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Travels With Randy Podcast

Travels With Randy Podcast

Written by: Randy Smythe and Kevin Harmon
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Randy Smythe has retired and now spends his time travelling all over the United States, visiting National Parks, baseball stadiums, and this year - ALL of Route 66 Our weekly podcast will follow Randy and get weekly updates on where he's been, what he's seen, and who he's met - as well as sprinkle in some retirement planning advice, income stream ideas, and e-commerce news and discussion with his good friend Kevin "Bubba" Harmon.@2026 Travels With Randy Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • TWR Summer of '26 Ep 4: It's Too Hot, The World Cup Is Awesome, And We've Created A Route 66 Calendar!

    TWR Summer of '26 Ep 4: It's Too Hot, The World Cup Is Awesome, And We've Created A Route 66 Calendar!
    Jul 2 2026
    Travels With Randy Summer Of '26 Episode 4 is here! TWR Summer of '26 Ep 4: It's Too Hot, The World Cup Is Awesome, And We've Created A Route 66 Calendar! ***Featuring two more versions of the Travels With Randy Theme Song*** Regional Climate Policy Comparisons The conversation focused on weather differences between regions and environmental policies, particularly comparing climate approaches in Europe and the United States. The participants discussed how Europe's anti-air conditioning stance conflicts with China's aggressive construction of power plants and data centers without public debate. The discussion concluded with brief comments about a travel show called "Travels with Randy" and its updated tropical-themed logo. Podcast Music and Travel Plans Bubba discussed creating theme music for his podcast "Travels with Randy" using AI tools like Claude and Suno, which allowed him to generate lyrics and music in minutes without needing to hire musicians or pay royalties. The conversation then shifted to travel plans, where Randy shared his upcoming trip to Rockaway Beach for the 4th of July parade and plans to visit Mount Hood, Mount Jefferson, the Three Sisters, and potentially Crater Lake in the Cascade mountain range. They also discussed the current popularity of Route 66 due to World Cup visitors and the upcoming 4th of July celebrations. World Cup Discussion Meeting Bubba and Randy discussed their interest in the World Cup, with Bubba sharing his newfound appreciation for soccer after watching his sons play for 10 years. They talked about recent exciting matches, including England's comeback win and Mexico's historic advancement to the knockout rounds. The conversation concluded with them noting how international visitors are surprised by Americans' friendliness and the positive atmosphere during the tournament. Global Football Content Appeal Bubba and Randy discussed the global appeal of American football content, particularly highlighting videos of people visiting unique American locations like Buc-ee's. They compared the viewership of the Super Bowl to the World Cup, noting that soccer has a larger global following. The conversation also touched on FIFA's restrictions on stadium naming rights during the World Cup and the logistics of traveling to multiple host cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Route 66 Calendar Launch Randy and Bubba announced the launch of a 16-month Route 66 calendar, certified by the National Route 66 Commission, featuring original photos by Randy. The calendar will be available starting July 13th and includes two images from eight states, focusing on Route 66-themed gas stations, motels, cars, and hidden attractions. Customers who order before August 15th will be entered into a contest to win a metal print of one of the 16 images, valued at around $200. Get the calendar here: https://travelswithrandy.com/ Travels with Randy Calendar Launch Bubba and Randy discussed the launch of their new Travels with Randy calendar, which will be available for purchase with shipping starting July 13th. They celebrated the project's significance, noting it marks seven years since they began the podcast in 2019, and Randy's current Route 66 documentation project to celebrate the highway's 100th anniversary. The discussion also covered plans to expand their merchandise line to include items like coffee cups, hats, and potentially a Travels with Randy soundtrack CD, with Bubba mentioning they have multiple versions of theme songs created over the years. Randy's Road Trip Plans Randy discussed his upcoming road trip plans, which will follow Highway 2 from Montana to Chicago and then Route 66 to California, with stops to see baseball games and visit his son at an Anheuser-Busch conference in St. Louis. He mentioned timing the trip to attend the Albuquerque Balloon Festival in October and plans to return to Arizona in winter. The conversation also covered updates about Randy's son moving to Camano Island and the upcoming Route 66 centennial celebration, including new highway signs. Bubba and Randy discussed their podcast and a new calendar product that will be available for purchase. SO. MANY. PHOTOS - Come join the conversation on Facebook with our 33,000 friends! https://www.facebook.com/travelswithrandypodcast Have a great idea for the guys? Want to sponsor us? Want us to sell something National Park or Route 66 related? Want to be a guest? Want to pay for both of us to go to Alaska? Want me to stop asking questions? bubba@travelswithrandypodcast.com !!
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    57 mins
  • TWR Summer of '26 Ep 3: Summertime Ramblin'! AI, Movie Reviews, The World Cup, Route 66, And Planning For Alaska

    TWR Summer of '26 Ep 3: Summertime Ramblin'! AI, Movie Reviews, The World Cup, Route 66, And Planning For Alaska
    Jun 18 2026
    Travels With Randy Summer Of '26 Episode 3 is here! Summertime Ramblin'! AI, Movie Reviews, The World Cup, Route 66, And Planning For Alaska ***Featuring the release of the Travels With Randy Theme Song*** AI in Book Business Evolution Bubba discussed how his book business has evolved, mentioning he's now 100% focused on travel and has hired AI tools to handle various business functions including graphic design, data analysis, and software development. He explained how AI has significantly reduced the need for expensive software and development labor that was previously required for e-commerce operations. Randy and Bubba compared how AI tools could have dramatically simplified their business operations when they were starting their companies, noting that current software solutions are still clunky and expensive despite technological advances. AI and Retirement Discussion Bubba and Randy discussed their experiences working with AI, noting how conversational AI has become and how it can help maintain mental engagement in retirement. They also talked about the physical activities they engage in to stay active, such as yard work and running a book business. The conversation shifted to discussing Elon Musk's net worth and the valuation of SpaceX, with Randy sharing insights from a discussion with Grok about SpaceX's plans for AI data centers in space. Alaska Summer Travel Planning Bubba and Randy discussed their summer travel plans and potential Alaska trip. Randy shared his research on visiting Alaska's national parks, considering flying instead of driving to reduce logistics complexity and cost. They explored options for visiting different parks, including those requiring plane access, and discussed potential itineraries that could be tailored to their availability and preferences. Alaska Winter Trip Planning Bubba and Randy discussed planning a winter trip to Alaska, with Bubba suggesting visiting during winter when there would be fewer people and colder temperatures. They explored potential locations including the Bering Strait area and discussed visiting national parks like Kobuk Valley and Gates of the Arctic. Bubba mentioned his interest in the Discovery Channel show Gold Rush and expressed hope of meeting some of the gold prospectors during the trip. The conversation concluded with Bubba hinting at an upcoming announcement about their travel plans for next year. World Cup Tourism Impact Discussion Randy and Bubba discussed the positive impact of the World Cup on Route 66 tourism, noting increased international visitors and activity along the route since its inception in February. They highlighted the unique American experiences, such as visiting Buc-ee's, and reflected on the country's 250th anniversary celebrations. The conversation also touched on potential reuse of abandoned malls and the challenges of modern retail. Spielberg Movie and Film Discussion Bubba expressed disappointment with the new Spielberg movie Disclosure Day, stating that while the director's craft was impressive, the script did not work well and the film received mostly negative reviews. He compared it unfavorably to other recent releases like Masters of the Universe and The Mandalorian And Grougu movie, while expressing enthusiasm for the upcoming Toy Story 5 film. The conversation then shifted to discussing the re-release of Cars on Route 66 and the importance of road trips for family bonding, with both participants sharing personal experiences of traveling with their children. Generational Perspectives and Future Challenges Bubba and Randy discussed generational differences in life experiences and perspectives, particularly focusing on how younger generations are approaching life differently than previous generations due to economic challenges and changing circumstances. They explored topics including the impact of COVID on children's development, the potential effects of AI on future generations, and space exploration plans including lunar missions. The conversation concluded with updates about their podcast "Travels with Randy," including the development of new theme music in different styles and their growing social media following of approximately 38,000 people on Facebook. SO. MANY. PHOTOS - Come join the conversation on Facebook with our 33,000 friends! https://www.facebook.com/travelswithrandypodcast Have a great idea for the guys? Want to sponsor us? Want us to sell something National Park or Route 66 related? Want to be a guest? Want to pay for both of us to go to Alaska? Want me to stop asking questions? bubba@travelswithrandypodcast.com !!
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    1 hr and 24 mins
  • TWR Summer of '26 Ep 2: The Oregon Coast

    TWR Summer of '26 Ep 2: The Oregon Coast
    Jun 4 2026
    Travels With Randy Summer Of '26 Episode 2 is here! The Oregon Coast Randy's Travel and Health Routine Randy and Bubba discussed Randy's routine while traveling in Washington, including his daily visits to Starbucks and his property maintenance activities. Randy shared that he has lost nearly 20 pounds by eating only twice daily (at 9 AM and 2 PM) with under 1,500 calories, and his goal is to live to at least 90 years old to match his father's age at death. The conversation touched on health and aging, including discussions about maintaining mental faculties and the appearance of older actors in media. Aging, Stunts, and Road Trip Bubba and Randy discussed memory lapses associated with aging, followed by a conversation about Tom Cruise's physical stunts at his age. The discussion then shifted to Randy's current road trip along Highway 101, where he shared his observations about the Oregon coast, including its long beaches and sand dunes, particularly in the Bandon area. Highway 101 Coastal Route Challenges Randy discussed the historical context of Highway 101, which was built in the 1920s-1930s around the same time as Route 66, and described how sand dunes are encroaching on the road in some sections. He explained the challenges of driving along the Oregon coast, including erosion, rockslides, and rough road conditions that require careful driving at lower speeds. Randy shared that this was his first successful attempt at completing the entire coastal route in four years, as previous attempts were hampered by storms and road closures. Oregon Travel Exploration Highlights Randy shared details about their recent trip through Oregon, describing how they slowed down their typical fast travel style to explore small towns and experience local attractions. They visited several lighthouses including Heiseta Head Lighthouse, stayed at a Harvest Host location at a cheese farm in Tillamook, and tried sparkling Chardonnay wine for the first time. Randy explained their approach of using meal times as a guide to find popular local restaurants and making use of free overnight stays at businesses like wineries through the Harvest Host program. Oregon Coast Travel and Photography Randy discussed his recent trip along the Oregon coast, describing the distinctive characteristics of West Coast beaches including rocky terrain, driftwood, and tide pools. He compared the coastal development to Route 66, noting that the Oregon coast road has consistent demand due to its proximity to major population centers like Portland and Salem, resulting in more homes for rent rather than the motel-heavy development seen on Route 66. Randy also shared his approach to photography, explaining how they use AI to remove unwanted elements from photos, particularly power lines and people, while emphasizing the ethical importance of disclosing when AI modifications are made to images. AI Tools and Travel Discussion The participants discussed their use of AI tools, particularly Beth (an AI assistant) and ChatGPT, with Randy explaining he primarily uses Beth for questions while traveling and recently started using ChatGPT's image editing features. They had an extended conversation about Route 66, including details about Ted Drewes custard shop in St. Louis and the history of Highway 101 in Oregon, which was completed in 1936. The discussion concluded with Randy sharing his positive experiences visiting Newport on the Oregon coast, describing its various attractions including lighthouses, wildlife, and restaurants. US Road Trip Recommendations Randy shared recommendations for road trips in the United States, highlighting the Pacific coast route as their top choice due to its beauty, while Route 66 holds personal significance. He discussed driving conditions along the coast, including winding roads and the need for flat terrain for data center construction. The conversation also touched on recent stock market gains in AI-related companies like Dell and AMD, with Randy noting that while consumer AI applications may not generate significant revenue, the technology is creating efficiency and job opportunities rather than replacing them. Future Travel Planning Discussion Bubba and Randy discussed their recent travels and plans for future trips. Randy shared details about his upcoming road trips, including a planned journey along Highway 2 and a potential ferry trip to Alaska. They also talked about the upcoming centennial celebration of Route 66 and Randy's plans to travel it again in September. The conversation included recommendations for visiting the Oregon coast and the Columbia River area. SO. MANY. PHOTOS - Come join the conversation on Facebook with our 33,000 friends! https://www.facebook.com/travelswithrandypodcast Have a great idea for the guys? Want to sponsor us? Want us to sell something National Park or Route 66 related? Want to be a guest? Want to pay for both of us to go to Alaska? Want me to stop asking questions? bubba@...
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    1 hr and 19 mins
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