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 274 - Rokslide’s Robby Denning

Robby Denning is a co-owner of Rokslide, the comprehensive hunting website. In this episode we talk about the purpose of Rokslide, filling the needs of hunters, the current state of hunting, turning non-hunters into pro-hunters rather than anti-hunters, the value of conservation groups like RMEF and even a little fishing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 29, 202258 min

Episode 273 - Ice fishing and being frugal

Minnesota resident Dan Platta is the host of the Bookkeeping, Beers and BS podcast. In his show he talks about being successful in business, but he also loves hunting whitetail and ice fishing. In this episode we talk about the balance of getting what you need vs. buying a bunch of stuff. We also talk about new experiences, mentoring others and the balance of being willing to get after it, but also not be an idiot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Mar 22, 20221 hr 11 min

Episode 272 - Alaska Hoops pt. 3 - Rich Krupa

Rich Krupa grew up in North Pole Alaska, played college basketball at Sheldon Jackson College in Sitka, met his wife, and never left. His daughter played at Sitka High School while he was an assistant coach and she went on to play at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. In this episode we talk about college basketball in Alaska, the college basketball recruiting scene, the downside of trying to "be seen", recruiting services, and adjusting to team dynamics as a coach. Learn more about your ad cho...

Mar 18, 202233 min

Episode 271 - Alaska Hoops pt. 2 - Robert Casperson

Rob Casperson is the head coach of the Juneau-Douglas boys basketball team. He grew up in Juneau and played for the team that lost to future NBA player Trajan Langdon's East Anchorage team in the state finals, and was later a teammate of Alaska's next NBA player - Carlos Boozer. In this episode we talk about adapting a system to match players, Alaska's talent pool, recruiting, dramatic finishes and how 4a basketball has changed around the state. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone....

Mar 17, 202234 min

Episode 270 - Alaska Hoops pt. 1 - Kelly Smith

Kelly Smith grew up on Prince of Wales Island and played basketball for Thorne Bay and Craig in the mid-1990s. He is now the head coach of the Ketchikan High School girls basketball team which as won the Region V title eight out of the last nine years. In this episode we talk about the transition to coaching girls, building a program and island life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 15, 202235 min

Episode 269 - Oyster farming in Alaska

Meta Mesdag is a photographer turned oyster farmer (Salty Lady Seafoods) in Juneau. In this episode we talk about her career transition, the entrepreneurship scene in Southeast Alaska, challenges brought on by Covid and bad weather, the science behind the life cycle and growing conditions or oysters.

Mar 08, 202246 minSeason 1Ep. 1

Episode 268 - Finding your fish

Pete Kaple is the man behind The Skiff Wanderer on Instagram and Youtube. He is an avid angler and budding filmmaker in Texas. In this episode we talk about how the first fish you catch is often the fish you chase for the rest of your life. We also discuss branching out to pursue other species, the skiff live in Alaska vs. the skiff life in Texas and considerations when building a brand. Also, there is NOT ONE "Alaska is bigger than Texas" joke. See, we can all get along. Learn more about your a...

Mar 01, 202251 min

Episode 267 - Bristol Bay grizzly gear adventures

Caleb Jacques runs guided grizzly bear photography adventures in Katmai. In this episode we talk about his family lodge transitioning from a fishing lodge to a photography safari lodge. We discuss bear skills, photography skills and food cravings after being in rural country for extended periods of time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 22, 202235 min

Episode 266 - Commercial fishing and SE Alaska highlights

Kayhi graduate and entrepreneur Isaiah Navales and I talk about lessons from commercial fishing, favorite ways to eat fish, the value in leaving home and coming back on your own terms, basketball memories and the strength of Alaskan communities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 15, 202241 min

Episode 265 - SE Alaska gold rush and basketball history

Ketchikan Mayor Dave Kiffer and I talk Southeast Alaska history from Parnassus Books in downtown Ketchikan. We start off with agriculture and gold rush then move to the great Region V basketball rivalries. If you want to know what life is like in Southeast Alaska, this is a quality glimpse. If you live here, it'll bring back memories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 08, 202239 min

Episode 264 - Life of an Avatar

In this solo episode I expand on some of the things I wrote about in my blog post about being on the other end of an entrepreneur's quest to make money. I talk about what used to work on me and why it doesn't anymore. I talk about how Meateater's proliferation has made me lose interest in the brand even though I love the show, how brands exploit the enthusiasm of users and how something as simple as a social media post can be the tie-breaker when choosing between brands. Learn more about your ad...

Feb 01, 202225 min

Episode 263 - Transferrable skills and doing what you love

T.K. Coleman is an entrepreneur with incredible insight about education, entrepreneurship and personal growth. In this episode we talk about developing professional skills, finding space in saturated markets, being a multi-dimensional thinker, how to approach the pursuit of lofty goals and unique opportunities after high school that don't involve college, Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 25, 20221 hr 6 min

Episode 262 - How do Alaska kids stack up?

In this episode I talk to the 2018 Ketchikan High School Valedictorian, Largim Zhuta, about leaving a small town on an island in Alaska, to pursue a mechanical engineering degree at Santa Clara University. We talk about what happens when you're surrounded by Valedictorians, paying for college, energy production and storage, and the difference between working on solutions for problems and working on ways to make money off people. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Jan 18, 202251 min

Episode 261 - Custom home building in SE Alaska

Larry Jackson and I talk about winters in Ketchikan and custom home building from the wheelhouse in his custom home. Larry used repurposed wood from around town, rocks from local beaches along with other local inspiration to building his home. He and I talk about the dynamics of designing and building a home, as well as the stress of having a dock during a winter storm, especially a storm took out the ramp and pier last year. (Photo is from the summer before that disaster) Learn more about your ...

Jan 11, 20221 hr 8 min

Episode 260 - Alaska Outdoor Girl

Erika Smith is known in the social media world as AlaskaOutDoorGirl. In this episode we talk about skiing, fishing, the dating scene in Alaska, coping with winter, growing your community and how long we'd last on Alone.

Jan 05, 20221 hr 10 minSeason 1Ep. 1

Episode 259 - Best of 2021 - Sheep and bears with Tyler Freel

To close out the year, I found two of the best from dozens of great episodes with great guests. In this episode Outdoor Life writer and Tundra Talk host Tyler Freel and I talk about grizzly bear hunting, processing black bear, archery, protecting public land and how some hunts never get old. This podcast was first released in April. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Dec 28, 20211 hr 5 min

Episode 258 - Best of 2021 - Alaska Bison

To close out the year, I found two of the best from dozens of great episodes with great guests. In this episode I talk to fellow product of Prince of Wales, Melissa Castle, who took a bison in interior Alaska. We talk about her upbringing in Craig, the best parts of living in Anchorage and the details of her hunt. This episode was released in April. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 21, 20211 hr 9 min

Episode 257 - Fly fishing in Alaska

Alaska Fly Fishing Goods owner Brad Elfers joins me to talk all things fly fishing in Alaska. We discuss fishing opportunities in Juneau, dissect the Kenai and Kasilof rivers, fishing with mouse patterns, steelhead flies, regionally effective flies and industry improvements in rods, reels and waders.

Dec 16, 20211 hr 1 minSeason 1Ep. 1

Episode 256 - Best of the year

In this episode Abby and I recap our top fishing, hunting and camping moments of the year. We also discuss making moves on mountain goats in the fog, rainbow trout on the Kenai, Wyoming mule deer, boat camping, hunting pressure, hunting strategies and home building. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 14, 202151 min

Episode 255 - From teacher to big game guide

Tongass Talk co-host Adam Krick went from teacher in Alaska to big game guide in Alaska. In this episode we talk about if teaching is like guiding, similarities between hunting Alaska and hunting the Lower 48, how to hunt crowded areas, the benefits of being on the road system and plans for 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 09, 202156 min

Episode 254 - Being a hunter vs. looking like one

Jason Holliday joins me to talk about finding public land to hang your stand back east. We also discuss outdoor entrepreneurs that sound like used-car salesmen, the value of authenticity and maintaining consistency when doing a podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 07, 20211 hr 7 min

Episode 252 - Hydroponic farming in Ketchikan

In this episode I talk to Geoff and Jessica Jans who own Ketchikan Ever Greens, a hydroponic farm in Ketchikan. We talk about how they got started, why they got started, the benefits of hydroponics and why real fresh garden greens are more healthy than greens picked early to be shipped "fresh". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 30, 20211 hr 6 min

Episode 251 - Blacktail, caribou and moose recap with Brad Brooks

Argali founder Brad Brooks is back to recap his 6-week Alaskan adventure where he attempted to take a blacktail deer, caribou and moose with his bow. We talk about stalking blacktail vs. stalking mule deer, lessons learned and being alone with your thoughts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 24, 202155 min

Episode 250 - Eating wild game and creating advocates

Clint Whitley is an archery hunting fanatic and the host of Western Hunting Hub. He and I talk about what happens when people lose their minds on social media forums, creating advocates, not enemies, hunting whitetail and our favorite recipes for wild game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 22, 202158 min

Episode 249 - Finally, a buck

In this episode Abby and I break down our success over the weekend. We talk about hunting muskegs, calling, the difference in deer response in high traffic areas and low traffic areas, difficulties in filming hunts, plans for this weekend and a new venison recipe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 18, 202136 min

Episode 248 - The next generation of hunters and anglers

In this episode Daniel Buitrago and I talk about the world before podcasts, social media and the Internet, the defining attributes of people we looked up to growing up, the value being outside brings to our lives, the importance of sharing that with the next generation, the impact of climate change, the future of populations, draw hunt strategies and what hunts we hope we draw in 2022. Daniel is a co-founder of Alaska Wild Project and owner of Anchor Town Dogs in Anchorage. Learn more about your...

Nov 16, 20211 hr 4 min

Episode 247 - Food, houses and the plan for peak rut

In this episode Abby and I talk about different ways to cook wild game meat, salmon chowder, the housing market in Ketchikan and the plan for hunting this weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 11, 202138 min

Episode 246 - Kodiak mountain goat recap

Juneau resident Dallin Hanchett is back to recap his Kodiak mountain goat hunt we previewed in Episode 233. We discuss the weather, elevation, brown bears, how to get mentally prepared each morning when everything is wet and cold, the helpful attitude of rural residents, savoring game meat to make it last and where this hunt ranks on his all-time list. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 09, 202159 min

Episode 245 - Rut is on

Abby and I discuss the first big weekend of Sitka Blacktail rut in the Ketchikan area. We talk about our unsuccessful weekend, beach hunting, setting anchors, hunting forums, how to feel when it seems like everyone else in Southeast Alaska called in a buck over the weekend, and what the plan is for this weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 04, 202138 min