March 15, 2025

Iditarod and 1925 Serum Run!

March 15, 2025/ Steve Stripling

The Iditarod commemorates the 1925 Serum Run that saved Nome from an outbreak of diphtheria. Author/Historian/Humorist, Steve Levy, gives us a lesson in history - and makes it fun!

Visit the Big Alaska Show Book Review Section and check out Steve Levy's book about the Gold Rush:

Steve Levi makes the Alaska Gold Rush(es) come alive and makes you glad you weren’t there! Fortunately, we have Steve’s book, The Human Face of the Alaska Gold Rush

The Human Face of The Alaska Gold Rush by Steve LeviSteve Levi Author Page — The Big Alaska Show

Teacher on the Trail!

The Iditarod Education Outreach is something we champion. The 2019 Teacher on the Trail, Brian Hickox, joined us to share what it's like to become the TOT and what it took to get the highly coveted position.

Listen to the fun podcast!

Steve Levi Time Stamp 5:55

Brian Hickox Time Stamp 28:42

March 01, 2025

The First Iditarod 1973

March 01, 2025/ Steve Stripling

The First Iditarod 1973

Rod Perry was in the first Iditarod in 1973 and shares his account of a very different time! Talk about history, check out our Tall Alaska Tale about Norman Vaughn!

Lord Trapper Bob, Mike Ford, Beth Helgeson

The 2nd Annual Fur Trapper Crapper Award!

The outhouse race team that comes in last at the Rondy Outhouse receives the highly coveted Big Alaska Show Fur Trapper Crapper Award! This year's recipient - the Ass Blasters!

Check out our fun podcast!

February 22, 2025

Fur Rondy / Iditarod Action!

February 22, 2025/ Steve Stripling

No snow means a change of plans for the Fur Rondy and the Iditarod. One thing hasn't changed - FUN!

Mike Ford updates us on the revised World Championship Dog Sled Races. We look back at last year's recipient of the Fur Trapper Crapper Award outhouse last place team. And former Tacher on the Trail, Julie Westrich, joins us!

Check out our podcast!

March 10, 2024

Iditarod Stories, Friends and Fun!

March 10, 2024/ Steve Stripling

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!

Hear our podcast!

March 11, 2023

Iditarod History-Tales Abound!

March 11, 2023/ Steve Stripling

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!

March 12, 2022

Remembering Hobo Jim

March 12, 2022/ Steve Stripling

Alaska's Beloved Balladeer, Hobo Jim, passed away last October. But his legacy is forever etched in the Iditarod through his music and his The Iditarod Trail Song, referred to as the Iditarod Anthem. Today's show features broadcast friends Terry Burge, Eddie Parker (Eddie P) and Steve Rychetnik who share Hobo Jim Iditarod memories and reminders why Hobo Jim will be forever in our hearts!

- PLUS -

Close Calls with Mike Ferris

Our Deadliest Catch Myth Buster, Mike Ferris, is back to share another CLOSE CALL and the true reality show of commercial fishing in Alaska!

February 26, 2022

Iditarod Time!

February 26, 2022/ Steve Stripling

I love getting our iditarod Press Passes and swag! That means Iditarod fun is right around the corner!

Today's show is a prelude to our upcoming Big Alaska Show with the 2022 Iditarod Educators' Conference, March 4, 2022. Director of Education, Jane Holmes, is back to remind us what the conference is about. A major aspect of the education is "Teacher on the Trail". Jane gives us an update on the competition for the 2023 TOT. We also have the 2015 Teacher on the Trail, Erin Montgomery, joining us to talk about her experience and her podcast for her students, Husky Talk. Plus, Iditarod CEO, Rob Urbach, shares some behind the scenes work that goes on working around a Pandemic!

Hi Ho Hi Iditarod Trail!! Tune in!

August 22, 2021

Iditarod Education Future is Bright!

August 22, 2021/ Steve Stripling

Iditarod Education Future is Bright!

Iditarod Director of Education, Jane Holmes, has reason to be excited. Iditarod educational opportunities abound, not only for the future but happening right now! Jane describes the variety and creative real-life lessons that come from the Iditarod. Plus, it's fun!

To contact Jane Holmes email wwww.jane.holmes@iditarod.com or visit
www.iditarod.com

Check out our podcast with Jane and our interview with the 2019 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail, Brian Hickox. If you think of a teacher who might enjoy sharing Iditarod lessons and excitement with their students, send them Jane Holmes'contact information. She'd love to hear from them!

Alaska State Trooper Jobs!

The Alaska State Troopers are hiring and adding a $20,000 cash incentive! Co-host, Mike Ford, gets that facts in this interview! www.alaskastatetrooper.com

March 21, 2021

The 2019 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail!

March 21, 2021/ Steve Stripling

The 2019 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail!

Education is BIG for the Iditarod and delivers a strong dose to pass on to students around the world.

Brian Hickox, the 2019 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail, reflects on his incredible experience and life’s lessons from the Iditarod to share with students.

Plus, Iditarod Children Book Author, Dennis Vecera, musher Dallas Seavey and even a Tall Alaska Tale! So much value, so cheap! How can we do it you ask? Easy. We drive crummy cars!

Listen to the full podcast!

Brian Hickox Interview only 3-20-21!

Brian Hickox interview in 2019 before he hit the trail!

January 23, 2021

Iditarod and Fur Rondy Updates!

January 23, 2021/ Steve Stripling

Iditarod CEO, Rob Urbach, and Executive Director, John McCleary, update us on the progress of the Iditarod and the Fur Rondy.

The Serum Run of 1925 was creative thinking that saved Nome from a Diphtheria outbreak. The Iditarod honors that event, but this year takes its inspiration from it.

Rob takes us behind the scenes what this Iditarod looks like and the creative thinking to safely pull off another Iditarod.

BAS-2-11-17-Fur+Rondy+Committee-John-Beth-Denis.jpg

Executive Director of the Anchorage Fur Rondy, John McCleary, updates us on the progress and the creative ways this year’s Fur Rondy will be different.

Rob Urbach Interview

www.iditarod.com

John McCleary Interview

www.furrondy.net

September 26, 2020

The Iditarod 2021 and The Frozen Ground!

September 26, 2020/ Steve Stripling

Co-host, Mike Ford, will need a strong cup of broadcast brew to keep up with our guests! Actor, Robert Forgit, talks about his role and experience as detective and partner to Nicolas Cage in “The Frozen Ground”! Filmed in Anchorage, Netflix announced this movie as #1 on their hit list reaching 100 million viewers!

Then, Iditarod CEO, Rob Urbach, updates us on the 49th Iditarod in 2021! Planning around a pandemic channels the 1925 Serum Run and the Iditarod Nation!

Iditarod 2020 Summer Raffle information visit www.iditarod.com or call (800) 545-6874

Download the full podcast sans commercials:

Robert Forgit talks about his part in The Frozen Ground.

Iditarod CEO Rob Urbach gives 2021 Iditarod Update.

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!

March 18, 2017

2017 Iditarod Musher Tales!

March 18, 2017/ Perry Alexander

Alaska’s Last Great Race is special, as are the mushers that run it! Meet some of these men and women! These ambassadors of the heart go beyond love for the dogs and the race.