Where’s Willie?

Meet Kelly Beasely, the founder of Camp Addict and a woman who has explored the country thanks to her RV and adventurous spirit. In this episode, Kelly talks about everything from how she began this journey, to becoming a full-time solo RV’er and boondocking. She also talks about how although this lifestyle can seem intimidating to some, it’s not much different then living in any given town–you just have a much greater level of freedom, and potentially a smaller fridge.

Kelly also discusses the incredible community she has found through RV’ing, and how she is working on building up that community even more so through her website, campaddict.com. Established in 2017, this website provides RV’ers with accurate, trustworthy, and helpful information in one place to assist those who are looking to experience RV’ing full-time for themselves so that they can stop digging through the internet for information and can do more of what they love – exploring.

Tune in today!

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On today’s show, we introduce someone that can save you money and help you learn how to take care of your coach. We are really excited to welcome Jeff Malatesta, the Founder and a technician at RV Diagnostics. Jeff has held a multitude of mechanic positions over the past 40 years. The most memorable being his service in the United States Army where he worked on all types of vehicles including M1 tanks. He served in both Germany and Iraq. Over the past 25 years, Jeff has worked with a steady increase of electronics and electrical systems, giving him an edge over the competition. He was also an instructor for both advanced electronics and engine drive-ability classes. Jeff is ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) master certified in automobile, medium and heavy trucks, gas and diesel, and advanced gas and diesel. Today we just simply dive into how to save money, how to learn more about your own RV, why going to RV Diagnostics is the way to go, how to take care of your RV, and more!

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No matter how many miles we’ve traveled, we all have a story to tell. On today’s episode of the Where’s Willie podcast, we speak to Jason and Abby Epperson, who we’ve dubbed the Walter Cronkite and Barbara Walters of National Parks and RV industry news with very good reason! Jason and Abby kick off with the story of how they started the full-time RV journey in a converted school bus with their kids in tow. We talk about how the pandemic-related restrictions snowballed the RV industry. Jason and Abby walk us through the concept behind each of the Eppersons’ three podcasts. Next, we touch on the RV industry’s components and how that has been sustained throughout the pandemic. Our guests get real about the highs and lows of full-time RV life behind the veil of social media. Jason and Abby talk about how to choose an RV that’s best suited to your needs and explain to us why the RV with the most features is not always the best option. The Eppersons emphasize the value of educating yourself according to what you need before buying a fully kitted-out vehicle. Finally, we discuss what digital publishing entails and the perils of peddling a false narrative on social media instead of sharing who you truly are. Jason and Abby reveal to us that their focus is to create something that reaches further than their personal identity in order to build long-lasting stability. Tune in to hear about raising a family on the road, building a sustainable brand and choosing a vehicle that’s best suited to you.

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Melissa Paris is an impressive athlete who consistently takes the male-dominated motorsports world by storm. In today’s episode, Melissa tells us about her background and upbringing and tells the story of how she was able to start racing professionally. She goes on to share insights about the challenges she has faced with imposter syndrome and why being a mom is the craziest thing you’ll ever do. Melissa also describes her pandemic experience, starting with a state of emergency being declared at the Daytona 200 and ending with unexpected camping and RV adventures. Next, we talk about the value of female support in a male-dominated space, Melissa lets us in on her predictions for 2021, tells us how to go about trying to become a sponsor, and how the nature of sponsorship is changing. Melissa Paris is an inspiration in motorsports and in life. Tune in to hear more about her journey and find some fresh inspiration of your own!

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It was about three years ago that Brentt and Brittnee Proha decided to leave their home life on a small farm, in a small town for life on the road. Joined by their two boys, three girls, and playful bulldog, the Proha Family is showing the world how to live life with nothing but an open mind and the open road. While it might seem like close quarters, the Proha family has learned how to do just about everything, from homeschooling and making new friends to running their essential oils and remodeling consulting businesses while immersed in the great outdoors. In this episode, you’ll hear from Brentt and Brittnee as they share how they met, what the transition to RV life was like, and tips for the nomadic lifestyle. Having created a life that inspires, the Proha family is proof that simple living is wonderfully worth it.

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On today’s episode of Where’ Willie we get together with talented musician, husband, and father John King. John’s journey has led him across the US performing in hundreds of venues and cities and now, for the first time in his adult life, he was able to take the summer off due to a COVID-enforced hiatus. John shares how he first realized he could sing, the many hours he spent with friends at band practice, and how their silly songs turned into good songs and then great songs. Hear about why John is proud to have graduated from Georgia State and how Athens was a fantastic place for a young musician like himself. John talks about what moving to Nashville has meant for his career and shares an unbelievable anecdote about Randy Houser and a 100 dollar bill. Listeners can expect to hear all about Nashville and why it’s so successful at fostering talent thanks to the high standards and sense of community. Join us today for an awesome conversation about transformation, honoring your fans, and country music!

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In this episode of the Where’s Willie podcast, we are sitting down with Demian Ross, the publisher of Rootless Living Magazine. We talk about his foray into nomadic life, what it means to be rootless in today’s globalized world and how he hopes that Rootless Living can foster empathy and excitement for those who have chosen or been forced by circumstances to live outside of their initial comfort zone and take to the road. 

The thing about traveling or working from the road is that you don’t have to put your life on hold to do what you love, as Demian dives into – some days are travel days, some are workdays, but everything remains flexible. Working from the road does take some adjustments though – like finding reliable Internet service so that projects can be done remotely. Hear his incredible story by tuning in today! 

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Kennedy Leighton is a Central Michigan University student and self-published author from Schoolcraft Michigan whose vulnerable story has uplifted, supported, and encouraged many struggling with grief and loss.  In 2014, Kennedy and her family experienced the tragic loss of her mother. As her role model and the woman she admired most, Kennedy felt at a loss — confused and brokenhearted — as she prepared to start high school. For a brief period, she found herself on the wrong path, with the wrong group of friends.  But a turning point arrived on her sixteenth birthday, in which Kennedy fully realized the potential to transform her life, and the lives of others, by sharing her loss and the tremendous kindness she received from others through writing.  Ultimately, Kennedy self-published two books, Dear Kennedy and Miraculous Every Day, and created an online store called Kennedy Marleen. Kennedy’s story is one of encouragement, vulnerability, and love. Her books and personal experiences are a testament to the notion that refocusing pain for a greater good can lead to an avenue of self-healing and healing for others. Today, Kennedy remains grounded by her faith, the guidance of her father, and her belief that everyone has a story worth sharing.

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A Professional Guide is a professional at all times — they are mentally alert and physically prepared for a strenuous day of guiding. Their self-confidence can be observed but not heard — they are totally prepared for the day and ready to accept its challenges, good or bad. Their appearance and dress show pride in themselves and the operation they represent. They immediately become a teacher to their clients and the client readily accepts their leadership. The motto belonging to our guest’s Fly Fishing outfitting company. Today we welcome a good friend of Willie’s, and a former college and AHL hockey star, Dana Lattery. Dana is now the president and CEO of Fly Fishing Bow River Outfitters, as well as First Cast Last Pass Media, a full marketing video agency, located north of Montana, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He is quickly becoming one of the most sought after fly fishing experience providers around the world. Dana has been featured on the cover of Fly Fusion Magazine, Home Water for Orvis Down the Hatch Film Festival, and he continues flying around the world in pursuit of catching and capturing his greatest passions. Born in Alberta, raised in the back-country. Fishing, hunting, nature, the wild, all run thick in his blood. Stay tuned for our show today as we hear from Dana all about how he got into the outfitting business as a fly fishing guide, how he supplements that income with other businesses and creative outlets, what Fly Fishing Bow River Outfitters has to offer, and much more!

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When the travel bug bit Chris and Molly, it bit hard! The COVID-19 pandemic led to a huge decline in income for them, but instead of giving up traveling with their family, which has always been a big part of their life, they decided to give up their house instead. For the past four months, Chris, Molly and their three children have been living in a 400 square foot RV, and they are loving it. Of course, there are challenges, which Molly and Chris share with us on today’s show, but as you will also hear today, the positive aspects of their experience far outweigh the negatives. They have no interest in returning to their old life and have made some exciting travel plans for the next few months. For any listeners who have a desire to shed excess material things and focus on family and adventure, Chris and Molly offer advice to get you started on your journey (more of which can be found on their blog, The Flying Hens. Whether or not the RV lifestyle is for you, we can guarantee that you’ll learn something from this episode!

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