Outskirts Overland Podcast
Welcome to the Outskirts Overland Podcast, your go-to source for all things overlanding! Hosted by a seasoned adventurer with over 15 years of experience, this podcast offers a genuine and down-to-earth exploration of the overlanding lifestyle. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or just starting out, join us as we delve into the essentials of gear and equipment, share captivating stories from the road, and provide practical tips for your next adventure. Tune in for insightful interviews, expert advice, and a community of like-minded explorers who share a passion for discovering the world beyond the beaten path. Get ready to fuel your wanderlust and embark on unforgettable journeys with the Outskirts Overland Podcast!
Outskirts Overland Podcast
Unplanned Adventures: Finding Your Path in Overlanding
Ever wondered how seasoned overlanders approach adventure planning? Charlie from Outskirts Overland takes us on a refreshingly honest journey through his approach to weekend trips: "My girlfriend's like 'where are we going?' I don't know... south." This casual yet prepared mindset perfectly captures what makes overlanding special – the balance between readiness and spontaneity.
The conversation shifts to drone photography in the outdoors, where Charlie reveals his formal education in Unmanned Aerial Systems. Despite his training, he maintains a humble perspective: "I would definitely still consider myself a novice." His excitement about capturing aerial footage of his camping adventures highlights how technology enhances our outdoor experiences without diminishing their authenticity.
At the heart of this episode lies a powerful message about content creation and genuine connection. "You won't be successful being someone else," Charlie explains, challenging the tendency to copy others' approaches. "I'm the content, not the subject matter." This philosophy extends beyond social media to the core of how we experience the outdoors – finding our own special places rather than following coordinates, embracing mental health benefits of solitude in nature, and making equipment choices based on personal needs rather than trends. His practical advice on skid plates (start with protecting your gas tank!) offers newcomers a thoughtful entry point to vehicle protection.
Charlie's passion for overlanding transcends gear and destinations, focusing instead on the transformative power of outdoor experiences. Whether you're planning your first camping trip or your hundredth, his authentic approach reminds us why we venture out in the first place: "Just be a good, honest person and stuff falls into place." Ready to embrace your own authentic outdoor adventure? Start by simply stepping outside this weekend – even if it's just for a backyard barbecue under the open sky.
Welcome to the World of Warcraft. Today we will be looking at the new Warcraft 3. The new Warcraft 3 is a new Warcraft 3. That is a new Warcraft 3. That is a new Warcraft 3. Hey, ladies and gentlemen, it's charlie with outskirts overland. It's friday the 9th.
Speaker 1:It is military spouse appreciation day today. So if you guys know any spouses, or I would even say kids of any military members, like any kind of falls within the same lines, make sure you say something to them. They probably appreciate it. Heck, they might not know. It's even their day. So hopefully the audio is better. I got my new mic. Those of you that are watching can see it's a whole different ballgame and hopefully it's better. Hoping my new mic. Those of you that are watching can see. It's a whole different ballgame and hopefully it's better Hoping. Just hopefully it's better. So I guess I'll know in a little bit.
Speaker 1:But yeah, today I'm going camping. It looks like it's going to be a. It appears to be a nice day right now, so I'm hoping that continues. That would be amazing, you know. But I don't know what I'm going to. I don't even know where we're going, really, like. I mean, I guess I know generally. I think I said well, I said this in the live podcast that was on Newfound Overland, but that's how I do it so much, you know, my girlfriend's like where are we going? I don't know south. I do that all the time. But I've got like, I've looked at the map, I've got some stuff. You know, I've got some options in my head but I haven't. I mean, I don't know. When you're looking for free camping, you know, on a Friday, when it's nice and it rained all last weekend, I just don't bank so heavily on. I just don't bank super heavily on whatever. I gotta be alone for a little bit of that. What I want might not be available and I am leaving after work and I don't want to be getting to camp at freaking midnight. So we'll see what we do. I don't really know. I've got a couple thoughts in my head. I just don't know. Yet I haven't even grocery shopped. I've got to get groceries, but that just goes back to, like my truck's always, my truck is packed, being like nothing. I gotta throw a couple pairs of socks and underwear in a bag For this bags packed. Like I've said before to you guys, I always have my stuff ready. I have. You guys have specific stuff for camping, so that's not a big deal at all. This will be the first I do have a drone.
Speaker 1:I went to school to be a drone, like a part 7 pilot. What is it? Unmanned aerial systems. That's what it's called, unmanned aerial systems. I went to college at, frankly, almost 40. But I went to college for that and you know the course provides tons of stuff as you learn how to do that stuff.
Speaker 1:So I've been flying the drone a bunch in the simulator, the drone simulator. A drone simulator has like 30-something different drones you can simulate. So for me I want to do more social media marketing type stuff so I have the ability to fly. You know dji drones and simulator pretty exclusively and the drone that I have now is the dji as well. So I'll probably take my drone that'll be the first time I take it camping and get some shots and footage, just like anything else trying to learn. I'm trying to figure out my own style when it comes to that, because it's video and pictures too. So naturally I'm going to have a style like I do now with pictures and videos from my phone or anything else. So I'm decent with the drone.
Speaker 1:I've got a ton of hours and I mean, like I said, I'm in college for it, so there's probably some, and not to shortchange anybody else, but there's, like I said, I'm I'm in college for it, so there's probably some, and not to short change anybody else, but there's probably some things I'm learning that you wouldn't just figure out on your own. And uh, and the part 107 is not like I mean you could study for it and pass it, but it's not. I mean there's a lot to it. I I could tell you that I'm far enough in now to know that like that's there's a lot to know and I think pretty soon maybe, maybe, maybe not. It's been a discussion in my class that before we graduate are they going to require a practical exam, because right now the FAA doesn't require a practical exam for your Part 107 drone license. But they might, I mean that might come.
Speaker 1:I mean you are a pilot, you are, I mean airspace is a thing. It's a little interesting, you know, like there's a lot that goes into it, so much more than I thought goes into it. But I'm not going to get too into drones and stuff now. I would definitely still consider myself a novice, even though I'm in school and even though I've got some considerable hours and some education, I am not doing house tours with a drone yet. You know, like I'm not there yet, I mean I could do it, I'm capable, it wouldn't be anything you guys want to look at.
Speaker 1:When I can really get around specific things like that, then I'll be like I'm decent at this, but I'm definitely decent enough to get some shots on my truck and aerial photos of camp and stuff. Anybody can do that, so I'll get some of that. So I'm excited. I am kind of excited about that. So I'll take my stuff out my computer, my drone, all this stuff, try and get it all going together, which would be sick. And hopefully these new mics when I check this audio later are good. But excuse me, so next week for those of you that have hung with me through that whole spiel next week I am going to record on Newfound Overland. I don't know when that'll get posted, no idea, but I will be recording it next week for our Opinionated segment. So if you guys have anything you think we should cover, I think that that would be cool.
Speaker 1:I mean I have genuine content on my mind, just because when we did our Q&A. When we did our Q&A live podcast at More Expo me and Benji that was one of the questions you know, like, how do you guys, how do you guys, you know, essentially, how do you guys handle content and like know what to say and do. My advice was, like, just do your content for you and you know, the genuine, authentic nature of content tends to draw people. And even if it doesn't, if the reason you're doing content is to draw people, well then you're already in the wrong place. This is like a passion project. This is like a creative outlet. This is like an artistic thing. If you were doing it, I mean, even so, it still is for me project. This is like a creative outlet. This is like an artistic thing if you were doing it. Oh, I mean, even so, it still is for me. But if you're spending, you're not gonna be able to emulate somebody else that's been successful and you won't be successful being someone else. It's just not authentic, it's not gonna flow. So I think that's a topic I for sure want to talk about is just being genuine. Just whatever you want to talk about, talk about.
Speaker 1:You guys have heard me on here talk about anything from tariffs to gear to now drones to just whatever dude. You need to be the value in your own content. Like, not the content. Like I always think and this is just me like while I'm producing content, I always think I'm the content, not the subject matter. Like I don't think you guys care a whole lot about stat sheets. You care more about what I have to say, my opinion, what I recommend. But that's all me. That's not the equipment. Like, that's just basic. Like I, anybody can read a stat sheet, anybody can read you know info. Like I could go through tons of websites and bore you guys to death with just like measurements and stuff, but that's just not going to translate to anything. So that's why I come on here every day. I don't need content, I'll just come chat.
Speaker 1:I love this hobby enough to where I can always kind of find something to talk about. I mean there's not, I don't know. I talk to people all day about it anyways, because there's people that are just interested. I get questions all the time about tents and tires and trucks and cars and SUVs and mattresses and blankets and just all of it. Man, we get asked questions nonstop about it. I don't mind it, I like it. I don't like that. I'm getting asked the questions. I like it all enough to where it doesn't bother me. I don't dislike getting the questions, but getting the questions. My point is, getting the questions doesn't matter at all, it's irrelevant.
Speaker 1:I enjoy the hobby and learning gear and hearing other people's experiences and hopefully getting people out so they can have new experiences to tell me about. That excites me. I have a lot of fun with that. That's really fun because I think, going back to a podcast quite a while ago, this is a huge mental health outlet for me. Getting outside, getting getting outside in nature, on you know, unsupported by yourself, you're learning some skills. It's some. There's some critical thinking involved. It's serene, like it's good for my, like it's good for me mentally. It's like really good for me and I think you know I think it could be good for everybody. So I'm always like you just got to go.
Speaker 1:I think a lot of people are scared and want to go in groups and do this and that and, but sometimes groups can be exhausting too. Larger groups, maybe one or two people, can be, still be kind of relaxing, but anytime you've got two, you know, the more, the more opinions and the more people to cater to, the less enjoyable it becomes from my, in my opinion. But I don't do it for uh, a social either. If you do, then that's cool too. I mean, I'm still going to help you get out. I still think there's a lot to be said, heard had regarding how it all goes down and how to help people do it and navigate and learn about places to go, areas to go.
Speaker 1:I don't give locations specifically, but like because exploration, like, I feel like that's such a huge part and it's not that I don't want people to have places to go, but I want them to explore. I want you to go find it like, which means I want you to go look like and find your own spot. Then you're pretty proud of a spot if you find it, even if it's one I already have pinned. So do 9000 billion other people. Like if you found it. You don't know that you're like man. You know, I found that. That's awesome and I think that's a lot of fun too.
Speaker 1:Like just going to explore and finding new spots, because it's not like drive camps. It's not like drive straight there, camp Like. Because it's not like drive camps. It's not like drive straight there, camp Like. That's just not how it works. That's just not how it works. You know, I like to kind of just drive and sometimes if I'm not, you know, local, I just get on iOverlander and they got it's free and Rolodex of spots and sometimes I just check one of those out, like I don't know, I just don't overthink it. You know, I don't dress it up, that's all I guess. But but I love it. So it'd be nice if I could do more of it on a professional basis. But I, I don't know, my hope is a little bit that by doing the drone, getting all my drone licenses and stuff, maybe I can potentially get into a little more there.
Speaker 1:Or, like I don't even know guys, I don't know how to get into this industry. I mean, I guess you could say that podcast is in this industry, but I do this completely for free, without any sponsors. I mean, like nothing's paid here. I mean I'm sponsored by my job, like I guess, but I'm also not sponsored because I work for it. I guess, but that's the only way I could. I'm sponsored by me.
Speaker 1:I'd love to be in the industry and working with some companies that are passionate, that I could share my love of this bedroom. I don't even know where to start with that. I also want to still love it too, so it'd have to be a good. Like you know I don't know how else to explain it I don't want to be too corporate. I want to get into that. Bring them a role. If I was to get into it.
Speaker 1:You know profits need to be made and stuff, but I just believe in being a good person. You just be a good, honest person and stuff falls into place the way it should, the way you want it, the way you know. Like I don't know. Pushing stuff just never has worked for me. Pushing stuff has only led to broken relationships and bad blood For nothing. For nothing. Just be a good person. That's always done me pretty well, so I try to do it. That's what I try to do Be a good human, try to. We all have days, but yeah. So yeah, guys, I'm here. I guess all I got to say today is I'm going camping and if you guys got any questions about anything, stephan is one of our. We do an Overlander mentorship type thing.
Speaker 1:One of mine is Stephan. He was asking me about skid plates yesterday specifically. He's like what do you think about skid plates. Do I need them all? He has a 4Runner. He's got the TRD skid plate. He's like do I need them all? Did like he has for honor. He's got the TRD skid plate. It's like do I need them all or should I start a place? You know, I just told him I was like I haven't makes of aluminum and steel. I told him the aluminum doesn't really slide on anything. I wish it would cuz lighter, but that's it. Kind of sticks to rocks, rock stick to it. However you want to go about it. And I told the TRD skid that those 4Runners it's a 5th Gen 4Runner 4Runners come with pretty thin. I mean I think it's more of a showpiece than realistic skid myself. But I still said you know, I'd probably start with the, probably start with the gas tank skid first and I would get steel Is what I told them and then kind of work your way from there.
Speaker 1:You don't have to start out the gate with all the skids. I mean skid plates are expensive. If you were to do full skids on a vehicle depending on what full skids means to you, like control arms and everything else maybe, I don't know, but a couple, I mean probably looking at a couple grand on a larger vehicle, a 400 Tacoma, gladiator, anything like that I mean and a couple thousand dollars to protect all your transmission and oil pan gas tank. I mean it makes sense. It does make sense to protect those things. I have a dent in my transmission oil pan, so it happens, but it is expensive. So I think most of us now have, you know, plastic gas tanks. So I think that's a big one there in the rear. That's where you're probably going to hit, like I think, gas tanks probably good place to start, a real good place to start.
Speaker 1:But he was just asking about it. I've got you know so I figured I'd just touch on that because it was a question. It means I probably have to talk about it. So yeah, I mean, if you want to slide on stuff and you can handle the weight, steel is going to slide. If you can't handle the weight, you're in something lighter. Duty Aluminum is going to be. You know the route you want to look because you can't handle the weight. You still want the protection. But just be aware you're going to get. It'll still protect the stuff. You're just going to get hung up. You're not going to slide off stuff. It I have gouges like chunks out of my I don't know I don't know how to explain it like it just gouges, it doesn't slide on it, it doesn't just scratch on it, like when I have a friend with steel skate plates on a four runner. His just slide off stuff, mine does not, it hangs up. So you got to be a little more familiar. I think you got to be a little more familiar. I think you need probably be a little more familiar with recovery if you've got aluminum skids, because they do hang up or familiar with, like, how to get on stuff. You know it's self-recovery, I guess, but maybe more so like friend recovery.
Speaker 1:So anyways, I'll go camping this weekend. I hope you guys get. I'll go camping this weekend. I hope you guys get out and go camping. It's going to be nice. If you don't get out and go camping, at least get out, sit outside, barbecue, enjoy some sunlight. It's real good for you and I'll catch you guys next week. Have a good one Later.
