Oh, my. I know. Inconsistency has been the most consistent part of your Here in Alaska subscription. Paying subscribers: for your patience, you’ll receive your second year for free. Yes, my overthinking is your reward. The rest of you: Your subscription will remain free. That, of course, was always the plan. (And, really, you do look very nice in that shirt.) And we’re off…
I’ve been conjuring up Here in Alaska: The Podcast (ooh, that sounds like a movie) for about a year. I took a two-semester podcasting and audio storytelling class through most of the first pandemic year in the U.S. I spent a good chunk of that class thinking about Here in Alaska. Thinking. More thinking. Serious overthinking. (Perhaps less doing than I thought I would do during the strange year.)
In the midst of a class Zoom session, I realized that I was really waffling on what the podcast would be about. Alaska. Yes. That was the there (or, ok, here) of the show. But Alaska is a massive umbrella of a topic, and that’s both what I wanted to get at through the show and my biggest problem in launching the show. So I stalled. This week’s newsletter is a step toward getting out of the show’s way.
I realized that in developing the podcast (and newsletter), I never asked for help from a very important person: you. (I’m feeling very Mister Rogers right now.) What, when it comes to Alaska, do you want to learn about?
A long time ago on Twitter and in conversations with friends and in writing up plans for the show, I said that I was developing Here in Alaska for the “Alaska curious.” That included anybody who has any interest in pretty much anything that could or does go on in the state. So, whether you live Outside (aka anywhere not in Alaska) or here in Alaska, what do you want to learn about? What has you Alaska curious? What Alaska-related topics would you like to hear about first? From art to travel to literature to science beyond. Even politics, if I must. (AK politics really are that weird.)
The newsletter will continue to take shape each week. And, though the podcast’s future will include narrative storytelling and soundscapes and other wonders, I’m going to launch with a series of Q&As with interesting people from all around the state. Look for my first conversation, with artist Holly Mititquq Nordlum, in July. Please shout if there’s somebody in AK you find fascinating and want to learn more about. (Bonus points if that person is a scientist or artist or farmer or healer or anybody doing something really interesting. I have ideas but I am beyond interested in your thoughts too. Big time.) Send an email with your suggestions to jenna@jennaschnuer.com.
Paid subscribers: look for a bonus edition later this week. I’ve got an AK-themed summer reading list for you. Maybe some music suggestions too.
Beyond that, just gonna give you a cute boop to boop on…
The Alaska Dog of the Week: Nilly Bean!
Born in the village of Savoonga, Nilly Bean snoozes on her person’s bed and keeps a fun bunch of former sled dogs in line while they’re waiting to meet their new people. (Yes, that means you could adopt one of Nilly’s buddies. There are plenty of former Iditarod and Yukon Quest athletes waiting to meet you at August Fund headquarters. And, no, you don’t have to live in AK to adopt one of these gems.)
Want to make other people smile by gazing upon the joy that is your Alaska dog? Send a photo of your pup, her name, and three facts about her to jenna@jennaschnuer.com.
Don’t forget to follow Here in Alaska on Instagram and Twitter.
See you soon,
Jenna
What do you want to know about Alaska?
I wanna know what you all are doing for the summer solstice. I know that Moose Pass has a celebration. I wanna know how the salmon are doing, since all of us Outside are eating so much of it. Are current salmon fishing practices sustainable? How do the Alaskan greenies feel about the return of cruise ships to AK ports. There is so much I want to know.