Alaska Landmine Radio

Mac McHale and Ariel Burr - Episode 217

Jeff was joined by Mac McHale and Ariel Burr from Quintillion. They discuss the impacts of the recent infrastructure bill on broadband, the history of Quintillion, what the company is doing now, their plans for growth, how they overcame their former CEO being indicated and convicted of fraud, and their recent addition of a ground station on the North Slope to retrieve satellite data. 

Greg Miller - Episode 216

Jeff was joined by Anchorage Superior Court Judge Greg Miller. They discuss his aviation and firefighting career before becoming a lawyer, how that affected attending college and law school, why he moved to Alaska to practice law, the process of applying to be a judge, being appointed by former Governor Sean Parnell in 2011, how COVID has affected the judicial system, and his recently announced retirement. 

Scott McMurren - Episode 215

Jeff was again joined by travel guru Scott McMurren from Alaska Travelgram. They discuss how COVID is still impacting air travel and the tourism industry, the reward and mileage programs for different airlines, the best way to use miles, and some amazing upcoming deals on airline tickets. 

Kai Binkley Sims - Episode 214

Jeff was joined by Kai Binkley Sims. They discuss how she grew up in Alaska, working for her family company, including obtaining her boat captain license at the age of 18, attending the Colorado School of Mines, how she met her husband, how she got involved with the Anchorage Wolverines hockey team, how they got into the league, how COVID-19 affected the team, and the ongoing challenges with the hockey team and the Sullivan Arena.

Daniel Winfree - Episode 213

Jeff was joined by Chief Justice Daniel Winfree. They discuss how he grew up in Fairbanks, his time working on the pipeline when he was in college, why he decided to become a lawyer, how he came to be appointed to the Alaska Supreme Court by former Governor Sarah Palin, how the Supreme Court works, the role of the chief justice, how COVID-19 has impacted the court system, the increasing politicization of the judicial branch, and how hard work can pay off.  

Ben Sheehan - Episode 212

Jeff was joined via Zoom by author Ben Sheehan. They discuss his recent book, "OMG WTF Does the Constitution Actually Say?: A Non-Boring Guide to How Our Democracy is Supposed to Work," why civics education has declined in the United States, some history of the Constitution, statehood for Puerto Rico and Washington D.C., why history forgot about James Madison, and some interesting constitutional trivia. 

Robin Brena - Episode 211

Jeff was joined by Anchorage attorney Robin Brena. They discuss a recent decision by the Ninth Circuit that ruled Alaska's candidate campaign contribution limits unconstitutional. Brena was one of the attorneys that sued over the limits. They discuss how the case came about, the history of candidate campaign contribution limits in Alaska, how this decision relates to Citizens United, money in politics, and what the Legislature could do to reestablish candidate contribution limits in Alaska.  

Scott Kendall - Episode 210

Jeff was joined by Anchorage attorney Scott Kendall. They discuss the Recall Dunleavy campaign, how much we should pay legislators, the idea of a constitutional convention passing on the ballot next year, and how ranked-choice voting will impact next year's election.  

Cathy Giessel - Episode 209

Jeff was joined by former State Senator Cathy Giessel. They discuss the Legislature's new fiscal plan working group, Governor Mike Dunleavy's (R - Alaska) proposed constitutional amendments, the redistricting process, Alaska's new single primary and ranked choice voting system, her primary loss last year, how the political climate has changed since she was first elected in 2010, and next year's election. 

John and Michaella Anderson - Episode 208

Jeff was joined by John and Michaella Anderson. They discuss their farm in Fairbanks, how John ended up in Fairbanks from New Jersey and how they met, the Munson Creek Fire in Fairbanks, the story of how their house burned down, and some Alaska politics.