In March 2024, host Karen McColl and her four intrepid friends set off on a seven-day ski trip from Log Cabin to Atlin, B.C., following the historic Fantail route. Along the way, the forest revealed traces of its storied past. Now, these spirited pals reunite to reflect on a trip that tested their limits, challenged their gear, and deepened their bond. Mentioned in this episode: Elder Wayne Carlick, featured in A Chilkat robe is going home. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:This is (type 2) funAmidst...

At the mere hint that the iconic gold panner should make an exit, stage left, from the Yukon’s license plate, a lot of Yukoners seemed to go stark raven mad on the North of Ordinary Facebook page. We stuck our beak—trickster-like—into this non-issue… and suddenly turned it into a minor controversy. To clear the air, podcast co-producer Mark Koepke did a deep dive into his audio archives and put together this previously unscheduled minisode. It features a circa 2008 interview he did with the W...

Yukon, North of Ordinary publisher Manu Keggenhoff drops in to discuss how the magazine’s popular photo essays come together. We also get our quarterly rundown on the latest issue from editor extraordinaire Amy Kenny. Plus, we highlight some of the stories we’ll be bringing you for the podcast’s winter series. We’ll even try—not for the first or last time—to draw your voice into future episodes. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:Four seasons of adventure photographyA drone’s eye viewOff-grid luxeFall serie...

The story of how one determined Yukoner overcame his own ignorance, a skeptical wife, and countless winged (and fanged) adversaries to finally win a “bat-tle” for structural supremacy at a cottage on the Yukon’s Southern Lakes. Co-producer Mark Koepke joins host Karen McColl to take his verbal victory lap—and reveal a possible man crush on ‘80s movie star Michael Keaton. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKEBats with big appetitesThe secret life of mosquitoesAmidst caribou on the Firth RiverStalking foxes...

Peter Mather knows better than most that there are more moose than people in the Yukon. The award-winning wildlife photographer candidly answers the "Yukon Questionnaire" and takes the opportunity to pump up other Yukon artists._ In a previous episode, Peter tours us through the dark streets of Whitehorse to look for urban foxes and also speaks of camera trapping the "ice" bears of Klukshu. Check out Stalking foxes, talking bears. Check out how other Yukoners have answered our "Yukon Question...

“I love the Yukon so much,” says Whitehorse singer-songwriter Sara MacDonald, a.k.a. the august arrival. “I don’t think it necessarily informs the songs, but it’s definitely, like, the place where songs live.”At the insistence of our producer Mark Koepke, Sara discusses the personal and musical journey that ultimately led to Hillsides, her latest album produced by fellow Yukoner Jordy Walker. She then introduces the single “Whisper” for your listening pleasure.Want to hear more? Yes, you do. ...

You probably won't see the little brown bat on any billboards promoting the Yukon. They aren't formidable like grizzly bears, majestic like caribou, or graceful like swans. But if you don't like mosquitos, they could be your best friend. Journalist Rhiannon Russell fills us in on the fascinating facts she learned about these tiny creatures for a story she wrote for Yukon, North of Ordinary magazine. This episode first aired in November 2021 under the title, "Bats with big appetites."&nbs...

Have you ever realized mid-challenge that you're not cut out for it? Amy Kenny, editor of Yukon, North of Ordinary magazine, shares her experience in the Yukon River Quest. We also hear about Mark's "bat tenants," and highlight the athletic endeavours of Dall's sheep and mountain goats through the photography of Sonny Parker, who has turned his passion for documenting wildlife into a compelling tool for conservation storytelling. Also mentioned in episode: Bats with big appetites. Make o...

When a bear starts running towards you, that's never a good thing. So began an uncomfortable standoff between three women on a backpacking trip and a grizzly bear. Karen debriefs this encounter with Yukon Conservation Officer Dean McLean, who shares his bear safely insights. Take a listen, it could save your life. This episode first aired in May 2023.Got something to say? Send us a text message! (US area code)This podcast is supported in part by Yukon Government, Department of Tourism a...

Local funnyman Steve McGovern takes the “Yukon Questionnaire.” His current "down south" status, living in Vancouver, doesn't hold him back from sharing strong opinions about his northern hometown. Got something to say? Send us a text message! (US area code)This podcast is supported in part by Yukon Government, Department of Tourism and Culture. They’ll show you the Yukon of your dreams. travelyukon.com/better-day Yukon, North of Ordinary is a nominee in the Women in Podcasting Awa...

Cows Go Moo might sound like child's play, but when they hit the stage it's anything but. While other Yukoners struggled to let off steam during the pandemic, six pre-teen musicians cranked their amps to 11, practiced like hell, and honed a set of classic covers and original bangers. Since their debut performance in March 2022, the band has experienced remarkable growth—several inches at least. This is the story of Cows Go Moo, produced by "father of a Moo" Mark Koepke.*This episode first air...

If you spend time in the wilderness, you've probably seen "Staying safe in bear country." Thirty years ago, Tanya Handley bluffed her way into a job that required keeping her cool in the face of a charging bear (and on at least one occasion, bears, plural). The footage and resulting film is still used as an educational resource practically everywhere in the world there are bears. This is a glimpse behind the curtain of how the bear video was made. Got something to say? Send us a text mes...

Recent years have seen devastating fires in Albert and B.C. The Whitehorse South Fuel Break is part of a plan to prevent a similar disaster in Whitehorse. It won't stop a fire in its tracks but it will help firefighters respond. Jennifer Sharp and Carl Cibart of Yukon Wildland Fire Management tell us how it works. This episode first aired in May 2023. That means some information may not be up to date. Got something to say? Send us a text message! (US area code)This podcast is suppo...

Haines Junction resident Dieter Gade is passionate about preserving music, which is why he produces the long-running JAM Live! one-hour radio program, featuring beautifully mixed recordings of musical performances in and around the Yukon. This episode ends with a performance from one of Gade's favorite shows, with Bruce and Deb Bergman performing “The Desert” at the Village Bakery in 2014. Additional music clips from freesound.org under Creative Commons 0 license.Got something to say? Se...

Are you really having a good time if there isn't some suffering involved? Paul Burbidge might not think so. The Yukoner likes to take adventure to the next level, often tackling long hikes and bikes in uncomfortably short timespans. Karen tours "the pit" in an effort to discover what makes Paul tick. Check out Paul’s website: pburbidge.exposure.co and read his story in the spring issue of Yukon, North of Ordinary magazine. All music by Freesound CCO. Got something to say?...

The snow's gone so we're calling this summer. That comes with music festivals, bears, and a quirky sport played with mallets you've likely never heard of. Also, deep questions about dog breeds and an effervescent photo worth a thousand words. Find out what's coming at you in the summer series and YNoO magazine. Send us a text message (US area code)Contact us Twitter and Facebook: @northofordinary Email: [email protected] You can also read/subscribe to Yukon, North of Ordinary mag...

Send us a Text Message.We took the “Yukon Questionnaire” to Amy Kenny, editor of Yukon, North of Ordinary magazine, and she almost blew us out of our chairs with her enthusiasm for a particular fast-food chain. She also explains why she couldn’t get this place (the Yukon, not the greasy spoon) out of her head after her first visit. Contact us Twitter and Facebook: @northofordinary Email: [email protected] You can also read/subscribe to Yukon, North of Ordinary magazine.

“I tried not to be a theatre producer once… and it didn’t work out well,” says artistic executive producer Katherine McCallum as her Larrikin Entertainment ensemble tours its latest show, Jenny Hamilton—Teenage Cult Leader, to the small community of Atlin, B.C. This leads into a recorded performance of a segment we’ll call “The Only Dyke in the Yukon,” featuring words by Jenny Hamilton and music by Ashley Robyn.   Coarse language warning. Contact us Twitter and Facebook: @northofordinary ...

Writer-producer Mark Koepke takes a deeper dive into Whitehorse’s “heritage homes"—yet another northern legacy of the federal government. It’s a subject that hits very close to home for many Yukoners, including Mark’s family, friends, and neighbours.   Episode credits: "Look Busy" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License  http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ The Canadian Army Newsreels from The War Amps...

A young Greg Karais literally followed a bread crumb trail north and landed in Dawson City, Yukon, where he parlayed his first great road trip into North of Ordinary Media. A conversation with host Karen McColl in late 2023 hints at where Greg and his beloved four-wheeled sidekick will be headed in the coming months as our road-tested podcast correspondent.  Contact us Twitter and Facebook: @northofordinary Email: [email protected] You can also read/subscribe to Yukon, North of...

Retired radio broadcaster Roch Shannon Fraser answers the inaugural audio version of our magazine’s long-running Yukon Questionnaire. He knows a prized caribou when he sees one and is among the few who know where the hell Rock River is.  Contact us Twitter and Facebook: @northofordinary Email: [email protected] You can also read/subscribe to Yukon, North of Ordinary magazine.

Photojournalist Peter Mather tours us through the dark streets of Whitehorse to look for urban foxes. Meanwhile, he shares about another project close to his heart: camera trapping the "ice" bears of Klukshu, who stay up late into the fall to feed on the salmon run.   Contact us Twitter and Facebook: @northofordinary Email: [email protected] You can also read/subscribe to Yukon, North of Ordinary magazine.

"I haven't had a single poetic thought about the Yukon wilderness since I've been home," says Peter Jickling in his poem, "Overdue Epistemology," which he reads from a balcony during a mid-winter poetry crawl in Whitehorse. Contact us Twitter and Facebook: @northofordinary Email: [email protected] You can also read/subscribe to Yukon, North of Ordinary magazine.

Yes, it's winter, but in this biz we're always planning ahead. Get ready for fresh sounds and approaches because we've made some changes to the podcast that we think you'll like. Meet our new producer, Mark Koepke, who believes the Yukon has an official smell, and Amy Kenny, the adventurous editor of our magazine who, for some crazy reason, signed up for a 700-km paddling race.  Contact us Twitter and Facebook: @northofordinary Email: [email protected] You can also read/subscribe...