Published by On Step Alaska
This Alaska-based podcast goes into depth about life in the 49th state. It covers hunting, fishing, conservation, filmmaking, photography, entrepreneurship, education and more. www.onstepalaska.com
Listen on Apple PodcastsRyan "Cal" Callaghan (Meateater, First Lite) discusses balancing new fatherhood with leading Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. He explains why there is really no such thing as isolated conservation issues, the newest threats to public land and why informed advocacy, and responsible storytelling (including social media) can mobilize communities to protect habitat, stay engaged with policy, and have a meaningful seat at the table. Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Thanks to the sponsors: Sagebrush Dry (Alaskan-owned business that sells the best dry bags you can buy.) Alpine Fit (Premium outdoor layering from another Alaskan-owned business.) Backcountry Hunters & Anglers
In this episode Margaret Stern tells about her experience building a remote cabin in Interior Alaska—buying land sight unseen, living in a teepee, sourcing and milling local timber, and improvising foundations and finishes in extreme conditions. She also discusses a new lakeside property, plans for a timber-frame sauna as phase one, tool recommendations, community support in Talkeetna, and practical considerations like water, foundations, and wildlife. This is a repost from last year since cabin building is taking up most of my headspace and people have been asking about builds around the state.
Journalist James Brooks discusses life reporting across Alaska—from biking through -40 winters to covering the state’s evolving politics. He explains how declining oil revenue, maintenance backlogs, and understaffed agencies have pushed Alaska toward difficult budget choices. We discuss the push for a Trans-Alaska gas pipeline and proposed tax breaks, the role of mining and tourism, the ballot fights over ranked-choice voting and campaign finance, and how social media and technology have changed local journalism. Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Thanks to the sponsors: Sagebrush Dry (Alaskan-owned business that sells the best dry bags you can buy.) Alpine Fit (Premium outdoor layering from another Alaskan-owned business.) Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
Finally, the recap of the trip to Bristol Bay and fishing at Last Cast Lodge on the Kvichak River. I talk about expectations, the difference between a general set up for a stitch rod and one specifically designed for two-handed casting, threats to Bristol Bay and the sad state of downtown Anchorage. Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Thanks to the sponsors: Sagebrush Dry (Alaskan-owned business that sells the best dry bags you can buy.) Alpine Fit (Premium outdoor layering from another Alaskan-owned business.) Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
Ketchikan resident Larry Jackson and I discuss the realities of building a remote Alaska cabin — from digging footings through muskeg and timing tides to unloading bundles by boat and getting help from a buddy with a landing craft. We cover practical lessons on logistics, dock and launch etiquette, dealing with weather and materials, the joys and pitfalls of DIY projects, and why knowing your goals matters more than romanticizing remote life. Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Thanks to the sponsors: Sagebrush Dry (Alaskan-owned business that sells the best dry bags you can buy.) Alpine Fit (Premium outdoor layering from another Alaskan-owned business.) Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
Ketchikan High School graduate Eddie Gomez earned degrees in economics and political science at American University. In this episode we discuss his college adjustment, internships (including working with Sen. Murkowski), the role of AI/ChatGPT in research and interview prep, concerns about modern higher education, and the value of summer jobs. Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Thanks to the sponsors: Sagebrush Dry (Alaskan-owned business that sells the best dry bags you can buy.) Alpine Fit (Premium outdoor layering from another Alaskan-owned business.) Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
From the Last Cast Lodge on the Kvichak river, the Walton family shares their favorite fishing memories, commercial fishing, buying and running their Bristol Bay lodge, family traditions, and the decisions that made their dream possible. The episode covers guiding moments on the water, financial discipline and legacy, community ties, conservation concerns like Pebble Mine, and how family bonds keep the lodge and lifestyle thriving. Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Thanks to the sponsors: Sagebrush Dry (Alaskan-owned business that sells the best dry bags you can buy.) Alpine Fit (Premium outdoor layering from another Alaskan-owned business.) Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
It's travel angling time, so here's a repost of the episode I did with Dagen Walton from Last Change lodge on the Kvichak river in the legendary Bristol Bay region of Alaska. He explains choices for rods, reels, lines, leaders, sink tips, and flies, and how they shape on-river performance. We cover casting methods, swing and indicator tactics, hookset timing, essential boat and pack setups, and travel tips—clear, experience-based guidance for anglers wanting to fish smarter and with more confidence. Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Thanks to the sponsors: Sagebrush Dry (Alaskan-owned business that sells the best dry bags you can buy.) Alpine Fit (Premium outdoor layering from another Alaskan-owned business.) Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
Lou Tamposi and I talk about the joys of early-summer light, a frustrating turkey season, birthday traditions, and family life, while planning fishing and cabin projects in Alaska. We also touch on teaching end-of-year challenges, favorite meals and books, and broader concerns about technology, sustainability, and staying connected to where our food comes from. Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Thanks to the sponsors: Sagebrush Dry (Alaskan-owned business that sells the best dry bags you can buy.) Alpine Fit (Premium outdoor layering from another Alaskan-owned business.) Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
In this episode, journalist and author Sara Kehaulani Goo discusses her book Kuleana: A Story of Family, Land and Legacy in Old Hawaii. She summarizes the story of how a shocking tax increase on land granted to her family 175 years ago nearly cost them the property. The story is highly relatable as wealthy non-locals gobble up land which prices out many locals in tourist destinations like Hawaii and Southeast Alaska. We also talk about her journalism career across major outlets, the rise of creator-driven media, potential uses and risks of AI for reporting, and practical advice for aspiring journalists. Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Thanks to the sponsors: Sagebrush Dry (Alaskan-owned business that sells the best dry bags you can buy.) Alpine Fit (Premium outdoor layering from another Alaskan-owned business.) Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
Click Bishop discusses his journey from gold mining and pipeline work to public service as a member of the Alaska State Senate. He breaks down Alaska's energy and resource challenges, including oil and gas production, pipeline economics, and energy security, along with priorities for education funding, vocational training, fisheries management, and rural needs. Bishop emphasizes bipartisan cooperation, practical solutions for infrastructure and cost-of-living pressures, and the importance of trades and local industries in keeping Alaska resilient as the state navigates future development and resource opportunities. Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Thanks to the sponsors: Sagebrush Dry (Alaskan-owned business that sells the best dry bags you can buy.) Alpine Fit (Premium outdoor layering from another Alaskan-owned business.) Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
In this episode, Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins discusses his Sitka roots, early interest in politics, and decision to run for governor of Alaska. JKT outlines policy priorities including protecting the Permanent Fund, closing oil tax loopholes, supporting fishing communities and fair representation on the Board of Fish, and expanding affordable housing. Note: I have reached out to multiple candidates from both parties to ensure varied perspectives. Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Thanks to the sponsors: Sagebrush Dry (Alaskan-owned business that sells the best dry bags you can buy.) Alpine Fit (Premium outdoor layering from another Alaskan-owned business.) Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
Ketchikan High School graduate Joey Karlik is an assistant to two literary managers in Beverly Hills and a filmmaker himself. In this episode we talk about how AI is impacting the film industry. We discuss ethical concerns about AI-generated performances and threats to jobs in production and representation. We also talk about social media hype, the future of movie theaters, recent must-see films, and practical career advice for anyone trying to break into or stay in Hollywood. Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Thanks to the sponsors: Sagebrush Dry (Alaskan-owned business that sells the best dry bags you can buy.) Alpine Fit (Premium outdoor layering from another Alaskan-owned business.) Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
In this episode, Jeff talks to Lou Tamposi talk about real estate, ticks, turkeys and food. Lou works in real estate and is an author and hunter in Massachusetts. He and Jeff host the Light Sear podcast on Substack. Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Thanks to the sponsors: Sagebrush Dry (Alaskan-owned business that sells the best dry bags you can buy.) Alpine Fit (Premium outdoor layering from another Alaskan-owned business.) Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
Larry Persily moved to Alaska in 1976 to buy the Wrangell Sentinel. In this episode he recounts a long career covering logging, fishing, and Alaska's dependency on oil. We also discusses Alaska’s fiscal challenges, the Permanent Fund dividend, declining oil production, debates over taxes and public services, and how social media and changing business models are threatening local news and community life. Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Thanks to the sponsors: Sagebrush Dry (Alaskan-owned business that sells the best dry bags you can buy.) Alpine Fit (Premium outdoor layering from another Alaskan-owned business.) Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
Dante Troina and Kody Malouf host The Cinema Cult Podcast. In this episode we discuss Major League, Bad News Bears, Moneyball, Hoosiers, the nostalgic human moments that make them resonate, and how film storytelling captures those emotions. We also talk about the impact of analytics and AI in sports, AI’s growing role in filmmaking and post-production, and the ethical and cultural questions that come with relying on technology for creative work. Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Thanks to the sponsors: Sagebrush Dry (Alaskan-owned business that sells the best dry bags you can buy.) Alpine Fit (Premium outdoor layering from another Alaskan-owned business.) Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
Travis Hall is the associate editor for Field and Stream. In this episode we discuss conservation writing, important issues, meaningful conversations about complex issues, his trip to the potential site of the Ambler Road and the amount of foreign mining companies looking to dig up American soil. Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Thanks to the sponsors: Sagebrush Dry (Alaskan-owned business that sells the best dry bags you can buy.) Alpine Fit (Premium outdoor layering from another Alaskan-owned business.) Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
In this episode journalist and author Tom Kizzia recounts his journey from arriving in Homer in the mid-1970s and reporting for the Anchorage Daily News. We discuss the newsroom environment, land management and oil politics of the 1980s, as well as his books, especially Pilgrim's Wilderness, his 2013 bestseller about a cruel patriarch who attempts to insulate his family from reality near the town of McCarthy. We also talk about changing attitudes toward development, national parks, tourism, and the challenge of balancing storytelling, objectivity, and empathy. Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Thanks to the sponsors: Sagebrush Dry (Alaskan-owned business that sells the best dry bags you can buy.) Alpine Fit (Premium outdoor layering from another Alaskan-owned business.) Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
Matt Deluca from Alaska Blade Works covers knife testing and iterations, field sharpening and maintenance, essential backcountry gear, rifle choices, and where to buy their products. We also discuss hunting sheep, populations and the incredible outdoor opportunities provided by living in Alaska. Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Thanks to the sponsors: Sagebrush Dry (Alaskan-owned business that sells the best dry bags you can buy.) Alpine Fit (Premium outdoor layering from another Alaskan-owned business.) Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
Dagen Walton is back to deep dive into fly fishing specifics. We start at the fly rod and work all the way through his preferences for big rainbows in Bristol Bay. We break down tactics, fly selection, managing line in varying depths and even luggage that anglers should own. Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Thanks to the sponsors: Sagebrush Dry (Alaskan-owned business that sells the best dry bags you can buy.) Alpine Fit (Premium outdoor layering from another Alaskan-owned business.) Backcountry Hunters and Anglers