Dan Leadbetter, publisher and editor of VW Trends magazine, joins DubLife Diaries to share his journey from buying a 1964 Beetle to becoming a defining voice in the VW community. He recounts early days typing on a Selectric, working at Small Car Specialties, and the magazine rivalries that shaped the scene.

The episode dives into the magazine revival story—how Leadbetter and a small team crowdfunded VW Trends back into print in 2021—and explores the global passion for air‑cooled Volkswagens, the value of storytelling, and the tight‑knit support among builders and fans.

Listeners will hear behind‑the‑scenes memories, practical advice for aspiring VW storytellers, and the enduring message that the car may be the star, but the story is king.

Get in touch with Dan : dan@vwtrendsmagazine.com

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 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 - president@vvwca.com

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.