Unforgettable
This is the last episode in the Voices of the Mat-Su podcast series. In it, we turn the tables and interview Emily Forstner about her experience as producer of the series in this final show.
Aug 23, 2025•28 min•Ep. 24
Voices of the Mat-Su
Voices of the Mat-Su shares the often-unheard stories of those who live in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley in Alaska. The project is funded by a grant from the Mat-Su Health Foundation and is produced by Emily Forstner with Big Cabbage Radio.
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Episodes
Voices 23: The Storytellers
On this month’s episode of Voices of the Mat-Su we hear a story about two cartoon artists, Dimi Macheras (of Chickaloon Tribe) and Casey Silver, who create new stories from the ancient teachings of the Chickaloon Tribe. Stories that grew into the comic book series called Chickaloonies and beyond.
Jul 02, 2025•29 min•Ep. 23
Braver Than We Believe
On this month’s episode of Voices of the Mat-Su titled“Braver Than We Believe,” we hear from two people who pulled themselves up out of crisis and chaos. Stories of finding strength and hope through belonging and friendship.
May 23, 2025•30 min•Ep. 22
We Serve Too
April is the Month of the Military Child. In “We Serve Too”, April's episode of Voices of the Mat-Su, we learn a little more about the challenges and the pride in being a military child.
May 05, 2025•29 min•Ep. 21
Trash Talkin'
We’re “Talkin’ Trash” on this month’s episode of Voices of the Mat-Su, We’ll Meet two great Trash Talkers: one picks up trash for the City of Palmer and the other helps folks recycle in the Valley. Not only do they help us with our trash, but they also each make life a little bit better for others in the process.
Mar 27, 2025•29 min•Ep. 20
Amazing Grace
You may know him as D the Lyricist. Learn about him as Devon Shaw in “Amazing Grace”, this month’s episode of Voices of the Mat-Su. He’s a hip-hop artist, father of five, and what he describes as being a human bridge for harmony across distance and race.
Mar 06, 2025•27 min•Ep. 19
Our Place
Discover how "where" shapes our stories, community, and identity. Join Emily Forstner on Voices of the Mat-Su as four winter recreationists share their Moose Range experiences, exploring the deep connection between place and belonging in “Our Place”.
Jan 26, 2025•30 min•Ep. 18
Strike a Chord
Get a glimpse of the musicians and DJs who are creating the growing music scene in the Mat-Su. In this episode of Voices of the Mat-Su with Emily Forstner, learn just what Strikes a Chord in the Mat-Su .
Dec 24, 2024•30 min•Ep. 17
Pages of Hope
This is the story of a bookstore that offers much more than books. In this episode of Voices of the Mat-Su, Emily Forstner shares how Black Birch Bookstore in Wasilla, Alaska brings pages of hope to the community.
Dec 23, 2024•26 min•Ep. 16
There's No Place Like Home
Being a homeless parent means doing everything possible to keep your family safe. In this episode of Voices of the Mat-Su Emily Forstner shares two different kinds of love stories, when There’s No Place Like Home... but there is no home.
Dec 23, 2024•29 min•Ep. 15
The Final Straw
Over half the women living in the Mat-Su have experienced domestic violence. Breaking free takes tremendous courage. In this episode of Voices of The Mat-Su, Emily Forstner shares the stories about the final straw for two women who broke free from violent relationships. (Photo by Megan Dujardin on Unsplash)
Dec 23, 2024•29 min•Ep. 14
Welcome
In this episode of Voices of The Mat-Su, Emily Forstner shares the stories of Ukrainian refugees who have settled in the Mat-Su. Two stories that show no two tales are alike - from the reasons to leave to the reasons to stay.
Dec 23, 2024•30 min•Ep. 13
The You in Youth Matters
In this episode of Voices of The Mat-Su, Emily Forstner shares the stories of two communities that combat big issues with youth in Mat Su: loneliness and substance abuse. (Image credit: Thrive)
Dec 23, 2024•30 min•Ep. 12
Better Together
In this episode of Voices of The Mat-Su, Emily Forstner shares stories from two small business owners in the Palmer community. Women who not only build successful businesses but build community. Two people who believe that life is Better Together.
Dec 23, 2024•28 min•Ep. 11
Doin’ Something Wonderful
In this episode of Voices of The Mat-Su, Emily Forstner shares the stories of two women who brighten our lives: one with swaths of paint on a storefront window and the other with the tip of the pen.
Dec 23, 2024•28 min•Ep. 10
Forever 21, Never Forgotten
In this episode of Voices of The Mat-Su, Emily Forstner shares the story about fentanyl in the Mat Su from two points of view: a mother who never forgets the son she lost to an overdose and a doctor who witnesses the fentanyl crisis in the emergency room each week.
Dec 23, 2024•30 min•Ep. 9
Food for the Soul
In this episode of Voices of The Mat-Su, we hear the story of the Upper Susitna Food Pantry near Talkeetna, Alaska. It’s the story of how a wide-spread community works hard to feed the hungry with not just a hand out but with a hand up.
Dec 23, 2024•30 min•Ep. 8
The Apology
In this episode of Voices of The Mat-Su, we share the story of the Resolve and Reconciliation with the past. It’s the story of how an apology heard hundreds of miles away in Juneau, Alaska impacts one man and his church in Palmer. Photo credit: William Paul Jr. Collection via Ben Paul
Dec 23, 2024•30 min•Ep. 7
A Little Light
In this episode of Voices of The Mat-Su, Emily Forstner shares the story of The Mat Su Chabad Lubavitch Jewish Center. It’s a story of those who vow to never forget and never give up to shine light on the world-with the ancient Jewish laws of kindness and charity. It’s about the light that chases out the dark.
Dec 23, 2024•26 min•Ep. 6
Second Chances
In this episode of Voices of The Mat-Su, Emily Forstner shares the story of a convicted felon who re-enters society and finds a second chance with the support of the Valley Charities Re-Entry program. It is the voice of resilience, redemption and the pursuit of a full, rich life.
Dec 23, 2024•29 min•Ep. 5
Bonus Family
In this episode, Voices of the Mat-Su connects with a foster mom. This is the story of a little girl who grew up to be a mom and decided she could be more mom to more children and became a foster mom. But not just any foster mom.
Dec 23, 2024•29 min•Ep. 4
I Can't See You
When you can’t see or when you can’t see well your whole world changes. In this episode of Voices of The Mat-Su, Emily Forstner talks with several Mat-Su residents who have lost their vision. We’ll find out how this affected them, and how they meet the challenges of living with low vision in the Mat-Su.
Dec 18, 2024•28 min•Ep. 3
Gathering Places
Emily Forstner continues the series, Voices of the Mat-Su, with an exploration of community: particularly our the gathering places that are our third places. What is a third place and what is an example of a third place in our community ? Find out as Emily Forstner explores one community that creates one third place, that place that is beyond our firstplace – our home and our second place – our work. A place that we feel welcome and known. You might be surprised.
Dec 18, 2024•27 min•Ep. 2
Mat-Su Special Santa - The Magic of Giving
Today’s story is told by Mari Jo Parks. Mari Jo has lived in the Mat Su since 1977. She’s a volunteer extraordinaire, a teacher, a life coach, and given the key to City of Palmer as its Citizen of the Year, and the founder of the Mat Su Special Santa program. Her story is about Santa’s workshop filled to the ceiling with black trash bags, stuffed animals that become members of the family, alarm clocks that change into thousands of dollars, renewed hope, lifetime friendships, and surprises....
Dec 13, 2024•24 min•Ep. 1
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