We often hear about speaking truth to power. What isn’t often spoken is truth to the pain and suffering suicides leave in their wake. When pastor Jim Wisland’s son Erik took his own life Jim went in search of answers. Scripture, of course, but also other ancient texts. He then founded the Arctic Resource Center … Continue reading The Consolation of Words

Northern Soundings: Alaska in Conversation

The Consolation of Words

Ronnie Rosenberg is known for her volunteer work in Fairbanks and with those in need. She has a number of skills to draw on. Trained as a nurse, she practiced in a war zone, and on the streets of New York. Later, she decided she needed other challenges and went to law school and practised … Continue reading A Broader Community of Life

A Broader Community of Life

Michelle Bartlett credit JR Ancheta Many, maybe all, of us get good ideas. Unfortunately, when a great notion strikes me, I quickly find ways it won’t work. That doesn’t seem to trouble University of Alaska Fairbanks Director of Summer Sessions and Lifelong Learning Michelle Bartlett. She combines a zest for life and learning with an … Continue reading Creative Learning

Creative Learning

Credit: Karl Kowalski Writer Frank Soos was also a first-rate thinker, and he claimed his best ruminations took place on the ski trails or while biking. He was on his bicycle in Maine when an accident claimed his life. In tribute, I’m replaying a “Memory Lane” interview with Frank from two years ago.  Also, Frank … Continue reading Frank Soos: Alaskan Ruminator

Frank Soos: Alaskan Ruminator

Earlier this month, the University of Alaska Fairbanks bestowed on author Dan O’Neill an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. I talk with Dan about his background and his published works, most famously The Firecracker Boys, but also The Last Giant of Beringia, A Land Gone Lonesome and the children’s book Stubborn Gal.

Capturing the Firecracker Boys

This is the third in a series of conversations between University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysicists Carl Benson and his former student and now colleague and friend Matthew Sturm. As earlier conversations made clear, Carl’s work in Greenland took place during rising tensions in the Cold War between the U.S. and the former Soviet Union. But his epic transects … Continue reading “A Sea of Ice and Snow”

“A Sea of Ice and Snow”

Last week saw the 51st Earth Day. A year ago, I interviewed my guest this episode Rich Seifert along with Dave Norton about the event’s history. As I thought about this year’s Earth Day I realized Rich has a long career championing the ideas of sustainability through his work with the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ … Continue reading Existing Cooperatively

Existing Cooperatively

It is sometimes said it takes a village to raise a child. For some combat veterans, it takes a band of fellow vets, with the help of great literature, to heal from war and reenter society. I talk this episode with David Perkins who co-founded a local chapter of the Epic Warrior Training program. Also, … Continue reading Forming a Band of Brothers and Sisters

Forming a Band of Brothers and Sisters

Some of the earliest records we have of ancient humans are the painting in caves. Retired University of Alaska Fairbanks Dean and painter, Todd Sherman discusses his art, those who influenced him, including Bill Berry who created the beloved mural in the Noel Wien Public Library, and the precarious state of the humanities in higher … Continue reading Ancient Traditions

Ancient Traditions

Last Summer, during COVID lock-down, I recorded a series of conversations between University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute scientists Matthew Sturm and Carl Benson. Both men have made important contributions to our understanding of snow in high latitudes. Matthew was Carl’s grad student and over the years he heard about a long line of important … Continue reading Cold War in a Cold Place

Cold War in a Cold Place

A. P. McDonald is a Vietnam War Marine Corps veteran. He is also the owner of Parks Highway Service and Towing. I met him a year ago along with other participants and organizers of Epic Warrior Training. The program aims to help vets and active service members deal with the emotional burdens of war through … Continue reading War Classics

War Classics

It’s fair to call University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysicist Carl Benson one of the school’s superstars. A veteran of World War II, he joined the university in 1960. His former student and now colleague and friend Matthew Sturm and I decided to capture some of Carl’s memories this past summer. Over five conversations, at first … Continue reading Extreme Researchers: Carl Benson and Matthew Sturm

Extreme Researchers: Carl Benson and Matthew Sturm

Months of congressional wrangling over a followup economic stimulus package seems to have ended with President Trump’s signature on the bill. But questions remain how effectively it will stimulate the economy and what it means for Alaskans. In with analysis are UAF Political Scientist Alexander Hirsch and University of Alaska Press Director Nate Bauer.

Pandemic Politics

In November, Alaska lost a widely respected researcher. Dave Klein was a game biologist who began his work when Alaska was a territory. He was also a seminal professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, mentoring and minting scores of graduate students into scientific colleagues. Oral historian and author Karen Brewster collaborated with Dave on … Continue reading Building a Legacy, Losing Ice

Building a Legacy, Losing Ice

I learned this afternoon that Terrence Cole passed away earlier today. He was a friend and mentor for me and for many. Lively and curious as a researcher, professor and fundamentally as a human being, Terrence was also the wonderfully chaotic presence on KUAC’s Any Old Time shows when he and his twin Dermot along … Continue reading Fare Forward, Voyager

Fare Forward, Voyager

Discussions with artists, scientists, writers