I went to Big Bend for three days, and it changed my life. Yes, I know that’s dramatic, but stick with me. Rachelle Croft and I have collectively traveled extensively throughout the world—Rachelle primarily overlanding, and I via traditional travel. Our combined experience and mix of expertise lend themselves to trips that are well-planned and…
Choosing the Harder Path: Storytelling, Sacrifice, and the Road Ahead with Harrison Schoen
In this episode, Overland Journal Podcast host Matt Scott sits down with Harrison Schone. Harrison Schoen (@harrisonschoen) made his name living in a Porsche Cayenne and sharing raw, honest stories from the road. But it was a moment on national television—walking away from a $1,000,000 prize on MrBeast’s Beast Games—that cemented his ethos: some experiences…
Built to Roam: Expedition Vehicles with Spencer Park of Bliss Mobil
In this episode, Overland Journal Podcast host Matt Scott sits down with Spencer Park of Bliss Mobil to talk about our shared passion for expedition vehicles—what makes them special, what they enable, and why they matter. From design philosophy to real-world functionality, we explore what separates true expedition platforms from ordinary builds. Along the way,…
Pizza to Go: Portable Ovens that Bring your Favorite Pies Beyond the Backyard
Overlanding getaways to the backcountry need not forego the simple pleasure of America’s favorite food. Adding an outdoor pizza oven to your cache of mobile cooking appliances instantly elevates life under the open skies. Today’s portable pizza ovens incorporate several features, and many models use multiple fuel sources. The ideal pizza oven can reach much…
The Big Thing :: A Mighty Little Triumph in Montana
Having attended my share of overland events over the years, I half-expected XOverland’s inaugural The Big Thing (July 10–13, 2025) in Montana to feel like a polished production with an established vibe. What I didn’t anticipate was the heart, the attention to detail, and that family-oriented community energy pulsing through the XOverland Ranch like wildfire….
Dave Harriton on What it Takes to Build a Factory Overlander
In this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast, hosts Matt Scott and Scott Brady are joined by Dave Harriton from American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) to delve into the complexities of building a factory overlander. The discussion examines the key components of overland vehicle construction, including transfer case chain integrity, the distinction between aftermarket and OEM…
The Big Thing :: Where the Heart of Overlanding Came Home
The Big Thing event began with a simple idea: create something that feels like why we all fell in love with overlanding in the first place. Not for the gear. Not for the builds. But for the belief that adventure makes us better—because it brings people together and changes us along the way. So, we…
Toyota Taps Rachelle Croft and Taylor Pawley to Lead Rebelle Effort
This isn’t their first rodeo. Rachelle Croft and Taylor Pawley won the grueling Rebelle Rally outright six years ago, and they have their sights set on taming the California and Nevada deserts again in 2025—this time with factory support from 4WD giant Toyota. In fact, the Croft/Pawley duo from XOverland will be the first outside…
Travel Beasts’ 1993 Toyota Land Cruiser HZJ73 :: Feature Vehicle
It happens to the best of us; we purchase a vehicle and kit it out for a long-distance overland journey, only to find that our needs change as we fall deeper into overlanding and commit further to a life lived on the road. A rooftop tent and daily outdoor existence are fine for a few…
Land Rover Launches Global Defender Trophy Competition
Two years ago, I participated in the Land Rover Trek event held in Texas and came very close to winning the event with my team (we finished second, losing to the returning champions). The event comprised a series of physical and mental challenges centered around the capable, tenacious, and stylish new Land Rover Defender 130….
Sierra Trek Adds New Adventure Trips for August 2025
Established in 1967, Sierra Trek has become an annual destination for families across the West, and this year they are pulling out all the stops by adding four new Platinum trips. The event takes place in the Sierra Nevada north of Truckee, California, with a base camp placed on the cornerstones of the 1862 mining…
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…
The Big Thing :: Overland Training and Class Schedule
The Big Thing Overland Training courses is where you gain the knowledge and confidence you need for your next big adventure. From recovery techniques and navigation skills to cooking on the trail and setting up power systems, our expert-led classes cover a wide range of essential overlanding topics. Whether you’re just starting or a seasoned…
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…
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,…
The Big Thing :: An Ultimate Overland Event
As the overland community grows, it is more important than ever to provide opportunities for training, connection, and shared stories of adventure. At Expedition Portal, we could not be more excited for The Big Thing overland event coming to Bozeman, Montana, at the XOVERLAND Ranch. Now that Expedition Portal is part of the Overland Collective,…
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…
Tanner Johnson on Building and Maintaining Expedition Vehicles
In this episode, Overland Journal Podcast hosts Scott Brady and Matt Scott discuss the intricacies of building and maintaining effective expedition vehicles with Tanner Johnson from Expedition Overland. Tanner shares his extensive experience in wiring, handling vehicle weight, and suspension setups to improve performance in the field. We delve into sustainable power solutions, including the…
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…
Principles of Overlanding: Intentional Vehicle Modifications
Join hosts Matt Scott and Scott Brady in this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast as they dive deep into the principles of modifying your overland vehicle with intention. Matt and Scott discuss the importance of thoughtful upgrades, the dangers of over-complication, and how to build a vehicle that meets your specific use case without…