Ep. 175 - Karen Bates: More Than a Bus Driver

Episode Show Notes

In this heartfelt episode of Stories from Real Life, we sit down with “Miss Karen” Bates, a Utah school bus driver who has spent 14 years shaping young lives from the driver’s seat.

Miss Karen opens up about her childhood, her 34-year marriage, raising five children, and the meaningful path that led her to become a school bus driver. She shares stories filled with laughter, love, and the moments that still bring tears to her eyes — from unforgettable encounters with students to the silent struggles she’s witnessed along the way.

This conversation reveals the unseen emotional labor of a job often overlooked — and the profound ripple effect one person can have simply by showing up every day.

🎧 Topics include:

* Life before the bus route

* Marriage, motherhood, and legacy

* The unseen challenges of school transportation

* Moments of joy and heartbreak on the road

* The power of consistency in a child’s life

A reminder that sometimes the most powerful stories don’t come from stages — they come from the driver’s seat.

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