What's Up, Alaska?!
What's Up, Alaska?! is hosted by Blaze Bell and Justin Williams, who share stories from across Alaska. The show features conversations with inspiring Alaskan artists, change-makers, business owners, and other notable locals. Each episode highlights the people and ideas shaping communities in the state. It offers an upbeat, interview-driven look at Alaska's creative and entrepreneurial scene.
Episodes
Silver Birch in Wasilla with Owner, Becca Shier
🎙️ New episode alert! 🎉 Join us on "What's Up, Alaska?!" as we chat with the hilarious Becca Shier, Owner of Silver Birch in Wasilla. We dive into her journey from child protective services and foster care to running her own store, plus her and Justin’s favorite restaurants in Spenard! You won’t want to miss her funny stories and good vibes. Tune in now! 🌲🎧 #AlaskaPodcast #SilverBir
Inside the Pink Cadillac: Kastle & Rico’s Alaskan Country Bar
On this episode of What’s Up Alaska?, we’re talking to the powerhouse pair behind one of Anchorage’s hottest spots — Kastle & Rico, owners of Pink Cadillac Country Bar 💖🤠Known for its line dancing, theme nights, and Southern charm with an Alaskan twist, Pink Cadillac has quickly become the place to be! 💃🏽🕺🏽But that’s not all — Kastle is also a Cupcake Wars champion 🧁 and the creative force be
Stand-Up in the 907: Comedy, Community & the Road with Ida & Andrea
This week on What’s Up, Alaska?, we’re diving into the world of stand-up with two voices shaping the state’s comedy scene: Ida Taylor and Andrea.Andrea, an Anchorage-based comic, got her start at open mics at Koots just three years ago and has since taken her act on the road — across Alaska and even beyond. Ida Taylor is a stand-up comedian and filmmaker who’s been using humor as a survival tool m
Canine Response Teams in Alaska feat. Miranda and Margaret
Margaret Griffo and Miranda Miller are two Alaskans who serve with their caninepartners through NATIONAL Crisis Response Canines, a nonprofit that deployshighly-trained teams into high-stress environments. These canines don’t just visit they respond. They seek out those who need them most, offering stability, connection, and moments of relief in the middle of crisis, disaster, and trauma.Both team
Island Culture in Alaska with Lorna-lei Sua'ava
Lorna-lei Sua’ava is a Sāmoan woman born in Long Beach, California, and raised in Palmer, Alaska. With a deep passion for education and community, she has always sought opportunities for growth, both personally and professionally.She recently earned a Master’s in Neuropsychology from the University of Arizona (September 2024). In addition to her academic and professional endeavors, Lorna-lei dedic
The Funniest Woman in Alaska feat. Sabrina Speers
Sabrina Speers started her stand up comedy career in 2017. Voted #1 Stand Up Comic in 2021, by the Anchorage Press, she primarily performs in Anchorage and the Mat Su Valley, but has done shows all over the state. Currently touring with The Baddies with Bars, and performs with the Alaska B4uDie Comedy Festival. You can also catch her hosting concerts as a way to get free tickets!https://www.facebo
How to Speak to Spirits feat. Chelsea Delarosa
Chelsea is a mom, wife, spiritual healer, entrepreneur, dog mom, owner of 11:11 Studio, AND she has an amazing gift to able to connect to your loved ones on the other side ❤️ Chelsea is here to shake up the spiritual community, and share her wild and crazy life. She was the founder of Alaska’s first indoor dog park, and is now helping and healing people and their pups at her newest studio 11:11 St
Redefining A Capella Music in Alaska feat. Lisa Hawkins
Lisa is a singer and vocal percussionist who is most known for her work as the founder of Pipeline Vocal Project, a professional a cappella trio based in Anchorage. Lisa has led this vocal trio to win international awards such as Best Album (2022) and Best Hip-Hop Song (2024) from the Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards, also known as the A Cappella Grammys. Noteworthy performances such as th
The Ultimate Guide to Alaskan Adventure feat. Nick Jenkins
Nick Jenkins grew up in the windy, high desert plains of Laramie, Wyoming. As a child, he watched ski movies and dreamed of visiting places like Alaska. In 2010, Nick enrolled in the Outdoor Studies program at Alaska Pacific University and drove north, searching for adventure. He was immediately drawn to the Matanuska Valley, where he began working as a guide on the Matanuska Glacier.Nick manages
How to Travel for Free feat. Betsey Wilson
Meet Betsey, the inspiration behind @heralaskatravels, a social media account inspiring Alaskans—and beyond—on how to unlock the world of travel through points and miles. Traveling the globe with her family, she’s on a mission to share insider knowledge with Alaskan business owners and entrepreneurs, helping them turn everyday expenses into unforgettable journeys. Each year, she also leads a trans
Yoga, Mindfulness, and Turiya of Alaska feat. David Westlake
Yoga instructor, college professor, and Alaskan dog dad. David wears many hats. The list goes on and probably like a lot of us finds it hard to really define himself. His primary focus is working for Turiya of Alaska an organization which he helped confound seven years ago. Turiya’s primary mission is to provide mindfulness, therapeutic movement and related activities within mental health, recover
Alaska's Master of Kung Fu feat. Kendall Stewart
Sifu Stewart's Journey started in 2000. He was in college playing football and his cousin introduced him to Tai Chi. Sifu Stewart started doing a 20 minute Tai Chi tape everyday and it changed everything. Sifu Stewart attended Tai Yim Kung Fu in Columbia, MD in 2001. After College, Sifu Stewart moved to Georgia to play Semi-Pro football. After a full season, he moved back to MD (2003) and con
Psychedelics and Transformational Healing feat. Betsi Oliver
Betsi is a transformational life coach, author, and ceremonialist with a gift for guiding people to unlock their highest potential. She specializies in creating profound growth, both through online and in-person offerings. She recently published "Honor Your Medicine: A Workbook for Self-Guided Psychedelic Integration" to support folks to apply their transcendent experiences to their ever
Hip Hop and Activism in Alaska feat. Stevie the Blessed
Stevie Leniear is an Activist, Rapper, Public Speaker, Musician, Fitness Trainer, and so much more! Find her music on Spotify and Apple under "Stevie the Blessed".Follow Stevie here:https://www.instagram.com/healingraeoflight/https://www.facebook.com/stevie.leniearhttps://www.tiktok.com/@stevietheblessedhttps://open.spotify.com/artist/6zeYRXT7F6yQj69JOjwzlv?si=KDUNSWfoREy3CHW7UWklNACheck
Naturopath Healing with Dr. Cameron O'Connell
A naturopathic doctor with interests in longevity, cardiology, endocrinology and sexual health.• Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from the National University of Natural Medicine in 2015• CNME Official Residency at TrueNorth Health Center• Fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic EndocrinologyMentors:Dr. Peter Sultana, M.D.; Dr. Michael Klaper, M.D.; Anthony Lim, M.D.; Dr. Alan Goldhamer, D.
The Best Artisan Cheese Chef feat. Lamar Sloss
Lamar is the chef-owner of Fromagio’s, an artisan cheese shop in Anchorage known for specialty cheeses, charcuterie plates and sandwiches. Learn all about his love for cooking, his move from Nashville to Alaska, his family life, and so much more!https://fromagioscheese.com/Check out your hosts:Blaze Bell:https://www.blazebell.com/https://www.instagram.com/blazebellbliss/Justin Williams:https://ww
Flowers and Thrifting in Alaska feat. Natasha Price of Paper Peony
Natasha Price is a lifelong Anchorage-ite who has a passion for cooking fresh pasta, singing opera, floristry, thrift store shopping and copy editing. She works part time as a creative strategist at Rising Tide Communications while running her own floral business, Paper Peony Alaska. She keeps a blog of her crafts and cooking adventures at https://alaskaknitnat.com/ Natasha loves foraging for mush
DJ Life in Alaska, feat. DJ Remax aka Max Friedli
Hailing from Alaska, DJ Remax, AKA Max Friedli, has carved out a path in the music scene up in Alaska. From a young age, Max found his calling, embarking on his DJ journey at the age of 12. His early days saw him spinning tracks at his own school dances, proms, homecomings, and weddings, laying the groundwork for a dynamic career.In the summer of 2020, amid a world paused by the pandemic, DJ Remax
Black Leadership and Entrepreneurship in Alaska feat. Jasmin Smith
Jasmin Smith, launched her own small business, Baby Vend, in 2016, has coached more than 650 entrepreneurs in owning and operating their own businesses across the nation. In 2020, she helped launch the new Alaska Black Business Directory, where people can search for Black-owned businesses across Alaska from shops to restaurants.She also co-founded in 2020 the Umoja Coworking and Incubators, a busi
How to Become a Grant Writing Unicorn in Alaska feat. Meredith Noble
Meredith Noble is an entrepreneur, community leader, best-selling author, and outdoor adventurer in Alaska. She is the co-founder of Learn Grant Writing, the #1 online membership for those building a career in grant writing. In this episode she is so spunky, motivational, and left us speechless more than once with some major truth bombs! Meredith helps the entrepre-curious build lifestyle freedom.
The Greatest Waffles in Alaska feat. Derrick Green
Derrick L. Green is a 21-year US Army Veteran who served as a MilitaryPoliceman and he created a thriving food brand called Waffles and Whatnot.Having spent years as a suicide interventionist, victim advocate, and businessstrategist, believes each person was born with a unique gift or contribution that can change their life but most spend their time living by the rules someone else set for them, o
The Road to Start-Ups in Alaska feat. Carrie Jean Shephard
Meet Carrie Jean Shephard: the go-to statewide Business Coach & Trainer at the fresh Alaska Women’s Business Center and a serial entrepreneur with ventures like Toast of the Town, The Nave, End of Summer Camp, and Bespoke Data under her belt. She's a key player behind Alaska Startup Week, 1 Million Cups, and a cofounder of Spenard 2nd Saturday. Justin and I have loved Carrie for a long t
The Queen of Comedy in Alaska feat. Kass Smiley
Kass Smiley has been a touring Comedian and Singer-Songwriter in Alaska for almost 15 years, where she was a fixture of the Anchorage comedy scene. She is also the Founder and chief organizer of the Alaska B4uDie Comedy Festival since its inception in 2018. When she isn't producing comedy shows, she can be found supporting local artists and organizing for reproductive rights.https://www.alask
Digital Equity in Rural Alaska feat. Brittany Woods-Orrison
Vogue model, digital equity advocate, filmmaker, and athlete... THE Brittany Woods-Orrison! Brittany (she/her/that auntie) is Koyukon Dené from Dleł Taneets, Alaska, a small village on the Yukon River. For her grade school years she split her time between growing up in the village living the traditional subsistence lifestyle and going to school in Fairbanks. She attended Mt. Edgecumbe High School
Living Musical Theatre in Alaska feat. Shaylyn Goard
Shaylyn Goard is an award-winning actress, a singer, dancer, model, small business owner, military wife, and homeschool mama located in Anchorage. She is currently directing “Mean Girls, Jr” the musical with Alaska Theatre of Youth. Get your tickets to this amazing show at alaskatheatreofyouth.org. Today’s episode is brought to you by The Alaska Current. Visit The Alaska Current for what's ha
Being a Fashion Designer in Alaska feat. Juliah Barnett
Juliah Barnett is a Fashion Designer who owns Redemption Apparel AK. https://redemptionapparelak.com/ She co-hosts the Redemption Podcast with Staci Leigh. Julia also works as a project manager for the incredible nonprofit MyHouse. You can see Juliah's new fashion collection in the upcoming Trend Alaska Fashion Fundraiser.Check out your hosts:Blaze Bell:https://www.blazebell.com/https://www.b
Owning an Art Studio in Alaska feat. Joel Loosli
Joel Loosli is the owner of AK Clothing Company and co-owner of MetaAlaska metal arts. Joel makes incredible designs and recently opened the studio and boutique - The Cove in downtown Anchorage."I am an Alaskan-born designer living in Anchorage. I graduatedwith a degree in Visual Communications from the Art Instituteof Seattle. I have been working as a designer for the past 20+ years.My Alask
Roots of Resilience in Fairbanks feat. Paige Poston
Roots of Resilience, Fairbanks Wellness Coalition's fifth annual Resiliency Conference, is coming up! This totally free event will feature local experts, community leaders, and dynamic presenters covering topics such as purpose, self-care, mindfulness, self-awareness, and positive relationships.The Resiliency Conference is for anyone interested in cultivating the roots of resilience in our co
Nurturing Community for Kids in Alaska feat. LeeAnna Chronister
LeeAnna Chronister is on the pod! She is the director at The Workshop Community Center as well as a wife, homeschool mother, and reptile enthusiast. LeeAnna is doing incredible things for families in Alaska. Check out The Workshop here: https://www.theworkshopanchorage.org/Check out your hosts:Blaze Bell:https://www.blazebell.com/https://www.blazebellmusic.com/https://www.instagram.com/blazebellbl
Teaching Music + Performing in Alaska, feat. Matt & Emi of Alpine Music Studios
I love this weeks episode! We have Matt Brenna and Emi Williams, the co-owners of Alpine Music Studios. They are also rockstar members of the band The Jangle Bees. This conversation is full of laughter and great insight into music, teaching, entrepreneurship, and performing in Alaska. Alpine Music Studios: https://www.alpinemusicalaska.com/The Jangle Bees: https://www.thejanglebees.com/Matt Brenna
Overcoming Addiction and Prison in Alaska feat. Derrick Moore
Derrick Moore!A product of East Anchorage, Alaska, first time author Derrick Moore (aka Hardaway Learning) grew up a prominent high school athlete and a 4.0 gpa student before mistakes, bad decisions, and losses derailed his life and sapped his potential entering adulthood. Prison and drug addiction were the result. Now on the other side, 3+ years clean and sober, Derrick has turned his life aroun
Singer Life in Alaska feat. Adriana Latonio
Adriana Latonio is a beautiful, kind, and extremely talented superstar here in Alaska. She’s been performing since childhood, has a music degree form UAA, was a top 10 female on American Idol season 12, has traveled the world singing and is currently a member of the incredible local a cappella group Pipeline Vocal Project. Adriana Latonio is an aspiring artist residing in Anchorage, Alaska. She ob
Advocating for Sobriety in Alaska feat. Tiffany Hall
Hi friends! This week we are chatting with Alaska’s Unicorn, Tiffany Hall. Tiffany is the Executive Director of Recover Alaska. In this episode she shares her journey through IVF and her life as a person in long-term recovery. She leads with vulnerability and authenticity.Tiffany is the Executive Director of, Recover Alaska. www.recoveralaska.org She was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. After
Living Life as a Rockstar in Alaska feat. Jennifer Brown
Today’s guest is recovery rockstar and fundraising queen, Jennifer Brown! Jen is the lead singer of the local band, Danger Money, she is the communications and development director at STAR and in todays episode she shares about her sobriety, her rockstar mom life, and the joy of serving a powerful mission in our community. Born and raised in Anchorage, Jennifer has spent most of her professional l
Burlesque In Alaska feat. Sweet Cheeks Cabaret
This week's episode is full of fun, laughter, and sass. If you're an artist, entrepreneur, or someone who likes to laugh - this is for you! (not kid-friendly)We are joined by Sweet Cheeks Cabaret co-owners, Dorthy (Violet LeeVamp) & Shauna (Lady Duchess). They perform every Friday and Saturday night at Broken Blender and were voted 'Best Burlesque' 3 years in a row! Get you
Hosting a Recovery Podcast in Alaska feat. Ralph Sara
My name is Ralph Sara. My mother was Phoebe Evan, My father was Clement Morten Sara. I have 4 beautiful children, Kelsie, Stone, Kaydence, and Aiden. I am originally from Bethel, Alaska, but I live on Dena'ina Land in Anchorage Alaska.I am a full time Dental Assistant. I am a musician.I host and produce The Anonymous Eskimo Podcast, and most recently a nationally syndicated radio show called
Creating Policy Change in Alaska with Laura Norton-Cruz
Laura Norton-Cruz, LMSW, is a social worker and public health professional, a former 3rd grade teacher and victim advocate, a visual artist, a single mother of two, and an advocate for children and families. She is based in Anchorage, Alaska, where she grew up, and has worked and traveled extensively throughout rural Alaska.Laura’s career, activism, & art have focused largely on domestic and s
Masterchef: Alaska's Top 10 Superstar feat. Lizzie Hartman
We are joined today by the incredible, Lizzie Hartman aka Alaska Lizzie. She is a Top 10 contestant on the current Season 13 of Masterchef with Gordon Ramsey. I loved her openness, bubbly disposition, and vulnerability in this episode.MasterChef: United Tastes of America airs Wednesdays (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). Lizzie is competing on behalf of the West region! You can also find the episodes on Hulu!F
Building Strength with Jiu Jitsu in Alaska, feat. Mark Robinson
Today’s guest is Mark Robinson. He is an MMA fighter, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu coach, father of four, podcast host, and entrepreneur. I loved hearing his perspective on fighting, dedication, and opportunities in Alaska. You can also hear Mark on his podcast, the Mediocre Grappler.Find The Mediocre Grappler here:Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@themediocregrapplerpodcastSpotify: https://open.spotify.co
Attachment Styles in Relationships feat. Author Rikki Cloos
Rikki Cloos is a writer, designer and marketer since 2010. Her extensive research into attachment theory, as well as her degrees in Creative Nonfiction Writing, Communication Studies, and Graphic Design have helped her to create an online community of thousands who are working to heal their anxious attachment. Her love of reading as well as her involvement with the psych and self-help community in
Overcoming Adversity with Service-Based Leadership feat. Rob Seay
This week’s guest is Rob Seay. This conversation left Justin and I feeling so uplifted and energized! This year Rob was named a 2023 Sober Hero by Recover Alaska. He is the Deputy Director/community liaison for Henning Inc- the non profit organization that oversees the sheltering of over 700 individuals in anchorage Alaska. He also owns two businesses — Northern Alliance Re-Entry and Management So
Prison Reform and Activism in Alaska feat. Megan Edge
This weeks guest is Megan Edge, Director of the ACLU Alaska Prison Project.Megan is a lifelong Alaskan and proud dog mom. She’s a former journalist, and advocates for solutions that create systemic change to systems that create harm, so we can all be safe, healthy and free.**We want to provide a trigger warning that this episode does briefly discuss sxual assault and contains explicit language.**M
How to Build Courageous Community feat. Jen Motyka
Today's Guest is, Jen Motyka! Jen is an Alaskan of 19 years and Chief Innovation Officer for Alaska Premier Auctions & Appraisals. She loves the Anchorage community and gives many hours to various nonprofits, including the Chamber of Commerce, Choose Anchorage Leadership Committee, Rotary Club of East Anchorage, American Legion Jack Henry Post 1 and Alaska World Affairs Council. She is a
Navigating Non-Profit Leadership in Alaska feat. Polly Carr
This weeks guest is Polly Carr! After 9 incredible years as the Executive Director at the Alaska Center, she recently transitioned to the role of Vice-President of Programs at Alaska Humanities Forum. In this episode, we dive into Imposter Syndrome, Vulnerability, and Learning in Leadership.Learn more about Polly here:The Alaska Humanities Forum: https://www.akhf.org/The Alaska Center: https://akc
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