Mushing

By First Paw Media | Mushing.comSports Wilderness

Mushing episodes

April 18Leadership Through Adventure: Announcing the Team and Trail Expedition
There is a moment on the trail when plans stop working. Conditions shift, pressure builds, and every decision carries weight. That is where leadership shows up.
In this episode of the Team & Trail Podcast, we officially introduce the Team & Trail Expedition: Leadership Through Adventure. In March 2027, we will travel the Iditarod Trail from Willow to Nome, not simply as an endurance effort, but as a real-time leadership environment.
This project is built around a central idea. Leadership is not a concept or a checklist. It is something that happens when responsibility and uncertainty meet.
At the core of the expedition is the Leadership Fellowship, designed for college students who want more than theory. Participants will follow the journey, analyze real scenarios, and engage with leadership decisions as they happen. This creates a rare opportunity to observe leadership in conditions where outcomes are not guaranteed.
This episode explains:
What the expedition is and why it matters
How the Leadership Fellowship works
Why real-world leadership experience is different from traditional instruction
How organizations can get involved as partners

This is not just a single expedition. It is the beginning of something designed to grow, reach more people, and create a lasting model for experiential leadership development.
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© 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved
9 min
April 12 An Iditarod Finish with Brenda Mackey
On this episode of the Mushing Podcast, Robert Forto sits down with Iditarod finisher Brenda Mackey to discuss her long-awaited finish in Nome on her third attempt.
Raised in one of Alaska’s most well-known mushing families, Brenda shares what it means to carry on the Mackey legacy while building her own path in the sport. She talks about growing up in dog mushing, breeding and training her own team, and the emotional and physical challenges of racing across Alaska.
Brenda also breaks down the realities of the 2026 Iditarod, including extreme cold, tough trail conditions, and the unexpected moments that define the race. From setbacks in previous attempts to finally crossing the finish line, this conversation offers an honest look at what it takes to reach Nome.
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Like this episode? Share it with your mushing friends!
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Join the On-Air Media Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on the air by Rober and get your podcast questions answered in real time.
Apply now to the Team and Trail Foundation funding page and get support to turn your outdoor, education, or community project into a real impact.
Apply for the Mushing® Media Accelerator and get deeper support and expert guidance tailored to your specific sponsorship and media goals. Email us at [email protected]
Follow Mushing® for more muhsing news, insights, and more: Facebook | X | Instagram
You can contact us here: [email protected]

© 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved
41 min
April 11 15-Year-Old Musher with 10 Titles: Leonie Tetzner’s Story
What does it take to become one of the most decorated junior mushers in the world? In this episode, we sit down with Leonie Tetzner, a 15-year-old musher from Germany who has built an impressive career racing in Alaska and beyond.
Leonie discusses the logistics of traveling internationally with over 30 sled dogs, the structure of her racing season, and what it means to compete in events like the Pedigree Stage Stop and North American Championship. She also shares how she manages school through online learning while spending months on the road, and how her family plays a central role in her success.
With multiple championship titles, track records, and years of experience already behind her, Leonie represents the next generation of elite mushers. This episode offers insight into the discipline, lifestyle, and global nature of modern dog-powered sports.
Support our Work
Like this episode? Share it with your mushing friends!
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Join the On-Air Media Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on the air by Rober and get your podcast questions answered in real time.
Apply now to the Team and Trail Foundation funding page and get support to turn your outdoor, education, or community project into a real impact.
Apply for the Mushing® Media Accelerator and get deeper support and expert guidance tailored to your specific sponsorship and media goals. Email us at [email protected]
Follow Mushing® for more muhsing news, insights, and more: Facebook | X | Instagram
You can contact us here: [email protected]

© 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved
22 min
April 05 Joey Sabin on Racing the Iditarod with His Own Dogs
In this episode of the Mushing Podcast, Robert Forto sits down with 2026 Iditarod finisher Joey Sabin to discuss his rookie run to Nome. Joey shares the story behind his 12-day journey, what it felt like crossing the finish line, and how nearly ten years of work led to this moment.
From running dogs in Two Rivers, Alaska, to guiding glacier tours in the summer, Joey offers an inside look at life as a full-time musher. He also talks about race strategy, caring for his team on the trail, the unexpected challenges of White Mountain, and the dogs that made this rookie finish possible.
This is a must-listen episode for anyone who follows the Iditarod, dog sled racing, or the mushing lifestyle.
Support our Work
Like this episode? Share it with your mushing friends!
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Join the On-Air Media Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on the air by Rober and get your podcast questions answered in real time.
Apply now to the Team and Trail Foundation funding page and get support to turn your outdoor, education, or community project into a real impact.
Apply for the Mushing® Media Accelerator and get deeper support and expert guidance tailored to your specific sponsorship and media goals. Email us at [email protected]
Follow Mushing® for more muhsing news, insights, and more: Facebook | X | Instagram
You can contact us here: [email protected]

© 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved
32 min
March 29 Five Sleds, One Finish Line: Sydnie Bahl’s Iditarod Journey
In this episode of the Mushing Podcast, host Robert Forto sits down with Iditarod finisher Sydnie Bahl, a physical therapist based in the Mat-Su Valley who recently completed her first successful run to Nome. Just days removed from the trail, Sydnie reflects on the transition back to everyday life and the reality of what it takes to finish one of the most demanding endurance races in the world.
Sydnie’s path into mushing was not something she had planned from childhood. After moving to Alaska in search of adventure, she was introduced to the sport through local community connections and quickly immersed herself in kennel life. What began as a willingness to help soon turned into a full commitment, leading her through qualifying races and eventually to the Iditarod start line.
The conversation dives into the realities of racing the traditional Northern Route, including difficult terrain, high winds, and unpredictable trail conditions. Sydnie shares detailed stories from the race, including a series of equipment failures that forced her to rely on multiple sleds just to stay in competition. Her experience highlights not only the physical demands of the race but also the importance of the broader mushing community, where fellow competitors and race officials play a critical role in helping mushers continue forward.
One of the most compelling parts of the episode centers on the final stretch into Nome, where Sydnie describes the emotional shift from survival mode to realization. After more than a thousand miles on the trail, the sound of the finish line siren and the presence of a crowd waiting at the arch marked a moment that is difficult to put into words but impossible to forget.
Listeners will also hear about the dogs behind the effort, including her lead dog, Flue, and the bond that develops over years of training and racing together. The episode closes with reflections on recovery, future racing plans, and what it means to be part of the mushing community going forward.
This episode offers a grounded look at the Iditarod through the lens of a first-time finisher who experienced both the highs and the setbacks that define the race.
Support our Work
Like this episode? Share it with your mushing friends!
Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share
Sign up for our Newsletter HERE
Join the On-Air Media Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on the air by Rober and get your podcast questions answered in real time.
Apply now to the Team and Trail Foundation funding page and get support to turn your outdoor, education, or community project into a real impact.
Apply for the Mushing® Media Accelerator and get deeper support and expert guidance tailored to your specific sponsorship and media goals. Email us at [email protected]
Follow Mushing® for more muhsing news, insights, and more: Facebook | X | Instagram
You can contact us here: [email protected]

© 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved
33 min
March 28 Junior Musher Liam Connor: Balancing School and the Sled
What does it look like to grow up in the world of sled dog racing? In this episode, we sit down with Liam Connor, a 16-year-old musher from Saskatchewan, Canada, who is already competing at a high level in mid-distance races.
Liam shares what it’s like to be raised in a mushing family, how his team manages a kennel of around 80 dogs, and how he balances academics with the demands of training and racing. We also talk about the unique racing conditions of the Canadian prairies, his experience competing in events like the Pedigree Stage Stop, and how young mushers are stepping into the sport earlier than ever.
This episode offers a grounded look at the lifestyle, discipline, and commitment required to succeed in mushing at a young age, along with insights into the sport's future through the eyes of its next generation.
Support our Work
Like this episode? Share it with your mushing friends!
Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share
Sign up for our Newsletter HERE
Join the On-Air Media Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on the air by Rober and get your podcast questions answered in real time.
Apply now to the Team and Trail Foundation funding page and get support to turn your outdoor, education, or community project into a real impact.
Apply for the Mushing® Media Accelerator and get deeper support and expert guidance tailored to your specific sponsorship and media goals. Email us at [email protected]
Follow Mushing® for more muhsing news, insights, and more: Facebook | X | Instagram
You can contact us here: [email protected]

© 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved
15 min
March 22Iditarod 54: Wrap Up Show
This episode features a deep dive into the world of dog mushing, exploring the history, the sport's challenges, and the legacy of legendary mushers. We also profile Rhon Buser, a second-generation musher carrying forward a proud family tradition, and reflect on the significance of the Iditarod race.
Key Topics
History of dog mushing and the Iditarod
The bond between mushers and dogs
Rohn Buser's family legacy and career
Challenges faced during the race and trail conditions
Awards, honors, and milestones in sled dog racing

Support our Work
Like this episode? Share it with your mushing friends!
Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share
Sign up for our Newsletter HERE
Join the On-Air Media Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on the air by Rober and get your podcast questions answered in real time.
Apply now to the Team and Trail Foundation funding page and get support to turn your outdoor, education, or community project into a real impact.
Apply for the Mushing® Media Accelerator and get deeper support and expert guidance tailored to your specific sponsorship and media goals. Email us at [email protected]
Follow Mushing® for more muhsing news, insights, and more: Facebook | X | Instagram
You can contact us here: [email protected]

© 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved
27 min
March 22 Rod Perry Interview: Founding the Iditarod, Yukon Quest, and Saving the Sled Dog
In this episode of the Mushing Podcast, Robert Forto sits down with Iditarod pioneer Rod Perry for a deep and wide-ranging conversation about the origins of the race, the history of the Iditarod Trail, and the future of dog mushing.
Perry reflects on his involvement in the early days of the Iditarod, including helping shape race rules, designing the iconic finisher’s patch, and contributing to the founding of the Yukon Quest alongside Leroy Shank. He also shares firsthand stories from life on the trail, including remote expeditions, trail navigation challenges, and the evolution of sled dog racing over the past five decades.
The conversation explores a critical theme: the true purpose behind the creation of the Iditarod, preserving sled dogs and their role in Alaska’s history, while addressing common misconceptions about the Serum Run. Perry also discusses his work as a historian and educator, engaging thousands of visitors each year and helping bridge the gap between past and present.
The episode closes with a thoughtful discussion on the modern Iditarod, including the Expedition Class, changing race dynamics, and the challenge of maintaining storytelling, culture, and authenticity in an evolving sport.
Support our Work
Like this episode? Share it with your mushing friends!
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Join the On-Air Media Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on the air by Rober and get your podcast questions answered in real time.
Apply now to the Team and Trail Foundation funding page and get support to turn your outdoor, education, or community project into a real impact.
Apply for the Mushing® Media Accelerator and get deeper support and expert guidance tailored to your specific sponsorship and media goals. Email us at [email protected]
Follow Mushing® for more muhsing news, insights, and more: Facebook | X | Instagram
You can contact us here: [email protected]

© 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved
1 hr 14 min
March 21 Iditarod 54 Wrap-Up: Red Lantern Time, Race Records, and What Changed in 45 Years
In this episode of the Mushing Podcast, the race has officially concluded, and attention turns to reflection, records, and what this year’s Iditarod tells us about the evolution of the sport. With all mushers off the trail, the focus shifts from competition to analysis ahead of the finisher’s banquet.
One of the key discussions centers around the Red Lantern finish time, comparing this year’s final finisher to historical benchmarks. The episode highlights how modern Red Lantern times now rival, or even surpass, those from decades past, underscoring the dramatic advancements in breeding, training, gear, and trail strategy.
Listeners also hear a musher profile of Brenda Mackey, whose career represents a deep multi-generational legacy in the sport, and a historical look back at Rick Swenson’s record-setting 1981 victory. These comparisons offer a powerful lens into how far the Iditarod has come over the past 40+ years.
The episode sets the stage for the finisher’s banquet while also inviting listeners to reflect on the race as a whole, from the front runners to the final finisher, and what it means for the future of dog mushing.
Support our Work
Like this episode? Share it with your mushing friends!
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Sign up for our Newsletter HERE
Join the On-Air Media Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on the air by Rober and get your podcast questions answered in real time.
Apply now to the Team and Trail Foundation funding page and get support to turn your outdoor, education, or community project into a real impact.
Apply for the Mushing® Media Accelerator and get deeper support and expert guidance tailored to your specific sponsorship and media goals. Email us at [email protected]
Follow Mushing® for more muhsing news, insights, and more: Facebook | X | Instagram
You can contact us here: [email protected]

© 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved
15 min
March 20 Iditarod 54 Final Finishers: Red Lantern Award, Race Complete, and Nome Traditions
In this episode of the Mushing Podcast, the 2026 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race officially comes to a close as the final mushers arrive in Nome and the Red Lantern is awarded. Richie Beatty earns the Red Lantern, symbolizing perseverance and the completion of the thousand-mile journey across Alaska.
With the final teams crossing under the burled arch, the race shifts fully into celebration mode as mushers prepare for the finisher’s banquet. This year stands out with nearly all teams finishing before the banquet, a rare occurrence that highlights both favorable timing and strong performances across the field.
The episode also dives into the traditions that define the Iditarod, including the history of the burled arch finish line, the symbolic meaning of the Red Lantern, and the Widow’s Lamp that remains lit until the final musher completes the race.
Listeners also hear a musher profile of Hannah Lyrek, an international competitor with deep roots in sled dog racing, and a look back at historic races that shaped the sport, including the 1992 Hope Race to Russia.
Support our Work
Like this episode? Share it with your mushing friends!
Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share
Sign up for our Newsletter HERE
Join the On-Air Media Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on the air by Rober and get your podcast questions answered in real time.
Apply now to the Team and Trail Foundation funding page and get support to turn your outdoor, education, or community project into a real impact.
Apply for the Mushing® Media Accelerator and get deeper support and expert guidance tailored to your specific sponsorship and media goals. Email us at [email protected]
Follow Mushing® for more muhsing news, insights, and more: Facebook | X | Instagram
You can contact us here: [email protected]

© 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved
23 min