Dr. Jack Hickel

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Son of Walter Hickel, the late former two-time Governor of Alaska and former Secretary for the Department of the Interior under the Nixon administration, Jack Hickel paved his own legacy. 

Join us for this amazing odyssey with a man who searched for the most challenging place on the planet to offer medical and supportive health services. He found it! South Sudan is a country torn by war, flooding, corruption, and unclean drinking water, a land of extreme poverty.  Shown above, Jack shakes the hand of a Chief from the village of Luot, who said Jack's group were the first Caucasians to ever visit the area. 

Jack co-founded the Alaska Health Project South Sudan, www.ahpss.org. 

But wait! There's more - much more! Check out our podcast!

Dr. Jack Hickel
The Big Alaska Show

Alaska State Fair Gold!

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Each year we air this tribute to the Alaska State Fair. Just like the State Fair filled with all sorts of attractions and fun, so does today's show! Plus, we have 3 Tall Alaska Tales!

And it all starts with Micky Dolenz of the Monkees, and co-host Mike Ford introduced him!

Check out our fun podcast!

Alaska State Fair Gold!
The Big Alaska Show
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Tall Alaska Tale-Off!

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It's our First Friday Tall Alaska Tale Off! On the first Saturday of the month, we test our listener's Alaskan history knowledge. Are these tales the truth, or a no good lyin' through yer tooth, Tall Alaska Tale? Like the Moose Pass Water Wheel (shown). Jerry Kaplan's Brewery Biker Team tried to sleuth the Bulchitna  Brewery Tale.  How did they do? You be the judge! Listen to our podcast! Then go to our Big Alaska Show Facebook page and leave your comments. 

Jerry Kaplan's Brewery Biker Team

Check out our fun podcast!

Tall Alaska Tale-Off!
The Big Alaska Show
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Iditarod, Dogs and Mushing!

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Iditarod mushers Cindy Abbott, Syd Bahls and Vern Halter join us for a cup of jo to share stories and some laughs to give us a glimpse into their world that has literally gone to the dogs! Vern and Susan Halter own Dream A Dream Kennel outside Willow, AK and worthy a visit if you have the chance.

Cindy Abbott's journey includes being the only woman to summit Mt. Everest and finish an Iditarod (on her 3rd attempt - the first two she was injured and had to drop out) and battling a deadly disease. We've been watching Syd Bahls. Don't be surprised to see an Iditarod champion one day!

Iditarod, Dogs and Mushing!
The Big Alaska Show

The Butte Girls' Club!

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Our guest, author Lois Simenson, shares exciting news about her latest romance novel, Montana Smoke and The Butte Girls' Club, a coming-of-age story about four besties growing up together in the copper mining town of Butte, Montana during the 60s. Kennedy, the Beatles, Russia, the moon landing and frothy Butte Beer, Lois skillfully brings this tale to life as if we're in the Club! You'll find her books and podcasts on our Big Alaska Show Review section!

Check out today's fun show podcast!

The Butte Girls' Club!
The Big Alaska Show
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Natalie Gelman: Mountain Mama Tour

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Song writer, performer, Natalie Gelman, joins us to talk about her Alaska Mountain Mama Tour.

Joining Natalie is Josh Fryfogle and Larry Hansen with Make-A-Scene Media promoting the Mountain Mama Tour. 

Natalie's resume is an impressive montage where experience exceeds her age! Opening for Bon Jovi, performing on stage with well-known pop artists, studying violin and voice from a young age on, performing as an opera soloist at Carnegie Hall, busking in gritty subways of NYC, winning a song writing contest to win a duet with Jean Wyclef, producing albums, and touring around the world including Alaska. That's just the tip of the iceberg!

Fun interview!

Potter Marsh Conflict!

Potter Marsh Refuge Host, John Mattox, reports a Sandhill Crane and Blue wing swallow clash. Spoiler alert: the Sandhill Crane won! Always fun with John to hear about our favorite wetland retreat, Potter Marsh.

Timestamps:
Make-A-Scene Media: Josh Fryfogle, Larry Hansen, 
5:10 - 15:34
Natalie Gelman Interview
15:35 - 42:04
John Mattox Potter Marsh
42:05 -52:00

Natalie Gelman: Mountain Mama Tour
The Big Alaska Show
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Alaska 4th of July!

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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 encounters, plus to grow the moose population. His innovative Orphaned Calf Restoration Program took orphan calves, cared for them, and released them into rural areas where the moose population was thin.

Check out our podcast!

Alaska 4th of July!
The Big Alaska Show
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Summer Solstice FlyBall!

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Tami and Joy

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.

Interview Timestamp - Joy and Tami, Edge Flyball Club 19:49 -28:26

Holly Evans

Btw, big thank you to Alaska Dogs Gone Wild for hosting the event. As co-host, Mike Ford, and I say, "It's more fun to go to someone else's party!"

Interview Timestamp - Holly Evans Glacier Shakers 10:36 - 19:46

Cindy Dalton and mike borts

Joining us: Glacier Shakers founder, Holly Evans, from Washington Engage Flyball Club's founders, Joy Adiletta and Tami Linnerud, AND, from DFW, Cindy Dalton and Mike Borts with the Break Through Flyball Club. Check out our fun, informative flyball podcast. 

Interview Timestamp - Cindy and Mike, Break Through 29:41 - 49:09

Summer Solstice FlyBall
The Big Alaska Show
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Father's Day Show!

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Rusty, Nana, and Matt Hayes

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.

Check out our fun podcast! 

Father's Day Show!
The Big Alaska Show
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Barbershop and Wetlands!

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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 Chorus, Phil Cheasbro, attends Harmony College Northwest at the U of Puget Sound (https://harmonycollege.net/). Executive Vice President of the Evergreen District Barbershop Harmony Society, Duncan Gilman, fills us in and what takes place there. 

We even had a Tall Alaska Tale for Duncan!

Lauren Cusimano and Gordon Snyder Time Stamp 6:13-31:31

Duncan Gilman Time Stamp 31:33 -47:29

Barbershop and Wetlands!
The Big Alaska Show
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Recording Live at Merrill Field!

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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 00:00 - 19:40

We rounded the show out with interviews with author, Bob Bell, about his three books: Oh No! We're Gonna Die!, Oh No! We're Gonna Die Too! And Outdoor Stupid From Around the World. Found in our Big Alaska Show Book Review Section.

https://www.bigalaskashow.com/book-reviews/bob-bell-3-books-review?rq=Bob%20Bell

Recording Live at Merrill Field!
The Big Alaska Show
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Archie Ferguson: Aviation Madness!

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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.

Check out our fun podcast!

Archie Ferguson: Aviation Madness!
The Big Alaska Show
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Chuck Sassara Tales!

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Steve, Chuck, Andy, Mike

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.

Chuck Sassara Tales!
The Big Alaska Show
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Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival!

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Festival Coordinator, Marcy Melville, joined me for a preview of this week's Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival.

Lots of fun-filled, cool birding things going on in Homer for experienced birders and rookies - like me! 

For more information and online program visit https://kachemakshorebird.org/ 

Check out this fun interview with Marcy!

Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival!
The Big Alaska Show
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Our Science Guy and Whales!

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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!

Our Science Guy and Whales!
The Big Alaska Show
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Mike Gordon: A Tribute

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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 wrote a book about it, Climbing the Ropes: An Alaskan Memoir, that you'll find with other books Mike wrote on our Big Alaska Show Book Review section. Mike's life is a rich, entertaining tapestry. We've picked clips to share this life well-lived!

Mike Gordon: A Tribute
The Big Alaska Show
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Iditarod Show!

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Sydnie Bahl

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!



Hobo Jim

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 podcast!

Iditarod Show!
The Big Alaska Show
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Rondy Outhouse Fun & More!

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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 

Plus, co-host and this year's Lord Trapper, Mike Ford, gives us a Lord Trapper On the Trail update!

Rondy Melodrama!

A decade's old favorite, the Rondy Melodrama features throwing popcorn at the villain and each other, boo-ing, hiss-ing, cheering and packed with ridiculous fun accompanied by harmonious a cappella sounds from the award-winning chorus, Alaska Sound Celebration. Melanie Cross joins us to update us on this year's Melodrama and the wonderful fundraiser it creates.

Check out our fun podcast!

4:00 - 25:50 Melodrama

25:53 - 32:10 Bob Maxwell

33:10 - 39:22 Outhouse Competitors

39:24 - 49:05 Lord Trapper w/Eddie P

Rondy Outhouse Fun & More!
The Big Alaska Show
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