Jeff Lewis Has Issues – Episode Summary

Podcast: Jeff Lewis Has Issues
Episode: Susan Powter & Sarah Colonna: RVs & Wet Women
Date: October 10, 2025
Host: Jeff Lewis
Guests: Susan Powter (fitness personality, author), Sarah Colonna (comedian, author)
Main Theme:
A quirky, candid discussion about Susan’s dream to transition to full-time RV life, seasoned with practical advice, heartfelt moments, vivid stories, and the hilarious banter that defines Jeff Lewis’s show. Also highlighted: the excitement around Susan's new documentary, and listener interactions on RV living and independence.

Episode Overview

This episode dives into Susan Powter’s plans to give up conventional living in favor of RV life—her motivation, anxieties, and the logistics of pursuing this kind of freedom at 67. The trio digress into deeply personal analogies, reminisce about past careers, and riff on the joys, pitfalls, and idiosyncratic culture of both RV living and 1990s fitness. A recurring focus is Susan’s emerging film project and her no-apologies approach to reinvention.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Breaking News: Susan’s Documentary Gets Distribution

• Susan Powter shares exclusive news: Her documentary "Kids Real One" just secured film distribution, heading to select theaters November 19th and later available widely ([01:27]).
  • Highlight: “The highest compliment we got was Shane saying Jeff doesn't sit still for anything. And he watched it and didn't move.” – Susan ([01:44])
• The panel celebrates a rare movie-going occasion, with plans for a group viewing.

2. RV Living: The Philosophy and The Reality

• Susan’s Motivation: She’s over apartment/house life, wanting to “live in a trailer for the rest of my life… Palm Springs is a vibe.” ([03:44])
  • She prefers a vintage, compact 19-foot RV, “the tiniest RV,” craving freedom and minimalism.
  • “All I want is a gas stove… I don’t do electric… my other one had old-school windows you rolled out.” ([14:03])
• Financial Realities:
  • Jeff warns of depreciation, hidden expenses (gas, insurance, repairs, space rentals). "It is very expensive. It is actually an expensive life." ([05:32])
  • Susan rebuts: “The good news now is that the RV market is in the toilet.” Even so, they agree on costs being at least $2,500/month when including everything ([26:49]).
• Susan’s Pragmatism vs. Dream: Admits she keeps cash in envelopes, has no credit, plans for a $5,000 down payment. “It’s in the envelope… gonna go get a dog…” ([08:10])
  • “All I want is to be free. I want crystals, my dog, and me!” ([09:16])
• Decor & Design:
  • Susan insists the whole interior will be painted “cherry red.” Jeff pleads for compromise, fearing resale issues. ([16:13], [27:45])

3. RV Life Culture and Stereotypes

• Who are RV people?
  • Susan: “I don’t want RV friends.” Jeff jokes: ask if it’s a swinger community ([20:45], [20:54]).
  • Callers share positive experiences: Marianne from Florida said she “absolutely loved” living in a camper and met “the nicest people… it’s a vibe.” ([23:36])
  • Sarah/Jeff joke about getting RVs just for the drinking-friendly, communal culture ([21:01])
• Safety & Security:
  • Susan shares a dramatic story of her dog protecting her in a casino RV lot robbery ([18:03]).
  • On practicalities, she notes, “I have my axe, and it will be in there” ([17:58]).

4. Minimalist, Nomadic Mindset

• Letting Go: Susan will only keep photos, giving up all possessions (“Everything else goes, except the children—they can visit. But other than that, everything's gone.” [13:53])
• Clothing: She now wears only black sweats, “done with dress, done with clothing,” but is sent a Macy’s gift card for “cute workout clothes” ([34:09], [35:23]).
  • “I call it exercise chic—sweats, but with heels and a wrap I made to die for.” ([34:49])

5. Finances, Logistics & Listener Advice

• Listener Q&A:
  • Average costs: Space rentals about $40/night plus expenses ([24:25])
  • Essentials: AAA RV membership is strongly advised by a caller ([44:13]).
  • Hookups: Most parks have electricity, water, showers, and full facilities ([25:55])
• Repairs, Upgrades, and Depreciation: The group grapples with longevity, restrictions on trailer park age, and painting risks.

6. Making a Living on the Road

• Earning Model: Currently driving Uber Eats and selling a book. Jeff jokes about “counting your chickens before they hatch—literally,” as Susan wants chickens in her RV ([09:48], [10:00])
• Podcasting & Teaching Opportunities:
  • Listener Steve suggests Susan podcast while “following the sun” in her RV; Sarah claims credit for raising it first ([39:45], [40:01]).
  • Jeff and Producer suggest pop-up or masterclass formats for Susan’s signature intense fitness/yoga classes (“People don't expect me to have lost my flexibility… we’ll all do it together.” [41:19])

7. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You know what I had on my RV years ago… when you open the RV, on the stairs, it said ‘Wet Women’… It was the best time of my life.” – Susan ([07:22])
• “It’s like driving around a little apartment. It really is.” – Marianne, caller ([25:59])
• “I want to be homeless and naked.” – Susan ([28:45])
• “You can come. I'll make you dinner. I'll pull in, I'll pull it downstairs. You can come on down and have breakfast with me.” – Susan, inviting Jeff to the RV ([12:23])
• “Jeff Lewis is where dreams go to die, okay?” – Sarah ([27:19])

8. The Jose Saga

• Update on beloved maintenance man Jose: He was let go from Susan’s apartment complex, which she laments greatly, stating she no longer feels as safe or cared for ([48:44]).
  • “I do not feel as safe without Jose. The property is not being managed properly.” – Susan ([50:34])

Highlighted Timestamps

• 01:27 — Susan breaks documentary news
• 03:44 — Susan's RV and minimalist living vision
• 05:32 — Jeff discusses the downfall of expensive RV ownership
• 09:16 — Susan on what “freedom” looks like
• 13:53 — Susan’s radical approach to possessions (“Everything goes, except the children.”)
• 16:13 — “Cherry red” RV interior debate
• 20:54 — “It's a swinger community, kind of.” (Sarah/Jeff’s RV culture joke)
• 23:36 — Caller Marianne shares glowing RV living experience
• 24:25 — Realistic costs of space rentals
• 27:45 — Jeff pleads not to paint the RV red (for resale)
• 34:09 — Susan’s sweats-only wardrobe; Jeff gifts Macy’s card
• 41:19 — Susan on returning to teaching fitness/yoga
• 44:13 — AAA RV membership tip from a caller
• 48:44 — The fate of beloved maintenance man Jose

Tone, Style & Audience Experience

The tone is unscripted, quick-witted, and irreverent—emphasizing Jeff’s skeptical, comedic voice, Susan’s eccentric confidence, and Sarah’s good-natured skepticism. The episode is packed with laughs and life wisdom, offering both practical detail and big-hearted encouragement for anyone considering radical life changes or chasing long-held dreams.

For New Listeners

This summary covers the heart of the episode—Susan’s quest for liberation through RV living, the realities and expenses of that dream, nostalgic stories and unexpected moments of vulnerability, and the persistent support and ribbing from Jeff and Sarah. It’s a heartfelt, anarchic celebration of moving forward—on wheels, in sweats, painted in cherry red, and against all the odds.