PODCAST · sports
Mushing Alaska
by Sean (and Brendan) Underwood
Mushing analysis about sled dog news and races.
Episodes
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Episode 62 - Kai Leddy
Our next guest is Kai Leddy. She and her partner, Elliott, run their own kennel in Talkeetna — Celestial Sled Dog Kennel. Leddy has been competing in mid-distance races for over a decade and most recently helped spearhead the newest Iditarod qualifier in the Willow area, the Su Dog 300. We talk...
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Episode 61 - Jonah Bacon
Our guest in this episode is Jonah Bacon, who is just days removed from completing the inaugural Yukon Quest 750. Naturally, we almost entirely talked about his experience on the trail, we were on the edge of our seat!In the intro, we talked about the Fur Rondy festival and sprint sled dog race....
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Episode 60
We are back after a winter Mushing Alaska slumber. We were able to catch up on some of the races in January, check in with the Quest (a lot has happened since we recorded), and just get the ball rolling as the sun comes back and all the dogs are in primetime shape, enjoy!
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Episode 59 - Shane Blumentritt
Sometimes the trail brings you exactly the right people at the right time. This summer, Sean crossed paths with musher Shane Blumentritt in the tiny coastal town of Seldovia, and that chance meeting turned into one of our favorite conversations yet. Shane has been mushing for years, building a...
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Episode 58 - Thomas Waerner
Our next episode is with Thomas Wærner, an Iditarod Champion and Finnmarksløpet Champion, the two longest sled dog races in the world. He lives in Norway with his dogs while working a full-time job, and has spent decades surrounded by sled dogs — experiencing the wilderness, the hardships, and…
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Episode 57 - Jessie Holmes
We had ourselves some good ole-fashioned, clean fun with "the guy from that Nat Geo show" and 2025 Iditarod Champion - Jessie Holmes! Out of pure journalistic instinct, we didn't dive too deep into the 'Rod - after all, the race's documentary already has that covered.Instead, our conversation…
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Episode 56 - Samantha LaLonde
In March, Samantha Lalonde made waves by winning Rookie of the Year in the Iditarod while working out of Dallas Seavey’s kennel in Talkeetna. Now, she and her partner Tucker are starting an exciting new chapter—building their own kennel - Lost Sourdough Outfitters, just outside of Fairbanks,...
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Episode 55 - Bailey Vitello
Bailey Vitello has completed three Iditarods (2023–2025), tackling the southern, northern, and the "way northern" routes. By his own words, he still feels like a rookie — he hasn’t run the same trail twice yet. But after a 5th place finish in 2025, and strong performances in both the Kobuk 440…
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Episode 54 - Libby Riddles
Our guest - Libby Riddles made history as the first woman to win the 1,000-mile Iditarod in 1985, racing through brutal conditions and proving her grit on Alaska’s toughest trail. She ran the Iditarod throughout the '80s and returned for one more run in 1995.Before her historic win, she trained…
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Episode 53 - Connor McMahon
For our latest episode, we welcome back Connor McMahon for his second appearance on the show. Based outside of Whitehorse in the Yukon, Connor brings his usual easy-going, down-to-earth energy—so much so that you’d barely know his truck broke down less than two weeks before the Iditarod! We catch...
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Episode 52 - Squid Acres Kennel
Mushing Alaska fans, we’ve got a jam-packed episode coming your way! We kick things off with a rundown of the latest mushing news—weather updates, an Iditarod route change (and the social media buzz around it), plus quick recaps of the Yukon Quest Alaska & Canada and the Kuskokwim 300. But the…
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Episode 51 - Mike Parker
Our latest episode is with 2025 Iditarod Rookie - Mike Parker. He has been running renowned musher Jim Lanier's team, but he's no stranger to the sled dog world. With over a decade of experience working with these incredible animals, Mike has been honing his skills and knowledge every step of the...
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Episode 50 - Mark Nordman
Join us for our next episode as we sit down with Mark Nordman, a legendary figure in the mushing world and the Iditarod. With over 40 years experience, Mark has worn many hats in this iconic race: from dog driver to race organizer to race marshal. His dedication extends beyond the trail; Mark...
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Episode 49 - Calvin Daugherty
We got a chance to chat with Calvin Daugherty and will get to see him hit the Iditarod trail again the first weekend in March 2025. Calvin was exposed to the sled dog world when his family moved to Alaska about a decade ago and has been hooked ever since. We had a great time chatting with him and...
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Episode 48 - Keaton Loebrich
2025 Iditarod rookie Keaton Loebrich joins us for our next episode! Keaton moved up here a few years ago and fell in love with sled dogs and the interior. He and his wife got married this summer and live near Fairbanks in a cabin that they built with 21 dogs in their yard. Star Gazers Kennel has...
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Episode 47 - Dan Carter
In this episode, we got a chance to chat with Dan Carter - an Iditarod 2007 veteran, the race director of the Wyoming stage stop, and a race official for the Iditarod. We learned about the history and format of the stage race and the roles he now has in each event. He also shared some stories…
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Episode 46 - Severin Cathry
In our first episode of season 3, we connect with Iditarod veteran Severin Cathry - all the way from Switzerland. He first came to Alaska in 2010 and has been back every few years to enjoy time on the trail with the dogs. He ran multiple Copper Basin's on his way to running this years ‘Rod. He...
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Episode 45 - Pete Kaiser
We had the pleasure of spending some time with the 8-time Kusko 300 champ and 2019 Iditarod winner - Pete Kaiser. He's raced the last 15 Iditarod's, coming out of Bethel, Alaska - where he was born and raised. His hometown in southwest Alaska is hundreds of miles from the main road system. Hope...
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Episode 44 - Ben Good
We were privileged enough to have Iditarod veteran Ben Good sit down with us for over an hour. Ben was the only 2024 rookie who had completed the thousand mile Yukon Quest. He talks about the differenmces of those two expeditions and did a start to finish recap of his first trip to Nome. Good...
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Episode 43 - Sean Williams
Our first episode post Iditarod with a guest - and this time there's two guests: our intro includes coverage of the Kobuk 440 and with Sean out on a week long adventure, we got Joseph O'Keefe to join Brendan for a breakdown of the Kobuk. As for our interview, Brendan and Sean get back on track…
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Episode 42 - Iditarod 2024 Recap, Round 2
Having Iditarod withdrawal?! Sean and Brendan had a round 2 recap of this year's Iditarod. We made sure to go over our favorite storylines, share stories from Sean's experience out on the trail with the Insider, and do our best to stay on track! #mushingexpert #iditarodveteran #mushing #alaska...
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Episode 41 - Iditarod 2024 Recap
It's Sean's first time back with the Mushing Alaska podcast since spending a couple of weeks helping with Iditarod coverage from the trail. He and Brendan reflect on their most memorable moments from this year's race. #youtubelive #mushingexpert #iditarodveteran #liveinterview #youtubeinterview...
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Episode 40 - Mats Pettersson
This week we had Mats Pettersson on to talk about all his years running the Iditarod and coming all the way from Sweden with his 16 dog team each time. He compared and contrasted the races in Scandinavia with the mushing scene here. Mats lives hundreds of kilometers above the arctic circle and…
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Episode 39 - Josi Thyr
Josi Thyr (pronounced TEAR, like teardrop) has made a big splash in the Alaska mid distance mushing scene this winter with competitive finishes in 2 of Alaska's toughest 300 mile races. Josi, however, has been involved with the sled dog life for a couple of decades since she was a kid living in...
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Episode 38 - Joe Taylor
Our guest this week is the owner of Mushing Malarkey kennel, Joe Taylor. He is a veteran of Iditarod, Kuskokwim 300, Copper Basin 300, Quest 300, and finished 2nd in the Two Rivers 200 and still super humble. Racing is just part of what he does with his relatively small yet diverse group of sled...
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Episode 37 - Jason Severs
This week a lot was packed into our intro. We share our Kusko 300 reactions - the Bethel sled dog race had a lot of storylines in it. Also, we talked about the Yukon Quest races starting in Fairbanks and Whitehorse.This week's guest is Jason Severs - he has been involved with the Copper Basin 300...
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Episode 36 - Emily Robinson
This week we got to speak with the 2024 Knik 200 Champion Emily Robinson. It was also her first 200 mile event and she's 16. That should be enough of a good reason to give this episode a listen. We honestly had a rad time talking with her and Emily and the Robinson family deserve all the success...
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Episode 35 - Robert Forto
This week we got to chat with long time podcast host Robert Forto. He has been putting out episodes about mushing since 2009 and been involved with sled dogs for decades. He's been putting out episodes since before it was cool to have a podcast, and without missing a week in the last 15 years. We...
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Episode 34 - Isaac Teaford
Iditarod rookie Isaac Teaford joins the boys for his 2nd round on the podcast. Sean was was on an epic rafting trip last time we had him on, so it was nice to get all the boys together this time! We had a great time catching up - from discussing this season, to getting some insight on the rookie...
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Episode 33 - Josh McNeal
Josh McNeal is this episode's guest talking to us all the way from the North Slope of Alaska. He is an Iditarod veteran and participated in most (if not all) of Alaska's mid distance races too. Josh has an amazing group of dogs that he has taken to many finish lines and it seems we will see them…
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Episode 32 - Aaron Peck
On this week's episode, Aaron Peck joins the boys to educate them on the Yukon Quest and it's multiple events this year and some of the unique rules that they have. Aaron has been living an authentic sled dog lifestyle for all of his adult life, guiding his teams down the trail for thousands of...
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Episode 31 - Rob Cooke
This week we talk with Rob Cooke about all things Siberian Husky. Rob has participated in the Iditarod and Yukon Quests and has seen tens of thousands of miles of trails with his dog team. You will see him this year running a few races, including the Iditarod. Thanks Rob for kickin' it with us!...
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Episode 30 - Hunter Keefe
This week we got to chat with Hunter Keefe, who showed everyone that he knows a thing or two about sled dogs. Finishing 11th in the Iditarod, 2nd in the Willow 300 and he's also a 2 time Goose Bay 150 winner. He is only 24 years old and way more mature than Sean. We talked about how he knew he...
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Episode 29 - Connor McMahon
2024 Iditarod rookie Connor McMahon joins the boys in our latest episode. Connor's down to earth vibe fit in well as we learned more about his mushing experience and preparations for the Iditarod. His crazy story about getting to the Iditarod sign up in person is one for the books that you won't...
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Episode 28 - Greg Heister
The boys got to sit down with the voice of the Iditarod - Greg Heister. Over the past (almost) 30 years many mushers have come and gone while Greg has consistently been covering the Iditarod over that time. Our time with him flew by as we discussed his career, hobbies, and of course various…
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Episode 27 - Deke Naaktgeboren
Brendan and Sean have a great time talking with Deke Naaktgeboren. It seems he has a special thing going with his group of dogs and humans too. He talks about his sled dog life journey and Sean and Deke swap stories of seeing each other on the trail. Deke has run most of the major races in Alaska...
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Episode 26 - Gabe Dunham
In this episode we catch up with Gabe Dunham. She talks about her upbringing in Valdez, AK, how she was introduced to the sled dog world, her accomplishments in the lower 48 mid-distance races, and gives great advice on how to work with your dogs at home. To enjoy the golden retriever puppies,...
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Episode 25 - Jessie Holmes
Brendan and Sean enjoy catching up, as Sean is back from his trip to the Denali area. During that trip he was able to sit down in-person with Iditarod veteran and 2023 Kobuk 440 winner Jessie Holmes. From his accident last year, to Iditarod talk, to talkin' dogs, to training - Sean and Jessie…
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Episode 24 - Ryan Redington
Brendan and Sean get to talk with reigning Iditarod champ Ryan Redington. Our hour flew by and we wish it was longer. We're grateful he spent time with us. Y'all enjoy and make sure to share with some folks! #mushing #alaska #mushingalaska #iditarod2024 #iditarod #brothers #podcast #husky #sendit...
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Episode 23 - Lauro Eklund
Lauro Eklund has accomplished a lot mushing in the Alaskan bush and running races. His dad ran the Iditarod twice in the 80's and witnessed the infamous Iditarod one second photo finish. Lauro is also an outdoor clothing model for Filson, who woulda thunk it! We had way too much fun chatting with...
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Episode 22 - The Boys are Back
We are back for Season 2! Hosts, Brendan and Sean, catch up and discuss the summer, commercial fishing, and eventually take a look at some of the 30 mushers signed up for the '24 'Rod, enjoy! #mushing #alaska #mushingalaska #iditarod2023 #iditarod #brothers #podcast #husky #sendit #pullthehook...
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Episode 21 - Berington Twins
Iditarod veterans and twin sisters, Anna and Kristy Berington, join us for our latest episode. The two have run the past 12 Iditarod's together and have a total of 26 Iditarod's run. We have fun discussing their race strategy, mushing, and also life outside of mushing. If anyone noticed that only...
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Episode 20 - Christian Turner
In our latest episode, we talk to the 3-time Iditarod finisher, Christian Turner all the way from Australia. He's had the distinct experience of being able to run three Iditarod races with three different routes. He tells how he got the opportunity of a lifetime to take 3-time champ Mitch…
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Episode 19 - Wade Marrs
"Iron Wade" Marrs joins us for a talk about his Iditarod 2023 race this year. After hearing him tell us about his life growing up, we began to understand why he's got that grit and toughness that this race demands. Wade grew up off the grid and around sled dogs, and has been running the Iditarod...
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Episode 18 - Kelly Maixner
Kelly Maixner has run the Iditarod 9 times since 2011 with his best finish being his 6th place finish this year. Kelly talks about readjusting his schedule around his earlier than planned 24 hour rest. He also goes into detail about his grueling final run from White Mountain to the finish. The...
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Episode 17 - Gerhardt Thiart
Our latest guest Gerhardt Thiart is the first person from South Africa to complete the Iditarod, dedicating 3 years of hard work to accomplish this goal, a vision he had for over 20 years. He talks to us about his sled dog journey, how sweet getting to Nome was, and how he approaches life. You…
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Episode 16 - Kobuk 440 w/Eddie Burke Jr.
Just because the Iditarod is over doesn't mean the mushing season is over in Alaska! Hosts, Brendan and Sean, attempt to stay on track as we learn more about the Kobuk 440 with guest Eddie Burke Jr. - from race strategy to terrain and much more, we discuss the ins and outs of the Kobuk 440, enjoy!
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Episode 15 - Lev Shvarts
Lev is the man. Lev keeps it real. Sean and Brendan chat with him about his mushing life and the community he is part of. Lev also had the opportunity to volunteer at the remote checkpoint of Iditarod (the namesake of the race) and shares with us how it went. Warning: Explicit Language
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Episode 14 - Looking Back on Iditarod 2023
Sean and Brendan break down some of the storylines from this year's Iditarod. Sean talks about hearing one of the all-time great mushers on the radio last weekend, and more.
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Episode 13 - 2023 Iditarod update with Sebastian Schnuelle
In this episode, we breakdown the 2023 Iditarod through day 3 with special guest Sebastian Schnuelle. Sebastian being a musher (winning the Yukon Quest in 2009, along with multiple top 10 Iditarod finishes) and a race judge brings a deep perspective and analysis to this race - don't miss out, enjoy!
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Mushing analysis about sled dog news and races.
HOSTED BY
Sean (and Brendan) Underwood
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Mushing Alaska have?
Mushing Alaska currently has 62 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Mushing Alaska about?
Mushing analysis about sled dog news and races.
How often does Mushing Alaska release new episodes?
Mushing Alaska has 62 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Mushing Alaska?
You can listen to Mushing Alaska on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Mushing Alaska?
Mushing Alaska is created and hosted by Sean (and Brendan) Underwood.
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