Solo Women RV Podcast (Kathy Belge)
Explorez tous les épisodes de Solo Women RV Podcast
| Date | Titre | Durée | |
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| 18 May 2023 | Supporting Women in the RV Industry: The RV Women's Alliance | 00:36:34 | |
My guest this week is Susan Carpenter, the president and chair of the Women's RV Alliance, an organization that supports women who work or aspire to work in the RV industry. She share with us how this organization came to be, how she helped start it, why it's important and how we as women RVers and campers can support women who work in this male dominated industry. Find out more and join for free at https://rvwa.org/ Key Take-Aways:
Connect with Other Solo Women RVers
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| 02 Nov 2023 | How to Find Safe Free Campsites for Solo Women | 00:47:12 | |
This week my guest is Joni Zander from The Galavan who is a solo woman who lives full time in her van and primarily stays at free campsites. Joni will go over the different types of free camping available and how to find the best and safest places to stay. Check out the resources section for all of the different apps and resources Joni recommends to find free places to stay in your van, RV or travel trailer. Resources for Free Camping:
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| 15 Feb 2024 | We Don't Need to Be Afraid! | 00:34:27 | |
This week my guest is Cynthia. Cynthia travels solo in her tow behind trailer with her German Shepard. Cynthia shares her stories of meeting angels on the road who came to her rescue and went above and beyond when she experienced breakdowns on the road. The first time Cynthia broke down, she was terrified. But now she knows, she doesn't have to be afraid. Key Take Aways:
1. Everything will not go as planned. And that’s a good thing. 2. I know for me personally, one of my biggest causes of anxiety is the fear of breaking down. I think if I ever do break down again—and I’m sure I will—I will remember Cynthia’s stories. 3. Listen to my interview with Angie Peacock here. Show Notes:
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| 19 Aug 2021 | Travels with Squeaky: Who is Squeaky Anyway? | 00:15:46 | |
Travels with Squeaky is a podcast for solo women RVers, vanlifers and campers. This week I back up a bit to introduce myself as the host, let you know a little about my background in solo RV travel and why I wanted to start a podcast. If you have an interesting solo travel story or have some expert advice to share, please reach out. I'd love to hear from you! info at travels with squeaky dot com | |||
| 07 Oct 2021 | Travels with Squeaky: Camping with Cats | 00:44:05 | |
In this episode of Travels with Squeaky we talk all about camping with cats. I invited my friend Nancy who’s been traveling for 12 years with her 18 year old cat to share her experience and know-how as I begin to travel with my kitten Tucker. Travels with Squeaky is a podcast for solo women campers, RVers and vanlifers hosted by Kathy Belge of TravelswithSqueaky.com. Travels with Squeaky Theme music by Nikole Potulsky Introduction to RV Travel Class Oct 17 Camping with Cats: Some essential items:
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may get a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you decide to make a purchase via my links. | |||
| 26 Aug 2021 | Travels with Squeaky: Wildfire Safety | 00:43:45 | |
What would you do if you were camping and found yourself in the middle of a wildfire? That's the topic we cover this week on Travels with Squeaky. My guest is Lisa Knight, a firefighter, EMT and avid camper. Lisa shares her top advice for preventing forest fires, fire safety and what you should be doing now to prepare to keep yourself safe if you end up in the middle of a wildfire while camping. Travels with Squeaky is a podcast for solo women campers, RVers and vanlifers hosted by Kathy Belge of TravelswithSqueaky.com. Travels with Squeaky Theme music by Nikole Potulsky | |||
| 18 Nov 2021 | Travels with Squeaky: Camping and Pet Etiquette | 00:54:04 | |
In this episode of Travels with Squeaky I talk with Ellen the Dog Trainer. Ellen is a certified Professional Dog Trainer and Certified Behavior Adjustment Training Instructor. She also lives full time in her 25 foot RV. Ellen and I had a great conversation about pet etiquette while camping as well as some training tips and what to do when you encounter an aggressive or unruly dog. She had some really great information, some of which I hadn’t heard before. Travels with Squeaky is a podcast for solo women campers, RVers and vanlifers hosted by Kathy Belge of TravelswithSqueaky.com. Travels with Squeaky Theme music is Fields Station by Nikole Potulsky Mentioned in this episode: Ellen’s Website Ellen's Youtube | |||
| 25 Jan 2024 | What You Need to Know Before Traveling to Baja, Mexico | 01:05:37 | |
Are you thinking of taking a trip to Baja, Mexico in your RV or van? This week, we've got two experts who will tell you everything you need to know as a solo woman to plan the perfect trip to Baja. Heather and Keri have traveled to Baja multiple times and just got back from a 6-week trip. They discuss safety, what to do it you get pulled over by the police, what paperwork and documents you need to do before crossing the border and how to find great traveling companions. It’s a bit longer than my usual episode, but chock full of great information. Listen in. Show Notes:
This Week's Guests:
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| 13 Oct 2022 | 5 Reasons to Take a Solo RV Trip and One Reason Not To | 00:16:49 | |
In this week's episode of the Solo Women RV Podcast, I share a bit of my own experience on the road as a solo traveler. I share 5 reasons I love solo RV travel and one reason I don't. Connect with other Solo Women RVers: Solo Women RV Facebook Group If you like what you heard today, please consider becoming a podcast sponsor. Details can be found at : https://anchor.fm/kathy-belge Solo Women RV Podcast theme music is Fields Station by Nikole Potulsky. | |||
| 01 Dec 2022 | Solo RV Travel from The Netherlands to North America | 00:44:13 | |
What's it like to ship your RV across the ocean to begin a year of adventure? My guest this week on the Solo Women RV podcast is Hanneke from the Netherlands. Hanneke shipped her RV from the Netherlands to travel in the US and Canada for a year. In our interview, we talk about the steps it took to buy and ship an RV to North America from Europe. She shares of the lessons she's learned and has a lot of advice if you're thinking of doing the same. She also shares about all the wonder and beauty she’s experienced since being on this trip for about 10 weeks now. Links:
Solo Women RV theme song is Fields Station by Nikole Potulsky | |||
| 21 Mar 2024 | Getting Sick or Injured on the Road | 00:20:39 | |
I've got something serious to talk about this week. It's about making a plan for getting sick or injured while traveling. As I record this, I am recovering from an injury that is impacting my ability to drive and travel. I want to make sure that you have a plan in place, incase something happens to you and you're unable to drive your RV. What will you do? This week I share what's been going on with me and some solutions and ideas that you can use in case you get sick or injured while traveling solo in your RV. Show Notes: | |||
| 09 Nov 2023 | Caravan to Alaska | 00:49:50 | |
Have you ever dreamed of traveling to Alaska, but feel intimidated as a solo traveler? My guest this week has been traveling to Alaska solo for many years and this year she's decided to lead a small caravan from Washington to south central Alaska. She tells us all about the trip, what you can expect, how to prepare and how to determine if this is the right trip for you. Show Notes:
The Solo Women RV Podcast theme song is Field's Station by Nikole Potulsky | |||
| 22 Jun 2023 | My 8 Favorite Camping Apps | 00:32:01 | |
As a solo woman RVer, I rely on my apps to find me great places to camp, places to hike and even places to get cheap gas. There are a lot of apps out there, some free, some paid, that cater to campers and RVers and these are the 8 that I use the most. What apps do you use? My Favorite Camping Apps | |||
| 18 Jan 2024 | Choose Your Own Adventure with Comedian Vanlifer Tamale | 00:38:26 | |
My interview with vanlifer and comedian Tamale was so inspiring. She has lots of good tips and advice for anyone who is sitting on the fence of whether or not you should make the leap into this lifestyle. She’s been traveling for three years in a small Ford Transit, doing stand-up comedy shows and basically making a living any way she can. She travels with 4, yes 4 dogs. We had a wonderful conversation. Listen in. Key take aways: I got some great tidbits from Tamale for the way she’s structured her life to make full time van living a thing.
5. Follow Tamale @TamaleRocks More Solo Women RV:
Solo Women RV theme song is Fields Station by Nikole Potulsky Please consider leaving a review or financially supporting the podcast.
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| 19 May 2022 | RV Women Helping Communities in Need | 00:39:09 | |
This is a show you don’t want to miss. My guest today is Brenda Williams who was part of a group of women who went to Dawson Springs, KY to help families whose homes and community were destroyed by a devastating tornado that obliterated their town. A group of women who are part of Sister Corps, an affiliation of Sisters on the Fly camping organization, volunteer their time to help communities rebuild after natural disasters. Brenda came on today to share her experience the first time she volunteered with Sister Corps. It’s quite a story. Show Notes: Connect with other Solo Women RVers:
Roadpreneur: sign up for a discounted rate of just $37 a month by going to https://roadpreneur.com/solowomenrv/ | |||
| 12 Jan 2023 | Being Human with Angie Peacock | 00:33:32 | |
My guest this week on the Solo Women RV podcast, has perhaps one of the most powerful stories I’ve shared on this podcast. Angie Peacock is a military veteran who suffered a lot of trauma from her time in service. Like a lot of people struggling with mental health issues, she sought out medical help and was prescribed psychiatric medications. They helped for a while, but after years on the drugs, Angie suspected they were doing more harm to her than good. She began the process of healing herself again—and a big part of her story is moving into an RV and traveling full-time. She's got some really powerful things to share and I love her RV road magic! Key Take-Aways: 1. It takes courage to make big changes. 2. On the other side of fear is freedom 3. If you have mental health issues and you want to hit the road, it’s possible. Just make sure that you have a plan for when you inevitably hit a rough spot. 4. Give it time. Especially if you’re healing from trauma or some other thing, it will take time to get into your groove on the road. 5. Look for moments of magic. Angie calls them RV Road magic. Look for places where you can create moments of magic for others. 6. If you’re worried about the steep learning curve to RV life, take a class like those offered for new RVers. Solo Women RV
Solo Women RV theme song is Fields Station by Nikole Potulsky | |||
| 26 May 2022 | The Queen Bee RV Inspector Shares Her Tips | 00:47:45 | |
My guest this week on the Solo Women RV Podcast is Brenda Puckett of Queen Bee RV. Brenda is a certified RV inspector and an RV technician who specializes in helping women feel confident in buying a new or used RV. She went through a very extensive training at the National RV Training Academy where she is now also a teacher. She came on to talk how she became an RV Inspector, why it’s a great career for women RVers and also, things to look out for when buying a new or used RV. Show Notes:
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| 28 Oct 2021 | Travels with Squeaky: Finding Work on the Road | 00:42:28 | |
Have you dreamed of a life on the road, traveling from place to place and picking up work and jobs here and there? That's exactly the life Randy Williams has set up for herself. For four years, Randy has been on the road traveling and working gigs as diverse as running a ring toss game at a carnival, harvesting sugar beets and reupholstering furniture. She shares some great stories and her best tips for finding work on the road as a solo woman RVer. Travels with Squeaky is a podcast for solo women campers, RVers and vanlifers hosted by Kathy Belge of TravelswithSqueaky.com. Travels with Squeaky Theme music by Nikole Potulsky | |||
| 30 Mar 2023 | Why Self-employment is a Great Option for Solo Women RVers | 00:38:45 | |
My guest this week is Val Nelson, a career and business coach who works with women who want to start their own businesses. Val and I talk about why coaching can be a great business for women who live on the road and why RVers are especially suited for entrepreneurship. Key Take-Aways:
Connect with Other Solo Women RVers
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| 25 Nov 2021 | Travels with Squeaky: Sarah Van Dweller with Wanderlust | 00:37:37 | |
Our guest this week on the Travels with Squeaky podcast is Sarah Leamy. Sarah is a writer, editor, public speaker and full-time van dweller. I just finished her book Vanlife and I highly recommend it for a look into her first few months of travel in the Pacific Northwest with two dogs and a wild cat named Stevie. Sarah shares the ups and downs of vanlife with honesty and a lot of humor. We had a wonderful conversation about what it takes to live a life on the road (not a lot), traveling with furry friends and meeting strangers along the way. Show Notes: All About Sarah:
Mentioned in this Episode | |||
| 24 Mar 2022 | Lessons from a Year of Solo Travel | 00:48:11 | |
My guest this week is Terri Groves. When Terri was forced to leave the military after a career-ending accident, she had a lot of time to ponder what she wanted to do next. She started out traveling in her jeep with a tent and soon upgraded to a travel trailer and truck. She shares the lessons she's learned after one full year of solo RV travel. Connect with other Solo Women RVers: Solo Women RV Facebook Group Roadpreneur: sign up for a discounted rate of just $37 a month by going to https://roadpreneur.com/solowomenrv/ | |||
| 19 Oct 2023 | Scared to Death, but she Kept Going! | 00:51:33 | |
This week on the Solo Women RV Podcast our guest Betsy talks about her very first solo camping trip. Having done a lot of solo international travel, Betsy thought she was all set to handle a solo car camping trip. Until it came time to settle down for the night and fear took over. Learn how Betsy overcame her fear and was able to keep going on her journey. Betsy’s story is a perfect example of having a beginner’s mind. She made a few mis-steps, got scared, but kept going learning from her mistakes along the way. Listen in! (Ad break) And don't forget, for the month of October 2023, Solo Women RV podcast listeners get $10 off a yearly membership of the WINS (Wandering Individuals Network) RV club. It's a great way to connect with and travel with other solo RVers. Get your discount by entering SOLO WOMEN RV at checkout. Show Notes and Links:
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| 12 May 2022 | DJ Dirty Kurty and the Blue Bus | 00:39:43 | |
Our guest today is DJ Dirty Kurty. Kurty is a professional DJ who like a lot of people had her livelihood severely impacted by the Covid 19 pandemic. Like a lot of people, she took a long look at her life and made some changes. Interestingly, Kurty says she decided to buy a bus and set out not because she was unhappy in her life, but because she was too comfortable, too happy in her life in San Diego. She needed a challenge, a change. Enter the blue bus... Connect with other Solo Women RVers: Solo Women RV Facebook Group Roadpreneur: sign up for a discounted rate of just $37 a month by going to https://roadpreneur.com/solowomenrv/ | |||
| 03 Aug 2023 | Adventure Kitty: All About RVing with a Cat | 00:31:57 | |
This episode is all about Tucker the Adventure Kitty: how I trained my cat Tucker to be comfortable in the RV and the things and products I use to make traveling with a feline companion so much easier and enjoyable. I share some of the things I learned a long the way. I shared things that worked. Things that didn't and how Tucker and I make the most of our time together on the road. Products mentioned in this episode:
Connect with Other Solo Women RVers
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| 25 Aug 2022 | Solo Women RV: Birding 101 | 00:28:49 | |
Birds are some of the easiest wildlife to observe in our travels. Whether you're in the city, on a country drive, in the forest, on a beach or in the desert, you're likely to see and hear birds. This week on the Solo Women RV podcast, we talk with birding enthusiast Marty McCann about how to get the most out of bird watching while we're camping or RVing. Show Notes: Books to check out:
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| 30 Nov 2023 | The 7 Pros and 7 Cons of Being a Campground Host | 00:20:05 | |
This week we celebrate 100 episodes of the Solo Women RV podcast! I take a few moments to reflect on some memorable shows and interviews. Then we dive into the topic of today's show, the 7 Pros and 7 Cons of being a campground host. I've been both a paid and volunteer campground host and I share some of my personal experiences of the wonderful and not so wonderful aspects of being a camp host. | |||
| 16 Mar 2023 | Kristin Hanes: Making Money while you Travel with a Niche Site | 00:37:14 | |
My guest this week, Kristin Hanes, is a digital nomad who's figured out a way to make a great living while living in her van and sailboat and she wants to teach you how to do it as well. Kristin runs The Wayward Home blog and podcast--all about RV, van, sailboat and tiny home living. She's learned how to make a living writing about her passion while she travels. And she's come on the show to talk to us about how she does this. If you'd like to dig deeper and sign up for Kristin's course, Niche Sites Made Easy, we're offering a $50 discount if you sign up via this link: https://solowomen--thewaywardhome.thrivecart.com/niche-sites-made-easy/ Mentioned in this Episode:
Key Takeaways 1. These are the ways blogs make money: advertising, affiliate links, sponsored posts and products that you sell on your site. 2. If you want to know more about the vanlifer summit, link is in the show notes 3. If you do decide you’re ready to jump in and want to take Kristin’s Nice Site course, please use my link, because as an affiliate, I’ll make a few dollars from your purchase. | |||
| 08 Jun 2023 | My Camp Hosting Job Summer 2023 | 00:25:37 | |
In this episode I share all about my job this summer as a campground host in Oregon. I share a bit about how I got the job, the application process, what is involved in the training and a report from my first few weeks on the job. If you've ever thought about becoming a campground host, this show is for you. Show Notes:
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| 04 Jan 2024 | How I Sold my RV in 2 Days! | 00:11:47 | |
I sold two RVs this year. Both of them sold really easily and quickly. In this week's episode, I share the steps I took to sell both RVs in just a few days. Want more solo Women RV Content?
Solo Women RV theme song is Fields Station by Nikole Potulsky | |||
| 23 Mar 2023 | Prepping to hit the Road as a Solo Woman RVer | 00:19:15 | |
This week on the podcast I share all the things I'm doing to prepare to hit the road for a season on travel. I talk about getting my RV ready, getting my home ready for travel and all the things I need to do to for my job this summer as a campground host. Show Notes: 1. Getting RV ready:
2. Get house ready to rent
3. Get ready for job
Connect with Other Solo Women RVers Solo Women RV blog: Solo Women RV Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/3139043422990289 Solo Women RV Theme song is Fields Station by Nikole Potulsky
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| 26 Oct 2023 | Winterizing Your RV | 00:38:54 | |
When freezing temperatures hit, you need to take some extra steps to keep your RV pipes from freezing. My guest this week is Carrie Silverhorn from GST RV. Carrie shares her best tips for everything you need to know to get your RV ready for the winter season. Show Notes:
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| 21 Apr 2022 | Finding Community for Solo Travelers with Dani Riggins | 00:30:46 | |
Our guest this week is Dani Riggins. Dani is a solo female who lives out of her van and runs a coffee shop in San Diego. I invited Dani on the podcast after I saw some posts on Instagram where she talked about finding community on the road. Dani shares how she, as a solo traveler, has been able to make friends, find community and even start a relationship all while living in her van. We also talk about how she is able to run a sticks and bricks business, a coffee shop, while she lives and travels in her van. There is so much goodness in this short episode. Please enjoy. Connect with Dani: Connect with other Solo Women RVers:
Roadpreneur: sign up for a discounted rate of just $37 a month by going to https://roadpreneur.com/solowomenrv/ | |||
| 12 Aug 2021 | Travels with Squeaky: Sari Meline's First Camping Trip | 00:53:25 | |
Travels with Squeaky is a podcast for solo women Rvers, campers and van-lifers. Our interview this week is with Sari Meline. At age 47, Sari got it in her head that she wanted to try camping for the first time as an adult. She spent a year preparing before she headed out on her first camping trip--solo in a tent. Sari is a great story teller and she shares about her first solo camping adventure: where she chose to camp and why, how she acquired all her gear for very little money and the near disaster that almost ruined the whole camping trip. | |||
| 12 Jul 2024 | All About RVing in Kansas State Parks | 00:39:19 | |
Is Kansas a good place to visit and camp? You bet it is! I recently visited Kansas as a guest of the Kansas Tourism Board and have to say, I was quite surprised and impressed with all that Kansas has to offer for RVers and campers. My guest this week is Colby Sharples-Terry from the Travel Kansas tourism board. She shares about the best state parks to visit and camp in Kansas. Colby shares a bit of Kansas you might not know about and we chat about all the fun places to see and explore in the state. Show Notes:
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| 15 Sep 2022 | Vivian Aldridge - Painting Solo Stealth Travel | 00:31:42 | |
My guest this week is Vivian Aldridge. Vivian is an artist and stealth camper who documents her travels via beautiful watercolor paintings. Vivian talks about why she prefers solo stealth camping to any other way of travel. She talks about the cool and interesting people she’s met along the way and talks a bit about her creative process. Vivian would love to connect with other solo women who want to meet up and do art together. You can find her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vivianaldridge/ Mentioned in this Episode: Solo Women RV Theme music if Fields Station by Nikole Potulsky Connect with Other Solo Women: | |||
| 09 Mar 2023 | A Roam of Our Own: Solo Women Vanlife Gathering | 00:25:59 | |
Have you ever wanted to attend a gathering where you could hang out with other solo women who RV, camp and live in vans? This week on the podcast, I interview Merissa Peterson who is the onsite event coordinator for A Roam of Our Own, a women-only vanlife gathering March 16-19, 2023 in Palm Springs, California. Take Aways: 1. A roam of our Own—March 16-19, 2023 just outside of Palm Springs, CA. Cost is about $100 per person. 2. They are still looking for people to lead events or a craft and discounts are available for workshop presenters. Reach out to josiah@thejournaloflosttime.com if you're interested. 3. This event is not a big party event like some vanlifer gatherings. Expect it to be chill and inviting. Links:
Connect with Other Solo Women RVers
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| 11 Aug 2022 | Solo Hiking Safety with Tracy Bartlett | 00:37:13 | |
I invited hiking expert Tracy Bartlett to come on the podcast after I had a scary experience on a recent solo hike. Tracy has more than 20 years experience with Wilderness Therapy and she knows a lot about how to keep yourself safe in all kinds of environments. Show Notes:
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| 11 May 2023 | She Hit the Road to Die, It Ended up Saving Her Life | 00:54:39 | |
Debra Dickinson was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, so severe that she had to have a trustee help her with her financial decisions. Yet, when she got the news that things were getting worse and she might not live a year and if she did, she wouldn’t remember it, she did something quite brash. Debra set out to travel—something that had been on her bucket list. Debra Dickinson not only did not die--she is now thriving on the road. She's found a way to make solo nomad life work for her and she's even created a community that support one another out on the road. She is the author of six books (and counting!) She's got a Youtube channel, hosts a yearly gathering and is a resource and support for others out on the road. Debra’s story is quite remarkable and I am feel blessed that’s she shared it with us all. Listen to the end. Her story left me in tears. Show Notes & Links:
Connect with Other Solo Women RVers Solo Women RV blog: Solo Women RV Facebook Group Solo Women RV Theme song is Fields Station by Nikole Potulsky | |||
| 11 Apr 2024 | First Come, First Serve Campgrounds near Portland, OR | 00:30:48 | |
I am back with the podcast and back in Oregon at one of my favorite first come, first serve campgrounds near my homebase of Portland. On this week's episode, I decided to share some of my favorite places to camp near Portland that offer first come, first serve reservations. If you're like me, you don't like to plan too far in advance and having the option to find a place at the last minute is key. Listen in and let me know what you think. If you'd like to get a closer look at these campgrounds, here is an article I wrote that lists information about each one with a lot more details and photos: 10 First Come, First Serve Campgrounds Near Portland, OR Connect with other Solo Women RVers
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| 03 Mar 2022 | Staying Safe in Severe weather with Carolyn's RV Life | 00:46:05 | |
This week on the Solo Women RV podcast our guest is Carolyn Higgins of Carolyn’s RV Life blog and YouTube channel. Carolyn has been living for six years as a solo woman on the road and she’s been documenting all if it on her very popular YouTube channel. She agreed to come on and share a bit of her story and also some key things she’s learned about staying safe in severe weather. She’s a delight to talk to and such a kind human. I really enjoyed this conversation and I think you will get a lot out of it no matter what you travel in. Show Notes:
Connect with other Solo Women RVers:
Roadpreneur: sign up for a discounted rate of just $37 a month by going to https://roadpreneur.com/solowomenrv/ | |||
| 23 Feb 2023 | Loneliness and Solo RV Travel | 00:27:29 | |
This week we tackle the question, "Will I get lonely as a solo woman traveling alone in my RV or van?" The answer is, "Probably." Loneliness can be a part of solo travel. But loneliness doesn't have to be a bad thing. There are things you can learn about yourself by being solo that you won't be able to learn any other way. On this episode I share some of my thoughts about loneliness and solo travel and I also share some ideas from other solo female travelers about how they cope with loneliness on the road. Connect with Other Solo Women RVers Solo Women RV blog: Solo Women RV Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/3139043422990289 Solo Women RV Theme song is Fields Station by Nikole Potulsky | |||
| 09 Jun 2022 | What Solo Women RVers Need to Know about Harvest Hosts | 00:38:51 | |
This episode of the Solo Women RV Podcast is all about one of my favorite ways to camp: Harvest Hosts. As a matter of fact, I’m staying at a Harvest Host right now just outside of Moses Lake, WA as I record this. Harvest Hosts is a membership organization that allows you to camp at farms, wineries, museums, and so much more. My guest this week is Leigh Ann Schultz who is the CFO of Harvest Hosts. I invited her on to talk about why Harvest Hosts is a great option for solo women campers. She talks about all the benefits, the various kinds of memberships and what’s new this year and how you can become a member or even a host. Join Harvest Hosts with my Referral Link and save 15% Become a Podcast Sponsor and support this show Connect with Other Solo Women RVers: Solo Women RV blog: Solo Women RV Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/3139043422990289 Roadpreneur: sign up for a discounted rate of just $37 a month by going to https://roadpreneur.com/solowomenrv/ | |||
| 20 Jan 2022 | Staying Healthy on the Road | 00:37:40 | |
This week we’re going to talk all about staying healthy and fit in the RV or Van lifestyle. My guest is Heather McDaniel. Heather is a fitness and nutrition coach and she’s actually helped me set up a few systems to stay in shape while I travel. You can find more content over at SolowomenRV.com If you like what you heard today, please consider becoming a podcast sponsor. Details can be found at : https://anchor.fm/kathy-belge If you heard something today that you think someone else could benefit from, please share this episode with them, or leave us a review on Apple podcasts or where ever you listen. Solo Women RV Podcast theme music is Fields Station by Nikole Potulsky. See you next week, or out there on the road! Show Notes: Invincible Women Fitness Academy https://iwfa.fit/ | |||
| 29 Jul 2021 | Travels with Squeaky: Geocaching and Solo Women Travelers | 00:44:58 | |
Travels with Squeaky is a podcast for solo women Rvers, campers and van-lifers. This week, we have a great conversation with Margaret Dunn, who teaches us all about geocaching and why it's a great activity for solo women travelers. Margaret tells us about the type of equipment you need to get started, (not a lot!) where to find geocaches and how to find geocaching community. It was a super fun and interesting interview. | |||
| 07 Dec 2023 | Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Black Tank? | 00:55:46 | |
As a solo RVer, I managed to go five years before I had black tank horror story. But this summer, I sure did have one. And let me tell you, that’s something I never want to go through again. That’s why this week, I have Sue Rasmussen as my guest. She is the owner of Royal Flush RV and she specialized in black and grey tank cleaning. This week’s show, we’ll have lots of tips and she’ll settle the age-old debate—to flush toilet paper or not to flush toilet paper. Show Notes:
Solo Women RV theme song is Fields Station by Nikole Potulsky Please consider leaving a review or financially supporting the podcast.
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| 20 Apr 2023 | Camp Like a Girl: Lesa McDermott from Girl Camper | 00:37:17 | |
The Girl Camper podcast one of the first podcasts I listened to when I was getting started on my RV journey, so it's my pleasure to have Lesa McDermott, the Vice President of Operations at Girl Camper as my guest this week on the Solo Women RV podcast. Girl Camper is much more than a podcast. It's evolved into an organization with chapters all over the US with one purpose--to educate women to get out and enjoy the outdoors. The Girl Campers have different chapters all over the US with events happening in each region. Meet-ups can vary from lunch with fellow campers to multi-day camping trips. They have a free Facebook group with more than 400,000 members! They also have a beautiful magazine--which Lesa has generously offered a free one year digital subscription for our listeners. Details on how to get your copy are below. Links and Show notes:
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| 24 Feb 2022 | Making the Most of Remote Work for Solo Women Travelers | 00:42:52 | |
My three-part series on remote work has turned into a four-part series after I learned about today's guest. Debra Dinnocenzo literally wrote the book on remote work and she's been an expert on remote work since we called it "telecommuting." We dive a bit deeper in this interview about ways remote leaders can be successful and she offers four specific key steps to ensure success while working remotely. Show Notes:
Connect with Debra: Connect with other Solo Women RVers:
Roadpreneur: sign up for a discounted rate of just $37 a month by going to https://roadpreneur.com/solowomenrv/ Solo Women RV Podcast theme music is Fields Station by Nikole Potulsky. | |||
| 04 May 2023 | Solo Woman Vanlifer Finds Calm in the Chaos | 00:52:33 | |
This week on the podcast my guest is Maria Boutzoukas, a solo female vanlifer who dreamed of living in a van since she was a kid. She has so many people, and even the voices in her head, telling her that selling her house and moving into a van wasn't practical. But now that she's done it, she know she made the right decision. We talk about all the ups and downs that came from selecting obtaining a van, building it out and finally hitting the road. Maria has ADHD and she quickly discovered that life on the road actually helped her symptoms. The constant changing scenery makes her feel more calm. She's loving life on the road and share a bit of her story with us. Key Take Aways: 1. There are a lot of ways to make community. Take advantage of them. Maria and I have never met in person, but we were part of a group on Clubhouse and then started to follow each other on Instagram. This interview was our first time actually chatting and now I feel like if we do meet up in real life, we’ll have so much to connect about. 2. With her ADHD diagnosis, the continuous chaos of moving and changing her environment actually helps her stay calm and focused. The constant change of scenery inspires her creativity and that helps at her job. 3. Rolling with the punches—going with the flow. When Maria didn’t get her van as expected, she showed a key trait of successful rv/van living. She pivoted and sketched the whole thing out so she could start the build as soon as she got it. 4. Because Maria travels and works full time from her van, she needed a really good cellular set up. She consulted with engineers and settled on a pep wave and Starlink system. She’s still trying to dial it in exactly. But like many things in this lifestyle, we try and tweak and adjust until we get it right. | |||
| 28 Apr 2022 | Keri K: The Bear Goes Over the Mountain | 00:36:08 | |
This is the original interview I had planned with Keri Kalmbach. Keri came on in episode 36 to talk specifically about Starlink. This is the episode we recorded a few weeks before that one where we got more into Keri’s RV life story, so I wanted to be sure to share it. Keri was following your typical American dream with a successful career, degrees and marriage. But something was always missing. She tells us how she went from being a high-powered Manhattan professional to living in a Class C RV, then pop-up trailer and then built-out Sprinter van. Keri eventually settled on a piece of land, but she still travels much of the year. We also dive in a bit about how Keri stayed connected while working full time on the road and how she resonates with the childhood song about the bear going over the mountain. I want to note that we did talk about Starlink, but I didn’t include that part of the conversation, because of the recent changes that we addressed in episode 36. Show Notes:
Connect with other Solo Women RVers: Solo Women RV blog: https://solowomenrv.com/ Solo Women RV Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/3139043422990289 Roadpreneur: sign up for a discounted rate of just $37 a month by going to https://roadpreneur.com/solowomenrv/ Solo Women RV Theme music is Fields Station by Nikole Potulsky | |||
| 06 Apr 2023 | The 9 Ways I Make Money as a Solo Woman RVer | 00:25:44 | |
There are lots of ways to make money as an RVer and I like to joke that I do ALL of them. Here are the 9 ways that I make money to travel in my RV:
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| 13 Jul 2023 | Wildfire Safety with Lisa Knight | 00:45:39 | |
As I am recording this, there is a wildfire burning just 40miles from me. I can see the smoke from my campground. Firefighters are swooping in with airplanes to collect water from my lake to douse the fire. The place where the fire started is right near a campground that I’ve camped at.
I decided to pull this episode from the archives. It’s an interview with Lisa Knight who is a fire fighter, EMT and avid camper. She shares with us her best tips for preventing a wildfire and also what to do in the unlikely event you find yourself camping when a wildfire breaks out. Connect with Other Solo Women RVers
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| 01 Feb 2024 | Caravanning with other Solo Women | 00:27:41 | |
I recently joined up with three other women to caravan from Portland, Oregon to Quartzsite, Arizona. I know a lot of women are interested in how to find others to caravan with, so I wanted to share my experience and what I learned from the driving 1200 miles with a group of other women RVers. Show Notes:
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| 30 Sep 2021 | Travels with Squeaky: The Magic of Solo Travel | 00:50:09 | |
This week our guest is Jody Bitzenhofer. Jody talks about how her first solo camping trip changed her life. After a spilt from a partner, she headed out on her own for a six-week adventure where her only agenda was to say YES to things she normally wouldn’t. It’s amazing all the cool things that she did and experienced, but more importantly, how it changed her life forever. Travels with Squeaky is a podcast for solo women campers, RVers and vanlifers hosted by Kathy Belge of TravelswithSqueaky.com. Travels with Squeaky Theme music by Nikole Potulsky | |||
| 10 Nov 2022 | Hana Maris: Leaping Over Fear and Manifesting Home | 00:39:49 | |
Our guest this week is Hana Maris. Hana is a nomad who put all her things in storage and hit the road in her Honda Element after her kids moved out of the home. She started out, not sure how long she would want to travel, but now that she’s out here, she just wants to keep going. She shares all about how she's able to manifest the place she calls home and why it's so important to leap over fear. Mentioned in this Episode:
Show Notes:
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| 14 Dec 2023 | 8 Great Gift Ideas for Solo Women RVers | 00:14:01 | |
This week I share 8 great gift ideas for solo women--or really any RVers. Here is my list:
Solo Women RV contains affiliate links and participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I may make a commission at no extra cost to you.
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| 29 Jan 2022 | VaRonica Jackson: An Empty Nester Hits the Road | 00:34:05 | |
The Solo Women RV podcast is for solo women RV-ers, campers and vanlifers. This week our guest is VaRonica Jackson. VaRonica started her RV journey after her sons moved out of the house. She's enjoyed some great solo trips and she shares some of her tips for other new solo women RV travelers. She's a lot of fun and has a great laugh and an even better outlook on life. Show Notes:
Travels with Squeaky theme music is Fields Station by Nikole Potulsky. And if you have a person you’d like to hear interviewed, a topic you’d like us to cover or perhaps you would like to share your own Solo travel story, email us at info@travelswithsqueaky.com | |||
| 25 Apr 2024 | How Being a Nomad Saved her Life | 00:56:28 | |
This week I have a replay of a powerful interview with Debra Dickinson. Debra became disabled and thought she would be unable to travel as she always dreamed of doing. When she was told she might not have long to live, Debra decided it was time to start checking things off her bucket list. The first thing was travel. What Debra discovered was that hitting the road and finding quiet and peace is actually the thing that saved her. Listen in to her powerful story. Show Notes & Links:
Connect with Other Solo Women RVers Solo Women RV blog: Solo Women RV Facebook Group Solo Women RV Theme song is Fields Station by Nikole Potulsky | |||
| 14 Jul 2022 | One Year Podcastaversary and Breakdown in Yellowstone | 00:30:04 | |
It's been one year since I started the Solo Women RV podcast (formerly known as Travels with Squeaky). This week I reflect back on a year of amazing guests and tell the story of my RV breaking down in Yellowstone in an area with no cell service. I share about how my worst fear came true and how I navigated the situation. Connect with other Solo Women RVers:
Solo Women RV Podcast Affiliates:
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| 10 Feb 2022 | Making a Remote Business Work from Your RV | 00:47:54 | |
This episode is the second of a three-part series about earning an income on the road while traveling as a solo woman RVer. My guest is Kimberly Crossland from Crusin and Campfires and the Roadpreneur community. Kimberly runs three successful businesses while making time in her life for lots of RV travel. She shares how she left the corporate world behind, started her own business that allows her plenty of time to travel in her RV with her family and offers lots of solutions for solo women who want to create or take their business on the road in their RV or van. Show Notes: Solo Women RV blog: Sign up for the Newsletter Solo Women RV Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/3139043422990289 Roadpreneur: sign up for a discounted rate of just $37 a month by going to https://roadpreneur.com/solowomenrv/ Travels with Squeaky theme music is Fields Station by Nikole Potulsky. | |||
| 27 Jan 2022 | Goodbye Sweet Friend | 00:08:11 | |
This episode of the Solo Women RV podcast is a little different than most. Today I pay tribute to my traveling companion, my 13-year-old Alaskan malamute Olive, who passed on this week and is watching down on me now from that great RV park in the sky. Next week we'll be back with our regularly scheduled episodes. Show Notes:
Travels with Squeaky theme music is Fields Station by Nikole Potulsky. And if you have a person you’d like to hear interviewed, a topic you’d like us to cover or perhaps you would like to share your own Solo travel story, email us at info@travelswithsqueaky.com | |||
| 09 Sep 2021 | Travels with Squeaky: Camping Naked | 00:52:35 | |
Our guest this week on the podcast is Shirley Gauthier. Shirley is a nudist who enjoys naked camping and boondocking. We had a great conversation about camping and hiking in the nude and ways to get involved with nude recreation in a safe and fun way. If you've ever enjoyed skinny dipping or the World Naked Bike ride, then you might also enjoy naked camping and hiking. Tune in to learn more about camping naked. Travels with Squeaky is a podcast for solo women campers, RVers and vanlifers hosted by Kathy Belge of TravelswithSqueaky.com. Travels with Squeaky Theme music by Nikole Potulsky | |||
| 17 Jun 2022 | Fat Girls Hiking with Summer Michaud-Skog | 00:43:45 | |
My guest is Summer Michaud-Skog author and founder of Fat Girls Hiking. Summer talks about how she fell in love with hiking and how she inadvertently started a community just by sharing about the thing she loves to do. Summer is a wonderful photographer and writer and I’ve followed her Instagram account for some time now. She's written a beautiful book also called Fat Girls Hiking-which I have been thoroughly enjoying. Summer shares about some of the barriers that plus-size people face in accessing the outdoors and some things that we can do to make it a more welcoming experience. Show Notes:
Connect with other Solo Women RVers:
Solo Women RV Podcast Affiliates:
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| 22 Jul 2021 | Travels with Squeaky: Beth Ballance Full-Time RVer | 00:31:57 | |
Beth Ballance had an aha moment seven years ago, when she decided to sell everything she owned, get an RV and travel the country. She's never looked back for a second. Beth and I met at LaPine State Park where we were both volunteering as campground hosts. She shares her fun and unique story of how she got into RV travel as a solo woman, some of the adventures she's had along the way and her tips for women who are just getting started in solo RV travel. | |||
| 02 Feb 2023 | Emily Pennington on Feral: Losing Myself and Finding my Way in America’s National Parks | 00:38:11 | |
My guest today is Emily Pennington, author of Feral Losing Myself and Finding my Way in America’s National Parks. Emily shares stories from her book, including some of her favorite national parks, some of the things she did to plan for such a trip, experiencing the unexpected and the lessons she learned from taking such an adventure during a global pandemic and in the middle of a break-up. Key Take Aways 1. You can plan as much as you want for a trip—no matter how big or small, but things will happen that will likely make you change your course. The more you can be prepared for that, the more you will get from your journey. 2. Think about things you can do to have a positive impact on the environment as an RVer. Things like limiting your driving, driving slower, changing your diet to eat less meat are all little things you can do to preserve some of the beautiful places we travel to. 3. Don’t miss out on some of the lesser visited National Parks. 4. When planning a big trip like this, be sure to take basic safety precautions. And most importantly, we always talk about this, listen to your gut. Links:
Solo Women RV
Solo Women RV theme song is Fields Station by Nikole Potulsky | |||
| 01 Aug 2024 | It’s Harder than I thought it would be and that’s OK | 00:39:34 | |
My guest this week is author Mary Ellen Telesha. Mary Ellen is the author of three books, all to help women get out on the road. She shares a bit of her own personal journey as a nomad and the advice she has for women considering a nomad lifestyle. I hope you enjoy our convesations. Show Notes:
Connect with other Solo Women RVers
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| 12 Oct 2023 | Why You Should Attend an RV Meet-Up | 00:14:12 | |
In this episode I talk about my recent meet-up with a great group of wandering women RVers. I share some of my favorite parts of this group and give three reasons you should attend a women's RV meet-up or caravan. And don't forget, for the month of October 2023, Solo Women RV podcast listeners get $10 off a yearly membership of the WINS (Wandering Individuals Network) RV club. It's a great way to connect with and travel with other solo RVers. | |||
| 03 Jun 2022 | Solo Campground Host at Wallowa Lake State Park in Oregon | 00:23:08 | |
This week on the podcast I share about my personal experience as a solo female volunteer campground host at Wallowa Lake State Park in Eastern Oregon for the month of May 2022. I traveled there with my cat Tucker and worked alongside another host volunteer couple and the wonderful Park Rangers at Wallowa Lake State Park. I talk about hosting during an unusually cold May with lots of snow, the best and most challenging parts of being a camp host and how Tucker is adjusting to life on the road. Listen in! Show Notes: Connect with other Solo Women RVers: Solo Women RV Facebook Group Roadpreneur: sign up for a discounted rate of just $37 a month by going to https://roadpreneur.com/solowomenrv/ | |||
| 18 Aug 2022 | All About Forest Bathing/Forest Therapy | 00:37:51 | |
My guest this week on the Solo Women RV podcast is Andrea Kreiner from Red Cedar Forest Therapy. Andrea talks with us about the healing power of nature and how to get the most out of your time in the forest, desert or at the beach. She explains the science behind Forest Bathing or Forest Therapy and why creating a regular practice of consciously connecting with nature is so beneficial. Show Notes:
Forest Bathing Key Take-Aways
To find a guide in an area while you’re traveling go to Association of Nature and Therapy Guides https://www.natureandforesttherapy.earth/ | |||
| 23 May 2024 | Camping Etiquette 2024 | 00:19:11 | |
What are the do's and don't's of camping in a campground? This week on the podcast I share some of the things I've seen as a campground host that people do that aren't too cool. Some are written rules that people don't follow and others are just basic camping etiquette. Some are things that could actually destroy the natural environment. # 4 might be controversial. #10 is super important, especially this year. Here are my top 11 Camping Etiquette rules for 2024. Connect with Other Solo Women RVers Solo Women RV blog: Solo Women RV Facebook Group Solo Women RV Theme song is Fields Station by Nikole Potulsky | |||
| 06 Jan 2022 | The Healing Power of Solo RV Travel | 00:41:21 | |
Travels with Squeaky is now the Solo Women RV podcast. The Solo Women RV podcast is for solo women RV-ers, campers and vanlifers. This week our guest is Debbie Minnick. Debbie began her solo RV travels after she became a widow at the young age of 38. Debbie discovered that solo RV travel helped not only heal her grief, but the reduced stress and more healthy lifestyle also helped her overcome several auto-immune diseases. As she spent more time alone, she began to write poetry and that helped her heal from some of her childhood trauma. Her story really inspired me. Listen in. Show Notes: Travels with Squeaky theme music is Fields Station by Nikole Potulsky. And if you have a person you’d like to hear interviewed, a topic you’d like us to cover or perhaps you would like to share your own Solo travel story, email us at info@travelswithsqueaky.com | |||
| 07 Mar 2024 | Stores That Allow RVs to Overnight Park | 00:21:58 | |
Sometimes you just need a place to stop and sleep. It doesn't have to be fancy or pretty or even offer any amenities. Thankfully, there are a lot of retail stores that welcome RVers to spend the night in their parking lots. This week's episode, we go over the different stores that allow RV overnight parking and how to find them. We also talk about some overnight parking etiquette and a few places where overnight parking is not allowed. Show notes: Join Harvest Hosts with a 15% off discount This episode is based on the blog article: What Stores Allow Overnight Parking (2024) Solo Women RV Podcast Theme song is Fields Station by Nikole Potulsky | |||
| 22 Feb 2024 | RV Buying Tips for Women | 00:49:10 | |
What do you need to know before you buy an RV? There is surprisingly a lot that goes into the process of buying an RV--new or used. You need to figure out which class of RV is right for you. You need to make sure the rig you're buying is in good condition and once you do find your dream RV, you need to make sure you're not getting ripped off. My guest this week is an expert in all these areas. Cathy Conrad from RV Advisors offers customized one-on-one consulting services for folks who are just getting started in the RV lifestyle, want to make a change or who want to shorten their learning curve. Special Offer for Solo Women RV Podcast: TO BOOK A FREE 45 MIN CONSULTATION/STRATEGY CALL, PLEASE VISIT: https://calendly.com/cathy-conrad-consulting/45min For 20% DISCOUNT on your RV Program of choice, use Discount Code: SOLOWOMENRV Good thru 4/22/24. Connect with Cathy Conrad:
Connect with other Solo Women RVers:
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| 02 Sep 2021 | Travels with Squeaky: Digital Nomad Brenda Uekert | 00:43:48 | |
What is it like to live and work full time out of an RV while also traveling with two cats? This week our guest Brenda Uekert, founder of the Gutsy Women Club, shares with us her journey into RV travel and offers some tips for running a successful business from the road. Brenda Uekert is a sociologist, a financial coach, full time RVer and digital nomad. She shares her biggest challenges and also rewards of running a business from the road. Brenda is offering a special discount to all who sign up via this link and use the code earlybird50 (lowercase) for $50 off her Financial Freedom for Women workshop. Check it out. Travels with Squeaky is a podcast for solo women campers, RVers and vanlifers hosted by Kathy Belge of TravelswithSqueaky.com. Travels with Squeaky Theme music by Nikole Potulsky | |||
| 17 Mar 2022 | The Top 5 Mistakes New RVers Make and How to Avoid Them | 00:35:16 | |
My guest this week is professional driver and RV driving instructor Becky Piacente. Becky and I talked about the top mistakes she's seen in teaching women about RV driving and camping. She shares some of her top tips for driving and parking your RV or trailer no matter the length and how to be a better, more safer driver. Show Notes: Becky is available for private lessons. If you’d like to connect with Becky, please drop me a line at kathy@solowomenRV.com and I’ll share her contact details Connect with other Solo Women RVers: Solo Women RV Facebook Group Solo Women RV Podcast theme music is Fields Station by Nikole Potulsky. Roadpreneur: sign up for a discounted rate of just $37 a month by going to https://roadpreneur.com/solowomenrv/ | |||
| 23 Nov 2023 | Quartzsite for First-Timers | 00:35:29 | |
My guest this week is Katie. Katie is fairly new to RVing and she decided to check out the scene in Quartzsite Arizona last year. Quartzsite is a destination for many RVers because it offers a plethora of free camping and a warmer climate in the winter months. There are several gatherings in Quartzsite for nomads to learn from one another, socialize, tour each other's rigs and even find seasonal jobs. Katie talks all about her first time at Quartzsite and why you should go, even if you're solo and don't know anyone there. Show Notes:
Solo Women RV theme song is Fields Station by Nikole Potulsky
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| 06 Jun 2024 | All Things Kathy B | 00:36:48 | |
I've got something a little different this week. I am sharing an episode from the All Things RV podcast where I am the guest. That's right, instead of being the interviewer, I'm the interviewee. It was fun to sit down with Cathy Conrad from the All Things RV Podcast and share a bit of my story. Learn how I got into RV travel, why I travel solo, how I make a living to afford this lifestyle and of course, traveling with a cat as an RV companion. Show Notes:
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| 29 Feb 2024 | What We Wish We Knew Before Hitting the Road | 00:31:25 | |
This week I have a fun episode for you. Fellow solo female traveler Charlie Grace and I share our top 7 things we wish we knew about before hitting the road. We compare stories of what our expectations were before we hit the road as solo women RVers versus what the reality is of our lives on the road. We banter a bit back and forth. We had a blast and hope you enjoy this episode. Show Notes:
Solo Women RV
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| 27 Jul 2023 | She Needed a Change of Scenery and Escape from an Abusive Marriage | 00:51:05 | |
My guest this week is Portia. Portia made the brave decision to leave an abusive marriage and to hit the road. She bought an old RV and hit the road—traveling for three years full time. She talks about the decision to leave the marriage, why traveling in an RV was such a great move for her and share some of her top adventures she had on the road. Key Take-Aways 1. All that really matters when purchasing an RV is the engine. 2. People by their very nature like to help. And it makes them feel good to help. So don’t deny someone the opportunity to feel good. 3. There is an RV campground at Disney World. Fort Wilderness 4. Portia had some amazing experiences and there were also some isolated moments. But boy did she get the change of scenery she needed. Resources for Solo Women RVers and Campers: Visit the Solo Women RV blog Solo Women RV Facebook Group Solo Women RV theme song is Fields Station by Nikole Potulsky | |||
| 23 Sep 2021 | Travels with Squeaky: Descend on Bend and Beyond | 00:32:23 | |
Heather Knight is an adventurer and solo traveler, curator of the Traveling while Butch Instagram account. She spent the past year building out her Honda Element with a roof-top tent for some off-the-beaten-path adventures. She recently attended Descend on Bend, a meet-up of fellow nomads. She came on the podcast to share her best boondocking tips, how to cheaply outfit everything you need for a great adventure and what it was like to travel to Descend on Bend as a solo woman. Travels with Squeaky is a podcast for solo women campers, RVers and vanlifers hosted by Kathy Belge of TravelswithSqueaky.com. Travels with Squeaky Theme music by Nikole Potulsky | |||
| 09 Feb 2023 | Everywhere with Claire - Solo Female Vanlife Adventures | 00:34:36 | |
My guest this week is Claire Fleming. Claire travels solo in her van with her cute dog Oscar. We talked about her vanbuild, the one thing you need to know when crossing the border into Canada with a dog, (and it's probably not what you think), and how she has fun and keeps Oscar safe when she's away from the van. Claire and I had a great conversation Key takeaways 1. Building out a van always takes longer than you think. 2. Harvest Hosts is a great free option for solo travelers 3. When crossing the US border, be aware of what produce you have with you. 4. Once you start making friends and community, it becomes easier to meet more people. They introduce you to their friends and so on. 5. Having a pet on the road can be great to break loneliness, but you do have to consider their needs as well. 6. Claire uses the Simplisafe system to monitor for safety and to ensure her dog is ok Connect with Claire:
Mentioned in this Episode: Solo Women RV
Solo Women RV theme song is Fields Station by Nikole Potulsky | |||
| 25 Aug 2023 | August Updates and an Annoucement | 00:08:40 | |
On this short episode I share some of my updates about my camp hosting job, what I'm thinking about doing this Fall/Winter and also an update on my RV situation. I also talk about an interview I did on The Galavan YouTube channel about the 10 Ways I Make Money as a Solo Woman RVer. Come hang out with us in our free Facebook Group. Become a Podcast Supporter | |||
| 21 Jul 2022 | Montana: A Love Story | 00:33:32 | |
I've pretty much fallen in love with Montana. This was my third visit to the state in my RV and my first time visiting Glacier National Park. This week on the podcast, I share about my recent travels to Montana and what it was like traveling with my brother, after traveling solo for so long. Spoiler alert: it was great! Connect with other Solo Women RVers:
Solo Women RV Podcast Affiliates:
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| 29 Sep 2022 | Joni The Galavan | 00:37:18 | |
Joni Zander from The Galavan YouTube channel is our guest this week on the Solo Women RV Podcast. Joni has a popular YouTube channel where she gives van tours and also shares information to help women get on the road. She shares advice about how to meet community and find work on the road. She also hosts a community to help women RVers and vanlifers connect with one another and owns property in Arizona where she hosts space for women to gather and build out their vans. I really enjoy her perspective and learned a lot from her five years of experience on the road. Key Take-Aways: 1. If you want to get started in YouTube, do collaborations. 2. The focus of The Galavan YouTube channel is to help and inspire women to get on the road by showing them different van builds. 3. It doesn’t take a big RV or a fancy build to get out and be on the road. Joni loves to highlight women who have very simple van builds. 4. The most important thing for you to figure out before building or buying a van or RV is to know what your priorities are for living in a van or RV. 5. If you’re planning to get into RV or vanlife, really notice where you spend your time in your current living situation to determine what kind of features you’ll want in your van. Try limiting yourself to just the amount of space you’ll have. 6. If you’re looking to meet other women nomads, join Joni’s Facebook group (link in the show notes.) And step out of your comfort zone to participate and meet other members. 7. Finally, if you’re a woman who has built out a van or mini-van, get in touch with Joni. She’d love to hear from you. Links mentioned in this episode:
Connect with other Solo Women RVers:
Solo Women RV Podcast Theme song is Field Station by Nikole Potulsky | |||
| 05 May 2022 | Vicki Burke on Trailer and Towing Safety | 00:59:52 | |
My guest this week is Vicki Burke. Vicki has been a campground host in Michigan for 24 years. Not only has she witnessed all the mishaps and mistakes someone can make driving or towing an RV, she’s made a few of them herself. She was brave enough to come on the podcast to share, not only her safety tips, but also her own mishaps so we can all learn from them. Show Notes: 1. Weight- Sticker (inside door) a. UVW- Unloaded vehicle weight or Base weight- may sometimes include built in propane weight b. CCC – Cargo capacity weight- weight of anything you will put into the unit from dishes to linens, to chairs, cabinets, crafts, food, your water, propane, batteries, etc. With Motor homes this also includes passengers and pets c. GVW- Gross Vehicle weight The total weight of your vehicle plus cargo d. Tongue weight or hitch weight- The pressure on your vehicle. This has to do with how much weight you can put into or onto your tow vehicle. Payload capacity of your truck in case of 5th wheel. 2. Wheelbase of your tow vehicle a. Measure center of front wheel to center of rear wheels b. Rule- 110 inch wheel base can pull up to 20 foot trailer. One more foot for every 4 inches above 110. c. Backward under 110 then it’s 5.25 inches. (I go 6 inches) so for 104 inch wheel base 19 foot max. For 98 inch wheel base then 18 foot. (I wouldn’t do) If you want to join Vicki on a caravan from East to West this Fall, reach out to me at Kathy@solowomenrv.com and I'll connect you. Connect with other Solo Women RVers: Solo Women RV Facebook Group Roadpreneur: sign up for a discounted rate of just $37 a month by going to https://roadpreneur.com/solowomenrv/ Solo Women RV Theme Music is Fields Station by Nikole Potulsky | |||
| 09 Dec 2021 | Travels with Squeaky: All that RV Life inCompasses | 00:50:13 | |
Our guest this week is Carrie Sliverhorn. Carrie is the editor and publisher of InCompass magazine. Carrie only started her full-time solo RV living in May 2021, but already she is giving so much back to the community. Carrie started the magazine to help other nomads with all the information she was looking for when she first started out. She shares about how she was kind of thrust into RV life and how that was one of the best things that ever happened to her. Travels with Squeaky theme music is Fields Station by Nikole Potulsky. And if you have a person you’d like to hear interviewed, a topic you’d like us to cover or perhaps you would like to share your own Solo travel story, email us at info@travelswithsqueaky.com | |||
| 08 Sep 2022 | 9 RV Maintenance Tasks You Can Do Yourself | 00:39:27 | |
My guest this week on the podcast is Shelley Kepford. Shelley is a certified RV inspector and a registered RV technician. She is the owner of Life's RV Adventures and one of her goals with starting her business is to empower women to get out and start living their RV dreams. She shares with us the 9 RV maintenance things we can (and should) do ourselves. Show Notes:
Mentioned in this interview
9 RV Maintenance Take Aways 1. Take the time go get to know your RV 2. Learn about your batteries and the type of maintenance they need. 3. Check your tires before every trip to make sure they’re in good shape 4. Inspect your power cord 5. A Water pressure regulator could save your plumbing. 6. Check the vents on your refrigerator and your water heater to make sure they’re not clogged with mud dappers in the spring and Fall 7. Check all the seals and seams on your roof. Look for cracks or places water can get in. 8. Do a departure checklist of all the tasks you need to complete before you leave a campground. And don’t let anyone distract you while you’re in the middle of it. 9. Create an RV maintenance schedule and follow it. Shelly will be sending a list that we will post on the blog for you to reference. | |||
| 19 Jan 2023 | All About Vanlife Pride with Kristin Holden | 00:43:29 | |
Vanlife Pride! What is Vanlife Pride? This week my guest is Kristin Holden. Kristin is woman behind Where the Road Forks Instagram account, a solo woman Vanlifer and the new coordinator of Vanlife Pride. Vanlife Pride is for the LGBTQ+ community and allies—not just those in vans, but anyone who is living a nomadic lifestyle or aspires to, no matter their vehicle, no matter if they travel once a year or if they travel full time. Vanlife Pride is kicking off 2023 with a gathering Feb 24-26 in Quartzsite, AZ. Listen in for more about this event and all the other amazing things planned for Vanlife Pride this year. Key take-aways 1. Vanlife Pride isn’t just an event. It’s an online presence. It’s an offline presence. It’s a community of LGBTQ+ nomads. No matter what you’re traveling in and no matter where you fall on the LGBTQ+ spectrum and allies. All are welcome. 2. Kristin is building a team of vanlife Pride ambassadors to host regional meet-ups and community building events. If you’re interested in being an ambassador or finding out more about events in your region, check out the links in the show notes. The, the goal for Van Life Pride in 2023 is to create more small, intimate, queer connections in the nomadic and outdoor communities all over the us. 3. The Vanlife Pride account on Instagram is a great way to connect with other queer folks who are in the nomadic community. 4. Everyone’s experience is not the same, but we can learn from one another. Try to be aware of the privilege we carry the space we take up. Speak up to support marginalized communities if you see they’re not being represented. 5. Whether you’re on the road or not, consider attending a vanlife or tiny living event to meet others and get ideas. 6. Connecting and meeting people from social media can be great, but do your due diligence to make sure they’re real people. 7. To get ready for solo rv or vanlifer, practice being alone. I know this was something that I needed to get used to, for sure! Links and Resources Other accounts to follow: | |||
| 28 Jul 2022 | The Art of Catching Creativity While You Travel | 00:36:02 | |
My guest this week on the Solo Women RV podcast is Jaime Summer Handley. Jaime is a creativity advocate and writing coach. She is the founder of Montasic Mommas a community for women to reignite their creative spark. She leads accountability groups centered around Julia Cameron’s book, The Artist’s Way and is teaching a memoir writing workshop. She is the author of a children’s book, The Clothes Pin Doll. She also just returned from a year of RV travel with her family. I invited Jaime to come on the podcast to discuss ways we can capture creativity when we travel. Show Notes:
Connect with other Solo Women RVers:
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| 23 Aug 2024 | Outdoor Gypsy Lucille Reese | 00:34:58 | |
My guest this week is Lucille Reese. Lucille is a solo woman RVer and YouTube host. She shares with us all about her nomad journey and offers some great advice and tips for women just getting started, including how to meet others to caravan with. Listen in!
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| 11 Nov 2021 | Travels with Squeaky: Finding Common Threads through RV Travel | 00:41:21 | |
In this episode of Travels with Squeaky I talk with Vanna Mae. Vanna is an artist, a writer for RV Share and also has a very popular Youtube channel. She lives full time in her 19 foot RV with her cat Indigo. We talked about her decision to leave behind a life that looked perfect from the outside to create a new life on the road. Travels with Squeaky is a podcast for solo women campers, RVers and vanlifers hosted by Kathy Belge of TravelswithSqueaky.com. Travels with Squeaky Theme music is Fields Station by Nikole Potulsky Mentioned in this episode:
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| 13 Apr 2023 | A First Solo Camping Trip Story: A heatwave, mishaps and adventures! | 00:53:38 | |
My friend Sari reached out to me to let me know she was going on her very first solo camping trip--her first time camping as an adult--at age 47. I first interviewed Sari back in July 2021 and I'm sharing her story again because she is such a good story teller. She shares everything she did to prepare and the funny mishaps that happened along the way. After listening to Sari's story, you'll never look at guacamole the same way again. Connect with Other Solo Women RVers Solo Women RV blog: Solo Women RV Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/3139043422990289 Solo Women RV Theme song is Fields Station by Nikole Potulsky
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| 21 Oct 2021 | Travels with Squeaky: The Boomer Nomad | 00:46:53 | |
In this episode of Travels with Squeaky I talk with author Katt Annie who’s new book, The Boomer Nomad: How I Stay Safe and Sane on the Road, is all about how to stay safe and sane on the road as a solo woman RVer. Katt’s been on the road for four years and she’s got some great stories and tips like how she camps for just $4 a night and all the little things she does to make her trailer home cozy and cute. Katt's website Travels with the Tiny, where you can read all about her journeys and most importantly, see photos of her colorful set-up. Travels with Squeaky is a podcast for solo women campers, RVers and vanlifers hosted by Kathy Belge of TravelswithSqueaky.com. Travels with Squeaky Theme music by Nikole Potulsky | |||
| 01 Jun 2023 | Shannon's Cautionary Vanlife Tale | 00:51:59 | |
This week on the podcast I speak with Shannon. Shannon headed out on the road after her first home was destroyed in a storm. She bought a cheap van, did a minimal build and set out. She received some assistance along the way, but when her money ran out, she had some medical and van issues, she now finds herself in a precarious situation. She wanted to come on and share her story so that others can learn from her situation. Shannon definitely had some angels come to her rescue along the way. I really appreciate her vulnerability for sharing all that’s happened to her. And I also appreciate her outlook—she continues to find the good in all that’s happened to her. Show Notes: Shannon's Interview with Bob Wells of Cheap RV Living:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5Z-5OrnCb0 HOWA: Home on Wheels Alliance Connect with Other Solo Women RVers Solo Women RV blog: Solo Women RV Facebook Group Solo Women RV Theme song is Fields Station by Nikole Potulsky
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| 14 Apr 2022 | Cori on the Road | 00:45:11 | |
Our guest this week is solo female vanlifer Cori who built her own van and is traveling full-time with her two dogs. Like many people, Cori's life was up-ended by the Pandemic in 2020. She was living in Seattle where she had a job she loved, a community and was even the coach of a lacrosse team. But when she lost all of that and had to move back in with her family, she started to think about what was really important to her and that’s when her vanlife journey began. Cori spent 8 months building the van that she now calls her home. She tells us why it’s the thing she’s most proud of in her life to this point. She really wants to share her story to inspire other solo female travelers. And it's working! She's up to 16K Instagram followers. Come and hang out with me an Cori as she shares about her journey and all she's learned along the way. Show Notes:
Connect with other Solo Women RVers:
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| 14 Oct 2021 | Travels with Squeaky: Solo at Sisters Folk Festival | 00:27:54 | |
This episode I tell about my solo RV trip to the Sisters Folk Festival where I volunteered and saw lots of great live music. I stepped a little out of my comfort zone to go to an event like this all by myself, but the payoff was immense. Let me tell you all about it. lTravels with Squeaky is a podcast for solo women campers, RVers and vanlifers hosted by Kathy Belge of TravelswithSqueaky.com. Travels with Squeaky Theme music by Nikole Potulsky Introduction to RV Travel Class Oct 17 Mentioned in this episode: | |||
| 03 Feb 2022 | Workamping for Solo Women | 00:56:44 | |
This week we have the first of a three-part series about earning an income while on the road. My guest is Jody Anderson Duquette, Executive Director of Workamper News and Workamper.com. Jody has so much information to share about how to find a great job in beautiful places while you live in your RV or motorhome. Show Notes:
Travels with Squeaky theme music is Fields Station by Nikole Potulsky. And if you have a person you’d like to hear interviewed, a topic you’d like us to cover or perhaps you would like to share your own Solo travel story, email us at travelswithsqueaky@gmail.com Workamper News Discount: Listeners can use the promo code SOLOPOD when joining with a one-year Workamper membership at Workamper.com to receive 2 free bonus months. This provides the member with 14 months of access to our membership tools and resources. (The bonus months cannot be applied to our free, 30-day trial membership offer.) Join today at https://workamper.com/register-new-workamper Roadpreneur Discount: Listeners of the Solo Women RV podcast can sign up for a discounted rate of just $37 a month by going to https://roadpreneur.com/solowomenrv/ | |||
| 17 Feb 2022 | Taking your Job on the Road - How to Successfully Transfer to Working from your RV | 00:31:53 | |
My guest this week is Michelle Coulson from Remote Rebellion. Michelle is a former employment recruiter turned remote work advocate. She specializes in helping people find remote employment so that they can travel travel more and enjoy life. She shares many tips and one key mindset shift that will help you successfully transition into working from your RV or van. Show Notes: Connect with Michelle: Free remote job resources: Follow Michelle on Instagram: Connect with other Solo Women RVers Solo Women RV Facebook Group Join other women building remote businesses: Roadpreneur: sign up for a discounted rate of just $37 a month Solo Women RV Theme music is Fields Station by Nikole Potlusky | |||
| 07 Apr 2022 | Solar 101 | 00:41:26 | |
This week on the Solo Women RV podcast we dive into all things solar with Nathalie and Lillie of Moving Oasis vans. Lillie and Nathalie own a van conversion company and they demystify how solar works and break it down so that you can understand what your solar needs are. So whether you’re building out a van from scratch or are thinking of adding solar to your current set-up, Nathalie and Lillie break down, in plain English, how solar works and how to figure out what your solar set-up should look like. Show Notes: Connect with Nathalie and Lillie at Moving Oasis Vans. Connect with other Solo Women RVers: Solo Women RV blog: https://solowomenrv.com/ Solo Women RV Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/3139043422990289 Roadpreneur: sign up for a discounted rate of just $37 a month by going to https://roadpreneur.com/solowomenrv/ | |||
| 05 Aug 2021 | Travels with Squeaky: Camping in a Tesla | 00:41:32 | |
Did you know Teslas and other electric vehicles are perfectly set up for camping? This week I interview Tesla enthusiast Kim Wagner where we talk about all the cool features of a Tesla that make it the perfect camping vehicle. Kim also shares with us about her solo camping adventures, how she stays safe, great ways to meet people while traveling and that one time she got locked out of her car in a "dead zone." Travels with Squeaky is a podcast for solo women campers, RVers and vanlifers hosted by Kathy Belge of TravelswithSqueaky.com. | |||
| 29 Dec 2022 | Catherine's Vanlife Adventures | 00:41:12 | |
On this episode of the Solo Women RV podcast, Catherine Xu shares her story of getting into vanlife. She shares how an unhappy living situation led her to buy and build out her own van that she lived in for three years. Catherine shares lessons she learned and why she eventually gave up vanlife, even though she is still traveling full-time. Key Takeaways: 1. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends when doing something like building out your own van. 2. Catherine built her entire van out by herself using youtube as a guide. If she can, you can too! 3. Living full time in a van, you need to take breaks from time to time. Catherine did so by renting Airbnbs and gathering with other digital nomad friends. Taking a break every few months is not a failure, it’s just part of the lifestyle. 4. Couch surfing can be a good option if you don’t have a lot of money and need a place to stay for a while to get out of weather. 5. You can use living in a van to pursue a passion or hobby. Catherine used her van to travel to different snowboarding destinations and learned to kayak while on her travels. Resources: Solo Women RV
Solo Women RV theme song is Fields Station by Nikole Potulsky | |||