Welcome back, Life Plus Cars Community! Join us this week for part 2 of our conversation with Kaitlin, friend of the show, who joined us to talk about her experience operating tractor-trailer trucks and other heavy equipment while serving abroad in Europe with the U.S. Army.

In this part 2 of our conversation, Ian, Brendan, and Kaitlin talk about:

-Kaitlin's favorite places where she was stationed abroad in Europe

-interacting with locals while on tour through small towns and large cities throughout Europe

-trucking culture in Germany

-special assignments outside of her regular duty as a truck operator in the military

Plus, Kaitlin shares helpful safety tips for everyday drivers to be aware of when encountering tractor-trailers out on the road.

We thank Kaitlin for her military service as well as for taking the time to join us on the show! We always welcome new voices on the podcast to share more life plus cars moments.

What do you think, listener? Do you have car, truck, or other vehicle stories like Kaitlin's? Let us know and write to us at lifepluscars@gmail.com

Or say hello over on Instagram @lifepluscars

Life Plus Cars: Curating Car Conversations!

Hello Life Plus Cars Community! We are back after a late winter hibernation away from the mic. Hey, we've had a LOT of snow up here in New England!

For episode 33, we are excited to share part one of our conversation with listener Kaitlin, who is a friend of the show and discovered our content from the Life Plus Volvo episode (episode 19).

Join Brendan and Ian as they chat with Kaitlin about Volvos:

-A black 850 sedan that survived a tree limb falling on it

-A blue V70 wagon that survived a collision with a moose with little damage

-A silver Volvo S80 that was Kaitlin's personal favorite

-A black XC60 that Kaitlin drove to 238,000 miles!

But that's not all...

-Kaitlin shares her stories of joining the military and learning to drive military-spec semi-trucks.

-Brendan and Ian learn about Kaitlin's proud family history in the military and what inspired her to drive these heavy duty trucks abroad in military missions.

Plus, find out the funny story on why Kaitlin learned to sleep in the sleeper cab of her truck instead of a tent!

All these stories and more in this week's episode!

What do you think listener? Do you have any stories with big rigs or trucking? Let us know and write to us at lifepluscars@gmail.com

Say hi over on Instagram @lifepluscars

Life Plus Cars: Curating Car Conversations!

Hello, Life Plus Cars Community! Welcome back to another episode where we talk about what's new in our car world, learn about some car tech, explore the history and culture of an iconic car, and discover some unusual Craiglist vehicles.

Join hosts Brendan and Ian on this episode as they discuss:

-how your car's coolant system operates and why it matter so much

-how coolant is also responsible for heating your car's interior

-the history of the Chevrolet Surburban, their favorite generations, and which Suburbans Brendan currently owns (yes, plural!)

-their Craiglist car finds of the week, including a quirky hatchback and a 95-year-old Ford

Plus, is Brendan buying Ian's Alltrack? Is Ian buying a Jeep Wrangler?

Tune in to this week's episode for all this and much more!

What did you think, listener? Did you grow up in the back of a Suburban? Road trip stories? Tales of an overheating car? Send us your thoughts at lifepluscars@gmail.com

Life Plus Cars: Curating Car Conversations!

Instagram: @lifepluscars

Hello Life Plus Cars Community! Welcome to part two of our conversation with Ian's high school friends Martin, Alex, and Colby. Join us as the group discusses:

-how Alex became horribly lost in New York City in a broken down Honda Odyssey on his way back to college in Pennsylvania

-The mystery of a Honda Civic named Silver Strider

-the poster cars that we all dreamed of owning when we were teenagers

-the cars we are now driving now that we have "grown up"

-the joys of our Need for Speed video games and the many hours we shared racing each other in customized street cars

Plus, will Brendan convince Colby to buy a Surburban so he can reconnect with his childhood roots?

Listen in to find out...

What do you think, listener? What was your dream car as a teenager? Did you have a favorite racing game? Email us with your car stories at lifepluscars@gmail.com

Life Plus Cars: Curating Car Conversations!

Find us on Instagram: @lifepluscars

Hello Life Plus Cars Community! We are back and are experimenting with a new segmented episode format.

On this episode, we explore Life Plus...

Car News! Brendan and Ian discuss the latest and craziest Shelby Mustang that is set to debut in 2026, the possibility of the Subaru WRX STi returning, and the demise of the VW ID Buzz after just one model year in the U.S.

Tech Tips with Brendan! In this mechanic's special segment, Brendan teaches Ian and the listener about the coolant system. Tune in to find out how the system works, how essential it is, and how it keeps your car's interior warm as well as cool (go figure!)

Jeep Wrangler! Waving hello to all our Wrangler fans in the audience! The hosts take a deep dive into some history, facts, and favorite models of the Jeep Wrangler. Yes, including the often scorned square headlights of the YJ generation.

Craiglist Finds! Among other favorites, Brendan shares a wild find: a convertible Chevy S-10 pickup. Ian is still laughing about it.

Plus, has Brendan finally convinced Ian to buy new Jeep Wrangler? Tune in to find out!

What do you think, listener? Did you learn something new from Brendan? Which Wrangler is your favorite? Do you want the ID Buzz to come back? Email us with your car thoughts and stories at lifepluscars@gmail.com

Life Plus Cars: Curating Car Conversations!

Instagram: @lifepluscars

Brendan and Ian welcome three guests to the Life Plus Cars Podcast for this special episode! Ian's three high school friends, Alex, Martin, and Colby, joined the conversation to look back, laugh, and regale about the shenanigans connected to their high school cars.

In this special episode, tune as the hosts and their guests discuss:

-the glory of Subarus from the 90s and how fun to drive they were

-why 1998 might be considered a peak year for hand-me-down high school cars

-pancakes, tailgating, and other mischief at a college hockey game

-testing the limits of a certain Suburban with loud exhaust headers

-camping trip tomfoolery and one very smelly Outback

Plus, will the guys figure out the mystery of the Honda Civic they call Silver Strider? Wait, who is Silver Strider? Listen to this week's episode to find out!

What do you think, listener? Which car did you drive in high school? What memories do you have with your high school friends? Email us with your stories at lifepluscars@gmail.com

Life Plus Cars: Curating Car Conversations!

Instagram: @lifepluscars

For more of our car content, visit https://www.lifepluscars.com/

Update: New episodes will now be published on Thursdays instead of Tuesdays.

Happy New Year from the hosts of the Life Plus Cars Podcast!

To kick off 2026, hosts Brendan and Ian run through the list of every new car that you can buy with manual transmission. That's right, folks- you can still buy a car with a stick shift in 2026! Which cars, do you ask? It may be more than you think!

Plus, is Brendan getting any closer to convincing Ian to buy a new Jeep Wrangler?

Listen in to find out...

What do you think, listener? Which of these brand new stick shift cars are your favorite? Do you think you will buy one of these cars in 2026? Email us with your car stories at lifepluscars@gmail.com

Life Plus Cars: Curating Car Conversations!

Instagram: @lifepluscars

For more of our car content, visit https://www.lifepluscars.com/

Update: New episodes will now be published on Thursdays instead of Tuesdays.

It's the holiday season, and Brendan and Ian are back for a special episode celebrating the holidays...plus cars!

On this holiday episode airing on Christmas Eve, the two hosts:

-remininsce on their favorite Christmas morning memories

-fondly remember the toys and playsets they received as a kid (spoiler: they all have to do with cars)

-discuss the best kinds of gifts for the car people in your life

-share which brand new car is at the top of their wish list

PLUS: Which car do you think Santa would drive? Brendan and Ian have a few ideas. Tune in to find out their picks!

Life Plus Cars: Curating Car Conversations!

Instagram: @lifepluscars

For more of our car content, visit https://www.lifepluscars.com/

What do you think, listener? What are your favorite car-related Christmas or holiday memories? Email us with your stories at lifepluscars@gmail.com