The Big Alaska Show

Navy SEAL Laddie Shaw Approximately 80,000+ remarkable veterans live in Alaska. Navy SEAL veteran, Laddie Shaw joined us to share his story Outdoorsman, rock climber, para-sailing and former Alaska state legislator, Laddie's story reminds us freedom is not free. Alex the Roaster Meet our Big Alaska Show Blend roaster, Alex with Cold Snap. We were hearing complaints people couldn't get our cof...

Today's show proudly honors our veterans. Max Stripling was in WWII. Jesse Lakin in Iraq, Don Hartman and Ed Koontz were in the Korean War. And Ed Koontz his wife, Brenda, took the Honor Flight in 2018. Today, they share their stories! Check our podcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Son of Joe Rychetnik, Steve Rychetnik joins us to talk about his dad's book, Alaska's Sky Follies: The Funny Side of Flying in the Far North. But our interview with Steve reveals a man who was as colorful as the characters he wrote about. Fortunately, Joe Rychetnik wrote prolifically to leave us a historically rich record of often hilarious Alaska stories - that were probably not that funny at the...

Today's show features "Men Can Sing", a fun barbershop youth outreach program. Designed to get high school guys interested in their school choral programs, it also highlights the vital importance of our music educators. A cappella coach, Eddie Martinez, Midnight Board members Steve Kari, Tim Tillman and Ernie Peters join us. Plus,  music educators, Rebecca Nelson, Makayla Forbes and Annie Her...

Wayne and Shane Mitchell are serious about Halloween and holiday fun!.  These twins join us to talk about their award-winning non-profit, TBA, (Training Better Artists Towards a Better Alaska), and their packed Halloween and holiday schedule. Chad Carpenter of Tundra Comics joins the fun to talk about movies with these twins. Plus, Inappropriate Product Placement Theatuh - testing the improvi...

Our Science Guy, Dr. Gordon Snyder, helps us appreciate more the world that surrounds us. Gordon's unique scientific tidbits makes it fun. At the heart of it is water for which Gordon is an expert. Today's show features We've assembled a various interviews over the years. Here he covers his No Fence Wetlands (hyper link) project, hummingbirds, whales, education and a Tall Alaska Tale! Hosted on Ac...

Kick back, forget work! This gold nugget interview from 2016 features legendary aviator, author and former State of Alaska legislator, Chuck Sassara, whose life is almost unbelievable - certainly his Tall Alaska Tales are! Joining Chuck was former Alaska Magazine Editor, Andy Hall. Btw, check out Chuck's book on our Book Review Section:  Chuck Sassara's Alaska: Propellors, Politics and P...

Where else can you pack the stands to cheer on the largest vegetables?!  Such are the stories that come out of the Alaska State Fair. Join us for a fun spin around the Fair and meet guests like The Monkees, Mickey Dolenz, Goat judging with Ford, a live show in the tent, a Tall Alaska Tale and more. Did we mention food?!   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We pay tribute to a beloved Alaskan broadcaster, Al Bramstedt Jr and the impact he made on Alaska's broadcast industry. Besides the legacy left by Al's leadership, it was how he led: with thoughtful integrity.  Three longtime broadcasters who worked with Al: News Director John Tracy (retired), Sports Director John Carpenter (retired) and Meteorologist Jackie Purcell, joined us to share fun Al...

Cutting Edge STEM Education! The Challenger Learning Center of Alaska  https://akchallenger.org  is too good an educational program to be a best kept secret! CEO Marnie Olcott joins us to give us an overall view of this innovative educational program located on the Kenai Peninsula.  Skagway's Scoundrel With tourism season in full swing, Skagway, AK is a popular stop on the Alaskan c...

The Anchorage Midnight Sons Chorus Director, Phil Cheasebro, joined us with a special guest, his mother, Margaret Cheasebro! It was her birthday and we thought it a good idea to celebrate with Uncle Steve's hand trumpet - which was more than a little rusty! Margaret's story is intriguing, plus, she's an author! A perfect fit with our other guest, Lois Simenson aka Lolo Paige, to talk about her new...

The salmon are running and our guest, Rick Rydell Green with the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission, takes us into his world of commercial fishing in Alaska. Rick updates us on the health of this year's industry, the high and low points and the challenges Alaska and the fishing industry faces this year. Check out our fun podcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris Barth, with the State of Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, takes us behind the scenes to update us on the fire season around the state and to give us a glimpse of his world fighting forest fires (wildfires). For more forest fire information in Alaska visit  www.akfireinfo.com . Since Chris is from Missoula, MO, we knew we had to introduce him to Lois Simenson, aka., Lol...

The Anchorage Midnight Sons Chorus belongs to a network called "Barbershop"; an American musical genre that brings people together from all over the world. Like today's guests. Timothy Yiu, originally from Hong Kong, now doing research in Alaska for his doctoral dissertation at Florida State. And friends from the 2025 International Gold Medal Champions, the Vocal Majority in Dallas, TX, Phil McSha...

Author, educator and fly fisher enthusiast, Joseph Jackson, talks about his book, It's Only Fishing. Check it out his book and interview on our Book Review Section,  https://shorturl.at/kqL1D Plus, we chatted with Mark the Bat Guy about bats and a birder who shared some secrets about Potter Marsh! Check out today's fun podcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The longest day deserves special guests, and we have them! Gavin Struempler, artistic director and founder of Summit Theatre Project joins us to share a new, exciting non-profit coming to Anchorage.  Author of the Blazing Hearts Romance Series, Lolo Paige, joins us to give us a sneak preview into new book coming out,  Firestorm , that deals with what if a wildfire broke out on Anchorage'...

Matt, Rusty and Nana Hayes is the perfect family to represent our Father's Day show! They are a tight-knit family bound by love, laughter and their longtime love for the outdoors as guides make for outrageously hair-raising encounters with bears!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Holly Evans, founder of the Glacier Shakers Flyball Club, joins us to share her journey from not knowing anything about flyball, to forming a club and going on to win a national championship! Flyball pals of ours and Holly's from Dallas, TX, Cindy Dalton and Michael Borts join us. For more information about the Glacier Shakers visit https://www.facebook.com/GlacierShakersFlyballClub/ . Talk about...

Our Science Guy, Dr. Gordon Snyder, is restoring 55 acres of his farm back to its original wetland state. He's using Potter Marsh in Anchorage as a model of what it can become https://www.alaska.org/detail/anchorage-coastal-wildlife-refuge-potter-marsh  . ] Check out his website www.nofencewetlands.org . He joins Potter Marsh Refuge Host, John Mattox, to talk wetlands, wildlife and the value...

Our guests, Jessy Lakin was deployed to Iraq. Jamaal Clark served in Afghanistan. Ed Koonz served in Korea and his wife, Brenda, was in the Navy. While we honor those that have fallen, these interviews with veterans while they are alive make us realize just how great the loss. To our veterans- THANK YOU! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet Earl Malpass, the new Merrill Field Airport Manager, talks about Merrill Field's upcoming open house celebration packed with activities, displays, food trucks and much more! Saturday, May 31, 2025: https://shorturl.at/zy6jb.  Earl also shares the economic impact Merrill Field brings to the municipality and the State and as well as other Merrill Field news. Impressive! Joining Earl is Rob...

Our Science Guy, Dr. Gordon Snyder, makes science fun and helps us appreciate our world a little more. What do gray whales, beavers and hummingbirds have in common? Wetlands, where life begins according to Dr. Gordon Snyder, one of the foremost authorities on water. Shown is an aerial view of 55 acres from Gordon's farm he's restoring back to a wetland. And teaches us its value through wildlife so...

Buying An RV? Meet Liz Amazing! An RV consumer advocate, Liz Amazing is dedicated to supporting and educating the RV consumer.  If you're RV shopping -STOP - listen to our interview with Liz and visit Liz Amazing's YouTube channel. 1964 Alaska Earthquake- Part 2 Friends share their experience going through the 2nd largest earthquake March 27,1964, Good Friday, at 5:36 pm. Tim Sullivan Sr...

Today's show is a tradition homage to the 9.2 Good Friday Alaska Earthquake. The picture is a short book Mary Daugherty penned about her experience being in JC Penney's downtown Anchorage. She shares her story in this podcast along with others, including broadcast legend, Herb Shaindlin! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The bears are waking up! At the age of 68, Gene Moe with only a buck knife came face to face with a huge Kodiak grizzly. For the next 45 minutes, they would engage in hand to paw combat. Gene lived to tell this story! Then, Rick Rydell Green educates us on bear behavior! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.