MRU alumna champions gen-X stories with new talk show

Generation X has always been the quiet middle child, stuck between the larger-than-life boomers and the social media-savvy millennials. They didn’t get a name as cool as the “Greatest Generation” or a meme-worthy obsession with avocado toast.

Yet, as Mount Royal University alumna Aisha N. Sheikh is here to remind us, they’ve got something to say.

With her new talk show, The Gen Xperience with Aisha, set to debut on Sept. 24, Sheikh is bringing her generation’s stories to the forefront, tackling everything from dating in the digital age to managing kids and careers while also taking care of aging parents. And she’s doing it with the kind of humour, heart and straightforwardness that only a gen-Xer could pull off.

“We’ve been quietly doing it all — raising kids, building careers and now looking after our parents,” Sheikh says. “It’s time we talk about it, openly and honestly.”

 

Starting over: A gen-Xer’s journey back to school

Before the TV contract and camera lights, Sheikh’s life looked different. She spent years as a stay-at-home mom, focused on raising her three kids and managing the household. When life circumstances presented her with a new chapter, she saw it as a chance to invest in herself.

Sheikh decided to pursue higher education and enrolled at Mount Royal University.

Returning to school in her 40s as a single mom presented its own challenges, though Mount Royal stood out for its supportive environment and exceptional programs tailored to help students succeed at any stage of life. From the registration staff to her professors, everyone was encouraging and helped create a space where she felt she could thrive.

"At Mount Royal, I was more than just a number," Sheikh says. "I got the kind of encouragement anyone would need when doing something as crazy as going back to university in their forties.”

Sheikh approached her studies with the mindset of a seasoned journalist. Each assignment was treated like it could air on the 6 o’clock news that night. She reported on stories like the Distress Centre’s rapid shift to online services during the pandemic and the work of Dress for Success, a non-profit helping underemployed women gain financial independence.

As a gen-Xer, Sheikh had a natural ability to connect with people. She felt at ease approaching strangers for interviews and was a pro at networking. Meanwhile, her younger classmates lent her their tech-savviness, creating a collaborative environment that benefited everyone.

“Gen-X was the last generation to grow up without the internet,” Sheikh says. “We remember knocking on people’s doors and having to introduce ourselves face-to-face if we wanted to talk to someone.

“Job interviews were always done in person, and with that came the rejections, the self-consciousness — and everything else that helped us build confidence and learn how to network.”

That old-school gumption, combined with her dedication to learn new skills, helped Sheikh stand out as she advanced through her studies. She earned spots on both the President’s Honour Roll and Dean’s Honour Roll before graduating in 2023 with a Bachelor of Communication — Broadcast Media Studies.

From podcast to TV

During her final year at Mount Royal, Sheikh had her breakthrough moment by launching the Dating for Dinosaurs in the Digital Era podcast as her capstone project. The podcast delved into the ups and downs of dating as a gen-Xer in a world dominated by dating apps, quickly striking a chord with listeners thanks to its candid insights and humour.

“I kept hearing stories from friends and people my age about how tough it was to find love after 40,” Sheikh recalls. “The dating scene had changed drastically, and the challenges were so unique to our generation.

“It was a conversation that needed to happen.”

Under the mentorship of Assistant Professor Gareth Wentzel, who oversaw the project for eight months, Sheikh fine-tuned the podcast with valuable feedback along the way.

The podcast’s potential didn’t go unnoticed. TELUS, through its STORYHIVE platform, offered Sheikh a six-episode TV deal — and The Gen Xperience with Aisha was born.

While dating remains a core theme, the rebranded show has expanded to cover broader topics relevant to gen-Xers. Guests, whether they were Sheikh’s friends or professional contacts, shared candid insights into love, life and careers — all framed by the distinct challenges of their generation.

For Wentzel, guiding students like Sheikh through big-time projects is all about helping them find their personal voice.

“There are no new stories, only new ways to tell them,” he says. “It’s up to each student to figure out their unique perspective on the story they want to tell.”

Sheikh’s insights gave the show its authentic feel, allowing her to connect with her guests and audience. After consulting Wentzel, along with Irv Ratushniak and Jason Kokott, a pair of shrewd broadcast pros in the faculty, Sheikh decided to film the show in the living room of her suburban home. These personal touches, Wentzel believes, were key to the project’s success.

“Originality is important in any creative industry, and I think that involving personal experiences, insights and things they are passionate about helps students find their creative voice,” Wentzel says. “This helps their work stand out, and it’s why I think Aisha’s project has been so successful.”

The gen-X factor: Keeping it real

Behind the camera, Sheikh’s TV crew was made up almost entirely of Mount Royal students. What began as a small team of a few volunteers quickly expanded into a larger production as more students came on board.

Miguel Oblea, one of Sheikh’s classmates and the show’s editor, reflected on the value of working with his fellow students.

“We were all learning together and figuring out what worked,” Oblea says. “It was a lot of trial and error, but that made it all the more rewarding.”

Oblea credits Sheikh’s natural ability as a host, praising her for making conversations feel effortless.

“Aisha makes conversation so easy,” he says. “She’s a great listener and really carries the show.”

A launchpad for storytellers: Inside MRU’s broadcasting program

Sheikh’s story showcases the strength of Mount Royal University’s broadcast media studies program, where experiential learning takes centre stage. Students not only learn the technical aspects of broadcasting within state-of-the-art facilities on campus, but also sharpen their creative storytelling skills through hands-on opportunities that extend well beyond the classroom.

Even after Sheikh’s production took flight, her connection to MRU remained strong, as she continues to collaborate with both students and faculty members.

“Our commitment to students doesn’t end when they graduate,” says Sally Haney, chair of the broadcast media studies and journalism and digital media programs. “We continue to support them as they navigate their careers, offering guidance and opportunities where we can.”

Haney emphasizes the inclusivity of MRU’s broadcast media studies program, which welcomes a diverse range of students, from recent high-school graduates to those returning to school later in life.

“It’s a space for everyone,” she says.“Students with lived experience contribute to an even more dynamic learning environment. At the core, everyone has a story to tell, and when we provide the technical expertise, their creativity truly flourishes.”

For Sheikh, this journey has been about more than just launching a TV show — it’s been about finding her own voice and inspiring others. Her story has already resonated with people of all ages and backgrounds.

After a pre-launch interview aired on Global News, Sheikh heard from a South Asian woman in her 30s who urged her to explore the struggles millennials also face in navigating the modern dating world. The issue is often magnified in cultural communities, where traditional expectations clash with contemporary realities.

As the daughter of Pakistani parents, Sheikh understands the unique pressures these communities face, particularly around relationships and marriage. At the same time, she sees a certain universal truth.

“We’re all going through the same experiences,” she says. “The more we talk about them, the more we normalize them, and the more we realize we’re not alone.”

With The Gen Xperience with Aisha about to hit the airwaves and her undergraduate degree complete, Sheikh is already looking ahead to what’s next. Her goal? To keep the conversation going and continue exploring new stories.

“I want the show to keep evolving,” she says. “There are so many more stories to tell, so many more topics to cover.”

Develop your technical skills and theoretical understanding to produce professional and engaging audio and video content for a variety of audiences with MRU’s Bachelor of Communication — Broadcast Media Studies.