Hibernating Bears (or do they?) and Reflections of an Alaskan Icon, Vic Fischer

Rick Rydell Green, Special Assistant to the Commissioner of Fish and Game, talks about hibernating bears - or do they?! Always informative and entertaining.

Then, with the passing of the last surviving delegate of the 1955 Alaska State Convention, Vic Fischer, we visit with his wife, Jane Angvik, and author, Charles Wohlforth to share reflections.

Check out our podcast interview with Vic and Charles: "A Farewell and Tribute to Vic Fischer" about Vic's book, To Russia With Love: An Alaskan Journey.  

A Farewell and Tribute to Vic Fischer

We pay tribute and say goodbye to the last surviving delegate of the Alaska Constitutional Convention, Vic Fischer. 

From an interview from 2012, Vic Fischer and co-author, Charles Wohlforth, talk about Vic's book, To Russia With Love: An Alaskan Journey

A great read about a remarkable journey of a man who made a huge impact on Alaska and beyond.

Alaska Commercial Fishing Close Calls with Mike Ferris!

Our Deadliest Catch Myth Buster, Mike Ferris, shares another commercial fishing close call plus discusses issues facing the fishing industry in Alaska.

Then Mike swaps hats to become good citizen Mike with a Rootin' Tootin' Rotary Update!

Alaska Broadcast Tales

Camille Conte

Longtime Alaska broadcasters, Loren Dixon, Mike Ford and Camille Conte, take us behind the scenes what it's like to be a radio on-air personality. From commercial broadcast to Public broadcasting, tales and tricks of the trade are shared along with some good laughs.

Loren Dixon

Counting Cook Inlet Beluga Whales

Original image from Carol M. Highsmith’s America, Library of Congress collection

Marine mammal specialist with NOAA Fisheries, Jill Seymour, joins us to discuss the 5th Annual Belugas Count event, Cook Inlet beluga whales, what makes them unique and their endangered status.

Dr. Gordon Snyder talks about his wetlands project, wetlands benefits and thoughts about belugas. Mike Ford interviews Dr. Carrie Goertz from the Alaska SeaLife Center about belugas.

Other shows about whales and wetlands!

Rotary and Moose Marble Madness!

Listen to the podcast!

International Rotary President and his wife, Gordon and Heather McInally, had just arrived in Anchorage without their luggage (lost somewhere between Brazil and Anchorage) and yet, even before checking into their hotel, stopped by the Big Alaska Show to share the good news about Rotary. Joining them was our Deadliest Catch Myth Buster and Rotarian, Mike Ferris, who acted as their host to the Life on Land Symposium. https://portal.clubrunner.ca/50077/sitepage/life-on-land-2023/life-on-land-alaska-zone-symposium-connecting.

Plus, we cover Moose Marble Madness that involves dropping moose "marbles" from a helicopter onto a target to help raise money for the dictionary project for Anchorage South Rotary and Children's Lunchbox project for Rotary Club for Anchorage Hillside Rotary.

Alaska State Fair Memories! Mickey Dolenz of the Monkees and More!

Fun memories featuring Mickey Dolenz from the Monkees, Gary Olson, creator of the Alaska Moose Federation, Jim Barnett, author of Captain Cook in Alaska and the North Pacific, co-host, Mike Ford with on-air talent, Steve Franklin, show they're uniquely unqualified as 4H Goat Judges! 

PLUS- Tall Alaska Tales abound! 

Dangerous Commercial Fishing Close Calls!

Mike Ferris

Our Deadliest Catch Myth Buster, Mike Ferris, has returned SAFELY from another commercial fishing adventure in spite of plenty of dangerous close calls!

Listen to our podcast!

Author, Kim Rich, Johnny's Girl and Movie with Treat Williams

Author, Kim Rich, joins us to share stories about her book, Johnny's Girl, the movie starring Treat Williams as Kim's father, Johnny, and Kim's friendship with Treat.

Johnny’s Girl: A Daughter's Memoir of Growing Up in Alaska's Underworld

Kim Rich's nationally acclaimed memoir of growing up in Alaska’s underworld as the only child of gambler John F. “Johnny” Rich and exotic dancer, Frances “Ginger” Rich. It chronicles Alaska’s mean streets and her parent’s tragic lives that were cut short. 

Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival

Alaska's largest bird festival takes place May 3-7 in beautiful Homer, AK. Just because you miss it doesn't mean you missed the season. In fact, it's just getting started!

Meet Melanie Dufor, Lara Haller and Kendra Bush who are a wealth of information for birding and Kachemak Bay! www.kachemakshorebird.org.  

Check out our interview with them! 

Wetlands with Dr. Gordon Snyder

Alaska has more wetland coastline than the entire USA coastline. Our Science Guy, Dr. Gordon Snyder, explains the value of wetlands and a perfect tie-in to the Kachemak Shorebird Festival!

www.nofencewetlands.org

Listen to our interview with Gordon!

Bears Waking Up!

Special Assistance to the Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Rick Rydell Green, talks about bears and coming out of hibernation. Rick's years as a hunting/fishing guide, self-avowed wildlife biology geek and longtime broadcaster, makes this interview fun about bear habits coming out of hibernation. He even tolerates our teenage mentality when it comes to certain bear colon habits of "blowing the plug"! Fun, informative interview!  

Thanking Our Veterans

Randy Kimpton, president of the Last Frontier Honor Flight, joins us to share what his organization does to honor and thank our military veterans. 

https://www.lastfrontierhonorflight.com/

1964 Alaska Earthquake Part 2

This is a continuation from last week's Alaska Earthquake show featuring people in the quake that share their stories. This includes legendary broadcaster, Herb Shaindlin. 

For last week's podcast visit 1964 Alaska Earthquake Part 1

The 1964 Alaska Earthquake Show!

We look back on the 1964 Alaska Earthquake featuring stories from those that were there! 

We also interview Natalia Ruppert, https://earthquake.alaska.edu/staff-spotlight-natalia-ruppert, senior scientist and project manager of the Alaska Earthquake Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Natalia brings us up to date into today earthquake science.

Senior Scientist and Project Manager, Natalia Ruppert interview podcast.

Patti Bogan and Alaska Biker Women!

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!

Deadliest Catch Myth Buster Close Calls!

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.

Two Old Women Book Review and Iditarod Science

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!

Iditarod History-Tales Abound!

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!

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!

2023 Fur Rondy Time!

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 2023: Teacher on the Trail and Sled Dog Science

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