Hosts, Blaze Bell and Justin Williams, are sharing stories of inspiring Alaskan artists, change-makers, business owners, and more!
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July 12, 2025Episode 1449 min
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 #SilverBirch #Spenard #AlaskaLifeLinks to Becca and her store:https://www.instagram.com/silverbirch907/https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089630823804Check out your hosts:Blaze Bell:https://www.blazebell.com/https://www.instagram.com/blazebellbliss/Justin Williams:https://www.tiktok.com/@justineatsalaskawww.instagram.com/justineatsalaska
June 10, 2025Episode 1340 min
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 behind Kastle’s Kreations, her custom cake and dessert business that’s just as iconic as her moves on the dance floor.In this episode, we dive into: ✨ How Pink Cadillac is shaking up Anchorage nightlife 🧁 Kastle’s journey from Cupcake Wars to cakes & cocktails 👢 Why line dancing brings people together 💡 Building multiple brands while staying rooted in AlaskaThis one’s full of flavor, heart, and hustle — don’t miss it!https://pinkcadillac-ak.square.site/https://www.facebook.com/AKastleskreations/
May 6, 2025Episode 1233 min
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 most of her life. She’s a founding member of Rubber Ptarmigan, an Alaskan comedy production group, and serves on the committee for the Alaska B4UDie Comedy Festival.Together, they’re bringing the laughs statewide on their upcoming Big Bird Tiny Tour, proving that comedy in Alaska is alive, thriving, and ready to hit the road.🎧 Tune in for real talk, hilarious moments, and a peek behind the curtain of Alaska’s stand-up scene.Check out your hosts:Blaze Bell:https://www.blazebell.com/https://www.instagram.com/blazebellbliss/Justin Williams:https://www.tiktok.com/@justineatsalaskawww.instagram.com/justineatsalaska
April 11, 2025Episode 1156 min
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 teams recently traveled to Washington DC, where they supported airline staff and travelers at Reagan National Airport (DCA) following a tragic incident with American Airlines.Margaret is a retired speech-language pathologist, a first responder chaplain with the Alaska Police and Fire Chaplains, and the team coordinator for Alaska’s CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management) team. Her Keeshond, Smartie Pants, is the Chaplain K9 for the Municipality of Anchorage, and together, they’ve been there for all kinds of responses within Alaska and beyond. From helping first responders after tough calls, to offering support in hospital hallways or deploying to the LA fires in California... Margaret and Smartie Pants show up where they’re needed most. As a chaplain, Margaret even has the privilege of crossing the yellow tape to support those in the front lines.Miranda is an Indigenous Alaskan from rural Alaska. She works alongside her Brittany, Arya Bear, who started training at just 10 weeks old and has been a well-known presence in the Anchorage community ever since. During the pandemic, when certifications were paused, Arya supported the community wherever dogs were allowed — offering comfort and love when it was needed. In 2022, Arya officially became a certified therapy dog, and soon after, they joined NATIONAL Crisis Response Canines. Miranda is CISM-trained and focused on getting crisis response canine teams into rural and Indigenous communities that may not have easy access to these resources. Arya’s real-life stories will soon be shared in a children’s book series.Find out more here:https://www.crisisresponsecanines.org/https://wjla.com/amp/news/local/washington-dc-plane-crash-midair-collision-dca-reagan-national-airport-american-airlines-staff-passengers-black-hawk-helicopter-crisis-response-dogs-support-photos-victimshttps://linktr.ee/Cupidthecrisisresponsek9https://linktr.ee/aryabearthebrittanyhttps://www.aryabearbooks.com/
March 22, 2025Episode 1042 min
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 dedicates her time to volunteer efforts that uplift her Pasifika community.Follow Lorna-lei here: https://www.instagram.com/lolesmoov/Check out your hosts:Blaze Bell:https://www.blazebell.com/https://www.instagram.com/blazebellbliss/Justin Williams:https://www.tiktok.com/@justineatsalaskawww.instagram.com/justineatsalaska
February 18, 2025Episode 951 min
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.facebook.com/sabrina.m.speershttps://www.instagram.com/thesabrinaspeers/Check out your hosts:Blaze Bell:https://www.blazebell.com/https://www.instagram.com/blazebellbliss/Justin Williams:https://www.tiktok.com/@justineatsalaskawww.instagram.com/justineatsalaska
February 1, 2025Episode 843 min
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 Studios. Her mission is to motivate, inspire, and help people on their healing journey.Find her here:https://www.instagram.com/thealaskamedium/https://www.instagram.com/11.11studioak/Check out your hosts:Blaze Bell:https://www.blazebell.com/https://www.blazebellmusic.com/https://www.instagram.com/blazebellbliss/Justin Williams:https://www.tiktok.com/@justineatsalaskawww.instagram.com/justineatsalaska
January 9, 2025Episode 733 min
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 their appearance on Good Morning Lithuania, and serenade for former President George W. Bush has put them on the map to being a trailblazer in the vocal music industry. Most notably, Pipeline Vocal Project travels as music ambassadors on behalf of the Department of State to places such as, Jordan, Lithuania, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and many more to promote musical exchange, female empowerment and inclusivity. Locally in Alaska, they have received an honorarium from the Alaska State Legislature for their musical innovation and continued work to represent the state. Outside of musical performance, Lisa is passionate about entrepreneurship, business leadership and branding for artists. Lisa’s background in corporate administration has allowed her apply those skills to music business, management and artist development.https://www.pipelinevocalproject.com/Check out your hosts:Blaze Bell:https://www.instagram.com/blazebellbliss/Justin Williams:https://www.tiktok.com/@justineatsalaskawww.instagram.com/justineatsalaska
November 26, 2024Episode 652 min
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 the helicopter program for Nova Alaska Guides in Knik, Alaska, and serves as the Guide Operations Manager for The Eleven Experience at the Rio Palena Lodge in Northern Patagonia. He now splits his time between Palmer, Alaska, and Patagonia, Chile, with his wife, Iris, their son, Cedar, and their dogs, Bora and Gaucho. Instagram @elevenexperience@nova.alaska.guides @Bologo.coCheck out your hosts:Blaze Bell:https://www.blazebell.com/https://www.blazebellmusic.com/https://www.instagram.com/blazebellbliss/Justin Williams:https://www.tiktok.com/@justineatsalaskawww.instagram.com/justineatsalaska
November 6, 2024Episode 549 min
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 transformative group trip to a new international destination, connecting ambitious and powerful women with adventure and community. Tune in to hear her tips, stories, and strategies for making the world accessible, one mile at a time. Links: Girl's Trip https://trovatrip.com/trip/europe/greece/greece-with-betsey-wilson-oct-2025?earlybird=trueBusiness Owners Who are Interested in Working with me https://her-alaska-travels.ck.page/ceb5c036bfNewsletter https://her-alaska-travels.kit.com/6b285eeec7Check out your hosts:Blaze Bell:https://www.blazebell.com/https://www.blazebellmusic.com/https://www.instagram.com/blazebellbliss/Justin Williams:https://www.tiktok.com/@justineatsalaskawww.instagram.com/justineatsalaska
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