Chasing Lights—an Alaskan Childhood

Gunnar Branson
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Arts

The frontier is an exciting adventure when imagined, but what is it like when it's lived? How does a young family from Philadelphia make Alaska home? I grew up under the Northern Lights in temperatures that ranged from -60 degrees to +80 degrees Fahrenheit. Wild animals like bear, moose, eagles, and caribou were common, mountains were epic, winters were cold, summer sun went through the night, and the Northern Lights were frequent. But it was also strangely ordinary...and awesome.

  1. 09/21/2025

    Chasing Lights Conversation with Henry Chamberlain

    What if leadership requires kindness? The world can not be controlled. That is an obvious understatement, as human beings are far too small and powerless to have total control. It is challenging to keep that simple truth in mind, especially if the world asks you to be a leader. The Chasing Lights story reminded me just how much I have been buffeted about by a much larger world. That reminder continuously changes my approach to leadership, and helps me learn to get better at it (I hope). Ultimately, I believe that good leadership does not control, but perhaps it can assist with navigation? In a conversation with Henry Chamberlain, former CEO of BOMA, we explored what it means to become and perform as a leader.

  2. 09/18/2025

    Chasing Lights Conversation with Joshua Harris

    The book version of Chasing Lights will be released in early 2026. It tells the story of his childhood under the Northern Lights in Alaska where the small things, the ordinary lives lived in an impossibly big world under the Lights are what really matter. Chasing Lights Conversations explores how different people chased their own lights and what they have learned along the way. Joshua Harris sat down with Gunnar in August of 2025 to discuss his own life journeys in New York City and rural Florida, and how it has shaped his way of seeing the world.

  3. 09/16/2025

    Chasing Lights Conversation with Zeb Bradford

    Part of the Chasing Lights Conversations podcasts, I sat down with a good friend and colleague Zeb Bradford. In his work life, he is Metzler Real Estate's Chief Investment Officer, but outside of work he has led a fascinating life in places around the world. Zeb described what it feels like to be a foreigner and how he learned to adjust. We shared notes on connecting in a fragmented world, about long form media and reflection, and on the way that all people are more alike than we realize...even if we irritate each other. It was a wonderful conversation. I hope you enjoy it.

  4. 09/16/2025

    Chasing Lights Conversation with Marc Royer

    What are your Chasing Lights Stories? After finishing the podcast of Chasing Lights and as the book version is prepared for release in early 2026, author Gunnar Branson sits down with Marc Royer to ask him about his Chasing Lights Journey from France to rural California, Spain, Miami, and other spots in between.

  5. 06/25/2022

    Chasing Lights - Forward

    Why did I write a story about childhood "under the lights"? The reasons are complicated, but the stories are interesting. Find out why.

  6. 06/18/2022

    Chasing Lights - Chapter 1

    I didn't start life in Alaska, but I ended up there pretty quickly. How? Listen here to the story of how my family went north for the first time.

  7. 06/10/2022

    Chasing Lights - Chapter 2

    How much can you escape what you left behind? How much does it follow you? The family starts their life as Alaskans.

  8. 06/03/2022

    Chasing Lights - Chapter 3

    What does it take to get through winter? Tough for everyone, Alaskan winters are especially difficult on the body and the soul...but there are moments that fill the darkness.

See All (21)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The frontier is an exciting adventure when imagined, but what is it like when it's lived? How does a young family from Philadelphia make Alaska home? I grew up under the Northern Lights in temperatures that ranged from -60 degrees to +80 degrees Fahrenheit. Wild animals like bear, moose, eagles, and caribou were common, mountains were epic, winters were cold, summer sun went through the night, and the Northern Lights were frequent. But it was also strangely ordinary...and awesome.

Information