Big Alaska Show Tourists, Guests and Tales!

Alaska’s tourism industry took a big hit this year. So we invited our Big Alaska Show Guest Tourist, Henry Lenz, a retired CBS radio engineer who worked with broadcast legends, to come visit us. It’s fun to get to know and appreciate our visitors – and their money ... especially their money! We even celebrated his birthday with a Tall Alaska Tale! (We “forgot” to tell him we win our own prizes!) Author, Lolo Paige, a former firefighter with the Bureau of Land Management, joins us to give a sneak preview of her book, Alaska Spark, plus much more!

Hear the full podcast:

Former Alaskan Bureau of Land Management firefighter, Lolo Paige, talks about her book, Alaska Spark!

We’ll have Lolo Paige back to discuss her book once I read it!

In the meantime, you can check it out for yourself.

AUTHOR WEBSITE

Find ALASKA SPARK on Amazon

Big Alaska Show Guest Tourist

Henry Lenz and his cousin Jerry

Henry Lenz shares stories about a remarkable broadcast career with Walter Cronkite, Dan Rather and more! Plus we play Tall Alaska Tales!

Climbing Adventures

Great way to spend a Saturday! Authors Mike Gordon and Andy Hall share climbing tales from their books: Learning the Ropes: An Alaskan Memoir by

Mike Gordon and Denali’s Howl: The Deadliest Climbing Disaster on America’s Wildest Peak by Andy Hall.

Each shares experience adventures you’ll find in our Big Alaska Show Book Review Section!

The Big Alaska Show Book Reviews

Hear the full show podcast!

Mike and Shelli have lived an amazing Alaskan adventure and share it in this book!

Learning the Ropes: An Alaskan Memoir

Hear Mike Gordon about his book and some climbing adventures!

Denali’s Howl by Andy Hall

Andy Hall talks about his book and Denali’s deadliest climbing accident!

Denali’s Howl: The Deadliest Climbing Disaster on America’s Wildest Peak

Bristol Bay: The Wild West of Commercial Fishing!

Mike Ferris our Deadliest Catch Myth Buster

Steve Stripling and Mike Ferris

Our Deadliest Catch Myth Buster, Mike Ferris, returns after a month commercial fishing in Bristol Bay.

Covid 19, a fire on board, dangerous close calls, Mike even had a showdown with a hostile boat!

Not one to back down, Mike shares the sordid details!

Pipeline Vocal Project

Meet the members of Pipeline Vocal Project as they share what they’re doing to adjust to the pandemic.

Send one of their Singing Telegrams to a loved one or friend! Visit their website:

https://www.pipelinevocalproject.com/

Tall Alaska Tale!

We even had a Tall Alaska Tale .... What do you think is the answer?

We’ll share the answer 8/15 show.

http://www.bigalaskashow.com/tall-alaska-tales/buck-snort-palace

Full Show Podcast

If you want to hear the full show sans commercials!

Alaska Aviation and Women Bikers!

Rob Stapleton

Rob Stapleton is passionate about Alaska aviation and photography.

He’s one of those guys you don’t hear much about, but we thought you should!

Co-host, Mike Ford, and Rob Stapleton did a broadcast feature over the years that focused on Alaska aviation.

We thought it time to bring that back and introduce Rob into our group of friends that enjoy Alaska’s rich history of aviation!

Check out some of Rob’s work.

www.alaskafoto.com, www.alaskafoto.net, robstapletonphoto.com

Listen to our podcast!      

Alaskan Women Bikers Are Back!

THANKS TO SHEILA MAHONEY FOR THE AWESOME PIC OF THE WOMEN!

Our Big Alaska Show Women’s Biker Club is back!  They’ve had a busy summer and we asked them back to join us. Download to hear the podcast!

From Broadcast to Bristol Bay!

Quite the variety in this edition of the Big Alaska Show!

Sons, Tim Stevens and Phil Gaines talk about their dads, Alaskan broadcast legends, Ed Stevens and Ruben Gaines!

This pic is from early 1950s when they decided to “get away from it all” and rough it in rural Alaska for two years.

From the archives our attempt to follow the broadcast legends of old doing live radio with sound effects in real time with “Tales of the Tundra!”

Plus, we catch up with our Deadliest Catch Myth Buster, Mike Ferris, talking about a day in the life of commercial fishing.

Download and hear the full podcast!

’67, ’68 Reunion West Reprise

’67, ’68 Reunion West Reprise

2020 has been a tough year on graduations and reunions.

Today’s show was a compilation of reunion podcasts from West Anchorage High School 1967 and 1968.

Rick Stanfield and Steve Meeks from the class of 1967 joined us.

Steve Nerland and Bill Campbell from the class of 1968 joined us.

Hear the compilation podcast!

Full WHS 1967 Reunion Podcast

http://www.bigalaskashow.com/bas-shows-archive/full-whs-1967-reunion-podcast

 Full WHS 1968 Reunion Podcast

http://www.bigalaskashow.com/bas-shows-archive/west-high-school-1968-50th-high-school-reunion

Full WHS 1969 Reunion Podcast

http://www.bigalaskashow.com/bas-shows-archive/west-high-school-50th-reunion

West Anchorage High School 1967 Reunion

Uncle Steve with Big Alaska Show Friends RICK STANFIELD AND STEVE MEEKS

Hear their podcast!

1967 Graduates, Rick Stanfield and Steve Meeks, joined us on the Big Alaska Show to share high school tales we can actually say on the air!

We even played Tall Alaska Tales with them!

Fathers Day! ~ Lessons from Father to Son

Our Deadliest Catch Myth Buster, Mike Ferris is commercial fishing in Bristol Bay. Like his dad, Mike passes those lessons to his son, Curtis.

Commercial fishing is tough enough without covid. Mike meets the challenge. His show IS a reality!

Tim Sullivan Sr is a 4th generation Alaskan. Tim’s dad, George Sullivan was a popular Anchorage Mayor in  the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. He also lived an Alaskan life filled with tales from the Last Frontier.

Tim shares some of those nuggets about 6 generations of Sullivans!  

To Dad from the Midnight Sons

Max Farrand Stripling was my hero and gave me my favorite gift – Joe the Beagle!

Hear the full show:

Tundra Comics!

Tundra Comic creator, Chad Carpenter, gives us a Tundra Comics update as well as shares a Tall Alaska Tale!

Visit website www.tundracomics.com.

Don’t take our word for it – hear Chad in his own words!

Learning the Ropes!

Mike Gordon talks about his entertaining and inspirational book, “Learning the Ropes: An Alaskan Memoir”.

Mike Gordon had created the most popular nightclub in Alaska, Chilkoot Charlie's. But his personal life was in shambles - drug addiction, failed marriages and about to lose another. So he decided to turn his life around. And boy did he ever! Seven summits on the highest mountains on 7 continents, 15 marathons and 48 years after leaving college went back to get his BA and M.A. His M.A. thesis was his book.

Visit Mike Gordon’s website for an autographed copy! www.mikegordonauthor.com.

Hear the podcast!
(The Zoom quality varies, our apologies, but overall some gold nuggets!)

Memorial Weekend Big Alaska Show!

Our Deadliest Catch Myth Buster, Mike Ferris, updates us on commercial fishing in Bristol Bay

Kyle Kaiser and Gary Olson update us on the VIPER Program in the fight against military suicides!

Tall Alaska Tale!

Some say this is Alaska’s state bird!  But we have the real story- or is it a no good lyin’ through your tooth Tall Alaska Tale?!

Bear Season!

Bear Season!

Special Assistant to the Commissioner of Fish & Game, Rick Rydell, takes us into the world  of wildlife management.

It’s a BIG job and they have the right man for it.  Rick’s resume includes decades as a fish & game hunting guide as well as a popular radio personality.

For more information about Alaska Department of Fish and Game visit https://www.adfg.alaska

Farewell to a Friend

We also pay special tribute the Mayor of Nome, Richard Beneville, who passed away this month. Nome’s colorful Ambassador who showed us there truly is No Place Like Nome!

Hear the full podcast

May is Motor Cycle Awareness Month!

Thanks to Sheila Mahoney for the awesome pic of the women!

Download our podcast!

Some call it bikes, some say motorcycles. Either way, Alaska is a great place to cruise - safely and responsibly. 
We take a peek into the lifestyle of motorcycle enthusiasts. We even created a Big Alaska Show Women’s Biker Club (which proves why there are more men in Alaska – the quality of the Alaskan women!)

Bikers Got Culture!: Poetry for the Discerning Biker

Biker Poet, Bill Rogers, shares a couple of poems, from his book

https://amzn.to/3bjK8Rq

ABATE

ABATE President, Ken Coston, joins us with Spider Schneider to talk MC Safety Courses:

www.abateofalaska.com, www.learntoridealaska.com.

That's a Wrap!

After 46 years writing, shooting and editing film/video, Gary Lamar retired May 1!
If you live in Alaska it’s likely you’ve seen Gary’s work, since the last 23 years he’s been at KTUU TV 2, the NBC affiliate.
I’m happy for Gary, but saddened, especially considering over 30 years of his 46, I’ve done many commercials and other projects with Gary.
Below are just some of the commercials I did with Gary.
Gary has seen Alaska through a lens for 46 years and we talk about it.

Hear the Podcast!

Angus McDivot  and His Caddie Haggis!

The world's greatest golfer and his faithful caddy Haggis! Jordan Spieth got nothing on this guy!

The World's Greatest Golfer-Angus McDivot!

Uncle Steve Pies

In the early 1990's Carr's Supermarket promoted a coupon book with a series of TV commercials featuring "Uncle Steve", an uncle saddled with baby-sitting his...

This is the 2nd commercial of a series where Uncle Steve and nephew Jesse show how to make shopping fun at Carr's Supermarket. Made in the early 1990's, the ...

A&M RV Center Cowboys

RV Dealership Sales Event

Neighbors Windows and Doors

Jeff King, 4-time Iditarod Champion shows why he gets his windows at Neighbors Windows and Doors. www.neighborswindowsanddoors.com Steve Stripling writer/pro...

Jingle Bells

A one of a kind performance by Steve Stripling. Yes, this is what he does. We're not making this up. Technically, he's a "manualist" but kids probably have a...

Meet Alaskan Heroes: Teachers!

From the Classroom to the Zoom Room, teachers put “their kids” care first!
Educators, Melissa Fischer and Shannon Ferris join us!
Hear the Full Podcast

Melissa Fischer

Meet Melissa Fischer music educator at East High School, rated the most diverse high school in the United States.

Shannon Ferris

Meet Shannon Ferris, a 2nd grade teacher whose husband, Mike Ferris is our “Deadliest Catch Myth Buster!

Big Alaska Show Guest Tourists!

Jeremy and Lynn Gover

We like to welcome our visitors to Alaska who bring in much appreciated revenue.

As we say, “Anyone who gives us money we call friend – the more money, the better the friend!”

Our guests, Jeremy and Lynn Gover from Nashville, TN joined us to share their stories and even two Tall Alaska Tales!

Check out our full podcast!

The Iditarod XLVIII – Behind the Curtain!

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!

Mike Ferris Fishing Rotary Full Podcast

Alaska Commercial Fishing and Covid-19

Mike Ferris, our Deadliest Catch Myth Buster, discusses potential issues with Covid-19 and Alaska’s commercial fishing season.

As a commercial fishing veteran Mike reports some of the challenges Alaska faces.

Rotary Meets Covid-19 Head On!

Mike Ferris is not only our Deadliest Catch Myth Buster, he is also an active Rotarian. Mike shares how Rotary is finding its footing and plans to attack Covid-19 – head on, just like Rotary has taken on polio!

1964 Alaska Earthquake Show!

Downtown Anchorage

Alaskans at their best when times are at their worst!

 We’re hunkered down for our ’64 Alaska Earthquake Show! Our guests share their first-hand accounts what it was like to be in the second strongest earthquake in recorded history!

JC Pennys Downtown Anchorage

Mary Kallander was in Penney’s!

Four Seasons Apartments Anchorage Alaska

Robert Laurie watched the Four Seasons Apartments collapse!

Checkout our podcast!

The Men Who Sold and Bought Alaska

Mike Dunham retired from 25 years broadcast career and 25 years newspaper career including Arts Editor for the Anchorage Daily News in Alaska. He then wrote two books,

The Man Who Sold Alaska and The Man Who Bought Alaska. Mike and I went to high school together and years later worked at KENI 650 AM radio in Anchorage, AK.

This was at a time Alaska was going through an economic crash which resulted in entertaining stories you will find here as well!

Dr. Gordon Snyder

Avoiding Zones of Contamination

Our Science Guy, Dr. Gordon Snyder, helps us understand and navigate through potential everyday COVID 19 exposure.

This interview shows some ways he avoids it. He actually developed a systematic process!