Journey Of The Rhode Runner

Welcome to GenX Journeys! In this debut episode, I’m taking you through the journey that led to this moment. From my early days creating Return to the ’80s to launching Journey of the Rhode Runner, and eventually rebranding into Inspiring Journeys, every step has led me to GenX Journeys—a place where passion, purpose, and the GenX experience collide. You’ll hear how a single comment from the legendary Diane Franklin sparked an epiphany, allowing me to finally merge my love for nostalgia, storytelling, and personal development into one powerful platform. I also break down what GenX Journeys is all about, including: ✅ The GenX Journeys Podcast – featuring inspiring conversations and actionable insights ✅ Throwback Thursday – Classic episodes and pop culture nostalgia ✅ Power Surge Fridays – Quick bursts of motivation to fuel your weekend ✅ The GenX Book Club – A monthly deep dive into books that inspire and entertain ✅ The GenX Journeys Newsletter – Exclusive content straight to your inbox ✅ Future plans, inclu

Welcome to a new episode of Return to the '80s! This Valentine's Day week, the gang talks about their '80s crushes and '80s ballads. This is sort of a sequel to Episode 10 from 2017, which did not include ballads, and an #80sCrushes Crossover event from that same week. Please comment below with you're favorite crushes and ballads. In the meantime, enjoy this show! Round 1 Caroline Crush: Patrick Swayze Ballad: "She's Like the Wind" by Patrick Swayze Claire Crush: Keanu Reeves Ballad: "Careless Whisper" by Wham! Del Crush: Sheena Easton Ballad: "Always" by Atlantic Starr Paul Crush: Whitney Houston Ballad: "The Search is Over" by Survivor Round 1 Wrap Round 2 Caroline Crush(es): The Coreys Ballad: "Glory of Love" by Peter Cetera Claire Crush: Saul Hudson (aka Slash) Song: "Patience" by Guns n' Roses Del Crush: Phoebe Cates Ballad: "Lady in Red" by Chris De Burgh Paul Crush: Ally Sheedy Ballad: "Open Arms" by Journey Round 2 Wrap Round 3 Caroline Crush: John Cusack as Lloyd Dobler Ballad: "Nothing's Gonna St

GenX Book Club: A Totally Excellent Evening with Diane Franklin! Get ready for an unforgettable GenX Book Club meeting featuring the one and only Diane Franklin! The iconic star of Better Off Dead, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, The Last American Virgin, and Amityville II: The Possession joins us for a lively discussion about her books, career, and the enduring magic of the ‘80s. Diane treats us to her legendary Monique Junot accent from Better Off Dead and revisits her role as the Bill & Ted princess, bringing pure nostalgia to the conversation! But that’s not all—she also shares incredible life advice, stories from Hollywood, and insights into her journey as an actress and author. Where to Find Diane Franklin

  Here’s a set of show notes for your Sparks of Hope episode featuring Amber Glenn:

Welcome to Sparks of Hope on the Inspiring Journeys podcast! In this episode, we highlight the incredible story of Taylor Schenker, a North Carolina woman who turned a devastating event into an opportunity to spread kindness. After Hurricane Helene struck North Carolina in late September 2024, Taylor discovered nearly 200 family photographs scattered far from home. Recognizing the deep personal value of these lost memories, she created an Instagram page, @photosfromhelene, to reunite the photos with their rightful owners. Through her determination and the power of social media, Taylor’s efforts restored not only cherished memories but also hope to families who thought they had lost everything. This story is a beautiful reminder that even small actions can create ripples of hope and connection in the world. Tune in to hear this inspiring tale of resilience, compassion, and the human spirit. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Instagram page: @photosfromhelene Article: After Hurricane Helene, a North Carolina

In this inspiring episode, we reconnect with Russ Rogers, who shared his journey with us back in Episode 12, and welcome Dan Scoca, as Russ and Dan are launching a brand new podcast next month. Dan shares his background as a physician’s assistant and explains his passion for both physical and mental wellness. Russ and Dan dive into how they met and bonded over their shared commitment to empowering others. Together, they’re launching the Dual Coast Podcast in January 2025, with a mission to inspire listeners to move, improve their health, and achieve a balanced mind-body connection. Topics We Discuss in This Episode: Updates from Russ and his ongoing journey. Dan’s background and approach to wellness. How Russ and Dan connected to form a powerful team. Insights into the Dual Coast Podcast and its unique focus on physical and mental wellness. Practical tips for overcoming seasonal depression and finding motivation to move, even when you’re in a rut. Russ’s practice of choosing a one-word theme for t

On this special episode of GenX Journeys, we revisit a fascinating conversation originally recorded for Return to the '80s on January 28, 2021. Paul and Del had the privilege of interviewing legendary rock photographer Mark "Weissguy" Weiss. Mark’s story is not just a nostalgic trip through the 80s rock scene; it’s an inspiring journey of passion, persistence, and seizing opportunities. Mark is the creative genius behind some of the most iconic album covers of the 80s, including Twisted Sister’s Stay Hungry and Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet. His photographs have graced the pages of rock magazines like Circus, cementing his place as a cornerstone of 80s rock culture. But Mark’s career wasn’t handed to him—it started with a daring hustle. He was arrested for selling photos outside a Kiss concert, and that unlikely setback led to an opportunity with Circus magazine. In this episode, Mark shares unforgettable stories, including earning the nickname “Weissguy” from Mötley Crüe, hitting the road with Ozzy Osbourne,

In this heartfelt solo episode of Inspiring Journeys, we honor 20 incredible veterans whose lives were lost to the battle with PTSD. Each of these heroes was honored during my Marine Corps Marathon run, dedicating a mile to their memory and legacy. The episode begins with gratitude and reflections on the transformative experiences of this year, including the rebranding of this podcast and the marathon journey itself. I also share the mission of 22 Too Many, an organization founded by Keri Jacobs to bring attention to the silent epidemic of veteran suicide. Keri joined us on Episode 27 to share her inspiring mission and her personal story, which has touched countless lives. As I share the stories of these 20 heroes, their bravery, dedication, and humanity shine through. This episode is a tribute to their lives, a call to remember their sacrifices, and a reminder to offer compassion and support to those who may still be struggling. Let’s walk this journey together as we celebrate the human spirit and honor thes

I’m thrilled to share a very special episode from the GenX Journeys branch of our feed. As part of bringing over some of the best moments from my former Return to the '80s podcast, I couldn’t think of a better one to kick off the holiday season than this Thanksgiving classic! Originally released on November 23, 2021, this episode is all about the hilarious and heartwarming Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, directed by John Hughes and starring two legends—Steve Martin and John Candy. Joining me for this fun-filled discussion are my cohost, Del Roehling, and our fantastic regular guests, Claire Young and Caroline Connelly. The four of us have incredible chemistry and some laugh-out-loud moments in this episode as we dive into this classic film, share our Thanksgiving traditions, and even talk about a real-life Planes, Trains, and Automobiles adventure from Claire and Caroline.   Del can be found on the show 80s at 8 on 91.1 WEDM FM as well the 80s at 8 Facebook page where he posts 80s news. And you can still fo

In this inspiring episode of Inspiring Journeys, Paul Stroessner sits down with Jackie Durnin, founder of Hinterland Health Retreat, to explore her journey from trauma to healing and her groundbreaking work in mental health. Jackie shares the experiences that led her to become a counselor and EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) practitioner, opening up about how her own challenges and traumas shaped her path toward helping others. Jackie introduces us to the unique modalities offered at Hinterland Health Retreat, where she combines advanced neuro-technology with holistic therapies for a truly transformative healing experience. Together, Paul and Jackie dive into powerful approaches for mental well-being, including EFT, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), and the importance of the mind-body-spirit connection in achieving lasting health. Whether you’re new to these modalities or curious about mental health innovation, this episode will inspire you to consider new ways to approach healing and s

Today we welcome Adriana Ferns back to the show! Adriana recently published the book, How to Find a Fitness Trainer (which yours truly edited). We talk about the importance of seeking help, how to get started on your fitness journey, building trust, trainer qualifications and continuing education, and recognizing red flags which will help you avoid "The Skeeze". We also talk about ways Adriana makes working out enjoyable so you look forward to staying consistent, and setting big goals and having accountability. If you have any questions about going to the gym, and finding a personal trainer, this is the episode and book for you! Even if you are not interested in that, this is still a fun and inspiring conversation!   ----------------------------------------------------------- This episode is dedicated to 22 Too Many Veteran: David Yee “David was a Navy veteran of 20 years. He was born in Reno, Nevada and made his childhood home in Sparks, Nevada. He always made friends easily. When he was y

On October 27, 2024, I ran the Marine Corps Marathon. Everything did not go as planned. It was an unforgettable journey filled with highs, lows, and a lot of lessons learned. Whether you’re a runner, a dreamer, or someone working toward any goal, this episode is for you. If you’ve ever had a big goal that didn’t go the way you hoped, you’re not alone—and that’s exactly what I’ll be diving into today. I’ll take you through the race, my preparation, what went right, what went wrong, and why I’m fired up for next year. Plus, I’ll share some amazing highlights from my D.C. trip, including a little throwback to my inner GenX nerd!   You can find Paul - The Rhode Runner in the following places: Twitter: @TheRhodeRunner Instagram: @TheRhodeRunner Facebook   Inspiring Journeys can be found on: InspiringJourneys.net Instagram: @InspiringJourneysPod Facebook   You can also download and subscribe to the Inspiring Journeys Podcast at: Apple Podcasts iHeartRadio Spotify

As many of you know, I dedicate each episode to a veteran from 22 Too Many. Today, will be a slight exception as the entire episode will be dedicated to 22 Too Many! I didn't want to single out any one hero.  So, I am honored to have Keri Jacobs, co-founder of 22 Too Many, with us. Keri’s mission is deeply personal and incredibly impactful—through 22 Too Many, she works tirelessly to honor and remember military members lost to suicide or PTSD-related causes. On this episode, Keri tells us how 22 Too Many was formed and is growing. We discuss the challenges military veterans face, the services that 22 Too Many provides, as well as the other organizations who 22 Too Many teams up with to help so many people. Here are some of the links we discussed: Website https://22toomany.org/ Heroes (same website) https://22toomany.org/hero-search-results/   https://www.facebook.com/22TooMany/   You may also donate through the following link https://secure.givelively.org/donate/22-too-many-inc   Operation Creekside (22 T

Originally Released: October 27, 2021 Caroline and Claire join Del and I to talk all about Halloween. This is a huge range of topics, including music, movies, and candy, as well as Halloween memories. This was a lot of fun, and I hope you enjoy! What are some of your favorite Halloween memories? Do you have any favorite Halloween themes music, movies, or television shows/specials? Is there any candy you loved or hated? We'd love to hear from you! Feel free to comment below, or contact us on any of the social media outlets listed towards the end of the post. - Music - Thriller - Spotify playlist - Costumes - Claire's Halloween birthday - Movie talk - Just don't mention R-A-T-S - The Shining - Psych - Heeeeere's Lassie! - Halloween Kills - Friday the 13th franchise - Paul vs. Freddy - Vampire genre - St. Louis trick-or-treaters earn candy with jokes - Candy - Trick-or-Treating - Television - "I got a rock" - More movie talk Del can be found on the show 80s at 8 on 91.1 WEDM FM as well the 80s at 8 Facebook pag

On Inspiring Journeys, we explore the stories of incredible individuals who have faced life's toughest challenges and emerged stronger, with wisdom to share. Today, we have an extraordinary guest—Mike Morgan. Mike is a 30-year police veteran who served in both the City of Atlanta Police Department and the County of Suffolk PD in Long Island. During his years of service, Mike faced unimaginable situations that left him battling severe PTSD. After struggling with the weight of his experiences, Mike discovered healing in a profound way—through plant-based medicines. Now, he’s on a mission to help others, particularly military veterans and first responders, navigate their own healing journeys from trauma, PTSD, and related issues. He is an advocate for mental health, a voice for those struggling with addiction, and an inspiration for how to reclaim life after deep hardship. I’m honored to have Mike with us today to share his story and the important work he’s doing.    -------------------------------------------