In this special Memorial Day episode of “Journey with Jake,” host Jake Bushman sits down with his eldest son, Josh, for a heartfelt father-son conversation that explores family traditions, shared memories, and Josh’s emerging journey as a YouTube content creator. Their warm, genuine interaction offers listeners a unique glimpse into the special bond between father and son while revealing how family experiences shape our paths forward.
The episode begins with Jake introducing Josh as his firstborn who made him a father 25 years ago. Jake shares that Josh was born premature at just 29 weeks, weighing only three pounds, a fact he still playfully references whenever Josh does something embarrassing. Despite this challenging start, Josh grew into a friendly, athletic, and incredibly creative individual who now helps his father with all the Journey with Jake branding and designs. This creative talent has extended into Josh’s own endeavors, particularly his burgeoning YouTube channel. 
As the conversation unfolds, Josh reflects on what it meant to grow up as a Bushman, highlighting distinctive family traditions that shaped his identity. Reality TV nights featuring Survivor, Big Brother, and Amazing Race were weekly events in the Bushman household, often accompanied by their faithful tradition of Taco Bell takeout. This fast-food favorite carries special significance for the family, as Josh explains that his great-grandfather loved Taco Bell so much that his funeral reception featured trays of tacos and burritos from the beloved chain. Sports, particularly baseball, also played a significant role in their family life, with weekends often spent at Little League games.
The conversation takes a nostalgic turn as father and son reminisce about family adventures, especially their Disney trips. These experiences clearly hold special meaning for both of them, with Jake revealing that these Disney adventures actually inspired the concept behind his podcast. Their shared memories of a special family trip to Colorado, where they drove up Mount Evans (the highest paved road in North America), capture the essence of family bonding through travel and new experiences.
Perhaps most fascinating is the section where Josh discusses his lifelong interest in video games, which began in early childhood. Despite his parents not being gamers themselves, Josh found ways to nurture this passion through friends, extended family, and borrowed consoles. This early fascination has blossomed into his YouTube channel, “Tri,” where he combines his gaming knowledge with his design skills to create engaging content about Nintendo games and gaming design. Since launching in January, Josh has already built an impressive following and produced over 20 videos.
The conversation reveals the challenges of content creation, with Josh highlighting consistency as his biggest hurdle while balancing family life with his creative pursuits. Yet the rewards are meaningful, with viewer comments asserting his channel is “underrated” providing validation for his hard work. Throughout their discussion, there’s a beautiful thread of mutual admiration, as Josh acknowledges learning the value of hard work from his father, while Jake expresses how much he’s learned about friendliness and maintaining a happy countenance from his son. 
This episode serves as a powerful reminder of how our family experiences, traditions, and shared passions shape our individual journeys. As Josh poignantly defines adventure as “something new,” listeners are left reflecting on how the foundation of family support enables us to venture confidently into new territories of creativity and self-expression.
