Episode 45: 50 First Dates kicks off with a very important update: Shawn’s hair. After shaving his head since his twenties, he finally let it grow out. The results land somewhere between Captain Picard and a clown, and yes, that comparison sets the tone for what follows.

From there, we move into the heart of this Valentine’s Day special. A few years ago, Leah gifted Shawn The Adventure Challenge: Couples Edition, a book packed with creative date ideas. One challenge asks you to uncover a memorable date from your parents’ past. That leads us to a recorded phone call between Shawn and his dad, who shares some surprisingly cool and thoughtful date stories from his younger years.

Naturally, that sparks a bigger conversation. We reflect on our own memorable dates, including first dates, misfires, and moments where reality didn’t quite live up to the fantasy. Some dates felt magical, others felt awkward, and all of them taught us something. Along the way, we talk honestly about expectations, effort, and why no relationship follows a perfect script.

Next, we dig into the history and meaning of Valentine’s Day itself. We explore where it came from, how it evolved, and why it still manages to stir up so many feelings—both good and bad.

Then, the conversation takes a practical turn as we chat about our Etsy shops. Sales, views, and visits are all down, which leads us to wonder out loud: did Etsy change the algorithm again, or is something else going on?

Finally, we wrap things up with future plans and daydreams. An anniversary road trip in May is on the table. Shawn might hit the road to Toronto in June with his brothers for a Godsmack concert. Plus, he reveals his newest obsession: buying a metal detector… even though he has no idea which one to get.

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Episode 44: Observed Behaviour

In Episode 44 of Have Coffee Will Travel, Shawn and Leah settle in to reflect, react, and observe what happens both onstage and off. To start, they revisit Popcorn Falls, the play discussed last episode, now officially wrapped. While both performances were strong, the experience wasn’t identical. The first night’s audience brought big energy and enthusiastic reactions. However, the second night felt quieter, and that shift mattered. As a result, the actors noticed the difference immediately, proving just how much an audience shapes a live performance.

From there, the conversation widens into Leah’s theatre journey. She looks back on her performance history and the launch of her company, Let’s Put On A Show, which began in 2022. Popcorn Falls marked the second production under that banner, and importantly, it won’t be the last. Leah explains why theatre continues to matter so deeply to her. For her, it’s more than entertainment—it’s therapy, connection, and community all rolled into one.

Meanwhile, Shawn flirts with the idea of stepping onstage himself. Although he worries about memorizing lines, Leah pushes back. Surprisingly, she says, people often remember far more than they expect once rehearsals begin.

Next, things take a lighter turn with a round of “The Couple’s Quiz.” Shawn and Leah fire off roughly 15 questions to test how well they really know each other. Some answers come easily. Others? Not so much.

After that, the focus shifts to Etsy. Leah’s shop continues to perform well, while Shawn admits January has been slower than hoped. Still, inspiration keeps flowing.

Shawn’s brother Robin has been offering steady t-shirt design ideas, even while facing serious financial stress. Currently on the verge of eviction, Robin has a GoFundMe set up by his friend Tracy. Although the goal is $5,000, the campaign has only reached $265 so far.

As always, this episode blends creativity, honesty, and real life—one observation at a time.

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In this episode, Shawn and Leah catch up over coffee and cover a little bit of everything—from community theatre to winter woes, side hustles, and big-picture life planning.

Leah shares exciting news about the play she’s directing with her producing partner RJ. The show is called Popcorn Falls and will be performed in support of the RNAO – Algoma Chapter (Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario). The play runs for two nights, January 23 and 24, at The Grand Gardens in Sault Ste. Marie. We talk about the process, the cause, and why this production means so much to her.

Next up, Leah talks about how her foot care business, Complete Sole Serenity, is really ramping up. She’s seeing more clients, building momentum, and actively looking to grow even further. Yes, we talk about feet. It’s more interesting than you think.

From there, things take a turn into neighborhood drama. Our next-door neighbor bought her house without a home inspection, and winter is now exposing every problem at once. A leaking roof, pigeons living in the rafters, and snowplows dumping road snow into her driveway because she’s on the corner. She’s overwhelmed, frustrated, and having a rough go of it.

That leads into winter weather talk and Shawn’s perspective as a mail carrier. Delivering mail in Canadian winters is no joke. Snow, ice, and brutal conditions spark a conversation about whether it’s time to apply for a supervisor position and move indoors. With 10 years left until retirement and Canada Post restructuring, the timing may not be right—at least not yet.

We wrap things up by talking about our Etsy shops. We chat about what’s been selling, what’s currently listed, and how we’ve been sourcing more inventory. Shawn reflects on being a lifelong collector, turning 50 this year, and feeling ready to start purging. There’s just too much stuff, and no one else wants to deal with it. Plus, retiring to Europe someday means traveling lighter—physically and mentally.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Collectandcaston

https://www.etsy.com/shop/RustedRobotToys

https://lets-put-on-a-show-108707.square.site/

It’s an episode about creativity, community, work, winter, and figuring out what’s worth holding onto.

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