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!

February 19, 2022

VIPER Warriors Join to End 22!

February 19, 2022/ Steve Stripling

President of VIPER, Kyle Kaiser, joins us again to introduce another veteran, Jason Wall.

As a veteran and Case Manager of Helmets to Hardhats with Alaska Works, Jason knows the war against suicide among our veterans.

Like Kyle, Jason fights it everyday.

Kyle and Jason have formed a unique team to help veterans transition from the military into civilian life.

Meet two Alaskans making a Big difference in veteran and civilian lives in today's podcast!

Remembering Gary Olson

This podcast is a tribute to our friend, Gary Olson. A frequent guest on the Big Alaska Show from our humble beginnings, Gary Olson was a big man who championed big causes. When we first met Gary he was the Director of the Alaska Moose Federation. His goal was to protect people from hitting moose on the highways and help increase the moose population as a food source in rural Alaska where moose population was thin. And Gary wasn't a hunter.

He championed VIPER to fight the epidemic of suicide in our military veterans. And Gary wasn't a veteran. But it didn't matter. Whether it was the AMF or VIPER, Gary's mission was to save lives and make our lives better. And he did. Gary left us too soon leaving a big hole in our hearts. But he left us with this challenge: to storm the hill to End 22, the suicide epidemic that takes 22 veteran lives everyday. God speed, Gary.

February 06, 2022

Iditarod Education Update!

February 06, 2022/ Steve Stripling

Iditarod Director of Education, Jane Holmes, is back to fill us in on the Iditarod 2022 Educator's Conference, March 1-4, 2022, www.iditarod.com/edu.

Jane also updates us about the 2023 Teacher on the Trail, www.iditarod.com/edu/category/teacher-on-the-trail.

Plus, from our archives we bring back an interview with the 2019 Teacher on the Trail, Brian Hickox, who shares what it's like to be Teacher on the Trail!

Be sure to check out our podcast from August 2021 when we first met Jane. She provides insight to the depth and value the Iditarod brings to education.