Welcome to Husky Talk Podcast

A weekly behind the scenes look at the Iditarod and mushing for classrooms around the world.

Erin Montgomery, 2015 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail™ from Iowa and her students host this podcast, designed and created to introduce you to the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and give you an essential behind the scenes look at the race. 

Weekly segments of the program include: Iditarod Trivia, Brain Freeze, Sled Dog Trip

Join the the students for their podcasts each week.

Listen via SoundCloud here or click the play buttons under each guest name below.

Husky Talk Plus – March 13 Edition :Special Guest Chas St. George 

In today’s episode we talk about our current leaderboard, updates on scratches, and a story about one of our back of the packers. Our Iditarod expert talks to us about returned dogs, scratches, and how the coronavirus is affecting the Iditarod. Don’t forget to email us your answer to the Iditarod Question of the Day.

Husky Talk Plus – March 11 Edition: Special Guest Chas St. George

Today’s edition of Husky Talk Plus we give you special leaderboard updates as well as checkpoint check-ins. Our expert talks to us about the rookies and the weather conditions on the trail. Don’t forget to listen for the question of the day.

Husky Talk Plus – March 9 Edition: Special Guest Chas St. George

During the Iditarod we will be coming to you daily with updates on the race. Tune in to listen to leaderboard updates, special guest Iditarod experts, Iditarod Questions of the Day, and more.

Season 3 Episode 28: Mark Nordman

Mark Nordman is the race director and race marshal for the Iditarod. He has been involved with the Iditarod since 1983. In this episode he talks to us all about the Iditarod and his responsibilities during the race. Join us and find out more about Mark Nordman and the Iditarod.

Season 3 Episode 26: Monica Zappa

Season 3 Episode 25: Robert Forto

Do you know the story of the Serum Run? Robert Forto and a group of others will be departing this weekend on an expedition that will follow the original trail that delivered the serum to the children of Nome. Join us on this episode to learn all about this expedition and how you can follow their journey.

Season 3 Episode 24: Sean Underwood

Join us as we talk about mushing from a different perspective. Many mushers have dog handlers that work for them at their kennel. Our guest this week is a handler for 4-time Iditarod champion, Jeff King. He recently finished the Yukon Quest 300 and the last of his Iditarod qualifiers in hopes of racing the Iditarod in 2021. Meet Sean Underwood.

Season 3 Episode 23: Riley Dyche

This week’s guest is a rookie to the Iditarod this year, but is no rookie to the 1000-mile distance as he has finished the Yukon Quest. He talks with us about how he won the sportsmanship award in the Yukon Quest in 2018 and his experience out on that trail. He talks with us about the mandatory rookie meeting he had to attend in December for the Iditarod. Join us and meet Riley Dyche.

Season 3 Episode 22: Dallas Seavey

Join us as we talk with 4-time champion of the Iditarod, Dallas Seavey. He talks with us about growing up and being around dogs, the importance of dog care, and how his family has shaped him. We learn about some of his Iditarod championships. Recently, he has raced in Europe’s longest sled dog race, Finnmarkslopet, and he tells us the logistics of getting to this dog race.

Season 3 Episode 21: Kelly Villar 2020 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail

Our guest this week is the 2020 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail. She talks with us about her role as the official Iditarod Teacher on the Trail. Join us to learn more about this program and what Kelly will be doing out on the trail this year.

Season 3 Episode 20: Marti Steury from the Yukon Quest

Marti Steury is the executive director of the Yukon Quest. She talks to us about the Yukon Quest, the other 1000 mile sled dog race in North America. Join us and learn more about the Yukon Quest.

Follow the Yukon Quest here: www.yukonquest.com/

Email us with comments, questions, or guest ideas here: huskytalk1@gmail.com

Season 3 Episode 19: Quince Mountain 

He is a rookie in this year’s Iditarod. He was on Naked and Afraid. He’s a writer. He and his wife, Blair, have a huge following on Twitter. Join us as Quince talks with us about mushing and his personal life. You don’t want to miss this episode.

Follow Quince on Twitter –  https://twitter.com/QuinceMountain?s=20

Season 3 Episode 18: Katie Mangelsdorf 

Do you know why the Iditarod started? Most people think it has to do with the Serum Run, this is not true. Listen as Katie Mangelsdorf tells us the story of the real reason the Iditarod got its start. She also shares stories about Joe Redington, Sr. from her book Champion of Alaskan Huskies.
Buy Katie’s book here: www.amazon.com/Champion-Alaskan-…rod/dp/1594332452

Season 3 Episode 17: Monica Hendrickson (John Beargrease Marathon)

The John Beargrease is one of the premier sled dog races in North America. The race was established in 1980 and many world class mushers have competed in the race. The Beargrease is an Iditarod qualifying race. Join us for this episode as Monica Hendrickson talks to us about the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon.

Season 3 Episode 16: Scott Kummer (Human Powered Iditarod)

Did you know that there is another race along the Iditarod Trail? One week before the dogs take off, there is a human powered event. We talked with one of the racers that will do the event on foot. He is an ultrarunner and hosts his own podcast, Ten Junk Miles. Find out more about Scott Kummer in this episode of Husky Talk.

Season 3 Episode 15: Seth Barnes

Originally from Alabama, Seth came to Alaska to run dogs. He is a veteran of both the Yukon Quest and Iditarod. He talks with us about what it was like to lose a dog on the trail. Please enjoy this episode with Seth Barnes.

Season 3 Episode 14: Lev Shvarts

Season 3 Episode 13: Ryan Anderson

Ryan has been mushing since the age of 10. He is a 3-time champion of the John Beargrease. He talks to us about how he got involved in mushing and the many races he has competed in.

Season 3 Episode 12: Brian Presley (Leonard Seppala in The Great Alaskan Race) 

Have you seen the new movie The Great Alaskan Race yet? Brian Presley is the writer, producer, director, and main actor in the movie. He talks to us about what got him into acting, what it was like playing Leonard Seppala, and what is was like working with dogs.

Season 3 Episode 11: Blake Freking 

This week’s episode features the 2019 John Beargrease champion. He has completed the Beargrease, Iditarod, and Yukon Question, among many other races. Check out this episode with owner of Manitou Crossing Kennels, Blake Freking.

Season 3 Episode 10: Deke Naaktgeboren

From our home state of Iowa, listen to our interview with Deke as he tells us about how he got into mushing. He also talks to us about the many races he has finished and how he plans to do the Yukon Quest and Iditarod this season.

Season 3 Episode 9: Charley Bejna

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. Charley Bejna is a Type 1 diabetic who has completed the Iditarod several times. This episode we talk with Charley about how he manages he diabetes while out on the trail.

Season 3 Episode 8: Jessie Royer 

Last year she finished 3rd in the Iditarod. She has placed in the top ten six times in her career. Jessie Royer talks with us about her 3rd place finish last year.

Season 3 Episode 7: Meredith Mapes

We talk with Meredith Mapes this week about how she has both volunteered for the Iditarod as well as raced in the event. This year she is considered a veteran of the race. Listen to Meredith talk with us about her goals for this year.

Season 3 Episode 6: Karin Hendrickson

After being involved in an accident while out training her dogs, she is back for the 2020 Iditarod. Listen to Karin talk to us about what it was like on the road to recovery.

Season 3 Episode 5: Greg Heister 

After recently returning from the Amazon to film an episode of Seasons on the Fly, Greg Heister sits down and talks with us. He talks; the Amazon, Seasons on the Fly, announcing basketball, the Iditarod and the changes he has see. Listen to “the voice” of the Iditarod on this week’s episode of Husky Talk.

Season 3 Episode 4: Laura Neese

She loves to fish and make maple syrup. She has placed 3rd in the Yukon Quest. This year she is back for the Iditarod. Enjoy this episode with Laura Neese of Nature’s Kennel.

Season 3 Episode 3: Louise Russell (dogbooties.com)

Did you ever wonder who makes all those booties you see the sled dogs wearing? How about the leggings and harnesses? Join us as we talk with dogbooties.com owner, Louise Russell.

Season 3 Episode 2: Rob Urbach (CEO of Iditarod)

Season 3 Episode 1: Mille Porsild 

Welcome back to Season 3 of Husky Talk. This week we have a great conversation with an experience musher that will be running her first Iditarod this year. Join us and listen to her talk about different expeditions she has done and how she is excited about the Iditarod.