Swept Together

On today's episode, we’re debating about starving artists, whether or not everyone is creative, and how early Christian is allowed to have a midlife crisis. We're feeling the creative frustration over here but in this conversation, we hashed out some ways forward.  Here's what we covered: The left/right brain myth Our impulses to put something tangible out into the world The definition of creativity and how we tackle creative blocks [Tweet "You just have to honor the creative spark - @swepttogether"] [Tweet "Creativity is like a relationship, devote time to see where it leads - @swepttogether"] Resources mentioned in Episode 57: The infamous Episode 0 | Where the Coffee Is The Boston Museum of Fine Art The Metropolitan Museum of Art - New York Denver Art Museum Sustaining Membership - How we visit art museums all over the country, thanks to reciprocity! Our RV Renovations: Before + After Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

On today's episode, we’re learning to identify the "back rub look," the trouble that can arise once you've watched everything on the Internet, and the secret to getting things done as parents from Becca and Jake of Dubsado. Here's what we covered: How to scale a business while protecting your marriage Parenting + owning a business together: what is the secret? How this couple scaled their business to success in less than two years The legacy they hope to leave for their friends, family, and customers [Tweet "We come to work and laugh together every single day - @mydubsado on @swepttogether"] [Tweet "If you're thinking about it, go for it! - Becca of @mydubsado on @swepttogether"] [Tweet "Our whole day is a ritual of just being together - Jake of @mydubsado on @swepttogether"] Resources mentioned in Episode 56: Dubsado | Instagram @mydubsado | YouTube @DubsadoCRM Get 20% off your first month (or year!) of Dubsado with the referral code: evergreenlane *Full disclosure* Using the above code will gi

  On today's episode, we’re closing the season down at Acadia National Park, celebrating six months of living in Gulliver the RV, + sharing the struggles of RV life. Annabelle gushes over her favorite season ever, and Christian dishes his biggest source of stress these days. Here's what we covered: The best moments we spent in Acadia National Park - including our favorite hikes and views How we're balancing (or not) our work lives with our full-time travel How our neighbors for the week helped us combat one of our least favorite aspects of RV life The biggest lesson learned after six months on the road [Tweet "Here's the reality of #rvlife: we're not on vacation - @swepttogether"] [Tweet "We can't do everything, but we're doing more now than if we'd stayed home - @swepttogether"] [Tweet "RV life is amazing, but not perfect. There are tradeoffs to every lifestyle - @swepttogether"] Resources mentioned in Episode 55: Acadia National Park (the photo above is from Beech Cliffs overlook at Echo Lake w

On today's episode, we’re officially married and giving you a behind-the-scenes peek into our crazy wedding weekend! Our weekend included one unwelcome wedding crasher, two private boat rescues, + basically the best vacation ever. Here's what we covered: The realities of what traveling to a destination wedding sometimes looks like How we incorporated our personalities and relationship into our special day What we're thankful for, one week into marriage [Tweet "Curious about a destination wedding in Belize? Here's how ours went down - @swepttogether"] Resources mentioned in Episode 54: Episode 53 | You + Me (How we were feeling one week before our wedding!) Episode 23 | UnBelizeable! (Hear from us at the very beginning of our wedding planning process) Episode 48 | The Funny Thing About Marriage (Interview with our officiant Gerard and his wife Jessie!) Signature Belize Weddings - Our AMAZING wedding planner

On today's episode, we’re giving you an inside look into the brains of two people who are getting married in less than a week! If you've been married, or know someone who's been married, you know how crazy the days before a wedding can get. This episode is basically one long Sweep Up + one of the most unfiltered conversations we've had on the show. Here's what we covered: What we're feeling and experiencing a week before our destination wedding Balancing and delegating tasks leading up to a big event There's a LOT of stress + a lot of looooove in this episode, so listeners beware ;) [Tweet "Our vows is what this is really all about, not the napkin colors - @swepttogether"] Resources mentioned in Episode 53: Episode 23 | UnBelizeable! (Hear from us at the very beginning of our wedding planning process) Episode 19 | Wherever I'm With You (Our engagement story)

On today's episode, we’re talking about wearing onesies in the desert, living up to expectations, and how traveling impacts our lives in the default world!  We're finally sharing our Burning Man episode - it was Christian's second and Annabelle's first burn - about a city that only exists for one week out of the year. Here's what we covered: The expectations we unintentionally place on our partners and ourselves The ways our Burning Man experiences were different despite being in the same place How we plan on living our burn now that we're home [Tweet "Our experiences are as unique as our personalities - @swepttogether"] [Tweet "The best kinds of travel change you when you come home - @sweptogether"] Resources mentioned in Episode 52: Burning Man   Episode 30 | The Seventh Continent

On today's episode, we’re dealing with surprises - including airport closures, rebellious storage compartments, and corrupted audio files - oh, my!  This week's episode is a bit shorter than usual thanks to our first attempt at recording an episode about Burning Man going haywire. So we're chatting about how we keep our relationship going strong in the midst of a whole host of things going wrong. Here's what we covered: How we manage our expectations and reframe bad situations The most important things to focus on in times of stress [Tweet "Many momentary crises become stories to laugh about later - @swepttogether"] [Tweet "Remembering that you're on the same team is key to navigating stressful situations - @swepttogether"] Resources mentioned in Episode 51: Harvest Hosts (our Ohio campsite is listed here!)

*Congratulations to our Serac Hammocks giveaway winner, Lindsay! We can't wait to send you your Sequoia Hammock!* On today's episode, we’re celebrating our 50th episode AND our 1-year podcast-anniversary!  We're recording from Gulliver the RV, driving through Indiana, answering some questions we've gotten from listeners/friends about what it's like to live on the road. We're not experts, but we've learned a few things since we hit the road 5 months ago. Here's what we covered: How we juggle working on the road, schedule our working hours and get Internet while we travel How we decide where we're headed next + how many hours we drive in a day The biggest lesson we've learned since moving into Gulliver the RV [Tweet "RV life definitely teaches you to go with the flow and be flexible - @swepttogether"] Resources mentioned in Episode 50: Episode 28 | The Mile High City Episode 45 | Taking A Detour Harvest Hosts / Free Campsites / Campendium

*Want to enter the Serac Hammocks giveaway we mentioned in the episode? Head over to our Facebook or Instagram to leave us a comment with your favorite family tradition.* On today's episode, we’re talking about polka dot dresses, strange vegetables (like okra), and family traditions. After attending the wedding of some dear friends this past weekend, we were inspired to talk about our own families' traditions and how they connect us to our history. Here's what we covered: How our families celebrate holidays like New Years and Christmas What traditions we're hoping to continue as we create our own family together Why we believe rituals and traditions are an important part of a relationship [Tweet "Traditions are rituals that connect you to your family history - @swepttogether"] Resources mentioned in Episode 49: The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski Some favorite past interviews (including Annabelle's parents!)

On today's episode, we’re interviewing Gerard + Jessie, the hilarious couple behind Marriage is Funny. We chatted about dad-joke school mascots, vulnerability hangovers + relationship metaphors of Titanic proportions. Here's what we covered: The important difference between great love + perfect love The secret to the longevity of their relationship (12+ years strong!) How they set personal boundaries when discussing intimate subjects online A fantastic metaphor for getting through hard times in your relationship PLUS TWO exclusive sneak peeks at what's to come for the Great Love gang as well as Swept Together! [Tweet "Friendship makes our relationship that much more dynamic + fun - @meetthepeppers on #swepttogether"] [Tweet "You can't be the perfect partner, but you CAN be a great one. - @meetthepeppers on #swepttogether"] Stay in touch with Gerard + Jessie online: Marriage is Funny @meetthepeppers on Instagram Season Resources mentioned in this episode: Swept Together on Marriage is Funny Epi

*This episode is brought to you by Serac Hammocks. Use code SWEPT for $5 your order of $25 or more* On today's episode, we’re talking about the struggles of wedding planning, how our DTR went down back in 2015, and how Annabelle creates awkward silence. We're continuing the conversation started in Episode 44 about our personality differences and how we navigate those differences to make our relationship stronger. Here's what we covered: What happens when an Asker meets a Guesser How being different in this area has caused miscommunications in our relationship The adjustments we're making in how we make requests of each other [Tweet "How does your communication style impact your relationship? via @swepttogether"] Resources mentioned in Episode 47: Episode 44 | Two Peas in a Pod Episode 46 | Speaking Your Languages The Atlantic - "Askers vs Guessers"

*This episode is brought to you by Serac Hammocks. Use code SWEPT for $5 your order of $25 or more* On today's episode, we’re talking about the first book we read together as a couple, Annabelle's love languages (sleep + margaritas), + Christian's moment of gift-giving brilliance. We're continuing the conversation started in Episode 44 about our personality differences and how we navigate those differences to make our relationship stronger. Here's what we covered: What the five love languages are and how they set the stage for our relationship How to speak your partner's love languages Whether learning each other's love languages was a challenge or came naturally for us [Tweet "Learning a new love language can be challenging but pays huge dividends - @swepttogether"] [Tweet "Be intentional about what makes your partner feel loved - @swepttogether"] [Tweet "The more tools you have to be able to connect with your partner, the better - @swepttogether"] Resources mentioned in Episode 46: Episode 44 | Tw

On today's episode, we’re interviewing Dan + Lindsay, the awesome couple behind Follow Your Detour, about why duct tape brought them together, the trip to Thailand that saved their marriage, + the diagnosis that changed their lives forever. Here's what we covered: How Dan + Lindsay navigated a heartbreaking situation to bring them closer instead of destroying their marriage What these challenges taught them about facing fear + making big changes Advice for couples who are just starting out The daily rituals they implement that keep their relationship strong [Tweet "Every time we travel, our relationship grows - #followyourdetour on #swepttogether"] [Tweet "A marriage is not 50-50, it's 100-100. Amazing interview with #followyourdetour on #swepttogether!"] Stay in touch with Dan + Lindsay online: Follow Your Detour @follow_your_detour on Instagram Resources mentioned in this episode: Episode 8 | Blast From the Past Financial Peace University Live Your Dash Swept Together Route Map Follow Your D

*This episode is brought to you by Serac Hammocks. Use code SWEPT for $5 your order of $25 or more* On today's episode, we’re talking about the Irish goodbye, a random task that Annabelle has almost exclusively delegated to Christian, + why introverts haven't been eliminated through natural selection. After big social activities, one of us plays solitaire on our phones while the other calls people to chat. Can you guess which of us is which? If you didn't know already, we fall on opposite ends of the introvert/extrovert spectrum - but we manage to use this personality difference into an asset. Here's what we covered: The major difference between extroverts + introverts (hint: it has to do with how we recharge) How we adapt to being in a relationship with someone of a different personality type Navigating decision-making, risk-taking + social calendars as an introvert/extrovert balanced couple The steps we've taken to communicate to each other what we need despite our differences [Tweet "We are stron

On today's episode, we’re interviewing Joe + Emilie, the awesome couple behind Permanent Road Trip, about the hummus disaster that brought them together, how they start their days on the road, + the secret super power of RV life. Here's what we covered: What initially drew them to each other + has kept them connected for 13 years Why they decided to leave their comfortable lives in Cincinnati for a permanent road trip The benefits of setting a firm deadline for big goals How they designed their lifestyle to lessen their impact on the environment Advice for couples who are considering the RV life The rituals they implement that keep their relationship strong [Tweet "Knowing there was an exact date for our goal made things fall into place - #permanentroadtrip on @swepttogether"] [Tweet "Living in a small space makes you slow down + be more aware - #permanentroadtrip on @swepttogether"] [Tweet "If you do something fun first thing in the morning, you're guaranteed to have a good day - #permanentro

On today's episode, we’re celebrating our two-year dateiversary on the Oregon Coast. We fill you in on where we've been over the last few weeks as well as where we stand with our lives at this point. Listen to us implement a tool called the Wheel of Life (or, as Annabelle prefers, the life wheel) to get to know each other better. We hope this is a tool that becomes useful for you in your own relationships as well! Here's what we covered: The eight segments of the wheel of life How we plan to implement this tool in the future Lots of deep stuff about how we're feeling in each area of our lives (+ sometimes surprising each other!) Resources mentioned in Episode 42: Episode 0 | Where The Coffee Is Episode 41 | Living the Li et Co Lifestyle Hey Sweet Pea Zig Ziglar's Wheel of Life The Moment App

On today's episode, we’re interviewing Lisa + Coleman, the awesome couple behind Li et Co Media, about their office romance, what it's like living in the Ninja Turtles pizza thrower, + building a lifestyle brand from the road. Here's what we covered: Which came first - the van or the business? How they supported each other through the transition into entrepreneurship The struggles + rewards of living in a 1983 VW Westfalia campervan Where they feel like journalism + advertising are headed in the coming years The rituals they implement in work + personally that keep their relationship strong [Tweet "Once you develop a habit, it becomes your life + it becomes comfortable @lietco on @swepttogether"] [Tweet "We've made so many places feel like home this past year @lietco talking #vanlife on @swepttogether"] Stay in touch with Lisa + Coleman online: Li et Co @lietco on Instagram Li et Co Media My Friend the Terrorist by Coleman Molnar (The article Christian mentioned in the show)

On today's episode, we’re fighting off mosquitos to talk about how relationships are like Redwoods, how hopeless Annabelle would be if she had to drive Gulliver anywhere, + how much Christian likes doing dishes. Listen to us fawn over the flora at Redwoods National Park. Here's what we covered: What we learned about how Redwoods protect themselves from natural disasters How our partnership actually got us on the road for this RV trip The way our relationship supports our individual goals + dreams We even get deep + talk about legacy [Tweet "We have our own identities but we're woven together at the foundation @swepttogether"] [Tweet "We can do more as individuals when we come together in community @swepttogether"] Resources mentioned in Episode 40: Redwood National Park Episode 22 | Where We Plan Our Route National Park Annual Pass Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park Episode 13 | A Little Help From Our Friends Past National Park Recordings: Episode 39 | Off The Beaten Path (Lassen Volcanic Natio

On today's episode, we’re recording from a National Park no one's heard of - talking about the pros and cons of taking the road less traveled. Here's what we covered: What the heck is Lassen Volcanic National Park? Our favorite National Park experiences so far (we've visited 8 this year on our road trip!) Downsides to being off the beaten path The unconventional habits we have with our finances + our food prep The most inconvenient part of RV life we've experienced Our favorite (and not so favorite) parts of forging our own career paths [Tweet "Doing things differently can be uncomfortable but it's so worth it @swepttogether"] [Tweet "Look for opportunities to get off the beaten path @swepttogether"] Resources mentioned in Episode 39: Episode 38 | Where You Create Your Own Path Episode 0 | Where The Coffee Is Episode 22 | Where You Map Your Route Lassen Volcanic National Park National Geographic Secrets of the National Parks Swept Together on Instagram Episode 34 | A Serial Homestead Epi

On today’s episode, we're recording from fellow podcaster Jen Snyder's office in Sacramento! She's the host of Creating Your Own Path podcast + one of Annabelle's oldest Internet friends. Jen's story is super inspiring. If you're wondering how all of your various passions could possibly weave together into a career, this is an episode you'll want to listen to. Here’s what we covered: The winding path that brought Jen into her current career as a freelance writer + podcast host + author How she's incorporated her passions into her work The impact of having a supportive community around you How her husband helps her create a balance of offline + online presence Her advice for people who are just starting out on their creative adventures [Tweet "Keep moving forward even when things seem dire - @jenniferesnyder on @swepttogether"] [Tweet "Don't do the thing that seems "marketable," do what seems fun - @jenniferesnyder on @swepttogether"] You don't have to do it perfectly, just get out there + start!