Best Mat Su Valley Podcasts (2025)

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Update on the 2026 Alaska Governor's Race, Open Mat-Su Valley Legislative Seats, and More 49:37

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10d ago49:37

49:37

(This was previously recorded as a live stream, which can be found on our Facebook page, X account, or YouTube channel.) Watch Jeff talk about yet another Republican candidate in the governor's race, how there are several open legislative seats in the Mat-Su Valley due to the governor's race, and why Anchorage is failing so bad at homelessness and …

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HTR #21: Federal cuts to technical education 29:28

15h ago29:28

29:28

This week, we review federal cuts to technical education, the implications for an Alaska LNG line of growing South Korean doubts about investing in the US, and the concerns that the Founding Fathers had about irresponsible monetary policies. John also tries to answer another of Rachel’s news quizzes.…

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What if Senators Shelley Hughes and Mike Shower Resign, and What the Hell is Dave Bronson Doing 18:41

7d ago18:41

18:41

(This was previously recorded as a live stream, which can be found on our Facebook page, X account, or YouTube channel.) Watch Jeff talk about what will happen if Senators Shelley Hughes (R - Palmer) and Mike Shower (R - Wasilla) resign and discuss just what the hell former Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson is up to.…

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HTR #20: Federal grant cuts to University of Alaska 29:29

10d ago29:29

29:29

Rachel Levitt and John Robertson review federal grant cuts to University of Alaska, how a heavy-handed ICE raid in Georgia undermines federal encouragement of South Korean support for an Alaska LNG line, and what the US Constitution says about scientific progress. Rachel also tries to stump John in Public Policy Pursuit.…

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Will Stapp - Episode 378 1:25:43

10d ago1:25:43

1:25:43

Jeff was joined by Representative Will Stapp (R - Fairbanks). They discuss an elections event he was in Anchorage for, some of the issues with elections in Alaska, some of the economic problems in our country, Alaska's complex net based oil tax system and how going to a gross tax is simpler, some of the challenges he deals with in Juneau, his thoug…

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Nick Capozzi - Episode 377 1:18:03

14d ago1:18:03

1:18:03

Jeff was joined by State House candidate Nick Capozzi. They discuss the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the rise of political violence in the United States, his time serving in the Army including in Afghanistan and Iraq, the U.S. pullout in Afghanistan, his time working for Senator Dan Sullivan (R - Alaska) and Governor Mike Dunleavy (R - Alaska), a…

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HTR #19: CDC, Coast Guard Icebreakers, and the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 28:54

16d ago28:54

28:54

Rachel and John review changes at the CDC, an increase in the number of Coast Guard icebreakers, and how reaction to enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 might parallel reaction to current immigration enforcement.By Rachel Levitt and John Robertson

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Betsey Wilson - Episode 376 1:00:26

18d ago1:00:26

1:00:26

Jeff was joined by travel coach Betsey Wilson. They discuss how she got into travel coaching, some of the travel tricks and tips she has including what the best credit cards are for travel and lounges, the new Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines Atmos program, how to get some great travel deals using points, how she used to operate heavy equipmen…

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HTR #18: Railbelt's looming energy crisis and grand jury clause of the 5th Amendment. 30:16

22d ago30:16

30:16

John and Rachel discuss the Railbelt's looming energy crisis, play public policy pursuit, and contemplate the grand jury clause of the 5th Amendment.By Rachel Levitt and John Robertson

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Christopher Judd - Episode 375 55:31

26d ago55:31

55:31

Jeff was joined by Anchorage artist and UAA art teacher Christopher Judd. They discuss how Chris and Jeff met in 2013 when Jeff was looking for a commissioned painting, why he decided to start drawing and painting, how his art career has evolved over the years, the importance of work and dedication to perfecting a craft, teaching art at UAA, the hi…

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HTR #17: Solar Power, Alaska Tourism and more 29:35

26d ago29:35

29:35

This week John and Rachel review cuts to solar power, a drop in Alaska tourism, and the fears that some Anti-Federalists had about presidential power. Rachel also introduces a new quiz game for John to play.By Rachel Levitt and John Robertson

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HTR #16: National Guard in DC and Census Clause of the 14th Amendment 29:10

27d ago29:10

29:10

Rachel and John discuss National Guard deployments to Washington, DC, play two truths and a lie, and review the Census Clause of the 14th Amendment.By Rachel Levitt and John Robertson

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Update on the 2026 Alaska Governor's Race 29:24

1M ago29:24

29:24

(This was previously recorded as a live stream, which can be found on our Facebook page, X account, or YouTube channel.) Watch Jeff talk about some new candidates in the already crowded governor's race, including the first Democrat and another Republican who will soon be getting in.By Alaska Landmine

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Scott McMurren - Episode 374 50:32

1M ago50:32

50:32

Jeff was joined by Scott McMurren, owner of Alaska Travelgram. They discuss the new mileage program for Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, called Atmos, that just rolled out, some of the changes and benefits of the program, a trip Jeff recently took to Adak, Ravn Alaska's recent announcement that they will cease operations, how that is going to…

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HTR #15: Gerrymandering; Trump-Putin Summit; 19th Amendment 30:00

1M ago30:00

30:00

Join John and Rachel this week as they discuss gerrymandering, the Trump-Putin summit, play two truths and a lie, and discuss recent controversies about the 19th Amendment.By Rachel Levitt and John Robertson

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Update on Trump/Putin Meeting in Alaska Next Friday 22:12

2M ago22:12

22:12

(This was previously recorded as a live stream, which can be found on our Facebook page, X account, or YouTube channel.) Watch Jeff talk about the recently announced meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin set for next Friday in Alaska, including some new information on where it may be held.…

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President Trump Announced he is Meeting President Putin in Alaska! 26:00

2M ago26:00

26:00

(This was previously recorded as a live stream, which can be found on our Facebook page, X account, or YouTube channel.) Watch Jeff talk about the recently announced meeting next week in Alaska between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.By Alaska Landmine

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HTR #14:Vaccine Research, Firing a Top Federal Statistician, and the Constitution’s State of the Union Clause 30:11

2M ago30:11

30:11

Rachel and John discuss the termination of grants for some vaccine research, the firing of a top federal statistician, and the significance of the Constitution’s State of the Union Clause. Also, John wins Rachel’s challenge in Two Truths and a Lie.By Rachel Levitt and John Robertson

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Clara Baldwin - Episode 373 52:45

2M ago52:45

52:45

Jeff was joined by Clara Baldwin, as well as her interpreter Brenna Povelite. They discuss why she decided to move to Alaska, growing up deaf in a deaf family, why she attended Gallaudet University, the challenges for those who grow up deaf in a non-deaf family, her experiences in Juneau during session advocating for a bill for deaf and hard of hea…

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Jered Weinstock - Episode 372 54:58

2M ago54:58

54:58

Jeff was joined by Dr. Jered Weinstock, a pediatric pulmonologist. They discuss his background growing up on the East Coast, why he decided to become a doctor, his time in medical school, how he ended up coming to Alaska to work, the effects of smoking and vaping on the lungs, especially on young people, other issues that can affect the lungs, the …

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Exclusive Footage of the Wild Shootout Outside the Gaslight in Downtown Anchorage 21:23

2M ago21:23

21:23

(This was previously recorded as a live stream, which can be found on our Facebook page, X account, or YouTube channel.) Watch Jeff talk about a shootout that occurred the early hours of July 20, 2025 outside the Gaslight Bar on 4th Avenue. The Gaslight is directly across the street from the Anchorage Police Department headquarters. The Landmine ha…

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HTR #13: Impact of Federal Changes on Mental Health and More 29:58

2M ago29:58

29:58

Please join John and Rachel this week as they discuss how federal changes are likely to impact drug treatment, rural radio, local schools, and the power of Congress.By Rachel Levitt and John Robertson

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HTR #12: Big Beautiful Bill and Shift to Private Education 29:58

2M ago29:58

29:58

Rachel Levitt and John Robertson discuss Federal actions that impact Alaska on Home to Roost. This week on Home to Roost, Rachel and John discuss the July 14th headline from the PBS News Hour titled "Big Beautiful Bill Could Accelerate the Private Education Shift." Every week in the Plain Reading section, they review a portion of the Constitution. …

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Scott McMurren - Episode 371 37:03

2M ago37:03

37:03

Jeff was joined by Scott McMurren, owner of Alaska Travelgram. They discuss a recent IT issue with Alaska Airlines that grounded their flights nationwide for several hours, some incredible airfare deals that are the result of a fare war between Alaska Airlines and Delta, how the Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines merger is going, and the growth …

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HTR #11: The new federal school voucher, the disappearance of federal reports, and the Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses of the First Amendment. 29:58

2M ago29:58

29:58

This week Rachel and John discuss the new federal school voucher and tax credit program, the disappearance of federal reports, and the meaning of the Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses of the First Amendment.By Rachel Levitt and John Robertson

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Wild Court Hearing on Lawsuit from Woman Stabbed and Paralyzed at Library in 2022 22:55

3M ago22:55

22:55

(This was previously recorded as a live stream, which can be found on our Facebook page, X account, or YouTube channel.) Watch Jeff talk about a court hearing in Anchorage on Tuesday regarding a lawsuit from Angela Harris, a woman who was stabbed and paralyzed at the Loussac Library in 2022 by a mentally ill man who was cut loose by the state and m…

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The U.S. Attorney's Office in Alaska is a Cesspool! 34:40

3M ago34:40

34:40

(This was previously recorded as a live stream, which can be found on our Facebook page, X account, or YouTube channel.) Watch Jeff talk about a recently filed motion in federal court that outlines just how much of a cesspool the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Alaska is, as well as other political happenings in Alaska.…

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HTR #10: Federal education funding, ICE, Justice Brown's dissent, and the 10th Amendment 29:58

3M ago29:58

29:58

Join John and Rachel as they review federal education funding chaos, the unprecedented growth in ICE, a dissenting opinion by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, and the relevance of the 10th Amendment.By Rachel Levitt and John Robertson

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Gov. Dunleavy Calls August Special Session 19:43

3M ago19:43

19:43

(This was previously recorded as a live stream, which can be found on our Facebook page, X account, or YouTube channel.) Watch Jeff talk about an August special session Governor Mike Dunleavy (R - Alaska) called today, and the real reason he called it. The whole thing is loose!By Alaska Landmine

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Downtown Anchorage Event for Mayor LaFrance Did Not Go Well 23:26

3M ago23:26

23:26

(This was previously recorded as a live stream, which can be found on our Facebook page, X account, or YouTube channel.) Watch Jeff talk about a botched event this week in Downtown Anchorage commemorating Mayor Suzanne LaFrance's one year in office and a groundbreaking for a new "RV resort."By Alaska Landmine

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HTR #9: One Big Beautiful Bill 29:52

3M ago29:52

29:52

John and Rachel discuss new limits on federal injunctions, the details of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and the significance of the Constitution’s public debt clause.By Rachel Levitt and John Robertson

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HTR #8: The Senate’s Parliamentarian and how the Constitution Divides War Powers 28:27

3M ago28:27

28:27

John and Rachel discuss recent rulings by the Senate’s parliamentarian and how the Constitution divides war powers between Congress and the president.By Rachel Levitt and John Robertson

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The Lunatics Showed up to the Anchorage Assembly 54:23

3M ago54:23

54:23

(This was previously recorded as a live stream, which can be found on our Facebook page, X account, or YouTube channel.) Watch Jeff talk about a loud minority of lunatics who showed up to the Anchorage Assembly meeting last night to testify against an ordinance to increase the penalties on homelessness and vagrancy.…

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Skoey Vergen - Episode 370 50:58

3M ago50:58

50:58

Jeff was joined by Skoey Vergen, the CEO of the Aleut Corporation. They discuss his upbringing in the Aleutians, Anchorage, and Haines, how a lawsuit resulted in his dad being the first white person to attend Mount Edgecumbe - where his dad met his mom - how he ended up going to work on the Exxon Valdez oil spill after high school, his time working…

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HTR #7: Palmer’s Job Corps Center 29:28

3M ago29:28

29:28

This week on Home to Roost, John and Rachel talk about Palmer’s Job Corps Center, the right to peaceful assembly, and announce the latest the Whiplash Award.By Rachel Levitt and John Robertson

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HTR #6: Fisheries, Vaccinations and More 29:20

4M ago29:20

29:20

In this week’s show, Rachel and John discuss how federal changes might effect fisheries and vaccinations and what the Constitution says about Congress’s authority over federal and state armed forces.By Rachel Levitt and John Robertson

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HTR #5: weather balloons, national parks, and the child tax credit 28:14

4M ago28:14

28:14

Join John and Rachel for a discussion of weather balloons, national parks, the child tax credit, and James Madison’s take on factionalism.By Rachel Levitt and John Robertson

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Lois Epstein - Episode 369 30:13

4M ago30:13

30:13

Jeff was joined by Anchorage resident Lois Epstein. They discuss how a tree falling in her house in the spring of 2024 during a windstorm led to a nightmare situation with her homeowners insurance, the damage the tree caused to the house, the issues she had with USAA covering the costs of the damage, how long it ended up taking to get it all fixed,…

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HTR #4: Effects of The One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the history of America’s birthright citizenship. 28:47

4M ago28:47

28:47

In this week’s episode, John and Rachel review the possible effects of The One Big Beautiful Bill Act and discuss the history of America’s birthright citizenship.By Rachel Levitt and John Robertson

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HTR #3 Travel advisories for the United States/abortion pill 27:23

4M ago27:23

27:23

On this week's Home to Roost, John and Rachel highlight stories about weather forecasting and tourism and discuss whether federal office holders can accept gifts from foreign governments.By Rachel Levitt and John Robertson

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HTR #2: Ukranian refugees and impacts of tariffs on local businesses 28:32

5M ago28:32

28:32

This week’s episode of Home to Roost features discussion of the Valley's Ukrainian refugees, how tariff uncertainly is affecting local businesses, and the origin and importance of habeas corpus.By Rachel Levitt and John Robertson

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Bill Wielechowski - Episode 368 54:39

5M ago54:39

54:39

Jeff was again joined by Senator Bill Wielechowski (D - Anchorage). They talk about the education issue that has dominated the last two sessions, Governor Mike Dunleavy's (R - Alaska) veto of HB 69, their plan on education going forward, the budget problems plaguing our state, what he learned last year on a trip he took to Iceland, his ideas on how…

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Joe Geldhof - Episode 367 1:12:54

6M ago1:12:54

1:12:54

Jeff was joined by Juneau attorney Joe Geldhof. They discuss a recent anti-Trump protest outside the Capitol in Juneau, how Alaska used to attract people, the contrast of addresses to the Legislature from Senator Lisa Murkowski (R - Alaska) and Dan Sullivan (R - Alaska), some of the challenges of Governor Mike Dunleavy's (R - Alaska) administration…

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Suzanne LaFrance - Episode 366 43:34

6M ago43:34

43:34

Jeff was joined by Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance. They discuss her time as mayor since taking office last July 1, the lack of snowfall this winter in Anchorage, the potential fire danger this summer due to the lack of snow, what the city is doing to mitigate the fire danger, the growing homeless and public camping problem in Anchorage, her thoug…

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Will Stapp - Episode 365 58:38

6M ago58:38

58:38

Jeff was again joined by Representative Will Stapp (R - Fairbanks). They discuss the problems with the budget that include the amount of the Permanent Fund Dividend, increased education spending, and other budget additions, what is happening this year compared to the last two years when he was in the majority, some of the current tensions between t…

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Neil Steininger - Episode 364 57:28

6M ago57:28

57:28

Jeff was joined by Juneau Assembly member Neil Steininger. They discuss his election to the Assembly last year, his time as director of the Office of Management and Budget under Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R - Alaska), the precarious fiscal situation the Legislature is in due to the Permanent Fund Dividend, increased education funding, other budget additio…

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Brandon Kennedy - Episode 363 57:37

7M ago57:37

57:37

Jeff was joined by Anchorage resident Brandon Kennedy. They discuss a medical event his son Marcus had at the Mountain View Boys and Girls Club during a basketball game last August, his son's time at Alaska Regional Hospital, the start of the problems he had with Aetna when his son needed to go to a brain injury facility outside of Alaska, how his …

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Jon Glover - Episode 362 58:01

7M ago58:01

58:01

Jeff was joined by Jon Glover, Wildfire Division Chief for the Anchorage Fire Department. They discuss his background in wildland fire fighting with the state and federal government, the bad fire season in the summer of 2019, the fire risks facing Anchorage, some of the techniques to mitigate wildfire damage, the fire risks homelessness and public …

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Peter Wallack - Episode 361 55:53

8M ago55:53

55:53

Jeff was joined by stuntman and Anchorage resident Peter Wallack. They discuss his growing up in Anchorage, why he decided to join the Marines after high school, his time in the Marines, his thoughts about how warfare is changing, hoe he ended up becoming a stuntman, some of the movies and shows he has worked on, some of the risks of being a stuntm…

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Frank Richards - Episode 360 55:19

8M ago55:19

55:19

Jeff was joined by Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AGDC) President Frank Richards. They discuss a recent announcement about a deal between AGDC, Enstar, and Glenfarne to potentially construct a gasline, the different gasline ideas from former governors, the issues with building a line to Fairbanks and the railing LNG to the Valley, the shee…