My friends, as we enter our third year together, I can't thank you enough for the privilege of hosting a podcast about our common love for riding motorcycles. This time we get to spend in with nature and with our friends and out there meeting strangers along the way. And over and over again there's this constant theme, I think. We seek to answer the question, what do we have to be happy about? We agree that if we have the mental and physical ability to ride a motorcycle, that's quite a lot right there to be happy about. Over simplistic, maybe, but I think at its core, it's true. Though motorcycles are commonly linked to adrenaline and velocity, this podcast has centered more on slowing down, to fully absorb the experience, to comprehend our surroundings, and to notice details that are often missed by this busy world. While motorcycling is frequently perceived as a risk, for many of us it serves as a gateway to something far greater than ourselves. So for all of this time we've spent together, I thank you. And more recently, we've focused on risk taking the aging process and aging with intention and finding your quiet center while the complexities and distresses of this world just rush by. Over these past three years, beginning in 2023, we've had the privilege of opening up this space to some incredible souls. Lots of very fun interviews. So many folks I had not met prior to this first conversation with them that we recorded. And by the time we got just a minute or two into that conversation, I knew that this was going to be someone that you should meet too. So today is very special. As we look ahead to the new year for writing, I also want to take a moment to look back to where we've been, especially the people we've met along the way and interviewed for this podcast. While this won't be all-inclusive of all the guests, we're going to revisit several who have joined us on this journey, sharing their wisdom, their stories, and their shared passion for experiencing life on two wheels. Thank you for joining me today. Stay tuned. Recorded in beautiful, loving Colorado, welcome to Peace Love Moto, the podcast for motorcyclists seeking that peaceful, easy feeling as we cruise through this life together. Are you ready? Let's go! One of my first interviews was with the editor-in-chief of my favorite motorcycle touring magazine. I have copies of it all over the place. I've been taking that magazine for years. I had the privilege of meeting Florian Neuhauser, the editor-in-chief of Roadrunner magazine, for a conversation that went far beyond the glossy pages of his monthly publication. Florian opened up about carrying the torch for his family legacy started by his parents, Christian and Krista, and how they turned a passion for European-style touring into an American institution out there in North Carolina. What resonated most with me, I think, was his philosophy that the magazine, much like a motorcycle, is just a vessel for the experience. He spoke so eloquently about the art of the tour, the tactical joy of paper maps and in a digital world, and why, even as the industry chases the latest technology, the soul of writing remains fond for those of us who just love the buck roads. One added note for this interview, it was one of my first ones, and I had technical issues on my side from the very beginning. But what was so cool was Florian was so patient with me. He had done dozens and dozens of interviews and knew that I was a first-timer at this, but he was just so patient. He demonstrated to me just how kind and considerate he is as a person. And Florian, I will not forget that. Thank you so much. Next, I interviewed the man who is the inspiration for this podcast. He most certainly is. He's the one who turned a simple motorcycle ride with friends into a global movement for men's health. Mark Hawa, the founder of the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride, joined me from Australia to talk about breaking the macho stereotypes of motorcycling. Mark shared the origin story of the DGR, but more importantly, we discussed the why behind it all. Mark opened up about the DGR's focus on men's mental health and the importance of checking in on your friends or on your mates, as Mark described it, and how a suit and a classic motorcycle can be the perfect icebreaker for conversations that actually save lives. Just a few months later, after visiting with Mark, we returned to Australia to connect with Rob Hamilton. I reached out to Rob because my wife and I absolutely loved watching his relaxing moto camping videos on YouTube. He's the motorcyclist and musician from Australia who has videos that are like a masterclass of simplicity. In our two-part conversation, Rob shared his philosophy on connecting with Mother Nature at what he called the speed of life, letting the experience of the camp and the ride speak for itself. Really beautifully done. We were joined on two occasions by Sebastian Schulp, the CEO of Eagle Rider, the world's largest motorcycle touring and rental company. Sebastian brought a unique perspective on providing access to adventure, as he called it. We talked about how renting a motorcycle can be a gateway to freedom that so many people might not try if they didn't have the opportunity. And it was also the magic of guided tours that they provide, where total strangers start a trip as individuals and end up as a bonded family. I love that. He reminded us that the business of motorcycles is really the business of delivering joy. We stepped outside our usual lane, or maybe I should say off the pavement entirely, with my friends Brett and Melissa Wilson from the Mountain Zen Den podcast. Just so that you know, Brett is the writer and musician who created our Welcome to Peace Love Moto introductory music. He played all the parts. Yes, Mr. Talent over there. Brett is also a fellow tour guide in Rocky Mountain National Park, and hence that's how we met and became kindred souls after that. In our two-part interview with Brett and Melissa, we called Views from the Saddle, we explored the fascinating parallels between their world of horseback riding and our world of motorcycling. It was a beautiful reminder that whether you're on a horse or on a machine, the destination can be the same. And it's that elusive state of mind. That's the destination we're looking for. Brett and Melissa helped us to see that the saddle is just a vantage point for mindfulness, where the rhythm of the ride, be it hoof beats or turning wheels, transports us not just physically, but spiritually deep into the heart of nature. Ben Rubin is one of the nicest people I've ever met. I can say that without hesitation. Ben is known to many on Instagram as the Mindful Motorcycle, and Ben shared his incredible journey of how a thoughtful gift of a motorcycle that he'd received didn't just put him on two wheels, but it actually unlocked a new path for personal growth and inner joy, something that he so desperately needed at the time. We talked about how he was transformed by that simple act of riding, and it was transformed into a deliberate practice of presence, of mindfulness, using the motorcycle as a tool to connect more deeply with the world around him. Ben's story really drove home the idea that the motorcycling community is bound together by something far stronger than just a shared hobby. It's an unspoken understanding of the healing power of the open road. Brady McLean is probably one of the most insightful people I've ever met. Brady is the founder of the lifestyle brand called Go Fast, Don't Die. I have three of their shirts in my closet. I believe also that this is one of the most streamed episodes that I've recorded out of 134 so far. I believe this is number one. Brady helped us to unpack the deeper philosophy behind that slogan, Go Fast, Don't Die. We learned that the go fast part isn't about the speedometer at all. It's about stagnation and the prevention of that. It's about the refusal of letting fear dictate your life. Brady shared his thoughts on risk and the idea that safety isn't about the absence of danger, but it's about the presence of intention. We highlighted the power of community organizing with Kirsten Madura, the driving force behind Engines for Change. Kirsten and I also have the connection with support for the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride, and her wonderful video on YouTube called The Search is something you need to see. Kirsten brought a fierce and compassionate energy to this show. She discussed how motorcycles are often seen as tools of rebellion, but she showed us how they can be vehicles for social good, for organizing food drives and advocating for sustainability. Kirsten reminded us that the motor community has a massive heart. And after that interview, Kirsten highly recommended that I meet her friend and fellow motorcycle rider, Kiki Azim. That conversation was pure joy. We talked about the gritty reality of the road, the breakdowns, and even the learning curves, and Kiki shared a perspective on resilience that really resonated with me. The idea that the perfect ride isn't the one where nothing goes wrong, but the one where you handle whatever the road throws at you with grace. Beautifully said. On the topic of courage, one of the most poignant discussions we had was with Hunter Matthews, a retired Air Force veteran who joined us for an episode we titled, What Happens If. Hunter courageously opened up about the reality of life after a devastating accident that took away his ability to ride, challenging the very premise of our show by asking where we find our peace when the handlebars are no longer an option. Instead of dwelling on his loss, Hunter offered a masterclass in gratitude and resilience, reminding all of us that while the motorcycle is a beautiful tool for happiness, the true source of that joy comes from within and can be rediscovered on even the most unexpected paths. On two occasions, we visited with my friend Neil Bailey, who took us through his harrowing two-year journey into war-torn Ukraine. And what struck me most as I got to know him better was that he didn't focus on the spectacle of combat or the politics of war. Instead, he shared his intimate human stories that often get lost in the headlines. He told us about Operation Freelander, his mission to refurbish Land Rovers to help evacuate civilians. He described moments of quiet resilience, like sharing a cup of coffee underground while missiles were falling overhead. It really drove home the core message that Neil carries with him that peace isn't merely an absence of conflict. It is the active, sometimes messy, and beautiful presence of humanity. We took our adventures to new heights. Literally, we sat down with Kim Casaras to hear the incredible story of her journey with an all-female team riding from Kathmandu to the base camp of Mount Everest. Kim described the sheer physical demands of the Himalayas by motorcycle. And more than the physical feat, she spoke about the mental fortitude that it required. She taught us that true courage isn't the absence of fear, it's seeing the challenging mountain in front of you and twisting the throttle anyway. Wow, what an incredible story she shared. Her episode that we called The Road to Inner Peace Through Gratitude and Mindfulness was a powerful reminder for us all. Alicia eloquently explained how motorcycling is a natural gateway to becoming fully present. She showed us that the intense focus required to ride is a moving meditation that clears mental burdens and reconnects us with pure joy. Again, I've been so lucky to meet such nice, nice, wonderful people who happen to ride a motorcycle. And another was Nita De Jung from Ghent, Belgium. In that episode that we called Zen in Motorcycles, Nita helped us to shift our thinking from wrestling some machine to dancing with it. Living in a rainy country, she shared profound insights on how wet weather and difficult situations actually sharpen your senses and build resilience. I was sitting at an outdoor cafe when this guy rode up on a motorcycle like I had never seen before. And when he told me that he was one of the designers, oh, I knew this is a guy I was gonna have to interview. That's Charlie Hansen Reed of the Janice Motorcycle Company, and they create custom motorcycles that look like something out of the 1920s. They're amazing. I literally met Charlie in a tiny town way up in the mountains, and we ended up uh riding together a couple hundred miles a couple of days later. Charlie brought a wonderful sense of nostalgia and heart to the show. We talked about the stories that motorcycles carry, not just the miles on the odometer, but the memories etched in the metal. Charlie reminded us that every scratch and dent is a chapter of our lives, and that sharing those stories is what keeps the spirit of motorcycling alive. It was a gentle reminder that we aren't just riding bikes, we're writing our own history. And we have had many more guests on this podcast, all of whom I'm so grateful for. A common thread. We love riding motorcycles, and we love getting outside into nature, we love people, and we're all seeking peace of mind. Reflecting on these conversations from the high peaks of the Himalayas with Kim to the rainy streets of Belgium with Nita, I'm struck by the profound thread that weaves through every single story. Whether we're riding for a cause, searching for silence, or simply navigating the curves of getting older, the motorcycle is just an instrument, but the music is the community we build and the peace that we find within ourselves. These guests have reminded us that this quote perfect ride is not about a destination, it's about presence, it's about gratitude, and it's the willingness to open your heart to all the world around us. So as we start our engines and roll into 2026, I want to thank you for being the most important part of this journey. Whether you're listening through the speakers in your helmet or in your car or in a quiet place at home, you are a part of the circle. So let's make this year one of intention. Taking the risks that matter, and being kind to strangers when we meet them, and never forgetting to ask ourselves that essential question what do we have to be happy about? As we look down the road,