Coffee Cruise

In Episode 24 of the Coffee Cruise Podcast, Ashley reflects on what going through hard seasons has taught her about life, time, kindness, courage, and living more intentionally.

From learning to stop waiting for the “right time” to realizing that some of the best moments happen in the ordinary, this episode is all about choosing a life that actually feels like yours. Be kind. Love your people. Chase the dream. Take the trip. Try the thing that scares you. And stop worrying so much about fitting into the mold everyone else created.

Ashley also shares what’s coming up for Coffee Cruise, including the first-ever Coffee Cruise Trail, Blackbird Bakery + Café, St. Maarten adventures, Hawaii coffee explorations, and more local stories along the way.

Because sometimes the fastest route isn’t the best one.

Be brave. Be fearless. Be you. And every once in a while… take the long way.

Episode 23 takes the long way with Arthur from Integrity Spine & Joint Center in Troy, Illinois. We talk chiropractic care, pain and recovery, staying mobile as we age, building a business from the ground up, community, success, and why a bad season doesn’t mean a bad life. Plus rapid fire, road-trip music, and a Coffee Cruise Confession. ☕🚗

We made it to Episode 22 — and if you’ve been along for the ride, you know 22 is a pretty special number around here!

This episode is a little bit of everything Coffee Cruise: clips from our Alaskan adventure, coffee stops and reviews, cruise stories, behind-the-scenes moments, and plenty of the random conversations and questions that happen when you take the long way.

From sipping our way through Alaska to wondering what we’d ask the captain if we ever got the chance… is their a morgue on the ship?😂… this one feels like the perfect snapshot of what Coffee Cruise has become.

Grab your coffee, hop in the passenger seat, and come cruise with me.

And whatever you do… stick around after the outro for the bloopers! 🎬😂☕



Music licensed through Soundstripe.

Code: HF7BHABEGW5MC1BW, 5AUPEDILTFWKIHR5

Thinking about an Alaskan cruise? This episode is for you.

I’m sharing all the things we learned from our 7-night Alaska cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas — from what I packed that I definitely didn’t need, to why I’d choose a balcony again in a heartbeat.

This is Part 1 of my Alaska Coffee Cruise series. In the next episode, I’ll take you along for more of the actual journey with recordings from the trip, port adventures, and of course… Alaska coffee reviews.

So grab your coffee, buckle up, and let’s take the long way to Alaska.

This week on Coffee Cruise, we’re taking a sweet little detour for a special Juice Box Cruise with Ashley’s daughter, Avery.

With back-to-school right around the corner, Ashley and Avery spend a fun mommy-daughter yes day together filled with a bookstore scavenger hunt at Books-A-Million, a $30 shopping challenge, lunch at Crazy Bowls and Wraps, grocery store dinner planning, and plenty of nine-year-old commentary.

This episode is a real-life snapshot of a summer day together before Avery heads into fourth grade.

It’s funny, sweet, a little chaotic, and full of the kind of ordinary moments that become the best memories.

Grab your coffee — or your juice box — buckle up, and let’s cruise.

We thought we were just stopping for another great cup of coffee… but then the conversation took a turn. ☕👀

In Part 2 of our visit to MeMe’s Café, we’re diving back in with Joel for even more laughs, unexpected stories, and the kind of conversations that only happen around a coffee table. From small-town charm to wild conspiracy theories, this episode is packed with humor, personality, and the authentic moments that make local coffee shops so special.

Grab your favorite coffee, buckle up, and join us for another unforgettable Coffee Cruise.

If you enjoy the episode, be sure to follow, rate, and share it with a fellow coffee lover. Every listen helps us discover and share more incredible coffee shops, hidden gems, and the people who make them special.

Conversation for the road ahead.

In this episode of Coffee Cruise, Ashley heads to Meme’s Coffee Shop in Granite City for a Behind the Brews conversation with owner Joel.

Joined by her sister Whitney—passenger princess, bodyguard, coffee flight taste tester, and recurring guest host—Ashley sits down with Joel to talk about the story behind Meme’s, entrepreneurship, community, taking risks, asking for help, and what it really means to chase something bigger than yourself.

What started as a coffee shop conversation quickly turned into a deeper discussion about purpose, healing, failure, creativity, mental health, and finding the courage to build a life that feels true to who you are.

This is Part One of a two-part Meme’s series.

In the next episode, Ashley and Whitney get a behind-the-scenes tour of the building and operations, then taste test Meme’s summer drink lineup—with one drink giving major Sunday cartoon vibes.

Grab your coffee, buckle up, and let’s cruise.

What happens when two sisters marry two brothers?

In this episode of Coffee Cruise, Ashley is joined by her sister Whitney as they hit the road to Waterloo, Illinois for a homebrew and barbecue competition where their husbands—who also happen to be brothers—are competing.

From sharing holidays and family traditions to navigating life's challenges together, Ashley and Whitney open up about what it's really like being sisters married to brothers.

Along the way, they talk brewery dreams, being brewers' wives, supporting entrepreneurs, and the unique bond that keeps their families connected.

You'll also get a behind-the-scenes look at the competition, hear about the beers on tap, meet some of the people who make these events so special, and find out how the Hendricks Brothers Brewery team performed against some of the region's best homebrewers.

Grab your coffee and come along for a road trip filled with family stories, laughs, community, craft beer, and conversations about chasing big dreams together.

Let's take the long way.

Sometimes life hits you with a speed bump you never saw coming. Grief doesn’t follow rules—and it definitely doesn’t come with a roadmap.

In this episode, we get real about loss, healing, and what it actually looks like to keep moving forward when everything feels heavy. We also open up about cancer—survivorship, caregiving, and the impact it has not just on the person going through it, but on the people who love them.

Disclaimer: This episode includes discussions around grief, cancer, and medical experiences that may be emotional or difficult for some listeners. Please take care while listening.

🤠☕ We came for the music... but left with a story.

In Episode 16 of Coffee Cruise, my husband and I head to Austin, Texas for the Two Step Inn Music Festival and end up creating our own Austin Coffee Trail along the way.

From hidden coffee gems and creative coffee concepts to incredible food, local breweries, a DIY craft bar, and even a Texas hailstorm, this trip turned into much more than a weekend getaway.

Join us as we explore Austin's unique coffee culture, visit spots like Cosmic Coffee, Brew & Brew, Maaribu Coffee, Teal House Coffee & Bakery, Lazarus Brewing Company, and The Salty Donut, and share our favorite memories from one unforgettable adventure.

Of course, Texas had a few surprises waiting for us—including a canceled festival day, a Bass Pro Shop hailstorm shelter, and one perfect night of live music featuring Chris Stapleton, Red Clay Strays, Avery Anna, and more.

So grab your favorite drink and come take the long way through Texas with us.

☕ Austin Coffee Trail
🎸 Two Step Inn Music Festival
🌩️ Texas Storms & Unexpected Detours
👜 Upstairs Circus Craft Bar
🍩 Incredible Local Eats
🚙 Adventures on the Road Ahead