September 06, 2020

Our Labor Day Show - A Labor of Love!

September 06, 2020/ Steve Stripling

Good show, peeps! Let’s get to the point. The Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, AK is a major Alaskan tourist attraction AND an important marine research science center. Alaskans love it. So when it came very close to closing its doors, possibly forever due to the pandemic, Alaskans showed up to raise BIG BUCKS to keep the doors open. But they need more and it’s worth it!

Our guests, Dr. Tara Riemer, CEO/President of the Alaska SeaLife Center and our Science Guy, Dr. Gordon Snyder tell us why. Plus, they make it informative and fun! These science geeks love research, results and discovery. They know a good deal when they see one. They point out the Alaska SeaLife Center is more than a good deal, it’s a treasure!

Check out the podcast with Tara and Gordon – lots of fun. Plus, we even have a Tall Alaska Tale!

Here’s the full show sans commercials.

Check out the Alaska SeaLife Center’s website and their special matching fundraiser in the month of September!

www.alaskasealife.org

August 29, 2020

By Land, Sea and Air!

August 29, 2020/ Steve Stripling

Today’s show featured a wide variety. John “Tales of the Tundra” Gailey gave us a snapshot of Alaska’s tour challenged economy.

But John’s a well-loved guide in Alaska’s tour industry and leading tours bouncing between Anchorage, Denali and Fairbanks.

Hear John T. Gailey’s interview podcast:

Ocean Science with our Science Guy

Our Science Guy, Dr. Gordon Snyder, gives us a scientific perspective on the latest hurricanes and orca whales.

Be sure to check out his Whales Without Borders facebook site.

Hear Dr. Gordon Snyder’s podcast:

Remembering an Aviation Great

Marcus Paine was a bright star in Alaska’s aviation history. Had he lived in the 1920’s like the Wien Brothers, his name would be mentioned in the same breath.

We admired Marcus because he made aviation exciting sporting a joyful spirit and a warm smile to back it. Sadly, we lost Marcus in air accident at a Madras, Oregon airshow, August 27, 2016.

We pulled from our archives an interview with Marcus shortly before his appearance at 2012 Arctic Thunder, the 5th largest air show in the world.

Hear Marcus Paine’s podcast:

August 23, 2020

Big Alaska Show Tourists, Guests and Tales!

August 23, 2020/ Steve Stripling

Alaska’s tourism industry took a big hit this year. So we invited our Big Alaska Show Guest Tourist, Henry Lenz, a retired CBS radio engineer who worked with broadcast legends, to come visit us. It’s fun to get to know and appreciate our visitors – and their money ... especially their money! We even celebrated his birthday with a Tall Alaska Tale! (We “forgot” to tell him we win our own prizes!) Author, Lolo Paige, a former firefighter with the Bureau of Land Management, joins us to give a sneak preview of her book, Alaska Spark, plus much more!

Hear the full podcast:

Former Alaskan Bureau of Land Management firefighter, Lolo Paige, talks about her book, Alaska Spark!

We’ll have Lolo Paige back to discuss her book once I read it!

In the meantime, you can check it out for yourself.

AUTHOR WEBSITE

Find ALASKA SPARK on Amazon

Big Alaska Show Guest Tourist

Henry Lenz shares stories about a remarkable broadcast career with Walter Cronkite, Dan Rather and more! Plus we play Tall Alaska Tales!

August 17, 2020

Climbing Adventures

August 17, 2020/ Steve Stripling

Great way to spend a Saturday! Authors Mike Gordon and Andy Hall share climbing tales from their books: Learning the Ropes: An Alaskan Memoir by Mike Gordon and Denali’s Howl: The Deadliest Climbing Disaster on America’s Wildest Peak by Andy Hall.

Each shares experience adventures you’ll find in our Big Alaska Show Book Review Section!

The Big Alaska Show Book Reviews

Hear the full show podcast!

Mike and Shelli have lived an amazing Alaskan adventure and share it in this book!

Learning the Ropes: An Alaskan Memoir

Hear Mike Gordon about his book and some climbing adventures!

Andy Hall talks about his book and Denali’s deadliest climbing accident!

Denali’s Howl: The Deadliest Climbing Disaster on America’s Wildest Peak

August 09, 2020

Bristol Bay: The Wild West of Commercial Fishing!

August 09, 2020/ Steve Stripling

Mike Ferris our Deadliest Catch Myth Buster

Our Deadliest Catch Myth Buster, Mike Ferris, returns after a month commercial fishing in Bristol Bay.

Covid 19, a fire on board, dangerous close calls, Mike even had a showdown with a hostile boat!

Not one to back down, Mike shares the sordid details!

Pipeline Vocal Project

Meet the members of Pipeline Vocal Project as they share what they’re doing to adjust to the pandemic.

Send one of their Singing Telegrams to a loved one or friend! Visit their website:

https://www.pipelinevocalproject.com/

Tall Alaska Tale!

We even had a Tall Alaska Tale .... What do you think is the answer?

We’ll share the answer 8/15 show.

http://www.bigalaskashow.com/tall-alaska-tales/buck-snort-palace

Full Show Podcast

If you want to hear the full show sans commercials!

August 02, 2020

Alaska Aviation and Women Bikers!

August 02, 2020/ Steve Stripling

Rob Stapleton is passionate about Alaska aviation and photography.

He’s one of those guys you don’t hear much about, but we thought you should!

Co-host, Mike Ford, and Rob Stapleton did a broadcast feature over the years that focused on Alaska aviation.

We thought it time to bring that back and introduce Rob into our group of friends that enjoy Alaska’s rich history of aviation!

Check out some of Rob’s work.

www.alaskafoto.com, www.alaskafoto.net, robstapletonphoto.com

Listen to our podcast!

Alaskan Women Bikers Are Back!

THANKS TO SHEILA MAHONEY FOR THE AWESOME PIC OF THE WOMEN!

Our Big Alaska Show Women’s Biker Club is back! They’ve had a busy summer and we asked them back to join us. Download to hear the podcast!

July 25, 2020

From Broadcast to Bristol Bay!

July 25, 2020/ Steve Stripling

Quite the variety in this edition of the Big Alaska Show!

Sons, Tim Stevens and Phil Gaines talk about their dads, Alaskan broadcast legends, Ed Stevens and Ruben Gaines!

This pic is from early 1950s when they decided to “get away from it all” and rough it in rural Alaska for two years.

From the archives our attempt to follow the broadcast legends of old doing live radio with sound effects in real time with “Tales of the Tundra!”

Plus, we catch up with our Deadliest Catch Myth Buster, Mike Ferris, talking about a day in the life of commercial fishing.

Download and hear the full podcast!

July 05, 2020

’67, ’68 Reunion West Reprise

July 05, 2020/ Steve Stripling

’67, ’68 Reunion West Reprise

2020 has been a tough year on graduations and reunions.

Today’s show was a compilation of reunion podcasts from West Anchorage High School 1967 and 1968.

Rick Stanfield and Steve Meeks from the class of 1967 joined us.

Steve Nerland and Bill Campbell from the class of 1968 joined us.

Hear the compilation podcast!

Full WHS 1967 Reunion Podcast

http://www.bigalaskashow.com/bas-shows-archive/full-whs-1967-reunion-podcast

Full WHS 1968 Reunion Podcast

http://www.bigalaskashow.com/bas-shows-archive/west-high-school-1968-50th-high-school-reunion

Full WHS 1969 Reunion Podcast

http://www.bigalaskashow.com/bas-shows-archive/west-high-school-50th-reunion

July 05, 2020

West Anchorage High School 1967 Reunion

July 05, 2020/ Steve Stripling

Uncle Steve with Big Alaska Show Friends RICK STANFIELD AND STEVE MEEKS

Hear their podcast!

1967 Graduates, Rick Stanfield and Steve Meeks, joined us on the Big Alaska Show to share high school tales we can actually say on the air!

We even played Tall Alaska Tales with them!

June 21, 2020

Fathers Day! ~ Lessons from Father to Son

June 21, 2020/ Steve Stripling

Our Deadliest Catch Myth Buster, Mike Ferris is commercial fishing in Bristol Bay. Like his dad, Mike passes those lessons to his son, Curtis.

Commercial fishing is tough enough without covid. Mike meets the challenge. His show IS a reality!

Tim Sullivan Sr is a 4th generation Alaskan. Tim’s dad, George Sullivan was a popular Anchorage Mayor in the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. He also lived an Alaskan life filled with tales from the Last Frontier.

Tim shares some of those nuggets about 6 generations of Sullivans!

To Dad from the Midnight Sons

Max Farrand Stripling was my hero and gave me my favorite gift – Joe the Beagle!

Hear the full show:

June 17, 2020

Tundra Comics!

June 17, 2020/ Steve Stripling

Tundra Comic creator, Chad Carpenter, gives us a Tundra Comics update as well as shares a Tall Alaska Tale!

Visit website www.tundracomics.com.

Don’t take our word for it – hear Chad in his own words!

June 06, 2020

Learning the Ropes!

June 06, 2020/ Steve Stripling

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!)

May 23, 2020

Memorial Weekend Big Alaska Show!

May 23, 2020/ Steve Stripling

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

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

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?!

May 16, 2020

Bear Season!

May 16, 2020/ Steve Stripling

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!

Hear the full podcast

May 09, 2020

May is Motor Cycle Awareness Month!

May 09, 2020/ Steve Stripling

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

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

https://amzn.to/3bjK8Rq

ABATE

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

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

May 04, 2020

That's a Wrap!

May 04, 2020/ Steve Stripling

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...

April 28, 2020

Meet Alaskan Heroes: Teachers!

April 28, 2020/ Steve Stripling

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

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

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

April 18, 2020

Big Alaska Show Guest Tourists!

April 18, 2020/ Steve Stripling

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!

April 12, 2020

The Iditarod XLVIII – Behind the Curtain!

April 12, 2020/ Steve Stripling

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!

April 06, 2020

Mike Ferris Fishing Rotary Full Podcast

April 06, 2020/ Steve Stripling

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!