Stories from the Road: Recent Episodes
Camping World
Love getting the RV out for weekends and getaways? Dream of being a professional nomad? In Stories from the Road, host Sam Nuerminger chats with everyone from weekend warriors to full-timers about what drew them to the road, the challenges they face, and what keeps them going year after year.
In the second episode of Stories from the Road season 2 Sam talks with Chris Young who is the spokesperson for Gander RV and Outdoors. Chris recently took a Class A RV down to Florida for the Daytona 500. He camped at the racetrack with all of the other race fans.
Chris discusses how he ended up where he is today, blowing up RVs for a Gander promo video, what the Daytona 500 camping experience was like, and much more.
- 0:10 - Write-ins from friends of the show
- 2:30 - Chris introduction
- 4:00 - Chris’s Start/Blowing Up RVs
- 11:00 - Camping at the Daytona 500
- 14:00 - Community at the Daytona 500
- 15:00 - Chris’s interview with race fans
- 20:00 - Chris talks about other race fans he met
- 24:00 - Chris’s camping experiences
Links mentioned in this episode:
- Gander RV & Outdoors YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--h7VWYGAak
- Gander RV & Outdoors https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gander-rv-outdoors-podcast/id1500074934
Kicking off Stories from the Road Season 2, Sam chats with Keith Bernard, CEO of Clear2O. Keith is taking water filtration seriously in his RV adventures. As a water filtration specialist and an avid RVer he wants to see more folks take charge of the quality of their water whether they use Clear2O’s products or another water filter.
Keith goes into detail about some of the issues with water on the road and what you can do to ensure you’re getting clean water in your rig.
- 0:10 - Intro to season 2
- 4:00 - Keith introduction
- 5:00 - Keith’s introduction to RVing
- 6:30 - Keith’s best experiences
- 8:30 - The Importance of Clean Water in RVs
- 10:30 - What sets Clear2O’s filters apart
- 12:00 - The effects of poor water quality
- 12:30 - Different types of water filters
- 14:00 - Types of water filters depending on type or RVing
- 16:00 - Spotting poor quality water
- 18:30 - Clear 2O new product launch
- 20:30 - Keith’s future goals for RV water safety
Stories from the road returns next week for season 2! Interested in coming on the show or sharing a story? Write into sftrpodcast@gmail.com and become a part of the community.
In this episode, Sam interviews Madeline and Dillon from the Kind Campers. Their dream has always been one of wanderlust. As they set out on their “adult gap years”, Madeline and Dillon knew that they needed something more than just the intention to travel.
With their passions in mind, they decided to make their goal on the road to “cultivate kindness” as often and widespread as possible. The Kind Campers have a mission to RV full time and spread kindness while doing it!
Tune in to hear about finding volunteer opportunities on the road, how kindness can change your life and the lives of others, and also hear some great stories from the road about spreading kindness!
What we cover in this episode:
- 1:00 - Why hit the road?
- 4:30 - Choosing an RV
- 7:30 - Becoming the Kind Campers
- 13:30 - Finding volunteer opportunities on the road
- 16:00 - How kindness can change your life
- 19:30 - Kindness in Slab City
- 26:30 - Favorite travel destinations
- 31:00 - Advice for volunteering while traveling
Connect with Madeline and Dillon and learn more about this episode here.
In this episode, Sam interviews Karen from the YouTube channel TravellingK. Karen has lived permanently in a travel trailer in New Zealand for three years. She works as a graphic designer on the road and creates videos of her lifestyle, how-to advice, and interviews others living this lifestyle.
She's just got back from a three month trip to the UK towing a caravan and has now started renovating a vintage caravan back in New Zealand.
Tune in to hear Karen share her experience with international travel, how she's earning an income on the road through freelance work and Patreon, and some fun stories from the road!
What we cover in this episode:
- 2:00 - Traveling in New Zealand
- 7:00 - Caravanning trip in the UK
- 12:00 - Working on the road and funding travels
- 15:00 - Personal growth through travel
- 17:30 - Stories from the road
- 24:00 - Advice for travelers
Connect with Karen and learn more about this episode here!
In this episode, Sam interviews Ian and Jordan Knoll, Real Estate Investors from Grand Rapids, Michigan who have been married for five years. They are hitting the road in their 1989 Toyota Itasca Spirit with their Chihuahua, Bella, and heading for Mexico! Ian and Jordan have a love for travel and adventure and are excited to embrace full-time RV life. Check them out on Instagram @jordanandiantravel.
Tune in to hear Ian and Jordan share what it's been like to prepare for this lifestyle, how they've built a real estate portfolio to fund their travels, and what they hope to see and experience on the road!
What we talk about in this episode:
- 1:00 - Preparing to hit the road and building real estate portfolio
- 8:30 - Choosing a rig and planning travel
- 17:00 - Advice for RV life
- 23:00 - Stories about preparing to hit the road
- 26:30 - Last minute preparations
Connect with Jordan and Ian and learn more about this episode here.
In this episode, Sam interviews Kory and Denise from the Youtube Channel Does Size Matter. Korey and Denise are RV Sometimers traveling all over North America, finding adventures and beautiful views. Along the way, they share with others how the RV Sometimer Lifestyle works for them and might for you. As well, they also share all of their research and reviews on the many different RV choices out there to help you make up your own RV Sometimer Lifestyle Recipe.
In this interview, Korey and Denise share what it means to be an RV Sometimer and how to get started!
Be sure to check out Korey and Denise in the upcoming Fulltime Freedom Week event!
What we cover in this episode * 2:00 - Being RV Sometimers * 10:00 - Switching from a travel trailer to a motorhome * 18:00 - Starting a YouTube channel * 21:00 - Working with Boondocker’s Welcome (As hosts and guests!) * 26:00 - Tips for RV Sometiming
Connect with Korey and Denise and learn more about this episode here.
In this episode, Sam chats with Hannah (aka the.curly.nomad on Instagram!). After leaving her position as a VP at a marketing agency in LA to start her own business, Hannah realized that she could run her business from anywhere. She bought an RV and hit the road as a solo traveler! In this interview, Hannah shares what it’s really like living on the road, the good and the bad. She also shares her favorite destinations, experiences as a female solo traveler, advice for dating on the road, and how to travel if you don’t like to drive your RV. What we talk about in this episode:
- 0:30 - Current travels and Xscapers Convergences
- 3:00 - From marketing VP to digital nomad
- 10:00 - Experiences as a solo female traveler
- 14:00 - Advice for solo female travelers + dating on the road
- 20:00 - Boondocking tips and favorite travel destinations
- 26:00 - RVing tips for people who don’t like driving their RV
Introducing the new stories from the road mail in account! This will be where you, the listener, can write in and share stories or experiences from your lives on the road, answer the question of the week or even just say hi. Really excited about this and we cannot wait to hear from you!!
Mail in at sftrpodcast@gmail.com
Today on the podcast, Sam interviews Phil and Stacy Farley from You, Me, & the RV, a popular YouTube channel and blog. After spending most of their time apart with Phil's career in the military and Stacy's career as a nurse practitioner, the Farley's decided to stop waiting for "someday" to live their travel dreams.
Once the kids were out of the house and Phil retired from the military, they sold everything to live in an RV and travel the country, not knowing that they would soon become an inspiration to others within the RVing and military communities.
In this episode, Phil and Stacy share their experiences from downsizing and their first year on the road, how they promote awareness for the military, and how to embrace their "Today is Someday" philosophy.
What we cover in this episode: * 0:30 - Camp hosting * 4:30 - Getting on the road and downsizing * 9:00 - "Today is Someday" philosophy * 12:00 - First year on the road * 17:00 - Bringing awareness to the military community * 21:00 - Stories from the road
Connect with Phil and Stacy and learn more about this episode here.
In this episode, Sam interviews Lindsay McKenzie (Follow Your Detour) and Julie Chickery (Chickery's Travels), half of the team for Full-time Freedom Week, a free online event that will teach you everything you need to know to become (and remain!) a successful full-time RVer! Along with Liz Wilcox (The Virtual Campground) and Camille Attell (More Than A Wheelin'), Lindsay and Julie are deep into preparing for this annual online event. Tune into the episode to hear all about the speakers, topics, and the newest addition to this event... an in-person meet-up! Full-Time Freedom Week is a free online event, featuring 30+ RV experts, from November 5-8th. You can also upgrade to a paid ticket for extended access to the video content or attend the event in person! Click here to learn more and grab your ticket! What we cover in this episode * 3:00 - What’s new with Full-time Freedom Week * 6:00 - Speakers from the event this year * 12:00 - How the event got started * 17:00 - How to sign up for the event! * 20:00 - Stories from Full-time Freedom Week
Connect with Lindsay and Julie and learn more about this episode here.
Today on the podcast, Sam interviews Ana Willis of They Call Me Blessed, a homeschooling blog. Ana is a homeschool mom of 3, wife, health coach, social media and online marketing strategist, and mom blogger. Her passion is to encourage, inspire and empower moms to go from stressed to blessed by providing them with the inspiration, encouragement, and tools they need to live a beyond blessed life. She also runs a membership called The Homeschool Sisterhood, which gives moms year-round support and guidance to succeed in their homeschool journey.
In addition to being an expert on all things homeschooling, Ana is also a world traveler and, recently, a full-time RVer! Her family has lived in Africa, South America, North America, and the Middle East. Now, they are living in an RV in British Columbia. In this episode, Ana shares their journey to RV life and paying off debt, her top tips and advice on homeschooling, and inspiring wisdom for living your dreams.
What we talk about in this episode:
- 1:00 - RV life beginnings
- 6:30 - The biggest transitions to RV life
- 13:30 - Advice for families wanting to hit the road
- 18:00 - Advice for homeschooling and finding a homeschooling community
- 24:30 - How homeschooling helps her children to be independent, lifelong learners
Connect with Ana and learn more about this episode here.
You've heard Kelsey Henry talk about growing up roadschooled in an RV. Now, we're bringing Kelsey back on the podcast, plus another special guest... her mom! Sam chats with Kelsey and Christy Henry about mother-daughter bonds and road trips as they travel in Kelsey's Honda CR-V for a month! They've been from Texas to Florida to Washington, D.C. to Niagra Falls to Toronto to Mackinac Island!
A few things we cover in this episode: * 1:30 - Hitting the road back in 2005 * 4:30 - Mother-Daughter road trips today * 8:00 - Highlights of the epic month-long road trip * 15:30 - Meeting people and making memories on the road * 21:00 - Advice for mother-daughter travel * 24:00 - Being considerate to each other on the road
Learn more about this episode here.
Matt and Diana, both European immigrants, took their first trip together in Yosemite where they fell in love with each other and the National Parks. After two years of planning, they quit their Silicon Valley tech jobs in July of 2018 and moved into an RV to hit the road full time. They are on a quest to visit all 419 National Parks!
Their goal is to inspire you to explore the outdoors and give you the information you need to do it. They share their journey and tips on their Adventurous Way blog and YouTube channel. Having engineering backgrounds, they also write detailed guides to electrical upgrades and other mods that they have done to their 25ft Outdoors RV travel trailer.
What we cover in this episode:
- 2:00 - From road trips to a national park adventure
- 9:00 - Highlights of this new lifestyle
- 17:00 - What destinations are next on the list?
- 21:00 - Off-roading in Great Sand Dunes National Park
- 32:00 - Advice for planning a National Park tour
Connect with Matt and Diana and learn more about this episode here.
Sam brings Ian Baker back on the podcast to chat about various types of RVs and answer the most important question... "What type of RV should you buy?". Tune in to hear the difference between the classes of motorhomes and the pros and cons of towables vs. non-towables. Plus, learn what to look for in used or new RVs!
Some highlights from this episode: * 3:30 - Motorhomes - Class A, B, and C * 7:30 - Towables - Travel trailers and fifth wheels * 14:40 - Questions to ask yourself * 18:30 - Red flags to look for when shopping for a used RV * 25:00 - Pro tips for buying a new RV
Learn more about this episode here.
In this episode, Sam interviews Sharee Collier, the founder of www.LiveCampWork.com, an online website delivering information and resources on jobs for RVers and making money while you travel. She’s the author of the best-selling book, Live Camp Work: Make Money & RV Full-time, the host of the Live Camp Work Podcast, and a full-time RV traveler with her husband and 4 kids. Sharee is also the host of the upcoming Make Money and RV Virtual Summit! Learn how to RV full-time, part-time, or seasonally and make cash along the way with this FREE online event, featuring 35+ experts in the RV industry. Join the event from August 5th-9th to learn everything you need to know about making money on the road! Sign up for the Make Money and RV Virtual Summit here! Some highlights from this episode: * 0:30 - Hitting the road * 4:30 - Starting Live Camp Work * 10:30 - The Make Money and RV Virtual Summit * 17:30 - What’s next for Sharee? * 20:00 - The Live Camp Work Podcast and workamping jobs
Connect with Sharee and learn more about this episode here.
For this episode, we brought back Lindsey Nubern from Nuventure travels to talk about preparing to travel with a baby! She is currently 7 months pregnant with her first child, but that hasn't stopped her and her husband Adam from adventuring in their Casita trailer.
In this episode, Sam talks to Lindsey about preparing for the baby, future travel plans, and their new project for travelers called Nomad Collab.
Some highlights from this episode: * 1:30 - Preparing for baby! * 5:00 - What they want to teach him on the road * 8:00 - Advice and resources from other travelers * 13:00 - NomadCollab * 23:00 - Traveling while pregnant
Connect with Lindsey and learn more about this episode here.
On this Stories from the Road episode, Sam talks to Marshall Wendler and Kelly Beasley from Camp Addict. As exclusive boondockers, they've learned a thing or two about dry camping without hookups. In this interview, they share all of their tips and resources so you can learn everything you need to know about boondocking.
Hear about how to find places to boondock, how to update your rig for solar, common boondocking questions and misconceptions, boondocking with friends, and must-have RVing products!
Some highlights from this episode: * 1:30 - Finding the best boondocking spots * 3:30 - Solar updates for boondocking * 12:00 - Common boondocking and RVing questions * 18:00 - Misconceptions around boondocking * 22:00 - Xscapers Convergences * 27:00 - Must-have boondocking products
Learn more about this episode and connect with Marshall and Kelly here.
Austin White is a photographer, videographer, climber, surfer, snowboarder, avid hiker, and dirt road explorer.
He has also been living off and on the road since he was 9 years old when his family ditched the corporate lifestyle and ladders for a life of travel. With his parents, two younger sisters, two dogs, and a cat, he hit the road in a 37ft Winnebago RV for what they thought would be a year. They ended up traveling for close to 10 years and couldn't get enough of the freedom. They became the BareNakedFamily and their story continues to be shared.
In this interview, Sam chats with Austin about his childhood on the road, how it has influenced his life and photography career, and his advice for other traveling families.
Some highlights from this episode: * 1:30 - Life in Bend, Oregon * 3:30 - Becoming the Barenaked Family * 9:00 - Advice for roadschooling families * 12:00 - Biggest takeaways from this lifestyle * 14:00 - Stories from the road * 17:30 - Adult life as a roadschooled kid * 22:00 - Building a photography career with a travel lifestyle
Learn more about this episode and connect with Austin here!
Sam and Kelsey talk RV trends in this camping conversations episode! Hear the latest on updates in the RV industry, Instagram worthy RV trips, and Kelsey's experience growing up in different types of RVs. Plus, find out about each of their dream RV models!
Some highlights from this episode: * 1:00 - Lighter interiors in RVs * 4:30 - Smaller RV models gain popularity * 14:30 - Instagram worthy RVing * 17:15 - Kelsey’s experience growing up in different RVs * 21:00 - Dream RV models
Learn more about this episode here.
Since hitting the road in July 2018, Summer Slevin has made her way from Illinois to Alaska, Texas, Florida, Maine, and Wyoming, making her way to America’s Best Idea. Summer’s superpowers are connecting with others and telling stories of the people she meets around the world.
She spends her time on the road making a podcast about the strangers she meets in the Parks, creating a YouTube Channel about her Real Life Van Life, and teaching entrepreneurs how to find, hire, and onboard the perfect virtual assistant. When Summer isn’t talking to strangers, you can probably find her eating delicious food, taking a nap, or playing in the grass with her puppy.
You can follow Summer’s adventures behind the scenes on Instagram @SumSlev.
In this episode, Sam talks to Summer about van life, mental health on the road, and how her passion for National Parks helped her fall back in love with America.
Some highlights from this episode: * 1:50 - Current travels and National Park stories * 12:00 - Upcoming travels and hard to reach National Parks * 15:00 - Jumping into van life * 21:00 - Running a business while traveling * 25:00 - Stories from van life and mental health on the road
Learn more about this episode and connect with Summer here.
Marshall Wendler has been full-time RVing since April of 2014 in his Lance travel trailer. Having felt the nomadic pull for most of his adult life, he decided to act on it after finding himself widowed in his early 40's. Marshall shares his love of the RVing lifestyle through Camp Addict, an RV product education website.
He enjoys boondocking and traveling at a leisurely pace. Marshall describes himself as "a working man with a changing backyard". He doesn't feel the need to be in tourist mode all the time because RVing is his lifestyle, one which he plans to continue for a very long time.
In this episode, Sam chats with Marshall about moochdocking, caravanning as a solo traveler, and running a business on the road.
Some highlights from this episode: * 1:30 - Moochdocking and boondocking * 4:00 - Journey to full-time RVing and RV community * 9:30 - Co-founding Camp Addict * 17:00 - Memorable moments from the road * 22:00 - Surprisingly awesome places to visit
Connect with Marshall and learn more about this episode here!
In this episode, Sam and Kelsey talk about recent travels, upcoming summer travel plans, Sam's love of RVing and tent camping, and Kelsey's upcoming book about growing up roadschooled.
Some highlights from this episode: * 1:00 - Sam's summer camping plans * 3:30 - Why Sam loves tent camping * 5:30 - Kelsey's camping set up and recent travels * 10:00 - Kelsey's new book * 15:00 - The Fulltime Families community and why it's so awesome * 17:00 - Sam brainstorms title ideas for Kelsey's book
Read the shownotes for this episode and learn more about this episode here!
Josh and Brittain are the husband+wife duo behind OutofNorm.al - where their mantra is life, unwasted. The two of them have been galavanting all over the country in an '88 Airstream for the past 2.5 years...and counting. They seek out small towns, BLM lands and the next vintage camper they can renovate for their AirBNB glamping business. They were inspired to live life on the road after a date to an RV show in their hometown of Kansas City. Their jobs at the time required 100% travel, making life on the road only a choice away. After a wedding and the purchase of their Airstream, they gave themselves a kick out the door to life on the road. They're currently posted up in Nashville where they've found a 1987 Airstream 345 motorcoach to add to their BnB fleet. This classy coach - affectionately named "Maxwell" - will soon be available for glamping in the Nashville area. Some highlights from this episode: * 1:00 - Finding the 345 motorcoach * 4:30 - Getting into RVing * 7:00 - Life before RVing * 11:00 - Advice for work on the road and RVing * 17:00 - Favorite experiences * 21:00 - The RV culture and community * 25:00 - Social impact and Airbnb glamping business * 33:30 - What’s next for travels?
Connect with Josh and Brittain and learn more about this episode here!
Jorn and Hannah Vangoidtsenhoven from Vango Photos work as a freelance duo on the road, sharing their stories and wildlife photographs in books and magazines as they travel through the US, Mexico, and Central America. They've traveled by Airstream, truck camper, and now a Casita trailer.
In this episode, Sam interviews Jorn and Hannah about camping and RVing in Mexico, their favorite international camping destinations, and capturing incredible wildlife photography.
Some highlights from this episode:
- 1:00 - Intro to traveling North America
- 5:00 - From Airstream to truck camper to Casita
- 7:30 - Travels in Mexico
- 13:00 - Campgrounds in Mexico
- 16:00 - Favorite experiences in Mexico and Central America
- 19:30 - Best travel destinations
- 24:00 - What’s next?
- 27:00 - Wildlife photography
Connect with Vango Photos and learn more about this episode here!
In this episode, Sam interviews Wade Barrett, a sailor and van lifer from Alabama. They recorded this interview in the parking lot of the RV Entrepreneur Summit, while hanging out inside of Wade's amazing renovated van! Tune in for stories of living on a sailboat and what it's like to renovate a van.
Some highlights from this episode:
- 0:45 - Live from Wade’s van + renovation talk
- 5:00 - Full-time van life
- 7:40 - Stories from sailing and boat life
- 14:15 - Handling storms in a boat
- 19:00 - Buying a different boat and future travel plans
- 21:00 - Costs of renovating Wade’s van
- 25:00 - Advice for aspiring van lifers and sailors
Connect with Wade and learn more about this episode here!
In this episode, Sam catches up with Dan and Lindsay from Follow Your Detour, who have been up to A LOT! Between launching the Happy Camper Bucket List show with Camping World, Lindsay’s new book “Follow Your Detour”, and co-founding a new project called Nomad Collab, Dan and Lindsay have much to share with us. Tune in to hear about their favorite bucket list experiences and the inspiration behind Lindsay’s new book. Some highlights from this episode: * 2:00 - Caravanning with friends on the road * 3:30 - Happy Camper Bucket List * 7:30 - Visiting historic sites * 11:00 - Lindsay’s new book! * 18:30 - What’s next for Follow Your Detour * 23:00 - Transitioning to part-time travel * 27:00 - Looking back over 2 years of RVing
Connect with Dan and Lindsay and learn more about this episode here!
Ari and Jessi from Trekers.org are on a mission to hike, camp, and boldly go on adventures in their Class B Roadtrek RV. In this interview, Sam chats with Ari and Jessi at The RV Entrepreneur Summit. You’ll hear about their learnings from the event, Jessi’s epic Simon Says win during the conference, and their current plans to visit all of the state parks in Michigan. Some highlights from this episode: * 1:00 - Leaning into RV life and community * 6:00 - Buying the Roadtrek * 11:00 - Travel plans for Michigan state parks * 16:30 - Bucket list travel destinations * 19:00 - Opportunities for working on the road * 21:00 - Jessi’s Simon Says talents * 24:00 - Learnings from The RV Entrepreneur Summit
Connect with the Trekers and learn more about this episode here!
Ken and April Pishna run the website Living a Stout Life and have a YouTube show called Stout Conversations. Their mission is to travel the country full-time in their RV, searching for interesting stories to share about the craft beer community and the very interesting individuals who make craft beer. In this episode, Sam had the opportunity to interview Ken and April on location in their RV named Raif at the RV Entrepreneur Summit. Tune in for some stout conversations and stories from the road!
What we talk about in this episode:
- 2:00 - What does it mean to live a stout life?
- 6:00 - Stout Conversations
- 10:00 - Best beer cities in the US
- 14:30 - Making the most of life and moving into an RV
- 19:00 - Stories from the RV Entrepreneur Summit
- 26:00 - Plans for RVing and Living a Stout Life
- 30:00 - Advice for others
Connect with Ken and April and learn more about this episode here.
Today on the podcast, Sam interviews Rachel and Nick from The Gray Adventure. After 13 months on the road, the Gray's have built up quite the YouTube following, sharing their adventures and tips on everything from downsizing to RV travel budgets! Tune in to hear about their favorite travel experiences and stories from the road.
What we talk about in this episode:
- 1:00 - Current travels and Full-time Families Rally
- 4:00 - Hitting the road
- 7:00 - RV Renovation and travel preparation
- 13:30 - Downsizing tips
- 16:00 - Starting a YouTube channel and sharing RV budgeting tips
- 23:00 - Favorite travel destinations and experiences
Connect with Rachel and Nick and learn more about this episode here!
In honor of Sam’s first trip to The RV Entrepreneur Summit, check out these clips of how this event has impacted guests on the Stories from the Road podcast! Plus, hear Heath Padgett, from HeathandAlyssa.com and The RV Entrepreneur Podcast, tell the story behind the event and how it got started.
Today on the podcast, Sam interviews Mark and Shanae from Trail Mix & Chocolate. Mark is an agriculturalist and Shanae is a teacher and artist. They are currently in their third year of traveling full-time in an RV and enjoy getting out in nature whenever possible, especially at National Parks!
What we talk about in this episode:
- 1:00 - Heading to RV Entrepreneur Summit
- 3:00 - Meeting their “RV parents” and intro to RV community
- 9:30 - Thoughts on tiny living
- 12:30 - Becoming Trail Mix & Chocolate
- 18:00 - Favorite experiences
- 25:30 - Travel and Life Goals
- 30:00 - Combining travel and art
- 34:00 - Turning the interview around on Sam!
- 37:00 - National Parks
Connect with Mark and Shanae and learn more about this episode here!
Spring is just around the corner and if you haven't started planning your Spring Break vacation yet, you better get to it! Whether you have some ideas in mind or you're stumped on where to go, we've got you covered in this Camping Conversations episode.
Sam and Kelsey talk all about Spring Break RV vacations (local, far away, simple, and grand!), how to find the best things to do on your RV vacation, and also share a fun travel game to take on your road trip.
What we talk about in this episode:
- 0:30 - Different types of Spring Break RV vacations
- 3:00 - Dream Spring Break vacations
- 7:45 - Types of RVs to take on vacation
- 10:00 - Local getaways and epic ideas for your Spring Break vacation
- 14:45 - How to find the best things to do on your RV vacation
- 25:00 - 501 Questions: A Travel Game
Check out the show notes for this episode here.
In this episode, Sam interviews Sami Womack, the budgeting coach, motivational speaker, + podcaster behind A Sunny Side Up Life. Sami is the wife of her high school sweetheart, Daniel, and a homeschooling momma to their three daughters. This family used to be living paycheck-to-paycheck + drowning in $490,000 worth of debt, but after they hit rock bottom everything changed! Sami shares her family’s story of becoming debt-free, downsizing their lifestyle, and buying a boat, truck, and camper all in cash by living on a budget. What we talk about in this episode:
- 1:20 - Sami’s debt free journey
- 6:40 - Rock bottom moments and obstacles to becoming debt-free
- 10:00 - Homeschooling benefits and family time
- 14:30 - Buying a truck/trailer and future camping plans
- 18:50 - Mishaps and first trip in the camper
- 21:50 - A Sunny Side Up Life origin
- 24:15 - Budgeting and debt free tips
- 27:30 - Sunny Money Method Budgeting Course
- 30:00 - A Sunny Side Up Life Podcast
Learn more about Sami and this episode here.
In this episode, Sam interviews Tom and Tammy Fromm, who have been traveling around the country in an RV for the past three years and roadschooling their two daughters, Savannah and Vanessa.
When the Fromm family started traveling more than they were home (and the public school system started complaining about their travel schedule and Savannah's studies), they decided to make the shift to homeschooling and look into RV life. When their house didn't sell as quickly as they hoped, they decided to buy an RV and jump in anyways. After RVing for a few months, they discovered an RV community, sold their house, and didn't look back!
Along the way, they transitioned their lives and careers to RV life, even co-founding the new outdoor/RV product Venture Wipes.
What we talk about in this episode:
- 00:30 - Transition to RV life and roadschooling
- 06:25 - Downsizing from a 7,000 sq ft. house to an RV
- 09:25 - Adapting professional lives and creating Venture Wipes
- 14:00 - Favorite travel destinations and stories from the road
- 18:00 - Advice for others who want to live the RV life
Connect with Tom and Tammy and learn more about Venture Wipes here.
In this episode of Stories from the Road, Sam interviews Marc and Julie Bennett of RV Love. Marc and Julie are full-time RVers and co-authors of the bestselling book “Living the RV Life – Your Ultimate Guide to Life on the Road”. They share their adventures as “RVLove” at their blog, YouTube Channel and on social media, and recently appeared in the RV Nomads movie. They also run run online courses to help you hit the road as an RVer at RV Success School. What we talk about in this episode: * 2:50 – Tampa RV super show * 7:40 – Camping at the Tampa Show * 12:43 – The Bennet’s Rig and the “Ultimate RV Makeover” * 18:20 – Living the RV Life * 24:40 – Most memorable trips * 33:47 – RV Love’s origin * 39:05 – Stories from the Road
Connect with Marc and Julie and learn more about this episode here.
In this episode, Sam Nuerminger has an informal conversation with Kelsey Henry of the Positively Delighted podcast.
We'll be publishing episodes in this from time to time—let us know what you think!
Some topics we covered this week:
- 1:40 - Favorite experiences in 2018
- 7:20 - Staying organized on the road
- 10:30 - Travel snacks
- 14:50 - Next big adventures
- 17:08 - RV talk
- 19:45 - RV shows
Having started her first business at 15, Kathryn Cockrell has always been up for anything.
After meeting a traveling couple at her local coffee shop, she decided to buy and renovate an Airstream Trailer, lived out of a van for several months, and currently lives on a 1985 yacht, becoming part of a small but awesome group of individuals who ditched the 9-5 grind to start their own business adventures.
Some things we covered:
- 3:24 - Going nomad
- 7:32 - The adventure begins
- 11:30 - Becoming a boondocker
- 16:00 - Death Valley
- 18:27 - Ending the RV trip
- 25:00 - Getting through adversity
- 30:55 - Safety on the road
Thanks for a great first year of Stories from the Road!
In this episode, we're looking back at some of the best stories that have shared so far: from acts of heroism to hilarious breakdowns.
Enjoy!
In a change of pace, today we're talking to Camping World's product specialist, Ian Baker.
In this podcast, we talk about the future of RVs, Ian's life-long love of camping, and answer some common questions from his series of RV Reviews on YouTube.
We'll also learn his personal must-have RV features after doing in-depth reviews of thousands of RVs over the years.
Be sure to catch all of his RV Reviews on the Camping World YouTube Channel!
Exploring the Local Life is a Latino RVing family of four (Robert, Jessica, Daniel, and Nadia) that learns and travels together in their 2016 Forest River Grey Wolf 26DBH Travel Trailer. They are balancing life, fun, and roadschooling while handling unexpected RV and truck repairs and rainy days. Keeping a positive attitude is key and they are reminded every day why they are doing things differently. You can follow their journey at exploringthelocallife.com. Some topics we covered: * 1:34 - Shifting lifestyles * 4:24 - Exploring the Local Life's RV * 6:54 - The impact of RV life * 9:20 - Roadschooling * 15:50 - Learning to RV (the ups and downs). * 19:15 - Going nomad * 25:30 - RV community experiences * 30:25 - Whats next for Exploring the Local Life?
Kyle and Olivia live full-time in a 16' vintage travel trailer. They left their jobs and sold everything to pursue life on the road.
Their mission is to live minimally and deliberately, by removing the clutter and fostering relations with the community and the natural world.
Their current project is a renovation of a vintage Airstream Argosy.
Follow their journey at drivinvibin.com.
Some topics we covered:
- 0:56 - Airstream Argosy renovations
- 3:21 - Renovations ups and downs
- 8:14 - Free camping
- 12:37 - The Vibe Tribe
- 13:49 - RV Beginnings
- 18:34 - Nomad life
- 21:40 - Favorite parks
Rae and Jason Miller have been RVing full-time since July 2017. They travel with their dog, Carmen in a 42' fifth wheel and share their adventures across social media. They've also unintentionally become the faces of "beginner RV mistakes" on YouTube by showcasing the many errors they made on the road. They're transparent with their mistakes because they want to help future RVers avoid similar headaches and show the not-so glamorous side of RV life. They just released over 70 pages worth of downloadable checklists and worksheets to help others along their journey as well! You can follow their adventures (and mistakes) on their blog and YouTube channel. Some topics we covered: * 3:56 - Starting their RV Life * 6:34 - Becoming the RV mistake couple * 11:40 - Helping people new to the community * 16:45 - Generating income on the road * 22:40 - New friends on the road * 24:31 - Favorite Destinations * 27:02 - Switching Lifestyles
Adam is a digital marketing "RV-preneur" who has been on the road with his family since the beginning of August.
The family is planning a once-in-a-lifetime adventure in their travel trailer, Moose.
Follow their journey on Instagram.
Some topics we covered:
- 3:24 - RV beginnings
- 7:27 - East Coast adventures
- 9:36 - The Bucket List Moose
- 12:17 - Rookie mistakes
- 17:42 - Family adapting to a life on the road
- 23:10 - RV’preneurship
- 24:30 - Adam’s stories from the road
We're bringing back the RV Jedeye!
David Lee got his nickname for his love of all things Star Wars (with the exception of Episodes 1-3) and his new-found love of RVing.
As a solo traveler, he’s made a commitment to get out on the road twice a month—a true “Weekend Warrior.”
The reason why he’s sharing his journey—to pay it forward. “I watched a lot of videos when I was thinking about getting my RV and renovating it, so I wanted to share and in a way say thanks to all those who came before me.”
You can follow his travels on YouTube and Instagram.
Some topics we covered this time around:
- 3:11 - RV Safety during hurricane season
- 11:49 - Changing RV style
- 16:02 - Getting by with a little help from your friends.
- 22:30 - Work/RV Life Balance
- 26:20 - RV Jedeye-approved meals and recipes
- 30:30 - Coffee talk
Looking to get out on the road full-time, but not sure where to start?
Liz Wilcox, Julie Chickery, and Camille Attell joined us to talk about their online event, developed specifically for aspiring full-time RVers.
Full-Time Freedom Week is a 5-day online event with over 30 speakers and industry experts giving you all the best RV information and inspiration in one place. Learn how to get and stay on the road, what RV you should buy, how to save money, how to make money on the road, and much more!
Register today at fulltimefreedomweek.com.
Some topics we covered:
- 3:43 - Assembling their “Dream Team”
- 7:16 - The start of something bigger
- 14:36 - Full Time Freedom Week
- 22:36 - Changing lives of RVers
- 31:09 - Tips for starting your own group
- 34:01 - Favorite experiences
Born in the UK, Robert has been traveling in his camper with his white lab for the last three years, visiting approximately 33 states, Canada and Mexico.
Prior to going full-time, he had his own consulting business involved in mergers and acquisitions along with integrating global companies.
Some topics we covered:
- 3:56 - Robert's travel beginnings
- 8:10 - Traveling in Mexico
- 10:50- International RVing
- 12:29 - Biking and tent camping Europe
- 15:00 - Safety on the Road
- 17:30 - Robert's RV
- 22:06 - Shifting tides in the RV community
Jenny, Dave, and their two children, Oakley and Cali, are a full-time RVing family who enjoys daily microadventures—exploring the country, finding community wherever they go, and giving all social media earnings back to their followers, local churches, and nonprofits.
They have committed to a life lived simply so that they may simply live.
Follow them at www.microadventurefamily.com.
Some topics we covered:
- 1:53 - Traveling Michigan
- 3:55 - What are Micro Adventures?
- 9:30 - Favorite Micro Adventure stories
- 12:35 - Micro Adventures without RVs
- 19:00 - Why They give back
- 25:45 - Full time minimalism
- 29:10 - Visiting (almost) all 50 states
Josh and Kali have been living the RV life since January of 2015. After a rough 2014—facing health issues and seeing Josh's dad face a double bypass surgery—they decided it was time for a change. Every year they reevaluate their goals and January 2nd, 2015 they realized their goals were too big for the typical "American Dream." Josh brought up the idea of RVing on a whim and Kali, to his surprise, said she was in! By the end of January they were living in and renovating their first RV. Three and a half years later they have welcomed their first child, Landyn, into their lives. The RV lifestyle for them has allowed them to see amazing sites and helped them reach their goal of putting family first. Subscribe to their news letter for updates on their forthcoming book: www.thefreedomtheory.com/subscribe. Follow Kali's new channel on motherhood and get updates on her clothing line: www.youtube.com/kalispiers. Follow their adventures here: * YouTube - www.youtube.com/thefreedomtheory * Blog - http://www.thefreedomtheory.com/ * Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thefreedomtheory * Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thefreedomtheory/ * Twitter - https://twitter.com/_FreedomTheory_
Some topics we covered: * 1:26 - Traveling with a newborn * 7:25 - Changing RVs * 9:57 - The Freedom Theory’s upcoming projects. * 16:14 - Josh and Kali’s RV beginnings. * 25:57 - The reality of full-timing. * 31:43 - Stories from the Road * 37:21 - What is next for The Freedom Theory?
Lucas and Sarah are the crew behind the show "Podcasts with Park Rangers." They’re exploring all 400+ National Park units with a mission to bring the Park Rangers' stories to a bigger stage. It’s their way to help preserve and build awareness for all National Park sites big and small.
They’re full-time RVers who travel from park to park with their 3 cats in a vintage bus. In addition to the show, they love to explore new National Parks and write about their journey on their blog—Virtual Kamper.
Some topics we covered:
- 1:44 - SoCal Camping
- 6:29 - National Parks and what makes them great
- 9:45 - The Park Ranger Podcast
- 17:56 - What they’ve learned from their travels
- 20:40 - The 1991 Bluebird Wanderlodge
- 24:25 - Lucas and Sarah’s Stories from the Road
- 30:09 - Traveling with pets
Adam and Lindsey Nubern have been traveling the world full-time since 2014, living out of RVs, campervans, and backpacks. They recently transitioned to having a base camp in Colorado.
They’re on a mission to create a life of freedom to pursue their curiosities while being financially responsible—living the way they want to live and saving the way they want to save.
Before they started traveling, they paid off all of our debt, saved a $15K emergency fund, and saved $31K to travel. Adam is a Certified Public Accountant at NuventureCPA.com and Lindsey is an author and photographer at NuventureTravels.com.
Some topics we covered:
- 1:30 - Catching up with the Nuberns
- 5:52 - Living and Leasing
- 8:15 - Pros of “Base Camping”
- 12:00 - What they miss about full timing
- 20:10 - Nuventure Travels
- 23:01 - New book release
- 32:28 - Looking to the Future
- 35:58 - Embracing Change
After completing a year of community college and having no idea what major to pursue, Jaclyn decided to go on her first solo backpacking trip to Italy. After that, she was hooked.
After exploring outside of the US, Jaclyn yearned to explore the national parks and beauty within the country, and also to meet like-minded people and those who had inspired her along the way.
With (a lot of) help from her dad, she converted the back of her 1999 Toyota Tacoma into a camper named “Dwight," and set out on a 6-month road trip. She loved the freedom to travel anywhere in your “home” so much that she bought a sprinter van (Dwight 2.0), and is in the process of building it out to do van life full time.
Follow her adventures on Instagram.
Some topics we covered:
- 2:30 - Jaclyn’s travel beginnings
- 6:05 - Truck life living
- 10:18 - The accidental garage sale story
- 17:33 - Solo traveling and safety
- 22:55 - Preparing for adventures
- 25:29 - Jaclyn’s experiences within the RV community
- 32:22 - What's in store for Jaclyn and her new van
- 35:58 - Words of encouragement and wisdom
Kelsey Henry is a singer/songwriter, podcaster, and digital nomad from Texas. She is the host of The Positively Delighted Show podcast and blogs about positivity at PositivelyDelighted.com.
From ages 11-17, she traveled full time in an RV with her parents, documenting her adventures of travel and roadschooling through music. She recently released her latest album, "Music & Lyrics", which features the song "Travel Junkie" and "Free", inspired by her roadschool upbringing.
Some topics we covered:
- 1:03 - Music and Lyrics
- 4:13 - Growing up full time RVing and Road Schooling
- 12:04 - The influence of travel
- 14:08 - Post-college to getting Back on the road
- 26:57 - “Free”
- 32:47 - Kelsey’s stories from then road
- 36:11 - Adventures on the horizon
Kevin and Mandy are full-time RVers—Kev is an app developer and Mandy is a photographer and metalsmith.
They live with their four pets in a new toyhauler that they ripped to the studs and renovated with their own four hands. The pets didn't even lift a paw to help...
Some episode highlights:
- 5:16 - 188sqft’s remodeling process
- 8:19 - Challenges while remodeling
- 13:25 - Transitioning to a new RV
- 17:39 - Kevin and Mandy’s adventures
- 23:50 - Tips on Having guests stay in your RV
- 26:39 - Mandy’s new business
JP has been on the move full-time for almost 20 years, working as a tour guide around the world and specializing in the national parks of America.
His travels have taken him to more than 75 countries and all 7 continents. An adventurer at heart, he’s walked across Spain, sailed the Virgin Islands, and ridden a motorcycle from Alaska to Argentina.
About 5 years ago JP started living in a motorhome between trips as a tour guide. He now lives full-time in his motorhome, traveling the country organizing convergences for Xscapers.
Some topics we covered:
- 2:40 - What is Xscapers?
- 5:40 - JP’s RV Story
- 11:21 - World traveling experiences
- 14:50 - Xscapers and the RV Community
- 19:30 - The Annual Bash in AZ
- 24:34 - JP’s RV
- 30:33 - Convergence experiences and benefits
- 34:03 - Traveling and craft beer
John & Brenda Nejedlo sold their sticks and bricks home and are now full-time RVers based out of Livingston, Texas. Before that, John was a police officer turned science teacher, while Brenda was a private voice and piano teacher.
Their plan is to travel—giving free day and night astronomy presentations while they slowly get to see North America.
Follow their journey as they attempt to see every dark sky astronomy site and geological feature from coast to coast—GeoAstroRV.com.
Some episode highlights:
- 2:23 - John and Brenda's RV Beginnings
- 13:12 - Nomadic Astronomy
- 22:56 - A day in the life of the Nejedlos
- 24:30 - Their custom Astronomy RV
- 29:44 - Learning from their mistakes while RVing
- 35:39 - Favorite experiences while traveling
- 41:28 - Epic Nomad experiences
- 46:52 - What's next for John and Brenda
- 50:56 - Words of wisdom
Camille's grandparents taught her to "go to school, get a job, and buy a house"—which is exactly what she did until she walked away from a twenty year career in corporate America. In the past two years, she and her husband, Bryce, have been full-time RV nomads, traveled 24,000 miles, and visited 30 states—all while learning how to create income streams, re-invent themselves, and stay married in 240 square feet. In addition to their website, More Than A Wheelin', Camille leveraged her background in career development and counseling to create Remote Work School, to teach nomad hopefuls how to work remotely. Additionally, she co-founded Blogging Camp (in partnership with 3 other RV nomads), a coaching program for rapid blog success. Camille and Bryce have also experimented with income streams like options trading, freelance writing, contract and consulting work, and recently, Camille partnered with a staffing agency to help place nomads into remote jobs. Some highlights: * 3:30 - Camille on slowing down her fast-paced life * 6:08 - Trading Corporate America for North America * 10:50 - An emotional journey * 14:25 - Finding work and starting a business on the road * 21:50 - More than a Wheelin’s rig of choice * 25:00 - Involvement in the upcoming “RV Nomads” film * 28:18 - Overcoming obstacles
Stephen and Courtney knew they needed a change from 60-hour work weeks and rarely enjoying all the “stuff” they were working so hard to obtain.
In May 2018, they sold their home and 95% of their belongings and started full-time RVing. Along with their two and four year old, they are traveling the United States for the next year, learning to embrace minimalism and tiny living, exploring everything from National Parks to big cities and most importantly, enjoying amazing experiences together as a family.
Follow their adventure at www.outofofficefamily.com and over on Instagram.
- 6:30 - The minimalist movement
- 18:17 - Where minimalism will take them
- 21:23 - What got the Fillners in an RV
- 29:40 - Family fynamics while traveling
- 31:10 - Their journey (so far)
- 34:27 - Must-visit destinations
- 38:00 - Stephen and Courtney's stories from the road
- 41:33 - Budgeting your travels
- 43:46 - Stephen's Philosophy
Sean and Julie Chickery are a perpetual travelers who are currently exploring the country in their Fifth Wheel.
After serving 20 years in the US Air Force, they knew they wanted to keep moving and experience even more of this beautiful nation. Enjoying slow travel, they spend 1 -2 months per location—fully experiencing the local area.
Together they manage Chickery’s Travels, an educational and inspirational website and YouTube channel documenting their travels and lessons learned.
They have authored a book, Full-Time RV Finance, that covers all monetary aspects of RV travel, to include the big purchase, making money on the road, and saving money on travel.
Some episode highlights:
- 1:40 - The Chickery’s Home base
- 4:06 - What lead them to the RV Life
- 10:00 - RVing and becoming remote business owners
- 17:10 - Trials and tribulations while traveling
- 21:42 - City camping
- 25:47 - Julie and Sean’s favorite stories from the road
- 27:33 - The RV Community
- 32:10 - Plans for the future
In May of 2016, Mike and Megan Knorpp decided to get rid of everything and hit the road with their nine kids. They traveled the US for a year in their converted Jayco fifth wheel and had some amazing adventures along the way.
After a year of RV travel, the Knorpps decided to make another big shift and take their travels international. They bought one-way tickets to Paris and took the whole family on another adventure through Europe and North Africa.
They are now back in the states and looking forward to more adventures with their large brood.
Keep up with their travels on their YouTube channel: Knorpp and South.
Some episode highlights:
- 3:50 The Knorpp’s RV story.
- 13:12 Favorite stops along their journey.
- 18:40 Traveling through Europe
- 24:11 Family growth on the road.
- 28:45 What is next for the Knorpps?
- 34:30 Vlogging the memories.
- 38:58 Cooking for 9 in an RV.
- 41:21 Words from the wise to newbies.
Stephanie and Jeremy Puglisi are the co-hosts of the RV Family Travel Atlas and Campground of the Week podcasts, which have been downloaded over 2 million times. They have appeared on television numerous times as spokesmen for Go RVing. They are also the co-authors of Idiots Guide: RV Vacations, which is available wherever books are sold. The Puglisis spend over 100 nights a year traveling in their Jayco Octane Toy Hauler with their three sons Max, Theo, and Wes—and Maggie the Camping Dog. You can follow their adventures on Instagram. Some highlights: * 2:48 - Representing the Weekend Warriors * 3:50 - Adventure and Mishaps in Canada * 14:00 - How camping has benefited their sons * 18:19 - Would RVFTA ever go full-time?? * 25:35 - RV beginnings to RVFTA * 32:35 - Managing RVFTA with work and travel * 47:15 - Trailer Life cover * 53:35 - Best food cities * 1:00:27 - Favorite travel experiences
Kerensa Durr & Brandon Hatcher hit the road in January of 2014 and haven’t looked back. They spend their time finding regional foods, exploring cool places to dive, and meeting other RVers. After years of enjoying their freedom exploring the US in their RV, they wanted to help others learn the ropes of full-timing at RVtoFreedom.com and with their course Roadmap to Full-Time RVing.
You can find them every day in their popular Facebook group RVtoFreedomGroup.com.
Some episode highlights:
- 2:55 - What is RV to Freedom?
- 10:24 - Developing their curriculum.
- 15:55 - Seeing their students thrive.
- 18:50 - Why they RV.
- 27:35 - Differences between city life and RV Life
- 33:15 - RV Memories and the eclipse.
- 36:45 - Get out and RV!
- 41:23 - Kerensa and Brandon’s RV bucket list
The Nickersons: Corey, Jessie, Lily, and Leila, sold their home in 2017 and moved into a travel trailer full-time.
Corey, a veteran and photographer, and Jessie, who used to run a spray-tan business out of their home, decided their family needed a change—traveling and exploring the country and connecting with people on the road.
They want to show the world that their “someday” is possible right now.
Follow their journey at instagram.com/findingoursomeday.
Some episode highlights:
- 1:23 - Whats going on in Wyoming?
- 7:47 - Volunteering on the road
- 15:33 - The Nickerson’s Rig
- 22:33 - Family bonding while traveling
- 30:20 - Everglades outpost
- 35:05 - A memorable Mt. Rushmore experience
- 44:30 - Hindsight is 20/20
- 48:12 - RV tips
Looking to become debt-free and inspired by the tiny home movement, Crystal Seay downsized her family's life and hit the road in an RV. Their renovated 36-foot fifth wheel is their "tiny dream home," and now Crystal, her husband Paul, and two children travel the country chasing adventure, living simply, and paying off their debt. * 3:50 - The Seay’s first six months of traveling. * 5:02 - Crystal and the Tiny Home movement. * 9:20 - Pros and Cons of downsizing their lives. * 14:45 - RVing and becoming debt free. * 20:45 - Saving and debt progress. * 23:40 - Raising a family in an RV * 28:20 - The Seay’s RV Community experiences * 30:40 - Crystal’s stories from the road. * 32:50 - RV buying advice.
Brendan and Sam Binger are a couple in their twenties, traveling through America full-time in their RV. They work from the road while exploring all of the incredible sights, places, and experiences that the US has to offer. Check out their Instagram account to say "hi" and follow along, or read about their journey on their website lifeamongpines.com. A few things we covered: * 2:18 - Work-Life balance on the road * 4:30 - National Park goals * 7:01 - What pushed them to go full time * 9:50 - Support from friends and family * 13:41 - A look insided Brendan and Sam's RV * 19:45 - Why They boondock/ best boondocking spots * 22:08 - Plants and Pets on the road * 28:05 - Sam and Brendan’s Stories from the road
Jon and Nadia are full-time RVers and food lovers who have set out on a journey to design a lifestyle of adventure, discovery, and learning.
Prior to setting out on their journey, Jonathan worked in sales, while Nadia was a former teacher and, eventually, a marketing professional. Knowing they yearned to travel while building businesses that enabled the lifestyle, they decided to commit fully to pursuing their passions and chasing their dreams.
Today, you are bound to find Jon with a camera in-hand, and Nadia creating illustrations, presentations, and many other digital assets—while simultaneously enjoying a fine cheese and a glass of wine.
To follow along on their adventures, visit them at roamingremodelers.com, or follow them on YouTube and Instagram.
Some topics we covered:
- 2:23 - How the Roaming Remodelers plan their travels
- 7:30 - How their RV experience changed in the first year
- 12:36 - The RV community
- 26:30 - Switching from a travel trailer to a class C
- 30:01 - RVing with dogs
- 37:08 - Advice to newbies
- 40:25 - Jon and Nadia’s favorite stories
Kelly left suburbia back in 2015. With a house too big for her and her two tiny dogs, and a life that had felt stale years prior, she found herself totally free to live a nomadic life.
An exclusive boondocker, she's loving the wide open spaces out west. Chasing the good weather is a requirement. Work is her primary daily routine, but exploring is a big part of this lifestyle and she hikes and explores nearby towns whenever possible.
Follow Kelly on her blog, Facebook, and Instagram.
A few things we covered:
- 2:20 - Why Kelly exclusively boondocks
- 7:09 - Safety on the road
- 15:03 - Best aspects of boondocking
- 20:05 - Kelly’s RV
- 29:35 - Opportunities on the road
- 34:14 - Camp Addict
- 38:00 - Kelly’s Banff story
- 48:35 - Madmax encounter
Scott Pellegrom has become one of the leading innovators for the next generation of drumming. Since performing live at the age of five, he has transformed from a natural born rhythmist to an international performer and clinician.
While he's been a camping and RV enthusiast for a long time, he's recently moved into a Class B RV—allowing him to travel to tour dates and actually give drum lessons in the RV.
Follow Scott's journey on Instagram.
Some topics we discussed:
- 3:30 Scott’s RV story
- 10:00 Social media’s impact on travel and music
- 11:20 Class B RV renovations
- 18:10 Northern MI hidden gems
- 23:50 Brew tours
- 31:10 Third Coast Recording Company
- 33:20 Life as a nomadic musician.
David Lee, the RV Jedeye, got his nickname for his love of all things Star Wars (with the exception of Episodes 1-3) and his new-found love of RVing.
As a solo traveler, he’s made a commitment to get out on the road twice a month—a true “Weekend Warrior.”
The reason why he’s sharing his journey—to pay it forward. “I watched a lot of videos when I was thinking about getting my RV and renovating it, so I wanted to share and in a way say thanks to all those who came before me.”
You can follow his travels on YouTube and Instagram.
Some topics we covered:
- 2:35 - Where RV Jedeye has been traveling
- 3:17 - How he got his start
- 6:15 - RV renovation stories
- 8:45 - How Dave caught the RV bug
- 11:10 - Deciding “What type of RVer” you’re going to be.
- 15:48 - Long- and short-term RVing goals
- 19:56 - Experiences with both in-person and digital RV communities
- 32:25 - Personal growth through blogging
- 36:25 - RV cooking tips
- 46:36 - Advice on getting into RVing
This photography-focused family moved from the island life of the Caymans to a life on the road in the US. Cruising in an Airstream, these four love visiting capital cities and state parks. They (all of them!) talked to us about their upcoming trip to Alaska, getting their rig into those hard-to-reach places like Hawaii, and life as three women and a man (plus a cat) in a small, metal RV.
You can keep up with All the Places 2 Go via their Instagram (where you’ll find their individual accounts as well), and on their blossoming YouTube page.
Some episode highlights:
- 6:31 – The stateliest capitals they’ve visited.
- 9:17 – Attacking the Alaskan frontier.
- 13:08 – Where this RV adventure started.
- 15:28 – Loving their Airstream.
- 16:47 – Living under the same (small-ish) roof.
- 23:26 – “People cross paths a lot.”
- 25:46 – Slow down.
- 30:25 – Getting onto PCH—and well beyond.
- 36:30 – Reservations, without reservations.
What started as an experiment in downsizing became a lifetime of adventure. Kenny and Sabrina Phillips are full-time RVers, keeping up with Sabrina’s road-based work-life. They sat with us to talk about the luck of their Winnebago, developing a deeper relationship on the road, and how downsizing starts with throwing away your socks.
You can keep up with Kenny and Sabrina via their YouTube channel or their Instagram.
Episode highlights:
- 3:05 – Locum tenens and the start of an RV adventure.
- 11:11 – Their 28’ Winnebago.
- 14:07 – Getting rid of more stuff.
- 18:30 – “I don’t even know what to talk to you about.”
- 22:17 – Going fast now, but slowing down in year two.
- 26:22 – The success of Moving Forward Adventures.
- 30:28 – Throw away your socks.
- 33:25 – “The Poop-cano.”
- 38:48 – Things will go wrong, but you’ll sort it out.
RVs aren’t the only way to travel the country full-time. Larissa Runkle is opting even smaller, outfitting a camper van and alternating between national parks and events for her life on the road. She talked to us about the challenges she has faced building the van, how bare minimalism helps her focus, and her best advice for jumping into this with someone else along for the ride.
You can keep up with Larissa via Instagram, or learn about some of her writing projects on her website.
- 2:34 – Way, way back to the beginning.
- 9:27 – Living on the road with like-minded people.
- 13:00 – Minimalism, simplicity, and focus.
- 16:00 – Building a customized camper van.
- 26:57 – Where she’s going.
- 30:53 – The experience that made her make the jump.
- 36:48 – The best advice for doing this with a friend.
Keith Sims—plus his wife and three boys—spend about half of every year on the road. He talks to us about how his wife talked him (a big man and retired football player) into getting an RV, using it to enrich his kids’ homeschooling experience, and being an African American in the RV community.
You can keep up with Keith and his Soulful RV Family on Instagram (or any other social media).
Some episode highlights:
- 3:38 – What got a 6’3”, 300 lbs. retired football player into an RV.
- 8:44 – The changes in his family since RVing.
- 11:28 – RVing as part of the African-American community.
- 13:38 – Being an ambassador to minority families to RV.
- 19:14 – Discovering NAARVA.
- 23:18 – Keith’s RV.
- 28:53 – Tailgating in a Class A as a retired football player.
- 36:25 – Keith’s stories from the road.
They don’t use the word “hippies,” but Craig and Bryanna—the parents behind Crazy Family Adventure—may fit the modern bill. Along with their four kids and two dogs, they travel the country, roaming freely, and taking in all the sights. They talked to us about traveling with kids and keeping them socialized, some of their favorite locations, and juggling entrepreneurship on the road.
You can keep up with Crazy Family Adventure on their Instagram, blog, or look up their business Virtual Powerhouse.
Some episode highlights:
- 5:07 – What started the adventure.
- 8:53 – How their family has evolved since they hit the road.
- 10:00 – Their current (and previous and future) RVs.
- 13:09 – Unschooling their children.
- 17:07 – The RV Community with kids.
- 25:20 – Some favorite memories from their favorite places.
- 33:21 – Unintended entrepreneurship.
- 39:51 – Their favorite moment from traveling so far.
- 46:18 – Advice for jumping into an RV and hitting the road.
Joe Hendricks is a photographer and photography coach, so the RV lifestyle suits him perfectly. After a long and winding road to getting out there in a brand new Airstream, Joe and his family have since moved back into a traditional home—but not for good. Joe sat with us to talk about photography, traveling with loved ones, bringing important life lessons back into the household, and why traveling will always be part of his life.
You can keep up with Joe via his website, Instagram, or listen to his podcast, The Basics of Photography.
Some episode highlights:
- 2:36 – What got Joe into an RV.
- 5:05 – Some of Joe’s favorite aspects of the RV life.
- 9:30 – Showing Mom America.
- 15:00 – The transition back to normal life.
- 16:39 – Keeping the traditions from the road, in a home.
- 18:41 – “The Photographer’s Mate.”
- 23:00 – One of his favorite stills he’s ever taken.
- 26:40 – His favorite stories from the road.
- 29:40 – Bucket list locations.
There’s something to be said for real solitude. That’s the approach Abigail Schilling takes on the road, full-timing in her 1966 Kit Companion trailer. She’s a serial entrepreneur, but very much embodies the “work to live” mentality in every job and business. She sat with us to talk about being a solo traveler, letting nature heal some health issues, and how her RV, “Pheribee,” does after all these years.
You can keep up with Abigail via her Instagram, or check out her website and shop for some merch.
Some episode highlights:
- 5:30 – Life as a solo camper.
- 6:41 – Making the jump into the RV lifestyle.
- 9:22 – Hitting the road with health issues.
- 13:10 – What the RV community means as a solo camper.
- 18:03 – Being a Project Manager on the road.
- 23:37 – The hurdles between client work and RV life.
- 29:12 – Her podcast, Two Girls Talking.
- 33:54 – Choosing a vintage RV.
- 36:51 – The School of Battery Monitoring.
- 43:39 – A couple of her favorite stories from the road.
Heath Padgett—along with his wife, Alyssa—is one of the best known full-time RVers on the road today. Now, they put on the RV Entrepreneur Summit, write, vlog, and host a podcast, plus a number of other noteworthy activities. Heath sat with us to dish about getting to where they are today, being influential to new road warriors, and changing the future of RVing.
You can buy Alyssa’s book, A Beginner's Guide to Living in an RV: Everything I Wish I Knew Before Full-Time RVing Across America, or keep up with Heath and Alyssa on their Instagram.
https://www.amazon.com/Beginners-Guide-Living-Everything-Full-Time/dp/1973321513/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1522083397&sr=8-1&keywords=alyssa+padgett
https://www.instagram.com/heathandalyssa/
- 5:16 – Heath’s RV story.
- 11:18 – The intent behind their documentary.
- 13:32 – How a rough first trip on the road brought them closer together.
- 16:50 – What the folks in his small Texas town thought of his plan to RV.
- 18:43 – A background on and overview of the RV Entrepreneur Summit.
- 24:36 – The many jobs of RV Entrepreneurs.
- 31:15 – Conversations about the future of RVing.
- 33:30 – CampgroundBooking.com.
- 36:09 – Their businesses, goals, and how RVs fit into it.
- 38:26 – Heath’s podcasting best practices.
- 42:12 – Business on the road vs. business for business sake.
- 45:24 – What the podcast has done for his own business.
- 48:00 – Advice for starting your own podcast.
- 53:00 – Writing a book.
- 56:22 – Harnessing the power of Amazon.
- 58:04 – International RV travel, and what that means for their current RV.
- 1:00:16 – Building an RV park.
- 1:04:47 – Heath’s least proud RVer moments.
- 1:08:34 – Their future, and going back to a “normal” lifestyle.
Ed and Liz Wilcox haven’t been on the road long, but they’re no strangers to the RV lifestyle—they lived stationary in their travel trailer full-time for over a year. Now, they’re RV entrepreneurs. They talk about the fateful day that led them to their motorhome, some struggles they’ve faced since, and how to keep it all in perspective.
Download Liz’s book, “Tales from the Black Tank: A Collection of Hilariously Crappy Stories,” or keep up with them on their site The Virtual Campground.
- 8:52 – The vision for The Virtual Campground.
- 11:20 – Tales from the Black Tank.
- 21:43 – What drew them to the RV lifestyle.
- 27:42 – Some doubts and worries.
- 31:35 – From stationary RVing to moving.
- 32:51 – Their switch from a trailer to a motorhome.
- 36:51 – How they’ve grown since moving into the RV.
- 41:50 – The experience being entrepreneurs.
- 50:14 – Their advice for new RV entrepreneurs.
- 53:00 – A (bad) story from the road.
- 56:14 – A (nicer) story from the road.
- 1:00:18 – Advice for people on the fence.
Everyone has to start somewhere. Kevin and Maria Sipe have only been full-time RVing for several weeks. Yet they still have dozens of stories, amazing experiences, and plenty of happiness already. We talked to them about taking that giant leap into a life on the road, the steps they’re taking to reach financial freedom, and how they’re each taking to a new lifestyle.
Follow along with Kevin and Maria via their blog, From Paris to Roam, their YouTube channel, and every other social media platform.
- 2:46 – The transition from a house to an RV.
- 4:28 – Work/life balance on the road.
- 6:49 – Where they see the blog going.
- 10:15 – What drew them to make the switch.
- 15:00 – Steps they’re taking to get out of debt.
- 17:17 – How their families took the news.
- 20:32 – Other big trips they have planned.
- 25:15 – Maintaining relationships on the road.
- 27:57 – Being in the midst of an RV renovation.
- 31:28 – Tips for being a new RVer.
- 33:26 – Their stories from the road.
Pete and Jordan are a pair of road-warrior entrepreneurs, and founders of Quarter for Your Crisis. QFYC helps others find purpose through both their work and their lives, creating community, conversation, and courses to guide you in your journey. We talked to them about finding the road and getting away from a corporate mindset. They broke down what a quarter-life crisis means to them, how it impacts other Millennials, and minimalism.
Follow Pete and Jordan on Instagram or on their website.
- 6:56 – Overcoming uncertainties.
- 8:16 – How South America shifted their mindset.
- 11:22 – Quarter for Your Crisis and how it has evolved.
- 13:27 – Challenges and benefits of growing a business out of an RV.
- 22:11 – Their experiences with the RV overall.
- 24:22 – A little story about moochdocking.
- 25:36 – Some of their favorite stories about RVing.
- 33:09 – The RV community and what it means to them.
- 37:13 – A breakdown of their business.
- 43:47 – Where they see this whole adventure going.
Dan and Lindsay McKenzie were on their way to living the “American Dream,” when they got bad news. Instead of letting it rule them, they took a detour. Then another. Now, they’re following their detour (and documenting every step via their blog Follow Your Detour), and encouraging others to hit the road as well. They talk with us about what led them to find their own path, helping others get out of debt, and what the future looks like for Follow Your Detour.
Follow Dan and Lindsay on Instagram.
- 3:50 – The changes they made to get out of debt.
- 8:17 – What it took to get them on the road full time.
- 10:56 – Experience vs. things.
- 13:25 – What a day’s work looks like in the RV.
- 15:35 – The way their program has changed others’ lives.
- 17:45 – Where will Follow Your Detour go in the future?
- 22:35 – How they choose where they’re going next.
- 25:57 – Maintaining relationships on the road.
- 29:10 – Their favorite road stories.
Trent and Siobhán are a pair of modern-day traveling minstrels: musicians that travel the country in an RV, playing at churches and living the life they always dreamed of. While that’s a story in itself, theirs is even crazier because they also share the space with their five (yes, five) boys. Host Sam talks to them about just what makes their lifestyle an adventure, as a family, every single day.
Follow Trent & Siobhán on YouTube or on Instagram!
Some episode highlights:
- 2:00 – The importance of a schedule with (and without) the kids.
- 3:50 – Balancing music, travel, teaching, parenthood, and everything else.
- 8:20 – Life before traveling in the RV.
- 13:20 – What was at stake for them.
- 18:20 – The best (and most difficult) part of RVing.
- 22:30 – Getting the kids socialized on the road.
- 25:48 – The moments that makes it all worth it.
- 33:25 – Upcoming locales.
- 34:08 – The favorite places they’ve visited (recently).
The RV lifestyle extends well beyond the borders of the United States. There’s no better example of that than Lindsey and Adam Nubern. They spend their lives traveling in an RV—not just in the US, but internationally. In fact, Lindsey wrote the book on RVing in New Zealand. Listen in as they share dozens of stories, laughs, and a couple warnings about what it’s like to live a life of freedom.
- 11:30 – The impact of the RV community in their lives.
- 13:26 – International RVing.
- 18:20 – Adventures in sheep shearing.
- 20:08 – Their favorite places (so far).
- 25:35 – Learn from their mistakes.
- 28:10 – Opportunities that present themselves.
- 31:02 – Their thoughts on a hosting job at a campground.
- 33:11 – Where Nuventure Travels is heading.
- 37:53 – Their bucket list locations.
Follow Adam and Lindsey on their website and Instagram account!
Ben and Becca were living the American Dream: a family of four in a beautiful house, a great job, and friends. But they never saw one another, and they decided that was no way for them to live. After they sold off most of their possessions, they hit the road in a travel trailer RV. Now, they’re the Family Fulfillment Project. They talk with Sam about the great changes they’ve seen since diving in full-time, the challenges of RV living with a large family, and the many joys they’re experiencing.
- 9:43 – The realities of family-living in a small trailer.
- 14:17 – The beauties of life on the road.
- 16:03 – A (near) disaster story.
- 19:34 – The favorite place they’ve been (so far).
- 20:34 – Their bucket list location.
- 22:00 – Their experiences with the RV community.
- 26:40 – Suggestions and advice for making the jump to full-timing.
- 31:10 – The best resource for full-timing.
Follow The Family Fulfillment Project on their website, YouTube, and Instagram!
Most studio apartments in cities are larger than 188 square feet. When you hear that Kevin and Mandy live full-time in their 188-square-foot fifth wheel RV it might sound crazy. Add in their two cats and two dogs-well, it might sound cramped. Yet they’ve been living on the road for years, and they’ve found that it has impacted their lives in all kinds of positive ways. Listen in for their experiences, ways they renovated their rig, ideas for living small, and advice for hitting the road yourself.
- 6:35 – How RVing full-time has impacted their relationship.
- 8:35 – Their advice for getting started in the RV lifestyle.
- 11:27 – The methods to the madness of renovating a camper.
- 14:31 – The actual square footage of their space.
- 15:35 – An RVing horror story.
- 19:00 – The many things that have kept them out on the road.
- 21:05 – Sam’s favorite things about Idaho.
- 22:44 – Their most highly rated food destination.
- 28:04 – Suggestions for starting your own travel blog.
- 30:12 – How to get into RVing.
Follow Kevin and Mandy on Instagram
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