About the show

The Story of What Drives Us

It is possible for two people to have the same idea at the same time.  Such was the case for Danny Cooper and Russell Frost who both, for years, wanted to do a great, comprehensive weekly show on the future of transportation.  All it took to make it a reality was one phone call and then, a lot of work.

In early 2010 Danny and Russell were discussing it when they both realized what an amazing time we live in.  Significant new developments in transportation are happening, seemingly, every day.  It's no longer a matter of which major car company was modifying what model as it had been for decades, instead, the market was quickly filling up with new types of vehicles from brand new startups.

Both of them are passionate about their cars but in almost completely different ways.  What this led to was a way of looking at the industry from two different viewpoints that were still informed by a lot of common experience.  Danny started and runs the largest Prius site on the planet, PriusChat.  With more than 65,000 registered members PriusChat represents an enormous collection of knowledge and owner experience.  Russell took a different direction with the Prius Owners Group.  He wasn't so much interested in building a community as just countering a lot of what he saw as misinformation about the Prius (and other hybrids).  Prius Owners Group regularly posts news and commentary of interest to Prius owners and hybrid car enthusiasts.

Their goal with What Drives Us is to discuss, educate and, for lack of a better word, evangelize about the new vehicle alternatives that are available.  But make no mistake, this isn't a fan show.  Details and technical information are scrutinized and dissected, and cars that don't meet up or don't deliver what they promise are eviscerated on the show.  Together with a regular panel of experts in the industry as well as guests, they create one of most listenable, humorous and informative shows on advanced technology vehicles all of kinds available anywhere.

Meet the People Who Make What Drives Us Great

Danny Cooper

Danny became interested in hybrid technology back in 2003 and started PriusChat.com a month later as a website for Prius and green car enthusiasts to meet and discuss their passion. What began as a "fun" side project grew to 80,000 members and over 1 Million posts, so in 2007 Danny took on PriusChat as his full-time job. Not just a Prius-lover, Danny has had the opportunity to poke around and drive many of today and tomorrow's advanced technology vehicles, including Toyota's Prius Plug-In, Prius v, RAV4 EV, and Fuel Cell Vehicle, the Nissan LEAF, Chevy Volt, and Mitsubishi i EV.

Recently a new father, Danny is married and lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. When What Drives Us is not recording, he can typically be found in Columbia, SC tailgating and attending various University of South Carolina Gamecocks sporting events.

Russell Frost

In 2005 Russell Frost bought a 2005 Prius, started priusownersgroup.com and thus began his journey into advanced technology vehicle.  Since then the Prius Owners Group has grown into a small yet influential site on green cars and he's updated to a 2010, third generation Prius.  One of his favorite things about the Prius is the technology.  Somewhat paradoxically, he's not, by nature, a car lover (ask him about motorcycles sometime though).  It was the nature of the Prius that attracted him to the car and it's what fuels his passion for all advanced technology vehicles.

When he's not recording or producing What Drives Us, he's probably working on What Drives Us Insane, a weekly consumer electronics show or What Drives Us To Drink, a sort of weekly show about drinking better or What Makes Us Tick, an upcoming show about high-end mechanical wristwatches.  To earn a living, of sorts, he is a full-time photographer in Lancaster, Pennsylvania where he, his wonderful wife, his step-daughter, three dogs, two cats and a large tank of tropical fish occupy an historic 140 year old, brick row home.

Tony Schaefer

Dr. Evan Fusco

I'm a married father of 3 and I currently live in Nixa, MO.  In the past I've lived in Arkansas, New Orleans, and Alaska.  I'm an Emergency Medicine physician with a passion for travel, photography, reading and, of course, alternative energy vehicles.  I've owned a 2004 Toyota Prius since Oct. 2003 and have been a moderator on PriusChat.com since Nov. 2003.  I enjoy learning about, then translating the more technical details about the Prius and other hybrid technology for general consumption.

Linda Weidemann

Jason Holder

Behind the scenes

Most week the show records on Wednesday and is available for download or streaming on Friday

Russell Frost records, edit and produces the show.

Theme Music: "Fire Sermon" from Michael Manring's album, "Book of Flame" available from CDBaby and iTunes