The Overland Journal Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Principles of Overlanding: Overland and Expedition Trailers Dec 21, 2023

Show notes

Did you know that Expedition Portal articles about overland, expedition, and off-road trailers are among the most popular on the website? It's one of the hottest segments in the overland industry—from tiny teardrops to massive multi-axle toy haulers, there have been incredible leaps in technology across the board in the hitched-up world. In fact, there are so many trailers on the market now and such a dizzying array of options and designs that it can be a real challenge to make sense of it all.

The Overland Journal Podcast is here to help with some real-world expertise. In podcast episode 175, the founder of AT Overland Equipment, Mario Donovan, joins the conversation with hosts Matt Scott and Scott Brady to sort through everything you need to know about overland and expedition trailers. They take a hard look at suspension, chassis development, length, different types of trailers, the importance of electric brakes, and much more.

Full show notes available at Overland Journal Podcast

A special thanks to our sponsors:
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Explorer and Filmmaker Reza Pakravan on the World’s Most Dangerous Borders Dec 15, 2023

Show notes

Ashley Giordano interviews British explorer and filmmaker Reza Pakravan. Raza's long and impressive CV includes crossing the Sahara by bike in record time, traveling the length of the Sahel region of Africa, and attempting to set the World Record for fastest bicycle journey from the Arctic Circle to Cape Town, South Africa. In this podcast from the field, Reza talks about what he discovered filming his latest multi-part series, “Hidden Frontiers Arabia” and how Tintin was a major childhood influence.

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Top 10 New Overland SUVs Dec 08, 2023

Show notes

Join hosts Scott Brady and Matt Scott on a wide-ranging discussion of the best new overland SUVs on the North American market today.

It's safe to say that explorers who are looking for a modern rig as a foundation for an overland SUV have more choices that are adventure-ready off the showroom floor than ever before. Scott and Matt sit down together at the Overland International Headquarters in Arizona to parse out some of the pros and cons of their top ten new SUVs for 2023.

Does Matt say that the G-Wagen is driven by some "really, really, really terrible people"? He does. Is the G-Wagen also his top pick for a daily driver? It is (take all of that how you will). Did the new Land Rover Defender make the list? Just barely. Where does the Rivian R1S fall in the top ten? Which 4WD takes the top spot? The results might surprise you. When these two start going deep on 4x4s, you know they won't hold back.

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Shipping a Tundra Camper to Europe: Full-Time Overland Work & Travel Update with Ashley Giordano Nov 23, 2023

Show notes

Host Scott Brady interviews co-host Ashley Giordano for an update on her and Richard’s open-ended, full-time work-and-travel journey after shipping their Toyota Tundra and Overland Explorer Vehicles Alpine pop-top camper roll-on/roll-off from Texas to Southampton in April. Now in Spain after extensive time in Scotland, Ashley shares how they balance remote work by slowing down, using Starlink, and occasionally staying in Airbnbs. She discusses camper choices and tweaks (no toilet/shower, induction cooktop, strong but coarse window mesh, gray-water management) and notes the Tundra’s reliability despite fuel use and concerns about size. They compare Europe to Pan-American travel, recap Ashley’s 60-day Expedition Overland work trip through South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana, outline plans to return to Canada for Christmas then head to Morocco after Schengen limits, and highlight books including Cry of the Kalahari and In Search of Sheba.

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Gratitude from Nairobi: Crossing Africa Segment 2, Grenadier Reliability, and Travel Gear Lessons Nov 16, 2023

Show notes

Recording from a rainy Nairobi after completing segment two of a Grenadier trip across Africa, Overland Journal Podcast host Scott Brady centers the episode on gratitude for Africa, listeners, family, and the Overland International team. He shares a Black Friday offer for podcast listeners—code PODCAST2023 for 50% off Overland Journal subscriptions and 2023 back issues—while emphasizing the magazine’s independent, veteran-, women-, and employee-owned journalism. Scott recaps highlights from Tanzania and Kenya, including remote routes, Kilimanjaro’s northern slopes, Mount Meru, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti (special campsites), Lake Victoria, and a Mount Kenya camp near Lake Ellis with local Grenadier owner Abid. He reviews communications gear (Garmin inReach, Rocky Talkies, Starlink, Iridium GO Exec) and notes satellite regulations, plus lessons on a small Dometic 25L fridge, a lightweight load platform, Redarc solar charging, and 20,000 km with zero Grenadier failures. He also reflects on traveling with his girlfriend Tavia and the habits that helped them travel well together. This episode was recorded as a monologue.

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SEMA 2023 Goes Overlanding With Brian McVickers Nov 10, 2023

Show notes

Scott Brady interviews Brian McVickers about his recent experience at the 2023 SEMA Show, including his review of the new Lexus and Toyota overland concept vehicles. We discuss the new ARB trailer and expanded offerings from Ironman and others. The SEMA show has also expanded the overland area to include outside displays of overland campers, trailers, and vans. This included the new Revel and the Hike models from Winnebago.

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Ibérica Overland on What You Should Know About Overlanding in Spain Nov 02, 2023

Show notes

Overlanding Spain & the Balkans: Iberica Overland on Spomeniks, DIY Campers, and Travel Tips

Host Ashley Giordano records from northern Spain with Enrique and Eva of Iberica Overland, who share how they moved from off-roading and backpacking into vehicle-based travel, documentary filmmaking, and creating their YouTube channel during COVID. They describe multiple overland trips through the Balkans to photograph Yugoslav WWII memorial “spomeniks,” remote abstract monuments often overlooked locally, and explain their history, scale, and atmosphere. The pair also detail building a lightweight, compact wedge-style canopy camper for their 2016 Ford Ranger, how the prototype evolved, and how it led to a small handmade camper business in northern Spain. They then offer practical guidance for traveling Spain, including its 17 autonomous communities, regional languages and landscapes, trail access differences by region, wild camping legal gray areas, and cultural tips like meal schedules, tapas, and siesta hours.

Full snow notes available at Overland Journal Podcast

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Understanding the Overland Industry Oct 26, 2023

Show notes

Host Scott Brady and co-host Brian McVickers discuss the overland industry’s origins and rapid growth, outlining where they see current and future opportunities for businesses, creators, and travelers. They emphasize authenticity as essential for success with a savvy, affluent, quality-focused audience, and clarify overlanding as vehicle-supported adventure travel distinct from road trips, camping, or off-roading as sport. Using audience research, they estimate a global overland vertical market of roughly 30–40 million people, noting continued long-term growth despite a temporary COVID-driven spike and subsequent normalization. They highlight OEM commitment (including Toyota and Grenadier), the importance of stewardship, and practical business guidance: find white space aligned with core skills, avoid generic copycat products, prioritize premium quality and service, use events for feedback, and approach media work with complete, edited story packages. They also caution about the fragility of influencer-only models and recommend diversified income streams.

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Brian McVickers on Saying Yes to a Life of Adventure Oct 19, 2023

Show notes

Scott Brady interviews his friend and business partner Brian McVickers, discussing Brian’s early life of competitive sailing and international travel. The conversation continues with meeting his wife Amy and their years of sailing the Caribbean and living for four years on their sailboat. Brian has worked in leadership within the outdoor space for over two decades, and shares his insights on overlanding, traveling with family, and casting off the bowlines for a life well lived.
Full show notes available at Overland Journal Podcast

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Overland News: Fall 2023 featuring the new Land Cruiser, ZR2 Bisons, Minimalist Travel Devices, and More Oct 12, 2023

Show notes

Scott Brady and Brian McVickers launch a new series called Overland News, where we feature the latest from the overlanding industry, including new vehicles, camping equipment, travel gear and more. In 2007, Overland Journal launched the Overland News section of the magazine, and we are picking up the nameplate for the podcast, making this feature a quarterly (or slightly more frequent) segment. For this episode, we talk about the new Land Cruiser and GX 250, along with the ZR2 Bison lineup, and the new Ram Rebel 2500. Additional conversation includes Scott's dumb phone, and the reMarkable II, along with new satellite communications, REDARC batteries, Garmin devices, and roof tents.
Full show notes available at Overland Journal Podcast

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