Have Coffee Will Travel

Have Coffee Will Travel – Episode 55: Yard Sales, Spider-Man, Old Friends & A Bee Hive MysteryIt's another jam-packed episode of Have Coffee Will Travel, and this time we've got a little bit of everything!We start with yard sales, including one we hosted ourselves a few weeks ago. It was definitely not the typical hot summer yard sale day. Instead, it was cold, nasty and miserable. But that didn't stop the die-hard yard sale hunters from coming out looking for bargains. In fact, we recognized quite a few familiar faces from our own adventures hunting for yard sales around town.Then it's time for a little home improvement. Last week, we ripped out the 40-year-old carpet in our basement, painted the walls and installed vinyl click flooring. It was a big job, but it was definitely a team effort!Shawn also went to see Spider-Man: Brand New Day all by himself. And not just on a Friday night. He went to a noon showing on a Tuesday! Was going to the movies alone weird? Not at all. And the movie? Fantastic!Leah has some news of her own. She's added a new part-time job to her existing foot care business, working three days a week as a foot care nurse at the Group Health Centre. She's only been there about a week, but so far she's really enjoying it.We also talk about a very special visit. Shawn's longtime friends Rene and Jen came to Sault Ste. Marie for the weekend. Shawn has known Rene for nearly 30 years, but they hadn't seen each other in three years. It didn't take long to pick up right where they left off. We had a great visit, lots of catching up, and it felt like no time had passed at all. Shawn even made a YouTube video about their visit.Speaking of YouTube, Shawn has been making a LOT of Shorts for The Long Way Around, including the ongoing "Pop Culture Quote of the Day" series.And then there's the bees.We have a BIG update on Leah's hives. After splitting the original hive a few weeks ago, we're now dealing with wasps everywhere that need to be trapped. The bigger question is whether the second hive has a successful queen. We're not completely sure yet, so there's more investigating to do!Finally, we wrap things up with an update on our Etsy shops. We talk about how many sales we've had over the past month, some of the things that sold, and what we've been up to with Rusted Robot Toys and Collect and Cast On.As always, grab your coffee and come hang out with us!Find Us Online🎥 The Long Way Around – YouTubeWatch The Long Way Around on YouTube🛒 Shawn's Etsy Shop – Rusted Robot ToysVisit Rusted Robot Toys on Etsy🛍️ Leah's Etsy Shop – Collect and Cast OnVisit Collect and Cast On on EtsyThanks for listening, and don't forget to subscribe, follow, leave a review, and tell a friend about Have Coffee Will Travel!This week's podcast promo: Cigar Nerds

What started as a simple garage cleanup turned into one of the most unexpected wildlife rescues we've ever experienced! While getting organized for an upcoming yard sale, Leah discovered a mother mouse and five tiny babies hiding in a box. We share the surprisingly heartwarming story of how Mom made her escape, how we safely protected the babies, and how she eventually returned to collect her family.We also recap our disappointing weekend as vendors at Goulais River Community Days. Between the scorching heat, relentless mosquitoes, and almost no customers, it was a rough day for everyone. None of the vendors earned back their table fees, and many packed up early. Sometimes small business isn't as glamorous as social media makes it look!Since it's been over a month since our last episode, we spend some time catching up on everything we've been doing. Shawn and his brothers travelled to Toronto to see Godsmack in concert before he and Leah enjoyed a relaxing weekend exploring antique stores around Creemore. Shawn even found a few vintage robots to add to his growing collection.We also welcomed Leah's cousin Lawanda and her husband Neil for a fun weekend filled with yard sales, visits to the local cat café, and checking on the thriving bee hive. The colony is growing so well that we've already added a second brood box, and Leah even turned extra burr comb into homemade bee balm.Plus, Shawn shares the painful experience of trying contact lenses for the very first time (you can watch the hilarious results on The Long Way Around YouTube channel), we talk about recent yard sale finds, our Etsy shops, and our plans for celebrating two birthdays just five days apart—including Shawn turning the big 5-0. We also look ahead to visits from friends and family, including a possible trip south for a very special 50th wedding anniversary celebration.Grab a coffee and catch up with us on another laid-back episode full of stories, laughs, collecting, bees, road trips, and the little adventures that make life memorable.YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheLongWayShowEtsy Shops:• Rusted Robot Toys: https://www.etsy.com/shop/RustedRobotToys• Collect and Cast On: https://www.etsy.com/shop/collectandcastonThis week's podcast promo: BatChums

This week, Leah officially becomes a beekeeper.After a year of classes, research, planning, and anticipation, she made the six-hour trip south to pick up her first honey bee colony and bring it home. We talk about the journey, the learning curve, and how Shawn and his dad prepared a home for the bees on the family farm before the colony arrived.We also discuss:• Shawn's recent experience selling at BrickSpace, a LEGO and Star Wars-themed vendor show that unfortunately suffered from low attendance and disappointing sales.• A few surprising yard sale finds and recent collecting adventures.• Leah's visit to the famous Sanford and Son antique shop, where she discovered a rare piece for her personal collection and uncovered an unexpected connection to her own family history.• Our thoughts on The Mandalorian and Grogu movie. Was it great? Not exactly. Was it terrible? Also no. It was... aggressively okay.• Recent TV watching, including Spider-Noir, The Boys, For All Mankind, Star City, and The Testaments.• Updates from our Etsy shops, recent sales, and life as small online sellers.• The bizarre story of the $200,000 Star Wars LEGO theft currently making headlines.As always, grab a coffee and come travel with us.Links & MentionsWatch our bee adventure:https://youtu.be/-ertu5oPnu0?si=slGdf1Pm_a53Wz03Rusted Robot Toys Etsy Shop:https://www.etsy.com/shop/RustedRobotToysCollect and Cast On Etsy Shop:https://www.etsy.com/shop/CollectAndCastOnHave Coffee Will Travel is hosted by Shawn and Leah Vanderloo and features conversations about travel, collecting, thrifting, hobbies, books, pop culture, and the adventures that happen along the way.This week's podcast promo: 42Cast

After an unexpected delay, we're finally back with a new episode!Leah shares stories from her recent deployment to Toronto, where she spent ten straight days working long shifts supporting evacuees from Fort Albany. Unfortunately, she returned home with a nasty cold and a serious case of exhaustion, which explains why this episode is arriving a little later than usual.We also catch up on Shawn's new mail route. Two weeks in, the verdict is still out, but one unexpected benefit is passing by the house his grandparents built in the early 1970s. That sparks a conversation about nostalgia, family heirlooms, and whether sentimental furniture deserves a place in a modern home.The debate gets interesting when Shawn wants to bring home a piece of furniture that belonged to his grandparents, while Leah argues that after combining two established households in their 40s, it's time to start choosing pieces they both love rather than hanging onto everything from the past. We'd love to hear where you stand on this one!We also celebrate the arrival of yard sale season, swap stories about recent thrift store and garage sale finds, and talk about the treasures (and temptations) that come with hunting for bargains.To wrap things up, we chat about one of our favourite activities as a couple: cooking together. From planning meals to working side-by-side in the kitchen, we discuss why sharing the cooking duties has become one of our favourite ways to spend time together.Grab a coffee and join us for a conversation about nostalgia, new beginnings, second-hand treasures, and building a life together one day at a time.In This Episode☕ Leah returns from Toronto after assisting Fort Albany evacuees ☕ Why Episode 52 was delayed ☕ Shawn's first impressions of his new mail route ☕ Passing by the house his grandparents built ☕ Nostalgia and family keepsakes ☕ The great furniture debate: sentimental value vs. practical living ☕ Combining two households later in life ☕ Yard sale season officially begins ☕ Recent thrift store and garage sale finds ☕ Why we love cooking together as a team#Podcast #CouplesPodcast #Marriage #Relationships #Nostalgia #YardSales #Thrifting #ThriftStoreFinds #GarageSaleSeason #VintageFinds #SecondHandTreasures #MailCarrier #FamilyStories #CookingTogether #CanadianPodcast #LifeStories #SmallTownLife #FortAlbany #CoffeeAndConversationThis week's podcast promo: Watchathon of Rassilon

This one’s a few days late—but for a really good reason.Leah’s been out of town working as a nurse, helping care for First Nations evacuees from Fort Albany. Every spring, flooding forces northern communities out of their homes. This time, many were relocated to Toronto—about eight hours from us. Leah stepped in as a care coordinator, supporting families during a tough and uncertain time.She’s home for a quick four-day break… then it’s right back for another 10-day stretch.We also squeezed in something a little more fun—our 2-year anniversary on May the 4th (yes, that May the 4th). We tried to go out for a nice dinner, but Smelt season had other plans. Every restaurant was either packed or closed. After a bit of running around, we finally landed somewhere and made a night of it.Bonus: we tried Wayne Gretzky’s salted caramel liqueur. Worth it? We’ll let you know.In this episode, we also catch up on:The early days of Shawn’s new YouTube channelStarting a brand-new mail route this weekA trip to the Echo Bay town-wide yard sales… with more disappointment than treasureIt’s a bit of everything this week—real life, small wins, and a few laughs along the way.🔗 Links & MentionsShawn’s YouTube Channel: The Long Way Around @thelongwayshowShawn’s Etsy Shop: rustedrobottoys https://www.etsy.com/shop/rustedrobottoysLeah’s Etsy Shop: collectandcaston https://www.etsy.com/shop/collectandcaston🧭 What We Talk AboutWhy the episode is late this weekLeah’s work with Fort Albany evacueesFlood season in Northern OntarioOur May the 4th anniversarySmelt season taking over every restaurantWayne Gretzky salted caramel liqueur taste testYouTube channel updatesNew mail route beginningsEcho Bay yard sales recapPodcast Promos: Tales From Hollywoodland, ESO Patreon

Episode 50… and it feels about right that everything is a little chaotic.Leah’s got a decision to make. She just started a part-time job—but now a friend has offered her a short-term opportunity with better pay. The catch? She’d have to delay the job she just committed to. We talk through what you do when timing is terrible but the opportunity is real.On the business side, we catch up on Etsy sales—and Shawn shares how trying to “simplify” shipping turned into a $200 mistake involving two swapped orders, a refund request, and a package stuck in customs. (There’s also now a full video about it over on his YouTube channel, because of course there is.)Spring has technically arrived in Northern Ontario… but no one told the weather. Snow, freezing temps, and migraines are still very much part of daily life. We also talk about the annual flooding in northern communities, and how entire reserves are forced to evacuate year after year.Somehow, in the middle of all that, we’re thinking about starting a vlog to document this northern life.Leah accidentally ordered everything in her Amazon cart (not just one item), so now beekeeping season is officially happening… as soon as the weather cooperates.We wrap things up with an update from Canada Post—contract ratification is coming up, big delivery changes are on the horizon, and Shawn’s got just over 10 years left until retirement.It’s one of those episodes where life doesn’t slow down long enough to figure it out… so we just talk it through.Grab a coffee.🔗 LINKS🛒 Shawn’s Etsy Shop (Rusted Robot Toys)https://www.etsy.com/shop/rustedrobottoys🧶 Leah’s Etsy Shop (Collect and Cast On)https://www.etsy.com/shop/collectandcaston📺 Shawn’s YouTube Channel – The Long Way Around https://www.youtube.com/@TheLongWayShowSearch: @thelongwayshow

☕ 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