Alaska Landmine Radio

John-Henry Heckendorn - Episode 330

Jeff was joined by John-Henry Heckendorn from Ship Creek Group. They discuss his trip to Juneau to ski and attend Folk Fest, his wedding last summer, how his wife, Katie Scovic, is now the campaign manager for Suzanne LaFrance's mayoral campaign, his thoughts on the upcoming Anchorage mayoral run-off, some of the problems facing Anchorage and Alaska, the upcoming legislative races later this year, the ranked choice voting ballot repeal, and the chances Representative Mary Peltola (R - Alaska) has for re-election. 

Andrew Gray - Episode 329

Jeff was joined by Representative Andrew Gray (D - Anchorage). They discuss the operating budget process in the House, how this session has gone compared to his first session last year, a recent hearing on a bill that aims to ban biological boys from competing against girls in sports, and how an interaction in that hearing between Gray and Riley Gaines went viral on Twitter, the transgender issue and how it has has become part of the culture wars, and an amendment he was able to pass to raise the age of consent in Alaska from 16 to 18. 

Joe Geldhof - Episode 328

Jeff was joined by Juneau attorney Joe Geldhof. They discuss what is happening in the Capitol more than halfway through the legislative session, how the Legislature has changed since the 2022 election, many of the problems Alaska is currently facing including energy and infrastructure, how oil prices affect the state budget, their differences of opinion on how to solve Alaska's energy problems, some Alaska political history, and a big case before the U.S. Supreme Court. 

Neil Steininger - Episode 327

Jeff was joined by Neil Steininger. They discuss his time as director of the Office of Management and Budget, his time working for a defense contractor in Nevada, why he decided to move back to Alaska, some of the state jobs he had before he became OMD director, working as the OMB director during Covid, the uniqueness of Alaska's budget and revenues, his current perspective now that he's no longer a state employee, and how the session may play out. 

Keith McGee - Episode 326

Jeff was joined by Keith McGee, Alaska's only professional NASCAR driver. They discuss how Olympians qualify for the PFD but not professional athletes, his time in the military and how they brought him to Alaska in 2005, how he got into racecar driving, how he became a NASCAR driver, what it's like being a professional racecar driver, and the wild story of how we woke up in 2021 with $181 million dollars in his crypto account. 

Jerome List - Episode 325

Jeff was joined by Dr. Jermoe List, an ear, nose, and throat doctor practicing in Anchorage. They discuss his ecent decision to close down his practice after 32 years of being in business, some of the issues healthcare providers are dealing with, how Covid impacted the healthcare industry, growing up in Costa Rica, his dental training in the Soviet Union, and some of the reasons people see ENT doctors. 

Mark Begich - Episode 324

Jeff was joined by Mark Begich. They discuss his company, Northern Compass Group, some of the work he is doing with homelessness, his wife Deborah's businesses in the Anchorage airport, his take on building in Anchorage, why he supports a sales tax, why snow plowing has been such a challenge in recent years and his ideas to improve it, the challenges of finding workers, his ideas on solving the homeless crisis, and the upcoming Anchorage mayoral election. 

Jacob Hersh - Episode 323

Jeff was joined by Jacob Hersh. They discuss his first semester of law school at the University of Idaho, the craziness that is happening at many American universities, the war in Gaza, why vaccine rates are down, his uncle John Faulkner's purchase of Must Read Alaska, his time in Juneau last session for the Landmine, some ideas for Jeff's 40th birthday next December, the upcoming legislative session, and the chaos surrounding next year's precedential election. 

Anna Brawley and Eric Visser - Episode 322

Jeff was joined by Anchorage Assembly member Anna Brawley Eric Visser, owner of Visser Construction. They discuss a recent Anchorage housing summit, some reasons for the housing crisis in Anchorage, the regulatory barriers to building in Anchorage, the Knik Arm crossing, their ideas for how to improve housing, and the upcoming Anchorage mayoral race. 

Bethany Marcum and Sarah Hetemi - Episode 321

Jeff was joined by Bethany Marcum and Sarah Hetemi from Americans for Prosperity Alaska. They discuss the mission of Americans for Prosperity, the role they have played in Alaska since 2014, how they each got involved in AFP, what happens in Juneau during the legislative session, Bethany's recent trip to Iowa, the upcoming presidential election, and the lunacy during Covid.