The Big Alaska Show

Alaska Nellie came to Seward, AK in 2015 and became legend is not an overstatement. Alaska Nellie was smart, refined and rugged as any seasoned sourdough. Fresh off a lecturer to the historical society, author, historian and lecturer, Doug Capra, joins us to talk about Alaska Nellie! You can find Doug's book The Spaces Between https://www.bigalaskashow.com/book-reviews/the-spaces-between-stories-f...

Broadcast has played an important part in Alaska's history. It has helped keep Alaskans connected within and outside the state. Women broadcasters hold a special place in that history that was more male driven. Camille Conte has been a shining light and made her mark in that history. She joins us to reflect on her career. Listen to our fun podcast with Camille! Hosted on Acast. See...

We visit our Science Guy, Dr. Gordon Snyder, to talk gray whales, beavers and hummingbirds .- Hummingbirds in Alaska?! Gordon helps us appreciate Alaska even more with his interesting science tidbits! Plus, we even tried to stump him with a Tall Alaska Tale! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author, educator and mother, Kim Rich, joined us for our 2nd live show in 4 years! She attended an event at The Writer's Block https://www.facebook.com/WritersBlockBookstore in Spenard to support her friend and author, Monica Hall ( Practically Still a Virgin ). You can find Kim's books, Johnny's Girl and A Normal Life on our Big Alaska Show Book Review Section: https://www.bigalaskashow.com/...

Broadcast has played an important role keeping Alaskans connected inside and outside the State. For two years our guest, David Allgood, has informed and entertained Alaskans with his popular feature "All Good News" that highlights everyday citizens and the good news they provide their community. As Dave says, "Everyone has a story, what's yours?" https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/authors/Dave...

We honor our veterans, especially our young veterans in today's show.  Veteran Jessy Lakin, Program Lead for Alaska Warrior Partnership, joins us to talk about services for veterans and families, and the fight against the suicide epidemic in our military. www.alaskawarriorpartnership.org   We also feature a part of his military career in Iraq.  We even have a Tall Alaska Tale! A his...

Just how dangerous is Alaska commercial fishing? Deadly! Our Deadliest Catch Myth Buster, Mike Ferris, shares another close call in Bristol Bay! Wildfire Season and Romance Novel Update Lois Simenson, aka Lolo Paige, hints about her next book in her Blazing Hearts series, Firestorm . Lois combines her background in wildfire fighting with romance to deliver a medium heat romance nove...

Meet Mama Moose! We honor Mama Moose on Mother's Day on the Big Alaska Show. Alaska's tough on moose, brutally tough. Yet Mama Moose meets any danger head on to protect her calves. Unwavering love, she embodies motherhood.  And raising calves is no picnic! (Just ask our guest, Dana Applebury, president of Moose Mamas.- she's in the business of raising calves and releasing them) Plus...

Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival 5/8-12/2024 This premiere Homer birding event, features 22 million birds! Joining us - Festival Coordinator, Melanie Dufor, Homer Visitor Center Manager, Lora Haller and Keynote speaker, renowned birder and author, Ted Floyd. www.kachemakshorebird.org    Podcast below (Time stamp: 4:46 - 21:36)   Alaska Moving Images Preservation Associ...

The bears are waking up and bear awareness is highly recommended!  It also means we dig out our interview with Gene Moe whose hand- to-paw encounter with a Kodiak grizzly is legendary! We also talk to Rick Rydell Green, former hunting/fishing guide and presently the Special Assistant to the Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Rick's had plenty of close encounters...

We continue sharing stories from people who were there like Tim Sullivan Sr and broadcast legend, Herb Shaindlin.  Author/Historian and Seward resident, Doug Capra, talks about Seward's response from the day after and for which they received an "All American City" award. He speaks about his article "The Luxury of Forgetting: The town of Seward after the 1964 Good Friday Alaska...

Hear first-hand accounts from those that were there! A massive 9.2 earthquake that lasted seemingly an eternity. Mary Dougherty was in JC Penney's and barely escaped with her life! Robert Laurie was a paperboy in Bootlegger's Cove. Don Hartman was in Turnagain. Ken Young was near the Park Strip and Dana Stabenow was in Seldovia. Listen to their stories on our podcast! Hosted on Acast. See aca...

Iditarod Hall of Fame Broadcaster Three decades as the MC of the Ceremonial Iditarod Start and well known Anchorage Hall of Fame broadcaster, Dave Stroh joins us to share some broadcast stories! Frogsicles with our Science Guy! Frogs freeze solid in the winter and live!  Our Science Guy, Dr. Gordon Snyder explains! Travel Guru - Alaska Travel Update Scott McMurren's Travel Showcase has p...

The Open World Championship Dog Sled Races are underway and the competition is exciting! The Anchorage downtown start is unique and gives up close action to cheering crowds.  We talk with pros about the race and what makes it so special. We continue to honor the 25th Anniversary of the Iditarod Teacher on the Trail program as Annie McGuire and Heidi Sloan join us. Check out last week's podcas...

The Iditarod celebrates its 25th Anniversary of the Teacher on the Trail program. We talk with Jane Holmes, the Director of Education of the Iditarod Trail Committee, and former Teachers on the Trail who have used the Iditarod as an exciting educational tool for many disciplines for their students.  The Iditarod excites young people and the program is growing. Why? Because it's fun! Visit the...

President, Tim Tillman, and Past President, Steve Kari, join us to share an update coming into the 2024 season as they are rebuilding after coming out of the pandemic. The Anchorage Midnight Sons have been in existence since 1968! We even have a Tall Alaska Tale! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10 years ago Christie jumped at the Polar Bear Jump Off in Seward in memory of Joe Krones' brother, Jimmy. Christie never knew Jimmy or the Krones family. But that's the heart Christie has in the fight against cancer and why she's raised about a quarter million dollars over 21 years of jumps! Today's show Christie and Joe meet for the first time. Christie is from Homer and on the rescue team for s...

Our Big Alaska Book Review panel features authors and their books, Richard Chiappone, The Hunger of Crows , and Steven Levi, Bonfire Saloon . Get these 5 Alaskan authors together and you can't help but have fun and laugh - good books too! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We celebrate our 18th Anniversary of the Big Alaska Show at the 39th Polar Bear Jump Off in Seward, AK! We play clips from past shows at the Jump.   We also have our Science Guy, Dr. Gordon Snyder, talk about the whales that visit Seward’s rich feeding grounds. Plus, we have a Tall Alaska Tale! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hershey Christmas Kisses TV commercial has played consistently for 35 years. Why? We maintain it’s because of our guest, Steven Alvarez, who shares this classic tale! Speaking of tales – our Big Alaska Guest Tourists, Pat and Dave Huff from Saginaw, TX try to answer our Tall Alaska Tale (we warned them – we’re eligible to win our own prizes!) Kurt Riemann from Surreal Studios fingerprints are all...

Tuba Christmas Director, Neal Haglund, proves just the word “tuba” is funny! Then Author/historian, Doug Capra, shares a tale of Seward’s iconic Christmas tree shining high above from Bear Mountain with this message of hope: “Look up and shut up!” Plus, Rootin Tootin Rotary News with Alaska's immediate past Rotary District Governor, Mike Ferris! Rotary does the work. We do the rootin’ tootin’! Hos...

LoLo Paige, author of the Blazing Hearts Romance Novels, updates us on a recent book, Irish Thunder https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/201847187-irish-thunder , while Mr. Whitekeys' entertains us with his latest book, The Voyage of the Alaska Union: Adventure, Danger, Scurvy, Romance www.mrwhitekeys.com . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

These musical genres are connected at the hip with harmony, family, food and fun stories! Joining us is Jonathan Buckner from Chosen Road, an award winning gospel bluegrass band from West Virginia, and pastor Tracy Simmons from Christ Community Church Alaska. Plus, part 2 of the continuing saga of mishaps with the Frozen Pipes, the barbershop quartet that inspired audiences to rise from their seat...

Holidays are perfect for friends and family gathering to share stories and laughs - just like you'll hear in this podcast! "Rootin' Tootin' Rotary News with Mike Ferris, Inappropriate Product Placement Theatuh with Shane and Wayne Mitchell,  Otter Creek Saloon with Lois Simenson, Chad Carpenter's Tall Alaska Tale, Willie Hensley's "Special", Plus our Big Alaska Show Guest Tourist, Mike Borts,...

Anchorage's snow fall this week has broken records. We're talking Snow-Maggedon!  Meteorologist with Anchorage's NBC affiliate KTUU 2, Jackie Purcell, joins us to give us an update and test co-host, Mike Ford and my weather knowledge! Plus, Christie Bond-Hill, from Homer, is part of a otter sea pup rescue team for the Alaska SeaLife Center. She shares her story and what it's like to help care...