Explore every episode of the podcast Kerouacs Cruising | Where Off-Grid Living Meets Soulful Awakening

We just needed to let the dogs out. Then the cop showed up.

From the art streets of Santa Fe to the flat middle of Kansas in tornado season, this one has everything. We catch you up on the leg of the trip that took us through New Mexico to visit Kaatje Jones (co-author and now in-person friend) and into the heart of the Great Plains, where the weather changed overnight, the RV parks take cash and checks only, and one very routine dog stop turned into one of the most chaotic moments we've had on the road. Plus: what we actually learned about tornado safety, why you should never let your gas tank drop below half in rural Kansas, and why James now checks the weather three times before he trusts it.

What You'll Hear in This Episode:

• What Santa Fe is actually like — the art district, the culture, the adobe buildings, and the hiking that surprised us
• Visiting Kaatje Jones in person for the first time and why her property in the mountains east of Santa Fe is its own whole experience
• Cara's first time doing anything physically demanding since the car accident in March, and what it felt like to climb again
• Why we'll keep finding climbing gyms on the road, and where to look for auto-belay walls when you don't have a partner to belay you
• The moment the Kansas weather forecast changed overnight from sunny and 90 to tornadoes and 65 degrees
• What we actually learned about tornado safety, including why overpasses are more dangerous than most people think
• Rural Kansas RV parks: cash only, no online reservations, and why that actually worked fine for us
• Nearly running out of gas twice in the plains, and the practical rule we now live by when pulling a trailer through rural areas
• The dog stop that turned into a cop encounter in the middle of a Kansas field, and what happened next

Resources & Mentions:

• Kaatje Jones — voice therapy practitioner and co-author of the Together We Rise anthology. Catch up on our episode featuring her here!
• Rancheros Campground — Santa Fe, New Mexico area. 15 minutes from Santa Fe proper, old growth pinyon and juniper trees, trail around the campground, great privacy between sites
• Glorieta Pass / Pecos River area — dispersed camping pull-offs on the right heading up. Good for tent camping and fishing (trout). Worth noting: it read as group-style dispersed camping — not traditional individual sites
• Canyon Road — Santa Fe's art district. Blocks of galleries, handmade jewelry, sculpture, and some of the most beautiful and unusual art we've encountered on the road

If this conversation resonated with you, you're always welcome at our campfire.

For photos, reflections, and the companion blog, head to KerouacsCruising.com/blog.

To follow along in real time, find us on social @KerouacsCruising.

To support the journey, visit Ko-fi.com/KerouacsCruising.

And if something here made you think, feel, or see your life a little differently, we'd love to hear from you in the comments or at Join@KerouacsCruising.com.

However you choose to be here — thank you for being part of this. 💚🩷

We celebrated our anniversary on a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. By Monday we were following a 250+ mile foot race through the Arizona backcountry. We didn't plan that week. It turned out to be one of the best we've had.

We're back on the road, and this episode is the catch-up we owe you. We talk about what it felt like to go home, what we fixed, what we decided to keep, and why we're not selling the house after all. Then the episode goes somewhere we didn't see coming: a 253-mile ultramarathon through central Arizona, a brother-in-law who'd been training for a year, a crew of unpaid people who showed up with their whole hearts, and a 34-year-old woman who made history by becoming the first person ever to win the Cocodona 250 outright. And somewhere in the middle of all of it, a quiet realization: the things we really want have a way of arriving. Just not always in the shape we expected.

What You'll Hear in This Episode:

• What it felt like to go home after months on the road, and the surprisingly emotional decision to stop talking about selling the house
• The solar panel upgrade that changed everything (and the folding panel that quietly gave out)
• How we ended up crewing for a 250-mile ultramarathon
• What it means to truly let the people in your corner show up for you and why that's harder than it sounds
• Rachel Entrekin, 34, who became the first woman to win the Cocodona 250 outright, beating every man in the field and the course record by over two hours, and the "why not me" mantra she used to get there
• Why the mindset game and the physical game are the same game, and what that means for the rest of us
• What's coming: Santa Fe, Kansas City, Iowa, New Hampshire, Montana, Idaho, and James's son's new business launch
• An honest mention of The Reinvention Project and why this episode is the reason it exists

Resources & Mentions:

• Cocodona 250 — 253-mile ultramarathon, Black Canyon City to Flagstaff, Arizona: cocodona.com
• Rachel Entrekin — 2026 Cocodona 250 overall winner and course record holder
• Dr. Joe Dispenza — mentioned in relation to retreats, mind movies, and the "thoughts create your reality" framework
• Dr. Margaret Cochran — the "backseat driver" concept (the inner critic that wants to drive the bus)
• Dispersed Camping, Flagstaff, Arizona
• LA Comedy Club at the Edgewater, Laughlin/Bullhead City — anniversary comedy show
• The Reinvention Project: thereinventionproject.podia.com/the-quiet-reinvention-workshop

What you heard in this episode isn't a commercial break. It's the thing the episode is actually about. Watching Jeff run 250 miles. Watching Rachel win on "why not me." Watching a crew of people show up with everything they had without being asked. All of it points to the same thing: the gap between what you're capable of and what you've given yourself permission to believe. That gap has a name. The Reinvention Project is where we're working on it, with people who are ready. If something in this conversation is sitting with you, come find us when you're ready. thereinventionproject.podia.com/the-quiet-reinvention-workshop

If this conversation resonated with you, you're always welcome at our campfire.

For photos, reflections, and the companion blog, head to KerouacsCruising.com/blog.

To follow along in real time, find us on social @KerouacsCruising.

To support the journey, visit Ko-fi.com/KerouacsCruising.

And if something here made you think, feel, or see your life a little differently, we'd love to hear from you in the comments or at Join@KerouacsCruising.com.

However you choose to be here — thank you for being part of this. 💚🩷

We weren't planning to go anywhere. Then an ad showed up, we looked at each other, and said — we're not doing anything. Let's go.

What happened at the Dr. Joe Dispenza retreat in Denver changed us both in ways we're still integrating. This is the episode where they try to explain what that means.

Cara's recovery from her broken pelvis left us with something we rarely have: time. And in that time, an advertisement for a Dr. Joe Dispenza retreat appeared. We'd been following his work for nearly three years. The dogs were covered, the house was watched, and the flights were booked. What followed was seven days of meditation, science, and human experience that we describe as one of the best decisions we've ever made.

In this episode, we break down what the retreat actually looks like: the science behind the work, the five-hour meditation that started at 4 am, the coherence healings, and what we witnessed in that room. Including Patty — a woman with stage four metastasized breast cancer who came to the retreat with a walker, and left without it.

This is not a woo-woo episode. It's a deeply human one.

What You'll Hear in This Episode:

• How the retreat happened — the serendipity of timing, the logistics, and the decision
• Who Dr. Joe Dispenza is and why we have followed his work for nearly three years
• What a retreat actually looks like: 6 am to 8 pm, lectures alternating with guided meditations
• The science: neuroplasticity, epigenetics, heart coherence, upregulating genes for healing
• The five-hour meditation that started at 4 am, and why it didn't feel that long
• What coherence healing is and what it felt like to be on the receiving end of it
• Cara's "defrag" analogy for what most meditation actually is, and what this goes beyond
• Patty's story — 25 years of Dr. Joe's work, stage four cancer, 16 tumors gone in 10 weeks
• What they witnessed in the room — wheelchair to walking, tremors quieting, pain lifting
• Resources: the movie Source, the book Becoming Supernatural, the Gaia series Rewired
• How they're integrating the work into daily life: twice-daily meditation as non-negotiable
• What they're bringing back to Kerouacs Cruising, and the invitation to come along on this next chapter

Resources & Mentions:

• Dr. Joe Dispenza — drjoedispenza.com
• Source — the documentary film (start here if you're new to his work)
• Becoming Supernatural — Dr. Joe Dispenza (book)
• Rewired — Dr. Joe Dispenza series on Gaia (gaia.com)
• Stress Less, Accomplish More — mentioned as an earlier step in our journey
• Gaylord Resort, Denver, CO — retreat venue
• Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) — referenced as prior practice

Note for Clarity: This episode contains witnessed accounts of physical healing at a retreat setting. James and Cara are sharing what they personally observed and experienced, not making medical claims. If something in this conversation sparks curiosity, the resources above are the best next step.

If something in this episode stirred something in you — that's worth paying attention to. What Cara is building with The Reinvention Project grows directly from this kind of work: the belief that your nervous system, your thought patterns, and your sense of what's possible are all changeable. The door is open. thereinventionproject.podia.com

You're always welcome at our campfire. For photos, reflections, and the companion blog, head to KerouacsCruising.com/blog. To follow along in real time, find us on social @KerouacsCruising. To support the journey, visit Ko-fi.com/KerouacsCruising. And if something here made you think, feel, or see your life a little differently — we'd love to hear from you at Join@KerouacsCruising.com. However you choose to be here — thank you. 💚🩷

They were one day from leaving. A parking lot in Lake Havasu changed everything — and somehow, the pause that followed became the best thing that could have happened.

James and Cara catch you up on their final days in Lake Havasu: the hidden beer garden, the grocery store that stopped them cold, the peninsula camp spot, before the trip east came to an abrupt halt. In a CVS parking lot, one Sunday afternoon, a man backing out of a space pinned Cara between two vehicles and broke her pelvis. The east coast trip was off. They came home to their tiny house in northern Arizona. And in the stillness that followed, in the space that opens up when you finally stop just keeping the wheels on, something new began to take shape. This is the episode where the dream got real.

What You'll Hear in This Episode:

• Why Lake Havasu won over Parker and Bullhead City: and what made it feel different
• Hava Bite Beer Garden: the local food truck collective they stumbled onto through DoorDash, and loved
• The Smith's grocery store that genuinely stopped them both in their tracks
• The CVS parking lot accident: what happened, how it happened, and what Cara broke
• The diagnosis journey: from the ER that almost missed it to the orthopedic specialist two weeks later
• What it felt like to watch a year of planning disappear in an afternoon
• Coming home to northern Arizona: the tiny house, the 20 acres, the forced stillness
• What happens to dreaming when you finally stop just getting through the day
• The commitment they made: and why they're more excited about KC and their future than when they first started
• James at [13:15]: "The pause was worth it."

Resources & Mentions:

• Hava Bite Beer Garden — Lake Havasu City, AZ
• Smith's (Kroger family) — Lake Havasu City, AZ
• Yolk's — Pacific Northwest (referenced for comparison)

The Reinvention Project — an open door: What you're hearing in this episode is where something new began. In the stillness of coming home, with space to think and dream for the first time in a long time, The Reinvention Project started taking shape. If something in this conversation is sitting with you, that feeling has a name and there's a place for it. Come find us when you're ready. thereinventionproject.podia.com

Note for Clarity: This episode was recorded after Cara's recovery was underway and the pivot had already happened. The Havasu content is a lookback — the accident and everything after is real-time. The east coast trip did not happen. What you're hearing is the moment the story changed — and where Season 3 actually finds its footing.

If this conversation resonated with you, you're always welcome at our campfire. For photos, reflections, and the companion blog, head to KerouacsCruising.com/blog. To follow along in real time, find us on social @KerouacsCruising. To support the journey, visit Ko-fi.com/KerouacsCruising. And if something here made you think, feel, or see your life a little differently, we'd love to hear from you in the comments or at Join@KerouacsCruising.com. However you choose to be here — thank you for being part of this. 💚🩷

Season 3 starts the way Kerouacs Cruising always does best — with a day off, a beach they almost didn't find, and an honest conversation about why they went quiet for a while.

After months of work-from-the-road life in Bullhead City and Parker, Arizona, Cara and James finally take a day off. They explore Parker Dam, stumble onto a sandy cove on the Colorado River, walk the Bill Williams Wildlife Refuge, see bighorn sheep on a cliff, and get visited by wild donkeys on the way out. It's a good day. A really good day.

But tucked inside the adventure is the conversation that makes this a Kerouacs Cruising episode: why they went quiet, why creating from a place of fear never works, and what it means to begin something new with honesty instead of a highlight reel. This is Season 3 — and it starts exactly where they are.

What You'll Hear in This Episode:

• The beach they almost missed — a sandy cove on the Colorado River near Parker Dam, found by keeping their eyes open after the original spot turned out to be federal property
• Parker Dam explained — what it creates, what it costs the ecosystem, and the fish species going extinct because of it
• Arizona State Trust Land camping — $20 for the year, 14 consecutive day limit
• The Bill Williams Wildlife Refuge — wildflowers in bloom, labeled plant trails, fishing docks, and the walk they wish they'd had more time for
• Wild donkeys and six bighorn sheep on the side of a cliff — just a normal Tuesday in the Arizona desert
• Why they stopped creating content for a few weeks — and why creating from fear or obligation would have been worse than silence
• Where their heads are as Season 3 begins — the hopes, the honest uncertainty, and what they're building toward
• Norman and Bella updates — the ongoing socialization journey, leash training, and life with two free-range dogs learning to navigate crowds

Resources & Mentions:

• Parker Dam — Colorado River, between Parker and Lake Havasu City, Arizona
• Arizona State Trust Land permit — $20/year, available at Arizona State Land Department website
• Bill Williams Wildlife Refuge — day use, dogs must be leashed near water, interpretive trail signage
• Lake Havasu City — London Bridge, boardwalk, boat and jet ski rentals
• DoorDash — mentioned as their primary work-from-the-road income during this stretch
• Colorado River fishing — largemouth bass, striped bass up to 30 lbs, catch and report species program
• Lake Pend Oreille, northern Idaho — referenced for comparison on cold water swimming

Note for Clarity: This episode was recorded in late February 2026 — the final stretch in Parker before life took a turn neither of them expected. Jewels passed away in September 2025 — Cara's reference to managing the dogs being easier now with just Norman and Bella is an honest acknowledgment of that loss. Norman and Bella are their current traveling companions.

If this conversation resonated with you, you're always welcome at our campfire.

For reflections, and the companion blog, head to KerouacsCruising.com/blog.

To follow along in real time, find us on social @KerouacsCruising.

To support the journey, visit Ko-fi.com/KerouacsCruising.

And if something here made you think, feel, or see your life a little differently, we'd love to hear from you in the comments or at Join@KerouacsCruising.com.

However you choose to be here — thank you for being part of this. 💚🩷

Money, Movement, Marriage, and Finding Balance on the Road

This episode is a real-time campfire check-in. We talk about preparing for a cross-country journey, navigating financial stress, living in close quarters, and learning to pause rather than push. It’s an honest conversation about balance, awareness, and choosing growth—even when life feels messy and uncertain.

In this episode of Kerouacs Cruising, we sit by the campfire in Bullhead City and share an unfiltered update on where we’re at — mentally, emotionally, and practically.

We talk about:

Preparing for a long-awaited East Coast journey

Financial pressure, DoorDashing, and living with “enough”

Deciding what to do with the property while staying nomadic

How constant togetherness can amplify inner critics and small conflicts

Recognizing projection, lack, and stress before they turn into resentment

Why pauses can be gifts instead of setbacks

Alcohol, food, balance, and listening to what our bodies are asking for

The importance of slowing mornings, mindfulness, and awareness

Letting conversations rest instead of forcing resolution

This episode isn’t about having answers. It’s about staying present in a season of transition and choosing curiosity, compassion, and communication over blame.

💻 Watch this episode on YouTube: @KerouacsCruising

📸 Blog & travel stories: KerouacsCruising.com

💬 Instagram & Facebook: @KerouacsCruising

📧 Email: Join@KerouacsCruising.com

✨ Support our journey on Ko-fi: Every little bit helps us keep creating from the road! https://ko-fi.com/kerouacscruising

If this episode moved you, the kindest thing you can do is like, subscribe, and leave a review. It’s a small action that makes a huge difference in helping us keep the journey going.

💚🩷💚🩷 Thank you for being here — your presence means everything.

What if slowing down didn’t require alcohol or numbing out? In this episode, we explore kava — a 3,000-year-old South Pacific plant — its cultural roots, calming rituals, and why it’s becoming a meaningful alternative for connection, presence, and unwinding without losing yourself.

In this episode of Kerouacs Cruising, we sit down with Morgan Smith of Kalm with Kava for a grounded, honest conversation about kava — what it is, what it isn’t, and why it has been used ceremonially and socially for thousands of years across the South Pacific.

We talk about:

• What kava actually is (and why it’s often misunderstood)
• The cultural and ceremonial roots of kava
• Noble vs. two-day kavas and why quality matters
• Kava as a social and alcohol alternative
• Nervous system regulation and intentional rituals
• Why preparation and presence are part of the experience
• Clearing up myths around safety, liver concerns, and side effects
• Honoring plant medicine without separating it from its people

This episode is for anyone curious about kava, reducing alcohol, or finding gentler ways to unwind and connect — without numbing out.

💻 Watch this episode on YouTube: @KerouacsCruising

📸 Blog & travel stories: KerouacsCruising.com

💬 Instagram & Facebook: @KerouacsCruising

📧 Email: Join@KerouacsCruising.com

✨ Support our journey on Ko-fi: Every little bit helps us keep creating from the road! https://ko-fi.com/kerouacscruising

If this episode moved you, the kindest thing you can do is like, subscribe, and leave a review. It’s a small action that makes a huge difference in helping us keep the journey going.

💚🩷💚🩷 Thank you for being here — your presence means everything.

Six months into full-time camper life, Cara and James share what actually helped them thrive off-grid — and it wasn't what they expected.

Before Cara and James ever hitched up their travel trailer and hit the road, they spent eight years building a homestead in northern Arizona — off the grid, hauling water, running solar, and learning to live with less. They didn't know it at the time, but all of it was preparation.

In this episode, they break down the real-world lessons they've learned living off-grid in a camper: managing water without running dry, handling tanks when you're boondocking for two weeks, staying powered up on solar, managing propane before it runs out at 2am, and the small mindset shifts that make this lifestyle actually feel good. This is the practical, honest conversation they wish someone had given them before they started.

What You'll Hear in This Episode:

• Why 8 years of homesteading in northern Arizona quietly prepared them for camper life — and why you don't need that background to start
• The #1 water hack for staying in a spot for 14 days without moving the camper
• Gray water, black water, and what you absolutely cannot do (and why)
• Managing propane — why it always runs out at night and how to never be caught without coffee
• The solar generator setup that runs their camper 90% of the time (EcoFlow + backup gas generator)
• How they conserve electricity at night, including candles, fairy lights, and syncing with nature's rhythm
• Instant coffee as a genuine off-grid game-changer — and why freeze-dried is actually better for you
• The honest truth: this lifestyle isn't for everyone, but it probably requires less than you think

Resources & Mentions:

• EcoFlow solar generator (brand mentioned)
• ELEMENT electrolyte packets (brand mentioned)
• Black Rifle Coffee instant coffee (brand mentioned)
• Primo water filling stations (available at most major grocery stores and Walmart)
• Portable toilet bags with solidifying powder (backup black tank solution)
• Rocket stove (for coffee when propane runs out)
• Baby wipes — mentioned as a top hygiene hack

Note for Clarity: Cara and James are recording this approximately 6 months into full-time travel trailer life, having launched their camper life in June 2025. Their homestead is located in northern Arizona at approximately 6,200 feet in elevation.

If this conversation resonated with you, you're always welcome at our campfire.

For photos, reflections, and the companion blog, head to KerouacsCruising.com/blog.

To follow along in real time, find us on social @KerouacsCruising.

To support the journey, visit Ko-fi.com/KerouacsCruising.

And if something here made you think, feel, or see your life a little differently, we'd love to hear from you in the comments or at Join@KerouacsCruising.com.

However you choose to be here — thank you for being part of this. 💚🩷

Life doesn’t get easier just because we wait for perfect timing. In this episode, we share a real-time update from the road — navigating finances, family, weather, and uncertainty — and why choosing the life you want matters, even when it’s hard. Sometimes the goal isn’t clarity. It’s commitment.

In this episode of Kerouacs Cruising, we check in from the road during the holidays — reflecting on travel, work, family, and the realities of making it all work without a clear roadmap.

We talk honestly about:

• Living with uncertainty while staying optimistic
• Using gig work like DoorDash to stay flexible on the road
• Seasonal travel choices and adapting to weather
• Visiting family and the emotional weight of time and distance
• Letting go of “how” and staying focused on “what”
• Why struggle is inevitable — and how choosing your struggle matters

This conversation is a reminder that life is rarely perfect, but it can still be intentional. If it’s going to be hard anyway, you might as well choose the life that feels worth the effort.

💻 Watch this episode on YouTube: @KerouacsCruising

📸 Blog & travel stories: KerouacsCruising.com

💬 Instagram & Facebook: @KerouacsCruising

📧 Email: Join@KerouacsCruising.com

✨ Support our journey on Ko-fi: Every little bit helps us keep creating from the road! https://ko-fi.com/kerouacscruising

If this episode moved you, the kindest thing you can do is like, subscribe, and leave a review. It’s a small action that makes a huge difference in helping us keep the journey going.

💚🩷💚🩷 Thank you for being here — your presence means everything.

What if your space was quietly shaping your mood, health, creativity, and relationships? In this episode, architect Talor Stewart joins us to explore how intentional environments — even tiny ones — can reduce daily friction, improve sleep, and support the life you’re trying to live, wherever you call home.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why small friction points quietly drain energy and create resentment
• How entryways, bathrooms, and bedrooms shape daily stress
• Simple shifts that improve sleep, air quality, and flow
• Why dedicating space to what you love increases follow-through
• How conscious home design applies to campers, rentals, and houses alike

🔗 Learn more about Talor’s work: conscioushomedesign.com

💻 Watch this episode on YouTube: @KerouacsCruising

📸 Blog & travel stories: KerouacsCruising.com

💬 Instagram & Facebook: @KerouacsCruising

📧 Email: Join@KerouacsCruising.com

✨ Support our journey on Ko-fi: Every little bit helps us keep creating from the road! https://ko-fi.com/kerouacscruising

If this episode moved you, the kindest thing you can do is like, subscribe, and leave a review. It’s a small action that makes a huge difference in helping us keep the journey going.

💚🩷💚🩷 Thank you for being here — your presence means everything.

Life on the road doesn’t pause for perfect timing. In this episode, we share what it’s been like to find our rhythm while navigating unpredictable weather, financial pressure, and constant movement—learning how to balance work, rest, and presence as we continue forward without having everything figured out.

In this episode of Kerouacs Cruising, we check in from the road and talk honestly about what the last few weeks have looked like—working across different towns, adapting plans when the weather turns challenging, and learning how to balance income with actually enjoying the journey.

This season has been about holding steady in the unknown, and this conversation captures what that looks like day to day.

We talk about:

• Working while traveling and using gig work to stay afloat
• Making quick decisions when weather impacts safety and plans
• The physical realities of camper life in rain, cold, and mud
• Learning when to work—and when to slow down
• How our dogs help anchor us in the present moment
• Letting go of rigid timelines and finding a sustainable pace

This episode isn’t about having clear answers. It’s about staying flexible, grounded, and committed to the path—even when it requires constant adjustment.

If you’re navigating a season where life feels unsettled but meaningful, this conversation is for you.

💻 Watch this episode on YouTube: @KerouacsCruising

🎧 Listen where you Stream

📸 Blog & travel stories: KerouacsCruising.com

💬 Instagram & Facebook: @KerouacsCruising

📧 Email: Join@KerouacsCruising.com

✨ Support our journey on Ko-fi: Every little bit helps us keep creating from the road! https://ko-fi.com/kerouacscruising

If this episode moved you, the kindest thing you can do is like, subscribe, and leave a review. It’s a small action that makes a huge difference in helping us keep the journey going.

💚🩷💚🩷 Thank you for being here — your presence means everything.

When the plan falls apart, what do you do next? We share what it looks like to hold steady in the unknown—after a property sale collapses, travel plans change, and the future feels wide open and uncertain. This is an honest conversation about trust, timing, and continuing forward anyway.

Sometimes life doesn’t ask for certainty—it asks for presence.

In this episode of Kerouacs Cruising, we open up about a season of sudden change: a property sale falling through, financial uncertainty, canceled plans, and the emotional weight of letting go of what we thought was “next.” After spending two months in Idaho with family, we begin the journey back toward Arizona—recalibrating, regrouping, and learning how to stay grounded when the future is unclear.

We talk about:

• Living moment by moment when long-term plans dissolve
• The emotional impact of putting dreams on pause
• Balancing family, travel, finances, and personal identity
• Lessons from mindfulness practice and slowing down
• Why the “perfect time” rarely arrives
• Trusting that life can still unfold—even without answers
• Choosing progress over paralysis in the messy middle

This episode was recorded while camped near Paiute State Park, a quiet and beautiful place that reminded us how much clarity can come from simply being present.

If you’re feeling stuck between what was and what’s next, this conversation is for you.

💻 Watch this episode on YouTube: @KerouacsCruising

📸 Blog & travel stories: KerouacsCruising.com

💬 Instagram & Facebook: @KerouacsCruising

📧 Email: Join@KerouacsCruising.com

✨ Support our journey on Ko-fi: Every little bit helps us keep creating from the road! https://ko-fi.com/kerouacscruising

If this episode moved you, the kindest thing you can do is like, subscribe, and leave a review. It’s a small action that makes a huge difference in helping us keep the journey going.

💚🩷💚🩷 Thank you for being here — your presence means everything.

A quick recap of the last year and optimism for the year ahead.

See you next year!

If you’re heading into family gatherings with an inner critic (or a loud uncle), this one’s for you! Your inner critic doesn’t have to drive your life. In this powerful conversation, therapist and hypnotherapist Dr. Margaret Cochran shares a simple “bus” mindfulness tool to name the loud voice in your head, stop arguing with it, and keep moving toward your goals—without toxic positivity.

In this episode of Kerouacs Cruising, we talk about the inner critic, healing old wounds, and why “words create realities.” Dr. Cochran breaks down a mindfulness practice you’ll remember forever: you’re the driver of the bus, and your thoughts are passengers—including the ones that shout fear, shame, and “you didn’t do it right.”

We also explore:

• Why fighting the inner critic drains your energy (and stalls your momentum)
• How to name the voice and keep driving anyway
• The “hole in the sidewalk” pattern—and the steps to finally choose a new road
• Cognitive distortions, narcissistic family systems, and why kids internalize blame
• A simple “three questions” reset when you’re spiraling
• A 28–30 day gratitude practice that can shift your brain over time
• Boundaries at family gatherings: limits, exit plans, and not taking the bait
• A grounding meditation: Embracing the Golden Light
• Manifestation vs. “toxic positivity”: you can’t clean the kitchen if you won’t see the dirt
• The question that cuts through fear: What would I do if I weren’t afraid?

Connect with Dr. Margaret Cochran:

Website: DrCochran.com

More from us:

Blog + episode resources: kerouacscruising.com

Email: join@kerouacscruising.com

Follow: @kerouacscruising (IG/FB)

We’re back with a fan-favorite format: Road Trip Table Topics! From moody family members (spoiler: it’s not who you think) to UFO stories, favorite cities, dream souvenirs, and the greatest athlete debate—this episode is a fun, honest ride with plenty of laughs and a few surprisingly deep moments.

💻 Watch this episode on YouTube: @KerouacsCruising

📸 Blog & travel stories: KerouacsCruising.com

💬 Instagram & Facebook: @KerouacCruising

📧 Email: Join@KerouacsCruising.com

✨ Support our journey on Ko-fi: Every little bit helps us keep creating from the road! https://ko-fi.com/kerouacscruising

If you enjoyed this episode, the kindest thing you can do is like, subscribe, and leave a review. It’s a small action that makes a huge difference in helping us keep the journey going.

💚🩷💚🩷 Thank you for being here — your presence means everything.

What do you do when a botched surgery leaves you without an Achilles tendon… and a therapist tells you you’ll be “compromised for the rest of your life”? In this episode, author and hiker Jo Giese shares how she clawed her way back to the trail, one waterfall, lucky stone, and hopeful step at a time.

When a “routine” Achilles repair went horribly wrong, doctors told Jo Giese that life as she knew it was over. The Achilles died, infection set in, and even a trusted PT told her she’d be compromised forever.

But Jo refused to accept that story.

In this conversation, Jo shares how she went from barely able to walk to becoming what doctors now call a medical outlier — the 0.01% of people who recover function without an Achilles tendon. With brutal honesty and a lot of humor, she talks about rebuilding strength, finding the right medical team, and why killing someone’s hope is one of the worst things we can do.

We also dive into:

• Why some people succumb to injury while others overcome it
• How waterfalls, wild places, and “waterfall medicine” became a big part of Jo’s healing
• The importance of community: doctors, therapists, friends, and the people who simply show up
• Why Jo is firmly against hiking alone in remote places — and how to find safer ways to adventure
• The joy of lucky stones, “walkie talkies” walking groups, and discovering that your pace doesn’t define your worth

Jo’s upcoming memoir, You’ll Never Walk Alone: A Hiker’s Memoir of Adventure, Tragedy, and Defying the Odds, releases February 10, 2026 — and this conversation is a beautiful preview of the grit, vulnerability, and awe packed into her story.

🎧 Listen if you’re navigating injury, burnout, or big life change and need a reminder that your body — and your spirit — might be capable of far more than you’ve been told.

💻 Watch this episode on YouTube: @KerouacsCruising

📸 Blog & travel stories: KerouacsCruising.com

💬 Instagram & Facebook: @KerouacCruising

📧 Email: Join@KerouacsCruising.com

✨ Support our journey on Ko-fi: Every little bit helps us keep creating from the road!

If this episode moved you, the kindest thing you can do is like, subscribe, and leave a review. It’s a small action that makes a huge difference in helping us keep the journey going.

💚🩷💚🩷 Thank you for being here — your presence means everything.

The shifter disconnected on a remote fire road in the Idaho backcountry — no phone signal, no reverse gear, three dogs in the back seat. What happened next is very on-brand for Kerouacs Cruising.

On a routine drive through the Idaho backcountry to scout campsites for an upcoming hunting trip, James and Cara's truck shifter disconnects — leaving them stranded without phone service, unable to move, on a fire road with three dogs. What could have been a full breakdown becomes something else entirely: a reminder that this life requires resourcefulness, humor, and the ability to zip tie your way out of a problem.

This episode covers the repair in real time, the honest reality of finding dispersed camping in Idaho amid wildfire closures, and the quiet gratitude that closes it all — because the broken linkage that got James underneath the truck accidentally revealed a slow transmission leak before it became something much worse on the road.

What You'll Hear in This Episode:

• The moment the shifter disconnects mid-drive on a fire road — no phone service, no reverse, three dogs in the back
• How James diagnoses the problem from underneath the truck and gets them moving again with a zip tie
• The "blessing in disguise" — how the breakdown revealed a slow transmission fluid leak that could have caused serious damage down the road
• The honest reality of finding dispersed camping in Idaho right now — wildfire closures, trashed sites, and roads that look accessible on the map but aren't
• How wildfire smoke is complicating Ryan's upcoming hunting trip and closing off the areas he'd been scouting
• The real skill set full-time camper life quietly builds — resourcefulness, problem-solving, and the ability to stay calm when things go sideways

Resources & Mentions:

• O'Reilly Auto Parts — transmission linkage connector
• Thermal bypass valve — transmission cooling component (DIY campsite repair)
• AAA — mentioned as not an option on dirt roads
• Idaho dispersed camping — wildfire closure challenges

Note for Clarity: This episode was recorded during Cara and James's late summer/early fall 2025 Idaho stretch, approximately 3–4 months into full-time camper life. Ryan and Deidra (James's son and daughter-in-law) are referenced as family they were visiting and camping near during this period.

If this conversation resonated with you, you're always welcome at our campfire. For photos, reflections, and the companion blog, head to KerouacsCruising.com/blog. To follow along in real time, find us on social @KerouacsCruising. To support the journey, visit Ko-fi.com/KerouacsCruising. And if something here made you think, feel, or see your life a little differently, we'd love to hear from you in the comments or at Join@KerouacsCruising.com. However you choose to be here — thank you for being part of this. 💚🩷

We are grateful for all of our friends, family supporters and everyone joining our journey, as we figure out this thing called life together! We hope you have a wonderful weekend, see you next week for our next adventure episode 💚🩷

What if the real magic of travel isn’t the views, but the people you meet along the way? In this episode, we sit down with traveler and memoirist Melissa Rodway to talk about backpacking Southeast Asia, travel fatigue, leech-filled jungle treks, and why some of our most authentic selves show up far from home.

Canadian traveler, writer, and podcast host Melissa Rodway joins us to share the real story behind her travel memoir The People You Meet: Luxury, Leeches, Love & Lao-Lao with a Host of Interesting Characters in Southeast Asia.

Her love of adventure started early—moving from small-town Canada to a bush community outside Perth, Australia as a kid. Years later, a four-month trip through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and China became the backbone of her book and completely changed her relationship with travel, writing, and herself.

In this conversation, we explore:

• How a “once in a lifetime” trip turned into a raw, funny, and honest travel memoir
• The jungle trek in Laos that went very, very differently than expected
• What travel fatigue actually feels like—and how to know when it’s time to go home
• Why the people you meet matter more than the places you see
• The strange freedom of being more yourself when you’re far from home
• Why it’s never too late to start traveling (or to finally write the book that’s been tugging at you)

If you’ve ever dreamed about backpacking Asia, traveling solo, or simply reconnecting with your authentic self, this episode will give you both permission and a gentle nudge out the door.

All Things Melissa:

The People You Meet

Instagram: @fly_travel_media

Website: https://flyrodway.com

Facebook: FLYTravelMedia

💻 Watch this episode on YouTube: @KerouacsCruising

📸 Blog & travel stories: KerouacsCruising.com

💬 Instagram & Facebook: @KerouacCruising

📧 Email: Join@KerouacsCruising.com

✨ Support our journey on Ko-fi: Every little bit helps us keep creating from the road! 

If this episode moved you, the kindest thing you can do is like, subscribe, and leave a review. It’s a small action that makes a huge difference in helping us keep the journey going. 💚💗

We finally made it to North Idaho — and this week, we’re taking you with us as we tour a remote one-acre property deep in the mountains. The road is wild, the views are unreal, and the reality check hits hard. Is this the spot where our new life takes root… or not?

After weeks on the road, we’re back in North Idaho, the place that already feels like home even though our roots aren’t in the ground yet. In this adventure episode, we take you along as we check out a remote one-acre lot tucked deep into the mountains near Lake Pend Oreille.

From rough forest roads to steep terrain, from big hopes to big reality checks — we walk through what it’s really like to try to build a home base while living full-time on the road.

Along the way, we talk about:

• what we’re looking for in our future homestead
• challenges of off-grid access in winter (hello, snowmobile-only roads)
• the pros + cons of remote land
• how our three pups (including sweet Jewels in this video) shape every decision
• the behind-the-scenes chaos of travel days, Starlink glitches, laundry hunts, and keeping the camper functioning
• surrendering to the unknown and trusting the right place will reveal itself

We also share updates on:

• the Arizona homestead sale
• the next property we plan to tour
• how we’re navigating decision-making while still living on the move
• our setup, our workflow, and the truth about what this lifestyle really takes

If you’ve ever dreamed of relocating to the mountains, buying remote land, or building a simple life on your own terms, this episode offers a real, unfiltered look into the early stages of that journey.

📍 Watch the full episode for the views, the honesty, and a few laughs.

📍 Visit the blog at KerouacsCruising.com for detailed notes & resources.

📍 Join the conversation on Instagram & Facebook @kerouaccruising.

If you enjoy the episode, please consider liking, commenting, subscribing, and leaving a review — your support helps us reach more people walking the same path.

What if trash could build schools, students could fight poverty, and real democracy began in 7th grade? In this profoundly moving interview, we sit down with Matt Paneitz, founder of Long Way Home, a nonprofit turning 550+ tons of waste into a sustainable Hero School campus in rural Guatemala.

 In this powerful and uplifting conversation, we talk with Matt Paneitz — paramedic, Peace Corps volunteer, educator, builder, and founder of A Long Way Home, a nonprofit in Comalapa, Guatemala, transforming trash into resilient classrooms and turning students into community problem-solvers.

Matt spent two decades proving that purpose can truly be built from the ground up. His Hero School model, recognized by UNESCO, blends green building, indigenous Kachikal traditions, democratic education, and community empowerment. The result? Students who don’t just learn about change — they create it.

We talk about:

 ✨ How 550+ tons of trash became a sustainable K–12 campus

 ✨ Students solving poverty using what they learn in school

 ✨ Bamboo trusses, earthbag domes, eco-brick walls & tire foundations

 ✨ Matt’s intense origin story — from a small Texas town to the Peace Corps to hitchhiking through Guatemala

 ✨ The unseen realities of poverty and resilience

 ✨ How one volunteer idea grew into a movement

 ✨ Why democratic education could change the future of entire countries

 ✨ What Matt hopes to bring to the Secretary of Education

 ✨ The power of purpose, passion, and “la lucha” — the shared struggle

 ✨ Our own reflections afterward about chasing purpose even when it looks “crazy” from the outside

If you’ve ever questioned your path, your purpose, or the impact one person can make — this episode will move you.

Support Long Way Home

 Volunteer, donate, or learn more:

 🔗 lwhome.org

 📞 Matt’s direct number (he insisted!): 978-992-2333

Follow Us & Join the Journey

 Blog & photos: kerouacscruising.com

 Instagram & Facebook: @kerouacscruising

 Email: join@kerouacscruising.com

 Support our work on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/kerouacscruising

From a sketchy canal in Nevada to a dreamy lakeside spot in Oregon, this leg of our journey had biting flies, blown-up Starlink, surprise mice, and a whole lot of dog hair. We’re towing our 26-foot trailer with three dogs, chasing cooler temps, and trying to keep our truck alive while we inch toward Idaho and grandbaby smoochies.

You’ll also see our sweet girl Jewels all throughout this episode—this was filmed before she passed, so this one is extra special to us. 💛

In this adventure episode, we roll out of the Yosemite/Virginia Lakes area and start making our way toward Idaho with a few memorable stops along the way:

• Humboldt Wildlife Management Area near Lovelock, Nevada – including why we wouldn’t let the dogs in the water, how biting flies + mosquitoes changed our minds, and what it’s like crawling down a washboard road at 10 mph with a trailer.
• Antelope Reservoir, Oregon (near Jordan Valley) – a beautiful free camping spot with swimmable water, big skies, and first-come-first-served lakeside sites that fill up fast.
• Spring Creek Road (Forest Service Road 21) near La Grande, Oregon – high pines, Oregon Trail history, Labor Day side-by-sides, hunting season, and how we handled the heat when we really just wanted a quiet few days in the woods.

We also talk honestly about full-time RV life with three dogs (Jewels, Bella, and Norman):

• laundry math when you haven’t washed clothes since you left Arizona
• dog hair avalanches every time you crack a window
• managing an elderly dog’s incontinence on the road
• why we keep snap traps on board for surprise furry stowaways 🐭

On the “logistics & life” side, we share:

• our truck upgrades (that new transmission cooler and why slowing down on mountain passes changed everything)
• a weird AC thermostat glitch in the camper (hello, Celsius)
• Starlink reality when clouds roll in and your upload speed disappears right when you’re trying to deliver a podcast episode
• the emotional roller coaster of selling our Arizona homestead and the excitement of possibly buying a small treed acre in Idaho near the lake—just enough space to park the camper, fence the pups, run shore power, and build a big “dog house” shed.

Through it all, we’re just two humans and three dogs doing our best to travel slow, stay safe, and keep things honest—even when the fire pits are full of trash, the temps hit the 90s, and the laundry basket is begging for mercy.

🎧 In this episode you’ll hear about:

• The truth about Humboldt Wildlife Management Area as an overnight stop
• Why we highly recommend Antelope Reservoir (and why you should arrive early)
• Free camping on Spring Creek Road / FS 21 near La Grande, OR
• Traveling with three dogs: hair, heat, and hard decisions
• Our Starlink struggles and website rebuild in the wild
• Truck temps, towing safety, and how a transmission cooler changed our driving style
• Our next chapter: hunting season, baby cuddles, and a potential home base in Idaho

🔗 Places & resources mentioned:

• Antelope Reservoir (near Jordan Valley, Oregon) – free lakeside camping with vault toilets and fire rings (check current fire bans)
• Spring Creek Road / FS 21 near La Grande, OR – dispersed camping + Spring Creek Campground (fee area with vault toilet)
• GC Asian Fusion, La Grande, Oregon – delicious, affordable Asian fusion spot we loved in downtown La Grande

💛 A note about Jewels:

You’ll see our girl Jewels a lot in this video. This episode was recorded before she passed, and we chose to share it as a way to honor her joy out on the road. She was such a big part of Kerouacs Cruising, and we’re grateful you love her too.

📸 Blog companion:

Read the full blog with camping details, tips, and photos:

👉 [Add your blog link here once published]

🗣 Join the conversation:

• Website & blog: kerouacscruising.com
• Facebook & Instagram: @kerouaccruising
• Email: join@kerouacscruising.com

If this episode made you laugh, cringe, or plan your own trip, please like, subscribe, and leave a review. It helps more adventure-curious folks find us and keeps this journey rolling.

If “networking” makes you want to run for the hills, this episode will feel like a deep breath. We’re joined by Nick Shelton—veteran, strategist, stand-up comic, and author of An Introvert’s Guide to World Domination—to talk about navigating the world as an introvert without wearing a mask. We dig into authenticity vs. performance, simple step-by-step social systems (yes, including where to stand and what to hold), re-finding yourself after retirement or a major life change, and why saying “I don’t know” is secretly a superpower. Nick also shares his “Reset Button” framework for auditing your life, releasing old identities, and building purpose through aligned habits.

Highlights:

• The low-pressure way to enter any room and meet one person
• Authenticity > confidence: stop faking it, start systemizing it
• The “reset letter” + burn ritual (honoring past you)
• Cooking/dance/language classes as identity-building cheat codes
• Treating everyone like a VIP (and why it opens real doors)

Links & resources:

• Nick’s site: resettheman.com
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nicholasleonshelton/
• An Introvert’s Guide to World Domination: geni.us/anintrovertsguide
• Our blog & photos: kerouacscruising.com

Callouts:

If this helped, share it with the introvert in your life and leave a review—it truly keeps us rolling.

After our short pause, we're back on the road—and Yosemite greeted us with rain, hail, fog, and a full-on August snowstorm. In today’s adventure episode, we recap our wild entrance into Yosemite Valley, the unprepared tourists scrambling for ponchos, James trying (and failing) to get a tetanus shot, and the breathtaking moment the storm lifted and revealed the valley walls and waterfalls in all their beauty.

This is an honest look at what travel really feels like—messy, unpredictable, hilarious, and healing. And a reminder that sometimes the storm gives you a better gift than the sunshine ever could.

• Rain, hail & 38° August snow 🤯

• Crowds scrambling for overpriced umbrellas

• Why rainy national park days are usually the best

• The chaos of Yosemite Valley traffic

• Lower & Upper Yosemite Falls roaring from fresh storms

• Why the outside areas (Tuolumne Meadows, Tioga Pass) might be even better

• James’s foot injury update

• RV challenges, triumphs & the art of rolling with what is

🎥 Watch the YouTube adventure: https://youtu.be/QsfwPpUffJk

📝 Blog with campsite details & photos: https://kerouacscruising.com/when-the-storm-doesnt-scare-off-the-crowd-our-rain-soaked-and-hilarious-yosemite-valley-day/

IG/FB: @KerouacsCruising

Email: Join@KerouacsCruising.com

After two weeks off, we’re back — and today’s conversation is exactly about coming back. Author and former boxer Mark Connor joins us to talk about loss, caring for parents, Irish and Native influences, and how to keep love, family, and life at the center even when the world is pulling apart.

In this episode, Cara and James sit down with Mark Connor, author of It’s About Time, a memoir-meets-spiritual-reflection wrapped around poetry and guarded (literally) by angels. Mark shares how he navigated seasons of grief, long pauses in his writing, caring for his parents, and staying rooted in Catholic faith while honoring Indigenous and Irish connections.

We talk about:

• How boxing and jazz taught him about rhythm in life and writing
• What to do when you hit 2 years of writer’s block
• Why he says God is not a tyrant, but “love, family, and life”
• Holding space for different spiritual traditions without losing your own
• How to keep creating when money/life/time say “not now”

📚 Get Mark’s book It’s About Time here: [Amazon link] or [Lulu link]

🌐 Visit Mark’s site: https://boxersandwritersmagazine.com/books

📺 Watch this episode on YouTube: youtu.be/cTrek5Keb7o

Connect with us:

• Website & blog: https://kerouacscuising.com

• IG & FB: @KerouacsCruising

• Email us: join@kerouacscuising.com

• Support the show / travel content: ko-fi.com/kerouacscruising

If this episode encouraged you, the kindest thing you can do is rate, review, and share — it helps us reach more travelers, writers, and spiritual nomads like you. 🧡

A thunderstorm rolls in, the road turns to slush, and Yosemite’s drama cranks to 11. We pull over, wait it out, and keep going—dogs panting, windshield fogging, laughter on loop. Come along as we thread Tioga Pass, hunt for Tunnel View, daydream about the sequoias, and find the magic in the messy middle. 🎧 Watch the companion video: youtu.be/Wl2GJBzWWfg

• Where we are: Yosemite National Park via Tioga Pass (Lee Vining side)
• Weather curveball: Thunder, lightning, hail/sleet “mush,” low visibility, rockfall, and big temperature swings (high 30s–40s°F).
• The plan: Explore Yosemite Valley on a rainy day; opt for a short, paved, dog-friendly walk with views of Half Dome & Yosemite Falls.
• Reality checks:
  • James is 5 days post-foot injury (tetanus shot contemplation 😅).
  • Campsite is ~3 hours from Mariposa Grove; sequoias go on the “next trip” list.
  • Dogs = adorable, steamy windows.
• Highlights:
  • Watching waterfalls kick back on after the storm.
  • Three tunnels (!!) on the way toward the Valley (friend memory unlocked).
  • That “is that…a payphone?!” bit.
  • The way rainy days thin the crowds and amplify the mood.
• Dog tips: Bring towels, extra water, and plan paved, low-impact routes in bad weather.
• Safety note: Pull over during lightning/hail, watch for rockfall, and mind those no-guardrail edges.
• Watch the visuals: https://youtu.be/Wl2GJBzWWfg

Key takeaways (bullets):

• Rainy days can be the best national park days—crowds clear, waterfalls reappear, and the drama is unreal.
• Plans change; the park isn’t going anywhere. Save big hikes (like Mariposa Grove) for a future trip if conditions or health say so.
• Long drives to/from dispersed camp are worth it when the starlink/solar/views hit right.
• Safety > schedule. Pull over, breathe, and wait out the storm.

Stress isn’t the story—self-love is. Today we sit down with Cheyenne Moore—author of Self Love 101: How to Look in the Mirror and host of Safe Space with Cheyenne—to talk about the messy, honest middle of healing. We reframe anxiety and depression as parts of you asking to be seen, name the inner critic (Stanford, we see you), and get practical about boundaries, people-pleasing, grief, and being authentic online without performative “positivity.”

In this episode:

• Why your anxiety isn’t the enemy (and how to hear what it’s asking for)
• “Beginner-friendly” self-love tools that actually fit real life
• Grieving the Old Self & integrating the New You (Cheyenne’s next book + journal)
• Masculine emotions, parenting, and modeling nervous-system safety
• The trap of spiritual perfectionism + what honest progress looks like
• Using your voice without fixing, forcing, or faking it

About Cheyenne Moore

Cheyenne is the author of Self Love 101: How to Look in the Mirror and the upcoming Grieving the Old Self 101: How to Integrate the New You. She hosts Safe Space with Cheyenne, a podcast designed to elevate voices, stories, and beginner-friendly tools for real-life healing.

Connect with Cheyenne

• Book: https://a.co/d/8ByyalI

• Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/5W7zl2R8XggkQbZGztDOY7

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@safespacewithcheyenne

• YouTube: Safe Space with Cheyenne

• Facebook: Safe Space with Cheyenne (Wichita, KS)• Book: Self Love 101 → https://a.co/d/8ByyalI

Mentions

• Our current Book Club pick: The Untethered Soul (Sundays) → https://bit.ly/KerouacBookClub

• Kerouac’s Cruising blog & socials → kerouacscruising.com | IG/FB @kerouaccruising

Enjoying this episode?

Like/subscribe/review to help more listeners find the show. Share with a friend who’s ready to trade perfection for honest progress.

On our way to Yosemite, we managed to wedge the trailer in a too-tight turn… again. Here’s the simple “disconnect & pivot” move we’ve now used twice to recover safely on downhill grades—plus how we chose a high-elevation boondock near Lee Vining with great Starlink and solar, what to know about Yosemite’s timed entry, and a rainstorm/rattlesnake morning for the books. We wrap with a quick tour of Virginia Lakes and why we stayed put at 9,100’ instead of moving deeper into the trees.

• A repeatable way to get unstuck on a downhill slope (with tire-chock safety)
• Why satellite view isn’t enough (and what to do instead)
• Starlink + solar considerations in mountain terrain
• Yosemite entry timing (avoid the reservation window)
• Rattlesnake etiquette with dogs, and monsoon camping in the desert
• Virginia Lakes Road overview: dispersed + primitive options, views for days

• Book Club: bit.ly/KerouacBookClub
• Work with us / socials: @kerouaccruising

Voice Movement Therapy practitioner, writer, singer, and creative polymath Kaatje Jones joins us to explore healing through the embodied voice, working with land/ancestors, and building an authentic, multi-hyphenate life. We talk Sedona vortexes, Santa Fe quiet magic, sessions that look like… chicken noises 🐔, and gentle ways to begin again.

Timestamps/Chapters:

00:00 – Why an eclectic, multi-hyphenate path can fuel you (not drain you)

01:38 – What is Voice Movement Therapy (VMT)?

05:38 – From theater kid to healing with the voice

07:03 – What a first VMT session can look like

09:24 – Breath, humming, roaring, and meeting your body where it’s at

11:21 – Shame, silliness, and celebrating tears

12:26 – Inner child + parts work in VMT

14:20 – Science, woo, and the spectrum between

16:13 – Working with the land (Sedona, Santa Fe) & being guided by place

19:33 – Vortex tours, skeptics, and “something’s happening…”

21:35 – Rebrand: YouTube + Substack as a creative container

25:13 – Music: medicine songs, land-inspired pieces, and coming-out stories

27:33 – How to work with Kaatje (online/outdoors/ancestor work)

28:56 – Boundaries/energy hygiene for empaths who hold space

31:11 – How many clients/day? When work gives you energy

34:53 – For the “rat race” crowd: small experiments & beginner’s mind

37:24 – Routines vs. responsiveness: building days by feel

41:28 – Everyone’s a beginner somewhere (even the experts)

43:19 – Santa Fe meetup, Part 2 ✨

Links:

• Work with Kaatje: wildxpression.com (Wild Expression without the “e”)

• Kaatje’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WildXpression or Substack: search Wild Xpression

• Our Book Club: https://bit.ly/KerouacBookClub

• Get The Untethered Soul: https://amzn.to/48gkvST

Sometimes the road gives you sunsets and smooth miles. Other times it hands you three hours on a Nevada highway, a monsoon storm that shakes your camper, and a rattlesnake at your door. This week on Kerouacs Cruising, we share the unpredictable beauty and challenges of chasing Yosemite.

On this episode of Kerouacs Cruising, we’re reminded that road life is never boring. What started as an early drive to Yosemite turned into hours waiting on the highway after a tragic accident, followed by a desert monsoon that rocked our evening — and a sunrise made even wilder by a rattlesnake sighting at camp.

We talk about:

• 🛻 The accident that shut down the Nevada highway and why road safety matters
• ⛈️ Experiencing a desert monsoon — rain, thunder, and beauty all rolled together
• 🐍 How Norman, our pup, saved the day by alerting us to a rattlesnake
• 🌄 The mix of chaos and serenity that makes this nomadic life unforgettable

It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.

👉 Tune in to hear the full story and subscribe for more real-life road adventures.

Tired of being told “you’re fine” when you know something deeper is happening in your body? Natural health practitioner and author Elle Provencher joins us to unpack menopause, candida, cholesterol, detox, energy medicine, and how to step boldly into your power as a true “Menopausal Glamazon.”

For decades, Elle Provencher has been blending naturopathy, nutrition, energy work, and humor to help people take charge of their health. In this episode, she shares insights from her book The Magnificent Menopausal Glamazon: Unleashing Your Inner Superhero One Hot Flash at a Time and talks candidly about her own journey with menopause, candida, and cholesterol.

We explore:

• Why women are often dismissed by doctors — and how to advocate for yourself
• What candida really is (and why so many people struggle with it)
• How blood type eating impacts inflammation and energy
• The role of plastics, toxins, and everyday products in hormone health
• Practical detox tips with essential oils, foods, and mindset shifts
• The connection between frequency, energy medicine, and physical health
• Why menopause isn’t the end, but a powerful new beginning

Elle’s approach mixes science, natural medicine, and humor — reminding us that health and aging can be empowering, not limiting.

Timestamps

00:00 – Fired a doctor: why “eat less french fries” isn’t medical advice

02:22 – Elle’s background in naturopathy & energy work

07:00 – The candida story (and how to recognize it in yourself)

11:00 – Plastic in water bottles & rotisserie chicken reality check

14:40 – Essential oils for detox and menopause support

20:55 – Weight loss, hormones & finding balance

27:20 – Statins, cholesterol, and Elle’s personal journey

34:30 – The truth about salt, celery, and blood pressure

37:50 – Juicing, beets & everyday detox habits

38:20 – The Menopausal Glamazon book (humor + empowerment)

45:00 – Frequency, energy, and why your body is like a radio

50:00 – Breathing & grounding exercises to reduce stress

55:00 – Eat right for your blood type explained

01:00:00 – Closing thoughts + Elle’s contact info

Resources

• Elle’s book: The Magnificent Menopausal Glamazon (Coming Soon!)
• Contact Elle: 860-888-8613 | dr.elle@cloud.com

Connect

🌐 kerouaccruising.com

📸 FB & IG: @kerouaccruising

📩 Email: join@kerouaccruising.com

After eight years of blood, sweat, and sunsets, we locked the door to our Northern Arizona homestead for the last time. In this episode, we share the bittersweet goodbye to our off-grid home, the excitement of heading toward Yosemite, and the chaos of Vegas—including James’ screwdriver mishap.

Saying goodbye to a place you’ve built with your own hands is never easy. For us, leaving our 20-acre off-grid homestead in Northern Arizona came with tears, laughter, and fresh paint under our fingernails. But it also funded the next chapter: a road trip west, chasing long-awaited dreams in Yosemite.

We talk about:

• The whirlwind of fixing, painting, and selling our tiny home
• Why saying goodbye to a homestead is more than just a sale—it’s letting go of a life you built
• The nerves of towing into Yosemite’s high elevations with a tricky transmission
• Our candid struggles as a couple under pressure (hello, Vegas traffic + camper backing fiasco)
• James’ wild “screwdriver-through-the-foot” accident and what it taught us about slowing down

Join us as we transition from homebuilders to full-time travelers, and share the messy, beautiful reality behind the scenes.

Timestamps

00:00 – Teaser & Intro

02:20 – Two weeks of chaos: rodeos, football, friends & painting

05:30 – The bittersweet last lock of the front door

07:00 – Yosemite dreams & fears about towing over the Sierras

12:00 – Vegas traffic nightmare + camper communication meltdown

15:00 – The screwdriver accident: James vs. his foot

22:00 – What’s next: Kristen Bentley interview + Yosemite adventures

Resources Mentioned

• Kristen Bentley's Interview - YouTube: https://youtu.be/Lr4KrVycjHk Where You Stream: https://kerouacscruising.alitu.com/episode/c8c62d7d-0e2f-4f0a-bf54-9f213125825f

Connect

Website: kerouaccruising.com

IG/FB: @kerouaccruising

Email: join@kerouaccruising.com

What happens when you hit 50 and realize the “hustle” no longer fits? Wonderful Morrison shares how she quit everything, moved across the country to be with family, re-examined people-pleasing and identity, and rebuilt a more soul-led life. We discuss pattern disruptors (moving, nature, and rodeos!), nervous system regulation, minimalism, and how curiosity and quantum thinking can open new possibilities. If you’re craving a midlife reset, this one’s a compass.

Key Takeaways

• Why a location change can be the pattern disruptor your life needs
• People-pleasing, identity, and the midlife rebirth (not “crisis”)
• Nature as medicine: presence, simplicity, and real resilience
• How to “let go” without losing your ambition
• Using story (not just “strategy”) to build a bold personal brand
• Curiosity over fear when exploring tech/AI and “quantum” ideas

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Wonderful’s midlife pivot: “I quit everything.”
• 05:17 – Slowing down without “retiring” your spirit
• 06:44 – Rodeo, horses & reawakening the body’s courage
• 07:36 – Pattern disruptors: moving, selling, simplifying
• 10:41 – Back to basics in a high-tech world
• 12:30 – “Shut the **** up” mornings & nervous-system calm
• 20:51 – Real world > swipe world: building resilience
• 24:27 – Nature changes what you notice (trash, access, stewardship)
• 31:45 – The identity shock of seeing your people-pleasing
• 35:00 – Keep learning: joy, health, and grit
• 47:27 – Minimalism, moving, and the “enough” question
• 50:01 – Tech + humanity: a gentler take on AI & the future
• 57:48 – Healing outside the office; questioning old programming
• 1:10:50 – Business pivot: from “nice” coaching to bold brand storytelling
• 1:14:54 – “What your consciousness can dream up, you can live.”
• 1:18:11 – Book talk: E-Squared & the fun of experimenting
• 1:27:45 – Getting clear on what you really want
• 1:33:18 – What’s next & where to find Wonderful

Resources Mentioned (Affiliate)

• E-Squared by Pam Grout: https://amzn.to/4pvy9ro
• Transitions (book) — mentioned conceptually: https://amzn.to/4nkJgSs

Connect

• All things Wonderful Morrison: https://bit.ly/WonderfulM
• Kerouac’s Cruising: kerouaccruising.com | IG/FB: @kerouaccruising | Email: join@kerouaccruising.com

If this episode sparked something, leave a rating/review and share it with a friend who’s navigating midlife change. Your support helps us reach more good humans. 💛

When your doctor shifts from saying “treatable” to “cured,” life feels different. In this week’s episode of Kerouac’s Cruising, James shares big news from his thyroid cancer journey, while we also tackle truck troubles, Flagstaff’s forest escapes, and a night sky meteor shower. Hope, healing, and adventure all collide here.

This episode of Kerouac’s Cruising is a blend of triumph and trial. James reflects on the incredible moment when his doctor used the word “cured” instead of “treatable,” offering a new sense of freedom in his thyroid cancer recovery. Meanwhile, we talk through our ongoing battle with transmission issues, why we’re still camped in the pines instead of heading home, and how the cooler 8,000-foot elevation is keeping us refreshed through Arizona’s unusual late summer heat.

We also share:

• 🌦 Why the monsoon season feels so strange this year
• 🚙 The messy, campsite-side reality of replacing a thermal bypass valve
• 🐕 Managing the dogs around cattle guards and forest water temptations
• 🌌 Stargazing highlights, including a summer meteor shower worth staying up for
• 🏈 James’s excitement about an upcoming Arizona Cardinals game

Come along as we balance life’s frustrations with gratitude for quiet forests, starry skies, and the healing news that changes everything.

👉 Read more on our blog at kerouacscruising.com

👉 Connect with us on Instagram & Facebook: @kerouacscruising

👉 Support the journey or reach out: join@kerouacscruising.com

Jewels wasn’t just our dog—she’s the reason Kerouac’s Cruising exists. Her wild joy, desert miles, and need for open space pushed us out of the city and onto the road. Today, we share the hardest chapter: why we chose to say goodbye, how we knew it was time, and how she changed everything.

In this episode

• The storm and the sunshine: Jewels’ separation anxiety, desert hikes, and endless swims
• How her spirit shaped our move from Tucson to off-grid life in Northern Arizona
• The health declines we watched for (incontinence, wobbly legs, hearing loss) and the moment we knew
• What the final day looked like—swims, snuggles, and being with her to the last breath
• Loving a dog through goodbye, and letting that love keep shaping the way we live

Timestamps (approx.)

00:00 The legend of the couch-eater with a marathon heart

01:46 Why this episode hurts: the day we let Jewels go

03:40 Toys, Kongs, swims, and 100° Tucson shade-hops

04:57 From city to Northern Arizona: choosing land for a dog who needed space

05:48 Off-grid roaming (and the occasional “late to work” dog search)

06:32 Bringing home Norman and the return of Jewels’ sparkle

07:02 The declines we couldn’t ignore

07:55 The truck jump, the face plant, and making the call

08:42 Second-guessing vs. compassion: how we decided it was time

09:51 Holding her until her last breath

10:00 Why Kerouac’s Cruising will always carry Jewels with us

Links & things we mentioned

• 📸 Video collage celebrating Jewels’ life — https://youtu.be/-8uzlgWdECo
• Blog: https://kerouacscruising.com/goodbye-jewels-the-dog-who-inspired-our-freedom/
• 🐾 Resources for pet loss support: Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day communities; Pet grief hotlines; books like Goodbye, Friend by Gary Kowalski

Join the conversation

IG & FB: @kerouaccruising • Email: join@kerouaccruising.com

Share a photo and a favorite memory of your pup—tell us what they taught you.

If this resonated

Subscribes, reviews, and shares help other grieving pet parents find this episode. Thank you for helping us honor Jewels. 💛

SEO keywords:

pet loss; saying goodbye to a dog; senior dog; dog euthanasia decision; grieving a dog; celebration of life for dog; life on the road with dogs; vanlife with dogs; RV life with dogs; off-grid life; Northern Arizona; Tucson desert; separation anxiety dog; swimming dog; remote camping with dogs; remembering a dog; honoring a pet; dog parent grief; end-of-life for pets

What if your symptoms were signals—not malfunctions? Dr. Michelle LaMasa-Dawson (Director, Recall Healing USA; Co-Director, Recall Healing International) joins us to unpack how unresolved stress, family patterns, and life timelines can map to physical symptoms—and how awareness plus practical mind-body tools can support real change.

In this conversation, we explore: identifying stress “conflicts,” why awareness is 80% of the shift, gentle somatic practices, and how to approach healing without abandoning conventional care. We also talk parenting, breaking inherited beliefs, and the Hawaiian practice of ho‘oponopono as a simple at-home reset.

Dr. Michelle LaMasa-Dawson — Director of Recall Healing USA; Co-Director of Recall Healing International; Scientific Advisory Board member. PhD in Mind-Body Medicine (Saybrook University). Certifications include NET, NLP, Sound Healing, CMBM, and fascial techniques (Human Garage).

Web: soultreetransformations.com, recallhealingusa.com

Email: info.recallhealingusa@gmail.com • Contact: (626) 533-7019 (Brianna)

Instagram: @soultreetransformations

• What Recall Healing looks for: timeline, birth order, naming, family events
• “Turbo function” vs “malfunction”: a reframing of symptoms
• Why awareness (80%) + action (20%) becomes a practical path
• When somatic work helps (breath, gentle fascial maneuvers, down-shifting from fight/flight)
• Ho‘oponopono for family patterns and self-responsibility
• Balancing complementary approaches with appropriate medical care

• Blog for this episode: kerouacscruising.com/blog
• “Together We Rise” anthology: https://amzn.to/44hvyaX
• Human Garage (fascial maneuvers): https://humangarage.net/
• Ho‘oponopono Prayer: https://healingbrave.com/blogs/all/hooponopono-prayer-for-forgiveness
• Cara & James socials: @kerouaccruising (FB/IG)
• Contact Michelle: soultreetransformations.com | recallhealingusa.com

This episode shares personal experiences and educational perspectives. It’s not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.

• If this helped, subscribe and leave a quick review—it seriously boosts our reach.
• Read the companion blog for resources + links
• Connect with us: @kerouaccruising | join@kerouaccruising.com

We pulled into Paiute Reservoir (Utah) to an empty shoreline, glassy water, and a hard reset on gratitude. This is the life we once dreamed about—now we’re living it. In this episode: lakeside camping, wildfire scooper planes skimming water, camper-vs-tent comfort in the heat, and the honest truck fixes that keep us rolling.

Full notes:

North of Junction and near Marysvale, Utah, we scored a serene two-night spot at Paiute Reservoir (Paiute State Park)—quiet, roomy, and jaw-dropping sunsets. Between early drives to beat the heat and lakeside work sessions, we kept reminding ourselves: this is the dream we worked for.

You’ll hear about:

• Utah reservoir camping (two-night limit at Paiute State Park) and why the camper is a game-changer in summer heat
• Wildfire scooper planes skimming the reservoir—wild to watch up close
• Transmission troubleshooting on the road (hello, thermal bypass valve)
• The mindset shift from worry → wonder: appreciating the life we asked for

🔗 Blog + photos: kerouacscuising.com

📲 Join us: Instagram & Facebook @kerouacscruising

💌 Email: join@kerouacscruising.com

If you’ve dreamed of writing a book but feel like an imposter, this episode is your permission slip. EP House founder Kristin Hernquist Bentley breaks down how real books get made—idea to manuscript to publishing—why showing up daily beats chasing goals, and how writing becomes a healing, life-changing practice.

We go deep on the author journey: overcoming author-imposter syndrome, choosing between traditional, indie, and self-publishing, what developmental editing actually is, and how vulnerability on the page creates reader transformation. Kristin shares EP House’s boutique model, her journalism roots, the 2020 launch story, and the game-changing advice she got from the first female NFL coach she interviewed: “I didn’t chase dreams—I showed up and gave my best every day, and the path unfolded.”

What you’ll learn

• The 3 publishing paths (traditional, indie, self)
• How developmental editing shapes your story (and your confidence)
• A practical way to start: 12 chapters × ~1,200 words (the “vomit draft”)
• Why readers need your real story (and how to write it safely)
• How books build community, catalyze healing, and change lives

🔗 Our blog & resources: kerouacscruising.com

📲 Say hi: Instagram & Facebook @kerouacscruising

💌 Email: join@kerouacscruising.com

📚 EP House: ephouse.co or Hello@ephouse.com

Crystal-clear waters, free camping, and wide-open Wyoming skies 🌄—this week’s stop at Lake Cameahwait felt like a private oasis. But road life always brings challenges too, from overheated transmissions to tricky campsite searches. In this episode of Kerouacs Cruising, we share our camping wins, RV park review, and road trip lessons learned.

We also revisit the fun of Red Lodge’s car show, reconnect with old friends, and prep for Utah. Whether you’re an RVer, dog-loving nomad, or dreaming of free lakeside camping, this story will inspire your next adventure.

🔗 Campendium listing for Lake Cameahwait: campendium.com/lake-cameahwait

Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area: https://www.nps.gov/bica/index.htm

Phillips RV Park: https://www.phillipsrvpark.com/

📲 Join us: Instagram & Facebook @kerouaccruising

🐾 Blog + photos: kerouaccruising.com

What if your bloodwork says you’re “fine,” but your body tells a different story? In this episode of Kerouacs Cruising, Cara shares her raw health journey—hormone imbalances, adrenal fatigue, gut health struggles, and how functional medicine and self-love are helping her heal beyond surface-level “solutions.”

Cara opens up about elimination diets, trauma’s impact on health, and finding a doctor who finally listened. This is a story of hope, healing, and remembering you’re not alone.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Adrenal Transformation Protocol: A 4-Week Plan to Release Stress Symptoms and Go from Surviving to Thriving by Izabella Wentz PharmD

Fast Like a Girl: A Woman's Guide to Using the Healing Power of Fasting to Burn Fat, Boost Energy, and Balance Hormones by Mindy Pelz

Work with Dr. Beth Claxton

🔗 Blog & resources: kerouaccruising.com

📲 Join us: Instagram & Facebook @kerouaccruising

💌 Email: join@kerouaccruising.com

Red Lodge, Montana gave us everything—free camping at Willow Creek, authentic Philly cheesesteaks, and new friends with incredible road trip stories. But it wasn’t all smooth: our truck overheated again, and campground hunting tested our patience. In this episode, we share the joys, challenges, and lessons of living nomadically on the road.

From birthday rock climbing in Post Falls to VW van-life tales, this chapter is full of connection, resilience, and the beauty of saying yes to adventure.

🔗 Blog + photos: kerouaccruising.com

📲 Join us: Instagram & Facebook @kerouaccruising

🐾 Support the journey: https://ko-fi.com/kerouacscruising

At Lightning Creek, Idaho, we lived the dream—floating in the creek, cooking fireside meals, fixing our camper, and soaking in rare moments of family magic. In this episode of Kerouacs Cruising, we share the highs and lows of off-grid living: unreliable Starlink, redneck fixes, and the deep gratitude that fuels our nomadic journey.

From EFT tapping breakdowns to joyful creek days with our grandbaby, this chapter reminds us that even imperfect days hold perfection. Join us as we navigate camper repairs, truck upgrades, and the pull between family roots and the open road.

💻 Watch this episode on YouTube: @KerouacsCruising

📸 Blog & travel stories: KerouacsCruising.com

💬 Instagram & Facebook: @KerouacCruising

📧 Email: Join@KerouacsCruising.com

✨ Support our journey on Ko-fi: Every little bit helps us keep creating from the road! 

If this episode moved you, the kindest thing you can do is like, subscribe, and leave a review. It’s a small action that makes a huge difference in helping us keep the journey going. 💚💗

Join us as we talk with Jade Beaty—author, healer, and courageous storyteller—about surviving toxic secrets, sexual healing, and breaking generational trauma. This episode explores:

• Complex trauma healing, rooted in family systems and difficult histories
• The healing power of embracing spiritual sexuality without shame
• How to reclaim personal identity when family and history feel hidden—or harmful
• The intersection of creative expression and healing through writing and storytelling

Whether you're seeking spiritual healing or curious about reclaiming your deepest self, Jade’s insights illuminate a powerful path toward authenticity.

When you’re living the dispersed camping life, you have to roll with the punches—and sometimes those punches come from the logging crew.

In this episode, we share how our dream campsite near family got cut short when Idaho land managers asked us to pack up—fast. From soggy tear-downs to long drives and doggy mishaps, we cover the chaos, the stress, and the unexpected blessings that landed us back in one of our all-time favorite camp spots: Lightning Creek.

You’ll hear:

• Why dispersed camping means embracing the unpredictable
• The pros & cons of camping close to family vs. deep in nature
• How we set up (and sometimes don’t set up) after a long day’s move
• The magic of Idaho’s inland rainforest and why Lightning Creek keeps calling us back
• Behind the scenes of working remotely on the road, launching a new website, and producing another podcast while traveling

We may be an hour from our son now, but we’ve got glacier-fed water, giant cedar trees, and nights falling asleep to the sound of the creek—and that’s a trade we’re happy to make.

📍 Blog & photos for this episode: kerouaccruising.com

🐾 Follow us on Instagram & Facebook: @kerouaccruising

🎒 Watch all episodes on YouTube or your favorite podcast app

#DispersedCamping #LightningCreek #IdahoTravel #RVParking #OffGridCamping #KerouacsCruising #RVLife #FullTimeTravel

In this deeply moving episode, we sit down with Kari England—an Akashic record keeper, intuitive healer, and co-author of Together We Rise: The Wounded Healer's Enlightened Journey to a Collective Ascension. From generational healing to quantum spirituality, Kari shares her powerful story of awakening, stepping out of the spiritual closet, and learning to trust the divine blueprint within.

We explore:

• What the Akashic Records really are
• How soul retrieval and karmic contract work help people heal
• Breaking free from generational trauma and conditioning
• Human design, astrology, and late bloomers
• The power of synchronicity, ancestral rage, and living in alignment
• How healing is never "done," and why that’s okay

Whether you’re navigating your own spiritual path or simply curious about intuitive healing, Kari’s wisdom will leave you feeling seen, supported, and inspired.

📍 Recorded in Utah, with all three of us (plus our dogs!) present—this is the kind of real-talk magic we love to share.

🔗 Blog & guest links: kerouacscruising.com

📲 Follow Kari: on Instagram or Facebook

📝 Book a session or consultation with Kari: karivestengland.com

🎧 Available wherever you listen to podcasts + full video on YouTube!

🎒 Pair this episode with our blog for deeper insights and resources.

#AkashicRecords #SpiritualHealing #GenerationalTrauma #KerouacsCruising #SoulRetrieval #HumanDesign #SpiritualAwakening

Stranded on a mountain? In this raw and real episode of Kerouac’s Cruising, Cara and James take us along for the ride—literally—as they navigate the highs and lows of camper life from Idaho to Montana. From overheating engines on narrow mountain roads to breathtaking lake days and a magical Fourth of July spent on a private overlook, this leg of their journey is packed with lessons in surrender, adaptability, and laughter through the chaos.

They share:

• The unexpected drama of finding the right camping spot
• What really happened when Norman escaped the camper
• Beautiful family moments for their grandson’s first birthday
• A wild day of skeet shooting and an epic tubing wipeout
• Hard-earned wisdom about when to not push your truck

🎧 Pair this episode with our blog at KerouacsCruising.com

📲 Join the community on Facebook or Instagram @KerouacsCruising

💌 Email us: join@kerouacscruising.com

☕ Support the journey: ko-fi.com/kerouacscruising

Ditch the cookie-cutter life! Join us as we dive into authentic living with Mary Black, host of Beyond the Cookie Cutter. Discover how to break free from stereotypes and carve your own path!

In this episode, Mary shares her mission to empower women through her Women and Wealth program, blending financial literacy with mindset tools to conquer subconscious blocks. Together, we explore books like Think and Grow Rich and The Gap and the Gain, reflecting on our journey from corporate jobs to chasing dreams with grandbabies and national parks. Mary’s wisdom inspires us to live boldly, just like our #1 bestseller Together We Rise.

Connect with Mary: Instagram: @marybcooks

Email: marybcooks@gmail.com

Listen: https://beyondthecookiecutter.buzzsprout.com/

Grab Together We Rise: https://amzn.to/44hvyaX.

Join Our Journey Through Reading book club Sundays at 10 AM PDT to discuss: https://bit.ly/KerouacBookClub.

Share your authentic story at facebook.com/KerouacsCruising or email join@kerouacscruising.com.

Keep cruising, keep rising!

—

🎧 Listen on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you stream your soul food.

#KerouacsCruising #MaryBlack #BeyondTheCookieCutter #SelfDiscovery #HealingJourney #AuthenticLiving #NomadicLife #BookClub #KerouacVibes #WomenAndWealth

In this powerful final session of the Together We Rise Summit, we dive into what it means to embody our healing and lead from a higher frequency. Join Dr. David Milgram, Portia Ryan, and Laura Kimmel in a deeply moving and poetic conversation about bringing our inner work into everyday life.

💫 Topics explored:

• How to live your healing through mind-body-spirit alignment
• The dance of remembrance and staying grounded amidst chaos
• Leading with unconditional love without losing yourself
• The power of creative expression in personal and collective healing
• The challenge—and beauty—of writing your truth into the world

Whether you're a healer, artist, seeker, or soul on the rise, this episode is a reminder that healing isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence.

📖 Together We Rise is available now: https://amzn.to/44hvyaX

🗣️ Join the conversation and rise with us! https://bit.ly/KerouacBookClub

🎤 Featured Speakers:

Dr. David Milgram

Portia Ryan

Laura Kimmel

#TogetherWeRise #AscensionInAction #HealingJourney #HigherFrequencyLiving #KerouacsCruising #SpiritualLeadership #Podcast #MindBodySpirit #CreativeHealing

We explore the sacred intelligence of the human body—particularly the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)—and how its flow impacts brain health, aging, and our overall well-being, in this illuminating continuation of our conversation with cranial chiropractor and healer Dr. David Milgram

Dr. Milgram shares stories that will move you—about miraculous recoveries, ancient wisdom from Hopi elders, and the body’s powerful ability to regenerate when given the right environment. From metaphors like the River Jordan to real-life experiences healing infants and elders, this episode offers deep insight into what it means to truly support your health—body, mind, and spirit.

We Discuss:

• The role of CSF flow in healing, clarity, and vitality
• How movement and mindset impact longevity
• The spiritual stories behind sacred Arizona lands
• Regenerative wisdom from Hopi and Havasupai oral traditions
• How to nourish the nervous system with food, breath, and belief
• The body’s astounding ability to adapt—even under pressure

🧠✨ Whether you’re seeking holistic tools to heal, fascinated by indigenous knowledge, or just curious how stories, science, and spirituality intertwine—this episode is not to be missed.

🔗 Referenced Links & Resources:

• 🔹 Previous Episode with Dr. Milgram – “Healing Beyond the Spine”
• 🔹 Join our Journey Through Reading Book Club
• 🔹 Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @KerouacsCruising
• 🔹 Blog and more at KerouacsCruising.com

🎧 Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you tune in!

On the Road with Our Travel Trailer: Kerouacs Cruising’s First Boondocking Adventure

In this episode of Kerouacs Cruising, we take you behind the scenes of our first multi-day journey with our new travel trailer—from Arizona to Utah to Idaho! From high winds and sketchy GPS routes to leveling lessons and backroad boondocking, we share the highs, the hiccups, and everything in between.

We also reflect on:

• Why dispersed camping is so different (and better?) with a camper
• RV park surprises and why Love’s truck stops are a hidden gem
• The emotional joy of interviewing our fellow Together We Rise co-author, Kari England
• The growing pains (and perks) of life on the road with dogs, gear, and a tiny home on wheels

🧭 If you’re new to RV travel, love honest storytelling, or crave the idea of freedom on the open road, this one's for you.

👉 Links & Mentions:

• 💻 Website & Blog: https://kerouacscruising.com
• 📚 Book Club Info: https://bit.ly/KerouacBookClub
• 🎙️ Learn about Together We Rise: https://amzn.to/44hvyaX
• ☕ Support the journey & join our membership: https://ko-fi.com/kerouaccruising

📲 Follow us @kerouaccruising on Instagram, Facebook & YouTube

📧 Email us: join@kerouacscruising.com

🎧 Available wherever podcasts stream + YouTube!