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Graham Jackson: At the Beginning of American Overlanding

Before overlanding was a hashtag, it was a mindset—and Graham Jackson was one of the people who helped define it in the US. In this Overland Journal Podcast episode, Scott Brady and Matt Scott sit down with Graham to trace the origins of overlanding in North America, from the founding days of Overland Journal to…

Drive It Like You Mean It: Lessons from the Commercial and Recreational 4WD Worlds

In this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast, hosts Scott Brady and Matt Scott welcome Chris Walker, professional trainer, explorer, and head of Tirion Safety. Chris has trained everyone from oil crews in Alberta to expedition drivers across Europe and Canada. The conversation delves into the real-world differences between commercial and recreational 4WD training—and what…

bonnet

Rock N Road 4×4 Expedition Bonnet Bag :: Field Tested

When it comes to maximizing storage on a 4WD vehicle, we tend to think we’ve explored every option. But there’s one often-overlooked space that deserves attention—the bonnet. And this is where Brad from Rock N Road 4×4 comes in. Specializing in custom gear solutions for Special Forces, tactical units, rescue teams, and Dakar race vehicles, Brad’s products…

Women’s-Only Off-Road Class Is a Go for XOverland’s Big Thing Event

On Sunday, July 13, 2025, as the featured “Big Thing” overland weekend concludes, the XOverland Ranch is offering a women-only technical training course—a dedicated space designed to build driving confidence, refine recovery techniques, and foster genuine connection among women who share a passion for adventure. Hosted at the picturesque XOverland Ranch near Three Forks, Montana,…

Scott Brady’s Overlanding 101: Travel Simple, Travel Far

“Scott Brady has spent decades traveling the world by vehicle. Now, he’s distilled much of that experience into a compact, accessible, and deeply thoughtful reference guide: Overlanding 101. It’s not just a how-to—it’s a why-to. And it’s probably the best book on overland travel you’ll find, but then again, Scott taught me most of what’s…

Beyond the Human Context: Protecting the Invisible in Kyrgyzstan

In 2017, my girlfriend, Caroline, and I bought a 1990s ex-ambulance Mercedes-Benz 609D in Berlin. With only 40,000 kilometers on the clock, it was in great shape and ready for adventure. Despite our limited resources, we managed to convert it into our off-grid home under the sweltering southern Spain sun. Without a garage, we did…

Living Legend Kingsley Holgate: The Man, the Beard, the Cause

Photography by Kingsley Holgate Foundation Kingsley Holgate is one of my heroes, having completed 41 expeditions (and counting), all after turning 50 years old. Explorations include reaching the geographic center of Africa, which had never been done before, and circumnavigating Africa, as close to the coastline as they could, which is something that was a…

Mike Pfeiffer of Last Line of Defense on Practical Readiness

In this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast, host Matt Scott converses with Mike Pfeiffer from the Last Line of Defense about practical readiness and overlanding. Mike shares insights from his life as an “army brat,” his experiences traveling and living in various states, and his journey into off-roading and overlanding. The conversation highlights the…

1966 Land Rover Series 2a Marshall Ambulance :: Feature Vehicle

The namesake of British explorer Ernest Shackleton is suitably the stuff of legends. This wheeled Sir Shackleton, who we’ll call “Shack” for brevity’s sake, is a 1966 Land Rover Series 2a Marshall ambulance. But we’ve already entered a shrouded realm of mythology. Though Shack’s registration papers designate his build year as 1968, the error in…

mid-size ford truck

The Best Mid-sized Trucks for Global Travel

The best overland vehicles are constantly morphing with consumer interests and regulatory pressures, but there has never been a better time to choose your next adventure machine. With the growing popularity of overlanding, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have doubled down on suitable models, and in the case of Ineos, an entirely new car company has…

overland collective

Overland Journal Podcast Episode #239: What is the Overland Collective?

In this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast, I am joined by Scott Brady and Clay and Rachelle Croft to discuss the creation of the Overland Collective and the acquisition of Overland Journal and Expedition Portal. The episode dives into the lead-up and backstory behind the acquisition, what Overland Journal, Expedition Portal, and XOverland viewers and…

From Fear to Fascination: Overlanding the United States-Mexico Border

I sat down and took a deep breath, desperately trying to clear my nerves. Our Zoom call gave a soft chime as parents and teachers logged on one by one. It’s not every day that a high school would consider supporting and helping pay for a month-long overland trip, much less an expedition consisting of…

May Overland News :: The Big Thing, New Project Vehicles, and Tariffs

Join hosts Scott Brady and Brian McVickers for the May edition of the Overland Journal Podcast. In this episode, they cover May overland news, including Overland Expo in Southern California, new products and projects, and exciting updates from the XOverland Ranch. Scott and Brian also delve into industry trends, the impact of tariffs, and upcoming…

hackney

Doug and Stephanie Hackney’s Inspirational Overland Adventures

In this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast, Scott Brady hosts special guests Doug and Stephanie Hackney, who share their incredible journey from high-powered careers to full-time explorers. They dive into their motivations behind choosing travel over material comforts, the challenges and rewards of overland adventures, and the importance of adaptability. The conversation also touches…

Redarc Manager Alpha75 and Rogue TVMS :: Field Tested

For the last five years, our 1990 Toyota Pickup has utilized a Redarc BCDC1225D as its DC-to-DC charger and solar charge controller. The BCDC’s diminutive size makes it an ideal choice for small battery banks in small vehicles. But, as electrical loads grow, battery capacity must keep up, and charger power output must follow. Redarc’s…

Andrew Comrie-Picard on the Power of Self-Belief and the Transglobal Car Expedition

Overland Journal Podcast host Ashley Giordano is joined by Canadian race car driver, X Games athlete, stuntman, and Baja 1000 champion Andrew Comrie-Picard in this episode, which touches on his childhood in Alberta, Canada, and how his love for driving challenges launched his automotive career. The conversation continues with an in-depth look at Comrie-Picard’s latest…

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