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Rachel Waters's avatar

Love your newsletter, Leslie!

Vanlife and thru-hiking videos from the PCT are my YouTube addiction as well!

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Johanna's avatar

Oh my gosh, I LOVE van life content! I'm also obsessed with extreme hiking or camping videos too. Things I will likely never do in my life (I love camping and hiking but extreme is not for me) but I find some comfort in seeing how people make it work. I highly recommend WildBeare and Madison Clysdale if you already aren't following them. And if you're not already following her, JustRowan is wonderful and given that she's living van life (with her sweet dog!) after recovery, I think you'll lik her.

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Leslie Stephens's avatar

I had no idea so many of you shared my van life/thru hiking obsession!! 😂 amazing! Following these people, thank you! And the one I was watching is Abby Joselyn, I love her long form videos! Also a fan of Court and Nate, who have the most gorgeous van and travel with a dog and cat!

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Lindsey Trainer's avatar

Omg I also took myself out to lunch at Sebastiano’s a couple weeks ago too! I love their eggplant muffaleta sandwich. It’s my favorite lunch spot in SE!

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Leslie Stephens's avatar

I have to try it next time!! Every time I go I think about branching out but I’m so hyper fixated on that salad! 😂

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Fallon's avatar

The eggplant sandwich is so fucking good!!!

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abs's avatar

Just wanted to say how much I enjoy reading your Substack and look forward to every Sunday and Tuesday morning! Also, I’m not sure if there are other Toronto readers here (or GTA’ers), but Toronto is a wonderful if you were ever thinking about including a Canadian city in your next book tour. 😉 I’d come in a heartbeat!

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Michelle Martin's avatar

Doing one thing at a time is such a game-changer for my mental health! Thank you for this reminder to revisit this practice ◡̈

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Annie's avatar

I'm so grateful for your sharing! I get so much inspiration from you. For example right now I'm making my first cauliflower bake from Whole Food Cooking :)

Also: my YouTube addiction is watching thru-hiking vlogs from the PCT or AT. I love having a go-to mindless escape - may need to check out vanlife videos now!

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Leslie Stephens's avatar

Ah I'm excited for you that you're making it! And I love those videos too—I feel like the thing that's so appealing/soothing about the van life videos is the self-sufficiency and simplicity, similar to the thru-hike videos!

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Annie's avatar

The bake is delicious - new staple for sure! More importantly, I just found out that Walton Goggins narrated a sleep story for Calm and had to let you know hahah https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/25/entertainment/white-lotus-walton-goggins-sleep-story/index.html

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Rachel's avatar

Can you link the different products you use to make your coffee please? I'm curious about the kettle and other items in the photo!

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Alex S's avatar

I think that’s a Fellow Stagg kettle! I have the same one and love it

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