Outskirts Overland Podcast

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Spring overlanding is a gift until the rain won’t stop and the bugs wake up angry. I’m back with a practical, field-tested reset for late April into May: how I maintain my camping gear so it lasts, how I waterproof and protect it from UV, and how I keep ticks, chiggers, and mosquitoes from turning a weekend outside into a week of regret. If you’ve ever packed up a damp tent, dealt with that sour mildew smell, or watched your “waterproof” jacket wet out, this is the kind of maintenance talk that actually saves trips. 

I walk through the products and process I rely on, including Nikwax for washing and reproofing outdoor gear, then a bug plan that works in the real world. For fabrics and gear, I like Sawyer permethrin applied to the outside of clothing, boots, and even the exterior of tents and awnings. For skin, I use Ben’s Adventure Formula with picaridin, plus the boring-but-critical stuff: daily tick checks and paying attention to what bites can mean, including concerns like Alpha-gal in tick-heavy areas. 

Then I pivot to what might matter even more than gear: pace. Too many people rush to “get to camp” and miss the towns, the roadside stops, the local food, and the weird little discoveries that make travel memorable. I share why I travel slow, why I often go alone, and how patience helps when things go sideways like getting stuck after dark. Stress doesn’t fix a vehicle, it doesn’t change the weather, and it doesn’t make the trip better. 

If this resonates, subscribe for more overlanding mindset and practical camping tips, share the episode with a friend who always rushes the drive, and leave a review on Apple or Spotify so more people can find the show.

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I disappeared on purpose and then came back with fewer opinions, fewer notifications, and a lot more clarity. After months away, I’m back on the mic to explain why I deleted social media, how the algorithm-fueled anxiety was showing up the second I woke up, and why I’m choosing a slower, quieter way to share what’s going on in my life. No DMs, no highlight reel, no pressure to perform. Just honest reflection and the parts of overlanding that still feel real. 

I also tell the story I didn’t expect to be telling: more than 100 of my older podcast episodes are gone. Losing years of work stings, but it also forces a question we don’t ask enough: what are we holding onto, and what would it look like to just move forward? That theme ties into bigger changes too, including how COVID pushed me out of strength coaching and into corporate life, and how that shift has affected my mental health, identity, and sense of fulfillment over time. 

Then we get practical and personal: resetting my truck and gear, resisting the constant urge to buy upgrades, getting real about how outdoor communities can turn into a status race, and even obsessing over the most unglamorous camping topic of all, toilets. I also share a surprisingly meaningful tip: printing your travel photos and putting them on a wall, plus cleaning up old Gaia GPS pins so your map actually helps you. If any of this hits home, subscribe, share the episode with a friend who needs a reset, and leave a review. What’s one thing you’ve quit that made your life better?

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Send us Fan Mail

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Summary

In this episode, Charlie discusses his current projects, including the installation of a new tent and the creation of an electric hoist system for easier setup. He reflects on the importance of authenticity in influencing and shares his personal journey, emphasizing the lessons learned from failure and the value of sharing his experiences with listeners. Charlie plans to provide more context about his life and background in future episodes, aiming to connect with his audience on a deeper level.

Takeaways

Charlie is installing a new tent and creating an electric hoist system for easier setup.
He emphasizes the importance of authenticity in influencing and podcasting.
Charlie shares that he is not rich and prioritizes family and hobbies.
He values integrity and does not seek sponsorships that compromise his beliefs.
His expertise comes from learning through failures rather than just successes.
Charlie believes in the power of pivoting and finding solutions after failures.
He expresses a desire to help others through sharing his experiences.
Charlie plans to provide more context about his life in future episodes.
He acknowledges the intimidating nature of overlanding events for newcomers.
Charlie reflects on his diverse life experiences and how they shape his perspective. 

Sound bites

"I don't need them."
"I want to help people."
"I can pivot very well."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Tent Installation Plans
06:08 Personal Journey and Future Series
11:50 Integrity and Sponsorship in Influencing
20:11 Embracing Failure and Learning from Mistakes
24:00 Life Experiences and Future Content Plans