The Overland Journal Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Principles of Overlanding 12V Fridges: Choosing the Right Size and Power for Real-World Travel May 07, 2026

Show notes

This episode of The Overland Journal Podcast, hosts Scott and Matt discuss choosing overland 12V fridges over coolers, advocating for the smallest necessary size (25–35L for one/two, 45–55L for small families) to avoid heavy slides and oversized units (like 80L for just drinks). They compare chest/drawer fridges to less efficient door-opening models, emphasize that cooldown speed matters mainly for warm groceries, and outline testing metrics: power draw, temperature accuracy, and warm-up time. They review brands, noting Engel's reliability issues, Dometic's value, National Luna's build quality/higher power use, and the heavy but high-performing ARB Elements 60L, plus Iceco and EcoFlow's battery/app features, promoting upcoming Overland Journal test results.

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2Up and Overloaded on What You Need to Know about Motorcycle Travel in Southeast Asia May 04, 2026

Show notes

This week on The Overland Journal Podcast, host Ashley Giordano welcomes returning podcast guests Tim and Marisa Notier of 2Up and Overloaded to discuss the adventure motorcycle couple’s travels through Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. In this episode, Tim and Marisa share lessons learned from the past two-and-a-half years, including practical tips on choosing a bike, navigating challenging border crossings, and enjoying the journey along the way. Tim and Marisa also speak to the challenges and rewards of traveling as a couple.
Sponsored in part by: Overland Journal Magazine

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John Balsdon on World Records and Crossing Africa Apr 30, 2026

Show notes

Overland Journal Podcast host Scott Brady interviews John Balsdon of Always Look Twice, a recent world record holder, about his 28-day drive from Nordkapp, Norway, to Cape Agulhas, South Africa. Balsdon, who largely hugged West Africa’s coast in two INEOS Grenadiers (one towing a Bruder trailer), shares how early travels and his mother, a professional photographer, shaped his attention to detail and lifelong drive to document landscapes and cultures. They discuss staying grounded post-travel through planning and reflection, the contrasts of living abroad versus passing through, and why he pursued the record as an antidote to “doom scrolling.” Balsdon highlights Guinea and the North Cape, describes low points in Angola, a lost passport recovered through Nigerian kindness, vehicle prep, and a forthcoming feature-length film.

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44,000 Kilometers on a Vespa Scooter: Juvena Huang on the Ride of a Lifetime Apr 27, 2026

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Join Overland Journal Podcast host Ashley Giordano as she speaks with Juvena Huang, a Singaporean overlander who embarked on a 44,000-kilometer journey by Vespa scooter. In this episode, Juvena dives into her highest highs, lowest lows, and most powerful lessons learned along the way. Juvena also touches on why she returns regularly to India and the inspiration behind her latest project: hosting motorcycle tours in the Himalayas.

Facebook | The Wandering Wasp

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Adventure Motorcycle Rider Henriette Thiim on Lessons Learned from 200,000 Kilometers of International Travel Apr 23, 2026

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Join Overland Journal Podcast host Ashley Giordano as she sits down with Danish motorcycle adventure rider Henriette Thiim to discuss Henriette’s latest trip through Algeria, Mauritania, and Morocco. In this episode, Henriette dives into the logistics required to ride through Algeria and her experiences in-country, as well as what she’s learned about managing fear after 200,000 kilometers of riding in 72 countries.

Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

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Herman and Candelaria Zapp on 22 Years of Worldwide Travel in a 1928 Graham-Paige Apr 16, 2026

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Host Ashley Giordano welcomes Argentinian overlanders Herman and Candelaria Zapp to discuss the life lessons learned during 22 years of travel in a 1928 Graham Paige car. In this episode, Herman and Candelaria speak about the generosity of strangers and the overlander mindset that ‘problems’ are merely challenges leading to incredible experiences. The couple also touches on the realities of bringing children into the world while traveling.

Zapp Family Completes 22 Years of Worldwide Travel in 1928 Graham-Paige | Youtube | Facebook

@familiazappfamily

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Used Vehicle Strategies for Overland Travel Apr 09, 2026

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Join Matt Scott and Scott Brady on this weeks Overland Journal Podcast episode as they discuss why buying a used overland vehicle can offer huge value as prices and labor rise, highlighting where to shop (Expedition Portal classifieds, Facebook Marketplace, Bring a Trailer, and Europe-focused Expedition Meister) and why many COVID-era builds now sell for “pennies on the dollar.” They stress prioritizing factory overland builds or reputable shop work to avoid unsafe DIY wiring and mismatched parts, and share deal examples including a modified Ford Ranger, AEV/Ursa Minor Jeep Wrangler, Gladiator with a Super Pacific camper, Power Wagon with a Four Wheel Camper, and a $4,000 LR3. They cover depreciation, resale realities, imported 25-year-rule vehicles and right-hand-drive limitations, plus ideas like buying overseas or using standardized RVs/vans such as Winnebago Revels to travel and resell with minimal loss.

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The most traveled overlander you have never heard of Adam Shani. Apr 06, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast, host Scott Brady interviews Israeli traveler Adam Shani about growing up on a southern Israel kibbutz, where community, humility, self-reliance, fixing machinery, and non-consumerism shaped him. Adam describes Israel’s compulsory military service, volunteering for special forces, enduring demanding training, and learning perseverance, logistics, survival skills, and controlling one’s response under hardship—lessons he later used in travel. He recounts his first major expedition in 2000: flying disassembled Honda XR600s to Cape Town and riding to Ethiopia on a low budget, then returning to work nearly a year on a Botswana farm amid dangerous wildlife.

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Jen Young on Outdoorsy and the Entrepreneur’s Journey Apr 02, 2026

Show notes

Overland Journal Podcast host Scott Brady interviews Outdoorsy co-founder, Jennifer Young, about how her burnout from advertising led her to launch the peer-to-peer vehicle rental marketplace (an "Airbnb of overlanding") in 2014, growing to 200+ employees. Outdoorsy has expanded into the Outdoorsy Destination Network (campgrounds) and the Roamly insurance business. The platform highlights overlanding's growth (10%+ of listings), with common rentals including Tacomas, Jeep Gladiators, trailers, and EarthRoamers, typically priced around $160/night. They discuss the "try-before-you-buy" value and host motivations. Young also shares entrepreneurship advice like “start before you’re ready.”

Jeff Cavins And Jen Young

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Cultural Geography, Exploration, and Sustainable Travel with James Fountain Mar 26, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast, host Scott Brady welcomes James Fountain, a cultural geographer and fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and the Explorers Club, to discuss how exploration can support communities and science. Fountain shares how Overland Journal first inspired him, his formative work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with the United Nations remapping roads, and how cultural geography examines how landscapes shape cultures. They compare happiness levels and development using examples such as Malawi and Bhutan, including Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness and conservation policies, and discuss reducing travel gear and impact. Fountain recounts an ambitious Wakhan Corridor motorcycle journey relying on local generosity, then offers practical guidance on respectful, sustainable travel and citizen science.

The Explorers Club | Royal Geographical Society. | @james_wl_fountain

Books published Amazon.com

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