{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Sidewalk Talks","title":"On the Road (and Back Again) with Jessica Shepherd","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/2c169c5a\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":3271,"description":"From Saginaw to living to an RV and back again! In this episode of Sidewalk Talks, Jessica Shepherd discusses her background in broadcasting and journalism, selling most of her belongings to travel full-time in an RV for about two and a half years, and work-camping around the country. She talks about life on the road and why she and her partner, Mark, chose to return home to Saginaw.00:00 Mic Check & Meet Jessica Shepherd 01:05 Writing Love Letters to Saginaw 03:13 How She Got Into Journalism: WSGW, MLive & Mentors06:02 Why She Left Saginaw: Career Moves to Grand Rapids & Kalamazoo07:38 Selling Everything to Live in an RV: Downsizing & Marie Kondo Mode09:11 How Van Life Became Real: Travel, Belonging & Not Feeling at Home12:04 Workamping Adventures: Campgrounds, Christmas Trees & National Parks14:36 Favorite Stops & Big Nature: Grand Tetons, Grand Canyon & Photography18:11 When the Adventure Felt Like Limbo: Disorientation, Work Challenges & Choosing Saginaw27:48 Choosing Your Good and Bad: The ‘Grass Is Greener’ Reality28:44 Saginaw’s Energy: The ‘Something in the Dirt and Water’ Feeling29:59 Genuine Friendliness & Community Grit (No Pretending)33:21 Why They Moved Back: Home, Real Estate, and the RV Transition35:16 One Last Hurrah: Beet Harvest Work-Camping After Buying the House36:38 Coming Home Hits Different: Love Letters, Old Town, and What’s New39:20 Get Out and Experience Saginaw: Food, Volunteering, and Finding Your People43:00 Stop Waiting to Be ‘Served’ a Community: Social Media vs Showing Up44:53 Quick-Fire RV Life Q&A: Tanks, Shells, Snacks, and Road Trip Anthems51:17 Final Advice: RV Life Won’t Fix You—Run Toward Something + Welcome Back","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/21JugzgWpH40WHYagG_Nx643SoMhpyDMC9hjtLHzZPI/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8xM2U2/ZmJkMTVhNDkxMjk5/ZTJiOWY0Nzg0MDgw/MTI5My5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}