The Last Frontier Podcast

Daniel Meuninck, Andrew Smith
  • 4.8 (26)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

Your two hosts of this podcast work as professional guides in the Alaskan outdoor tourism industry and started this podcast as a fun way to keep busy during the pandemic summer of 2020. With uncertainty in what employment might look like, Danny and Andrew still wanted to share the beauty of Alaska with people and this podcast was a good way to achieve that goal. Alaska is an incredible place everybody should put on their destination bucket list. Each episode opens with a beer review highlighting a local Alaskan brewery and then tackles a different topic relating to what makes Alaska such a unique place in the world. With all the fun being had drinking Alaskan brews and sharing fascinating information about the Last Frontier State, what started as a fun short term project has morphed into a long term endeavor. With this decision, investments were made in much better production equipment and the sound quality drastically improves starting in Phase II of the podcast with Episode 17 (Feb 21, 2021 release date). We hope you enjoy the content and strongly encourage you to visit Alaska in the future!

  1. 13H AGO

    Alaska Travel 501: Destination Stewardship

    Tourism in Alaska can be a tricky thing. On one hand, visitors come here for everything that makes this place incredible: glaciers, wildlife, fishing, mountains, and small coastal communities full of character. On the other hand, the people who actually live here still have to grocery shop, get to work, find parking, and somehow keep these communities feeling like home long after the visitors leave. Somewhere in the middle of all that is a concept called destination stewardship. On this episode, we sit down with Stephanie Millane, Board of Directors President of the Seward Chamber of Commerce and one of the people leading the charge behind Seward’s Destination Stewardship Committee. We talk about the future of tourism in Alaska, the challenges of balancing growth with community well-being, and why stewardship isn’t just about protecting the environment. It’s also about protecting the experience for both visitors and locals alike. What's important for visitors to know about visiting Alaska? Can tourism actually make a community stronger instead of overwhelming it? And wait, you're telling me people actually live in these places?! It's the episode where we all sing kumbaya together! Alaskan Beer of the Week: Hawthorne Longfall Mystery Hop Pale Ale by Turnagain Brewing Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley] Support Us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thelastfrontier] Support the show

    49 min

  2. MAY 10

    The Ocean Between Us - Alaska & Hawai'i

    It’s hard to think of two places in the United States that feel more different than Alaska and Hawaiʻi. One is defined by glaciers, cold water, and long winters, while the other is known for warm beaches, volcanoes, and year-round sun. But despite being thousands of miles apart, and complete opposites on the surface, both places are connected by the same massive force: the Pacific Ocean. On today’s episode, we’re taking a closer look at how that ocean ties Alaska and Hawaiʻi together through climate, wildlife, culture, and movement. How can the same ocean create two completely different environments? What connects the wildlife between these distant places? And what does it mean to get TP'd while surfing?! It’s the episode that'll get you thinking the Pacific Ocean isn't that big after all...until you try and paddle it! Before we wrap up the intro, we just want to acknowledge that this episode was recorded on Maui prior to the recent storms and flooding. Our thoughts are with the people of the island, and of the friends and community we spent time with while we were there.  Alaskan Beer of the Week: Totally Pitted by Harbor Mountain Brewing Company Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley] Support Us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thelastfrontier] Support the show Support the show

    44 min

  3. APR 26

    The Alaska and Hawai'i Religious Hall of Fame

    Alaska and Hawaiʻi might sit far apart, but both places are known for producing remarkable people shaped by isolation, hardship, and the environments they chose to live in. From remote islands in the North Pacific to the isolated settlement of Molokaʻi, these are places that test people, and sometimes, the people who stand out the most are the ones who chose to stay. On today’s episode, we’re building our very own Alaska and Hawaiʻi Religious Hall of Fame, highlighting four saints from Alaska and two from Hawaiʻi whose lives were defined by service, resilience, and a deep connection to place. How important was language in early missionary work? How did these individuals impact the communities around them? And what do their stories tell us about life at the edge of the map?! It’s the episode that'll have you thinking about island life in a brand-new way! Before we wrap up the intro, we just want to acknowledge that this episode was recorded on Maui prior to the recent storms and flooding. Our thoughts are with the people of the island, and of the friends and community we spent time with while we were there.  Alaskan Beer of the Week: Blue Collar by Magnetic North Brewing Company Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley] Support Us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thelastfrontier] Support the show

    39 min

  4. APR 12

    Sailing Superstitions: Maritime Lore of the High Seas

    It doesn’t matter if you’re crossing the Pacific, heading out to fish, or just taking a boat around the bay, the ocean has a way of making people just a little bit superstitious. Long before radar, weather apps, or GPS, sailors relied on observation, tradition, and a whole lot of lore to make sense of the sea. Some of those beliefs turned out to be surprisingly accurate… and some of them are just plain weird. On today’s episode, we’re diving into maritime superstitions and the stories behind them. Why are bananas banned from boats? Why should you never rename a vessel without a ceremony? And is there actually some science behind sayings like “red sky at night, sailor’s delight”? It’s the episode you'll want to listen to before your next boat trip! Before we wrap up the intro, we just want to acknowledge that this episode was recorded on Maui prior to the recent storms and flooding. Our thoughts are with the people of the island, and of the friends and community we spent time with while we were there.  Alaskan Beer of the Week: Nat Shack Richardson Ruby Ale by Valdez Brewing Company Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley] Support Us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thelastfrontier] Support the show

    49 min

  5. MAR 29

    Alaska Mascots Part 4.5: MLB National League

    It is still March which means spring training for Major League Baseball. On the last episode we stepped up to the plate and went through the American League teams, replacing their mascots with Alaska-inspired counterparts. But that was only the first inning of this two-part series. On today’s episode we turn our attention to the National League as we continue getting creative and educational with Alaska mascots. What red birds do we have in Alaska? What's the Alaskan equivalent of a Padre? And what were Pirates called in the Last Frontier?! It's the episode you'll grab your peanuts and cracker jacks for! Alaskan Beer of the Week: Berry Lemon Buzz by Turnagain Brewing Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley] Support Us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thelastfrontier] Support the show

    58 min

  6. MAR 15

    Alaska Mascots Part 4: MLB American League

    It is March which means spring training for Major League Baseball. As we do roughly once a year, we tackle some sort of sport league by changing their mascots to their similar themed, but Alaska related counterparts. This year, we made good contact and hit a double which means you get a two parter! On today's episode, we go through the American League teams so please join us as we get creative and education with Alaska mascots! How uncreative were some original team mascots back in the day? Which team logo would make for a good tattoo? And would you rather be a Boston Mukluk or Xtra Tuf?! It's the episode we knocked out of the park! Alaskan Beer of the Week: Berserker by Midnight Sun Brewing Company Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley] Support Us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thelastfrontier] Support the show

    57 min

  7. MAR 1

    Alaska Madness Bracket 2026

    March Madness is just around the corner for all you basketball fans out there, but for Alaska lovers, this episode is for you. On today’s episode of The Last Frontier Podcast, we’re running our own Alaska-themed bracket. We take 32 iconic things Alaska is known for, put them head-to-head, and battle it out to determine what we subjectively believe is the most iconic symbol of the Last Frontier. Who makes it to the Final Four? Which flower goes on a Cinderella run? And what will ultimately be crowned champion? It’s the episode that’s guaranteed to bust your bracket. Alaskan Beer of the Week: 7 (Seven Anniversary Aged and Blended Sour Ale) by Turnagain Brewing Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley] Support Us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thelastfrontier] Support the show

    1h 3m

  8. FEB 15

    Are You Smarter Than An Alaskan: Part 3

    We wrap up our three-part mini-series with part 3 of our 49 questions interview with born-and-raised Alaskan Jared Fink. In this final episode, we turn our focus to wildlife, climate, and what it really means to live alongside nature in the Last Frontier. What animals do Alaskans respect the most? How many climate zones does Alaska have? And why should you always give the ball to Beast Mode on the one yard line?! It's the episode you can't control, but can coexist with! Alaskan Beer of the Week: Fisherman's Porter by Grace Ridge Brewing Company Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley] Support Us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thelastfrontier] Support the show

    1h 32m
See All (154)

4.8
out of 5
26 Ratings

About

Your two hosts of this podcast work as professional guides in the Alaskan outdoor tourism industry and started this podcast as a fun way to keep busy during the pandemic summer of 2020. With uncertainty in what employment might look like, Danny and Andrew still wanted to share the beauty of Alaska with people and this podcast was a good way to achieve that goal. Alaska is an incredible place everybody should put on their destination bucket list. Each episode opens with a beer review highlighting a local Alaskan brewery and then tackles a different topic relating to what makes Alaska such a unique place in the world. With all the fun being had drinking Alaskan brews and sharing fascinating information about the Last Frontier State, what started as a fun short term project has morphed into a long term endeavor. With this decision, investments were made in much better production equipment and the sound quality drastically improves starting in Phase II of the podcast with Episode 17 (Feb 21, 2021 release date). We hope you enjoy the content and strongly encourage you to visit Alaska in the future!

Information

  • Creator
    Daniel Meuninck, Andrew Smith
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    154
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Last Frontier Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Last Frontier Podcast

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