Episodes

Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
Episode 453 - Movies set/filmed in Alaska
Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
In this episode, Dante Troina, Kody Malouf and I discuss Alaskan-themed movies, noting the romanticized vision many have of the state, and break down how authenticity plays a role in the perception of films set in Alaska.
We review movies such as Mystery, Alaska; The Proposal, Into the Wild, Grizzly Man, Insomnia, 30 Days of Night, On Deadly Ground and more.
Dante and Kody are life-long Alaskans and the host of The Cinema Cult Podcast.
Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska.
Click here for a 20% discount on an annual subscription to The Westrn, the outdoor community’s newest newspaper.
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

Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
Episode 452 - West Susitna Access Road Project
Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
Susitna River Coalition's Margaret Stern and I discuss the proposed 100-mile West Susitna Access Road Project that would cross the Susitna River. We explore the project's potential benefits, like increased access and growth, against its significant environmental impact, and other infrastructure projects that might be a better investment for the funds.
Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska.
Click here for a 20% discount on an annual subscription to The Westrn, the outdoor community’s newest newspaper.
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

Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
Episode 451 - Alaska mushrooms
Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
Ecologist Kate Mohatt and I discuss all things mushrooms and her upcoming book "Mushrooms of Alaska" which will be available this summer. We discuss identification, harvesting, storing and pairing mushrooms.
Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska.
Click here for a 20% discount on an annual subscription to The Westrn, the outdoor community’s newest newspaper.
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

Tuesday May 27, 2025
Episode 450 - Mendenhall Wetlands
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Tuesday May 27, 2025
In this episode, Mary Glaves, Matt Robus, River Gates, Chris Hoon and I discuss the proposed second crossing in Juneau and its potential impact on the Mendenhall Wetlands.
We explore the historical significance and the ecological value of the Mendenhall Wetlands which is a globally important bird area and a critical stopover for migratory birds.
Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska.
Click here for a 20% discount on an annual subscription to The Westrn, the outdoor community’s newest newspaper.
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

Tuesday May 20, 2025
Episode 449 - Homer wine
Tuesday May 20, 2025
Tuesday May 20, 2025
In this episode Louie Maurer from Bear Creek Winery in Homer and I discuss how fruits like raspberries, blueberries, and rhubarb are transformed into exquisite wines. We break down wine pairings as well as life in Homer.
Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska.
Click here for a 20% discount on an annual subscription to The Westrn, the outdoor community’s newest newspaper.
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

Tuesday May 13, 2025
Episode 448 - Hump Island Oysters
Tuesday May 13, 2025
Tuesday May 13, 2025
Jacinda Leighton is a 2018 graduate of Ketchikan High School who earned a degree in economics from Fort Lewis College in Colorado. She is now the business manager for Hump Island Oyster Company in Ketchikan. In this episode we discuss the life cycle of oysters, farming kelp, living with passion rather than waiting to discover a passion, and the satisfaction of having a career in her hometown.
Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska.
Click here for a 20% discount on an annual subscription to The Westrn, the outdoor community’s newest newspaper.
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

Tuesday May 06, 2025
Episode 447 - Big Wild Life
Tuesday May 06, 2025
Tuesday May 06, 2025
In this episode I preview my latest book, Big Wild Life, which will be released on Friday, May 9. The book is an account of living in Alaska that includes stories from high school, home building, teaching, travel around the state and two major themes: Alaska as a proving ground/setting for adventure and difficult elements of conservation.
Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska.
Click here for a 20% discount on an annual subscription to The Westrn, the outdoor community’s newest newspaper.
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

Tuesday Apr 29, 2025
Episode 446 - Officiating basketball in Alaska
Tuesday Apr 29, 2025
Tuesday Apr 29, 2025
Zoe Krupa is a resident of Sitka and was recently a lead official at the 1a/2a state basketball tournament in Anchorage. In this episode we discuss growing up in Southeast, coaching vs. officiating, officiating rivalries and the time she gave her dad a technical foul.
Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska.
Click here for a 20% discount on an annual subscription to The Westrn, the outdoor community’s newest newspaper.
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

