Podcasts are “in”. You can listen to them comfortably while driving or doing other activities. Some are informative, others entertaining, or both. There’s one podcast we’d like to recommend to you today: Landy und Leute by Rainer Schuler. It’s about Land Rover, and in particular about the people who drive these cult vehicles, but any like-minded person with a story can have their say. Today we look behind the scenes and let Rainer tell it.
I made my first off-road experiences in my early 20s, back in the 80s, but still on two wheels, with my Honda XL 500 enduro. As a student I depended on cheap mobility, but the fascination for adventure off the beaten track grabbed me at once. I was often out on a nearby military training ground, illegally of course. There I came across a Land Rover for the first time, the Military Police to be precise, who were regularly after me. But there were always paths passable only on two wheels, so I escaped every time.
Infected with the travel bug
Even back then the travel bug drove me, and a VW T2 bus became my constant companion in exploring “distant” countries, at least in neighbouring Europe. Even after starting a family, my wife Petra and I stayed true to travel. With a converted VW LT28 that we’d taken over from the post office, and later with three children in tow, we experienced many adventures.
After a four-week Africa trip through Namibia in 2003, this time in a borrowed Toyota Land Cruiser II, it was clear: an off-road vehicle had to come. Our first was a Jeep Cherokee LTD, yes, more of an SUV, but exactly right for us back then. We dived deep into the off-road scene, visited meet-ups like the Abenteuer & Allrad and discovered remote corners on our trips with our three children. The Cherokee took us everywhere, the motto “Just Empty Every Pocket” (JEEP) stayed foreign to us.
The first Land Rover
In 2009 the time had come: our “Land Radde”, a white 110 Defender Td5, moved in with us. It had spent ten years in the Schwarze Pumpe opencast mine and came to us completely neglected. Bit by bit we transformed it into our dream vehicle. The last build stage was largely shaped by our son Milan, so the vehicle could be used mobile as a van lifer too. Today our Land Radde is a cosy home on four wheels, completed by a roof tent since 2022.
In the winter of 2021/22 the Land Radde got a comprehensive technical overhaul: in expert hands in Pristina in Kosovo, the axles, gearbox and suspension were completely overhauled. After this rejuvenation cure it was ready for new adventures.
The idea, born during the coronavirus pandemic
In the summer of 2021, during the coronavirus period, an idea came to me that wouldn’t let go: Landy und Leute, the perfect title for a podcast. In no time I’d put together a long guest list and secured the domain. After six months full of learning, networking and acquiring technology, the time had come: on 24 November 2022, Landy und Leute went on air. When I heard myself on Spotify for the first time, tears welled up in my eyes.
A platform for like-minded people, even without a Land Rover
Since then, Landy und Leute has offered a platform for real adventurers and off-road enthusiasts who share their stories, vehicles and their passion for the unknown. In every episode my guests tell of their unique experiences and show what it means to live and travel off the beaten track.
From Volker Lapp, who talks about his participation in the legendary Camel Trophy, to Axel Jany, who as a master brewer and Defender fan collects special models like the “Wolf”, it’s always about more than just vehicles. It’s about life, travel and the unforgettable moments on the road.
Special highlights of the podcast are my conversations with established personalities like Hauke Dressler, a famous photographer, and Sonja Piontek, who as an author, mentor and keynote speaker offers exciting insights into her life. Friso Richter, presenter of the Camping Check on ARD, also shares his passion for camping and travel with us.
The person and their stories count
Every guest brings their own story to our campfire, which in fan circles is already called “Das Laberfeuer” (the chatter fire). Whether Thomas Gietz, the Sprinterlandy, with his three Defenders and a Sprinter, Petra Schürmann alias KatWeltreise in her 21-tonne motorhome, an 8×8 MAN, or Fabian Müller, who builds custom Harley-Davidsons alongside Defenders, the variety of guests is impressive.
I tell my life story in the eleventh episode of Landy und Leute. At the request of my listeners, who wanted to find out more about me, this time my two daughters Ellen and Dana took over the hosting.
Guests can also present their company
Besides my guests’ stories, I also offer a platform for entrepreneurs to present their innovative products. Marcus Leinkauf with his packing and bag system Delta Bags and Ricardo Gomes from Overlander Shipping are just two examples of people who have made their off-road passion their profession.
My guests’ adventures are always at the centre: whether it’s the journey through Africa, as with Doro and Kristin from Miss Liberty on Tour, or the 1.5-year Transamericana adventure of Kai Olaf and Bettina, the experiences are varied and inspiring.
New people and stories every two weeks
Every 14 days a new episode appears in which my guests take over the microphone and share their experiences with the listeners. Landy und Leute is the podcast for everyone interested in off-road adventures, special vehicles and inspiring stories. And for entrepreneurs it offers the perfect stage to present their innovative products to a passionate off-road community.
Tune in and let yourself be swept along by the exciting stories of my guests, whether on the road, off-road or somewhere in between.
You’ll find the Campfire Talk To Go everywhere there are good podcasts, so Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, RTL+ and so on.
My homepage: www.landyundleute.com
On Insta: Landy und Leute
On Facebook: Landy und Leute
On YouTube: 4×4 Passion episode 491
© Photos: Rainer Schuler