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Beachside Banter w/Bee

S2, Episode #9 – 42 Disney Trips and a Digital Empire: Paul Gowder on Magic, Community, and Lifestyle Entrepreneurship

About this episode:

Episode Summary:

This week’s guest is Dan Clouser — a full-time RVer, author, and golden retriever enthusiast who ditched the 9-to-5 to chase sunsets and stories from behind the wheel. Dan opens up about what inspired him and his wife to hit the road, how a 15-year-old golden named Euclid changed his life, and why freedom is the real definition of paradise. We dive into the power of reinvention, the beauty of unexpected detours, and how the road can lead you right back to yourself.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  • Why Dan and his wife chose to live full-time in an RV (and how it all started right before COVID)
  • The real story behind Dan’s beloved golden retriever, Euclid, and how he inspired a bestselling children’s book
  • How Dan finds peace, creativity, and community in the nomadic life
  • Travel hacks for future RVers — including the best (and wildest) places to camp
  • Advice for anyone looking to shake things up and find freedom on their own terms

Beach Town Spotlight:

🏖️ Galveston, Texas — Dan shares why this laid-back coastal town was the perfect month-long stop.

About my Guest:

Paul Gowder is the founder of PowWows.com, the largest online hub for exploring and celebrating Native American culture. A self-described accidental entrepreneur, Paul started the site in 1996 and has since built a thriving community with live-streamed powwows, cultural resources, and the most comprehensive powwow calendar in North America. He’s also a Disney superfan (42+ trips!), a seasoned digital marketer, and a cruise connoisseur with 25 Disney sailings under his belt. Paul lives in South Carolina with his wife Kelly—a Disney travel advisor—and their daughter, who now works at Walt Disney World.

Connect with Paul

🌐 Website: https://www.powwows.com
📅 Find a Powwow Near You: powwows.com/powwows-near-me
🎥 Live Powwow Streams: YouTube.com/powwowscom
📸 Instagram: @powwowsdotcom
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/powwowscom
👨‍👩‍👧 Disney & Travel Life: gowdersareonthego.com
✈️ Travel planning with his wife, Kelly: Kelly Gowder – Key to the World Travel

Time Stamps:

0:00 – Intro & Meet Paul Gowder  

0:02 – Accidental Entrepreneurship & PowWows.com Origins

0:06 – What a Powwow Is & How to Attend One

0:10 – Disney Travel Deep Dive

0:14 – Cruise Life: Disney vs. Royal Caribbean

0:19 – Online Culture, Representation & Native Voices

0:22 – Cultural Sensitivity & Supporting Native Vendors

0:26 – Favorite Travel Moments & What Paradise Means

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