The Truth About Side Hustles: What Actually Worked (And What Failed) | Open Tabs Podcast Ep. 20

The Truth About Side Hustles: What Actually Worked (And What Failed) | Open Tabs Podcast Ep. 20

Everybody online seems to have a side hustle making thousands of dollars a month... so why does it feel so much harder in real life? In Episode 20 of the Open Tabs Podcast, Billy and Joe share their honest experiences trying everything from Uber, Lyft, Turo, ACX audiobook narration, YouTube, Facebook Marketplace ideas, consulting, candle making, and more. Some ideas worked. Some failed spectacularly. Others taught valuable lessons without making a dime. We also dive into: • Why social media makes side hustles look easier than they really are • Hidden startup costs nobody talks about • Whether hobbies should stay hobbies • Creative side hustle ideas you've probably never considered • What we'd actually do if we needed an extra $1,000 a month today Whether you're looking for extra income or just curious about the reality behind the hype, this episode is an honest conversation about trying, failing, learning, and finding opportunities. We'd love to hear from you: What's the best side hustle you've ever had? Leave a comment and let us know! 🎧 New episodes every Monday. Connect with us: 🌐 https://opentabspc.com [https://opentabspc.com] 📧 connect@opentabspc.com [connect@opentabspc.com] Chapters 00:00 Welcome! Are Side Hustles Really Worth It? 02:20 My First Side Hustles: Golf Balls, Candy & eBay 05:00 Uber & Lyft: When the Gig Economy Actually Paid 11:00 Why Gig Apps Aren't What They Used To Be 17:20 Turo: Airbnb for Cars... What Could Go Wrong? 26:35 ACX Audiobook Narration: 21 Auditions, Zero Jobs 30:00 The Hidden Cost of Creative Side Hustles 32:00 Should You Turn Your Hobby Into a Business? 32:45 The $9,000 Candle Hobby 40:30 The Most Creative Side Hustles We've Seen 49:30 If We Needed $1,000 This Month... 54:05 Side Hustle Myths Nobody Talks About 56:45 Does Every Hobby Need to Make Money? 1:00:15 Rapid Fire: Side Hustle Edition 1:02:30 Why Taco Mac Doesn't Sell Tacos 1:03:50 Final Thoughts #SideHustles #PassiveIncome #Entrepreneur #GigEconomy #OpenTabsPodcast

Why Americans Love Driving | Road Trips, RVs & the Open Road | Open Tabs Podcast Ep. 19

Why do Americans love driving so much? This week on Open Tabs, Billy and Joe dive into America's obsession with road trips, RVs, road-trip memories, and the freedom of the open road. Joe shares his experience as an RV owner during the COVID travel boom, while Billy compares van life, international travel, trains, and life on the road. They debate driving vs flying, explore whether high-speed rail could ever work in America, discuss the future of personal flying vehicles, and share some hilarious rapid-fire travel takes. Whether you're a road-trip veteran, an RV enthusiast, or someone who'd rather fly than spend 10 hours behind the wheel, this episode is packed with stories, travel debates, and plenty of laughs. 🎙️ Open Tabs Podcast — Ctrl + Alt + Discuss CHAPTERS 00:00 - Welcome & The RV Boom During COVID 01:40 - What Exactly Counts as an RV? 03:15 - Joe's RV Ownership Journey 05:50 - The Hidden Costs of RV Life 08:30 - RVs vs Hotels, Airbnb & Camping 11:30 - Why Americans Love Driving 13:00 - Europe vs America: Different Ways to Travel 17:20 - How Far Is Too Far to Drive? 21:10 - Joe's 29-Hour Cross-Country Road Trip 24:00 - Why Road Trips Build Relationships 27:30 - Billy & Joe's Birmingham Road Trip Memory 29:15 - Hidden Gems Along America's Highways 33:20 - Dream Two-Week Road Trips 37:15 - Are RVs Losing Popularity? 38:00 - Why America Is Behind on High-Speed Rail 43:40 - The Future of Transportation & Flying Cars 49:50 - Why Americans Prefer Being in Control 54:00 - Rapid Fire Travel Takes 01:01:00 - Final Thoughts & Closing

Is Atlanta Ready for the World Cup? | Open Tabs Podcast Ep. 18

Atlanta is hosting the world this week—and we’re asking the uncomfortable question: are we actually ready? In this episode, Billy and Joe dive into what visitors will notice when they land at Hartsfield‑Jackson, from the sheer size of America to Atlanta’s car‑first culture and the much‑debated MARTA transit system. We talk about recent crime headlines on MARTA, new multi‑million‑dollar security measures, and the long‑overdue upgrade to Atlanta’s train fleet—including open‑gangway cars, charging ports, and better luggage and bike space. Then we zoom out: why do Americans love driving so much, why is public transit so hard to get right in a spread‑out Southern city, and what would it take for Atlanta to feel like Barcelona or London on rails? It’s not all doom and gloom—we also give Atlanta its flowers. We get into Southern hospitality, the BeltLine, the “Hollywood of the South” film boom, the civil‑rights legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the city’s insanely underrated food scene (barbecue, Waffle House, Truett’s, ramen, fusion spots, and more), and what locals totally take for granted. Finally, Billy closes with a reminder about Georgia’s local elections, why city and state races matter so much to your daily life, and why you can’t complain if you don’t vote. CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome to Episode 18 01:10 Atlanta Hosts the World Cup 02:20 What Surprises International Visitors About America? 06:00 Why Americans Love Cars 11:00 Atlanta's Transportation Challenge 13:30 MARTA Safety Concerns & Federal Investigation 19:20 MARTA's New Train Cars 24:20 Can Atlanta Transit Keep Up With Growth? 30:40 Is Atlanta Ready For The World Stage? 31:20 What Atlanta Should Be Known For 34:40 Atlanta's Food Scene & Southern Hospitality 36:00 Coca-Cola, Civil Rights & Atlanta History 38:10 What Atlantans Take For Granted 45:00 Best Foods To Try In Georgia 49:30 The Atlanta BeltLine 53:00 Georgia Election Day Reminder 54:10 Closing Thoughts 🎙️ Open Tabs Podcast Two friends. Infinite tabs. Zero agenda. If your brain always has 37 tabs open, you're in the right place. 🔗 Watch on YouTube and follow the show: * Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@opentabspc [https://www.youtube.com/@opentabspc] * Listen on Spotify / Apple / And many others https://opentabspodcast.riverside.com/ [https://opentabspodcast.riverside.com/] * Connect with us on social: https://www.facebook.com/opentabspc [https://www.facebook.com/opentabspc] https://www.instagram.com/opentabspc [https://www.instagram.com/opentabspc] New episodes of Open Tabs every Monday from Atlanta, Georgia. #Atlanta #WorldCup #MARTA #OpenTabsPodcast

Why Friendship Gets Harder As You Get Older | Open Tabs Podcast Ep. 17

For the first time ever, Billy and Joe are recording the Open Tabs Podcast in the same room—and what starts as a conversation about getting older turns into a surprisingly deep discussion about friendship, vulnerability, mental health, and why so many of us still don't feel like real adults. Why do friendships become harder to maintain as we age? Why does losing a close friend feel like grief? And why do so many people in their 40s still feel like they're just pretending to have life figured out? Along the way, Billy shares his experiences with depression and finding community through mental health treatment, while Joe reflects on parenting teenagers, vulnerability, and the importance of investing in relationships that truly matter. Whether you're navigating adulthood, struggling with loneliness, or wondering if everyone else has life figured out (spoiler: they don't), this episode is for you. CHAPTERS 00:00 – First In-Person Recording & Looking Older 02:15 – Feeling Like You're Still a Kid 06:00 – Friendships Across Different Life Stages 09:10 – Losing Friends & Being Ghosted 15:40 – Why Vulnerability Is Worth the Risk 20:00 – The Friends You Can Always Count On 22:45 – Why Adulting Never Gets Easier 27:15 – Finding Friendship Through Mental Health Struggles 32:00 – Depression, Stigma & Oversharing 36:10 – Trauma Bonds vs. Healthy Relationships 40:30 – Final Thoughts on Grace, Acceptance & Connection

What the Dominican Republic Taught Us About Happiness | Open Tabs Podcast Ep. 16

This week on The Open Tabs Podcast, Joe shares stories from the Dominican Republic after visiting family who relocated there for a year. What starts as a conversation about Caribbean food, island culture, scooters, beaches, and expat life quickly turns into something deeper. We discuss: • Living abroad and working remotely • The real cost of life in the Dominican Republic • Food, culture, and local experiences beyond the resorts • Why some communities seem happier with less • The difference between making a living and making a life • The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying • What really matters when time runs out Sometimes travel teaches you more about yourself than the destination. 🎙️ The Open Tabs Podcast Ctrl + Alt + Discuss. CHAPTERS 00:00 Dominican Republic Travel Stories 04:15 Food, Culture & Island Life 11:20 Living Like a Local 15:50 Could You Move There? 21:30 Healthcare & Cost of Living 32:20 Why We Avoid Resorts 39:10 Why Some People Are Happier With Less 49:20 Finding Meaning in Life 53:40 The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying 59:50 Final Thoughts #Travel #DominicanRepublic #ExpatLife #DigitalNomad #PersonalGrowth #LifeLessons #OpenTabsPodcast