Thinking Liberty

Zach and Sarah share last thoughts on Rhode Island and have moved into Massachusetts. Co-host, Sarah Varnell takes the interviewee seat to tell about her remote work, RV living, and future goals/plans. Resources Mentioned Melville Ponds Campground Gateway to Cape Cod Dragon Con Last Dragon Con Video Ep 006 Hacking, RV Life, and Being a Digital Nomad with Zach and The Renaissance Man Remotive Jobs

Rhode Island Polo, coffee, and beer, plus how do you strengthen a relationship when you are traveling all the time, doesn’t that usually add tension? These are some of the topics covered this week, as we discuss our time in Rhode Island and are joined by Annabelle and Christian from Swept Together Podcast for one of our favorite interviews. Rhode Island has been an amazing state to visit so far, with only one week, this has become one of my favorite stops. Rhode Island has a casual, relaxed atmosphere. Everyone we have run into has been friendly (unless you count drive through workers) and welcoming, to both us and our dog. Our very first day we drove just a few minutes to Newport Polo and watched our very first Polo Match. If you have never gone to a polo match, it is highly recommended. We drove into Rhode Island, escaping rain in Connecticut, and were welcomed by cool breezes, sunny skies, and perfect temperature. We decided very last minute to check out the match, we had exactly enough time from when Zach proposed we go to change, grab drinks for a cooler. and have a few minutes to set-up and explore before the match began. The environment there was very festive, but in a laid-back sense. Most were in groups, everyone had coolers, and some even had tents and tables for a thorough tailgating type of experience (actually, they gave out a prize for a group that “had the most fun tailgating party”). We set-up in a great spot, and really enjoyed our time watching the match and drinking a few local brews. Newport even won, so we felt celebratory, even though we are not even close to being local. If you are ever near Newport Rhode Island, we highly recommend you go to experience the culture. You do not have to buy tickets in advance (we didn’t) but you can buy tickets and learn more online. Speaking of culture, we were told by several people to check out the Gilded Age Mansions in Newport. We did a drive-by tour one night, and we have walked along the Cliff Walk and it was definitely a good suggestion. These mansions are breathtaking. I hope, in our remaining week here, to check out one or two of the official tours before we leave, but even just going by the neighborhood by foot, bike, or car will allow you to see quite a lot. Taking the Cliff Walk, will send you right behind many of the mansions. Getting through a week without coffee is something I am still mastering. I’ve mostly switched to tea, although I’m not really sure if there is much of a benefit if any. Even with reducing my coffee intake, I still love checking out local coffee shops, so this past week we went to Coastal Roasters and worked at one of their outside tables for a couple of hours. I loved everything about this coffee shop. The people behind the counter were friendly and really seemed to enjoy the day (which was beautiful), they had great music playing, and amazing coffee. I had their peanut butter and honey latte, and I might be a little obsessed. If I can convince the husband, I will be back several times this coming week. For several episodes, our podcast had a common theme, where to find good BBQ and where to find good Beer in whatever location that week found us in. Unfortunately, we are a bit north for amazing BBQ, it can be found, but it is almost always a style from another state. Yes, the sea food more than makes up for it, but we have taken to trying to cook more at home for the next few weeks. Beer however, we have managed to experience quite a sampling of Rhode Island beers in our very short time here. I have loved seeing how much the craft brew scene has grown in the last several years. Once upon a time, I was mainly a wine drinker, but I almost never choose wine now,

Zach and Sarah are at the end of their Connecticut stay, and are off to Rhode Island! Before going into the interview, they answer a commonly asked question — how do they pick RV campgrounds? They cover what the “must-haves” are and what they have learned to expect, providing resources for your next RV trip! Janice, a former teacher and history lover joins the show to share her experience seeing the US by train. With tips for how to pack, how to plan, and what to expect this is a great episode if you have ever wanted to travel by train. Resources Mentioned Zach’s main source of information on RV parks (Sarah prefers Google Maps): http://www.rvparkreviews.com/ Sarah’s favorite thing about their stay in Connecticut: http://www.bookbarnniantic.com/ Zach’s favorite thing about their stay in Connecticut: http://fishersisland.net/about-fishers-island/ You can book your ferry ride at the pier, or in advance here: https://www.fiferry.com/ If you travel with a pet, use this site to help determine if areas are pet-friendly: https://www.bringfido.com/ To Rent the Runway: https://thinkingliberty.com/runway Where to go to book and plan your train adventure: https://www.amtrak.com/home  

This is post 3 of 3 in the series “Weekend Destinations” Zach and Sarah talk about the first few days of their New England tour starting with Connecticut. This week’s guest is Tanner of Brew Chatt. He joins the show to tell us all about what Chattanooga, TN has to offer. Covering everything from hiking, beer, food, and entertainment, this is an episode you do not want to miss if you are planning a trip to Chattanooga, TN. What do to in Chattanooga Southern Brewers Fest Chattanooga Sunday Market Library Recording Studio Stringer’s Ridge Middle Creek Trail – where Signal and Suck Creek mountain meet. Rough hiking in a valley. Boulders the size of houses. Fiery Gizzard Trail – Jasper, TN William’s Island – may be private property, has cows and farm equipment, kinda creepy MaClellan Island – under veterans bridge Il Primo – Italian Hutton and Smith – Tanner’s personal favorite beer in , no food but you can bring your own, Climbing and Geology themed beer names Oddstory Brewing – snacks, food, brewery Feed Co Table & Tavern – Ale House, tons of taps, point system for drinking, good brunch too, restaurant side and bar size, patio, Danimal Planet plays there every Sunday Brewhaus – Food and Beer, German fusion, Saturday and Sunday brunch STIR Beers Rope Gun Rye BBQ Chatter Box Cafe – farm to table BBQ Food Works – brunch, get a reservation Flying Squirrel – food is amazing but they may have it out for Tanner Misc Comedy Catch EPB Fiber Songbirds Guitar Museum Brew Chatt Website Facebook Twitter   If you are planning on visiting Chattanooga use this link to book your Airbnb and get a $40 credit on your first stay.

Zach and Sarah are at the end of their stay in Ephrata, PA and are off to Connecticut! They are looking forward to a New England tour, but will miss the time shared with family. Sarah and Zach discuss two items that really helped make the RV a more comfortable home, and share from their experiences. Emily and Hudson from HudsonandEmily.com are the guests for today’s interview. They embarked on a one year RV journey in January, but like many who move into an RV, are now realizing their journey is only just beginning. Resources Mentioned Check out Hudson and Emily’s Website, YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook. The foam RV mattress we love. The water heater electric element conversion kit that drastically improved our showers. This shower head has also given our showers a boost. It mixes the water with air so the pressure feels higher than it actually is.

Recording from the middle of Amish Country in Lancaster County PA, Zach and Sarah talk about their campgrounds of choice in the local area, as well as some of the touristy things to experience. Their guest is the founder and former CEO of American Home Life International, and Sarah’s Grandmother, Ruth Powers. Ruth is a wealth of experience on what is it like to take a chance and pursue your passions and dreams. She combined her passion for people, ministry, and travel, to create a non-profit that has helped over 13,000 students find safe, welcoming, and nurturing homes allowing them to study abroad in the US. Learn more about American Home Life International: http://www.amhomelife.org/about-us Where Zach and Sarah typically stay when visiting: https://redruncampground.com/ Another good choice of campground: http://www.beaconhillcamping.com/ Visit Kitchen Kettle Village for locally made art, quilts, jams and jellies, baked goods, and other souvenirs: http://www.kitchenkettle.com/ Onsen (Japanese hot spring bath): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onsen Karuizawa: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karuizawa,_Nagano

Zach and Sarah are currently in New Holland, PA with plans to visit family and experience some of the touristy experiences Lancaster County has to offer. After providing some local favorite snack suggestions, Zach and Sarah dive into Airbnb tips and how it can be used for traveling and being a perpetual tourists. Airbnb can be a great alternative to hotels, and also offers experiences provided by people living in your destination of choice. If you are new to Air BnB, use this link to book your first stay and save $40: https://thinkingliberty.com/airbnb VRBO: https://www.vrbo.com/ Hammond Pretzels: https://www.hammondpretzels.com/ A neat write-up on bread cheese: http://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/ingredients/article/bread-cheese Roots Market (Pronounced Rutz): http://www.rootsmarket.com/ Across the street from Roots: http://www.hessauctiongroup.com/our-companies/conestoga-auction-company/ Discovering the Amish Culture: http://www.discoverlancaster.com/activities/amish-activities.asp The Ephrata Cloister: http://www.ephratacloister.org/ George Carlin – A Place for my Stuff: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLoge6QzcGY    

This is post 2 of 3 in the series “Weekend Destinations” Zach and Sarah are back in Atlanta for a last minute work trip. After being on the road (without the RV) for two weeks (give or take), they are anxious to get back to their cozy home on wheels. Kip Dunlap joins the show to share his thoughts on Atlanta and the best things to do and see on a weekend trip to the city. Kip is active in the community and has a genuine love for Atlanta that is not blind, he works on various improvement projects but always has time for a bicycle ride around town (which is also how he commutes) or a cup of coffee. Listen as Kip provides his recommendations for what to do in Atlanta.   What to do in Atlanta Decatur Square   Food Ladybird – camper food truck outside Victory Sandwich Bar Desta Ethiopian Cafe Ghion Cultural Hall – more authentic Ethiopian Food   Drink Establishment 5Church TAP – nicest patio in the city Cypress Street Pint and Plate – great patio   Breweries Sweetwater Orpheus – Zach’s Favorite Eventide Creature Comforts – in Athens, GA Urban Tree Cidery   Nightlife Edgewood Church (it’s a bar) – art, ping pong, and sangria Joystick – arcade games Georgia Beer Garden – traditional bar atmosphere MOTHER – bar fare Hungry Ghost – best drunk food (spicy), kimchi burrito   Activities Exotic Foods on Buford Highway Your Dekalb Farmers Market – huge international farmers market (locals known never to go on a Saturday)   Hiking / Biking Critical Mass – protesting car culture, more well-mannered and tame in Atlanta, last Friday of every month Mobile Social – Atlanta bicycle Coalition – slower speed, social oriented, ends at a place with food and beer – 2nd Thursday of every month Atlanta Beltline Freedom Park Trail Stone Mountain Trail / Stone Mountain Silver Comet Trail – flat rail trail, good for beginners Shoot the Hooch – riding a tube town the Chattahoochee River with friends and beer (and dogs?) Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area – good access to river and hiking   Coffee JavaVino – Zach, Sarah, and Kips favorite “Like having coffee at your friend’s house” Ebrik Coffee Room– student coffee and study spot w...

Zach and Sarah give their updates from the road – this time from AirBnbs in Atlanta and Las Vegas. Thinking Liberty also has its first in-studio guest, Josh Scarberry. He joins us to talk about his five month backpacking trip through Europe and the ways this trip changed him. About the Guest Josh Scarberry is Atlanta based, working in the tech industry. A few years ago, he lost his job, his future renting situation was uncertain, and he didn’t know what to do next. So he jumped, within a week he bought a one way ticket to Ireland, moved his stuff into his mom’s house, had friends keep his dog, and went to find himself. Listen as Josh shares his experiences with Zach and Sarah and gives some lessons learned from his 5 months in Europe. Resources Mentioned Sarah has found Rent the Runway very helpful due to having limited closet space. Being on the road (or even not on the road if you have a small closet), it just doesn’t make to carry around clothes that are only for certain occasions. Rent the Runway allows you to rent these occasion outfits, including accessories that you may need. If you planning a vacation, and don’t want to go buy all the pieces you need for it, Rent the Runway has more than just dresses, they carry shirts, pants, shorts, skirts, etc. So whether you need a special brunch outfit or something to wear to a wedding, like Sarah, they have options. Josh’s YouTube channel with his travel journal videos Hostel World – where Josh was able to book and find reviews for Hostels

Zach and Sarah give a brief update on current location and travels, followed by an interview where Zach was the guest on the Renaissance Man Podcast, home of the most interesting men in the world. In this interview, Zach shares information related to his career in information security, how he started on this career path, remote work, and living a mobile lifestyle. Resources:  If you are not pursuing the “traditional” college route, or you are interested in expanding your knowledge outside of your degree, Coursera has many courses at varying price points in many subjects, from some of the top universities. If you are seeking to prove, refine, or even take a course on some of the fundamentals, there are many GIAC certifications available (GSEC is a good place to start). Resources for study can be found online, reading textbooks on the subjects, or by taking training via SANS. In the interview, Zach mentioned bug bounty programs as a way to conduct authorized testing, earn a bit of money, and really show what knowledge and skills you have. HackerOne and Bugcrowd both offer compiled lists of what bounties are currently available. Intentionally vulnerable web apps are also a good place to test yourself and learn. As mentioned, it is not uncommon for security companies to use these type of tests as part of the interview process. Renaissance Man Podcast – From the About page: “The show focuses on all things Renaissance Men which means that it is the opposite of Seinfeld. This is the show about everything.”

Zach and Sarah are still exploring Chattanooga, TN and catching up with family and friends. They share a quick update on what they have been up to, with the promise of more favorite Chattanooga spots to come. Hannah Beaujean joins the show to share her experiences as a flight attendant and provide tips and suggestions for others who may be interested in a career in the skies. About the Guest Hannah Beaujean is a flight attendant based out of Washington D.C., and currently lives in Ephrata, PA. She enjoys spending time with family, her dog, and jewelry hunting. With a background as a gemologist and now traveling the skies, Hannah is an adventuring soul (whether she admits it or not) and shares her experience and tips with anyone who asks. Resources Mentioned Business Insider’s article on becoming a flight attendant: www.businessinsider.com/flight-attendant-hiring-tips-2016-5/ Apply to be a flight attendant (As Hannah mentioned, apply everywhere, even the small airlines can be door openers): http://www.deltajobs.net/flight_attendants.htm https://jobs.aa.com/ https://www.southwest.com/html/about-southwest/careers/positions.html https://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/company/career/default.aspx http://www.skywest.com/skywest-airline-jobs/career-guides/flight-attendant-jobs/ http://alaskaair.jobs/

Zach and Sarah are in Chattanooga, TN (old stomping grounds for them) and interview Steven Coffie about his journey to becoming a digital nomad and entrepreneur. About the Guest Steven Coffie is well on his was to becoming a full time Digital Nomad. He recently became an entrepreneur, starting a company that he and his partner can run from anywhere there is an internet connection. While this business grows, he has engineered the remaining parts of his life so that he can travel for nearly a quarter of the year. His goal is to travel somewhere at least once a month. Mentioned During the Episode Steven’s Company – Helix Cleaning Services Scotts’s Cheap Flights Man from Taured Georgia Guidestones West Virginia Krishna Temple – New Vrindaban

This is post 1 of 3 in the series “Weekend Destinations” Coming from Charlestown State Park in Charlestown, IN – just outside of Louisville, KY – Zach and Sarah give a quick update of where they are and what they’ve been doing in the area. They also reminisce about their first RV trip to Townsend, TN and provide suggestions on what to see, do, eat, and drink in Townsend if you only had 48 hours to visit. Places Mentioned – Charlestown, IN / Louisville, KY Charlestown State Park Rose Island Against the Grain Churchill Downs Places Mentioned – Townsend, TN Cades Cove Cades Cove Riding Stables Smokin Joe’s BBQ Abrams Falls Trail Bluetick Brewery Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center – concert series

On this episode, Zach and Sarah talk about their brief visit in St. Louis, MO, including their tourist activities and food and beer tastings. They also interview Beth Pickhard – an avid cyclist and beer taster. Beth is on a self-stated mission to explore the world by bicycle, and sample beer along the way. About the Guest She has a blog, Brew City Biker, which covers craft beer, biking, and travel. She recently returned from a 5-month trip to Southeast Asia, Netherlands and Belgium where she cycle toured in 11 countries, crossed 7 borders by bike and rode 4,300 miles. Her highlights from the last five months include high-fiving children in Laos, drinking Belgian beer while being hosted by Belgians, watching professional bike racing in Europe, eating and learning how to make Asian food, celebrating her birthday in Amsterdam and snorkeling coral reefs in Thailand. Beth works for Backroads Active Travel, leading biking tours, and her placement there has her living in various states in the US during the year. She will be stationed in Glacier National Park, Montana for the summer, but before her term starts, Beth is planning to drive to Alaska for a week of exploring. To follow along on Beth’s adventures, subscribe to her blog Brew City Biker, follow her on Facebook and Instagram and Twitter. Websites Mentioned A resource Beth mentioned for helping to find great prices on flights: theflightdeal.com She also mentioned planning her bike tour using Crazy Guy on a Bike. The company Beth is working for – Backroads Active Travel St. Louis Highlights Provel Cheese – Has it’s roots in St. Louis cuisine. Imo’s Pizza Kristin Chenoweth concert If you are planning a trip to St. Louis and wish to visit the Arch, be sure to buy tickets online before your arrival. We actually were turned away the first day we attempted to visit, the ticket taker told us they tend to sell out by noon. Be sure to get your National Park Passport stamp as well!

Zach and Sarah are in Memphis Tennessee, and provide a quick look at their visit to the Music City. Marcy Herr visits the show to discuss her life in Malaysia and travels in the region. About the Guest Marcy Herr is from Lancaster, Pennsylvania and graduated from Penn State University with a BS in Education and Public Policy and an MA in Educational Theory and Policy-Comparative and International Education in 2014. In 2015, Marcy moved to a rural town in Perlis, Malaysia as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant. In her role as an ETA, Marcy regularly taught English classes but also worked to engage with the community in a variety of capacities. Following her time as an ETA, Marcy moved to Kuala Lumpur and transitioned into a role as a Program Coordinator for the Malaysia ETA program to help support other young Americans in their positions as ETAs. This experience will prepare her to continue to pursue a career in a program management role related to cultural exchange or international relations in some capacity. Working in Southeast Asia, Marcy has had the opportunity to travel throughout the region on vacation and always enjoys wandering through a local market or visiting a beach. Continue to follow Marcy’s on Instagram: mherr57 Marcy began her adventure here. Check out the site to learn more about all Fulbright programs worldwide. The next deadline to apply for an English Teaching Assistant grant is October 6, 2017. Memphis Highlights We stayed at Tom Sawyer’s RV Park in West Memphis, AR. It is an amazing park, right on the banks of the Mississippi River. Because of the proximity to the river, if you are planning a visit be sure to check the website and water levels for the area as they will close if the water levels are predicted to be too high. We visited Hog and Hominy while in Memphis, it is an amazing pizza restaurant, and reservations are recommended during peak hours. We also ate at Central BBQ and highly recommend it. Two of our favorite activities while traveling are hiking and exploring local festivals and markets. We happened upon a mini-Spring festival while visiting Meeman-Shelby State Park, so we were able to combine two best things! If you have any questions or comments about this or any other episode, drop us a line or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.