Iditarod Stories, Friends and Fun!

The best way to celebrate the Ceremonial Start of the Iditarod is with friends! Let the stories flow! Greg Heister, known for his longtime association with the Iditarod and the "Insider" (www.iditarod.com) that covers and shares stories of the Iditarod with the world, takes us behind the scenes to help us appreciate what remarkable athlete mushers are. Then our good friend, Jim Odom, invites us to his Iditarod party of friends - many of whom this is their first Iditarod. And you're invited to an Iditarod party!

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Dangerous Commercial Fishing Close Calls!

Mike Ferris

Our Deadliest Catch Myth Buster, Mike Ferris, has returned SAFELY from another commercial fishing adventure in spite of plenty of dangerous close calls!

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Bears Waking Up!

Special Assistance to the Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Rick Rydell Green, talks about bears and coming out of hibernation. Rick's years as a hunting/fishing guide, self-avowed wildlife biology geek and longtime broadcaster, makes this interview fun about bear habits coming out of hibernation. He even tolerates our teenage mentality when it comes to certain bear colon habits of "blowing the plug"! Fun, informative interview!  

Thanking Our Veterans

Randy Kimpton, president of the Last Frontier Honor Flight, joins us to share what his organization does to honor and thank our military veterans. 

https://www.lastfrontierhonorflight.com/

Two Old Women Book Review and Iditarod Science

Author Stan Jones reviews a rural Alaska Classic, Two Old Women: An Alaska Legend of Betrayal, Courage and Survival.

Stan's years living in rural Alaska fueled his interest and respect for the native cultures of Alaska and the tremendous character especially during brutal conditions.

Find his book and podcast interview on our Big Alaska Show Book Review Section!

Dr. Gordon Snyder previously shared the science of dog paws, proper Iditarod dog hydration and the study of yellow snow science - who knew!

This time Gordon talks pink snow science!

Iditarod History-Tales Abound!

Hear today's full show podcast!

The Iditarod has a rich history - and we're talking a gold history! That's why we bring historian and author, Steve Levy, to share tales of the Iditarod and the Alaska Gold Rush going on at the time!

You'll also find his book, "The Human Face of the Alaska Gold Rush: It Was a Righteous Time With Saints And Scoundrels Living Side By Side" on our Big Alaska Show Book Review Section.

Plus, we share a gold nugget memory with an interview with Alaska's Balladeer, Hobo Jim, we did back in 2008.   

Hobo Jim 2008

Listen to our interview from 2008 with Hobo Jim!

The 2023 Iditarod!

The 2023 Iditarod!

Meet Sydnie Bahl (bale) who is training for the 2025 Iditarod. Sydnie's that next generation inspired to pursue her dream and carry on the tradition. And she's training under one of the best: retired multi-Iditarod musher, Vern Halter, with his wife and veterinarian, Susan, and the Dream a Dream Kennel team https://dreamsleddogtours.com.

What's it like to get ready to run the Iditarod? Sydnie Bahl tells us!

Plus, we interview Rod Perry, who competed in the very first Iditarod. We even threw in a Tall Alaska Tale about Colonel Norman Vaughn!

2023 Fur Rondy Time!

This annual cabin fever reliever is uniquely Alaskan and packed with events! 

World Championship Dog Sled Races, the Melodrama, Outhouse Races, Mr. Fur Face, Ice Carvers, Fur auctions and much more!

Rondy CEO, John McCleary, takes us inside to what's going on. Christy Hedrick reports on a Rondy favorite, the Melodrama and Neal Hagland talks Mr. Fur Face. We even have a Tall Alaska Tales!

Listen to the full podcast!

Iditarod 2023: Teacher on the Trail and Sled Dog Science

Iditarod Educators: Jane Holmes and Juli Westrich

Juli Westrich

Jane Holmes

Iditarod education has gone to the dogs! That's what makes it exciting! Director of Education of the Iditarod Trail Committee, Jane Holmes, introduces the 2023 Teacher on the Trail, Juli Westrich.

Becoming Teacher on the Trail is a HUGE lesson unto itself. Educators go through an extensive vetting process to compete for the highly coveted position. Only one will be chosen. The winner gets an experience of a lifetime immersed in the complete Iditarod experience all the way to the finish line in Nome. Along the way, Juli will blog daily sharing her experience with students from around the world.

To visit the Iditarod education link: https://iditarod.com/edu/

Dog Paw Science and Yellow Snow Trivia

Our Science Guy, Dr. Gordon Snyder, shares some science about dog paws and yellow snow trivia!

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Wildfires, Fly Fishing and Novels

Lolo Paige fought wildfires. Years later she authored her Blazing Hearts Wildfire Series novels.

Set in Alaska, Lolo's stories revolve around the wildfire industry where men and women work closely as teams to face life-threatening situations. Throw in some sizzling relationships and you have a page turning novel that ends to quickly with readers seeking more. So, Lolo obliges.

She adds Alaska Blaze and a lighthearted comedy Hello Spain, Goodbye Heart you'll find in our Book Review Section

Joe Jackson, talks about his book, It's Only Fishing: Tales of Alaska, fly fishing and young adulthood. You’ll find his book, links and extended podcast in our Book Review Section. 

Because fly fishers are so passionate, we asked our Science Guy, Dr. Gordon Snyder, to join us. He became one of the foremost authorities on water science because of his love for fly fishing. We're not sure if the interview is about Joe's book or fly fishing!

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Gold Nugget Saturday! Filmmakers Bill Bacon and Steve Rychetnik

It's Gold Nugget Saturday, where we dig out a gold nugget interview from a past Big Alaska Show.

This interview features Bill Bacon, a filmmaker who worked for Walt Disney 20 years before Walt sent Bill to Alaska when it became a state. Bill specialized in wildlife films where millions saw them.

Then Steve Rychetnik, co-owner of Sprocketheads a film production company, joins me to reflect on Bill's film legacy.

There's pure gold in this podcast!

Tundra Comics and Tree Houses!

Want to get to know Alaska? Hang with the locals! Tundra Comics Creator Chad Carpenter is back! The Pandemic changed how he's doing some things but not his sense of humor. Over 600 newspapers carry his cartoon panels. And now he's added a bunch more in the digital world. We catch up on the latest with Chad.

For more information visit Chad's links:
www.patreon.com/tundracomics,
www.tundracomics.com

Plus, check out his tree house he built for his son!

Big Alaska Show Historian!

Stories of Alaska's history are some of our favorites. Steve Levi has them. As Steve says, "If you do not have something unique, you have nothing." Steve puts his words where his books are.  Check out these websites for his books: https://authormasterminds.com/steve-levi and on our Big Alaska Show Book Review Section: http://www.bigalaskashow.com/book-reviews/cowboys-in-the-sky-steve-levi

To find more information visit
https://authormasterminds.com/steve-levi

Listen to our podcast interviews with these two BIG ALASKANS!

Merry Christmas From Alaska 2020!

It’s our Merry Christmas From Alaska special edition of the Big Alaska Show!

Kurt and MJ Riemann

Hosted by Kurt Riemann of Surreal Studios, Kurt takes us behind the scenes of his Merry Christmas From Alaska series that features Alaskan musicians playing Christmas and holiday favorites.

Kurt’s wife, M.J. Riemann, Melissa Fischer, Robert Clink, Hobo Jim, Michael More, Marlene Bateman, and more.

Great way to start your Saturday morning: 9:05a-10a, KFQD 103.7 FM /750 AM, and streamed at www.kfqd.com.

Scoundrels, RVs and Commercial Fishing!

Fun show! From our 2008 archives an interview with Jeff Smith, the great grandson of Soapy Smith. A Skagway Robin Hood or was he a scoundrel? Or both?

Alaska’s Gold Rush saw some interesting characters. Soapy Smith was one of them! Jeff tells us about Soapy’s life.

Check out his website at www.soapysmith.net.

 Then we discussed RVs with RV expert, Henry Huizenga. We’re adding an RV element to our show for Alaskans who like to hit the road.

Plus, we get to know our Deadliest Catch Myth Buster, Mike Ferris! His Kodiak commercial fishing career started when he was 11!

Check out the full podcast!

Forest Fires. Romance and Science Meet!

Forest Fires. Romance and Science Meet!

Our guests, Lolo Paige, author of Alaska Spark, and our Science Guy, Dr. Gordon Snyder, take us into the world of forest fires.

Lolo and Gordon have spent their educational lives and professional careers around the forest industry.

Their roundtable chat helps us better understand the West Coast fires and other forest phenomena.

We even have a science fair project from Dr. Gordon Snyder!

 Be sure to visit our Book Review Section for Lolo’s book, Alaska Spark.

Alaska Spark book review

 Listen to the full podcast!

100 Million Viewers!

Netflix announced the 2013 movie thriller, The Frozen Ground, filmed in Alaska and featuring Nicholas Cage and John Cusack had received #1 billing by reaching 100 million viewers!

 Whoa! That got our attention! So we asked a couple of friends from the cast and crew to join us on the Big Alaska Showa and take us behind the scenes. Ron played an attorney and Rose was with the crew from LA.

Based on a true story about a serial killer in Alaska, John Cusack plays the Robert Hansen, the bad guy, and Nick Cage plays Detective Jack Holcomb, the good guy.  There’s more too it of course.

But save yourself time and listen to our podcast to hear Rose and Ron tell what it’s like to work with John and Nick as well as some other behind the scenes tales!

Download the full podcast sans commercials (well almost!)

Rose Davidson was also in Alaska a year before to work on the movie “Big Miracle” about whales trapped by ice and city of Barrow showed up to save them! She shares some stories as well.

Bear Season!

Bear Season!

Special Assistant to the Commissioner of Fish & Game, Rick Rydell, takes us into the world  of wildlife management.

It’s a BIG job and they have the right man for it.  Rick’s resume includes decades as a fish & game hunting guide as well as a popular radio personality.

For more information about Alaska Department of Fish and Game visit https://www.adfg.alaska

Farewell to a Friend

We also pay special tribute the Mayor of Nome, Richard Beneville, who passed away this month. Nome’s colorful Ambassador who showed us there truly is No Place Like Nome!

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The Iditarod XLVIII – Behind the Curtain!

The Iditarod XLVIII – Behind the Curtain!

Iditarod XLVIII may have been the most challenging in Iditarod history. Rob Urbach, CEO Iditarod Trail Committee, along with the Iditarod Nation faced the challenge a COVID-19 Iditarod threw at them. Rob takes us behind the curtain to give a recap of the incredible obstacles to overcome.  This Last Great Race showed Alaska is at its best, when times are at their worst!

For Iditarod Information visit www.iditarod.com.

Hear the full podcast with Rob Urbach!

Mike Ferris Fishing Rotary Full Podcast

Alaska Commercial Fishing and Covid-19

Mike Ferris, our Deadliest Catch Myth Buster, discusses potential issues with Covid-19 and Alaska’s commercial fishing season.

As a commercial fishing veteran Mike reports some of the challenges Alaska faces.

Rotary Meets Covid-19 Head On!

Mike Ferris is not only our Deadliest Catch Myth Buster, he is also an active Rotarian. Mike shares how Rotary is finding its footing and plans to attack Covid-19 – head on, just like Rotary has taken on polio!