Listen again to your favorites, or discover a gem from yesteryear. Click the READ MORE link and listen up!
Alaska biker, Patti Bogan, joins us to talk about her ride starting in May.
Run for the Wall honors our military veterans and Patti has a special mission in mind. She shares that with us.
We also pull out a fun gold nugget interview with a group of Alaska biker women! Many of these women are members of ABATE, Alaska Bikers Advocating Training and Education!
Commercial fishing in Alaska is dangerous- even if it's just working on construction of a new boat!
Mike was working with his boat builder and while inspecting the boat made a misstep, fell about 5 feet on channel iron! Tail bone, butt and vertebra - black and blue!
Mike considers himself lucky!
Then as the Alaska Rotary District Governor, Mike talks about the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards- a program that helps young people build leadership!
College basketball March Madness is popular in Alaska. We pulled out a gold nugget memory featuring author Sara Juday and her book "From Sourdoughs to Seawolves". She dedicated a chapter to the first University of Alaska Anchorage basketball team, the Sourdoughs, that yours truly and former Anchorage Mayor, Dan Sullivan, were teammates. Recorded at McGinley's Irish Pub downtown Anchorage.
Author Stan Jones reviews a rural Alaska Classic, Two Old Women: An Alaska Legend of Betrayal, Courage and Survival.
Stan's years living in rural Alaska fueled his interest and respect for the native cultures of Alaska and the tremendous character especially during brutal conditions.
Find his book and podcast interview on our Big Alaska Show Book Review Section!
Dr. Gordon Snyder previously shared the science of dog paws, proper Iditarod dog hydration and the study of yellow snow science - who knew!
This time Gordon talks pink snow science!
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!
The 2023 Iditarod!
Meet Sydnie Bahl (bale) who is training for the 2025 Iditarod. Sydnie's that next generation inspired to pursue her dream and carry on the tradition. And she's training under one of the best: retired multi-Iditarod musher, Vern Halter, with his wife and veterinarian, Susan, and the Dream a Dream Kennel team https://dreamsleddogtours.com.
What's it like to get ready to run the Iditarod? Sydnie Bahl tells us!
Plus, we interview Rod Perry, who competed in the very first Iditarod. We even threw in a Tall Alaska Tale about Colonel Norman Vaughn!
This annual cabin fever reliever is uniquely Alaskan and packed with events!
World Championship Dog Sled Races, the Melodrama, Outhouse Races, Mr. Fur Face, Ice Carvers, Fur auctions and much more!
Rondy CEO, John McCleary, takes us inside to what's going on. Christy Hedrick reports on a Rondy favorite, the Melodrama and Neal Hagland talks Mr. Fur Face. We even have a Tall Alaska Tales!
Listen to the full podcast!
Iditarod Educators: Jane Holmes and Juli Westrich
Juli Westrich
Jane Holmes
Iditarod education has gone to the dogs! That's what makes it exciting! Director of Education of the Iditarod Trail Committee, Jane Holmes, introduces the 2023 Teacher on the Trail, Juli Westrich.
Becoming Teacher on the Trail is a HUGE lesson unto itself. Educators go through an extensive vetting process to compete for the highly coveted position. Only one will be chosen. The winner gets an experience of a lifetime immersed in the complete Iditarod experience all the way to the finish line in Nome. Along the way, Juli will blog daily sharing her experience with students from around the world.
To visit the Iditarod education link: https://iditarod.com/edu/
Dog Paw Science and Yellow Snow Trivia
Our Science Guy, Dr. Gordon Snyder, shares some science about dog paws and yellow snow trivia!
Listen to the full podcast
Lolo Paige fought wildfires. Years later she authored her Blazing Hearts Wildfire Series novels.
Set in Alaska, Lolo's stories revolve around the wildfire industry where men and women work closely as teams to face life-threatening situations. Throw in some sizzling relationships and you have a page turning novel that ends to quickly with readers seeking more. So, Lolo obliges.
She adds Alaska Blaze and a lighthearted comedy Hello Spain, Goodbye Heart you'll find in our Book Review Section
Joe Jackson, talks about his book, It's Only Fishing: Tales of Alaska, fly fishing and young adulthood. You’ll find his book, links and extended podcast in our Book Review Section.
Because fly fishers are so passionate, we asked our Science Guy, Dr. Gordon Snyder, to join us. He became one of the foremost authorities on water science because of his love for fly fishing. We're not sure if the interview is about Joe's book or fly fishing!
Hear the full podcast!
Mike Ferris gives an update on his new boat, Norrin Radd 3.0. Plus, Mike recalls the Flounder Wars, when Mike and the Duck crossed nets!
Flounder as a weapon - who knew?!
Scott McMurren talks about an event the Alaska Travelgram is hosting the the Alaska Aviation Museum. He shares travel love secrets - translated money savings! And he shares Moose's Tooth Pizza and Beer for the price of a ticket. But even if you miss it, wise travelers to Alaska should consider the Alaska Travelgram. www.alaskatravelgram.com.
Listen to the full show!
Although Alaska lost a shining star for the film/theater/television/arts community, we remember the legacy Ron Holmstrom leaves behind. Today's show features Ron Holmstrom sharing stories about his part in the movie, The Frozen Ground, featuring John Cusack and Nicholas Cage. We even had fun with Ron in our impromptu and chaotic radio drama, Inappropriate Product Placement Theatuh!
Listen to our virtually commercial free podcast!
To hear the full August 31, 2013 interview go to:
https://www.bigalaskashow.com/bas-shows-archive/100-million-viewers?rq=100
We get our sockeye salmon from commercial fisherman, Jason Tanner, and owner of Tanner's Alaskan Seafood www.tannersfish.com!
We liked it so much, we wanted to meet him. You can too!
Homer has its share of Alaska reality shows. Our favorite Homer-oid, Christie Bond-Hill's is better than any of 'em!
She's raised 1/4 of a million $$$ in the fight against cancer at the Polar Bear Jump Off, blows TAPS for veterans, works for a veterinarian and holds a research and rescue position for seals and otters at the Alaska SeaLife Center.
Check out the podcast!
You can join the fun every Saturday morning at 9:05a-10a (Alaska Time), broadcast on Alaska's oldest station, KFQD 103.7 FM / 750 AM, as thousands of Alaskans tune in, or online at The Big Alaska Show But, that’s just the tip o’ the iceberg!
This plaque is posted at the Breeze Inn Bar to commemorate our Big Alaska Show beginnings! Our Show started at the Polar Bear Jump Off in Seward, AK for the American Cancer Society 17 years ago at the Breeze Inn. We had BIG plans for our debut. But equipment failure set us on a course as the longest running, mistaken ridden radio show in Alaska's history that continues to this day.
Listen to this lively podcast of clips from past Polar Bear Jump Off Shows!
Mike Ford and I close out our 16th season with a fun-filled show featuring clips from past shows with interviews, skits, tall Alaska Tales and outtakes.
Guests include, Dr. Gordon Snyder with the Snot-Bot. Vic Fischer, Charles Wohlforth and Willie Hensley voice "creative" Big Alaska Show commercials. Plus, outtakes and a Tall Alaska Tale help fill out the show.
Check out the podcast!
This show has become a traditional favorite for the Big Alaska Show. Not only does it showcase Alaskan talent , it allows co-host, Mike Ford, and me to enjoy listening to our own show at home on Christmas Eve morning! Kurt Riemann hosts and features one of his "Merry Christmas From Alaska" CD series with Christmas music performed by Alaskan musicians. His wife, MJ, also performs in it. Plus, it includes a couple of "hands-on" performances by Uncle Steve that has audiences rising from their seats and heading for the exits!
Listen to the podcast!
Dick Van Dyke had a birthday this week and we dug out an interview from 2009 with our Big Alaska Show Guest Tourist. Mike Mendyke sings with Dick Van Dyke's quartet, the Vantastix, and shares stories meeting Dick and singing with America's favorite entertainer and comedian.
Then our Deadliest Catch Myth Buster, Mike Ferris, shares another Close Call and talks about the crab closures in Alaska.
Mike Ford, starts the show off with a good laugh!
Check out our podcast, sans commercials!
Ruben Gaines defined Alaska for local Alaskans through his broadcasts, writings, poetry and cartoons. Ruben created a mythical icon, Chilkoot Charlie, who gained notoriety when it became name of a world renowned rustic saloon in Anchorage, Chilkoot Charlie's, owned by Mike Gordon. Mike wrote a book, DAGNABIT!, that talks about Ruben Gaines and 25 year friendship. You'll find Mike's books and interviews on our Big Alaska Show Book Review section!
Ruben's son, Phil Gaines, also joins us to share stories about his dad and entertaining stories about Ruben Gaines!
Check out the podcast!
From Sourdoughs to Seawolves is an award-winning sports gem! Plus, two chapters make for a fun Big Alaska Show: The Great Alaska Shootout, a cutting-edge men's basketball tournament, and the Sourdoughs, the first University of Alaska Anchorage men's basketball team. (if not the worst, at least the most unique team in collegiate history ... I was there!)
Author Sara Juday, graphic artist Dave Freeman, photog Clark Mishler, UAA basketball coach, Rusty Osborne and Sourdoughs teammate of mine, Dan Sullivan, joins us for lots of laughs and an interesting look at a college sports program as wild as the Last Frontier! Listen to the podcast!
Former CEO of Credit Union 1, Leslie Ellis's vision for CU1 was to become actively involved in the community. With employees' boots on the ground volunteering their time to non-profits and other community causes, and with the support of financial contributions from Credit Union 1, Leslie's vision came to fruition leaving a legacy of the past and a bright future to make Alaska a better place.
Leslie Ellis also left a shining example what good stewardship looks like to CU1 employees, mostly young.
Today's show takes us into Leslie's story including her passion for Bean's Cafe, who feeds the hungry www.beanscafe.org and they are seeking donations and volunteers this holiday season!
Oh, and did we mention Leslie Ellis likes to have fun while doing it?
Check out our fun podcast!
Today's Veteran's Day Show features VIPER Transitions and veterans in the air mechanics program.
VIPER helps transition veterans to civilian life and the mission to end the suicide epidemic in our military. www.vipertransitions.org
Their training included working on old technology, the type plane my dad flew in WWII!
Check out the podcast!
With the passing of Ed Koontz, we aired an interview in his honor that we conducted in 2018 when Ed and his wife, Brenda, were part of an Honor Flight.
Ed was an Air Force veteran and Brenda had been in the Navy service. I first met Ed in1990 when I joined the Midnight Sons Barbershop Chorus. Ed was a Charter Member of the chorus and started singing barbershop with his first quartet in Japan in 1951 - almost 40 years before I joined! Ed was a wonderful lead and taught me a ton about a cappella/barbershop singing. We shared many barbershop memories filled with music, laughter and tons of fun!
Listen to Ed and Brenda's podcast!
It means something extra when Kim Carlson has attendst he annual Polar Bear Jump Off in Seward, AK, as she has done for ten years—raising tens of thousands of dollars. She has dedicated her jumps, first to her mother, who was lost to cancer, and subsequently to other victims and their families.
It was a packed house and a packed show of fun! Alaskans and Texans- in the same room! Only on the Big Alaska Show can such a combination co-exist in the same room.
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