DubLife Diaries The VW Lifestyle Podcast
DubLife Diaries – Where Volkswagen Stories and Culture Come Alive Welcome to DubLife Diaries – the ultimate VW lifestyle podcast for enthusiasts and anyone who loves a great story on the open road! We dive deep into the heart of VW culture—celebrating the passion, creativity, and community that make these iconic cars more than just machines. From vintage Beetles and Westfalias to Karmann Ghias and Things, every episode highlights the people behind the wheel—the dreamers, builders, photographers, and families whose lives are forever shaped by Volkswagens. 🎙️ What You’ll Hear: Inspiring interviews with VW lovers, business owners, and hobbyists Stories of road trips, restorations, and once-in-a-lifetime finds Behind-the-scenes looks at shows, culture, and the VW lifestyle The role these timeless cars play in creating connection and adventure Whether you’ve been a lifelong “dubber,” are just discovering the VW world, or simply love hearing unique human stories, DubLife Diaries is your front-row seat to the scene. 📅 New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe today and join us as we roll through the stories that keep the Volkswagen community thriving. 🚗 Host: Joe Person – Lifelong VW enthusiast, storyteller, and community connector.
Episodes
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 starts to weigh more than it l...
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 and performance style reflect the grit,...
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 started as a hobby quickly became a cal...
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 more than you know.
New goals. New...
For the first episode of the new calendar year, DubLife Diaries welcomes Bill Dwyer—a voice, a perspective, and a story that sets the tone for what this year is all about.
This episode isn’t just a conversation about Volkswagens. It’s about the people behind the builds, the experiences that shape us, and the moments that keep the VW lifestyle alive year after year.
We dive into:
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Bill’s personal journey and connection to the V...
Jake Raby returns for Part 2, and this conversation goes far beyond engines.
We dig into the mindset of true innovators, using the stories as a lens to talk about experimentation, failure, and why progress often looks reckless before it looks brilliant.
Jake draws powerful parallels between early automotive innovation and today’s air-cooled VW world—where bold ideas are criticized first, misunderstood second, and only respected aft...
Levi and Sherry of Trippin' Seed Tie‑Dye and The Social Mosaic share their lifelong love of Volkswagens, music, and art. From early VW memories and surviving Katrina to building a community through tie‑dye and music, this episode follows their journey to receiving Owsley the Beetle — a community‑built, tie‑dyed VW that symbolizes resilience, generosity, and VW culture.
Connect with Sherry & Levi : https://www.facebook.com/tripp...
Cape Code Bugs - Josh Ellis recounts how childhood work in his uncle's body shop sparked a lifelong passion for restoring classic cars and now specifically Volkswagens — from a complete Beetle convertible restoration to painting, upholstery, and engine builds, this dude does it all.
Josh also shares stories of camping in his Westy "Forrest," He's also turning a bus into a photo‑booth business, and gives practical advice for anyone...
DubLife Diaries sits down with Jake Raby — a Marine, self-taught machinist and inventor — to trace his journey from small-town Georgia to inventing the IMS fix that rescued a generation of Porsche engines. Jake explains his hand-built approach to engines, the Type 4 obsession, patented solutions, and why he works without clocks or calendars to guarantee quality.
The episode also covers Jake’s work teaching kids in a technical lea...
Dan Leadbetter, publisher and editor of VW Trends magazine, joins DubLife Diaries to share his journey from buying a 1964 Beetle to becoming a defining voice in the VW community. He recounts early days typing on a Selectric, working at Small Car Specialties, and the magazine rivalries that shaped the scene.
The episode dives into the magazine revival story—how Leadbetter and a small team crowdfunded VW Trends back into print in 202...
In this episode of DubLife Diaries, host Joe Person sits down with Nick Weidelich a second‑generation technician raised in a family VW shop, to trace his journey from sweeping floors to running garages and working inside dealerships.
They cover shop‑floor stories, dealership chaos, the fallout of Dieselgate, Volkswagen’s shift to EVs, and the disconnect between corporate and enthusiasts.
Sponsors and Shout Outs :
...In this episode of DubLife Diaries, host Joe Person sits down with Eric L. Goodman — president of the Vintage Volkswagen Club of America and founder of the VW Thing Registry. Eric shares his extraordinary journey from a childhood spinal condition to building the award-winning VW hot rod "Das Rod," leading a national VW community of 185,000+, and running businesses that serve developmentally disabled adults.
Beyond cars, the con...
Daniel Olortegui, a Southern California native and 22-year Navy veteran, shares his lifelong love for Volkswagen culture. From driving his dad's squareback at 13 to restoring the 1964 VW bus known as the Caribbean Queen, he’s blended community, creativity, and car culture across coasts.
In this episode he talks about founding Funkengruven', creating Groofest-Volkstoberfest, and keeping the air-cooled scene alive with valve cover...
Join DubLife Diaries for a candid conversation with Lance Kohn — educator, lifelong Volkswagen enthusiast, and creator of one-of-a-kind Volksrods. From his first 1969 Beetle to three custom-built rides, Lance shares stories about teaching test prep, DIY metalwork, and the community that fuels his passion.
Discover how patience, critical thinking, and creative risk-taking shaped his life, career, and garage. Whether you love classic...
In this episode of DubLife Diaries, Barbie Cecil — aka Volkswagen Barbie — shares her journey from childhood slug-bug memories to building a garage full of customized Volkswagens. She talks about acquiring and restoring Phoebe, Farrah, Fiona, and a kit-built beast named Felix, the challenges of mechanical work and body restoration, and how the VW community shaped her outlook.
Barbie also discusses road trips, club shows, practical ...
Brad Long of Long Restoration joins DubLife Diaries to share his journey from late nights in the garage with his dad and son to building award-winning vintage Volkswagens.
Discover how backyard restorations grew into a family-run shop that wins Best in Show at Bug Jam back to back, graces magazine covers, and keeps the VW community alive with passion and craftsmanship.
Sponsors and Shout Outs :
In this episode we meet Annie Van Orman, a filmmaker-turned-mechanic who restored a 1969 Beetle named Helen Wheels entirely by hand while documenting every step. We cover her creative roots, Star Wars prop work, and how her media skills shaped the way she shares car builds.
Annie discusses the challenges of restoration, the support of the VW community, and her hopes to inspire more people—especially women—to pick up tools and start...
Self-taught craftsman Jason Davis shares his journey from junkyard school to running Davis Customs, specializing in rust repair and body restoration for classic Volkswagens and Porsches.
This episode covers his hands-on techniques, memorable builds like the double-cab walkthrough bus and a rare Datsun 510 from Japan, the VW community spirit, and his advice for the next generation of builders.
Sponsors and Shout Outs...
Eric Arnold Photography, owner of a legendary 1977 Westfalia and editor of Vintage Voice, joins DubLife Diaries to share stories from decades in the VW scene. A professional VW photographer with over 300 published features and 75 covers, Eric discusses buses, shows, road trips, award-winning restorations, and the tight-knit community that defines Volkswagen culture.
He also explains his photo process, offers advice for aspiring pho...
Join host Joe Person and guest Liam Sianko-Gundlach of Klunk Garage as they explore the creators journey from a Toyota upbringing to becoming a leading voice in Volkswagen storytelling. Learn how Liam builds mini-documentaries, the origins of iconic VW models, and what keeps the VW community thriving across generations.
They discuss standout projects (a Golf, Cabriolet, Beetle, and Fox), platform strategy for TikTok/YouTube/Instagr...
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