Cuppa Connections
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Cuppa Connections episodes

  • Cuppa Connections Ep. 24: Days 8 & 9 - Nature Stole the Show; An Epic Road Trip to Palm Springs and Joshua Tree, CA

    This episode is not only about how Cate and I relaxed and enjoyed the simpler times as we drank our coffee watching the most stunning sunrises and sunsets, nor is it about being inspired by three of the loveliest people we met on our hiking adventure. It's about nature stealing the show.

    The day started in Palms Springs, CA with us taking the tallest air tram in the world to dine for lunch. Then, hike the San Jacinto State Park. After finishing our exploration within the wilderness, we navigated our way to the town of Joshua Tree, CA where we found all that we needed at our retreat amongst the stunning features of wildlife and its habitat.

    Even though we had only two days in the desert, we created a multitude of memories.

    We hope you enjoy the journey.

    Support the show

    https://www.instagram.com/betterwithacupofcoffee/
    https://betterwithacupofcoffee.com/

    15 min
  • Cuppa Connections Ep. 23: A Modern Day David and Goliath Story; Wes Neal Wanted To Spend More Time with His Family, But He Had To Go Against Corporations To Get It.

    This episode is with Wes Neal, owner of Bright Angel Bikes & Cafe, in the Grand Canyon National Park, and Eat and Run, in Flagstaff, Arizona. 

    This story is one of a man who wanted a change. He wanted to spend more time with the people that matter most to him, his family. He was a river runner guide for the Grand Canyon National Park, a life that unbeknownst to the outside world, was fun but tough as hell.  Wes wanted to see his daughter grow up. But, he needed to figure out how he was going to do that.

    Then, there comes the idea of opening up a bike rental business within the Grand Canyon. Now, that's not a big deal you might think. Well, it was!

    He and his business partner, Kyle George, went up against the Goliaths of the world, large corporations with large bank accounts, and won!

    Bright Angel Bikes & Cafe was the first small family owned business in the Grand National Park amongst a see of corporations.

    Listen to Wes speak his truth.

    We hope you enjoy the ride.

    Support the show

    https://www.instagram.com/betterwithacupofcoffee/
    https://betterwithacupofcoffee.com/

    39 min
  • Cuppa Connections Ep. 22: Day 7 - Thank You For Being A Friend; Enjoying Coffee, Food, Laughter, and Travels With Girlfriends

    The joy of friendships are profoundly important in our lives, and this episode embraces and showcases those joys.

     Cate and I met one of my great friends, California native Elise Maturri, when we were in California during our cross country road trip. 

    Elise and I have been friends for over 20 years, and the stories and memorable moments that are shared in this episode will hopefully put a smile on your face, spark a thirst to find new and exciting restaurants, or to be a catalyst for you to take a road trip with your besties.

    We hope you enjoy the journey.

    Support the show

    https://www.instagram.com/betterwithacupofcoffee/
    https://betterwithacupofcoffee.com/

    20 min
  • Cuppa Connections Ep. 21: Meet One of Los Angeles's Female Black Coffee Shop Owners; This is Vanessa Punche's Story

    Along our travels on our cross country road trip to Los Angeles, CA, Cate and I found out about Vanessa Punche, owner of LA Grind Coffee and Tea Bar. 

    She started her coffee business career in 2018 because of the mistreatment and injustice of two black men being sent disrespectfully away from Starbucks. Coffee chose her. She didn't choose coffee.

    We need more coffee shop owners like her. She loves her community of coffee lovers, her community of black people, and all of the many special people that visit her cafe.

    She brings joy, passion, and a mentality of doing things the correct way at her coffee shop. She is real, loving, and funny as all get out. 

    So sit back, sip on your coffee, and enjoy the ride with Vanessa Punche.

    Support the show

    https://www.instagram.com/betterwithacupofcoffee/
    https://betterwithacupofcoffee.com/

    31 min
  • Cuppa Connections Ep. 20: Day 6 - Adventures in Los Angeles, CA; We Felt Like We Were Anthony Bourdain In 24 Hour Layover

    This episode is about the LA vibe for us on day 6. It was a whirlwind of a day in sunny California. 

    Cate and I stayed in the perfect Airbnb in West Hollywood, two blocks from one of the best coffee shops in LA, Kings Road Cafe.

    Join in on our fun and adventures as we navigate through LA traffic to drop off our luggage in West Hollywood. Then, drive to downtown LA to pick up one of our crew so we could drive to the Griffith Observatory. After that, we stopped by the coolest neighborhood, known as Los Feliz, and then hustled back through rush hour to make our dinner reservations at La Piazza in The Grove. All in few hours. Did I mention rush hour. 

    I felt like I was Anthony Bourdain from 24 hour layover.  It was a wild and crazy day, but we had a blast.

    We hope you enjoy the ride.


    Support the show

    https://www.instagram.com/betterwithacupofcoffee/
    https://betterwithacupofcoffee.com/

    19 min
  • Cuppa Connections Episode 19: Road Trip Day 5 to One of the Seven Wonders of the World; The Grand Canyon

    This episode is about experiencing the Grand Canyon. We stayed at the Thunderbird Lodge,  just a 100 ft. away from the South Rim of the Canyon. 

    It was such an honor to have such an experience of hiking on the famous Bright Angel's trail and to walk with Elk and deer, which apparently graze in front of the hotels every morning.

    This leg of the trip was priceless, and I encourage anyone to visit this magnificent area.

    We hope you enjoy our adventures.

    Support the show

    https://www.instagram.com/betterwithacupofcoffee/
    https://betterwithacupofcoffee.com/

    22 min
  • Cuppa Connections Episode 18: Day 3 & 4: An Epic Road Trip in Santa Fe, NM: From Puppies to Jacuzzis; The Best Spa Experience Ever

    This is episode is about how relaxation and rejuvenation was experienced at a different level on our trip.

    Fun and relaxation in the Land of Enchantment is what Cate and I experienced while visiting one of the top Spas and Resorts in the country, Ojo Santa Fe​.

    Who knew that visiting a puppy patch, silky chickens, while dipping in the natural hot springs and a salt pool could be so relaxing? Well, it ALL was! 

    Every part of this magical place were the catalyts to give us the type of rejuvenation that was needed and necessary for our minds, bodies, and souls.

    We hope you enjoy our new discoveries in the Land of Enchantment.


    Support the show

    https://www.instagram.com/betterwithacupofcoffee/
    https://betterwithacupofcoffee.com/

    35 min
  • Cuppa Connections Episode 17: Day 2: An Epic Road Trip in Memphis, TN; The Truth Hurt, But It Was Profoundly Inspiring.

    Today's episode is about Cate and I experiencing historical greatness, delicious southern food, and basking in the love of a fellow road tripper in  Memphis, TN.

    This road trip podcast series is for you, adventurous one, someone who loves leaning, meeting new people, and growing from those experiences.

    We hope you enjoy!

    Support the show

    https://www.instagram.com/betterwithacupofcoffee/
    https://betterwithacupofcoffee.com/

    29 min
  • Cuppa Connections Episode 16: Day 1: The Biltmore Estate; Stepping Back into the Renaissance Era

    Spring and summer are around the corner, and today's podcast starts a series of days where my wife and I take you on our epic 19 day road trip from last summer. 

    Road trips are fun, adventurous, and inspiring, and on our journey, we made friends, mistakes, and laughed a lot along the way. 

    Our road trip took us through 16 states, 4 national parks, and 2 states parks. We stayed in gorgeous Airbnbs, a hotel 75 feet from the south rim of the Grand Canyon, camped in a National Park, and glamped in a luxury yurt.

    We want to show you all the magnificent sites we visited, the most important items that we chose to take, all the while tasting some great coffee on our journey. 

    This episode is day 1 of our road trip  visiting the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC.  

    Have you ever wondered what living in a French Chateau would be like? Well let your mind wonder as Cate and I take you to the largest home in the United States, the Biltmore House. It's as if we stepped into the French Renaissance Era for a few hours.

    We hope you enjoy our adventures! 

    Support the show

    https://www.instagram.com/betterwithacupofcoffee/
    https://betterwithacupofcoffee.com/

    33 min
  • Cuppa Connections Episode 15: Listening to a Generation That Still Wants to Be Heard; My Dad

    This episode is about a man who is 86, and is from an era of challenging times, but as you hear, enjoyable times. Meet my father, Douglas White, aka "Dougie Fresh".

    His passion about his family, gardening, and of simpler times is evident in this podcast. 

    We hope you enjoy our conversation.

    Support the show

    https://www.instagram.com/betterwithacupofcoffee/
    https://betterwithacupofcoffee.com/

    20 min

About Cuppa Connections

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We are savoring relationships with coffee lovers around the world and sharing their experiences that have been better with a cup of coffee.