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 the rewards of the trail with them.
This year, Thomas returns to the Iditarod for the first time since his win, bringing a new team of young dogs who have yet to see this trail. He isn’t aiming to finish first with them this year, but is building toward that goal in the years to come.
Thomas is also close friends with Kjell Inge Røkke, a major Iditarod sponsor and this year’s Expedition Class musher — a new feature of the 2026 race. He’s looking forward to sharing the experience with Røkke while running his third Iditarod. Enjoy!
Intro - 0:00
Interview with Thomas - 25:25
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 took as many twists and turns as the Susitna River (which, fun fact, doesn't actually have that many). It was an enjoyable, free-flowing chat, and we hope you'll enjoy it just much as we did!Intro - 0:00Jessie interview - 26:43
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, surrounded by their own pack of Alaskan Huskies.
While they’re gearing up to race in various events in the winters to come, they’re also looking forward to simply enjoying the trails at their own pace in Interior Alaska.
Sam was an absolute blast to chat with—fun, thoughtful, and full of great stories. It was also awesome seeing her out on the trail this year. You don’t want to miss this one!
Intro - 0:00
Sam - 27:24
#MushingAlaska #Iditarod #DogMushing #AlaskaLife #RookieOfTheYear #SledDogs #WomenWhoMush #Fairbanks #NewEpisode
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 and Kuskokwim 300, he's quickly proving he's a serious contender.
Bailey grew up around sled dogs on the East Coast, and with the support of family and friends, made his way across the U.S. and Canada competing in races of all kinds — even taking a team to Europe. Now based in Nenana, Alaska, Bailey is focused on long-term racing in the Last Frontier and plans to run the Iditarod for years to come. Off the trail, he’s getting ready to marry his fiancée this summer.
0:00 - Intro
9:18 - Interview with Bailey
#Iditarod #BaileyVitello #DogMushing #MushingAlaskaPodcast #MostImproved #SledDogs #MushingAlaska #LivintheDream
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 and lived in Teller, Alaska, north of Nome on the Seward Peninsula. These days, she spends winters with her small dog team in the hills of the Kenai Peninsula, and in the summer, she shares her stories with cruise ship guests in Alaska’s capital.We had an incredible conversation packed with stories, insight, and wisdom from a true trailblazer. Don't miss this one — tune in and enjoy!#Iditarod #LibbyRiddles #DogMushing #AlaskaPodcast #WomenInHistory #SledDogs #MushingAlaska
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 up on what he’s been up to since last year’s race, his road to Nome this year, and all things mushing. You won’t want to miss this one! Join us in cheering Connor on as he heads for the burled arch in Nome, enjoy!
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 up on what he’s been up to since last year’s race, his road to Nome this year, and all things mushing. You won’t want to miss this one! Join us in cheering Connor on as he heads for the burled arch in Nome, enjoy!Quick Intro - 0:00
Interview - 10:52
#MushingAlaska #Iditarod #ConnorMcMahon #SledDogs #MushingLife #DogMushing #YukonMusher #TrailToNome #Podcast #brothers
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 real treat? We’re joined by none other than Squid Acres Kennel’s Paige Drobny & Cody Strathe! These two have been involved in the long-distance mushing scene for nearly 20 years, running the Yukon Quest almost every year of the 2010s and tackling the Iditarod just weeks later. Cody’s coming off an incredible 2nd place finish in the CB300 and 3rd in the ultra-competitive Kusko 300, and Paige is about to embark on her 10th Iditarod after last year’s 5th place finish!Sean tried to count how many total 1000 mile races Paige has done and it's gotta be about 15? Anyways, these two have been a great representation of excellent dog care, top-tier dog names, and how they keep good vibes on the trail—even in the toughest conditions. We're thankful they could join us during this hectic time of the year, enjoy!
Intro - 0:00
Catch up
Weather update - 2:41
Social media discussion - 4:46
Route discussion - 16:20
Yukon Quest - 22:46
Yukon Quest Alaska - 26:16
Yukon Quest Canada - 31:17
Kuskokwim 300 - 34:14
Interview preview - 39:28
Interview - 45:33
#MushingAlaska #Iditarod #YukonQuest #SledDogs #SquidAcres #MushingLife #DogMushing
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 way. In 2024, Mike successfully completed the grueling Copper Basin 300, and this year, he's been training hard in tough winter conditions as he prepares for the legendary Iditarod trail. Tune in to hear all about his journey, the challenges he's faced, and he anticipation for the upcoming race, enjoy! Pre interview: Intro - 0:00 Weather - 2:05 Yukon Quest - 16:00 Iditarod update - 18:50 Preview of interview - 22:10 Interview - 31:19
#mushingexpert #iditarodveteran #mushing #alaska #mushingalaska #iditarod2025 #iditarod #brothers #podcast #husky #sendit #pullthehook #fullsend #LFG #badass #alaskanhusky #epicshit #blackhawkexpert #goodvibes #dreambig #adventuretime #livingthedream #sleddogparker #longtimelistener #oglistener
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 annually visits the remote villages along the Iditarod route, nurturing the crucial bond between these communities and the historic 1000 mile event. Don't miss this insightful conversation as we dive into Mark's journey and the enduring spirit of the Iditarod, enjoy!
0:00 - Intro
38:13 - Interview with Mark
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 are going to be cheering him on this season, enjoy!
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 sled dogs that are sourced from multiple kennels around Alaska. Keaton ran the Quest 300 twice among other qualifiers. We loved to see how excited he is to be living his dream. Keaton spent 4 years in the Marine Corps and we thank him and all service members for their service on Veteran’s Day, enjoy!
#mushingexpert #iditarodveteran #mushing #alaska #mushingalaska #iditarod2024 #iditarod #brothers #podcast #husky #sendit #pullthehook #fullsend #LFG #badass #alaskanhusky #epicshit #blackhawkexpert #goodvibes #dreambig #adventuretime #livingthedream
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 from his Iditarod run, enjoy!
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 talks about his journey and we teach each other how to say mogul, enjoy!
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 y'all enjoy our talk with Pete because we had a blast! #mushingexpert #iditarodveteran #mushing #alaska #mushingalaska #iditarod2024 #iditarod #brothers #podcast #husky #sendit #pullthehook #fullsend #LFG #badass #alaskanhusky #epicshit #blackhawkexpert #goodvibes #dreambig #adventuretime #livingthedream
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 Alaska Mushing is based out of North Pole, Alaska - enjoy! #mushingexpert #iditarodveteran #mushing #alaska #mushingalaska #iditarod2024 #iditarod #brothers #podcast #husky #sendit #pullthehook #fullsend #LFG #badass #alaskanhusky #epicshit #blackhawkexpert #goodvibes #dreambig #adventuretime #livingthedream #upstreamDUB
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 with a guest on the show. Sean Williams is from Chugiak, AK - a small community between Anchorage and the Mat-Su valley. Sean participated in 2 of the last 3 Iditarods and is a multi-time finisher of the Copper Basin 300 and other mid distance races in Alaska, some of which aren't around anymore. He also created a new website for the mushing community called sleddogtalk.com. This episode might be a two (or more) parter folks, enjoy!
#mushingexpert #iditarodveteran #mushing #alaska #mushingalaska #iditarod2024 #iditarod #brothers #podcast #husky #sendit #pullthehook #fullsend #LFG #badass #alaskanhusky #epicshit #blackhawkexpert #goodvibes #dreambig #adventuretime #livingthedream #gettingcomfy
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 #mushingalaska #iditarod2024 #iditarod #brothers #podcast #husky #sendit #pullthehook #fullsend #LFG #badass #alaskanhusky #epicshit #blackhawkexpert #goodvibes #dreambig #adventuretime #livingthedream #gettingcomfy
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 #mushing #alaska #mushingalaska #iditarod2024 #iditarod #brothers #podcast #husky #sendit #pullthehook #fullsend #LFG #badass #alaskanhusky #epicshit #blackhawkexpert #goodvibes #dreambig #adventuretime #livingthedream #gettingcomfy
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 has been a big part of the sled dog world for about two decades. We had a great time chatting with him and hope you all enjoy! Intro - 0:00 Updates - 1:01 : - Iditarod withdrawal/DQ update - 1:01 - Jr. Iditarod - 7:42 - Fur Rondy - 17:07 - Iditarod Trail Invitational - 25:53 - Mushergrams - 30:16 Preview and thoughts on guest Mats Pettersson - 36:57 Beginning of interview - 43:23
#mushing #alaska #mushingalaska #iditarod2024 #iditarod #brothers #podcast #husky #sendit #pullthehook #fullsend #LFG #badass #alaskanhusky #epicshit #blackhawkexpert #goodvibes #dreambig #adventuretime #livingthedream #whatacommute #dedication #skymiles
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 Northern Idaho. Along the way, she has worked for some great Iditarod mushers with amazing dogs and learned more than a thing or two. Now, with her own 26 dog kennel in Fairbanks, and finishing 7th in this year's Copper Basin 300 and 3rd two weeks later in the Yukon Quest Alaska, Thyr has prepared ~1500 pounds of food and gear to be flown out to the Iditarod trail in order to take on a thousand mile expedition across Alaska - she definitely seems ready! Intro and catching up - 0:00 Updates - 2:55 : - Willow Junior 100 - 3:18 - Goosebay 150 - 11:39 - Two Rivers 200/100 - 14:07 - Small talk about training between now and Iditarod - 18:05- Iditarod withdrawal updates - 23:10- Iditarod vet checks/volunteers - 32:48- Iditarod sponsorships - 41:22- Matt Randall's dislocated knee - 43:24 Preview and thoughts on guest Josi Thyr - 44:10 Beginning of interview - 53:00 #mushing #alaska #mushingalaska #iditarod2024 #iditarod #brothers #podcast #husky #sendit #pullthehook #fullsend #LFG #badass #alaskadogs #alaskanhusky #epicshit #blackhawkexpert #goodvibes #dreambig #adventuretime #rookieiditarod #livingthedream #rookieoftheyearpotential
