EP323 | Rugged Destinations: A Family's Journey

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 interviews Ant Austin of We Will Roam in Montana about balancing a tech career with long-term overland travel using remote work and contracting. They explore storytelling as the connection between tech, AI, and adventure, highlighting practical AI applications for creative organization while noting concerns over disclosure, scams, and Overland Collective’s stance against AI-generated editorial. Ant shares memories from a three-month Japanese journey in his 2011 VDJ78 Troopy, including a Land Cruiser community barbecue near Nagoya and Japan’s unique soundscape. He also reflects on pivotal Australian travels like the Telegraph Track, offering key lessons on slowing down, navigating high-stress encounters, and prioritizing clear communication and mental health during extended journeys. We Will Roam | Instagram | YouTube | FaceBook | Spotify We Will Roam Launches 5-part Australia Overland Series Tune in Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube The Overland Journal Podcast is brought to you this week by General 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 Jack Langton, who cycled 8,000 miles from London to Singapore. Over 150 days, Langton trained on the road, braved solo camping, and navigated intense environments like India and Turkey. He emphasizes the overwhelming generosity he encountered, especially throughout Central Asia. After returning to his consulting career, Langton launched "The Human Project," creating mini-documentaries that capture diverse global stories. His filmmaking journey has taken him across the U.S., East Africa, and Europe. Jack discusses building trust with subjects ranging from traveling circus performers to NGOs tackling social issues like FGM and albinism-related threats in Kenya and Uganda. Through these short films, he highlights resilient communities, including Nairobi’s street kids and Ugandan skate culture, bridging human experiences through digital storytelling. HUMN: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Tune in Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Sponsored in part by Hankook Dynapro Tires and Mohab 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 Matt Scott and Scott Brady discuss rugged terrain (RT) or “hybrid” tires as a third category between all-terrain (AT) and mud-terrain (MT), arguing RTs let ATs and MTs stay true to their strengths while better matching overlanders’ mostly-on-pavement use. They compare void ratios, noise/vibration/harshness, tread life, snow and wet-road performance, fuel-economy impacts, and load capacity, with examples from Toyo RT Pro, BFG HD Terrain, and other models. They stress how subjective tire testing is and describe past double-blind, same-vehicle testing, hoping to run an RT test later. Key buying attributes include 3-peak mountain snowflake ratings, sidewall construction (not just ply count), siping tradeoffs, and tire width choices favoring taller, narrower sizes for fit and efficiency. They critique treadwear warranties pushing harder compounds and note rising tire costs. 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 This episode sponsored in part by General Tire See 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.

Overland Journal Podcast host Ashley Giordano welcomes Bettina “Bea” Höbenreich and Helmut Koch to discuss the impacts of returning to ADV basics, answering the question “How minimalist can you go and still function in expedition conditions?” Join us as Bea and Helmut share their incredible journey of traveling the world on vintage 50cc motorcycles, exploring Australia's rugged landscapes, and the life-changing lessons learned along the way. Discover their tips on gear, logistics, and embracing simplicity for adventure. In this episode, Bea and Helmut share lessons learned from the past 20 months in Australia, riding two 50-year-old 50cc two-stroke Kreidlers. Time to Ride: Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube 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.

Overland Journal Podcast host Scott Brady interviews Jeremy “Thor” Bergh of Alu-Cab about building his South African export-driven business and supporting over 600 employees. Bergh shares a deeply personal account of his health journey, beginning with a seizure diagnosis and a brain tumor (glioma) near critical brain regions. He details the immense challenges of managing seizures, vision loss, and stress through surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Bergh credits stabilizing his condition to lifestyle adjustments—including swimming, meditation, and diet—alongside medical treatment. Reflecting on his experience, he discusses the importance of being present, appreciating the beauty of Cape Town, and focusing on family, teaching, and storytelling. Alu-Cab | Instagram | TikTok | FaceBook | LinkedIn | YouTube 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 | YouTubeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.