The Alaskacast

Lee Hart - Alaska Outdoor Alliance

Lee Hart is the founder of the Alaska Outdoor Alliance, an organization dedicated to strengthening Alaska’s outdoor recreation sector. We talk about how the outdoor industry contributes to Alaska’s economy, the opportunities and challenges facing stakeholders in Alaska’s outdoors, and her own story of coming to and falling in love with the 49th state. The Alaska Outdoor Alliance is made up of businesses, non-profit conservation groups, public land management agencies, Alaska Native entities and leaders among major allied industries like healthcare and education, and their 2020 Confluence Summit is still - hopefully - coming to Fairbanks this October.

010: Doug Toelle - Running Reindeer Ranch

Doug Toelle is the co-owner of Running Reindeer Ranch and a long time disability advocate. Doug, who has multiple sclerosis, began looking into housing reindeer when his teenage daughter expressed interest in horses, little thinking his house would become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Fairbanks. He’s in the National MS Society Hall of Fame for Advocacy, created the first website in the State of Alaska, and has been part of many of the most important institutions in Fairbanks.

Episode 009: Deenaalee Hodgdon - On The Land

Deenaalee Hodgdon is the Executive Creative Director, host and a founder of the On The Land podcast and media collective. Deenaalee is a Deg Xit’an Athabaskan and Supiaq womxn from the villages of Gitr’ingithchagg (Anvik) and Qinuyang (South Naknek), Alaska. We talk about how On The Land is centering indigenous voices, Deenaalee’s experiences moving between Alaska and the east coast of Turtle Island, who gets to participate in the outdoors, and much more. You can learn more about On The Land at https://www.onthelandmedia.com/ [https://www.onthelandmedia.com/].

Episode 008: Teal Rogers - Aerial Silks

Teal Rogers is the founder and principal aerialist at Golden Heart Performing Arts, an aerial silks school, studio, and troupe in Fairbanks. She’s also the founder of the Alaska Yoga Festival and an Outdoor Programs Coordinator at REI. We talk about introducing aerial silks to Fairbanks, the effects of COVID-19 on her businesses, and her vision for the future of Alaska.

Episode 007: Dolores Van Bourgondien - Nurse Practitioner

Dolores Van Bourgondien is a Juneau based nurse practitioner at Ideal Option, which provides medication-assisted treatment for addiction to opioids and other substances. She’s also a bloggler, author, mother, and fitness enthusiast. We talk about the opioid epidemic, how COVID-19 has affected telemedicine, her podcast “Synergy Health and Wellness”, and more.