Lessons from Hurricane Helene

Our guests, Perry Alexander and Dr. Gordon Snyder, don't live in Alaska, but their impact has been seen and heard in Alaska. Perry helps us with commercials, videos and other production works. Gordon is our Science Guy and covers all sorts of science about animals, wetlands and our environment. Perry lives just outside Asheville, NC that was heavily damaged by Hurricane Helene. Perry and Gordon joined us to discuss this devastating hydrologic event and lessons we can learn from it.

Commercial Fishing with Mike Ferris!

Our Deadliest Catch Myth Buster, Mike Ferris, joins us to catch up on his commercial fishing exploits. Mike covers some of the finer tricks of the trade that only an over 3 decades old commercial fisher skipper would know. Plus, a special birthday tribute and a Tall Alaska Tale!

Check out our fun podcast!

Pipeline Vocal Project!

Pipeline Vocal Project!

Founder and the creative driving force behind Pipeline Vocal Project, Lisa Hawkins, joins us to share this trio's inspirational, fun journey in the contemporary a cappella scene. 

To follow PVP visit www.pipelinevocalproject.com.

Check out this fun podcast!

Alaska Biker Women 2024

Once again our Alaska Biker Women join us to share stories and laughs of their riding season and other activities. Not only do they ride for fun, they ride to raise money and awareness. 

As you'll hear in this fun podcast, they do so much for their community! A big shoutout to ABATE (Alaska Bikers Advocating Training and Education- visit www.learntoridealaska.com) and all they do! 

Pictures provided by Kat-Sowa-Lapinskas and Louise L. Crago

Commercial Fishing Close Calls!

Alaska commercial fishing is dangerous! Mike Ferris and son, Curtis Ferris, talk about this year's commercial fishing season! Boat problems and life threatening close calls make for a spirited interview with this crew! I'm a rookie who's been seasick once - that was enough! 

Check out our podcast!

Tall Alaska Tales!

Alaska State Fair 2024\ Credit: Amy Stripling

Lies, lies and more lies! Co-host, Mike Ford, and I tell Tall Alaska Tales as we prepare for our Big Alaska Show Tall Alaska Tale Off. That's where you tell the tale - we're bored with ours! And here's a little spoiler alert ... we'll have prizes! (That we're still eligible to win!)

Plus, we threw in a clip from the week before with Chad Carpenter, hence this week our sign was given priority! Check out our podcast and have some fun!

Tundra Comics Fun!

Tundra Comics Fun!

Tundra Comics (www.tundracomics.com) creator, Chad Carpenter, joins us to remind us he will be at the Alaska State Fair in his little booth selling his wonderful cartoon wares. We ignored those and went right for the toilet humor! Race to the Outhouse - the board game that becomes a reality series the older you get! Chad's career is closing in on 35 years and going strong - and we're laughing with him all the way! Check out the fun podcast!

Alaska Nellie-Alaska Legend

Photo provided by Doug Capra

Alaska Nellie came to Seward, AK in 2015 and became legend is not an overstatement. Alaska Nellie was smart, refined and rugged as any seasoned sourdough. Fresh off a lecturer to the historical society, author, historian and lecturer, Doug Capra, joins us to talk about Alaska Nellie!

You can find Doug's book The Spaces Between in our Book Review Section. Check out today's podcast with Doug Capra!

Camille Conte A Broadcast Legend!

Broadcast has played an important part in Alaska's history. It has helped keep Alaskans connected within and outside the state. Women broadcasters hold a special place in that history that was more male driven. Camille Conte has been a shining light and made her mark in that history.

She joins us to reflect on her career. Listen to our fun podcast with Camille!

Gordon Snyder, Science Guy!

We visit our Science Guy, Dr. Gordon Snyder, to talk gray whales, beavers and hummingbirds .- Hummingbirds in Alaska?! Gordon helps us appreciate Alaska even more with his interesting science tidbits! Plus, we even tried to stump him with a Tall Alaska Tale!

Kim Rich Live!

Author, educator and mother, Kim Rich, joined us for our 2nd live show in 4 years!

She attended an event at The Writer's Block https://www.facebook.com/WritersBlockBookstore in Spenard to support her friend and author, Monica Hall (Practically Still a Virgin).

You can find Kim's books, Johnny's Girl and A Normal Life on our Big Alaska Show Book Review Section:

Commercial Fishing Close Calls and Romance Novels!

Commercial Fishing Close Calls

Just how dangerous is Alaska commercial fishing? Deadly! Our Deadliest Catch Myth Buster, Mike Ferris, shares another close call in Bristol Bay!

(To hear just his interview: Time Stamp 10:45-17:50 )

Wildfire Season and Romance Novel Update

Lois Simenson, aka Lolo Paige, hints about her next book in her Blazing Hearts series,

Firestorm. Lois combines her background in wildfire fighting with romance to deliver a medium heat romance novel that takes us inside the world of firefighters in Alaska.

(To hear just Lolo's interview: Time Stamp 17:50-42:32)

Rootin' Tootin' Rotary Update

Past Alaska Rotary District Governor, Mike Ferris, gives May's Rotary update that deals with youth.

(To hear just Mike's Rotary update:

Time Stamp 42:33-49:10)

Mr. Fur Face Update!

Co-host, Mike Ford, updates us on the Mr. Fur Face, Beard and Mustache competition!

(Mr Fur Face only: Time Stamp 00-10:45 )

Mother's Day 2024 - Meet Mama Moose!

Dana Applebury

Meet Mama Moose! We honor Mama Moose on Mother's Day on the Big Alaska Show.

Alaska's tough on moose, brutally tough. Yet Mama Moose meets any danger head on to protect her calves. Unwavering love, she embodies motherhood. 

And raising calves is no picnic! (Just ask our guest, Dana Applebury, president of Moose Mamas.- she's in the business of raising calves and releasing them)

Podcast below (Time stamp: 16:46 - 30:34)

Gary Olsen

Plus, Deadliest Catch Myth Buster, Mike Ferris and Gary Olson, creator and founder of the Alaska Moose Federation, join us! 

If you like moose, you'll like this podcast!

Podcast below

(Mike Ferris - Time stamp: 11:00 - 14:25)

(Gary Olsen - Time stamp: 31:45 - 48:00)

Mike Ferris

Da Bears! The Legend of Gene Moe!

The bears are waking up and bear awareness is highly recommended! 

It also means we dig out our interview with Gene Moe whose hand- to-paw encounter with a Kodiak grizzly is legendary!

We also talk to Rick Rydell Green, former hunting/fishing guide and presently the Special Assistant to the Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Rick's had plenty of close encounters with bears and geeks who study bears!

Check out our podcast!

The 1964 Good Friday Earthquake Part 2

The 1964 Good Friday Earthquake Part 2

We continue sharing stories from people who were there like Tim Sullivan Sr and broadcast legend, Herb Shaindlin. 

Author/Historian and Seward resident, Doug Capra, talks about Seward's response from the day after and for which they received an "All American City" award. He speaks about his article The Luxury of Forgetting: The town of Seward after the 1964 Good Friday Alaska Earthquake.

Listen to today’s podcast!

To hear Doug Capra's complete interview and to read his article, The Luxury for Forgetting, click here

Photos courtesy of the U.S. Army

Iditarod Hall of Fame Broadcaster, Frogsicles and Travel!-

Iditarod Hall of Fame Broadcaster

Three decades as the MC of the Ceremonial Iditarod Start and well known Anchorage Hall of Fame broadcaster, Dave Stroh joins us to share some broadcast stories!

Frogsicles with our Science Guy!

Frogs freeze solid in the winter and live! 

Our Science Guy, Dr. Gordon Snyder explains!

Travel Guru - Alaska Travel Update

Scott McMurren's Travel Showcase has passed but stay current with updated travel information! www.alaska travelgram.com.  

McMurren, Alaska Travel, www.alaskatravelgram.com

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Iditarod Stories, Friends and Fun!

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!

Iditarod and Fur Rondy Converge!

The Iditarod 2024 Teacher, Kate Newmeyer shares Iditarod lessons for her 5th grade - can you say DNA sequencing?!

Then off to the Outhouse Races where we introduce and present the Red Lantern of the Outhouse Races with the Big Alaska Show Fur Trapper Crapper Trophy! Thankfully presented to a visiting team from Seattle - the "Bob Ross Happy Trees" team!

Plus, we have a Tall Alaska Tale! 

Check out our podcast!

Alaska Barbershop Legacy: The Anchorage Midnight Sons!

President, Tim Tillman, and Past President, Steve Kari, join us to share an update coming into the 2024 season as they are rebuilding after coming out of the pandemic. The Anchorage Midnight Sons have been in existence since 1968! We even have a Tall Alaska Tale!

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Polar Bear Jump Off Stories!

10 years ago Christie jumped at the Polar Bear Jump Off in Seward in memory of Joe Krones' brother, Jimmy. Christie never knew Jimmy or the Krones family. But that's the heart Christie has in the fight against cancer and why she's raised about a quarter million dollars over 21 years of jumps!

Today's show Christie and Joe meet for the first time.

Christie is from Homer and on the rescue team for sea otter and seal pups. 

Joe lives in Oklahoma City and is a Barbershop Quartet International Gold Medalist.

Such diverse lives with one thing in common - the Polar Bear Jump Off and the fight against cancer!

Checkout their podcast!