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 : 

• VolksMania Magazine → www.volksmania.com • Use code dublife10 for 10% off.

• Chris White & Riverbank Customs → Watch their builds on YouTube: Riverbank Customs.

• Salty Dub — From the beach to the bay, tearing up the scene with VW swag + epic events → www.saltydub.com • Use code dublife10 (merch only) for 10% off.

🎧 Love this episode? Please follow/subscribe, rate 5⭐️, and share with your VW crew—it helps us keep the stories rolling.

  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 conversation focuses on mindset, resilience, family, philanthropy, and the practical challenges of keeping a vintage car culture alive today. Eric discusses his values (caring, dependable, honest), his new book What's Your Mindset?, and how passion and purpose drive both community and impact.

Locate Eric Here - [email protected] 

Sponsors and Shout Outs : 

• VolksMania Magazine → www.volksmania.com • Use code dublife10 for 10% off.

• Chris White & Riverbank Customs → Watch their builds on YouTube: Riverbank Customs.

• Salty Dub — From the beach to the bay, tearing up the scene with VW swag + epic events → www.saltydub.com • Use code dublife10 (merch only) for 10% off.

🎧 Love this episode? Please follow/subscribe, rate 5⭐️, and share with your VW crew—it helps us keep the stories rolling.

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 races, Hot Wheels experiences, live music, and memorable community moments. A story about passion, service, and building culture.

Connect with Dan-O - https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BsjXC2vFL/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Sponsors and Shout Outs : 

• VolksMania Magazine → www.volksmania.com • Use code dublife10 for 10% off.

• Chris White & Riverbank Customs → Watch their builds on YouTube: Riverbank Customs.

• Salty Dub — From the beach to the bay, tearing up the scene with VW swag + epic events → www.saltydub.com • Use code dublife10 (merch only) for 10% off.

🎧 Love this episode? Please follow/subscribe, rate 5⭐️, and share with your VW crew—it helps us keep the stories rolling.

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 VWs or curious builds, this episode celebrates the makers and mentors who keep the dub culture alive.

Sponsors and Shout Outs : 

• VolksMania Magazine → www.volksmania.com • Use code dublife10 for 10% off.

• Chris White & Riverbank Customs → Watch their builds on YouTube: Riverbank Customs.

• Salty Dub — From the beach to the bay, tearing up the scene with VW swag + epic events → www.saltydub.com • Use code dublife10 (merch only) for 10% off.

🎧 Love this episode? Please follow/subscribe, rate 5⭐️, and share with your VW crew—it helps us keep the stories rolling.

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 upgrades, and offers encouragement for others to learn hands-on skills while embracing the welcoming VW culture.

Sponsors and Shout Outs : 

• VolksMania Magazine → www.volksmania.com • Use code dublife10 for 10% off.

• Chris White & Riverbank Customs → Watch their builds on YouTube: Riverbank Customs.

• Salty Dub — From the beach to the bay, tearing up the scene with VW swag + epic events → www.saltydub.com • Use code dublife10 (merch only) for 10% off.

🎧 Love this episode? Please follow/subscribe, rate 5⭐️, and share with your VW crew—it helps us keep the stories rolling.

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 : 

• VolksMania Magazine → www.volksmania.com • Use code dublife10 for 10% off.

• Chris White & Riverbank Customs → Watch their builds on YouTube: Riverbank Customs.

• Salty Dub — From the beach to the bay, tearing up the scene with VW swag + epic events → www.saltydub.com • Use code dublife10 (merch only) for 10% off.

🎧 Love this episode? Please follow/subscribe, rate 5⭐️, and share with your VW crew—it helps us keep the stories rolling.

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 their own projects.

Sponsors and Shout Outs : 

• VolksMania Magazine → www.volksmania.com • Use code dublife10 for 10% off.

• Chris White & Riverbank Customs → Watch their builds on YouTube: Riverbank Customs.

• Salty Dub — From the beach to the bay, tearing up the scene with VW swag + epic events → www.saltydub.com • Use code dublife10 (merch only) for 10% off.

🎧 Love this episode? Please follow/subscribe, rate 5⭐️, and share with your VW crew—it helps us keep the stories rolling.

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 : 

• VolksMania Magazine → www.volksmania.com • Use code dublife10 for 10% off.

• Chris White & Riverbank Customs → Watch their builds on YouTube: Riverbank Customs.

• Salty Dub — From the beach to the bay, tearing up the scene with VW swag + epic events → www.saltydub.com • Use code dublife10 (merch only) for 10% off.

🎧 Love this episode? Please follow/subscribe, rate 5⭐️, and share with your VW crew—it helps us keep the stories rolling.

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 photographers, and reflects on how VW life shaped him—emphasizing community, neutrality, and passion for the cars and people that keep the culture alive.

Sponsors and Shout Outs : 

• VolksMania Magazine → www.volksmania.com • Use code dublife10 for 10% off.

• Chris White & Riverbank Customs → Watch their builds on YouTube: Riverbank Customs.

• Salty Dub — From the beach to the bay, tearing up the scene with VW swag + epic events → www.saltydub.com • Use code dublife10 (merch only) for 10% off.

• Vintage Voice Magazine — A publication of the Vintage Volkswagen Club of America → www.vvca.com • Become a Pro Member.

🎧 Love this episode? Please follow/subscribe, rate 5⭐️, and share with your VW crew—it helps us keep the stories rolling.

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/Instagram, surprising VW history facts, and the challenges of sourcing parts for classic builds. Tune in for tips on starting VW content, dream builds, and whats next for Klunk Garage.

TikTok - klunkgarage

Instagram - klunkgarage

Liam email - [email protected]

This podcast is proudly sponsored by Volksmania Magazine - www.volksmania.com use dublife10 at checkout 

This episode is proudly sponsored by Chris White and Riverbank Customs.  Check them out on YouTube- www.youtube.com/@riverbankcustoms1127