DubLife Diaries The VW Lifestyle Podcast

What happens when a lifelong Volkswagen enthusiast believes the cars are great, but the people behind them are what truly matter?
In Episode 82 of DubLife Diaries, we sit down with Shawn Stapp, a Volkswagen enthusiast with 34 years in the air-cooled VW community, an incredible collection of classic Volkswagens, and a passion for giving back that goes far beyond the garage.
Shawn shares his journey from a troubled youth and his first 1971 Volkswagen Beetle to building a life centered around family, hard work, classic cars, and helping others. Today, he balances running a commercial plumbing business, managing a ranch outside Denver, and caring for an impressive collection of vintage Volkswagens.
But perhaps the most powerful part of Shawn’s story is what he’s doing to pass the hobby on to the next generation. From gifting Volkswagen Beetles to two teenage boys to encouraging young people to get their hands dirty and experience the VW lifestyle firsthand, Shawn is helping ensure the air-cooled community has a future.
We also dive into the growth of 303 Dubs, the success of Denver Dubfest at Empower Field, his 32-year marriage to Christina, and the story behind his latest Volkswagen project: a 1963 23-window bus restoration.
In this conversation, we explore what makes the Volkswagen community so special, why kindness and generosity matter, and how one person can make a lasting impact simply by showing up for others.
In this episode, we talk about:
Shawn’s 34-year journey in the Volkswagen community
His first VW, a 1971 Beetle, and the cars that followed
Giving away Beetles to inspire the next generation of VW enthusiasts
The importance of mentorship, community, and passing down the hobby
The growth and culture of 303 Dubs
Denver Dubfest and bringing the VW community together
His collection of classic buses and Beetles
Life as a plumber, rancher, husband, and Volkswagen enthusiast
Restoring and customizing a 1963 23-window bus
Why helping people is more important than the cars themselves

Shawn’s story is a reminder that Volkswagens are more than metal, paint, and engines. They’re a reason to connect, a way to build friendships, and an opportunity to make a difference in someone else’s life.
Because at the end of the day, every VW has a story. These are the people behind them.
🎙️ Welcome to DubLife Diaries — Episode 82 featuring Shawn Stapp.
If you love air-cooled Volkswagens, classic VW buses, Beetles, and the people who make this community what it is, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
Enjoy the episode? Follow DubLife Diaries, leave us a review, and share this episode with someone who lives and breathes the VW lifestyle.
#DubLifeDiaries #ShawnStapp #303Dubs #AirCooledVolkswagen #Volkswagen #VWBus #VWBeetle #DenverDubfest #VWCommunity #VolkswagenEnthusiast #ClassicVolkswagen #AirCooledVW

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On Episode 81 of the DubLife Diaries Podcast, we sit down with Volkswagen collector, entrepreneur, and lifelong VW enthusiast Eliot Vancil.
Eliot has spent years building an incredible collection of rare and historically significant Volkswagens, but this conversation goes far beyond the cars. We dive into the adventures, friendships, and unbelievable stories behind finding some of the most unique VWs in the hobby.
From traveling to the Czech Republic to purchase a rare Fridolin Volkswagen, to chasing down a Hebmüller, acquiring historic Split Windows, and taking unforgettable road trips to bring home another piece of Volkswagen history, Eliot shares stories that every air-cooled VW enthusiast will appreciate.
We also talk about the difference between a Volkswagen that is simply rare and one that is truly important. Eliot shares his passion for originality, preservation, documentation, and protecting the stories behind these historic cars for future generations.
But like so many conversations on DubLife Diaries, this episode is ultimately about more than Volkswagens.
It's about the people you meet, the friendships you build, the memories you create with your family, and the community that keeps the Volkswagen hobby alive.
Whether you're into classic Volkswagens, vintage VW collecting, air-cooled cars, Split Windows, Hebmüllers, Fridlins, or simply love hearing incredible stories from passionate people in the VW community, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
Every Volkswagen has a story. Eliot Vancil has spent a lifetime collecting them.
🎙️ DubLife Diaries Podcast — Episode 81
🚗 Guest: Eliot Vancil
Follow DubLife Diaries for more conversations with the people, builders, collectors, and personalities who make up the incredible Volkswagen community.

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In Episode 80 of DubLife Diaries, we sit down with Spud Hughes for a deeply personal conversation about Volkswagens, family, loss, rebuilding, and the lifelong memories that make these cars so much more than metal and machines.
Spud’s connection to the Volkswagen world started as a kid, riding off-road with his father and learning the skills that would eventually shape his career and his life. His father—known as “Uno Mas”—was always working on one moreproject, and that name would eventually become the perfect tribute for Spud’s beloved 1965 Beetle, Uno Mas.
From Baja builds and lowered Volkswagens to bodywork, paint, custom interiors, and years spent chasing the perfect build, Spud shares the stories behind the cars—and the people behind them.
We talk about losing his father, finding a 1965 Baja at exactly the right moment, and discovering that the money to buy it came unexpectedly from his father's estate. That car, The Beach Bum, became a rolling tribute to his dad and a way to keep his memory alive.
We also get into the reality of rebuilding after tragedy. After an accident left Uno Mas badly damaged, Spud refused to let the car go. He rebuilt it piece by piece and got it back on the road in time for a show, proving once again that sometimes rebuilding a Volkswagen is about much more than fixing a car.
Along the way, we talk about the unmistakable smell of an old Volkswagen, why these cars seem to find their owners, the personalities we give our Volkswagens, becoming a father himself, and what it means to pass the passion on to the next generation.
And, of course, we finish with a little DubLife Diaries rapid fire—favorite VW year, color, engine, and more.
This is a story about Volkswagens, but ultimately it's about family, legacy, memories, and the people who keep us moving forward.
Episode 80 features:
• Spud Hughes
• Uno Mas — 1965 Volkswagen Beetle
• The Beach Bum — 1965 Volkswagen Baja
• Volkswagen Baja builds & restoration
• Air-cooled VW culture
• Custom VW interiors, paint & bodywork
• Rebuilding after an accident
• The legacy of a father
• Fatherhood and passing the VW passion forward
• Colorado & Southern California VW culture
• The emotional connection between people and their cars
If you've ever owned a Volkswagen that meant more to you than it probably should have… this episode is for you.
🎙️ DubLife Diaries — the VW lifestyle podcast celebrating the cars, the culture, and the stories behind the people who live it.
Subscribe, follow, and leave us a 5-star review—and send us the story of the VW person you think should be on DubLife Diaries next.
#DubLifeDiaries #Volkswagen #VW #AirCooledVW #VWBeetle #VolkswagenBeetle #VWBus #BajaBug #VWLife #AirCooled #VWCommunity #VolkswagenCulture #VWBuild #VWRestoration #ClassicVW #1965Beetle #VWStories

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In this episode 79 of DubLife Diaries, we sit down with Mark Laue, one of the founders of Dubsplash, to talk about Volkswagens, skateboarding, business, community, and what it really takes to build a successful car show.
Mark takes us back to his early days growing up in Southern California, discovering Volkswagens as a teenager, and balancing his love of cars with skateboarding and hockey. His passion for skateboarding eventually led him into the skate park business, where he helped build and operate parks across California and Texas.
From there, Mark found his way into the Volkswagen event world and helped grow Dubsplash into one of the premier Volkswagen gatherings in the country, now drawing hundreds of cars, thousands of attendees, and dozens of vendors.
We talk about how Dubsplash evolved, the challenges of putting on large-scale VW events, the impact of social media and YouTube on the Volkswagen hobby, and why keeping the community welcoming and inclusive matters.
Mark also shares his thoughts on the future of VW culture, supporting younger enthusiasts, leadership, sponsorships, and the importance of simply stepping back and appreciating what you've built.
Whether you're into air-cooled Volkswagens, VW shows, skateboarding, event promotion, or the community behind the cars, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
Follow Dubsplash: dubsplash.com
Episode Topics:
Volkswagen • Dubsplash • VW Shows • Air-Cooled VW • Classic Volkswagen • Skateboarding • Skate Parks • Car Culture • VW Community • Event Promotion • Volkswagen Events • VW Lifestyle

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What happens when a song about a Volkswagen Beetle wins an international songwriting competition—and eventually leads you to the exact car you wrote about?
In Episode 78 of DubLife Diaries, we sit down with 18-year-old Volkswagen enthusiast Aiden Fleischman to hear the incredible story behind his 1972 Super Beetle, Maggie.
Aiden takes us from falling in love with a Beetle he couldn't afford, to writing a song about it, winning an international competition, and eventually finding and purchasing that same 1972 Super Beetle for $4,000. From oil leaks and broken fuel pumps to pulling the engine multiple times, Aiden didn't just buy a classic car—he taught himself how to build, repair, and understand it.
We talk about his journey through the Volkswagen community, his experience at a 48-hour tech session with Glenn, the people who helped him along the way, and the lessons he's learned about humility, perseverance, and following your dreams.
Aiden also shares his plans for the future as he heads to college on a full scholarship to study aviation maintenance and engineering—and how his passion for air-cooled VW engines connects surprisingly well with aircraft engines.
We'll talk Beetles, restoration, car shows, future builds, the VW community, and why Aiden plans to keep Maggie for the long haul.
This is a story about more than an old Volkswagen. It's about following a dream, learning by doing, and finding your people along the way.

🎙️ DubLife Diaries Episode 78 — Aiden Fleischman

Aidens Song Contest Winning Tune : https://youtube.com/shorts/tcvR95jmODU?si=8579HIFlqF6pQpTI
Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode with another VW enthusiast!
Sponsors & Friends of the Show:
VolksMania Magazine www.volksmania.com
Trippin' Seed Tie-Dye check them out on Facebook
Salty Dub Events www.SaltyDub.com
Vara Upholstery www.VaraUpholstery.com

#DubLifeDiaries #Volkswagen #VW #VWBeetle #SuperBeetle #AirCooledVW #VolkswagenBeetle #ClassicCars #VWLife #VWCommunity #CarRestoration #DubLife

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