The Expedition Overland Podcast

Do you have lots of questions about auxiliary power systems for your vehicle, be it an overland vehicle, hunting rig, van, or even a small R.V.? Have you wondered about the pros and cons of lithium batteries, how solar power functions, and whether a mobile or “house” auxiliary power system is right for you?

Chase and Aimee Bartee are extremely hard-working filmmakers with a passion for fly fishing, overlanding, and conserving the beautiful and wild country they love.

It’s one thing to head out camping and traveling for a few days, a few weeks, or even a few months, but what about heading out on a 15-year full-time overland adventure around the world while raising your newborn child? Enter the world of Eric and Brittany Highland of Hourless Life.

What happens when two podcast hosts who spend most of their time talking about overland adventure head out on their own separate journeys? Find out in this authentic and insightful episode that is not without its share of humorous stories shared by our hosts.

Learn what Sterling Noren considers the five essential skills for solo travel, why solo travel can sometimes be safer than traveling with a group, and how to minimize your risk and optimize your fun while solo traveling aboard a motorcycle or in a vehicle.

For anyone traveling into the backcountry whatever the means of transport, taking precautions to prevent wildfire starts and knowing what to do to stay safe if a wildfire ignites near your location are essential outdoor skills.

Have you ever considered taking all of that money you’d be spending on labor and using it to build your own custom truck camper? That’s exactly what Courtney and Riley Casey of the popular YouTube series, Ambition Strikes, set out to do–and did it.

Have you ever considered taking all of that money you’d be spending on labor and using it to build your own custom truck camper? That’s exactly what Courtney and Riley Casey of the popular YouTube series, Ambition Strikes, set out to do–and did it.

Water management and purification while hiking and backpacking is one thing, but managing a large quantity of water to supply an overlanding vehicle and several occupants over the duration of an extended trip is a whole different situation.

If you’re ready to have some fun turning some heads around camp when you break out the fish sauce rather than the ketchup, and you’re interested in raising your culinary camp cooking game to the next level without having to attend culinary school–this is the episode for you!

On this episode, host, Jimmy Lewis, sits down with XOVERLAND co-founders, Clay and Rachelle Croft, and XOVERLAND Content and Marketing Director, Evan DeHaven, to discuss everything happening that’s been happening behind the scenes at XOVERLAND and the new vision and direction for the company.

Rachelle Croft sits down to host solo adventure traveler and highly successful YouTube creator, Eva zu Beck, to discuss what’s next for Eva after five years of global traveling.

In the second episode of our XOVERLAND Podcast Q&A Series, we take on questions from listeners and fans about the challenges of time, money, and geographic location when it comes to getting started in overlanding.

Questions range from what the first modification should be on an overlanding vehicle to whether or not you should modify a vehicle in the first place.

Questions range from what the first modification should be on an overlanding vehicle to whether or not you should modify a vehicle in the first place.

Listen in on the conversation between Sheldon and X Overland founder and lifelong Tacoma enthusiast, Clay Croft, as the two enjoy a detailed discussion about what makes this newest generation of Tacoma a marked upgrade from its predecessors and an excellent platform for overlanders.

With one week to go till Overland Expo West 2023, we have event planner and all-around adventure woman, Eva Rupert, on the podcast to discuss what to expect at this year’s Overland Expo West!

Jon and Jimmy specifically explore how Wilderness Medicine applies to overlanders and what kinds of unique challenges confront overlanders traveling through remote areas and working with and from vehicles.

Ty served in the Marine Corps prior to joining our expeditions; therefore, he was immediately put in charge of team security as we toured our way through the Yukon, Mexico, and Central America.

We all poop (and pee!), so what are best practices for taking care of our “business” in the outdoors? We’ve invited Matt Caldwell, the Executive Director of TreadLightly.org to help us find answers to this question.

Like many aspects of overlanding, keeping your vehicle in top condition and ready for your next adventure involves developing a mindset and body of knowledge and skills suitable to the task.

What are power management controllers and how do they work to optimize power usage and protect expensive batteries and valuable accessories? These are just a few of the many common questions regarding electric power management in overlanding vehicles we seek to answer in this podcast.

Jimmy is joined by X Overland team members Matt Hopkins (Global Logistics Coordinator) and Ryan Connelly (Operations Manager) to discuss communications for overlanding and outdoor adventurers.

As an I4WDTA Master Trainer, Nena is currently engaged in working to help others become certified trainers in an effort to bring more effective off-pavement driving education to the vehicle-based adventure and overlanding community.

Discussing everything from camping opportunities along the T.E.T. (Trans Euro Trail), to exploring European history, to river crossings in Iceland, Clay and Jimmy take a deep dive into a conversation about the subject of overlanding in Europe and Scandinavia.

After spending some time discussing their work with Expedition Overland Season 5, The Nordic Series, Richard and Ashley share the details of their new build and the why behind their choice of platform.

You may have imagined these dreams but are feeling overwhelmed by the thought of such an undertaking, or perhaps you’re committed to getting your vehicle overseas but are in need of some solid education on the topic.

Relationships and marriages can be as tough as they are rewarding, and starting and running a successful business with your partner can present even more challenges.

Carol shares her own origin story as a camp chef, her original sources of inspiration, and how she came to understand the joy of cooking in all areas of life–especially while overlanding!

Join the conversation as Brian shares the origin story and inception of Goose Gear, the evolution of his relationship with X Overland, and how he built a successful business around his passion for overlanding adventure.

When it comes to taking kids on adventures in the outdoors, Megan Walthall has a lot of experience to draw from. The mother of three children (two girls and one boy), Megan and her husband, Bryan Walthall, have seen a lot in their years together adventuring as a family.

X Overland editor, Laura Titensor knows how to take risks and go after her passions. Now, this critically acclaimed filmmaker of her mini-documentary The Mark We Make is here to share her insight and story of how an idea and goal, turned into much more.

With the increased popularity of overlanding and vehicle-based adventures of all kinds, our campsites and trails on public lands are experiencing unprecedented use.

Beyond the specifics of Alu-Cab and it’s history, Clay and Jeremy enjoy a conversation about success and fulfillment in both business and life, offering hard-won insight from the competitive area of the marketplace.

Clay and Rachelle have a long and colorful history of building their brand at the SEMA Auto Show in Las Vegas. Listen to the many stories of their 12 years spent attending SEMA and how they went from wondering how to get inside the event to sharing the stage with Toyota at this year’s show.

Having recently returned from Iceland where he spent three weeks serving as photographer with the XO team while filming the Nordic Series, Tanner Johnson is eager to share his experiences and teach listeners all he can about overlanding and photography in Iceland.

When it comes to learning about winter camping and overlanding, you're in good hands with Expedition Overland founder, Clay Croft.

What is the best approach to packing for an overlanding trip or vehicle-based adventure of any kind? It may surprise you to learn that the first step is to have a conversation about desired outcomes and expectations.

Paul May, as he put it, “was overlanding before we called it overlanding.” Paul grew up in Utah exploring the beautiful and remote vastness of the state with his parents, developing a love of vehicle-based adventure that has lasted a lifetime.

In this special one-hour + episode, Rachelle shares the details of this life-changing experience, discussing everything from the source of inspiration to participate to being lost in the desert after the start of the rally.

Many overland enthusiasts consider Patriot Camper Overlanding Trailers to be the best in the world. The story of how owner/founder, Justin Montesalvo, became inspired to create the first prototype and ultimately start the business that has led him and his family on a new life journey is all here in this insight-packed episode!

Mindset, financial planning, vehicle selection and preparation, skills training, and team/family/group dynamics pertaining to big overlanding adventures are all discussed in detail here with accessible strategies and tips shared by both Scott and Clay.

Behind the wheel of a Land Cruiser since he was 15-years-old, Kurt is now a successful business owner of Cruiser Outfitters, an accomplished off-road racer, off-road driving instructor, and certified Tread Lightly Master Tread Trainer (MTT).

For a seventeen-year-old junior in high school, an 8-week long overlanding odyssey through Scandinavia is certainly a departure from the norm, and playing a key role on an XO production crew is a large responsibility.

When it comes to vehicle-based adventure travel and overlanding, we want to have fun while keeping ourselves and our fellow travelers safe. Whether we are traveling solo, with a partner, as a family, or as a highly capable team, best practices for staying safe and secure are presented here by former Special Forces soldier and C.I.A. operative, Mike Glover.

Want to know what it’s like to go overlanding in Europe? Scandinavia? Norway? Fresh off the plane and back home from filming Expedition Overland’s Nordic Series, Rachelle Croft sits down to share her experiences.

Along with learning more about everything Tanner does for the Expedition Overland team, discover his own backstory, interests and passions beyond the hangar by joining us for this inspiring conversation with a man who has become well-known and loved by XO fans!

Have you wondered how a family of five could transition from a conventional life in the suburbs to living life as full-time overlanders? The van Stralen family of Epic Family Road Trip provides an honest portrait of exactly what such a shift looks like.

Clay and Scott additionally enjoy discussing their shared traveling experiences while on expedition together in Greenland and on the E7 (Expeditions 7) expedition across all seven of the earth’s continents.

Here at Expedition Overland, we have used REDARC Power Management Systems for years. As a team that films our overland adventures, a capable and reliable power management system in our vehicles is essential to our work. That’s why we are proud to be partnered with REDARC Electronics and grateful for the exceptional quality of their products.

Buying a vehicle with plans to set it up for overlanding adventure? Already own a vehicle you’re ready to start building into an overlanding rig? Whether you’re buying new or used, you will gain a lot of useful ideas by hearing Clay and Rachelle’s take on the Top Ten Modifications for your overland vehicle.

Richard and Ashley’s experience will inspire anyone interested in getting started in overlanding, whether as a couple or solo.

Tanner and Clay share all aspects of building out X Overland’s newest vehicle: 2022 3rd Generation Toyota Tundra, “Orion.” Orion is the flagship vehicle for our new Nordic Series and has been built for comfortable long-distance overland travel.

What happens, exactly, when you push the S.O.S. button on your satellite communication device?

Caroline van Stralen has been raised while overlanding around the world with her family. Jimmy Lewis, decides to sit down with Caroline to discuss her life and overlanding and future aspirations and ambitions.

Ever wanted to start filming your own adventures? Then be sure to listen to this podcast to help get you started! X Overland is launching their second Overlander Film Fest in 2023!. In that spirit, the XO team would like to share some tips and insight to help new and experienced filmmakers alike.

Rachelle Croft, sits down with Ashley Giordano (Desk to Glory/Senior Editor at Overland Journal and Expedition Portal) and Megan Walthall(Walthall Family SOLO Series and Great Pursuit Series) to discuss women within the overlanding space.

Dan, Peter, and Jimmy talk about overlanding and adventure touring via motorcycle, especially focusing on best practices for getting started. Dan and Peter are featured in the hit YouTube series “Epic Family Road Trip” (EFRT)

X Overland team member Tanner Johnson joins Clay and Jimmy to reflect upon our most recent series, Alaska: The Last Frontier.

Learn about Clays’s strategy behind these truck builds and the roles fulfilled on the expedition by “Atigun,” “Raven,” and “Clone.” Also join in while we explore 33 vs 35” tires...

“I’m a regular dude doing regular stuff. You can do it too.” This is the stated ethos of Mike Pfeiffer of Last Line of Defense. Join Clay as he sits down in our mobile podcast studio at Expo West with Mike Pfeiffer (LLOD) as the two discuss a wide variety of topics. How to become a successful...

Rachelle sits down with fellow friend and traveler, Jillian Rebekah at Overland Expo West. Join them for a behind the scenes look into the beginning of Jillian’s start into overland travel and where she is now. Talking...

In the final episode of our four-part series about getting started in overlanding, Clay, Rachelle, and Jimmy focus on gearing up for overlanding adventure! Once you have selected a vehicle...

Join Clay, Rachelle, and Jimmy as they explore best practices for building an overlanding vehicle in the third episode of our series focused on getting started in overlanding. Different approaches to building overlanding vehicles, common pitfalls to avoid...

Have you ever wondered what the best overlanding vehicle is? Among offerings that range from vintage Land Cruisers to state-of-art hybrid Toyota Tundras and from massive Earth Roamers to motorcycles–there is a lot to sort out when looking for an answer to this question...

What is Overlanding? In Episode 1 of the X Overland Podcast, Expedition Overland founders, Clay and Rachelle Croft along with co-host, XO Content Director Jimmy Lewis, do their best to provide an answer to this fundamental question...

In this prologue episode to the X Overland Podcast, listeners are introduced to Expedition Overland founders, Clay and Rachelle Croft, and given a brief history of “Expedition Overland” from its inception in 2010 till the present day along with an explanation of the X Overland Podcast...