On this episode of 'the Nostalgic Vagabond' podcast, I talk with Kevin Russell.

Kevin is born and raised here in the UK. He's a proud Scouser, talented musician, and small business owner. Kevin is a real people person which is probably why he has enjoyed being involved with the Couchsurfing community over the years.

In conversation, over the phone we reflect on Couchsurfing at home and abroad. According to Wikipedia, Couchsurfing is a global hospitality exchange service accessible via a website and an app. We discuss how we see Couchsurfing (4:00) as an idea and a community. Kevin explains how he first came across this social media platform, which is actually social.

Couchsurfing in its origins is a tool to build friendships in person, not through devices. We talk about what we believe a healthy CS ideology should be, (11:00) the ethos. Kevin shares how he created a Couchsurfing community in his home town and reflects on some of the initial challenges (21:00) but also the rewards which came with perseverance (26:00). We laugh about some of the characters we've encountered (29:00) some of the places we've visited (31:00) and how we believe paying it forward (43:00) into the community with great hospitality is how Couchsurfing should be.

Couchsurfing communities are everywhere and Kevin and I discuss some of the interesting CS experiences we've had in the past as well as ponder what the shape the CS community might morph into (52:00) in a post-Covid world...

Enjoy.

You can find below some links to Kevin's music:

INVISIBLE ALLIANCE http://invisiblealliance.moonfruit.com/

PETE ARROWSMITH http://petearrowsmithmusic.moonfruit.com/

NEW MUSIC VIDEO CHANNEL https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk7G6mXyRpkRSeSC1lNCKvQ?view_as=subscriber

Further links:-

Couchsurfing website https://www.couchsurfing.com/

A big thanks to Tom Forfar for creating the title tracks for the podcast series.

And, any comments or feedback feel free to email

the_n_v@yahoo.com