Yukon, North of Ordinary

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...

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. 

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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'...

“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 t...

As usual, host Karen McColl kicks off a new series in conversation with Yukon, North of Ordinary magazine 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, beer...

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.

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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...

Davida Wood and Tosh Southwick were featured in a story about the Yukon’s Indigenous consulting sector in the Winter 2024 issue of Yukon, North of Ordinary 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 FR...

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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A wild night on the town for the North of Ordinary 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 ...

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 ...

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 i...

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 ...

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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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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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 fox...

“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...

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...

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 compell...