Cabin Culture

Today we're joined by Kitty Costello, a design enthusiast and short-term rental consultant who brings a refreshingly authentic approach to creating spaces that tell a story. After relocating from Silicon Valley to Maine's magical mid-coast in 2022, Kitty has embraced the local culture and channeled her natural design instincts into helping vacation rental owners transform ordinary spaces...

Today we're joined by an amazing couple who embody what it means to create intentional spaces in the mountains of Utah. With over 11 years of hosting experience, they've transformed a treehouse and a 1970s hand-built cabin into magical retreats that offer more than just beautiful design—they create experiences that hold space for life's tender moments. We'll explore how they di...

Today we're welcoming Laura, a high school principal and passionate cabin owner in the Adirondack Mountains, who brings a uniquely educational perspective to the cabin ownership experience. From her beginnings as a home design blogger to managing two cabins while balancing a demanding career in education, Laura shares valuable insights on finding escape and renewal in mountain retreats. We&ap...

Today we're welcoming Kendra, a real estate agent and A-frame cabin owner in Lake Almanor, California, who brings a uniquely practical perspective to the world of cabin ownership. From her family's deep roots in real estate investment to managing her own A-frame in an HOA-controlled community, Kendra shares valuable insights on the financial realities of cabin ownership in today's m...

Today we're welcoming Lynn from Fresh Coast Cabins, whose journey from digital marketing executive to cabin entrepreneur offers a refreshing perspective on placemaking in the wilderness of Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula. From renovating a single rustic cabin to developing a collection of lakeside retreats, a public sauna, and now even a bar and event space, Lynn shares how her passion for...

Today we're welcoming Andy Whitcomb, whose journey from furniture designer to cabin creator offers fresh insights into crafting immersive experiences that reconnect guests with nature. From his early days learning Airbnb hosting in a six-bedroom Seattle house to creating a row of three stunning riverside cabins, Andy shares how his background in design and entrepreneurship has shaped his appr...

Today we're welcoming Nat Farber, whose journey from NASA's Europa Clipper mission to mountain cabin builder offers a refreshing perspective on the art of slow building. From finding burned land after the Four Mile Canyon Fire to spending ten years crafting his vision, Nat shares how approaching construction as a creative project rather than a race to completion allowed him to build some...

Today we're welcoming Zoe Berghoff, whose journey from glamping property owner to mentor and real estate developer offers a refreshing perspective on creating unique stays that align with your lifestyle. From transforming abandoned log cabins to developing off-grid properties at 8,000 feet, Zoe shares how focusing on quality over quantity has shaped her approach to hospitality. We'll exp...

Today we're welcoming Nicole, known online as The Cabin Hunter, whose journey from wedding photographer to cabin specialist offers unique insights into the art of capturing and marketing vacation properties. From photographing over 100 unique properties across the globe to co-founding a property management company, Nicole shares how telling a cabin's story goes far beyond just beautiful...

Today we're welcoming Carrie from Roost North Rentals, whose journey from a self-described "failed stay-at-home mom" to the owner of nine successful vacation rentals in Traverse City, Michigan, offers a masterclass in thoughtful growth and systematic hospitality. From her first casual property purchase in 2015 to her latest A-frame renovation and plans for an 18-cottage resort, Carr...

Today we're chatting with Alison from Water Camp, whose collection of 1950s fishing cabins on Torch Lake, Michigan, beautifully balances modern comfort with vintage charm. From her thoughtful perspective on embracing imperfection to her three core values of rest, connection, and exploration, Alison shares how authenticity in hospitality often means resisting the urge to make everything perfec...

Today we're welcoming Kelsey and Chris Still of Still Resorts, whose journey from a 95' Georgie Boy Swinger RV to creating two distinct cabin properties in Minnesota is a masterclass in perseverance and creative vision. From their innovative use of 140-year-old reclaimed barn wood to their commitment to preserving the natural landscape, the Stills share how staying true to your vision of...

Today we're welcoming Ashley from On Cabin Time, who joins us from Porto, Portugal, where she and her husband Kyle are redefining what it means to live adventurously while hosting remotely. From their first nine-month backpacking journey through Southeast Asia to building a stunning cabin in Canada and now hosting guests in both countries, Ashley shares how spontaneity, calculated risks, and...

On today's episode features a conversation that reminds us how some of the most inspiring success stories emerge from our greatest challenges. Meet Jennifer, the creative force behind Wisconsin's stunning Pepin Forest Tree House. What began as a dream to build a treehouse during the uncertainty of 2020 evolved into something far more complex – a story of resilience, creative problem-solv...

Today we're welcoming Simone, co-owner of three stunning rentals in northern Minnesota and founder of She Hosts consulting. From building her first cabin as a screen porch that evolved into something more, to now helping other hosts navigate their journeys from raw land to profitable properties, Simona brings a unique perspective on intentional hosting. Originally from Brazil, she found herse...

Today we're diving into a conversation inspired by Will Guidara's "Unreasonable Hospitality" with Spenser from Fall Branch Falls. On this episode we explore the difference between service and true hospitality, we'll examine what it means to make guests feel truly seen, and how small, intentional decisions can create unforgettable experiences. From paint colors to handwritt...

Today we're welcoming Zach, founder of the Behind the Stays podcast and former CEO of Stay Watch, who's here to share some exciting news about the future of boutique hospitality. From his journey documenting unique stays across the country to his recent acquisition by Journey - a new platform aiming to revolutionize how we experience and get rewarded for choosing independent properties -...

Today's episode is a powerful testament to perseverance and purpose. We're joined by Bri and Dave, the creators of Sweetbriar Ridge in Minnesota, where three geodesic domes offer more than just a unique stay - they provide a sanctuary for healing. As a paramedic and outdoor educator respectively, this couple's journey from vision to reality wasn't just about building a business...

Today we're welcoming a self-proclaimed "grandma millennial" who's revolutionizing the retreat space in northern Michigan. From her first floating house project to her current ambitious ridge-top development, she brings a refreshing perspective on building without outside investors and doing things her own way. As someone who's flipped houses, built unique properties, and...

Today we're inviting you into a conversation with Camille, the owner of Camp Hudson Pines in the Adirondacks - a unique property that bridges traditional camping culture with modern cabin experiences. From seasonal RV sites to renovated riverside cabins and luxury glamping tents, Camille has created a space where nature lovers of all comfort levels can find their perfect stay. With a master&a...

Today we're welcoming the co-owner of Norra Hem, a stunning cliffside cabin on Hornby Island, one of British Columbia's enchanting Gulf Islands. What started as a six-month renovation project turned into a two-year labor of love, transforming a family property into a luxury short-term rental that celebrates local culture and craftsmanship. Our guest shares her journey of building and lau...

This episode of the podcast is a bit different, and it's the first time we're doing a thematic episode. Rather than interviewing a cabin host and diving into their story and experience, I have TWO cabin hosts with me (one is a repeat guest, Melissa from Tanglebloom Cabin, and one is a brand new guest, Eman from the Catskill Equestrian Cabin), and together we dive into the theme of conten...

On this episode we’re sitting down with Mike Girard, co-owner of the Kingfield Chalet near Sugarloaf Mountain in Maine. Mike will take us through the journey of discovering and purchasing their dream cabin, how they’ve made it both a family getaway and a successful rental property, how sustainability has shaped the choices they’ve made for the cabin and why going eco-friendly is both rewarding and...

Today we’re sharing something a bit different… Spenser and I had planned a podcast on Friday to talk about hospitality, and as the time neared it became clear we couldn’t just progress as usual with all that’s happening down here in North Carolina. So while we have lots of friends who host here in the mountains of North Carolina that I would have loved to jump on, we planned this very last minute...

On this episode with chat with John Doessel, the graphic designer and artist behind the IG viral @houselogos. What started as a design for his own house, quickly spread across the internet to famous Frank Lloyd Wright houses, short term rentals, and the perfect gift for your friends and family members. Today we chat about his experience professionally working with passion brands like Porsche, Harl...