Have Coffee Will Travel

☕ Episode 49: Bees, Bills and YouTube ThrillsThis episode starts where a lot of conversations seem to live these days—YouTube.We dig into the world of influencers and content creators. Some are making amazing stuff. Others? Not so much. When you have to post to stay relevant, even the most mundane moments become “content.” We wonder out loud: has influencing gone too far… or is this just the new normal?Somewhere between algorithms and authenticity, we try to figure out where we fit in.That leads into Shawn launching a brand new YouTube channel: The Long Way Around (@thelongwayshow). It’s a fresh start, a new direction, and—like everything online these days—a bit of an experiment. If you like what we do, this is your gentle nudge to go hit subscribe. Every click helps more than you think.Meanwhile, real life doesn’t pause for content creation.Leah is starting a new part-time job this week. Her foot care business is still growing, and this extra income will help keep things steady while she builds it up. It’s one of those practical, necessary steps that doesn’t get talked about enough—the in-between phase where dreams and bills have to coexist.And speaking of busy schedules… we’ve got bees to pick up. In about a month, we’re heading south to grab a starter nuc for Leah’s new backyard hive. Yes, actual bees. It’s exciting, a little intimidating, and definitely a step into something completely new.From bees, we somehow find our way back to YouTube—and then into LEGO. We watched a video about a daughter selling her late father’s LEGO collection. The estimated value? $165,000. That sparks a whole conversation about collecting, nostalgia, and why tiny plastic bricks still have a hold on us even now. We talk about the sets we love, the ones we want, and how hard it is to let go of “cool stuff”… even when you’re trying to simplify your life.Because let’s be honest—decluttering is a lot harder when everything you own has a story.We also revisit our old podcast, The Soul Forge. Even though it ended in 2024, it somehow pulled in 900 downloads last month—more than it ever did while we were actively making it. Go figure. The internet works in mysterious ways.That leads us into creating and reading a brand-new promo for Have Coffee Will Travel, because apparently our network overlords require fresh promos every six months. So yes… we comply. (But we make it fun.)We wrap things up with Etsy updates. Leah’s shop has been picking up steam lately—outperforming Shawn’s this past month, which we’re absolutely fine with… mostly.🎙️ In This Episode:The reality of YouTube influencers and content burnoutLaunching The Long Way AroundBalancing passion projects with paying the billsLeah’s new job and growing her businessRoad trip plans to pick up bees 🐝A $165K LEGO collection and why we still love itThe struggle of letting go of “stuff”Unexpected success from The Soul ForgeRecording a brand-new podcast promoEtsy wins (and friendly competition)🚐 Final SipLife right now is a mix of building, rebuilding, and figuring things out as we go. Whether it’s YouTube, bees, or just paying the bills, we’re taking the long way—and learning a lot along the way.This week's podcast promo: Monkeeing Around

☕ Episode 48: Great Lakes Geek FestSubtitle: Selling at the ConThis week, we take Have Coffee Will Travel on the road—well… to a convention hall here in Sault Ste. Marie for the very first Great Lakes Geek Fest, put on by Kanto Kreations.And yes—we had a booth.Why? Because Shawn is turning 50, and apparently that means it’s time to start letting go of a lifetime of collecting. (Emotionally? Maybe. Financially? Also maybe.) We packed up a little bit of everything: Funko Pops, mystery bags, vintage diecast cars, plushes, action figures, VHS tapes, LEGO… if it lived on a shelf, there’s a good chance it made the trip.Leah joined in too, giving a little spotlight to her footcare business—because nothing says “comic con” like healthy feet and solid arch support.We’re also joined by our friend RJ this week, making this a rare three-host episode. Alongside helping at the booth, Leah and RJ drop a tease about the next play they’re directing. No title yet—we tried—but you’ll have to stick with the podcast for the eventual reveal.Somewhere between sales and storytelling, we dive into a classic debate: what is the best Star Trek series? Opinions are strong, as expected. We also talk about the surprising news that Starfleet Academy has already been canceled by Paramount+—so when season two arrives, that’ll be the end of the line.To wrap things up, Shawn shares a new adventure: a YouTube channel focused on life, turning 50, and figuring things out as you go. If that sounds like your vibe, you can check it out here: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@TheLongWayShowIt’s a little nostalgic, a little reflective, and a lot of fun behind the table at our first con.Grab a coffee and come hang out. ☕🎙️

Episode 47 — From Star Trek to Van LifeThis episode of Have Coffee Will Travel looks a little different…because it is. For the first time, Shawn set up a camera and filmed the podcast while recording the audio. Why? Because he’s gearing up to launch a new YouTube project called The Long Way Around. The goal is simple: get comfortable on camera and learn the basics of video production along the way.YouTube video: https://youtu.be/yj0C2Bwm3Fk?si=5dw-J0FTCx1nZL0cNaturally, that led to a fun behind-the-scenes conversation about what it takes to start a talking-head YouTube channel. Shawn shares what he’s been researching lately—camera framing, sound quality, lighting, and how to actually talk to an audience through a lens without feeling awkward. It’s part learning process, part experiment, and Leah is more than happy to help put him through his paces.Then the episode shifts into a very appropriate theme. Since this is episode 47—a number every Star Trek fan recognizes—Leah fires a series of questions at Shawn about the legendary sci-fi franchise. Think of it as Star Trek for Beginners. Shawn explains why the series matters, what makes it unique, and why it’s captured imaginations for decades. If you’ve ever wondered what all the fuss is about, this is your crash course.After that, we catch up on life lately. Leah is eagerly waiting for her bees to arrive as she dives into the world of beekeeping, while her foot care business continues to slowly ramp up. Shawn, meanwhile, is getting excited about seeing Godsmack live in June with his two brothers.We also share a slightly unusual travel plan: converting a used Dodge Grand Caravan into a simple camper. The idea? Use it during road trips—especially when we head to the World’s Longest Yard Sale—so we can skip the hotel and sleep in the van instead.We wrap things up with some small-business talk, including recent Etsy sales and Shawn getting back into selling on eBay. Plus, we give our brutally honest review of Eyes Wide Shut (spoiler: we did not love it) and talk about preparing merchandise for our upcoming booth at Great Lakes Geek Fest on March 22.It’s a little Star Trek, a little entrepreneurship, and a little van-life dreaming—exactly the kind of conversation that happens when you sit down for coffee with us.This week's podcast promo: Legends of the DCU

Episode 46: Showgirls VS AlienThis week, we dove headfirst into the neon chaos of Showgirls. Leah had seen it years ago. Shawn had not. We pressed play with cautious optimism. That optimism did not survive.The acting feels loud, awkward, and strangely theatrical. The story wanders. Characters make choices that defy logic. And yes, there’s plenty of nudity. That alone does not save a film.We spent time unpacking Elizabeth Berkley in the lead role. She often seems uncomfortable. At moments, she feels like she’s still channeling Jesse Spano from Saved By the Bell — especially that infamous caffeine pill spiral. The intensity never quite fits the scene. It’s fascinating. And not in a good way.But wait. We didn’t stop there.We also reviewed the made-for-TV gem Amanda and the Alien, which we found on VHS at a thrift shop. The selling point? Michael Dorn. That matters because he played Worf on Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Shawn will watch almost anything adjacent to Trek.Sadly, Dorn could not beam this one to safety. The story makes very little sense. The tone wobbles. We will not be revisiting it.After two questionable 1995 experiences, we pivoted to real life. Etsy sales have slowed. We talked honestly about the frustration. Then we touched on the recent Supreme Court ruling that said Trump’s tariffs are illegal, and we wondered what that might mean for small online sellers like us. The future feels murky.Finally, after three years of collecting, Shawn is done buying Hot Wheels. He’s turning 50 in September and questioning how much stuff one person needs. The collection may be heading out the door.It’s a chaotic episode. Bad movies. Business stress. Mild existential reflection.You know. The usual.This week's podcast promo: Luke Skis Animation and Stuff

Episode 45: 50 First Dates kicks off with a very important update: Shawn’s hair. After shaving his head since his twenties, he finally let it grow out. The results land somewhere between Captain Picard and a clown, and yes, that comparison sets the tone for what follows.From there, we move into the heart of this Valentine’s Day special. A few years ago, Leah gifted Shawn The Adventure Challenge: Couples Edition, a book packed with creative date ideas. One challenge asks you to uncover a memorable date from your parents’ past. That leads us to a recorded phone call between Shawn and his dad, who shares some surprisingly cool and thoughtful date stories from his younger years.Naturally, that sparks a bigger conversation. We reflect on our own memorable dates, including first dates, misfires, and moments where reality didn’t quite live up to the fantasy. Some dates felt magical, others felt awkward, and all of them taught us something. Along the way, we talk honestly about expectations, effort, and why no relationship follows a perfect script.Next, we dig into the history and meaning of Valentine’s Day itself. We explore where it came from, how it evolved, and why it still manages to stir up so many feelings—both good and bad.Then, the conversation takes a practical turn as we chat about our Etsy shops. Sales, views, and visits are all down, which leads us to wonder out loud: did Etsy change the algorithm again, or is something else going on?Finally, we wrap things up with future plans and daydreams. An anniversary road trip in May is on the table. Shawn might hit the road to Toronto in June with his brothers for a Godsmack concert. Plus, he reveals his newest obsession: buying a metal detector… even though he has no idea which one to get.This week's podcast promo: The Flopcast

Episode 44: Observed BehaviourIn Episode 44 of Have Coffee Will Travel, Shawn and Leah settle in to reflect, react, and observe what happens both onstage and off. To start, they revisit Popcorn Falls, the play discussed last episode, now officially wrapped. While both performances were strong, the experience wasn’t identical. The first night’s audience brought big energy and enthusiastic reactions. However, the second night felt quieter, and that shift mattered. As a result, the actors noticed the difference immediately, proving just how much an audience shapes a live performance.From there, the conversation widens into Leah’s theatre journey. She looks back on her performance history and the launch of her company, Let’s Put On A Show, which began in 2022. Popcorn Falls marked the second production under that banner, and importantly, it won’t be the last. Leah explains why theatre continues to matter so deeply to her. For her, it’s more than entertainment—it’s therapy, connection, and community all rolled into one.Meanwhile, Shawn flirts with the idea of stepping onstage himself. Although he worries about memorizing lines, Leah pushes back. Surprisingly, she says, people often remember far more than they expect once rehearsals begin.Next, things take a lighter turn with a round of “The Couple’s Quiz.” Shawn and Leah fire off roughly 15 questions to test how well they really know each other. Some answers come easily. Others? Not so much.After that, the focus shifts to Etsy. Leah’s shop continues to perform well, while Shawn admits January has been slower than hoped. Still, inspiration keeps flowing. Shawn’s brother Robin has been offering steady t-shirt design ideas, even while facing serious financial stress. Currently on the verge of eviction, Robin has a GoFundMe set up by his friend Tracy. Although the goal is $5,000, the campaign has only reached $265 so far.As always, this episode blends creativity, honesty, and real life—one observation at a time.This week's podcast promo: EnterpriseSplaining