Have Coffee Will Travel

In this episode, we hit pause on the year and take a look back before charging ahead.We kick things off with Christmas. Specifically, the kind with too much food, loud games, and a Boxing Day party packed with friends. Shawn asks Leah what she got for Christmas. Leah does not return the favor. Classic. She did, however, score some LEGO and gear to support her growing beekeeping ambitions.From there, we talk shop. Etsy sales were solid, but holiday shipping delays were not. We vent a little about customers blaming sellers for postal delays. Once a package is dropped off, it’s out of our hands. If only everyone believed that.A major conversation centers on parasocial relationships and how deeply people connect with online personalities. This comes up through discussion of the reported death of YouTuber Adam the Woo and how quickly misinformation spreads, especially when audiences feel personally invested in creators they’ve never met.Closer to home, we talk about Algoma Steel announcing major layoffs this spring and what that means for our community. We also reflect on the passing of the last surviving Dionne Quintuplet. Shawn shares some perspective from his years living in North Bay, where they were born.Looking back on 2025, we run through some big milestones: road trips, Florida travel, a cruise, a quick hit at Halloween Horror Nights, and planting a pear tree in our backyard to celebrate our first wedding anniversary.Shawn also shares an update from the postal world, where after two strikes and nearly two years of negotiations, the union and corporation finally reached a contract settlement.We wrap things up by looking ahead to 2026. Bees are coming to the backyard. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy premieres soon. And in August, we’re heading out to the World’s Longest Yard Sale, because of course we are.Thanks for being part of the ride—past, present, and what’s coming next. ☕🎙️This week's podcast promo: Earth Station Trek

Episode 41 – From Snow Rescues to Freddy FazbearIn this episode of Have Coffee Will Travel, Shawn and Leah cover a little bit of everything. It starts with dinner and ends with animatronic nightmares. In between, there’s snow, side hustles, and a surprise rescue.☕ Date Night & Hotpot AdventuresWe kick things off with a rare date night. We tried Knife n Fork, a new restaurant in town serving hotpot. Hotpot is a brand-new concept here, and we had thoughts. Lots of thoughts.❄️ Accidental Snow RescueAfter dinner, the night took a turn. We helped rescue two people stuck in their snowy driveway. This winter has been relentless, and it sparks a familiar dream.🌍 Retirement Without SnowWith snowbanks everywhere, we talk about retiring somewhere warm. Portugal and Ecuador are currently winning the no-snow fantasy draft.🎄 Christmas Plans & Etsy Check-InWe chat about upcoming Christmas plans and how Etsy sales are going this season. Small business life doesn’t pause for the holidays.🚜 Snow Removal WoesWe hired snow removal help. They exist… in theory. Reliability is questionable, and timing is optional. Canadian winter problems at their finest.💇‍♂️ Shawn’s Hair ExperimentShawn is growing his hair out for the first time in over 20 years. Balding started in his mid-20s, and the clippers always won. This time, curiosity wins.🎮 Movie Review: Five Nights at Freddy’s 2We wrap up with a review of Five Nights at Freddy’s 2. Leah’s son Wyatt joins us for this segment, offering fresh perspective and expert-level Freddy Fazbear knowledge.It’s a cozy, chaotic episode full of coffee, snow, and unexpected adventures. Thanks for listening.This week's podcast promo: Earth Station Boo

Episode 40 — Disney Fantasy CruiseWe packed our bags, grabbed our passports, and left snowy Sault Ste. Marie for a week of sun, sea, and Disney magic. Air Canada nudged us south with a layover in Toronto. From there, we dropped into Florida and spent two nights at the Country Inn & Suites in Port Canaveral. We needed that buffer before cruise chaos began.On Sunday, November 16, we boarded the Disney Fantasy and made it our floating home until Friday the 21st. Every day, we recorded a short recap. We wanted fresh details before the ocean breeze stole them.We met great people. The Disney staff impressed us at every turn. Most of the food hit the spot. The crowds? Less magical. Many kids screamed. Many adults stopped directly in front of us. We powered through with coffee and determination.The ship’s theatre played TRON: Ares, so of course we went. We also visited both private islands—Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay. Leah snorkeled at Castaway Cay, which felt like swimming in warm, clear bliss.One major highlight? The Rainforest Room spa. It was blissfully 18+. Heated loungers, quiet vibes, and zero children. We loved every second.We tried some cooking shows. We failed spectacularly at trivia. We laughed about it more than we should have.It was a full, fun trip. A little chaotic. A lot memorable. And perfect for our 40th episode.Check out our shops and support the show: RustedRobotToys on Etsy CollectAndCastOn on EtsyThis week's podcast promos: Cosmic Pizza Podcast, Dragon Con Report

🎧 Episode 39: The Wreck of the Edmund FitzgeraldFifty years ago, the Edmund Fitzgerald vanished beneath the waves of Lake Superior. This week, Leah dives deep into the story that’s haunted her imagination for years. She takes the mic solo for most of the episode, sharing the ship’s history, the mystery, and why this story still resonates half a century later.Then, we shift gears — from shipwrecks to sunshine — for a quick chat about our upcoming Disney Fantasy cruise. Because after all that tragedy, we definitely need a little sea breeze and soft-serve ice cream.Grab a mug, settle in, and join us for a reflective, slightly nautical episode of Have Coffee Will Travel.☕ Check out our Etsy shops:RustedRobotToysCollectandcastonThis week's podcast promo: Cigar Nerds

🎃 Episode Title: “Texas Chainsaw and Pumpkin Spice — A Halloween Special”Happy Halloween from Have Coffee Will Travel! This week, we traded our lattes for chainsaws (figuratively, promise) and dove straight into one of horror’s most infamous franchises — The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.Armed with caffeine and questionable judgment, we watched three slices of cinematic chaos: the gritty 1974 original that started it all, the wild and weird 1985 sequel, and the 2013 “direct sequel” that somehow forgot math. From Leatherface’s home decor choices (bones, bones, and more bones) to the unforgettable dinner scene that scarred an entire generation, we unpack what makes this series both horrifying and… kind of hilarious?We talk about how the 1974 film still feels raw and disturbing fifty years later, how the 1985 sequel went full gonzo comedy with chainsaw duels and screaming, and how the 2013 version tried to modernize it — complete with cell phones, plot holes, and a surprisingly sympathetic Leatherface. Somewhere between the jump scares and the questionable fashion, we found ourselves weirdly entertained — and maybe a little nostalgic for old-school practical effects.So grab your coffee, lock your doors, and join us as we break down what happens when Hollywood just can’t stop revving the chainsaw. Whether you’re a horror buff, a casual viewer, or someone who watches from behind a blanket, this one’s for you.Because on Have Coffee Will Travel, we may not know what’s in the chili — but we do know how to make a mess out of a movie marathon. 🔪☕This week's podcast promo: Watchathon of Rassilon

Episode Title: A Day Late and a Dollar Short Podcast: Have Coffee Will Travel Hosts: Shawn & LeahThis week on Have Coffee Will Travel, we’re feeling the crunch — financially, mentally, and emotionally. Shawn’s on strike with Canada Post, Leah’s trying to get her new foot care business off the ground, and the bills just keep rolling in. With both of us out of our usual routines, every day feels like a confusing blend of Monday and “who even knows anymore?”We chat about what happens when your schedule disappears, how stress sneaks into every corner of your day, and why even Amazon Prime Days can’t seem to lift our spirits (spoiler: the deals weren’t great anyway).Leah shares her plans for teaching part-time at a local college, helping train the next generation of personal support workers — a bright spot amid the chaos. Meanwhile, Shawn’s keeping his sanity by looking forward to one simple joy: the arrival of his LEGO Gingerbread AT-AT set. Because when life’s unpredictable, sometimes a good build is all you need.We also talk about our new neighbour — someone Leah’s known since childhood — and how strange it feels when the past shows up next door. And yes, we couldn’t forget a little rant about Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford, who seems more focused on beer and booze than real issues.Add in a cruise we can’t cancel (hello, more money stress), and you’ve got one episode full of real-life challenges, laughter, and just enough caffeine to keep us going.Grab your mug, pull up a chair, and join us as we figure it all out — one sip at a time.This week's podcast promo: Tales From Hollywoodland

☕ Have Coffee Will Travel – Episode 35: Casablanca, Canada Post & Cosmic Pizza MilestonesIn this episode of Have Coffee Will Travel, your hosts Shawn and Leah settle in with their favorite brew and take you on a ride through film history, small business hustle, postal politics, and a touch of personal reflection.We kick things off with a deep dive into the legendary film Casablanca—why it still holds a place in the cinematic hall of fame, what makes its dialogue so quotable, and how it became a timeless classic. Whether you’re a film buff or just discovering the movie for the first time, we share our favorite moments and what struck us on this rewatch.Next, we give a little update on our Etsy store adventures—what’s been selling, what’s surprised us over the past two weeks, and how we’re balancing it with everything else.Shawn's store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/RustedRobotToysLeah's store: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/CollectandcastonFrom there, Shawn shares the latest from Canada Post, where negotiations with the union remain at a standstill. We talk about what it’s like working under an expired contract, and how uncertainty affects not just workers but the whole system.Things get a bit personal when we explore a tricky question:📷 What do you do with photo albums full of deceased relatives?Are these keepsakes we should preserve, digitize, or let go of? We share our thoughts and invite you to share yours too.And finally, we celebrate a big milestone: we've recorded the 100th episode of our other podcast, Cosmic Pizza! It’s been quite a journey, and we reflect on what it’s meant to reach triple digits. And there's a new YouTube channel. Find it at: https://www.youtube.com/@CosmicPizzaPodcastThanks for listening—pass the coffee and hit play.This week's podcast promo: Monster Attack

Epic Horror Universe – Orlando Theme Park AdventuresThis week on Have Coffee Will Travel, Shawn and Leah take you along on a whirlwind Orlando adventure packed with thrills, chills, and more than a little sticker shock. Joined by Wyatt, they set off midweek for a short but action-filled trip that had them walking miles, navigating crowds, and soaking up everything Universal had to offer.On Thursday, the trio stepped into Islands of Adventure, exploring the rides, attractions, and over-the-top environments that make this park so iconic. From superhero action to magical lands, there was no shortage of things to see. But the day didn’t stop there — that evening they braved Halloween Horror Nights, Universal’s famous after-hours scare fest. Haunted houses, scare zones, and eerie performers filled the night with screams, laughs, and unforgettable moments.Friday brought an even bigger highlight: Epic Universe, the much-anticipated new addition to the Universal family. With state-of-the-art rides and immersive lands, it lived up to its name. Still, between the endless walking, the heavy crowds, and the sky-high food prices, the day came with its own set of challenges.Throughout this episode, Shawn and Leah share their candid reactions, trip highlights, and some of the frustrations that come with theme park travel. As always, they keep it honest, lighthearted, and full of the little details that make their adventures relatable.If you’ve ever wondered whether these massive theme parks are worth the hype — or the price — this episode gives you a front-row seat. Grab your coffee and join the conversation, because this trip was truly an Epic Horror Universe.This week's podcast promos: Modern Musicology and Monkeeing Around