Relocating & Reinventing Yourself: Artist Donna Spatidol
Donna, a solo traveler in her 50s, shares her inspiring journey of selling her Cape Cod home and hitting the road in search of a new hometown. Discover the joys and challenges of embarking on a midlife adventure, from traveling with dogs to finding the perfect place to call home. This podcast episode is a must-listen for anyone considering a major life change, downsizing, or solo travel after 50!
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SWAPCAST: Lisa Andrews from This Travel Tribe
This week, we sit down with Lisa Andrews from the This Travel Tribe podcast and share our journey so far in search of a new hometown. We discuss the challenges and joys of traveling as a couple, the importance of having a home base, and the lessons we’ve learned along the way. We also give advice for others considering a similar lifestyle change, and the unexpected benefits of a nomadic lifestyle.
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Cape Cod, MA: The Chatham Plunge & The Kennedy Haters
Join us as we embark on a winter escapade to Cape Cod, Massachusetts. We visited a listener in Chatham, explored the charming downtown area and even attempted a polar plunge challenge. Went to the iconic Kennedy Compound in Hyannis Port and delved into the fascinating history of the U.s. Coast Guard’s daring rescue mission, as depicted in the movie “The Finest Hours.”
Zion, UT: Is Glamping REALLY Worth It?
Denise and friends go on a hilarious and disastrous girls' spring break trip to Zion National Park. Despite booking a luxurious glamping experience at Under Canvas Zion, their trip quickly turns into a comedic nightmare. From freezing temperatures in their $500-a-night tents to a death-defying hike on Angel's Landing, Denise recaps the less-than-ideal amenities provided during their stay.
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Pittsburgh, PA: Every Time James Says Pierogies, Take a Drink!
The iconic city of Pittsburgh, PA has been on James’ radar for a long time. After years of flying into PGH just to jump in a rental car and cross the Ohio border to visit his hometown, he’d had the itch to actually SPEND SOME TIME in the Steel City. But the minute we arrived, Denise was feeling a bit underwhelmed… traffic, rain and buildings everywhere seemed a little oppressive for what she’s looking for in a community. From navigating through the city's famous bridges and tunnels to indulging in local delicacies like pierogies at Pierogies Plus and sandwiches at Primanti Bros, this is our unpolished Steel City experience. We discuss Pittsburgh's unique neighborhoods, such as Lawrenceville and Mount Lebanon, and learn about the city's sports culture (#gosteelers), museums, and celebrity connections.
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What Women Want… According to TikTok
This week, take a deep dive into the complexities of modern dating. Discover the stark differences between millennial dating expectations and the realities faced by Gen Xers. Explore fascinating statistics, the impact of social media on relationships, and the challenges of finding love in the evolving landscape of dating for singles navigating the quest for a meaningful connection.
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Newport, RI: Jackie O, Winter Surfing & Portuguese Flavor
Explore the charming coastal town of Newport, Rhode Island during the off-season. Discover the rich history, stunning mansions, delicious seafood, and unique experiences that make Newport a must-visit destination. From the Breakers mansion and Cliffwalk to the Portuguese-influenced food scene to the sailing and surfing, Newport has something for everyone!
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SWAPCAST with the Gen2Gen Podcast
In this nostalgic SWAPCAST episode of the Gen2Gen Podcast, Gen X couple James and Denise join millennial host Phil and Gen Zer Teondra to talk pop culture trends, world events, music and movies that shaped their generations. Dust off those parachute pants!
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Guilford, CT Recap: Moving to a Winter Climate?
We're excited we finally get to share their firsthand experience of living in Guilford, CT for a month. We delve into Denise's "Stars Hollow" and lived as locals for a month. We checked out real estate and found the challenges of finding a home in the current market. That said, the friendly community, beautiful downtown area, and proximity to water were all still VERY attractive as potential buyers. Denise shares her Top and Bottom 5 aspects of living in Guilford, including her newfound friendship with a local business owner and her concern about ticks in the area. If you're considering moving to this region or want to learn more about what makes Guilford so great, this podcast is a must-watch!
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086 - Hudson Valley, NY: Cold Spring, Beacon, Newburgh, Cornwall & West Point!
Join us as we explore the charming small towns along New York's Hudson Valley. From the bustling Main Street of Cold Spring to the up-and-coming city of Beacon, get an inside look at the unique character of each town. Learn interesting facts about the historic West Point Academy and our take on Newburgh's struggles and potential for revitalization. We discuss millennial culture, prohibition-era history, and the joys and challenges of living in the Hudson Valley, including expensive real estate and brutal winters. We also attended a Portugal the Man concert in New Haven, CT and it left us reflecting on how age impacts the concert-going experience.
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085 - Mystic, CT: Pizza, Julia Roberts and… Ice Sculptures, Really?
After a few weeks in Southern Connecticut, it was time to stop heading west toward New Haven and find some new adventures. It was only a matter of time before everyone and their mother was pointing us to Mystic, home of the iconic Mystic Pizza that was the focus of a Julia Roberts movie about a hundred years ago. Anyhoo, we went and the pizza was "fine." We weren't disappointed with the shops, the donuts, the historic landmarks or the oysters. We did the tourist trap in Old Mystic and Denise went gaga over the ice sculptures while James spent most of his day geeking out over a drawbridge. In the final analysis, we could afford a 1-Bedroom house in Mystic, but dang, we were glad we went!
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084 - Perry, GA: Pecans, Peaches and Tons of Georgia Pride
Halfway between our property in FL and the sporty vibe of Greenville, SC there sits a small town with an upscale downtown. Perry, GA may not be a place you've never heard of before, but we bet this town is jumping when the weather is nice. Despite the dreary winter weather there, we managed to have a great time and flesh this place out for all it was worth over a period of 4 days. We explored local shops, peach orchards, some really kick-ass restaurants and the Georgia National Fairgrounds. While it was a little too rural for Denise's taste, James seemed to be loving everything except the peaches. Hey, everyone has their personal food preferences, right? No disrespect, Perry. You better believe we'll be back when the pecan farms are rocking and the pigs are for sale!
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083 - Asheville, NC: Backwoods Boom or Blue Ridge Bust?
This week, we explore what it's like visiting and potentially living in Asheville, NC! We got to catch up with family and spend time touring different neighborhoods, seeing the sights like the Biltmore Estate, eating at local restaurants, discussing the art scene and microbreweries, and evaluating if Asheville seems like a viable place to live long-term. The natural beauty of Asheville was striking--even on the worst weather day of the year. However, the cost of real estate, crime rates and the prevalence of homelessness were also a rude awakening. Did Asheville live up to its reputation as an artsy, funky mountain city? Hit play and find out!
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We Do What We Want: Brian Sirimaturos from the Tossing Salad Podcast
Brian Sirimaturos from the Tossing Salad Podcast joins us this week. We discuss Brian's wife Amy's breast cancer diagnosis, the decision to share details publicly, and how the cancer journey has impacted their lives. Brian also provides behind-the-scenes details on producing entertaining podcast episodes, dealing with online trolls, social media performer burnout, and why he broke up with a former podcast co-host on-air. Additional topics include working in unscripted TV, parenting challenges, Taylor Swift fandom, and more advice for aspiring podcasters.
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The New Fabric of a Young Metropolis: The Rise of Greenville, SC
This week we explored Greenville, South Carolina and were utterly impressed--gobsmacked, actually--by its charming vintage architecture mixed with modern, vibrant growth. We checked out the Liberty Bridge and Falls Park, and took an actual real estate tour specifically for those seeking to relocate to the evolving city formerly known as the Textile Capital of the World. It was there we discovered Greer - a town with great amenities just 20 mins from downtown Greenville. Between the GSP airport, brewery scene, James Beard nominated restaurants and real estate options, this town is now on the Skiptown map. Is it about to knock one of our other hometown choices out of the Top 5? Hit Play and find out!
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The IRS Doesn’t Run This Town Anymore: Tech, Arts, Brewpubs & Mountain Living in Ogden, UT
Get ready for something unexpected! James recaps his recent visit to Ogden, Utah and how the town has transformed over the past few years. Ogden is located just north of Salt Lake City and was once a gritty railroad town. However, recent investment and development has turned it into an up-and-coming, artsy, mountain destination. Does Ogden's growth, outdoor recreation, and real estate make it a potential hometown? Depends on your hobbies and occupation, but YES. Denise is all up in arms over e-bike hunting, James is sick of virtue signaling, and Huffington Post is intoxicated on their own crazy news headlines. This one is packed with info on life in Utah and lots of jokes… a few of which are even funny!
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I’m Sorry You Didn’t Go Viral! Our Interview with Michael Strumsky of the People More Interesting Than Me Podcast
This podcast episode features Michael Strumsky, host of the People More Interesting Than Me podcast. He shares his inspiring journey launching and growing his podcast to almost 100 episodes. Michael provides insightful tips on podcast hosting, landing great guests, editing challenges, getting family support, and ultimately creating an audio legacy. Whether you're thinking about starting a podcast or looking to improve an existing one, Michael's transparent experiences and advice make this a must-listen episode.
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Big Surprises in Tampa: The Gulf Coast's Most Unexpected Gem?
Is Tampa one of America's most overlooked cities? Dive into everything it has to offer in this fun recap of Denise's recent visit. She shares her eye opening experience visiting a listener and Tampa for the first time and discovering the city's rich culture, architecture, cuisine and more. From the historic Ybor City neighborhood to catching a glimpse of Tom Brady's former home, Denise was pleasantly surprised by this underrated Florida gem. We also discuss Tampa's growth, influx of young residents, booming real estate market, and why Denise says it's an ideal city to live. Whether you're considering a move or just want to learn more about this hip cultural hub, this epsiode has all the insider info on Tampa you've been searching for!
What Does Your 2024 Look Like? Passions, Side Hustles & Second Careers
This podcast episode features a lively discussion about starting a business and achieving success. The Skiptown All Stars share their personal stories and insights on taking risks, handling criticism, persevering through failures, finding mentors, staying passionate and creative, and more. James, Denise and even Producer Phil stress that overnight successes usually take about 10 years of hard work, and encourage aspiring business owners to believe in themselves,their ideas, and not let perfectionism hold them back. Tune in for motivating advice to help unlock your potential in 2024!
2023: Stick a Fork In It - The Best Food and Travel Cities This Year
This week, the Skiptown All Stars podcast recaps their best and worst travel experiences from 2023. James and Denise discuss the most memorable destinations, friendliest and least friendly cities, best food cities, easiest and most difficult cities to get around, and James shares his picks for the top coffee cities. We also reminisce about their road trip mishaps and funny travel stories from the past year. You will enjoy hearing this lively couple's perspectives on their adventures across America.