In these interesting times, Northern Soundings is trying for flexibility. I’m practicing good social distancing and interviewing guests remotely from home. Unfortunately, the audio quality isn’t the best. So, I’m offering shorter pieces that won’t tax the ear but still get Alaska voices before the public. I call this new venture Northern Soundbites. Author and … Continue reading Recommended Reading

Segments for this show were recorded before events surrounding the viral pandemic COVID-19 radically transformed the social landscape across the globe. Consequently, some of the discussion points in the political segment are out of date. The Alaska Democratic Party primary is now being conducted by mail. Voters have until April 10 to postmark their ballots. … Continue reading Politics in Uncertain Times

Recently, the Alaska Anthropological Association held its annual meeting in Fairbanks. One of the talks offered, co-sponsored with the Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks, examined the archaeology of skiing. That caught my eye because I help with the ski club’s Sonot Kkaazoot where you can find traditionalists skiing in knickers. But as archeologist Monty Rogers … Continue reading Skiing Old School

The Fairbanks Arts Association is accustomed to displaying images by local photographers. But the current display at the traveling Bear Gallery is unique for several reasons. The photographers are homeless,  and their work was nurtured by the passion of a University of Alaska Fairbanks student. I recently sat down with Sarah Manriquez to learn about … Continue reading Through Their Eyes

“Sleep that knits up the raveled sleave of care, The death of each day’s life, sore labor’s bath, Balm of hurt minds, great nature’s second course, Chief nourisher in life’s feast.” So says Macbeth having just murdered his king. But it turns out modern research backs up his assessment.  Dr. Clay Triplehorn is my guest … Continue reading Balm of Hurt Minds

This week, University of Alaska Fairbanks Political Science professor Alexander Hirsch and UA Press’ Nate Bauer discuss polls and peering ahead politically. Nate is also leading a UA Press Book Club discussion on American History this semester. And the recall of Governor Dunleavy is just one example of a referendum. Political Geographer and podcaster Elizabeth … Continue reading Primaries, Polls, and Plebiscites

Few would deny we seem to live in a very contentious political period. This can make the average person, angry, pensive and distressed. Which is why I invited Jungian psychologist Steve Parker to discuss the psychology of our times. Parker has been a practicing therapist in Fairbanks for decades. As you’ll hear, he also works … Continue reading Hearts, Stones, Microbes

Freelance journalist Lois Parshley joins me this episode. She has reported from every continent on the globe. Her work has appeared in The New Yorker, Harper’s, The Atlantic and a host of other periodicals. She’s received fellowships and awards from such institutions as the Knight Wallace Journalism Fellowship, the Bread Loaf Writers Conference and the … Continue reading Global Reports

For this New Year’s Eve edition of Northern Soundings, I’m pleased to celebrate with a conversation between my friend and long-time colleague Susan McInnis and the late Richard Nelson. Nelson was a gifted naturalist, anthropologist, and broadcaster. Many know him from his radio series Encounters. But Susan’s discussion was prompted, almost 30 years ago, by … Continue reading Loss and Gain

I’ve been distressed by the increasingly strident tone of our political rhetoric. I am guilty of it too, but I recognize that if we are ever going to move past the polarization, we have to articulate our positions to others with humility and a sense of respectful cooperation. In the belief that all politics is … Continue reading Civility in the Public Square