The Overland Journal Podcast

Overland Journal Podcast host Ashley Giordano interviews writer, ecologist, and Overland Journal co-founder Jonathan Hanson for the publication's 20-year anniversary. Hanson discusses his favorite expedition vehicles, including his 1973 FJ40 and a 1993 Land Cruiser Troopy traveled across Australia, Africa, and the U.S. He shares how early field-biology work and outdoor exploration shaped his approach to conservation and travel, leading to the creation of Overland Journal and Overland Expo alongside Scott and Stephanie Brady. Reflecting on his editorial philosophy, Hanson recounts collaborating with Tom Sheppard on the Vehicle-Dependent Expedition Guide, highlights memorable journeys in Southern Africa and Egypt, introduces his new publication, Exploration Quarterly, and offers practical advice on vehicle modifications, low-impact driving, and essential overlanding gear. Jonathan Hanson: Exploring Overland | Jonathan Hanson Author | Exploration Quarterly | Tune in Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube The Overland Journal Podcast is brought to you this week by Hankook Tire For additional heritage content and news, sign up for Overland Journal’s Weekly Dispatch: overlandjournal.com  New to Overland Journal and want to grab a subscription? Visit Overland Journal and enter code: overlandpodcast at checkout for 20% off. We thank you for being a subscriber.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Overland Journal Podcast host Scott Brady discusses the core principles of overlanding navigation with Chris Cordes, highlighting primary, secondary, contingency, and emergency backups. They compare three main app categories: turn-by-turn tools like Google Maps, reference/layer apps like iOverlander and Tracks4Africa, and hybrid discipline-specific platforms such as onX and Gaia. While Google excels at everyday routing and real-time traffic, onX offers specialized backcountry features, including land ownership layers, trail data, weather updates, offline mapping, and off-road turn-by-turn routing. The pair emphasize thorough pre-planning, downloading maps for offline use, re-evaluating routes after navigation mistakes, and carrying redundant devices alongside paper maps. Finally, they explore responsible land stewardship, onX’s trail-verification process, global expansion, AI planning tools, and the Overwatch Rescue evacuation add-on. Overland Journal Podcast Episode #325 Tune in Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube The Overland Journal Podcast is brought to you this week by Hankook Dynapro Tire and GME Radios New to Overland Journal and want to grab a subscription? Visit Overland Journal and enter code: overlandpodcast at checkout for 20% off. We thank you for being a subscriber.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Overland Journal Podcast host Scott Brady chats with Amanda and Patrick from Rugged Destinations. They share highlights from pre-running the Back 400 and skills course at XOverland Ranch in their newly built Mitsubishi Canter JDM firetruck, their passion for JDM imports, and what inspired their outdoor travel. The couple discusses transitioning from traditional careers—Patrick as a mechanic and Amanda as an IP paralegal—into full-time creators. They detail pivotal journeys to Prudhoe Bay and Baja, as well as the realities of overlanding as a family, including homeschooling, communication, and safety. Finally, they reflect on supporting veteran organizations, sponsoring the Northwest Overland Rally, and their upcoming plans to drive through South America. Website | Instagram | YouTube | FaceBook | Pinterest Overland Journal Podcast Episode #323 Tune in Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube The Overland Journal Podcast is brought to you this week by Hankook Dynapro Tire New to Overland Journal and want to grab a subscription? Visit Overland Journal and enter code: overlandpodcast at checkout for 20% off. We thank you for being a subscriber.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Overland Journal Podcast host Scott Brady talks with team member Jack Mac about minimalism and life on the road. Jack shares insights from over five years managing Expedition Portal’s classifieds and global travel by bicycle, backpacking, and vehicles like a 70 Series Land Cruiser Troopy. They discuss how a travel mindset lowers consumer spending, why high-end gear can become a burden, and why you should choose a vehicle you can afford to lose. Jack reflects on how bikepacking taught him minimalism and pacing, details a perilous Iceland crossing, and emphasizes preparation, managing vehicle mass, supporting local communities, keeping overhead low, and his passion for photography. Bicycle Touring Apocalypse Instagram | Facebook Tune in Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube The Overland Journal Podcast is brought to you this week by Hankook Dynapro Tire and Midland Radio New to Overland Journal and want to grab a subscription! Visit Overland Journal and enter code: overlandpodcast at checkout for 20% off. We thank you for being a subscriber.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Overland Journal Podcast host Ashley Giordano interviews Jess and Dave of Global Traces from Lake Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan, about five years of overlanding in their MAN HX60 expedition truck with their dog Otis and five-and-a-half-year-old daughter Isla. They explain why they chose a truck for long-term autonomy and comfort, how they bought an ex-British military HX60 cheaply with low kilometers, and how they designed and project-managed a split build to prioritize space, headroom, a raising/lowering bed, and essentials like a washing machine. They discuss tradeoffs of size and weight, common questions about cost, fuel (about 28–30 L/100 km), and toilets, plus how they afford travel through savings and Dave’s photography work. They share lessons and community support from multiple recoveries, including a major winch rescue in Tajikistan, and outline revised plans after Mongolia border restrictions for animals. Global Traces: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Photopositive New to Overland Journal and want to grab a subscription! Visit Overland Journal and enter code: overlandpodcast at checkout for 20% off. We thank you for being a subscriber.  Tune in Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Sponsored in part by Hankook Dynapro TiresSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Overland Journal Podcast Host Scott Brady interviews Rachael Elsman, executive director of the Overland Expo Foundation and Overland Collective event coordinator. Rachael discusses living off-grid in a self-converted school bus in Baja, managing solar power and water. She also details bicycle touring from Vancouver to Tijuana after working in Alaska, sharing lessons on minimalism and adaptation. The conversation covers the Foundation’s origins and its work supporting stewardship and veteran-focused overland therapy groups through event funding. Listeners learn how to donate, volunteer, and practice responsible land use, discovering how overlanding transforms lives and communities. Overland Expo Foundation | Ultimate Build | FaceBook | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn OKIENOMADS Tune in Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTubeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this Overland Journal Podcast episode, Scott Brady interviews Doug Patteson about his journey from Texas ranching roots to a covert CIA career. Patteson details the intense recruitment process, deployments in Southeast Asia, and the vital intelligence lessons now informing his global travels: flexible planning, rapid decision-making, and the "rule of the stupids." He highlights essential security resources like GoVigilant and the STEP program. After leaving the CIA to prioritize family, Patteson joined Defender X, an ambitious amphibious Land Rover expedition. He discusses the project's evolution, from a Yukon River proof-of-concept to the current London-to-Sydney goal. A major upcoming milestone includes a daring 450-mile sea crossing from Timor to Darwin, showcasing the team's commitment to boundary-pushing exploration and national service values. Instagram | DefenderX | Defender.X | SPYSCAPE | Atlantic Saints | SPYEXSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recorded live at Overland Expo Flagstaff, host Scott Brady and Overland Collective marketing director Jake Perucca discuss the Overland Journal Podcast’s origins, emphasizing travel storytelling, editorial integrity, and audience engagement. They address shipping vehicles like the Grenadier to Australia and Africa, highlighting strict quarantine protocols, customs brokers, and essential import checks. The discussion includes route recommendations like Cape York, the Canning Stock Route, and southern Africa’s Sani Pass. Technical topics include field and studio setups, the podcast's evolving format with co-host Ashley Giordano, and upcoming spoken-word episodes. Scott connects the podcast to the magazine’s mission, teases the 20th anniversary and 100th issue, and shares Ewan McGregor as his dream guest, underscoring the platform’s commitment to authentic, high-quality overlanding content.LinkedIn | XOverland The Overland Journal Podcast is brought to you this week byNitto Tire | Overland Journal Magazine | Hankook TireNew to Overland Journal and want to grab a subscription! Visit Overland Journal and enter code: overlandpodcast at checkout for 20% off.We thank you for being a subscriber.Tune inApple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode of the Overland Journal Podcast, Scott interviews overlander Kym Bolton about his decades of global travel in a Mitsubishi Fuso camper, covering over 500,000 km across regions including Russia, Asia, the Americas, Africa, and Australia. Kym discusses why the Fuso is ideal for international trips, citing its reliability, payload capacity, and worldwide serviceability. He emphasizes keeping vehicles light and simple, recommending key upgrades like super-single tires, upgraded suspension, and suspension seats. Kym shares his recovery philosophy, which focuses on assessing hazards and maintaining equipment. They also discuss his background in winch competitions, strategies for vehicle storage, travel rhythms, and his favorites: Mongolia and South America. Finally, they highlight his current ventures, Australian Adventure Vehicles and GoannaTracks.com.Australian Adventure Vehicles | GoannaTracks | Instagram | Facebook | YouTubeThe Overland Journal Podcast is brought to you this week by Nitto Tire, Overland Journal Magazine, Hankook TireNew to Overland Journal and want to grab a subscription! Visit Overland Journal and enter code: overlandpodcast at checkout for 20% off. We thank you for being a subscriber.Tune in Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTubeOur No Compromise Clause: We carefully screen all contributors to make sure they are independent and impartial. We never have and never will accept advertorial, and we do not allow advertising to influence our product or destination reviews.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.