Yukon, North of Ordinary

Dec 04 2024 74 ep. 29 mins 23
Yukon, North of Ordinary Podcast artwork

From the offbeat to the extraordinary, we document life in and around Canada’s Yukon and offer deeper insights into the content in our award-winning magazine.  

Hosted by Karen McColl
Produced by Karen McColl & Mark Koepke

Northofordinary.com

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((Fiction)) by Nadine Sander-Green: reimagining the North through a newcomer's eyes

Dec 04 2024 23 mins  
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 rec

The Fantail Five: reliving an epic ski trip on a historic route

Nov 20 2024 44 mins  
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

The raven revisited

Nov 13 2024 15 mins  
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 a

Winter series | it's time to Manu up

Nov 06 2024 20 mins  
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 v

He's a real batass

Oct 30 2024 38 mins  
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. Co-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.

YQ | photojournalist Peter Mather

Oct 23 2024 12 mins  
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 tours us through the dark streets of Whitehorse to look for urban foxes and also speaks of camera trapping the "ice" bears of

((Music)) by the august arrival: Yukon’s low-key singer-songwriter hits a high note

Oct 16 2024 21 mins  
“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 fello

Nocturnal predators: the insatiable hunger of little brown bats

Oct 09 2024 29 mins  
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

Fall series | boats, bats, and badass ungulates

Oct 02 2024 23 mins  
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 Mark'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 bear encounter that began with a curious canter*

Aug 14 2024 37 mins  
When a bear starts running towards you, that's never a good thing. So began an uncomfortable standoff between three women on a backpacking trip and a grizzly bear. Karen debriefs this encounter with Yukon Conservation Officer Dean McLean, who shares his bear safely insights. Take a listen, it could save your life. This episode first aired in May 2023.CONNECT WITH US • Facebook: @