Cabin Culture – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Today we're welcoming Stephanie Hansen, a four-time Emmy Award-winning television host, longtime radio personality, and author of "The True North Cabin Cookbook" volumes one and two. But what makes Stephanie's story particularly compelling for our cabin community is her raw honesty about what cabin ownership really means—including the moment she admits that the family's island cabin in Ely, Minnesota is what kept her in her marriage during the hardest years. "I would always think in the depths of the marriage not being awesome, two things. One was I still really like this man. And the second thing was... I don't know if I can ever not have my cabin."

This isn't a polished story about picture-perfect family weekends. Stephanie talks candidly about the tension between being "cabin people" and "non-cabin people," the sacrifices required when you commit to cabin life (like her daughter never being able to play summer sports), and how the cabin became the place where three generations learned to coexist—from her 92-year-old mother-in-law to their daughter who grew up to become a serious canoer and Arctic expedition guide. What started as a cocktail waitress meeting her new boss evolved into a 32-year marriage anchored by this historic family place.

The conversation takes an unexpected turn into food and storytelling when Stephanie shares how she turned family recipes into two published cookbooks—not fancy chef recipes, but the kind of food that makes people say "this is what cabin tastes like." We talk about legendary potato salads, why she's "almost embarrassed" by how simple some recipes are, and how reading cookbooks in bed at night is her version of literature. She also reveals the essential cabin kitchen items every host should have (spoiler: you need a big wooden salad bowl and cast iron you're not afraid to let guests use).

Beyond the recipes and nostalgia, Stephanie offers sharp observations about the changing dynamics of cabin culture—the tension between long-time cabin owners and short-term renters, the economic reality that cabin ownership usually requires money, and her plea for democratizing access to nature. She champions the idea that "cabin can be a tent, cabin can be a car" and encourages people to find their own version of getting outside, even if it's not the million-dollar lakefront property.

Whether you're someone who grew up at a family cabin and feels that bone-deep connection, you're trying to figure out if cabin life is right for you, or you simply want to understand why food and place are so deeply intertwined in cabin culture, this conversation offers both the romance and the reality of what it means to truly be cabin people.

Instagram: @stephaniesdish

                     @tastebudswithstephanie

                     @dishingwithstephaniesdish

                     @weeklydishmn

YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@stephaniesdish

Where to Order her Cookbook: https://www.stephaniesdish.com/cookbooks/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAacbwXwauAaf4uYWXso8PAwKMya-_L-LLjGziS_I_CIlOvZ8aGFlCi2ENhl17A_aem_KB0i4K-bs_tby2pEjnDpQw

https://amzn.to/4p1rog3

Instagram: @cozyrockcabin

Cozy Rock Cabin: https://staycozycabin.holidayfuture.com/listings/311027
Cozy Camp Sebec: https://staycozycabin.holidayfuture.com/listings/311051
Cozy Rock Website: http://www.staycozycabin.com
 
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_FgMwAgvORd1IwlH1nlC9g

Today we're welcoming Spencer Wood, known as the Real Estate Cowboy, who's calling in from inside his geodesic dome in Kingfield, Maine. Spencer has been living in a camper on his 10-acre property for nearly four years while building this unique structure—and he's still mid-build, which makes this conversation particularly valuable. While most guests come on after their projects are complete with polished success stories, Spencer shares the raw reality of being in the thick of it, wrestling with the tension between wanting to launch and make money versus honoring the vision that's been a decade in the making.

What makes Spencer's story compelling is how it challenges conventional real estate wisdom. He didn't research the rental market or create a business plan—he simply wanted to build something different in a place he loves. After playing football at the University of Maine, he fell in love with the state and built an unconventional real estate career with 80,000 YouTube subscribers, selling 90% of his listings through video alone. Now he applies that same alternative thinking to his own build, choosing a 24-foot geodesic dome with marine vinyl exterior and a 14-foot window overlooking the Carrabassett River.

We explore why tiny and alternative builds aren't always cheaper than traditional construction, the basics of land buying that nobody teaches you (like perc tests and road maintenance), and Spencer's side business Acres of Maine, where he buys land directly from owners and offers financing to keep property accessible for Mainers. He also shares his philosophy on living small—from his years on a boat in Portland to his current camper setup—and why he believes Maine is "the Alaska of the East Coast" for people seeking opportunity and freedom.

Whether you're mid-build yourself and need to hear from someone in the trenches, considering alternative housing options, or dreaming about finding your own piece of Maine, this conversation offers honest perspective on choosing passion over perfection and building something truly unique.

Instagram: @spencerwwood

Website:  https://www.lifestylepropertiesofmaine.com/realestate/agent/spencer-wood/

Instagram: @cozyrockcabin

Cozy Rock Cabin: https://staycozycabin.holidayfuture.com/listings/311027
Cozy Camp Sebec: https://staycozycabin.holidayfuture.com/listings/311051
Cozy Rock Website: http://www.staycozycabin.com
 
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_FgMwAgvORd1IwlH1nlC9g

Today we talked with Kara from the legendary Alpaca Treehouse in Atlanta, Georgia—a property so unique that it might literally be the only one of its kind in the world. What started with gateway livestock chickens and a treehouse built for wine nights with friends has evolved into something that defies categorization: a bamboo jungle sanctuary in the middle of the city, complete with rescued llamas, alpacas, and guanacos, where dying children find comfort and grieving parents practice yoga.

From accidentally rescuing some of only 200 guanacos in the country to hosting hip-hop music videos and Netflix shows, Kara's journey illustrates what happens when you follow your intuition instead of a business plan. Within three weeks of launching, she was featured on Treehouse Masters. Her properties now span two states and include everything from a renovated 1963 trailer overlooking waterfalls to an underground Hobbit house designed like a European castle.

As a former general contractor turned full-time host, Kara's approach to building involves saving both animals and architectural antiques—her front door was once the mayor of Atlanta's back door, and her floors came from a 1900s church. We'll explore how she sources reclaimed materials, trains crews to work with vintage pieces, and why she believes boring is her kryptonite.

Whether you're dreaming of your first unique stay or wondering how to create something truly one-of-a-kind, this conversation offers insights into following that electrified feeling, the power of becoming obsessed with your craft, and why sometimes the universe sends you unwanted goats to redirect your path.

Instagram: @alpacatreehouse
Booking Link: https://www.alpacatreehouse.com
USA Today feature: https://10best.usatoday.com/travel/10-best-hotels-animal-lovers-sanctuaries-united-states/
Llama Yoga: https://www.alpacatreehouse.com/experience
Alpaca Treehouse in the news: https://www.alpacatreehouse.com/press

Instagram: @cozyrockcabin

Cozy Rock Cabin: https://staycozycabin.holidayfuture.com/listings/311027
Cozy Camp Sebec: https://staycozycabin.holidayfuture.com/listings/311051
Cozy Rock Website: http://www.staycozycabin.com

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_FgMwAgvORd1IwlH1nlC9g

Another friend from the DM's! Emily South joins the pod for this episode to share the story behind Appalachian Aframe, her families 1970's A-frame cabin and a fellow Boone, NC area rental to Janice.  When the conversation is cooking sometimes you don't even make it to your prepped questions and as Janice points out at the end she's got a whole list of them they'll need to dive into on another episode. On todays episode Emily shares some of their thought process behind investing in Real Estate as a dual self employed family, creative solutions to renting larger places to a smaller group, and the pandemic impacts to the short term rental market over the past few years.

IG:
@appalachianaframe

Website:
https://www.stayappaframe.com/

Guest AirBNB:
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/33960938?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=d9c1114f-a115-49c2-a8be-fe1095600d5f

Our AirBNB listings:

• https://airbnb.com/h/cozyrockcabin
• https://airbnb.com/h/thechalastratton

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_FgMwAgvORd1IwlH1nlC9g

On this episode Janice chats with Taylor Hildreth, the host at HilhauseAframe, a new build in Crosby MN. In addition to a thriving airbnb Taylor does social media for other  hosts, content creation for airbnb's and hotels and is also a stay at home Mom. Taylor and her husband Matt, an Engineer by day, found mutual interest in travel and the outdoors early in their relationship, staying at different yurts, and offgrid get-aways building memories along the way that inspired them to build their very own cabin. Janice and Taylor cover some of the well timed financial strategies that contributed to funding their build, what Taylor looks for in the selective process of choosing influencers and what they can do to better deliver for the host (something Janice is recently dealt with).  Plenty more to hear from Taylor's build and future plans so be sure to stick around to the end.

IG:
@taylorjohildreth
@hilhausaframe

Website:
https://snipfeed.co/taylorjohildreth

Guest AirBNB:
www.airbnb.com/h/hilhausaframe

Our AirBNB listings:

• https://airbnb.com/h/cozyrockcabin
• https://airbnb.com/h/thechalastratton

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_FgMwAgvORd1IwlH1nlC9g

On this episode Janice talks with Chrissie Mckinnon, one of two humans behind Mcjoppa.the.hut a cabin in Ely, Minnesota. This is one of our first cabin features outside of New England and in our opinion Chrissie and Rich are the Queen and King of the joy factor when it comes to hosting guests at their cabin. Not only are they a true treat to hang out with in real life, but they've also included a bunch of touches in their cabin that spread joy to both their guests and their followers on Instagram. Stay tuned if you're hoping to integrate a little more intentional joy into your cabin or your life.

IG:
@mcjoppa.the.hut

AirBNB:
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/15532319?source_impression_id=p3_1686703385_%2BFOtVohMV70%2F7fkg

Our AirBNB listings:

• https://airbnb.com/h/cozyrockcabin
• https://airbnb.com/h/thechalastratton

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_FgMwAgvORd1IwlH1nlC9g

On this episode Janice is talking with Julie Shackett, the human behind the brand new A-frame called "The Shack" in Bayse, Virginia. Julie just completed her build so Janice dives into the whole build process, what she learned, any advice for others, and all the other good stuff while it's  fresh on the top of her mind. Julie and Janice chatted the day before she underwent another surgery in her on going battle for stage 4 breast cancer. After the call we set up a MealTrain to help with the recovery process, which you can find below in the show notes, if you're interested in showing her a little love while she heals. Thanks for joining us this week, on to the show!

MealTrain:
https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/kw86yr

IG:
@theshackbasyevirginia

Our AirBNB listings:

• https://airbnb.com/h/cozyrockcabin
• https://airbnb.com/h/thechalastratton

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_FgMwAgvORd1IwlH1nlC9g

You'd think this episode would be chock full of tips on how to photograph your cabin, and how to market using Instagram, but shockingly it's not. We chat with Ethan Abitz on this episode about everything behind his camera; his worldwide travels, his dating life, the legalization of cannibis, his future modeling career... you name it. Join us for a good old fashioned fireside chat!

IG:
@ethanabitz

Our AirBNB listings:

• https://airbnb.com/h/cozyrockcabin
• https://airbnb.com/h/thechalastratton

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_FgMwAgvORd1IwlH1nlC9g

What's better than having a treehouse as a kid? Having one as an adult. Today Janice talks with Lauren and Cam from Fort Treehouse Co. who took cabining to a whole new level, literally. As some of you may have gathered from our own stories and those of our guests, building and designing your dream cabin is not easy. Lauren and Cam managed to do both with the added difficulty of their foundation being a living growing tree and L1 starting some 15' overhead. They share with us all that it took to make something like this a reality and what it takes to keep it going from managing to marketing and even keeping books. Be sure to check out their site and socials to see the amazing project they brought to life and stay tuned for news on their next build.


Direct Booking Listing:
https://forttreehouseco.bookeddirectly.com/g/minden/the-baltic---luxury-treehouse/12a9c3?

IG:
@fort_treehouse_co

Website:
https://www.forttreehouseco.com/

Our AirBNB listings:

• https://airbnb.com/h/cozyrockcabin
• https://airbnb.com/h/thechalastratton

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_FgMwAgvORd1IwlH1nlC9g

Have you ever been a few glasses of wine deep on a Friday night scrolling instagram deep in a cabin rabbit hole thinking, "ya know what would be a great idea? Buying our very own cabin escape." Well that's exactly how Morgan from HeyFrameHouse started the process of purchasing her new build A-frame located on the beautiful Lake Hartwell in Lavonia Georgia. Morgan and her husband decided to contact the realtor and check it out and fell in love. 3 years and countless raving reviews later they've shared their special place with hundreds of travelers and learned a lot along the way. Janice and Morgan sit down to talk changes in the rental market from the start of the pandemic, whether the new airbnb updates have helped or hurt hosts, and compare the always controversial checkout instructions, and much more.

AirBNB Listing:
www.airbnb.com/h/heyframehouse

IG:
@heyframehouse

Our AirBNB listings:

• https://airbnb.com/h/cozyrockcabin
• https://airbnb.com/h/thechalastratton

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_FgMwAgvORd1IwlH1nlC9g