The Workamper Show Podcast

Jim Bartleman – A new life following a bad accident

Today I am speaking with an RVer who redesigned his entire life after a brutal fall required him to learn to  walk, write, speak and even swallow all over again. But, it opened the door for him to become a Workamper for a family-owned RV dealership working as a service advisor. Jim Bartleman thought he had life figured out. He was working as a service advisor in the automotive industry, planning for the future and preparing to eventually hit the road in an RV. But, everything changed in an instant after a devastating accident left him in a medically-induced coma and forced him to relearn how to walk, talk, read and swallow. Instead of giving up, Jim used that life-changing experience as motivation to completely redesign his life around what mattered most to him. Today, he and his girlfriend, Caryl Kinney, live fulltime in a Class C motorhome, Workamping at campgrounds in Texas during the winter and working seasonally at a New York RV dealership during the summer. In this episode, Jim shares how he turned a frightening setback into a new beginning. He also talks about why more RV dealers should hire Workampers and how the RV lifestyle has allowed him to reconnect with family, travel the country and focus on experiences instead of accumulating possessions. Jim shares his experiences dry camping under massive desert skies and learning French at a campground filled with Canadian snowbirds. Jimmy Bartleman and a donkey, George, he met at a Hipcamp farm. [https://workampershow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Jimmy-Bartleman-and-donkey-George-from-Hipcamp-farm-300x225.jpg] Jimmy Bartleman and a donkey, George, he met at a Hipcamp farm. Based on his experiences, Jim explains why people should stop waiting until retirement to start living the life they want. Whether he is working seasonally at an RV dealership or serving as a camp host in Texas, Jim found a way to combine his passion for helping people with a lifestyle built around travel, flexibility and meaningful experiences. Along the way, he discovered the value of Workamping and the freedom that comes with full-time RV living as well as the importance of making memories while you still can. Jim also shared practical advice for new RVers and explained why smaller RVs can offer more flexibility. He talked about the growing number of younger people embracing the Workamping lifestyle long before retirement age. If you would like to follow Jim’s adventures or connect with him directly, you can find him on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sweet_henry.adventures_/] or on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/jim.bartleman]. Most Workampers, like Jim, have interesting stories to tell about their travels and experiences. If you would you like to be featured in an upcoming episode of The Workamper Show, I encourage you to schedule an interview with me at workampershow.com [http://workampershow.com]. We’d love to hear about your Workamping experiences, how you got started RVing, and what you love and dislike about the RVing lifestyle. You can help others explore all the different ways to live this great lifestyle by sharing your story. If you are an employer of Workampers, we invite you to be on the podcast, too. Share all of the details of your Workamping jobs in a future episode. It only costs a little bit of your time. Schedule an interview with me today by going to workampershow.com [http://workampershow.com]. You’ll find the schedule buttons at the bottom of the home page. That’s all for this week’s show. I’ll have another fun interview on the next episode of The Workamper Show. If you like these interviews, please consider leaving a review wherever you download the episodes. Thanks for listening.

RB and Trish Lipker – Workamping as a family

This week, I will be speaking with a couple who traded in a traditional lifestyle in Tennessee for life on the road and never looked back. RB and Trish Lipker have been Workamping across the country since 2023. They have accepted jobs in Florida, Pennsylvania, Texas, Nebraska and now Northern California. For nearly two years, they have been working at Costanoa, which is an RV park and resort along the California coast. RB and Trish share how they got started in Workamping after discovering the lifestyle online during COVID. They explain why they decided not to wait until retirement to travel, and how their daughter and son-in-law eventually joined them on the road. They also talk candidly about the joys and challenges of full-time RV living, including blowouts, lost wheels, damaged air conditioners and learning expensive lessons about RV repairs. You’ll also hear why building relationships with fellow Workampers and campground guests has become one of the most rewarding parts of the lifestyle. Whether they were exploring Gettysburg, visiting Washington, D.C., or simply sitting around a campfire sharing stories, the Lipkers discovered that Workamping is about much more than free campsites and flexible jobs. It’s more about community, adventure and making the most of their time. RB and Trish also offer practical advice for anyone considering Workamping. That includes why it’s important to live within your means, the need to be prepared for repairs, and to avoid waiting for the “perfect” time to hit the road. One of the things I enjoyed most about this conversation was hearing how they adapted the lifestyle to fit their family instead of trying to force their family into someone else’s version of Workamping. Their daughter uses her art education background to run campground activities while their son-in-law works in food service and catering. Meanwhile, RB and Trish have handled everything from campground management and maintenance to reservations and security. The Lipkers noted that Workamping can work for many different kinds of people. That includes younger folks who are entering the RV lifestyle in larger numbers, people working remote jobs and employers which are more open to accommodate people with unique skills and circumstances. I also appreciated their honesty about the realities of RV living. Things will break and repairs will be required. But, each challenge becomes a learning experience that makes you more capable and more confident down the road. Most of all, RB and Trish encouraged listeners not to wait too long to pursue the things they want to experience in life. Their story is a reminder that Workamping is not just about working to fund your travels. It’s also about creating memories, building friendships and embracing opportunities while you still can. If you’d like to connect with RB or Trish Lipker, you can find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/patricia.lipker [http://www.facebook.com/patricia.lipker] or www.facebook.com/robert.lipker [http://www.facebook.com/robert.lipker]. They’re happy to answer questions about Workamping or talk with campgrounds interested in hiring experienced Workampers. Today’s episode is brought to you by Workamper News. Since 1987, they’ve been helping businesses of all types find and recruit Workampers. Workampers serve in a variety of positions around the country to help further the mission of great businesses. When you become an employer member at Workamper.com, you’ll have access to resources and support to help you develop and implement your Workamper recruiting strategy. In today’s market, it is more challenging than ever to keep a flow of applicants coming in. Workamper News recommends advertising your current and future Workamper job openings frequently throughout the year, as well as scheduling some time to regularly search the Workamper Resume Database because new Workampers are joining daily. Workampers like to plan many months ahead, so NOW is the time to take action to begin developing your Workamper team. Learn more and download our quick-start guide for employers at www.workamper.com/employer [http://www.workamper.com/employer]. That’s all for this week’s show. Next time, I will be speaking with an RVer who entered the lifestyle after experiencing a horrendous fall that altered every aspect of his life. I’ll have that interview on the next episode of The Workamper Show. Thank you for listening!

Stacy Maxon – Money-making opportunities with Fireside RV Rental

Today, I get to interview a woman who is a member of the Fireside RV Rental team to talk about how the company can help people considering the RV lifestyle, as well as assist Workampers in making money. Stacy Maxon is the chief development officer at Fireside RV Rental [http://firesidervrental.com], a company that helps RV owners earn income by renting out their units. The firm also gives people contemplating the RV lifestyle a chance to experience it first without making a big purchase. Stacy has a unique perspective because she has operated a franchise location with her husband, she works on the corporate side of the business, and has lived full time on the road with her family. In this episode, she explains how the Fireside RV Rental model works, why it can be a smart way to test RV life before buying, and how Workampers may soon find opportunities with Fireside locations across the country. Stacy also shares what it takes to run a franchise, how the flexible business can be a lucrative money-making option for full-time RVers, and why this could be a great fit for people looking to blend work and travel. She explained how their centralized storage model helps maximize bookings, why renters are carefully vetted for safety, and how the company supports new RVers and experienced travelers with delivery, setup and training. Stacy also described the growing opportunity for Workampers to find seasonal work with franchise owners by cleaning rental RVs, providing customer walkthroughs, assisting with deliveries, and helping at high-demand seasonal locations. She outlined the money-making aspects of being a Fireside RV Rental franchise owner. Some franchisees are full-time RVers themselves, but success in the business comes down to organization, customer service and a willingness to learn the system. If you’d like to learn more about renting an RV or placing your own unit into a rental program, visit firesidervrental.com [http://firesidervrental.com]. And if you’re interested in exploring a franchise opportunity, go to firesidervrentalfranchise.com [http://firesidervrentalfranchise.com] to get started. Today’s episode is brought to you by the featured employers at Workamper.com. These Workamper Employers have taken the extra step to share some photos and detailed information about their Workamper programs with you. Check them out today! Opportunities exist for solos, couples and families, whether they are full-time, part-time, seasonal or even long-term jobs. Some are income opportunities and others involve volunteering at locations throughout the United States. Go to www.workamper.com/fe [http://www.workamper.com/fe] to meet the featured employers today. If you are an employer seeking to hire Workampers, then you can learn how to benefit from year-round recruiting by becoming a Featured Employer. Visit www.workamper.com/fedetails [http://www.workamper.com/fedetails]. That’s all for this week’s show. I’ll be interviewing another Workamping couple next week who has worked several jobs, including doing remote work, during the nearly two years they have been traveling. I’ll have that interview for you on the next episode of The Workamper Show. Thanks for listening.

Alan and Kim Sneed – Combining Workamping with a remote career

This week, I am speaking with a couple who made the leap into full-time RV living after raising their family and deciding it was time for a new chapter. Alan Sneed spent 30 years in the Department of Defense and the military, while his wife, Kim, built a career in school district communications and now works remotely in the architectural field. In this conversation, Alan and Kim share how they transitioned into Workamping about a year after going full-time on the road and why the lifestyle appealed to them. Alan explains how Workamping keeps him active while giving them the freedom to travel, and Kim offers insight into balancing a remote career with life in an RV. They also talk about choosing locations, what types of jobs they look for and how they prioritize flexibility over long work hours. You will hear about their favorite destinations, including time spent in Colorado, how they manage connectivity with tools like Starlink and cellular service and what they look for when evaluating potential Workamping opportunities. They also discuss the importance of communication with employers, setting expectations and finding the right fit for their lifestyle. If you have ever considered Workamping or full-time RV living, Alan and Kim provide a practical and honest look at what it takes to make it work and how to enjoy the journey along the way. Rather than rushing from place to place, they focus on moving slowly, staying long enough to explore each area and choosing jobs that allow them to maintain flexibility. For them, Workamping is less about working full-time and more about creating a balanced life that includes travel, meaningful experiences and time together. Alan emphasized the importance of treating the job interview process as a two-way conversation, making sure expectations are clear on both sides. From asking about equipment and job duties to understanding the work schedule, those early conversations can make or break the experience. Kim added that communication is just as important when traveling as a couple, especially when one partner is working remotely. They also highlighted the value of being selective when choosing positions by looking for opportunities that offer a full hookup site and reasonable hours, while avoiding roles that demand too much time. If you would like to follow Alan and Kim’s journey, you can find them online through their brand 99 Adventures RV.  They share their experiences about Workamping, full-time RV living and travel tips on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@99AdventuresRV], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/99AdventuresRV] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/99adventuresrv/]. Today’s episode is sponsored by Workamper News. Much more than just a job-listing website, when you put the tools of this professional service into action, you’ll find out just how easy it can be to turn your Workamping dreams into reality. A Workamper membership opens the door to a one-stop-shop for all-things Workamping. Being the original resource for Workamping, you’ll find the largest number of job listings, be able to connect with a community of Workampers, and view resources compiled by experts who have been enjoying the RV lifestyle for many years. If you’re serious about leading a successful and enjoyable Workamping lifestyle, then membership is for you. Join today at www.workamper.com [http://www.workamper.com]. Embark on new adventures today with the support of Workamper News behind you! That’s all for this week’s show. Next time I will be speaking with a woman who had been full-time RVing with her family for several years. Today she helps RVers develop businesses of their own by becoming Fireside RV Rental franchisees. I will have that interview on the next episode of The Workamper Show. Thank you for listening!

Amy Savoury – Visit Nova Scotia for culture, food, wine

Today I am speaking with a wine expert from Nova Scotia who has some great insight on places to visit and how wine can make your journey even more enjoyable. Amy Savoury is a certified sommelier who shares how this coastal Canadian province has quietly become one of the most unique wine regions in North America. She explains the fascinating history of wine in Nova Scotia, dating back to the early 1600s, and how today’s growers have adapted to a cool climate to produce wines you won’t find anywhere else. She also talks about what makes the region so appealing for Workampers and RVers, from its easy-to-navigate layout to the opportunity to visit multiple small, family-owned wineries in a single day. If you are a wine aficionado and have ever wondered how geography, climate and even ocean tides can influence what ends up in your glass, you will enjoy this conversation. And, if you are visiting or Workamping in New England, this episode will entice you to travel north to Nova Scotia for an incredible experience. From the influence of coastal climates to the creativity of small, independent wineries, this is a place where travelers can slow down and truly connect with the land and the people. Amy also reminded us that wine is a journey, and the best way to learn is to stay curious by trying new types, and talking to the people who grow and produce it. For RVers, Nova Scotia offers an easy-to-explore region with plenty of campgrounds, scenic drives, and opportunities to visit multiple wineries without traveling far. If you’d like to learn more, plan a trip, or explore winery tours and discover fun itineraries, you can find everything you need at novascotia.com [http://novascotia.com]. Today’s episode is sponsored by Workamper News. Much more than just a job-listing website, when you put the tools of this professional service into action, you’ll find out just how easy it can be to turn your Workamping dreams into reality. A Workamper membership opens the door to a one-stop-shop for all-things Workamping. Being the original resource for Workamping, you’ll find the largest number of job listings, be able to connect with a community of Workampers, and view resources compiled by experts who have been enjoying the RV lifestyle for many years. If you’re serious about leading a successful and enjoyable Workamping lifestyle, then membership is for you. Join today at www.workamper.com [http://www.workamper.com]. Embark on new adventures today with the support of Workamper News behind you! That’s all for this week’s show. Next time, I will be speaking with a Workamping couple who have been full-time RVing for several years. They have great stories to share and I’ll have that interview on the next episode of The Workamper Show. Thank you for listening.