The Big Alaska Show

Today's show features Alaskans having made a BIG difference to enrich the lives of others.  Willie Hensley, an author, state legislator and Alaskan native leader, talks to us about his book: Fifty Miles from Tomorrow: A Memoir of Alaska and the Real People .  We remember Gary Olson, founder of the Alaska Moose Federation, to protect people and moose from accidents and dangerous encounter...

We've covered the World Championship Dog Sled Races, the Iditarod and now we're adding another canine-centric competition - flyball! We visited the 20th Anniversary Summer Solstice Flyball Tournament at the Alaska State Fairgrounds. There, we met flyball team members to fill us in. Btw, big thank you to Alaska Dogs Gone Wild ( https://www.facebook.com/AlaskaDogsGoneWild ) for hosting the event. As...

What better way to celebrate Father's Day and Solstice (longest day)! Matt Hayes, his dad, Rusty, and mother, Nana, join us! With backgrounds in hunting, fishing and guiding, they have some of the best stories - especially bear encounters! Plus, we honor dads with fun stories, some corny dad jokes and a Father's Day Tall Alaska Tale. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Arts and Sciences converge on today's show. We caught up with Audubon Alaska's Communications Manager, Lauren Cusimano, at Discovery Day at Potter Marsh talking birds and wetlands. We asked our Science Guy, Dr. Gordon Snyder, to reflect on Lauren's observations and his thoughts about the slow turnout of wildlife so far.  To sharpen his music chops, Director of the Anchorage Midnight Sons...

Like aviators of the past, we ventured into the unknown! We record a segment of our show with an audience! The Midnight Sons Chorus was our house band, audience, did our show opening and commercials. Plus, closed with the Alaska Flag Song. Pure chaos - it was perfect! Time stamp We rounded the show out with interviews with author, Bob Bell, about his three books: Oh No! We're Gonna Die! , Oh No! W...

Author, Steve Levi, takes us into Alaska's whacky history of aviation history with his book: Archie Ferguson, Alaska's Crown Prince and Craziest Pilot in the World. Steve Levi makes aviation history fun, something his passengers were not experiencing, we can be sure!  Scott McEwen also joins us to talk about the 96th Merrill Field Aviation Celebration and Merrill Field's history. Ch...

Aviation built Alaska. Author, Steve Levi, joins us to talk about his book, Cowboys of the Sky: The Story of Alaska's Bush Pilots . Steve's entertaining approach to aviation history makes us forget just how crazy and dangerous it was! Check out the fun podcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We take-off our aviation series with this classic show we did with Chuck Sassara. Joining Chuck is author and former editor of Alaska Magazine, Andy Hall. We feature Chuck's book, Chuck Sassara's Alaska: Propellors, Politics and People. You can find it on our Big Alaska Show book review section at https://www.bigalaskashow.com/book-reviews/propellers-politics-and-people?rq=chuck%20sassara . Hosted...

Our RV trip took us through Cannon Beach, Oregon to visit longtime friends, Dan and Lynette Sullivan. We enjoyed hearing previously aired clips from an interview with Dan from 2024. Great stories with an old friend and former twice elected mayor, Dan Sullivan! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Gordon Snyder went through a whale phase. We were fortunate to go through it with him. Today's show we're sharing interviews with our Science Guy on whales. Hopefully, you'll enjoy this podcast as much as we do! If you like whales, you'll like today's show! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's show pays tribute to Mike Gordon, who started the world-renowned, rustic saloon, Chilkoot Charlie's. Its success rose during the oil boom days of the Alaska Oil Pipeline and with it the drug craze years of the 1970's. Although Mike got wrapped up in it, he quit, turned his life around and as part of his therapy set his sights on climbing the seven tallest peaks on seven continents. Mike wr...

Musher Sydnie Bahl was trained by retired veteran musher, Vern Halter. Last year, was Sydnie's first Iditarod, and she had to scratch halfway through it. This year, Sydnie completed the leap and crossed under the burled arch in Nome! Today's show was packed with all things Iditarod including a special look back at Alaska's Balladeer, Hobo Jim. Plus, we had a Tall Alaska Tale! Check out our fun pod...

Rondy Outhouse Fun & More! For Iditarod information visit www.furrondy.net ! Today's show is all about Rondy and we're just scratching the surface. The Outhouse Races, Feb 28th are a highlight for fun and toilet humor!  Interviews with Bob Maxwell, the creator, shares its history and we visit competitors! For Outhouse Race information https://furrondy.net/events/outhouse-races Plus,...

Flash back to Feb 14, 2009, when Alaska was celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Alaska Statehood. I was in a play "Soapy Smith" and interviewed actors from it. Plus, the great grandson of Soapy Smith, Jeff Smith, attended the play. He joined us to share more about this notorious character in Skagway. And just how accurate was the play? Well ... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...

Mr. Whitekeys joins us to share the story behind this outrageous tale and his book,  The Voyage of the Alaska Union: Adventure, Danger, Scurvy, Romance.  Talk about a fun interview! Author, historian, educator and author, Steve Levi, talks about his book:  The Human Face of the Alaska Gold Rush: It Was a Riotous Time With Saints And Scoundrels Living Side By Side. Steve has a h...

Frogcicles?! Our Science Guy, Dr. Gordon Snyder takes us into the frozen world of frogs. The picture above is a panel at Potter Marsh that shows this cycle that frogs go through during Alaska's frozen winters.  Gordon helps us appreciate the world around us a little more with his science observations and makes it fun!  Lord Trapper Update! Co-host Mike Ford, aka Lord Trapper, gives us an...

What a fun show! First, the Anchorage Festival and Henhouse Prowlers, followed by Lord Trapper on the Trail with Mike Ford. As Lord Trapper, Mike's ambassadorial duties include visiting places, people, businesses and events - all things Fur Rondy. And it's a lot!  Meet Henhouse Prowlers! These gents are world-wide bluegrass ambassadors having visited over 30 countries spreading the love of bl...

Today we celebrate 20 years! Our debut was a harbinger of our being the "longest running mistake-ridden radio show in Alaska's history". The high-tech equipment relied on a simple electrical socket the bar didn't have. The fast-thinking manager herded us into the liquor room that had a table, a landline telephone, and he stacked cases of scotch as chairs for our guests. We made it on time! The det...

Sydnie Bahl Iditarod Musher Sydnie is attempting her 2nd Iditarod. No snow in 2025 changed the course to go through Fairbanks, making it the longest Iditarod in history and an already tough race tougher. Sydnie gives us a sneak-preview into this year's Iditarod and what it's like running an Iditarod. Iditarod Coach Vern Halter Sydnie's Iditarod coach is retired, long-time musher, Vern Halter....

A continuation from last week's Merry Christmas From Alaska show, today's show features the creators of the Merry Christmas From Alaska CD series, Kurt and MJ Riemann. Owners of Surreal Studios, Kurt and MJ talk about the performers, the music and their paths of music in the Alaska market.  Hershey Kisses Christmas Commercial Another talented musician, Steven Alvarez, returns to share his sto...

A tradition we have is airing a Christmas show hosted by Kurt Riemann of Surreal Studios. Over the years, Kurt produced a series of Christmas CDs called "Merry Christmas From Alaska" that features Alaskan musicians performing Christmas and holiday classics. This show is from the "Merry Christmas From Alaska 3" and includes Kurt's wife, MJ. Plus, a special appearance of the hand trumpet!  Host...

As a webcast co-host in 2009, I had the honor to interview Dick Van Dyke and meet his quartet, the Vantastix. We invited his bass, Mike Mendyke seated (far left), to take us behind the scenes what it's like hanging out with the forever young Dick Van Dyke! Tuba Christmas  It's not Christmas without Tuba Christmas! Directors Neal Haglund and Dr. Stephen Shoop talk about the history of this Chr...

Welcome Fur Rondy Arch! Steve Kari, shown with his wife Ella, were among the throngs attending the lighting ceremony of the Fur Rondy Arch that now arches over 4th avenue in downtown Anchorage, AK. Thus, accomplishing a longtime dream of Jim Huettl, President of the Anchorage Mushing District. Steve was one of the engineers who worked on the project. Check out our interview Jim Huettl an...

We celebrate Thanksgiving remembering a longtime tradition, the Great Alaska Shootout and the first University of Alaska Anchorage basketball team - the Sourdoughs. Author Sara Juday shares her experience writing From Sourdoughs to Seawolves about the first UAA sports programs - including a chapter on the Sourdoughs- a team that will go down in infamy. I should know because I was there!  Host...

According to author Steve Levi, Archie Ferguson was known as the "World's Craziest Pilot". Steve joined us to prove it.  His book: Archie Ferguson: Alaska’s Crown Prince and Craziest Pilot in the World ! You can find it in our Big Alaska Show Book Review section. Steve is an educator and historian and makes learning history fun! Steve also talks about his other book,   Cowboy’s of the Sk...