Learning the Ropes!

20200606_084948.jpg

Mike Gordon talks about his entertaining and inspirational book, “Learning the Ropes: An Alaskan Memoir”.

Mike Gordon had created the most popular nightclub in Alaska, Chilkoot Charlie's. But his personal life was in shambles - drug addiction, failed marriages and about to lose another. So he decided to turn his life around. And boy did he ever! Seven summits on the highest mountains on 7 continents, 15 marathons and 48 years after leaving college went back to get his BA and M.A. His M.A. thesis was his book.

Visit Mike Gordon’s website for an autographed copy! www.mikegordonauthor.com.

Hear the podcast!
(The Zoom quality varies, our apologies, but overall some gold nuggets!)

Memorial Weekend Big Alaska Show!

1 - Copy.JPG

Our Deadliest Catch Myth Buster, Mike Ferris, updates us on commercial fishing in Bristol Bay

VIPER.jpeg

Kyle Kaiser and Gary Olson update us on the VIPER Program in the fight against military suicides!

Mosquito.jpeg

Tall Alaska Tale!

Some say this is Alaska’s state bird!  But we have the real story- or is it a no good lyin’ through your tooth Tall Alaska Tale?!

Bear Season!

Bear Season!

Rick Rydell_adfg_250x332.jpg

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!

 

Hear the full podcast

May is Motor Cycle Awareness Month!

Thanks to Sheila Mahoney for the awesome pic of the women!

Thanks to Sheila Mahoney for the awesome pic of the women!

Download our podcast!

Some call it bikes, some say motorcycles. Either way, Alaska is a great place to cruise - safely and responsibly. 
We take a peek into the lifestyle of motorcycle enthusiasts. We even created a Big Alaska Show Women’s Biker Club (which proves why there are more men in Alaska – the quality of the Alaskan women!)

Bikers Got Culture!: Poetry for the Discerning Biker

Bill Rogers Biker Poet.jpg

Biker Poet, Bill Rogers, shares a couple of poems, from his book

https://amzn.to/3bjK8Rq

 

ABATE

ABATE President, Ken Coston.JPG

ABATE President, Ken Coston, joins us with Spider Schneider to talk MC Safety Courses:

www.abateofalaska.com, www.learntoridealaska.com.

That's a Wrap!

Gary Lamar Retires.jpeg

After 46 years writing, shooting and editing film/video, Gary Lamar retired May 1!
If you live in Alaska it’s likely you’ve seen Gary’s work, since the last 23 years he’s been at KTUU TV 2, the NBC affiliate.
I’m happy for Gary, but saddened, especially considering over 30 years of his 46, I’ve done many commercials and other projects with Gary.
Below are just some of the commercials I did with Gary.
Gary has seen Alaska through a lens for 46 years and we talk about it.

Hear the Podcast!

Angus McDivot  and His Caddie Haggis!

The world's greatest golfer and his faithful caddy Haggis! Jordan Spieth got nothing on this guy!
The World's Greatest Golfer-Angus McDivot!

Uncle Steve Pies

In the early 1990's Carr's Supermarket promoted a coupon book with a series of TV commercials featuring "Uncle Steve", an uncle saddled with baby-sitting his...
This is the 2nd commercial of a series where Uncle Steve and nephew Jesse show how to make shopping fun at Carr's Supermarket. Made in the early 1990's, the ...

A&M RV Center Cowboys

RV Dealership Sales Event

Neighbors Windows and Doors

Jeff King, 4-time Iditarod Champion shows why he gets his windows at Neighbors Windows and Doors. www.neighborswindowsanddoors.com Steve Stripling writer/pro...

Jingle Bells

A one of a kind performance by Steve Stripling. Yes, this is what he does. We're not making this up. Technically, he's a "manualist" but kids probably have a...

Meet Alaskan Heroes:  Teachers!

From the Classroom to the Zoom Room, teachers put “their kids” care first!
Educators, Melissa Fischer and Shannon Ferris join us!
Hear the Full Podcast

Melissa Fischer

Melissa Fischer

Meet Melissa Fischer music educator at East High School, rated the most diverse high school in the United States.

Shannon Ferris

Shannon Ferris

Meet Shannon Ferris, a 2nd grade teacher whose husband, Mike Ferris is our “Deadliest Catch Myth Buster!

Big Alaska Show Guest Tourists!

Jeremy and Lynn Gover

Jeremy and Lynn Gover

We like to welcome our visitors to Alaska who bring in much appreciated revenue.

As we say, “Anyone who gives us money we call friend – the more money, the better the friend!”

Our guests, Jeremy and Lynn Gover from Nashville, TN joined us to share their stories and even two Tall Alaska Tales!

Check out our full podcast!

The Iditarod XLVIII – Behind the Curtain!

Rob Ubach.png

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

3.JPG

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.

Mike Ferris 2012 (427x640).jpg

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!

1964 Alaska Earthquake Show!

Downtown Anchorage

Downtown Anchorage

Alaskans at their best when times are at their worst!

 We’re hunkered down for our ’64 Alaska Earthquake Show! Our guests share their first-hand accounts what it was like to be in the second strongest earthquake in recorded history!

JC Pennys Downtown Anchorage

JC Pennys Downtown Anchorage

Mary Kallander was in Penney’s!

Four Seasons Apartments Anchorage Alaska

Four Seasons Apartments Anchorage Alaska

Robert Laurie watched the Four Seasons Apartments collapse!

Checkout our podcast!

The Men Who Sold and Bought Alaska

Mike+Dunham+and+Books.jpg

Mike Dunham retired from 25 years broadcast career and 25 years newspaper career including Arts Editor for the Anchorage Daily News in Alaska. He then wrote two books,

The Man Who Sold Alaska and The Man Who Bought Alaska. Mike and I went to high school together and years later worked at KENI 650 AM radio in Anchorage, AK.

This was at a time Alaska was going through an economic crash which resulted in entertaining stories you will find here as well!

Dr. Gordon Snyder.jpeg

Dr. Gordon Snyder

Avoiding Zones of Contamination

Our Science Guy, Dr. Gordon Snyder, helps us understand and navigate through potential everyday COVID 19 exposure.

This interview shows some ways he avoids it. He actually developed a systematic process!


Spreading the Seeds of Love!

Tim and Midnight Sons.jpg

Singing Valentine’s

valentine's card.jpg
Dexter_Saloon,_Nome,_Alaska.jpg

Spreading the Seeds of Love!

President of Anchorage Midnight Sons A cappella Chorus, Tim Tillman, joined us on the Big Alaska Show!

He’s the one in the pic that keeps forgetting it’s still winter!

Tim came to promote their Singing Valentine’s!

Tall Alaska Tale

Wyatt Earp?  Who knew!

We’ll play our answer next week … what’s yours?!

Tell us what you think!  Is it the truth or a no good lyin’ through your tooth Tall Alaska Tale!

www.facebook.com/bigalaskashow

Alaska Statehood-Big Alaskans!

Captain George Reandeau

Captain George Reandeau

We pay tribute to George Reandeau who passed after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s.

A favorite guest and good friend, George Reandeau was Captain of the Mighty Ptarmigan, the boat that cruised Portage Glacier to give visitors a close look at Alaska’s beauty.

George was also a purveyor of Tall Alaska Tales and even shared one of his zingers!  Do you think it’s the truth or a no good lyin’ through your tooth Tall Alaska Tale?

To listen to George Reandeau’s interview only listen from the beginning to approximately 34 mins 10 seconds

Vic Fisher

Vic Fisher

A delegate to Alaska’s Constitutional Convention, Vic Fisher helped co-author Alaska’s state constitution. And that was just one of Vic’s remarkable accomplishments.  Imagine if someone came to you and said, “Hey, wanna start a state?!” For Alaska’s birthday celebrating becoming a state January 3, 1959, we caught up with Vic to talk about his experience helping Alaska to become a state.

To listen to Vic Fisher’s interview only start at approximately 34 mins and 8 seconds where intro starts.

Download our podcast and meet two remarkable Alaskans!