Kerouacs Cruising | Where Off-Grid Living Meets Soulful Awakening

Money, Movement, Marriage, and Finding Balance on the RoadThis episode is a real-time campfire check-in. We talk about preparing for a cross-country journey, navigating financial stress, living in close quarters, and learning to pause rather than push. It’s an honest conversation about balance, awareness, and choosing growth—even when life feels messy and uncertain. In this episode of Kerouacs Cruising, we sit by the campfire in Bullhead City and share an unfiltered update on where we’re at — mentally, emotionally, and practically.We talk about:Preparing for a long-awaited East Coast journeyFinancial pressure, DoorDashing, and living with “enough”Deciding what to do with the property while staying nomadicHow constant togetherness can amplify inner critics and small conflictsRecognizing projection, lack, and stress before they turn into resentmentWhy pauses can be gifts instead of setbacksAlcohol, food, balance, and listening to what our bodies are asking forThe importance of slowing mornings, mindfulness, and awarenessLetting conversations rest instead of forcing resolutionThis episode isn’t about having answers. It’s about staying present in a season of transition and choosing curiosity, compassion, and communication over blame.💻 Watch this episode on YouTube: @KerouacsCruising📸 Blog & travel stories: KerouacsCruising.com💬 Instagram & Facebook: @KerouacsCruising📧 Email: [email protected]✨ Support our journey on Ko-fi: Every little bit helps us keep creating from the road! https://ko-fi.com/kerouacscruisingIf this episode moved you, the kindest thing you can do is like, subscribe, and leave a review. It’s a small action that makes a huge difference in helping us keep the journey going. 💚🩷💚🩷 Thank you for being here — your presence means everything.

What if slowing down didn’t require alcohol or numbing out? In this episode, we explore kava — a 3,000-year-old South Pacific plant — its cultural roots, calming rituals, and why it’s becoming a meaningful alternative for connection, presence, and unwinding without losing yourself.In this episode of Kerouacs Cruising, we sit down with Morgan Smith of Kalm with Kava for a grounded, honest conversation about kava — what it is, what it isn’t, and why it has been used ceremonially and socially for thousands of years across the South Pacific.We talk about:What kava actually is (and why it’s often misunderstood)The cultural and ceremonial roots of kavaNoble vs. two-day kavas and why quality mattersKava as a social and alcohol alternativeNervous system regulation and intentional ritualsWhy preparation and presence are part of the experienceClearing up myths around safety, liver concerns, and side effectsHonoring plant medicine without separating it from its peopleThis episode is for anyone curious about kava, reducing alcohol, or finding gentler ways to unwind and connect — without numbing out.💻 Watch this episode on YouTube: @KerouacsCruising📸 Blog & travel stories: KerouacsCruising.com💬 Instagram & Facebook: @KerouacsCruising📧 Email: [email protected]✨ Support our journey on Ko-fi: Every little bit helps us keep creating from the road! https://ko-fi.com/kerouacscruisingIf this episode moved you, the kindest thing you can do is like, subscribe, and leave a review. It’s a small action that makes a huge difference in helping us keep the journey going. 💚🩷💚🩷 Thank you for being here — your presence means everything.

Real-Life Hacks for Water, Power, Internet & Staying Put LongerLiving off-grid in a camper isn’t about perfection — it’s about learning as you go. In this episode, we share what six months on the road has taught us about water, power, waste, internet, and staying put longer without burning out or breaking camp every few days. After six months of living off-grid in a travel trailer, we wanted to share what’s actually working — and what we’ve had to learn the hard way.In this episode, we talk through real-life systems and habits that allow us to stay in one place for up to two weeks at a time while conserving resources and leaving no trace.We cover:Water conservation strategies that actually workHow we refill tanks without moving campGray water and black tank realities (and honest workarounds)Propane management and backup cooking solutionsWhy instant coffee is one of our biggest quality-of-life hacksSolar power, EcoFlow generators, and battery managementLighting choices that support natural rhythms and save powerInternet options on the road (Starlink vs hotspots)How “parking for success” makes everything easierThis episode is for anyone curious about camper life, boondocking, or extending their time off-grid without stress.💻 Watch this episode on YouTube: @KerouacsCruising📸 Blog & travel stories: KerouacsCruising.com💬 Instagram & Facebook: @KerouacsCruising📧 Email: [email protected]✨ Support our journey on Ko-fi: Every little bit helps us keep creating from the road! https://ko-fi.com/kerouacscruisingIf this episode moved you, the kindest thing you can do is like, subscribe, and leave a review. It’s a small action that makes a huge difference in helping us keep the journey going. 💚🩷💚🩷 Thank you for being here — your presence means everything.

Life doesn’t get easier just because we wait for perfect timing. In this episode, we share a real-time update from the road — navigating finances, family, weather, and uncertainty — and why choosing the life you want matters, even when it’s hard. Sometimes the goal isn’t clarity. It’s commitment.In this episode of Kerouacs Cruising, we check in from the road during the holidays — reflecting on travel, work, family, and the realities of making it all work without a clear roadmap.We talk honestly about:Living with uncertainty while staying optimisticUsing gig work like DoorDash to stay flexible on the roadSeasonal travel choices and adapting to weatherVisiting family and the emotional weight of time and distanceLetting go of “how” and staying focused on “what”Why struggle is inevitable — and how choosing your struggle mattersThis conversation is a reminder that life is rarely perfect, but it can still be intentional. If it’s going to be hard anyway, you might as well choose the life that feels worth the effort.💻 Watch this episode on YouTube: @KerouacsCruising📸 Blog & travel stories: KerouacsCruising.com💬 Instagram & Facebook: @KerouacsCruising📧 Email: [email protected]✨ Support our journey on Ko-fi: Every little bit helps us keep creating from the road! https://ko-fi.com/kerouacscruisingIf this episode moved you, the kindest thing you can do is like, subscribe, and leave a review. It’s a small action that makes a huge difference in helping us keep the journey going. 💚🩷💚🩷 Thank you for being here — your presence means everything.

What if your space was quietly shaping your mood, health, creativity, and relationships? In this episode, architect Talor Stewart joins us to explore how intentional environments — even tiny ones — can reduce daily friction, improve sleep, and support the life you’re trying to live, wherever you call home.In this episode, we explore:Why small friction points quietly drain energy and create resentmentHow entryways, bathrooms, and bedrooms shape daily stressSimple shifts that improve sleep, air quality, and flowWhy dedicating space to what you love increases follow-throughHow conscious home design applies to campers, rentals, and houses alike🔗 Learn more about Talor’s work: conscioushomedesign.com💻 Watch this episode on YouTube: @KerouacsCruising📸 Blog & travel stories: KerouacsCruising.com💬 Instagram & Facebook: @KerouacsCruising📧 Email: [email protected]✨ Support our journey on Ko-fi: Every little bit helps us keep creating from the road! https://ko-fi.com/kerouacscruisingIf this episode moved you, the kindest thing you can do is like, subscribe, and leave a review. It’s a small action that makes a huge difference in helping us keep the journey going. 💚🩷💚🩷 Thank you for being here — your presence means everything.

Life on the road doesn’t pause for perfect timing. In this episode, we share what it’s been like to find our rhythm while navigating unpredictable weather, financial pressure, and constant movement—learning how to balance work, rest, and presence as we continue forward without having everything figured out.In this episode of Kerouacs Cruising, we check in from the road and talk honestly about what the last few weeks have looked like—working across different towns, adapting plans when the weather turns challenging, and learning how to balance income with actually enjoying the journey.This season has been about holding steady in the unknown, and this conversation captures what that looks like day to day.We talk about:Working while traveling and using gig work to stay afloatMaking quick decisions when weather impacts safety and plansThe physical realities of camper life in rain, cold, and mudLearning when to work—and when to slow downHow our dogs help anchor us in the present momentLetting go of rigid timelines and finding a sustainable paceThis episode isn’t about having clear answers. It’s about staying flexible, grounded, and committed to the path—even when it requires constant adjustment.If you’re navigating a season where life feels unsettled but meaningful, this conversation is for you.💻 Watch this episode on YouTube: @KerouacsCruising🎧 Listen where you Stream📸 Blog & travel stories: KerouacsCruising.com💬 Instagram & Facebook: @KerouacsCruising📧 Email: [email protected]✨ Support our journey on Ko-fi: Every little bit helps us keep creating from the road! https://ko-fi.com/kerouacscruisingIf this episode moved you, the kindest thing you can do is like, subscribe, and leave a review. It’s a small action that makes a huge difference in helping us keep the journey going. 💚🩷💚🩷 Thank you for being here — your presence means everything.

When the plan falls apart, what do you do next? We share what it looks like to hold steady in the unknown—after a property sale collapses, travel plans change, and the future feels wide open and uncertain. This is an honest conversation about trust, timing, and continuing forward anyway.Sometimes life doesn’t ask for certainty—it asks for presence.In this episode of Kerouacs Cruising, we open up about a season of sudden change: a property sale falling through, financial uncertainty, canceled plans, and the emotional weight of letting go of what we thought was “next.” After spending two months in Idaho with family, we begin the journey back toward Arizona—recalibrating, regrouping, and learning how to stay grounded when the future is unclear.We talk about:Living moment by moment when long-term plans dissolveThe emotional impact of putting dreams on pauseBalancing family, travel, finances, and personal identityLessons from mindfulness practice and slowing downWhy the “perfect time” rarely arrivesTrusting that life can still unfold—even without answersChoosing progress over paralysis in the messy middleThis episode was recorded while camped near Paiute State Park, a quiet and beautiful place that reminded us how much clarity can come from simply being present.If you’re feeling stuck between what was and what’s next, this conversation is for you.💻 Watch this episode on YouTube: @KerouacsCruising📸 Blog & travel stories: KerouacsCruising.com💬 Instagram & Facebook: @KerouacsCruising📧 Email: [email protected]✨ Support our journey on Ko-fi: Every little bit helps us keep creating from the road! https://ko-fi.com/kerouacscruisingIf this episode moved you, the kindest thing you can do is like, subscribe, and leave a review. It’s a small action that makes a huge difference in helping us keep the journey going. 💚🩷💚🩷 Thank you for being here — your presence means everything.

A quick recap of the last year and optimism for the year ahead.See you next year!

If you’re heading into family gatherings with an inner critic (or a loud uncle), this one’s for you! Your inner critic doesn’t have to drive your life. In this powerful conversation, therapist and hypnotherapist Dr. Margaret Cochran shares a simple “bus” mindfulness tool to name the loud voice in your head, stop arguing with it, and keep moving toward your goals—without toxic positivity.In this episode of Kerouacs Cruising, we talk about the inner critic, healing old wounds, and why “words create realities.” Dr. Cochran breaks down a mindfulness practice you’ll remember forever: you’re the driver of the bus, and your thoughts are passengers—including the ones that shout fear, shame, and “you didn’t do it right.”We also explore:Why fighting the inner critic drains your energy (and stalls your momentum)How to name the voice and keep driving anywayThe “hole in the sidewalk” pattern—and the steps to finally choose a new roadCognitive distortions, narcissistic family systems, and why kids internalize blameA simple “three questions” reset when you’re spiralingA 28–30 day gratitude practice that can shift your brain over timeBoundaries at family gatherings: limits, exit plans, and not taking the baitA grounding meditation: Embracing the Golden LightManifestation vs. “toxic positivity”: you can’t clean the kitchen if you won’t see the dirtThe question that cuts through fear: What would I do if I weren’t afraid?Connect with Dr. Margaret Cochran: Website: DrCochran.comMore from us: Blog + episode resources: kerouacscruising.com Email: [email protected] Follow: @kerouacscruising (IG/FB)

We’re back with a fan-favorite format: Road Trip Table Topics! From moody family members (spoiler: it’s not who you think) to UFO stories, favorite cities, dream souvenirs, and the greatest athlete debate—this episode is a fun, honest ride with plenty of laughs and a few surprisingly deep moments.💻 Watch this episode on YouTube: @KerouacsCruising📸 Blog & travel stories: KerouacsCruising.com💬 Instagram & Facebook: @KerouacCruising📧 Email: [email protected]✨ Support our journey on Ko-fi: Every little bit helps us keep creating from the road! https://ko-fi.com/kerouacscruisingIf you enjoyed this episode, the kindest thing you can do is like, subscribe, and leave a review. It’s a small action that makes a huge difference in helping us keep the journey going. 💚🩷💚🩷 Thank you for being here — your presence means everything.

What do you do when a botched surgery leaves you without an Achilles tendon… and a therapist tells you you’ll be “compromised for the rest of your life”? In this episode, author and hiker Jo Giese shares how she clawed her way back to the trail, one waterfall, lucky stone, and hopeful step at a time.When a “routine” Achilles repair went horribly wrong, doctors told Jo Giese that life as she knew it was over. The Achilles died, infection set in, and even a trusted PT told her she’d be compromised forever.But Jo refused to accept that story.In this conversation, Jo shares how she went from barely able to walk to becoming what doctors now call a medical outlier — the 0.01% of people who recover function without an Achilles tendon. With brutal honesty and a lot of humor, she talks about rebuilding strength, finding the right medical team, and why killing someone’s hope is one of the worst things we can do.We also dive into:Why some people succumb to injury while others overcome itHow waterfalls, wild places, and “waterfall medicine” became a big part of Jo’s healingThe importance of community: doctors, therapists, friends, and the people who simply show upWhy Jo is firmly against hiking alone in remote places — and how to find safer ways to adventureThe joy of lucky stones, “walkie talkies” walking groups, and discovering that your pace doesn’t define your worthJo’s upcoming memoir, You’ll Never Walk Alone: A Hiker’s Memoir of Adventure, Tragedy, and Defying the Odds, releases February 10, 2026 — and this conversation is a beautiful preview of the grit, vulnerability, and awe packed into her story.🎧 Listen if you’re navigating injury, burnout, or big life change and need a reminder that your body — and your spirit — might be capable of far more than you’ve been told.💻 Watch this episode on YouTube: @KerouacsCruising📸 Blog & travel stories: KerouacsCruising.com💬 Instagram & Facebook: @KerouacCruising📧 Email: [email protected]✨ Support our journey on Ko-fi: Every little bit helps us keep creating from the road! If this episode moved you, the kindest thing you can do is like, subscribe, and leave a review. It’s a small action that makes a huge difference in helping us keep the journey going. 💚🩷💚🩷 Thank you for being here — your presence means everything.

This week threw us a curveball we truly didn’t expect.While scouting hunting camps deep in the Idaho forest, our truck suddenly refused to shift into gear — leaving us stranded on a narrow service road with no cell service, three dogs, wildfire smoke drifting overhead, and a drop-off just a few feet away. What followed was equal parts stressful, hilarious, and oddly synchronistic.In this episode we share:• The moment the truck broke down — and why we’re lucky it happened the way it did• The zip-tie solution that saved the day• The surprising discovery of a potential property with a creek running right through it• Our favorite riverside camp yet (dogs included)• How wildfire closures are changing hunting season plans• Why the hardest moments on the road often lead to the clarity we needed🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube: @KerouacsCruising📸 Blog & travel stories: KerouacsCruising.com💬 Instagram & Facebook: @KerouacCruising📧 Email: [email protected]✨ Support our journey on Ko-fi: Every little bit helps us keep creating from the road! If this episode moved you, the kindest thing you can do is like, subscribe, and leave a review. It’s a small action that makes a huge difference in helping us keep the journey going.💚🩷💚🩷 Thank you for being here — your presence means everything.Let us know: have you ever had a road-life crisis turn into a blessing?

We are grateful for all of our friends, family supporters and everyone joining our journey, as we figure out this thing called life together! We hope you have a wonderful weekend, see you next week for our next adventure episode 💚🩷

What if the real magic of travel isn’t the views, but the people you meet along the way? In this episode, we sit down with traveler and memoirist Melissa Rodway to talk about backpacking Southeast Asia, travel fatigue, leech-filled jungle treks, and why some of our most authentic selves show up far from home.Canadian traveler, writer, and podcast host Melissa Rodway joins us to share the real story behind her travel memoir The People You Meet: Luxury, Leeches, Love & Lao-Lao with a Host of Interesting Characters in Southeast Asia.Her love of adventure started early—moving from small-town Canada to a bush community outside Perth, Australia as a kid. Years later, a four-month trip through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and China became the backbone of her book and completely changed her relationship with travel, writing, and herself.In this conversation, we explore:How a “once in a lifetime” trip turned into a raw, funny, and honest travel memoirThe jungle trek in Laos that went very, very differently than expectedWhat travel fatigue actually feels like—and how to know when it’s time to go homeWhy the people you meet matter more than the places you seeThe strange freedom of being more yourself when you’re far from homeWhy it’s never too late to start traveling (or to finally write the book that’s been tugging at you)If you’ve ever dreamed about backpacking Asia, traveling solo, or simply reconnecting with your authentic self, this episode will give you both permission and a gentle nudge out the door.All Things Melissa:The People You MeetInstagram: @fly_travel_mediaWebsite: https://flyrodway.comFacebook: FLYTravelMedia💻 Watch this episode on YouTube: @KerouacsCruising📸 Blog & travel stories: KerouacsCruising.com💬 Instagram & Facebook: @KerouacCruising📧 Email: [email protected]✨ Support our journey on Ko-fi: Every little bit helps us keep creating from the road! If this episode moved you, the kindest thing you can do is like, subscribe, and leave a review. It’s a small action that makes a huge difference in helping us keep the journey going. 💚💗

We finally made it to North Idaho — and this week, we’re taking you with us as we tour a remote one-acre property deep in the mountains. The road is wild, the views are unreal, and the reality check hits hard. Is this the spot where our new life takes root… or not?After weeks on the road, we’re back in North Idaho, the place that already feels like home even though our roots aren’t in the ground yet. In this adventure episode, we take you along as we check out a remote one-acre lot tucked deep into the mountains near Lake Pend Oreille.From rough forest roads to steep terrain, from big hopes to big reality checks — we walk through what it’s really like to try to build a home base while living full-time on the road.Along the way, we talk about:what we’re looking for in our future homesteadchallenges of off-grid access in winter (hello, snowmobile-only roads)the pros + cons of remote landhow our three pups (including sweet Jewels in this video) shape every decisionthe behind-the-scenes chaos of travel days, Starlink glitches, laundry hunts, and keeping the camper functioningsurrendering to the unknown and trusting the right place will reveal itselfWe also share updates on:the Arizona homestead salethe next property we plan to tourhow we’re navigating decision-making while still living on the moveour setup, our workflow, and the truth about what this lifestyle really takesIf you’ve ever dreamed of relocating to the mountains, buying remote land, or building a simple life on your own terms, this episode offers a real, unfiltered look into the early stages of that journey.📍 Watch the full episode for the views, the honesty, and a few laughs.📍 Visit the blog at KerouacsCruising.com for detailed notes & resources.📍 Join the conversation on Instagram & Facebook @kerouaccruising.If you enjoy the episode, please consider liking, commenting, subscribing, and leaving a review — your support helps us reach more people walking the same path.

What if trash could build schools, students could fight poverty, and real democracy began in 7th grade? In this profoundly moving interview, we sit down with Matt Paneitz, founder of Long Way Home, a nonprofit turning 550+ tons of waste into a sustainable Hero School campus in rural Guatemala. In this powerful and uplifting conversation, we talk with Matt Paneitz — paramedic, Peace Corps volunteer, educator, builder, and founder of A Long Way Home, a nonprofit in Comalapa, Guatemala, transforming trash into resilient classrooms and turning students into community problem-solvers.Matt spent two decades proving that purpose can truly be built from the ground up. His Hero School model, recognized by UNESCO, blends green building, indigenous Kachikal traditions, democratic education, and community empowerment. The result? Students who don’t just learn about change — they create it.We talk about: ✨ How 550+ tons of trash became a sustainable K–12 campus ✨ Students solving poverty using what they learn in school ✨ Bamboo trusses, earthbag domes, eco-brick walls & tire foundations ✨ Matt’s intense origin story — from a small Texas town to the Peace Corps to hitchhiking through Guatemala ✨ The unseen realities of poverty and resilience ✨ How one volunteer idea grew into a movement ✨ Why democratic education could change the future of entire countries ✨ What Matt hopes to bring to the Secretary of Education ✨ The power of purpose, passion, and “la lucha” — the shared struggle ✨ Our own reflections afterward about chasing purpose even when it looks “crazy” from the outsideIf you’ve ever questioned your path, your purpose, or the impact one person can make — this episode will move you.Support Long Way Home Volunteer, donate, or learn more: 🔗 lwhome.org 📞 Matt’s direct number (he insisted!): 978-992-2333Follow Us & Join the Journey Blog & photos: kerouacscruising.com Instagram & Facebook: @kerouacscruising Email: [email protected] Support our work on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/kerouacscruising

From a sketchy canal in Nevada to a dreamy lakeside spot in Oregon, this leg of our journey had biting flies, blown-up Starlink, surprise mice, and a whole lot of dog hair. We’re towing our 26-foot trailer with three dogs, chasing cooler temps, and trying to keep our truck alive while we inch toward Idaho and grandbaby smoochies.You’ll also see our sweet girl Jewels all throughout this episode—this was filmed before she passed, so this one is extra special to us. 💛In this adventure episode, we roll out of the Yosemite/Virginia Lakes area and start making our way toward Idaho with a few memorable stops along the way:Humboldt Wildlife Management Area near Lovelock, Nevada – including why we wouldn’t let the dogs in the water, how biting flies + mosquitoes changed our minds, and what it’s like crawling down a washboard road at 10 mph with a trailer.Antelope Reservoir, Oregon (near Jordan Valley) – a beautiful free camping spot with swimmable water, big skies, and first-come-first-served lakeside sites that fill up fast.Spring Creek Road (Forest Service Road 21) near La Grande, Oregon – high pines, Oregon Trail history, Labor Day side-by-sides, hunting season, and how we handled the heat when we really just wanted a quiet few days in the woods.We also talk honestly about full-time RV life with three dogs (Jewels, Bella, and Norman):laundry math when you haven’t washed clothes since you left Arizonadog hair avalanches every time you crack a windowmanaging an elderly dog’s incontinence on the roadwhy we keep snap traps on board for surprise furry stowaways 🐭On the “logistics & life” side, we share:our truck upgrades (that new transmission cooler and why slowing down on mountain passes changed everything)a weird AC thermostat glitch in the camper (hello, Celsius)Starlink reality when clouds roll in and your upload speed disappears right when you’re trying to deliver a podcast episodethe emotional roller coaster of selling our Arizona homestead and the excitement of possibly buying a small treed acre in Idaho near the lake—just enough space to park the camper, fence the pups, run shore power, and build a big “dog house” shed.Through it all, we’re just two humans and three dogs doing our best to travel slow, stay safe, and keep things honest—even when the fire pits are full of trash, the temps hit the 90s, and the laundry basket is begging for mercy.🎧 In this episode you’ll hear about:The truth about Humboldt Wildlife Management Area as an overnight stopWhy we highly recommend Antelope Reservoir (and why you should arrive early)Free camping on Spring Creek Road / FS 21 near La Grande, ORTraveling with three dogs: hair, heat, and hard decisionsOur Starlink struggles and website rebuild in the wildTruck temps, towing safety, and how a transmission cooler changed our driving styleOur next chapter: hunting season, baby cuddles, and a potential home base in Idaho🔗 Places & resources mentioned:Antelope Reservoir (near Jordan Valley, Oregon) – free lakeside camping with vault toilets and fire rings (check current fire bans)Spring Creek Road / FS 21 near La Grande, OR – dispersed camping + Spring Creek Campground (fee area with vault toilet)GC Asian Fusion, La Grande, Oregon – delicious, affordable Asian fusion spot we loved in downtown La Grande💛 A note about Jewels: You’ll see our girl Jewels a lot in this video. This episode was recorded before she passed, and we chose to share it as a way to honor her joy out on the road. She was such a big part of Kerouacs Cruising, and we’re grateful you love her too.📸 Blog companion: Read the full blog with camping details, tips, and photos: 👉 [Add your blog link here once published]🗣 Join the conversation:Website & blog: kerouacscruising.comFacebook & Instagram: @kerouaccruisingEmail: [email protected] this episode made you laugh, cringe, or plan your own trip, please like, subscribe, and leave a review. It helps more adventure-curious folks find us and keeps this journey rolling.

If “networking” makes you want to run for the hills, this episode will feel like a deep breath. We’re joined by Nick Shelton—veteran, strategist, stand-up comic, and author of An Introvert’s Guide to World Domination—to talk about navigating the world as an introvert without wearing a mask. We dig into authenticity vs. performance, simple step-by-step social systems (yes, including where to stand and what to hold), re-finding yourself after retirement or a major life change, and why saying “I don’t know” is secretly a superpower. Nick also shares his “Reset Button” framework for auditing your life, releasing old identities, and building purpose through aligned habits.Highlights:The low-pressure way to enter any room and meet one personAuthenticity > confidence: stop faking it, start systemizing itThe “reset letter” + burn ritual (honoring past you)Cooking/dance/language classes as identity-building cheat codesTreating everyone like a VIP (and why it opens real doors)Links & resources:Nick’s site: resettheman.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nicholasleonshelton/An Introvert’s Guide to World Domination: geni.us/anintrovertsguideOur blog & photos: kerouacscruising.comCallouts: If this helped, share it with the introvert in your life and leave a review—it truly keeps us rolling.

After our short pause, we're back on the road—and Yosemite greeted us with rain, hail, fog, and a full-on August snowstorm. In today’s adventure episode, we recap our wild entrance into Yosemite Valley, the unprepared tourists scrambling for ponchos, James trying (and failing) to get a tetanus shot, and the breathtaking moment the storm lifted and revealed the valley walls and waterfalls in all their beauty.This is an honest look at what travel really feels like—messy, unpredictable, hilarious, and healing. And a reminder that sometimes the storm gives you a better gift than the sunshine ever could.What We Talk About• Rain, hail & 38° August snow 🤯 • Crowds scrambling for overpriced umbrellas • Why rainy national park days are usually the best • The chaos of Yosemite Valley traffic • Lower & Upper Yosemite Falls roaring from fresh storms • Why the outside areas (Tuolumne Meadows, Tioga Pass) might be even better • James’s foot injury update • RV challenges, triumphs & the art of rolling with what isLinks🎥 Watch the YouTube adventure: https://youtu.be/QsfwPpUffJk 📝 Blog with campsite details & photos: https://kerouacscruising.com/when-the-storm-doesnt-scare-off-the-crowd-our-rain-soaked-and-hilarious-yosemite-valley-day/ IG/FB: @KerouacsCruising Email: [email protected]

After two weeks off, we’re back — and today’s conversation is exactly about coming back. Author and former boxer Mark Connor joins us to talk about loss, caring for parents, Irish and Native influences, and how to keep love, family, and life at the center even when the world is pulling apart.In this episode, Cara and James sit down with Mark Connor, author of It’s About Time, a memoir-meets-spiritual-reflection wrapped around poetry and guarded (literally) by angels. Mark shares how he navigated seasons of grief, long pauses in his writing, caring for his parents, and staying rooted in Catholic faith while honoring Indigenous and Irish connections.We talk about:How boxing and jazz taught him about rhythm in life and writingWhat to do when you hit 2 years of writer’s blockWhy he says God is not a tyrant, but “love, family, and life”Holding space for different spiritual traditions without losing your ownHow to keep creating when money/life/time say “not now”📚 Get Mark’s book It’s About Time here: [Amazon link] or [Lulu link]🌐 Visit Mark’s site: https://boxersandwritersmagazine.com/books📺 Watch this episode on YouTube: youtu.be/cTrek5Keb7oConnect with us:• Website & blog: https://kerouacscuising.com• IG & FB: @KerouacsCruising• Email us: [email protected]• Support the show / travel content: ko-fi.com/kerouacscruisingIf this episode encouraged you, the kindest thing you can do is rate, review, and share — it helps us reach more travelers, writers, and spiritual nomads like you. 🧡