The YUKON Magazine
A companion to the award-winning The Yukon Magazine, this podcast shares the same mission: to explore and celebrate life in the Yukon. Some episodes expand on stories from the magazine. Others are original, audacious, audio-rich stories you won’t hear, or read, anywhere else. Each series coincides with a new quarterly issue of the magazine, creating space for deeper conversations and place-based storytelling. Inspiring, real, and shaped by Canada's North.
Time is Tissue: Racing the Clock Against Frostbite
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First it hurts. Then it stops. That’s when the clock starts ticking.
With frostbite, time matters. It can mean the difference between recovery and loss. From Whitehorse, Yukon, surgeon Alex Poole and clinical pharmacist Josianne Gauthier share what they’ve learned treating and studying frostbite and how they pioneered the current gold-standard treatment protocol. They talk us through what’s happening beneath the skin's surface, what decisions are critical, and the fine margins that determine whether tissue survives.
A closer look at a condition shaped as much by time a...
The Yukon Questionnaire w/ "rolling stone" Karen McColl
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If anyone should fly through our Yukon Questionnaire, it ought to be Karen McColl. As a former editor of The YUKON Magazine and producer of this podcast, Karen has put the questionnaire to many fellow Yukoners. But, apparently, that’s not enough to guarantee lightning-fast responses when she finds herself on the wrong end of the microphone. As Karen moves on to her next adventure(s), our questionnaire is her opportunity to say farewell (for now) and let listeners know where she stands on the Yukon’s most pressing questions.
CREDITS
Re...
The 22nd Sport
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There are 20 sports at this year's Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse. Pin trading has long been considered an unofficial sport at the AWG, so that makes 21.... And now, podcast producer Mark Koepke suggests a 22nd "sport."
As he documents the final sprint in a multi-year, volunteer-led marathon to plan the circumpolar world’s biggest sporting and cultural event, Mark takes a cue from his favourite event—Arctic Sports—and talks a fine line between cooperation and competition.
CREDITS
Produced by Mark Koepke
Intro/outro music by Major Funk
((Music)) by The Lucky Ones: playing tribute to the 98 Hotel
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"It was supposed to be a two-week workin' vacation," says musician Ryan West of his first trip to the Yukon." That was 2009. It's 2026 now, so it's been a long two weeks."
One of the reasons Ryan stayed was the community—musical and otherwise—that he discovered at Whitehorse's iconic 98 Hotel. Every third Thursday of the month, he and his band The Lucky Ones now grace its cozy stage, doin' their best to fill "an unfillable fiddle-shaped hole" left by the legendary Joe Loutchan.
Recorded in the kitchen/"green room" of Th...
Spring 2026 | Fun & Games
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Welcome to spring—and new beginnings! To kick off the first series of our revitalized podcast, The YUKON Magazine’s new publisher, Tammo Walter, steps into the Karen McColl-sized role of “host.” He catches up with the magazine’s (sort of) new editor Kanina Holmes and podcast producer Mark Koepke for a preview of the exciting content that audiences can look—and listen—forward to this season. Tammo also shares a conversation that he and his co-publisher, Manu Keggenhoff, had about the enduring mission of The YUKON Magazine.
CREDITS
Produced by Tammo Walter...
The YUKON Magazine ((in stereo))
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Like a quarterly magazine for your ears, we produce a variety of audio-rich episodes... with a diversity of voices... on every aspect of the Yukon experience.
Stay tuned for our spring 2026 series. The first episode drops on Wednesday, February 11th.
CONNECT WITH US
Website: theyukonmagazine.com
Instagram: @the.yukon.magazine
Facebook: @TheYukonMagazine
LinkedIn: @theyukonmagazine
Email: podcast@theyukonmagazine.com
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An update on the podcast
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It's been 10 months since the last episode. What happened to the podcast? Is it ever coming back? Finally, we return with some long-awaited news.
CONNECT WITH US
Website: theyukonmagazine.com
Instagram: @the.yukon.magazine
Facebook: @TheYukonMagazine
LinkedIn: @theyukonmagazine
Email: podcast@theyukonmagazine.com
SUBSCRIBE TO THE MAGAZINE
Subscribe for yourself or as a gift for that special person who needs a little more Yukon in their life. Four issues every year, delivered right to your door.
((Moosic)) by Cows Go Moo: beefing up a new single
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They built their reputation playing live gigs around the North—from the Southeast Alaska State Fair, to the iconic 98 Hotel, to Folk on the Rocks. Next up, it’s opening for Tom Cochrane at his April 5 show in Whitehorse.
But Cows Go Moo is no stranger to the studio, either. In May 2024, life took the band’s six teenage members down two highways (the Alaska and North Klondike) to their second recording session at Green Needle Records.
In this episode, you’ll hear the Cows and hard workin’ producer Jim Holland...
A day in the life of a sled dog
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Tuxedo has black and white fur, blue eyes, and a sensitive side. He works hard and is rewarded with belly rubs, massages, and warm soup. But a day in the life of Tuxedo and his fellow Alaskan Huskies at Sky High Wilderness Ranch is more nuanced than that. Veteran musher Jocelyne LeBlanc takes us behind the scenes from daybreak to trail time and beyond for insights into the lives of these loveable working dogs.
Planning to visit the Yukon in winter? Learn more about dog sledding and other activities at travelyukon.c...
Hidden history revealed*
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It was unusual for people to bring children to the Klondike during the gold rush of 1898 but Black Americans Alonzo and Mattie Agee came with their five children. Once in the Yukon, they carved out a living cutting hair and prospecting. Researcher Peggy D'Orsay of the Hidden Histories Society Yukon tells us what she's learned about this enterprising family and what it tells us about the context of the time.
*This episode first aired in February 2022.
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Exploring the North with Murray Lundberg
The se...
The coolest hair on Earth
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What does it take to have the coolest hair on Earth? A hair-freezing contest, for starters. But as Karen McColl quickly learns, it’s not just about frigid temperatures—it takes patience, strategy, and maybe even a little discomfort. Armed with insider tips from two-time champion Nanae Takano, Karen and her friend Shannon head to the Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs, confident they can sculpt their way to victory and claim the world's coolest hair. But will their frozen-hair dreams hold strong—or thaw before the finish line?
Looking more information about the hot...
YQ | "beer-hikers" Marko & Meghan Marjanovic
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“Our two passions in life,” says Winterlong Brewing co-owner Marko Marjanovic, “are hiking and beer. So, we created a lifestyle for ourselves in both hiking and beer-making. It’s a perfect match.”
For our second two-for-one Yukon Questionnaire, Marko and his partner-in-all-things, Meghan, combine forces to trek through our not entirely sober line of inquiry about life in the Yukon. We think they sound pretty good. Maybe as good as truckstop poetry. Crack a tall boy and have a listen.
MORE FROM OUR YQ SERIES:
Roch Shannon Fraser - broadcast...
Spring series | feedback hoopla
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As usual, host Karen McColl kicks off a new series in conversation with The Yukon Magazine (formerly Yukon, North of Ordinary) editor Amy Kenny. Which means… a new issue is on its way. (And listening to Amy will leave you "ravenous" to read it.)
Karen also talks to her podcast co-producer about stealing more ideas from our trusty print companion, revisits an old interview with Whitehorse photographer Jason Wolsky, and previews our beefy, beery, howling, hair-raising line-up of future episodes.
CREDITS:
“Meanwhile in Bavaria” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Lic...
Gearing up for an Arctic endurance race*
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Biking 430 mi/688 km alone in the wilderness in the depth of winter might seem crazy, but Jessie Gladish is no stranger to longer treks in the woods. She already completed the Montane Yukon Arctic Ultra race on foot and skis and now plans to do it on a bike. Trail conditions will dictate how much riding she can do versus pushing her bike as a glorified luggage cart. Only one thing is certain: she is determined to succeed.
*This episode first aired in January 2023.
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...
Smoke! Life at the fire tower
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Spotting wildfires is serious business. Former "lookout" Trina Moyles visited the Dawson City fire tower and tells us about its veteran smoke-spotter, Markus Lenzin. Drawing from her own seven seasons stationed at a remote tower in northern Alberta, Trina shares the solitude, awe, and challenges of the role of a lookout in detecting and reporting wildfires in the Yukon and beyond.
Trina Moyles is the author of Lookout—Love, Solitude, and Searching for Wildfire in the Boreal Forest. She wrote about Markus and the Dawson Fire tower in the winter issue of...
YQ | change makers Davida Wood & Tosh Southwick
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Davida Wood and Tosh Southwick were featured in a story about the Yukon’s Indigenous consulting sector in the Winter 2024 issue of The YUKON magazine. Now, the podcast puts them both in the hot-seat for a special two-for-one edition of the “Yukon Questionnaire.” Among other things, it turns out this dynamic pair shares a talent for telling tall tales to tourists…
(Tosh Southwick’s questionnaire begins at 16:30)
MORE FROM OUR YQ SERIES
Roch Shannon Fraser - broadcaster
Amy Kenny - writer & magazine editor
Steve McGovern – comedian
Peter Ma...
The gift of the sandwich*
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Meet one of the Yukon's biggest social media stars and learn about his unlikely claim to fame. Perfect listening for your turkey hangover. Featuring Yukon-bred TikToker Jonathan Ostrander, AKA Sandwich Dad.
*Full disclosure: this is a blatant "re-gift" of an episode first published in March 2023.
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The Sourdough Mocktail
The ice swimmers
Microdosing on the run
On the menu: bonfire treats, birch syrup, bison, and wine
CONNECT WITH US
Website: theyukonmagazine.com
Instagram: @the.yukon.magazine
Facebook: @T...
The Sourdough Mocktail
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A wild night on the town for a podcast Christmas party inspires producer Mark Koepke to create a non-alcoholic beverage that will put the Yukon on the map. It's his lovely, lovely gift to all the people of our fine territory.
Come for the snow, sample a toe... Whether you're into Sourtoe Cocktails or Sourdough Mocktails, you can plan your visit to the Yukon at travelyukon.com.
This episode is dedicated to Elliott Sack.
LINKS
Sourdough Mocktail recipes
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These o...
((Fiction)) by Nadine Sander-Green
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Remember when Premier Jakowsky wasn’t fooling anybody about his plans for the pristine wilderness of the Vista? Or the triumphant return of Dirty Bird to Whitehorse’s dining scene? Maybe, sort of?
Former Whitehorse Star reporter Nadine Sander-Green adapted and fictionalized her personal experience in “Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit,” a coming-of-age novel set in the territory’s recent past. During a visit in late October, the Calgary-based author discusses her work and reads a sample for a live audience at Yukon University.
MUSIC CREDITS
ooh-guitar by larsn.wav—License: Creat...
The Fantail Five: reliving an epic ski trip on a historic route
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In March 2024, a gang of tough female characters 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, host Karen McColl and her pulk-slingin' trip-mates 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.
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This is (type 2) fun
Amidst C...
The raven revisited
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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 Whitehorse man who designed the much-deba...
Winter series | it's time to Manu up
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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.
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Four seasons of adventure photography
A drone’s eye view
Off-grid luxe
Fall series...
He's a real batass
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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. 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.
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Bats with big appetites
The secret life of mosquitoes
Amidst caribou on the Firth River
Stalking foxes, talking bears
CONNECT WI...
YQ | photojournalist Peter Mather
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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 toured 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.
MORE FROM THIS SERIES:
Roch Shannon Fraser - broadcaster
Amy Kenny - writer & magazine editor
Steve...
((Music)) by the august arrival
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“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’ll find links on the august arrival’s website...
Nocturnal predators: the insatiable hunger of little brown bats*
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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 was first published in November 2021 under the title "Bats with big appetites."
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Website: theyukonmagazine.com
Fall series | boats, bats, and badass ungulates
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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 producer Mark Koepke'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.
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Website: theyukonmagazine.com
Instagram: @the.yukon.m...
A bear encounter that began with a curious canter*
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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.
Host Karen McColl 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.
CONNECT WITH US
Website: theyukonmagazine.com
Instagram: @the.yukon.magazine
Facebook: @TheYukonMagazine
LinkedIn: @theyukonmagazine
Email: podcast@theyukonmagazine.com
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YQ | comedian Steve McGovern
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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.
CONNECT WITH US
Website: theyukonmagazine.com
Instagram: @the.yukon.magazine
Facebook: @TheYukonMagazine
LinkedIn: @theyukonmagazine
Email: podcast@theyukonmagazine.com
SUBSCRIBE TO THE MAGAZINE
Subscribe for yourself or as a gift for that special person who needs a little more Yukon in their life. Four issues every year, delivered right to your door.
Hard Rock Minors: the story of youth band Cows Go Moo*
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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 Cow" Mark Koepke.
*This episode first aired in April 2023.
This pod...
“Whoa, bear!” A close-up on the Yukon’s most famous instructional video
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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.
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Website: theyukonmagazine.com
Instagram: @the.yukon.m...
Protecting Whitehorse from catastrophic wildfire*
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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. Some information may not be up to date.
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Website: theyukonmagazine.com
Instagram: @the.yukon.magazine
Facebook: @TheYukonMagazine
LinkedIn: @theyukonmagazine
((Radio)) by JAM Live!
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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.
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Website: theyukonmagazine.com
Instagram: @the.yukon.magazine
Facebook: @TheYukonMagazine
LinkedIn: @theyukonmagazine
Email: podca...
This is (type 2) fun
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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.
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Website: theyukonmagazine.com
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Summer series | dog daze
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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.
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Website: theyukonmagazine.com
Instagram: @the.yukon.magazine
Facebook: @TheYukonMagazine
LinkedIn: @theyukonmagazine
Email: podcast@theyukonmagazine.com
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YQ | magazine editor Amy Kenny
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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.
CONNECT WITH US
Website: theyukonmagazine.com
Instagram: @the.yukon.magazine
Facebook: @TheYukonMagazine
LinkedIn: @theyukonmagazine
Email: podcast@theyukonmagazine.com
SUBSCRIBE TO THE MAGAZINE
Subscribe for yourself or as a gift...
((Theatre)) by Larrikin Entertainment: Teenage Cult Leader captivates Atlin
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“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.
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Website: theyukonmagazine.com
Instagram: @the.yukon.magazine
Facebook: @Th...
These old houses: an ode to YXY’s former DPW homes
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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.
CREDITS:
"Look Busy" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
The Canadian Army Newsreels from The War Amps
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL04CC43B7CD63C686&si=ZAy41sMpozt7OGWC
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The first great road trip of Greg Karais
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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.
CONNECT WITH US
Website: theyukonmagazine.com
Instagram: @the.yukon.magazine
Facebook: @TheYukonMagazine
LinkedIn: @theyukonmagazine
Email: podcast@theyukonmagazine.com
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YQ | broadcaster Roch Shannon Fraser
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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.
CONNECT WITH US
Website: theyukonmagazine.com
Instagram: @the.yukon.magazine
Facebook: @TheYukonMagazine
LinkedIn: @theyukonmagazine
Email: podcast@theyukonmagazine.com
SUBSCRIBE TO THE MAGAZINE
Subscribe for yourself or as a gift for that special person who needs a little more Yukon in their life. Four iss...
