Dan The Road Trip Guy

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Every father leaves an imprint on their child's life, but some teach us lessons we carry for decades without even realizing it. This Father's Day, I'm sharing a deeply personal story from my StoryWorth collection about the man who shaped not only my love for the open road but my approach to life itself.

My dad wasn't just any trucker—he was a mechanical wizard who cou...

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What does it take to go from a 12-year-old Irish boy with a dream to racing against the world's greatest drivers in Formula One? Derek Daly's journey reveals the answer, and it's a masterclass in commitment, resilience, and finding your path.

Growing up in Dublin when Ireland had no racing circuits, Derek's life changed forever when his father took him to watch a race...

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Racing bonds friendships in unexpected ways. For years, my friend Jeff Zurcher and I have shared our Indianapolis 500 experiences through hundreds of text messages, creating our own personal commentary regardless of where we're watching from. After this year's 109th running, we finally sat down to capture that friendship and passion in podcast form.

This post-race conversation ...

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Have you ever caught yourself thinking about your mother's wisdom years after she shared it? That moment when her practical advice suddenly makes perfect sense in your adult life?

Mother's Day provides a perfect opportunity to reflect on the incredible women who shape us, and in this heartfelt episode, I open up about my own mother's profound influence. Growing up with a t...

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Reconnecting after 35 years, Dan sits down with Thom Mariner for a fascinating conversation about musical journeys, unexpected career paths, and finding success in Cincinnati's nonprofit publishing world.

Thom opens up about his "confused and twisted life" that began with opera training and has taken him through retail management, B2B sales, music direction, marketing rese...

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Turning 64 recently prompted me to reflect on the birthdays that have left lasting impressions throughout my life. After a young DMV clerk kindly informed me this would be my last eight-year license renewal (apparently, I'll need more frequent eye checks going forward), I found myself diving into birthday memories sparked by a StoryWorth question from my daughter.

My 40th birthday s...

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The seemingly mundane task of sorting pop bottles at my Uncle Earl's grocery store became my entry point into the world of work—at just nine years old. When my uncle looked at me one day and declared "you need a job," little did I know how those simple responsibilities would shape my character for decades to come.

Working at Anderson's Grocery in Pine Knot, Kentucky d...

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Embark on an unforgettable journey with me as I explore the inspiring story of Sarah Shyers, who fulfilled her lifelong dream of hiking the Appalachian Trail. Stretching over 2,194 miles from Georgia to Maine, the AT serves as not just a physical challenge but a profound journey of self-discovery and resilience. Sarah shares her heartwarming experiences, from setting out with her sister to overco...

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Join me as I welcome Philip Peters, a music industry veteran whose journey from Indiana to Franklin, Tennessee, has been anything but ordinary. Philip shares stories of being on the road with big name stars, his PR support of Indy Car Driver Stingray Robb. He shares stories about his first cars including a 1990 Celica with a manual transmission, and his trusty 95 Jeep Wrangler named Jackson. Thes...

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What if you found yourself trapped in a collapsing building, the ground trembling violently beneath you, with chaos erupting all around? That's the terrifying reality that my friend Roger Carole faced on January 12, 2010, when a massive earthquake devastated Haiti. Join me, Dan the Road Trip Guy, as Roger paints a vivid picture of that fateful day from his perspective inside a theology schoo...

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Reflect on the power of fleeting encounters as I recount an unforgettable meeting with the late racing legend John Andretti in this week's road trip episode. Picture an unexpected pairing at Bertel Roos Racing School, where our son Henry found himself teamed up with John's son, Jarett. This chance encounter with John revealed not just his legacy on the track but his genuine character of...

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Remember the thrill of snow days as a kid? When the world seemed to stop, and a blanket of white transformed the everyday into a wonderland of adventure? Join me, Dan, the Road Trip Guy, as I nostalgically recount my snow-filled days in Kentucky back in 1979. Relive the unexpected joy of school closures, impromptu basketball practices in a snow-buried gymnasium, and the camaraderie that only a sn...

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What happens when a spontaneous decision leads to an unexpected adventure across international borders? Our guest, Lauren, my firstborn, shares her thrilling experience of traveling from Cincinnati to Tijuana, Mexico, to meet up with a friend from Haiti. The stories of their journey, the challenges of crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, and the stark differences between entering Mexico and returning...

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 Imagine this: A man restoring a 1946 Chevrolet pickup, his hands meticulously bringing it back to life. Join me, Dan Neal, as I bring these vivid memories to life, recounting my dad's passion for classic automobiles and the stories embedded within each vintage car he owned. There were Chevys, Fords, Plymouths, and more. These tales echo the importance of preserving family stories. Reflect o...

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How does leaving a stable tech career to hike over 2,600 miles across rugged terrain sound to you? Meet Miranda Cocca, whose journey on the Pacific Crest Trail offers an inspiring lesson in embracing life's unpredictable adventures. Trading her desk job in Cincinnati for the trail's breathtaking mountain views and unexpected challenges, Miranda shares how each step transformed her outlo...

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Join us for an exciting journey with Kevin Rains as he shares his transformation from a pastor to a successful business owner to retirement and then back to business. Discover how he scaled and sold his family's auto collision repair business and hear about his so-called "failure" at retirement, which led him to new ventures like writing his book "Profits and Purpose" and...

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Step into the shoes of a World War II veteran as he brings to life the raw and riveting experiences from Utah Beach on D-Day. You'll feel the adrenaline as he recounts navigating the perilous waters on a motorcycle amidst enemy fire, and the poignant moments that followed, like forming an unexpected bond with a stray dog in war-torn Germany. Through his vivid storytelling, you'll grasp ...

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What happens when a childhood surrounded by the roar of go-karts turns into a career in Indy Lights racing? Join us for an exciting conversation with Travis Gregg as he shares his journey from Camden, Ohio, to the fast-paced world of race car driving. Travis recounts unforgettable stories from his family's go-kart track, a beloved gathering spot in the racing community. Discover the unexpect...

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What if your path to success wasn't what everyone expected? We sit down with Theo Ribbs, professional sporting clay shooter and son of the legendary race car driver Willie T. Ribbs. Theo shares how his father's off-season hobby turned into his full-time passion. Through personal stories of his high school escapades with a Jeep Grand Cherokee and his decision to step away from the racing...