About this episode
Kathleen and her daughter Kendra share the story behind Leave ‘Em Wild—born from an idea during a lightning-storm hike—and how it evolved into an annual, family-driven off-road and camping adventure series. They cover their content platforms (instagram, blog, growing youtube), why they invite others to join, and the “plan but stay flexible” approach to exploring. The conversation also highlights community connections across the Subaru world, their upcoming cross-country plans, and memorable trip moments like near-lightning danger and a creepy campground encounter.
Kendra and Kathleen hop on the min for this bonus episode to talk about Leave ‘Em Wild, their mission, adventures, and where to next.
Links from the show, links to sponsors and discount partners, and ways to support the podcast:
Leave ‘Em Wild
https://www.instagram.com/leaveemwild/
Website
Kendra
https://www.instagram.com/trashpanda_ob/
Kathleen
https://www.instagram.com/ah.trek.its.yagi/
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Overland Expo
"It was so cool to have met Kathleen last year at Overland Expo at a couple of the locations. So I always enjoy being able to meet my guests in person."
Overland Expo is an event where people who like camping and driving off-road for long trips get together. It’s a place to see gear and meet other drivers who build their vehicles for adventure.
Overland Expo is a large off-road and overlanding event series focused on long-distance, self-supported travel. It’s a common place for Subaru and other AWD-focused owners to meet, compare setups, and talk gear and routes.
Subaru
"be sure to go check out SubaruGear.com. Get all of your Subaru branded merchandise as well as Subaru Motorsports USA and other collections that they have."
Subaru is a car brand (from Japan) that’s especially popular with people who like all-wheel drive. They also race and have a big enthusiast community, so you’ll see lots of Subaru-themed products.
Subaru is a Japanese automaker known for its boxer engines and standard all-wheel drive on many models. In enthusiast circles, Subaru also has a strong motorsports presence, which is why you’ll often see Subaru-branded gear tied to racing and events.
Use the code SUBIENU2026 at checkout
"Use the code SUBIENU2026 at checkout to get 20% off your purchase."
They’re telling you to enter a special discount code when you buy something online.
The speaker gives a promo code for an online purchase. For listeners, this is a practical “how to save” detail tied to the sponsor’s checkout flow.
free shipping
"And if your total is over $50 after the 20% discount, you'll automatically get free shipping, which I think is really nice."
The sponsor offer includes free shipping once the cart total exceeds a threshold after the discount. This is useful for listeners planning purchases so they can hit the minimum for shipping savings.
Premiere Pro
"I, I've never done like Premiere Pro. So that video that I put out there, I just was like, I need to put something together."
Premiere Pro is a program for editing videos on a computer. It helps you cut and arrange clips and make the final video look better before you post it online.
Premiere Pro is Adobe’s professional video-editing software. People use it to cut clips, add transitions, color-correct footage, and export videos in different formats for platforms like YouTube.
salt flats
"We did the salt flats with them. And we just kind of, you know, diddled around, got some off road time with everybody kind of got to know each other."
Salt flats are huge, flat areas covered with salt. People go there to drive fast because the ground is very hard and smooth, but you still have to be careful with traction and tires.
“Salt flats” refers to large, flat salt crust areas that are popular for high-speed driving and motorsport-style events. The surface is extremely hard and low-friction, so traction and tire choice matter a lot.
off road time
"And we just kind of, you know, diddled around, got some off road time with everybody kind of got to know each other."
Off-road time means driving on dirt, sand, or rough ground instead of regular roads. It usually requires different tires and a bit more careful driving because grip and bumps are different.
“Off road time” implies driving on unpaved or uneven terrain, which changes how a vehicle handles compared to pavement. It typically increases demands on tires, suspension travel, and driver technique for traction and control.
dirt road
"[737.8s] And people that know me, it's like, Oh, I see a dirt road. [741.3s] Guess what? [741.9s] We're going down that instead kind of thing."
A “dirt road” is unpaved terrain that can be rough, dusty, and sometimes rutted. It’s a different driving environment than pavement, so tires, suspension travel, and ground clearance matter for staying comfortable and avoiding damage.
camp at night
"[756.5s] We're always going to have camp at night. [758.0s] And I think that's like the biggest thing is like, you don't have to worry [761.3s] about anything crazy."
It sounds like they’re planning to stay overnight, not just drive around all day. That changes the trip planning—where you park, what you bring, and how you handle the car when you’re off the road.
“Camp at night” implies the trip includes overnight stops rather than just day driving. For car people, that usually means planning for vehicle comfort, storage, and how you’ll park and secure the car on uneven or remote ground.
offroading
"Offroading the outback is got a little camping group together out there on the Cape and I'm going to go camp with them for a few days, hang out with him."
Offroading means driving on dirt, rocks, or rough ground instead of normal roads. It usually requires the right tires and careful driving so you don’t get stuck or damage the car.
Offroading is driving a vehicle on unpaved or rough terrain where traction and ground clearance matter more than on-road grip. It often changes how you choose tires, suspension setup, and how you manage speed and tire pressure.
overlanding
"Like I would love to be able to be, I don't want to like compare it to anyone else on YouTube, but you see all these, these trucks all the time that are doing overlanding. [1392.1s] Yeah. [1394.4s] I want a Subaru group on YouTube that can do that stuff."
Overlanding is basically road-tripping in a more adventurous way. People plan routes, bring supplies, and use their vehicles to explore places that are harder to reach.
Overlanding is long-distance, self-reliant travel—usually with an emphasis on exploring remote areas rather than racing to a destination. It often involves planning routes, carrying supplies, and using a vehicle setup that can handle rough roads.
almost hit by lightning
"We got rained out, almost hit by lightning in Colorado. What else?"
Lightning is dangerous during thunderstorms. If you hear thunder or see lightning, you should get to shelter quickly and wait it out rather than staying outside.
Lightning is a major safety risk during storms, especially in open areas like roads, fields, or campsites. If you’re near vehicles, the safest move is usually to seek proper shelter and avoid staying exposed outdoors until the storm passes.
rooftop tent
"And I had my tent, which is a rooftop tent with the opening aiming towards inland away from the river."
A rooftop tent is a tent that sits on top of your car or SUV. When you park, you open it up so you can sleep up off the ground.
A rooftop tent is a tent mounted on top of a vehicle, typically using a rack system. It’s popular for camping because it keeps you off the ground and can be quicker to set up once you’re parked.
lightning storms
"Yeah, I almost got hit by lightning at one time. [1775.6s] It's going to change the plans now."
Lightning storms are dangerous, especially when you’re outside camping. It’s smart to change plans and get to safer shelter instead of staying put.
Lightning storms are a serious safety hazard for anyone camping or spending time outdoors. If you’re in a tent or near vehicles, the safest move is usually to get away from tall objects and avoid staying in open areas when lightning is active.
radar
"I'm watching on the radar. Okay, the storms are done. We're good."
“Radar” here means a weather map that shows storms—like where the rain or lightning activity is. People use it to see if a storm is coming toward them.
In weather apps and navigation systems, “radar” usually refers to precipitation/ storm radar that shows where rain or storms are right now and where they’re moving. It’s commonly used to decide whether to stay put or move to safer ground during severe weather.
model and trim level
"...let us know like what your Subaru's are, like what you actually drive, like what you're in model and like trim level."
A car’s “model” is the main name (like Outback), and the “trim level” is the specific version (like what features and options it has). Two cars can be the same model but feel very different depending on trim.
“Model” and “trim level” describe which specific version of a car you have. Trim level affects things like available features, engine options, and sometimes drivetrain configuration.
Ironman lift
"...the only modifications I really have on it are the Ironman lift. I've switched everything back to OEM as far as arms and all that..."
An “Ironman lift” is a suspension upgrade that raises the car a bit. That gives you more clearance for rough roads and trails.
An “Ironman lift” refers to a suspension lift kit from Ironman 4x4, used to raise ride height for more ground clearance. On a Subaru Crosstrek, this typically supports off-road tires and improves approach/departure angles.
OEM
"I've switched everything back to OEM as far as arms and all that, just to see what's going to happen."
OEM means the original factory parts the car came with. They put the factory suspension pieces back in to see what changes when the car is stock again.
OEM means “original equipment manufacturer,” i.e., factory parts. The speaker switched suspension components back to OEM (including control arms) to compare how the car behaves versus the modified setup.
heated seats
"He's got, he likes it cause it's got heated seats and everything. It's definitely much faster than my cross track."
Heated seats warm up the seats with built-in heat. It’s a comfort feature that makes cold mornings much nicer.
Heated seats use electric heating elements in the seat cushions and backs to warm you up quickly. They’re a common comfort feature on higher-trim Subaru models and are specifically called out as a reason the son likes the Outback.
over 200,000 miles
"But I mean, he, he's had some issues with it cause it's got over 200,000 miles. But I mean, it's still, drives great."
That’s a lot of miles for a car. Usually, things start wearing out more, but if it still drives well, it likely means it’s been maintained.
“Over 200,000 miles” is a high-mileage threshold that often signals increased wear items and more frequent maintenance. If the car still “drives great,” it suggests the owner has kept up with maintenance despite the mileage.
mileage
"And I think you and I roffer about the same on mileage, but you've got the manual, right? Yeah. I'm at, I'm at, I'm just over a 142."
Mileage is basically how far the car has been driven. Higher mileage usually means more wear, but how well it was maintained is also a big deal.
“Mileage” refers to how many miles the car has been driven, usually tracked on the odometer. Mileage is one of the biggest indicators of wear, but maintenance history matters just as much.
manual
"And I think you and I roffer about the same on mileage, but you've got the manual, right? Yeah."
A manual is a car where you shift gears yourself with a clutch. Some people like it because it feels more hands-on and fun to drive.
A “manual” transmission means the driver shifts gears using a clutch pedal and gear lever. Enthusiasts often prefer manuals for engagement and control, and they can feel more connected than automatic gearboxes.
add another 8,000
"I'm going to add another 8,000 to it. So I'm at 147 right now."
They’re saying they expect to drive about 8,000 more miles soon. That affects how soon you might need maintenance as the car racks up miles.
“Add another 8,000” indicates planned near-term mileage growth, which matters for budgeting maintenance and wear items. It also frames how quickly the car’s odometer will move into the next high-mileage band.
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