DubLife Diaries The VW Lifestyle Podcast

What does it take to build an award-winning upholstery business from the ground up? In this episode of  DubLife Diaries , Joe sits down with  Alan of Vara Upholstery  to talk about the journey behind one of the most respected names in custom Volkswagen and marine interiors. Alan shares how buying a boat with damaged upholstery sparked an unexpected career, leading him to apprentice for free, open...

What happens when you take a 1960 Volkswagen panel bus, point it toward the horizon, and refuse to stop? In Episode 70 of  Dub Life Diaries , Joe sits down with  Dave Broenen , better known as the pilot of the legendary  KRUST BUS , to talk about an incredible journey that has taken him more than  78,000 miles across 38 states in just 23 months . Dave shares how a lifelong love of Volkswagens, ins...

What happens when a childhood surrounded by Volkswagens turns into a lifelong passion that brings families, friends, and an entire community together? In Episode 69 of  DubLife Diaries , Joe sits down with  José Rodriguez of Factor Volkswagen  to explore his incredible journey from growing up in Puerto Rico to becoming a driving force in the Volkswagen scene in Florida. José shares stories of lear...

From a $300 Beetle at age 14 to a garage full of VW memories, Jeff Pierce shares the story behind his beloved Super Beetle, Butters, and a lifetime spent living the VW lifestyle. What starts as a childhood memory of a family Beetle turns into a lifelong Volkswagen addiction. In this episode of  Dub Life Diaries , Joe sits down with Volkswagen enthusiast  Jeff Pierce , owner of a beloved 1973 Super...

What happens when you trade comfort for freedom and turn a vintage Volkswagen bus into your full-time home? In Episode 67 of  DubLife Diaries , Joe sits down with  Elijah Paulie , better known as  Uncle Funk —a professional magician, festival performer, ice cream man , videographer, and full-time VW bus dweller. From buying his first Volkswagen bus as a teenager to building a life centered around...

From a backyard BBQ during one of the hardest seasons of life… to building one of Colorado’s fastest-growing air-cooled VW communities — this episode tells the story behind 303 Dubs. Joe sits down with founder Josh Williams to talk about how a small gathering created to lift his father’s spirits during his cancer battle turned into a movement centered around classic Volkswagens, brotherhood, cultu...

Episode 65 of DubLife Diaries brings on longtime Volkswagen enthusiast, drag racer, event promoter, and professional DJ (Insane) Scott Sain for an unforgettable conversation packed with classic VW culture, racing history, music, and community. From buying his first Bugs for just $70 in the 1980s to building some of the most recognizable grassroots VW events in the Southeast, Scott shares the journ...

Episode 64 of DubLife Diaries is all about family, legacy, resilience, and the Volkswagen lifestyle that connects generations. Joe sits down with Drew Estep from Tennessee to talk about growing up around Volkswagens, learning life lessons through old Beetles, and how air-cooled VWs became more than just transportation for his family. From $300 Bugs with wooden bumpers to his dream 1963 double cab...

Episode 63 – Kyle Badertscher | Port City VW Car Show & Burn Camp Mission In this episode of  DubLife Diaries , we sit down with  Kyle Badertscher , the heart behind the  Port City Volkswagen Car Show —one of the most meaningful VW events in the country. Kyle shares his incredible journey into the Volkswagen world, from not owning his first car until his late 20s to becoming a driving force in...

In this episode of DubLife Diaries, we sit down with automotive artist Johnny Jalopy to unpack the story behind the style that’s turning heads across the custom car scene. Johnny shares how his journey started with childhood inspiration, shaped by his father’s artistic influence and a passion for cars that never let up. What began as sketches and side projects evolved into a full-blown creative bu...

In this episode of  DubLife Diaries , we sit down with longtime event promoter Randy Yoho to break down the massive success of Florida Bug Jam 2025 — one of the largest Volkswagen gatherings on the East Coast, drawing over 10,000 attendees. We dive into what it really takes to organize a show of this scale, from permits and insurance to managing over 60 car classes and thousands of participants. R...

In this episode of DubLife Diaries, we sit down with legendary Volkswagen builder Jeff Spearn to dive deep into a journey that defines passion, grit, and craftsmanship. Jeff shares how it all started with a burned-out $45 Super Beetle—and how that humble beginning led to a career filled with award-winning builds, magazine features, and a Top 10 finish at SEMA Battle of the Builders. From his iconi...

In this episode of  DubLife Diaries , we sit down with Bren Hartman — a true backbone of the modern air-cooled Volkswagen scene. From grassroots beginnings to reviving some of Michigan’s most iconic VW events, Bren’s story is all about passion, persistence, and keeping the culture alive. Bren shares how a simple introduction to a 1973 Beetle sparked a lifelong obsession that grew into a fleet of c...

What happens when you take pain, purpose, and a Volkswagen… and build something bigger than yourself? In this episode of DubLife Diaries, we sit down with Colton “ ” Williams — founder of Bug Invasion — to unpack a raw and real journey of transformation. Colton opens up about battling depression, alcoholism, and the weight of a difficult childhood marked by bullying… and how the Volkswagen communi...

In this episode of DubLife Diaries, Joe sits down with Kristopher Hayes to dive into one of the most unique Volkswagen builds you’ll hear about. What started as a simple roof rack trade turned into the acquisition of a Karmann Ghia with a story of its own—and Kristopher is taking it to an entirely new level. Growing up in Grand Junction, Colorado, Kristopher shares his journey from small-town root...

In this episode of DubLife Diaries, Joe sits down with lifelong Volkswagen enthusiast Leo Van Delft, whose passion for air-cooled VWs spans more than five decades.   Leo’s journey began in 1972 with a 1966 Volkswagen Beetle. What started as a simple love for the iconic cars quickly turned into a career. While still in college, Leo opened his own Volkswagen repair shop, building a reputation for ke...

What does it look like to chase a dream when you fully understand that time is finite? In Episode 55 of DubLife Diaries, we sit down with Volkswagen enthusiast John Krahulec to talk about his extraordinary Memento Mori journey — a cross-country adventure built around redemption, reflection, and the machines that shaped his life. What began with a beautifully restored 1967 Volkswagen Beetle has evo...

In this episode of DubLife Diaries, Joe sits down with award-winning architect Guillermo Marrero — a creative visionary from Puerto Rico whose love for Volkswagen culture runs just as deep as his passion for design. From childhood memories shaped by classic VWs to a 15-year search that ended with the perfect 1971 Irish Green Karmann Ghia, Guillermo shares the story behind the hunt, the emotion, an...

In this episode of DubLife Diaries, we interviewed Nick Jones, a Volkswagen enthusiast from Oklahoma who shared his passion for classic air-cooled Volkswagens and his journey into the dub community. Nick discussed his collection, including his daughter's beloved "Bugsly"  a surf-themed Beetle and his bus a 67 single cab known as "the dude." We explored how Volkswagen culture ha...

What does it take to turn a lifelong Volkswagen obsession into a movement that impacts enthusiasts across the country? In this almost 2 hour deep dive, we sit down with Jack Sims — racer, engine builder, event founder, and passionate voice in the VW community. This is not just a car conversation. It’s a legacy conversation. Jack takes us back to the beginning — childhood fascination, first VW show...

What happens when the love for air-cooled VWs turns into something bigger than cars? In this episode of DubLife Diaries, we sit down with Kurt Siegrist, the driving force behind Bug-O-Rama in Wichita, Kansas — a VW event with a mission that goes far beyond the show field. Bug-O-Rama isn’t just another car meet. It’s a 501(c)(3) nonprofit built around giving back. Kurt shares how the event supports...

Episode 50 – The Builder Who Walked Away | Derek Ryan What happens when the builder… stops building? In Episode 50 of DubLife Diaries, we sit down with Derek Ryan — a talented VW builder whose journey in the air-cooled scene took a turn most people never talk about. This isn’t just a car story. It’s a real life story about passion, pressure, burnout, and what it feels like when the thing you love...

In this episode of DubLife Diaries, we sit down with Darrin "D-Note" Milton — a rapper, entertainer, and hands-on craftsman who’s been building classic Volkswagens since he was a teenager. Long before the spotlight, D-Note was in the garage learning how to turn wrenches, shape metal, and build cars with intention. That same discipline and creativity followed him to the mic, where his music...

In this episode of DubLife Diaries, Joe Person sits down with Joe Kent—a lifelong Volkswagen enthusiast whose journey runs deep through Sarasota’s VW scene, dealership bays, and decades of hands-on car culture. Joe Kent shares how his passion began with a 1970 Beetle inspired by Herbie the Love Bug, growing up immersed in hot rods, art, music, and late-night garage sessions with friends. What star...

Looking Back at 2025 | DubLife Diaries Year-End Reflection As 2025 comes to a close, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the journey of DubLife Diaries — the growth, the struggles, and the lessons learned along the way. This video isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress. Thank you to everyone who watched, commented, shared, and supported this channel throughout the year. Your support means...