By: Sarah Morton
It started with a mixtape. Or maybe a scratched vinyl, a rotary phone, or a VCR that no one could quite program. However you define the Gen X origin story, one thing is clear: the so-called “forgotten generation” is increasingly finding its voice. And at the heart of this cultural shift is The Gen-X-Perience—a bold, nostalgic, and soul-stirring podcast hosted by singer, TV presenter, and multi-talented Stacey Jackson, alongside UK radio veteran Roy Basnett.
Launched in May 2025, the podcast offers a mix of reunion and reflection. It brings together icons, artists, and thinkers whose lives were shaped by the analog era—but who continue to influence the present. In Jackson’s words: “We’re done being overlooked, darling! We were the original latchkey kids who learned independence before it was a buzzword.”
Season 1 unfolds like a Gen X diary—episodes with guests like fashion icon Carla Rockmore, actor David Lipper, and musician Brian Nash explore everything from scrunchies to sobriety, heartbreak to hair crimpers, with humor and unfiltered honesty. But what sets this podcast apart is its tone: it’s not merely nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake. It’s forward-facing, filled with growth, vulnerability, and that signature Gen X sarcasm.
“We say it on the show all the time: we’re not living in the past, we’re vibing with it,” Jackson says.
That duality—of looking back while continuing to move forward—is the show’s core. In one memorable episode, a guest discusses changing careers in their 50s. In another, a former teen idol reflects on learning to parent differently from their own upbringing. These stories don’t just revisit the past; they attempt to remix it.
“Gen X is the ultimate remix generation—we sample the past but build something new on top,” Jackson says. “If an episode makes you laugh at a crimped-hair moment and reflect on how far you’ve come since, we’re happy with that.”
A recurring theme? Reinvention. And not the kind driven by social media trends.
“We were reinventing ourselves long before it became a branding strategy,” says Jackson. “Remember when we went from VHS to streaming, from floppy disks to iPhones, from pencil-thin eyebrows to… well, regrets?”
The show isn’t driven by clicks or the pursuit of temporary trends—it’s focused on connection. Jackson describes the vibe as less “interview” and more “high school reunion… but cooler.” This atmosphere helps guests feel at ease, allowing them to open up about topics ranging from fame and failure to menopause and mixtapes.
“There’s something comforting in knowing the person across from you remembers the sound of a dial-up modem or coins falling into a payphone,” she explains. “It helps break the ice.”
As someone who’s worn many hats—musician, mom, fitness founder, TV host—Jackson herself is a living testament to Gen X resilience. But her definition of relevance has evolved over time.
“I used to think relevance meant being ‘in the mix’—charts, views, covers, all of it. But now? Relevance means resonance,” she says. “If someone messages me to say one of our podcast episodes reminded them of their teen years, or made them call their mum—that’s relevance.”
Behind the laughter, The Gen-X-Perience is also about healing. Jackson admits the emotional depth of the series has exceeded her initial expectations.
“Honestly? I thought it would just be fun. But Gen X has a lot to say—and not just about mixtapes and MTV,” she reveals. “Once we started talking, it got real quickly. The laughter was always part of it, but the healing? That surprised even me. And now I see it as the heart of the show.”
Looking ahead, the podcast shows no signs of slowing down. Season 2 is scheduled to be recorded in London’s Mayfair this September, with a new lineup of guests expected to reflect, laugh, and likely share some emotionally charged moments too. And Jackson? She’s dreaming even bigger.
“Oh, 100%. I mean, Gen X deserves its own festival—maybe we’ll call it something like ‘Rebootstock,’” she laughs. “The podcast is just the start. I can see it growing into a hub where Gen Xers can share stories, support each other, and yes—dance to Salt-N-Pepa like nobody’s watching.”
In a world obsessed with the next big thing, The Gen-X-Perience serves as a reminder that sometimes the richest stories come from those who’ve lived a little longer, zigzagged a bit harder, and still haven’t lost their groove. Or their scrunchies.
The Gen-X-Perience is available on all major podcast platforms. Season 1 is streaming now, with Season 2 expected to arrive in fall 2025.
