Hey I’m Josiah! I’m a professional real estate agent, and I’m passionate about being the very best at solving people’s problems and helping people achieve their dreams and get what they want in life! Although I often seem like the quiet and serious type, I absolutely love meeting new people, and having the opportunity to see the world through their eyes, and I love being exposed to new experiences, perspectives, and adventures! When I travel, I prefer to drive instead of fly because it gives me the freedom to live with a little spontaneity and randomness...on a whim I can stop at a unique coffee shop and chat with the locals and learn about all the cool things happening in the area, and by the end of the trip I might have at least one new friend in every state I’ve crossed! And then I get to visit them next time I pass through!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

A dream of mine is to turn my home into a space where people of all regions and worldviews feel welcome and safe; a place where everyone feels comfortable sharing their stories, their beliefs about life, and about the world.

When I travel, I’m not interested in the commercial tourist attractions. I prefer to meet and spend time with locals, make new friends, and learn what they love about where they live. You don’t get to learn anything new when you stay in a hotel, plus, they aren’t personal or exciting! I absolutely cherish the opportunities to listen to people, get to know them, do something fun, and learn what’s important to them. One of the reasons I prefer driving to flying is the flexibility to live with a little bit of randomness and spontaneity!

Interests

I love physical exertion and outdoor activities! I do HIIT and lift weights to train physically. I absolutely love hiking and camping. Next spring I’ll be taking a 3-4 day kayaking trip with some friends on the Arkansas Buffalo River! The Manitou Incline in Colorado is one of my most favorite trails because of how challenging it is! And if my journey ever takes me within 50 miles of a natural hot spring, you can safely bet that I’ll be taking that detour! I’m also learning the art of hammock camping, a delicate system, but oh so comfy. I’ve recently started getting into wakeboarding as well, which is proving to be an enthralling summer pass time!

• books
• literature
• music festivals
• swing dancing
• coffee
• running
• traveling
• music
• live music
• hiking
• kayaking
• camping
• swimming
• road trips
• beaches
• lakes
• mountains
• reading books
• discussion
• conversation
• local food
• meeting new people
• discovering new cultures
• discovering new places
• weightlifting
• local culture
• live concerts
• hot springs
• hammocking
• coffee shops
• hiit
• hiking in the mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Music:
My friends tell me my music tastes are more diverse than that of anyone else they know! I like almost any genre from any part of the world, except country music. 😂 My preferences can change week to week. On my current rotation of favorites is French Rap, Reggae rap, British Reggae, all kinds of Nordic music, Russian Folk Metal, Eastern European music, psychedelic rock, and Metal. My favorite time signature is 3/4 time.

Movies:
I’m pretty chill with anything as long as I’m hanging out with good company! However, I love a good psychological thriller, suspense thriller, Sci-fi, or horror. And I’m a SUCKER for great and terrible B-movies, and especially B-Horror movies. Have you ever seen Slugs, or Killer Clowns from Outer Space?
Ridiculous humor holds a special place in my heart as well. The Princess Bride, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, The Three Amigos, The Emperor’s New Groove, and Hoodwinked are all in my top ten of favorites.

Books:
I have a goal to read 52 books this year, and so far I’m averaging one per week! I’ve always hated school, but I have an insatiable hunger for learning, and books are such a source of joy and vitality for me! I read everything: Theology, philosophy, religion, politics, culture, psychology, economics, history, science, business, leadership, personal development, biographies, autobiographies, fiction, etcetera. And I love reading literature from different worldviews and political and religious persuasions, learning what I can from all sides, and then evaluating the coherence and merits of each idea.
When it comes to fiction, I love all kinds; the fantasy of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis is outstanding, I love dystopian literature, such as Ray Bradbury, Aldous Huxley, and George Orwell; and I’m particularly fond of the great old authors of horror, cosmic horror, and sci-fi, such as Edgar Allen Poe, Ambrose Bierce, H.P. Lovecraft, Robert W. Chambers, Rudyard Kipling, Robert Louis Stevenson, H.G. Wells, etcetera. I own two enormous volumes containing the complete works of Poe and H.P. Lovecraft, another sizable volume of time travel short stories, and another very large volume dedicated to sci-fi novellas and short stories! If it’s not obvious, books are one of the few things I shamelessly blow money on! 😅

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

In June of 2021 I drove to Los Angeles for a training conference. On my way through Albuquerque NM I stopped at Slow Burn Coffee for a while to restock my caffeine supply and visit with the barista, who is a friend of mine. A lady I’d never met before came up to me and asked me about my handmade leather journal, and that lunched us into a two-hour conversation about our favorite books. She invited me to stay with her and her husband on my way back home, so a week later, on my way back to Oklahoma, I stopped in Albuquerque and stayed two nights with this young couple, and we immediately became great friends! I’ve visited them several times now, and I stay with them every time I come through Albuquerque.

Teach, Learn, Share

I’m happy to help you practice English, if it’s not your first language.
I’m in the process of learning Spanish.
I read a lot and love discussing books and ideas!
I’m a Realtor, so if my knowledge in that industry might be helpful to you, I’m happy to share!
I do a lot of hiking, camping, and hammocking, so I love getting out on the trail and learning from those who are experienced, and also sharing with those who are inexperienced!
I don’t play any instruments, but I really want to learn how to sing, especially for those late nights around the campfire.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Abundant gratitude.
A fun and easygoing attitude.
A place to stay if you’re ever in my area.
If there is anything I can do to help around the house or be useful, I’m happy to participate.
Curiosity about your life, culture, and experience, and whatever wisdom you have to share.
If it’s wanted, I’m also happy to share my own beliefs and perspectives.
I always love having conversations with people over food or good coffee.
A hunger for adventure, and a willingness to try almost anything once!

Countries I’ve Visited

Kenya, Mexico

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States