspiration.

Listen now on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.