Youtube is awash with vanlife and overland channels, but very few feature the same level of daring expeditions, camera work, and charismatic storytelling as “Living The Van Life.” I was fortunate to speak at length with the channel’s founder Chad DeRosa back in January to discuss his early life, award-winning film “Out of Nothing,” Youtube success (634,000 subscribers), and his…

  Show Notes for Podcast #95  Brad McCarthy on Australia, Land Cruisers, and Having Fun Along the Journey Summary:  Matt Scott and Scott Brady interview Brad McCarthy, founder of MAXTRAX about the wonders of the Australian outback, picking the right vehicle for the adventure, and remembering to find joy in any journey. Guest Bio Brad McCarthy I am driven to…

Podcast 94 Principles of Overlanding :: The Toyota Tundra for Overlanding Summary: For this episode, Richard Giordano and Scott Brady discuss preparing the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation Tundra for overland travel.     Guest Bio: RICHARD GIORDANO Richard Giordano completed a 48,800-kilometer overland journey from Vancouver, Canada to Ushuaia, Argentina with his wife Ashley in their well-loved but antiquated…

Living on the road has provided me with many magical experiences, but a select few were genuinely life-changing. The opportunity to kayak on the iconic Lovatnet lake was one such moment. The lake is located in the municipality of Stryn (the closest village is Loen, 1.2 miles), 52 meters above sea level, and is close to 7 miles in length….

Show Notes for Podcast #92  Overland Destination: South America Summary: Spanning 19,000 miles from Alaska to Argentina, the Pan-American Highway is a classic overland route. South America makes up a large portion of this adventure and offers diverse landscapes, cultures, and experiences. Scott Brady discusses the highlights with Richard and Ashley Giordano. Guest Bio:  ASHLEY GIORDANO Ashley Giordano completed a…

  Show Notes for Podcast #91  Principles of Overlanding :: The Toyota Pickup Summary:  Scott Brady and Richard Giordano discuss the Toyota Pickup and Hilux for overland travel, including preparing the 1979 to 1995 pickup for international travel. Additional discussion includes the newer Hilux, including Arctic Truck modifications for polar conditions. Guest Bio: Richard Giordano Richard Giordano completed a 48,800-kilometer…

Eva zu Beck is a Polish travel blogger who has explored more than sixty countries, showcases over two million followers on social media and has accumulated a colossal 80,000,000 video views. Eva’s career was not always one of international travel and adventure,but  rather a comfortable but unfulfilling corporate job in London. “I started to realize this wasn’t the reality I…

  Show Notes for Podcast #90  Bryon Bass on watches, EDC, BMWs, and Travel Clothing Summary: Scott Brady interviews Bryon Bass for his third time on the podcast, digging into his new R100 PD, vintage and travel watches, Every Day Carry, and essential thoughts around travel clothing.     Guest Bio:  Bryon Bass For Bryon Bass, overland travel is often…

  Show Notes for Podcast #89  Overland Destination: Saudi Arabia Summary:  Scott Brady discusses travel to Saudi Arabia with Ashley Giordano, as she reflects on her recent journey to the kingdom with Richard, traveling around the country in a Toyota Fortuner.     Guest Bio:  ASHLEY GIORDANO Ashley Giordano completed a 48,800-kilometer overland journey from Canada to Argentina with her…

When you face the unknown—whether people, places, or concepts—the talons of fear have a way of gripping down relentlessly. The year was 2018, and my husband and I were facing doubts before overlanding into an unfamiliar country for the first time. We would have experienced less of a mental rollercoaster were it not for our one-year-old travel companion, who would…

  Show Notes for Podcast #88 Fridge/Freezers and soft coolers for Overlanding Summary: Matt Swartz and Scott Brady discuss the key attributes of 12 volt fridges along with models we tested. We also dive into soft coolers and some of the best units on the market. Host Bios: Matt Swartz My name is Matt Swartz and I owe my love…

The Land Rover Defender is arguably the most iconic overland vehicle ever made (trust me, I’m British and thus completely impartial), and over the years, it has been the hero of many world-first expeditions. The Camel Trophy was undoubtedly fundamental to the Defender’s rise to fame. Ever since, it has continued to be one of the most sought-after vehicle platforms…

  Show Notes for Podcast #86 The 2022 Hummer EV Summary: Is the new Hummer EV the Ultimate Superlander? Matt Swartz and Scott Brady test the new Hummer EV Supertruck off-road and overland in the deserts of Arizona. Host Bios: Matt Swartz My name is Matt Swartz and I owe my love of the outdoors to my Grandfather, a PHD…

Show Notes for Podcast #85 Best Ground tents for Overlanding Summary: Matt Swartz and Scott Brady discuss the pros and cons of ground tents, and review 10 of the best models. Host Bios: Matt Swartz My name is Matt Swartz and I owe my love of the outdoors to my Grandfather, a PHD Ecologist, and photographer who was years ahead…

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Winter 2021 Issue. Chris Burkard is best known for his work as an adventure photographer. But in more recent years, he’s built a warranted reputation as an ultra-endurance athlete. In the summer of 2019, he set a new solo record on Iceland’s WOW Cyclothon, completing the 844-mile distance in 52…

  Show Notes for Podcast #84  John Pangilinan Shares Insights on Content Creation and Sponsorships Summary: Scott Brady interviews John Pangilinan about his work with content creators around the globe, and the challenges of being a good sponsored creative. John shares insights on his time with Formula Drift, Toyo Tires, and Pelican, along with his recent build of a 2022…

Snow Peak Home and Camp Lantern Continuing their tradition of designing outdoor gear that bridges the gap between function and form, Snow Peak brings us the Home and Camp Lantern. This camp light has modern features, like dimmable LED bulbs and a USB-rechargeable battery in a retro silhouette. Maximum light output is 400 lumens and the internal battery can power…

Show Notes for Podcast #83 Mario Donovan on Building Expedition Vehicles and the Joys of International Cuisine Summary:  Matt Scott and Scott Brady interview Mario Donovan of AT Overland about the challenges of building light and durable expedition vehicles, along with the joys of surviving tanks in Ethiopia and eating with our hands. Guest Bio:  Mario Donovan was born and…

When I reached the summit of Spitzkoppe mountain in Namibia, I had only been rock climbing for eight months. I couldn’t believe what it took to reach my goal, including the days leading up to it and the months of prep to make sure I was well-equipped.  Since my time in the infantry, I’ve been chasing the feeling I used…

  Show Notes for Podcast #81  Nena Barlow talks essential skills for backcountry overlanding Summary: Matt Scott and Scott Brady interview Nena Barlow about her favorite Jeeps, her competitive success with the Rebelle Rally, and the essential skills for exploring the backcountry. Guest Bio:  Nena Barlow Owner Nena Barlow grew up in the Southwest, exploring the back roads by Jeep,…