On Step Alaska - podcast cover

On Step Alaska

On Step Alaskaonstepalaska.podbean.com
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

Episodes

Episode 184 - Editing And HS Basketball Memories

Been neck deep in editing my book (hoping for an April release) and starting another writing project about basketball in southeast Alaska. So I've tricked myself into believing that I don't have time to do a podcast which is an absolute lie. I talk about this in a short solo episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 17, 202110 min

Episode 183 - Overnight Success And Shoveling Snow

After the positive rejection I received regarding my book manuscript, I have decided to self-publish my book A Miserable Paradise and see what happens. I felt like there was a stigma that was something like self-publishing was for authors who weren't good enough to get a book deal. But after talking to some authors and seeing how difficult it is to get a deal and how little you make in royalties, I've decided to go for it. In the latest round of edits I have felt both like I have a solid grasp o...

Feb 09, 202114 min

Episode 182 - Elk, Travel And Mental Approaches

Tongass Talk host Adam Krick (Colorado resident, formerly of Metlakatla) is back to talk about travel hunting, guiding elk in New Mexico, how that compares to hunting elk on Afognak, why Etolin elk hunting might be the most difficult hunt in Alaska, the problem with too much hunting content, how to be successful even when hunting well-known places, plus universal tactics for hunting and starting something new. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Feb 03, 202158 min

Episode 181 - Rejection And Bad Attitudes

So my manuscript was rejected by a publisher, but it's just part of the process. In this episode I talk about the positive rejection email I received and two groups of people I don't understand: 1. people who selfishly choose the worst possible way to read or hear a comment 2. people who thing that by saying you had a good 2020, you are oblivious and hateful. How are we supposed to help people get back to feeling joy, if we only permit anger and misery? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit me...

Jan 31, 202114 min

Episode 180 - Hunts, Habitat and Stocks

It's tag hunting season for non-residents, so Jaden Bales (the Wyoming Correspondent) and I talk about off-season podcast listening habits, ice fishing, cow elk hunts, cow caribou hunts, the decrease of non-resident tag allotment in some states, why increasing population and improving habitat is important and what happens if you can afford the tag but not the hunt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 23, 202147 min

Episode 179 - Influence, Throwing Up And Leaderboards

Danny Lehr is the co-founder of Caffeine and Kilos, Excel Health and Fitness in Manteca, California, and the good friend who recommended I start a website and podcast. In this episode we talk about how pacing in stupid, growing a business, positive influences, throwing up, flipping dollar bills, and being on a king salmon derby leaderboard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 17, 202154 min

Episode 178 - Winter Caribou?

Caribou has always been on the list, but winter caribou seems like the type of Alaskan hunt I need to experience. In this solo episode I blame my Fairbanks buddies for my lack of self-control when it comes to seeking out Alaskan experiences. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 15, 202114 min

Episode 177 - Ice Fishing For Pike

Fairbanks resident Harrison Gottschling is back to talk all things ice fishing including tips, gear and recipes for pike. We also talk fox hats, Arctic gear, the On Deck Freezer, owning chickens and making it through the cold dark winter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 04, 202143 min

Episode 176 - The Dark Cloud

For some, the outdoors are an escape from an existence void of the type of purpose and excitement that make them feel happy to be alive. They are dependent on a hunt or hike or fishing trip that will make the dark cloud go away, but unless reality is fulfilling, the dark cloud will return. In this episode I talk about how hunting and fishing can't solve our problems and how the better we are at work and home, the more epic our experiences outdoors will be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

Dec 31, 202015 min

Episode 175 - Emperor Geese And Duck Tips

Juneau resident Dallin Hanchett is back to talk about his trip to Cold Bay earlier this month for emperor geese. In this episode we talk conservation, a brief history of the emperor goose hunt and tips for diver ducks and puddle ducks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 24, 202048 min

Episode 174 - Tags, Points And Draws

With the deadline for draw applications in Alaska looming, I was feeling the crowd putting in for the tags that I want and wondered if tag-finding services were turning travel hunting into a rich person's game. I texted my buddy Jaden who provided some interesting insight. I talk about Jaden behind his back in this episode about perception vs. reality, tag-finding services and the value of having an outdoor buddy who can provide depth to a subject so you're not berating something you don't reall...

Dec 13, 202017 min

Episode 173 - Alaska Fly Fishing Goods

Brad Elfers is the owner of Alaska Fly Fishing Goods in Juneau. In this episode he and I talk about whether or not guiding and shop owning are all they are cracked up to be, how the internet has changed the business and steelhead tactics in southeast Alaska. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 08, 202049 min

Episode 172 - Cultural Richness And Hunting Rut

Tongass Talk's Ian Hudson and I talk about cultural richness, the different Alaskas, hunting the rut, why enduring terrible winter storms is worth it to live in Alaska and what's on the radar for 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 02, 202045 min

Episode 171 - The Freelance Life

Taylor Balkom is a talented, award-winning freelance photojournalist who used to work for the Ketchikan Daily News. In this episode we talk about getting started in the freelance world, the importance of being able to write as well as shoot, imposter's syndrome, honing the craft and how giving away good content for free undermines the value of good words and photos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 24, 202041 min

Episode 170 - Bowhunting Recap

After missing with my bow on Nov. 1, I haven't had another shot at a buck, though I have seen at least one every weekend. This is madness. There are only a few days left in the season so I will admit I'm feeling a bit of urgency. In this episode I talk about my two hunts this weekend, why I bow hunt, why I watch Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee and make a reference to 1984 because my students are finishing it for class so its on the brain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adc...

Nov 23, 202022 min

Episode 169 - Travel Hunting And Local Issues

I grew up watching Lower 48ers take Alaskan salmon back to their homes and in October I took a Wyoming mule deer back to mine. Traveling to someone else's spot to live out a dream can be a complex issue and one that often leads to debate. For every local angry about meat leaving the state, there's a slice of the local economy dependent upon it. We're all Public Land Owners, but what sort of ethics should a hunter or angler travel with? Jess Johnson, Jaden Bales (both of the Wyoming Wildlife Fede...

Nov 17, 202045 min

Episode 168 - Recipes And Recaps

Fairbanks resident Steve Shannon is back to talk about the highs and the low from the year. Though plans changed, we both scratched out pretty good years hunting. We also discuss e-bikes, tipi tents, and recipes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 12, 202052 min

Episode 167 - Rut Part 1

The first weekend of Peak Rut is behind us and I went 0/2 on shots (both clean misses) with my bow, but I was seeing deer and giving myself a chance. In this episode I talk about what has worked for me as far as hunting muskegs in high traffic area. I explain the importance of running a program you trust because that is the key. People have different ideas about how to hunt during the rut and it all can work. My program is to focus on transition areas rather than bust through brush to make it to...

Nov 06, 202017 min

Episode 166 - Mule Deer Recap

On Day 1, I was hoping for a 3 or maybe a 4-point buck because we had scouted an area and seen big bucks. By Day 4 I was ready to shoot a spike we called Chopstick. So much happened during the 6-day hunt in Wyoming it was difficult to get the days straight, but in this episode I attempt to. Jaden Bales joins me to talk about the difference between reading or watching videos about hunting, and actually hunting. It's the difference between knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge is knowing tactics. Wisdom...

Oct 27, 20201 hr 5 min

Episode 165 - Telling Stories

Telling a story is easy. Telling a good story isn't. You're trying to convey an experience to someone who wasn't there and a lot of times they end up being dry and detail lacking, too big on trying to make it epic or over-the top ego strokes. In this solo episode I talk about what I like about podcasts, articles and other story-telling content. That's not to say I am right, but I am an expert in what I like. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Oct 14, 202015 min

Episode 164 - Halfway Point

All of a sudden it's October and almost time for Wyoming mule deer. In this solo episode I talk about how fast things move, solo hunts, hoping I don't chalk my mule deer hunt as a "learning experience", prepping for the blacktail rut here in Alaska, duck hunting and why it's important to have some fun when the world is on fire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 08, 202016 min

Episode 163 - Backcountry Rookies

Stumbled upon the Backcountry Rookies podcast and tracked down host Chad Ryker for an episode. We talk about morning routines, figuring out the important details that make hunts successful, starting podcasts, the importance of the honest angle when making content and bringing value to people rather than just looking for revenue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 01, 202044 min

Episode 162 - Hunting Plans Vs. Hunting Reality

The Wyoming correspondent Jaden Bales and I talk about our latest hunts, expectation vs. reality, saying the right thing and finding that sweet spot between overconfident and unsure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 28, 202045 min

Episode 161 - SE Alaska Duck Hunting 101

Juneau resident Dallin Hanchett is back to talk about duck hunting. In this episode we talk best loads for different ducks, indispensable gear, cooking sea ducks, watching the tides and what to look for when hunting waterfowl in southeast Alaska. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 23, 202038 min

Episode 160 - Alpine Season Still?

Heading up another mountain this weekend to look for a mountain goat or maybe even a deer. In this episode I talk about the importance of your social media bubble, how late deer are in the alpine and why it's important that someone has a little fun in 2020 so there's some positivity left. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 18, 202013 min

Episode 159 - Brad Brooks

Brad Brooks is the founder of Argali, maker of top-tier hunting content and gear. In this episode he and I talk about his recent trip to Kodiak, how to be a good hunting guest, entrepreneurship, making good content and keeping your ego in check.

Sep 13, 20201 hr 1 minSeason 1Ep. 1

Episode 158 - Nick Jans

Nick Jans is author of the best-selling books The Grizzly Maze and A Wolf Called Romeo. He is one of the best-known Alaskan writers and we talk about the process it took to get to that point. We talk about developing voice, confidence, editing and the importance of clarity and cadence in writing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 10, 20201 hr 24 min

Episode 157 - Salmon Trolling And Alpine Prep

There's a silver salmon derby this weekend, but I'll be up on a mountain looking for a goat or buck. In this episode I talk personal preference when it comes to trolling up salmon, seeing alpine terrain for the first time, and all the chores around the house - dehydrating salmon, cooking venison leftovers, bleaching antlers and packing for a trip into the mountains. It's hard to be an Alaskan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Sep 03, 202015 min

Episode 156 - Early Season Recap

Jaden Bales (the Wyoming correspondent) and I talk the benefits of technology and how technology has also ruined hunts. Without it I wouldn't have made it through the fog and up the mountain to the alpine where I shot my second buck of the year and proposed to my girlfriend Abby. But technology has also made us more dependent, prone to distraction and even changed how rescuers respond to missing hunters and hikers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Aug 26, 202053 min

Episode 155 - Hiking, Habits And Cheetos

Well it's August, which means all previous routines have been disrupted by the delightful cycle of fishing and hunting trips. But that can make it difficult to keep up with previous positive habits when new habits are formed. Habits like bringing Cheetos as a snack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 17, 20209 min