Episodes

  • #13: Life Plus New Cars
    Sep 2 2025

    This week, Ian and Brendan are back to share their experiences of buying new cars. The two hosts describe the new car buying process as they have experienced it as well as what to be aware of if you're in the market for a new car.

    Ian takes the listener on the journey that led to buying a new 2019 VW Golf Alltrack. Still his daily driver with almost 80k miles on it six years later, Ian shares what influenced this choice of car and how it went for his first new car purchase.

    Brendan takes a turn on the mic to talk about his most recent new car purchase, that being his 2022 Chevy Silverado 2500. Brendan takes the new car buying process a step further, walking the listener through the steps he took to order the exact truck he wanted.

    Plus, Brendan keeps singing and Ian nerds out about Volkswagen paint colors. Tune in for all this and more on this episode of Life Plus Cars.

    Life Plus Cars: Curating Car Conversations!

    Instagram: @lifepluscars

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

    Email us with your car stories! lifepluscars@gmail.com

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    59 mins
  • #12: The Life Plus Used Cars Buyer's Guide (and Other Stories)
    Aug 26 2025

    Ian and Brendan take to the mic to tell their stories of buying used cars. Speaking from his vast car-buying experience, Brendan shares his personal tips, tricks, and recommendations when buying used.

    The used car stories continue as Ian revels in his rollercoaster ownership of a 2011 VW GTI named Lana and Brendan looks back on a basket case ZJ Grand Cherokee that he couldn't pass up.

    And finally...Brendan can sing??

    Life Plus Cars: Curating Car Conversations!

    Instagram: @lifepluscars

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

    Email us with your car stories! lifepluscars@gmail.com

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    53 mins
  • #11: Analog Driving with Shift Project New England
    Aug 19 2025

    Life Plus Cars welcomes Mike Briskie to the podcast, who has an accomplished career in the automotive industry and is also a skilled driver on the track. Mike recently led a group of car enthusiasts on a winding journey through the back roads of seacoast Maine and New Hampshire, all without the assistance of GPS. Mike tells Brendan and Ian about the inspiration behind the Seacoast Manual Transmission Rally and his own stick shift tales.


    Mike shares his mission to get the word out about driving enthusiasm, and in particular sharing the joy of the manual transmission. Through his new creation, Shift Project New England, Mike wants to bring about more driving awareness, connection, and enjoyment via the stick shift.


    The three also talk about what it means to be a car enthusiast and the many forms it can take. With laughter, wisdom, and plenty of car talk, this episode will bring you back to the essence of what engaged driving is all about.

    Check out Shift Project New England!

    Instagram:

    @shift_project_ne

    EventBrite:

    Shift Project NE

    Life Plus Cars: Curating Car Conversations!

    Instagram: @lifepluscars

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

    Email us with your car stories! lifepluscars@gmail.com

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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • #10: The Car That Got Away (and Came Back)
    Aug 12 2025

    Brendan shares the story of how he bought a 2006 Pontiac GTO while in college and had to regretfully sell it after a time. On a whim, he thought to track down the GTO and see where it ended up. You'll be amazed to learn how Brendan reconnected with his old car, and it may not be how you expect!

    Ian also shares his own tale of "the one that got away", taking listeners through his time spent with a derelict 1960 Morris Minor convertible. While it never ran, Ian still looks back on it fondly as his true first car.

    Plus, why is Ian talking about Pringles so much? Tune in to find out.

    Life Plus Cars: Curating Car Conversations!

    Instagram: @lifepluscars

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

    Email us with your car stories! lifepluscars@gmail.com

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    1 hr
  • #9: Unlocking the Mystery of the Stick Shift with Three Pedals New England
    Aug 5 2025

    Join us as Life Plus Cars welcomes another guest to the show: Ian's longtime friend and former college roommate, Cody Whelan. Cody is well known in the Portsmouth, NH community for his two dynamic businesses: Treeline Outfitters and Three Pedals New England.

    Cody joins the podcast to share his inspiration to start a manual transmission driving program, his first time "rowing the gears" on his parents' Subaru Outback, the ethos and mentality required to master the clutch pedal, and other memorable moments instructing others on the enigma that is the stick shift.

    Curious to learn more about Cody and his work?

    https://treelineoutfittersco.com/

    https://www.threepedalsnewengland.com/

    Follow the journey on Instagram:

    @treeline_outfitters

    @threepedalsnh

    @lifepluscars

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

    Life Plus Cars: Curating Car Conversations!

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    52 mins
  • #8: Names Plus Cars
    Jul 29 2025

    What's in a name? Hosts Brendan and Ian discuss how and why people name their cars and how it further adds to the human connection we have with the cars we drive. Along the way, they regale stories of their past and current cars named Belinda, Lana, Clarence, Winston, Spike, and many more. If you've ever named a car, this is the episode for you.

    Life Plus Cars: Curating Car Conversations!

    Email us with inquiries or your own car story: lifepluscars@gmail.com

    Interested in sharing a car story on our podcast? Submit your car story here:

    https://www.lifepluscars.com/share-your-car-story

    Follow us on Instagram and Facebook

    For even more car content, visit us at https://www.lifepluscars.com

    Thanks for listening, and motor on!

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    50 mins
  • #7: Music Plus Cars, Vol. 1
    Jul 22 2025

    Brendan and Ian honor the late Brian Wilson, his talents, and his iconic songs as part of this episode all about Music Plus Cars. The two hosts share their favorite Beach Boys songs, both car-related and otherwise, along with other classic tunes about cars. Along the way, they also discuss other bands that favored cars in their music, the intersection of cars, movies, and soundtracks, and the daunting yet essential task of being the DJ on a road trip. Plus, are Brendan and Ian creating a Life Plus Cars Spotify playlist? Tune in to find out!

    Life Plus Cars: Curating Car Conversations!

    Email us with inquiries or car stories: lifepluscars@gmail.com

    Interested in sharing your own car story on our podcast? Submit your car story here:

    https://www.lifepluscars.com/share-your-car-story

    Follow us on Instagram and Facebook

    For even more car content, visit us at https://www.lifepluscars.com

    Thanks for listening, and motor on!

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    57 mins
  • #6: What's Happening in Brendan's Garage
    Jul 15 2025

    In this episode of Life Plus Cars, hosts Ian and Brendan record together in the same space for the first time! Ian stops by Brendan's shop, home of Bayley Automotive, for a tour of two vehicles currently housed at the garage: Brendan's 1965 Buick Skylark Gran Sport and his dad's 1967 Chevy SS 427. Along the way, Brendan tells us how he and his dad acquired these two cars and the unique moments they've shared with them. As a bonus, the two hosts take the Buick out for a drive and Ian gets a turn behind the wheel!

    Life Plus Cars: Curating Car Conversations!

    Interested in sharing your own car story on our podcast? Submit your car story here:

    https://www.lifepluscars.com/share-your-car-story

    Follow us on Facebook and Instagram

    For even more car content, visit us at https://www.lifepluscars.com

    Thanks for listening, and motor on!

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    49 mins