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Homegrown conversations for curious minds. A podcast from the Petersburg Public Library in Petersburg, Alaska.

Petersburg Public Library


    • Apr 6, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 32m AVG DURATION
    • 113 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Homegrown conversations for curious minds.

    EPISODE 109: Library Love! With Cathy Cronlund & Sue Paulsen

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2025 31:45


    In celebration of National Library Week, Cathy Cronlund & Sue Paulsen sit down to reminisce about their lifetime love of libraries and their careers as school librarians. This interview was recorded at the Petersburg Public Library on April 4th, 2025 by Kari Petersen.

    EPISODE 108: Sue Jensen Paulsen

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2025 44:57


    Logan Haley speaks with long-time educator and librarian Sue Paulsen. The interview centered on her growing up around educators and becoming one herself, as well as what Petersburg was like in the 1950s and ‘60s. This interview was recorded in April 2024 as an assignment for Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History class at the Petersburg High School.

    EPISODE 107: Leslie Schwartz

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2025 46:57


    Leslie Schwartz discusses with Kesia Luhr what it is like to be a Baha'i in Petersburg, Alaska. She shares pieces of family, Petersburg, and World History and how it relates to her journey as a Baha'i. This interview was recorded in April 2024 as an assignment for Kesia in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History class at the Petersburg High School.

    EPISODE 106: Rick McKay

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2025 14:17


    Rick McKay talks to his grandson, Zander Jones, about living in Petersburg and his lifetime of working at the local cannery. This interview was done as an assignment for Zander in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History class at the Petersburg High School.

    EPISODE 105: Charles "Chuck" Thynes

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2025 18:32


    Charles “Chuck” Thynes talks to his granddaughter, Alysa Thomassen, about his lifetime of commercial fishing in Alaska. Alysa inquires about the changes he's seen in commercial methods and regulations over the years. This interview was recorded in the Spring of 2025 as an assignment for Alysa in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History class at Petersburg High School.

    EPISODE 104: John Wikan

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2025 22:57


    John Wikan talks to his grandson, Jakob Wikan, about his time working in Washington State and then moving back to Petersburg to open his own business, Wikan Enterprises; a staple marine diesel mechanic shop in Petersburg, serving the local fishing fleet for several decades. This interview was recorded in the Spring of 2024 as an assignment for Jakob in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History class at the Petersburg High School.

    EPISODE 103: Diane Marsh

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2025 28:57


    Diane Marsh talks to Kinley Lister about the Homestead Café, the family owned business she and husband, Ottis, ran while raising their family. The Homestead Cafe was a well loved Café in downtown Petersburg where community members, including captains and the coffee crew, would gather and visit. This interview was recorded in the Spring of 2024 as an assignment for Kinley for Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History class at the Petersburg High School.

    EPISODE 102: Irene "Ikie" Roundtree

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2025 31:57


    Irene “Ikie” Roundtree talks with Kieran Cabral and Shannon Peeler about life in Petersburg running a seaplane business while raising 3 kids with her legendary husband, Alaska bush pilot Lloyd Roundtree. This interview was recorded in the Spring of 2024 as an assignment for Kieran in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History class at Petersburg High School.

    EPISODE 101: Shalene McCollum

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2025 23:58


    Shalene McCollum talks to her daughter, Mattea McCollum, about growing fishing in Alaska and using Alaska's natural resources. This interview was recorded in May of 2024 as an assignment in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History class at the Petersburg High School.

    EPISODE 100: Derek Lopez

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2025 19:08


    Derek Lopez talks to Cheyenne Steele about life in Petersburg, his career, and what he enjoys about living in Petersburg. This interview was recorded in April of 2024 as an assignment in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History class at Petersburg High School.

    EPISODE 99: Dea Ayriss

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2025 7:57


    Bryana Ratliff talks to her mother Dea Ayriss about numerous topics covering, being born and raised in Alaska, her favorite hobbies while growing up, and to now. This interview was recorded on May 12, 2024 as an assignment for Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History class at the Petersburg High School.

    EPISODE 98: Ray Troll

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2025 59:23


    Renown Alaskan Artist, Ray Troll, talks to Kari Petersen about his new book Spawn Till You Die: The Fin Art of Ray Troll, a collection of his life's work. Mr. Troll also talks about his love of paleontology, a podcast he started with a friend called Paleo Nerds, and all that inspires his lifetime of art. This interview was recorded in September 2024.

    EPISODE 97: RD Parks

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2025 75:29


    Elijah Whitacre talks to Renaker D. Parks about his time working for the Alaskan Pulp Company as a logging engineer in the 1990s and working for the Forest Service as a silviculturist in the 2000s. This interview was recorded May 4th, 2024 as an assignment for Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History class at the Petersburg High School.

    EPISODE 96: Diana Owens

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2025 19:56


    Diana Owens talks to Lakell Deinhardt about coming to Southeast Alaska with her husband and raising their family in logging camps around the region during the height of logging on the Tongass. This interview was done in the Spring of 2024 as an assignment in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History class at the Petersburg High School.

    EPISODE 95: Karen Eddy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2025 28:55


    Breiland Willis interviews his grandmother, Karen Eddy, on April 17, 2024 to talk about early Petersburg and logging camps in Alaska. She shares her story about life with her husband, the late Jack Eddy, and how they built a home and a family here in Petersburg. This interview was recorded as an assignment in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History class at the Petersburg High School.

    EPISODE 94: WAYNE SHORT 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2025 38:56


    EPISODE 93: James Valentine

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2024 27:20


    James Valentine talks to Anya Pawuk about various topics surrounding owning a business, traveling, coaching, and the advice he would offer for life. This interview was recorded in the Spring of 2024 as an assignment in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History Class at Petersburg High School.

    EPISODE 92: Vivian Hjort

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2024 33:00


    Vivian Hjort is interviewed by Jonas Anderson and talks about her last 25 years living in Petersburg, Alaska. Her time working with a helicopter company before moving to a position with the United States Forest Service as a dispatcher. This interview was recorded on May 8th, 2024 as part of a project for Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History class.

    EPISODE 91: Alaskan Experience

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2024 29:00


    Rik Cumps talks to his great uncle, John Havrelik, about what brought him to Alaska and his experiences working all over the great State. This interview was recorded in the Spring of 2024 as an assignment in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History Class at Petersburg High School.

    EPISODE 90: Inception of Modern Computers

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2024 22:46


    Charlotte Martin speaks with her grandmother Liz Pawuk about programming computers in the 60's, the foundational era of their development. This interview was recorded in the Spring of 2024 as an assignment in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History Class at Petersburg High School.

    EPISODE 89: Alec McMurren, FisherPoet

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2024 29:00


    A compilation of songs and poetry readings from past episodes of Homegrown Conversations that celebrate the annual FisherPoets gathering in Astoria, Oregon. Featuring Alec McMurren with additional works by Pat Dixon, Geno Leech, and Nicole McMurren.

    EPISODE 88: Heidi Lee

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2024 35:30


    Norwegian Dance Instructor, Heidi Lee, and former student, Lilith Odegaard, have a conversation about culture in Petersburg. This conversations was recorded in April of 2023 as an assignment for Lily in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History Class at the Petersburg High School.

    EPISODE 87: Stan Hjort

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2023 49:02


    Stan Hjort talks to Axton Kravitz about growing up in Washington State, his time in the U.S. Coast Guard, and moving to Petersburg. This interview was done in April of 2023 as an assignment for Axton in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History Class at the Petersburg High School.

    EPISODE 86: A Baby for Christmas!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2023 36:00


    Brian and Marjorie Paust have committed their lives to serving Alaskan communities as educators since the early 1970s. Their dedication and enthusiasm are impressive, as are their tales of life in the Arctic. In this interview, they speak about their early years in Kivalina, a village on the Chukchi sea, where they opened a high school for local children. They also tell of the birth of their son Nathaniel in Kotzebue during a blizzard on Christmas Eve.

    EPISODE: 85 Kelly O'Soup

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2023 12:54


    Kelly O'Soup talks with her daughter, Meghan, about her work for the USFS. This interview was done in April of 2023 as an assignment for Meghan in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History class at Petersburg High School.

    EPISODE: 84 Martin Susort

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2023 15:44


    Martin Susort talks to his grandson, Kyle Biggers, about his time in Petersburg, what has changed over the years and what keeps him here.

    EPISODE 83: Chris Fry

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2023 8:48


    Malcom Fry talks with his father, Louise “Chris” Fry, about their family history and Chris's travels in Southeast Alaska prior to making it his home. This interview was recorded in April of 2023 as an assignment for Malcom in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History class at the Petersburg High School.

    EPISODE 82: Ioana Ward

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2023 11:07


    Novalee Thomas talks to Petersburg High School Teacher, Ioana Ward, about growing up in Romania and how it compares to Petersburg. This interview was recorded in April of 2023 as an assignment for Novalee in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History class at Petersburg High School.

    EPISODE 81: Harry & Helen Sakamoto Family

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2023 13:00


    Tina Sakamoto tells Alexus Sakamoto-Quezon about her great grandfather, Harry Sakamoto, when he was taken to Japanese internment camp and how it affected their family. This interview was recorded in April of 2023 as an assignment for Alexus in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History Class at the Petersburg High School.

    EPISODE 80: Will Ware

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2023 19:56


    Will Ware talks to Kasiah Lopez about owning a small business and living a Lingít way of life. This interview was recorded in April of 2023 when Kasiah was a senior in High School and was done as an assignment for Mr. Shumway's Alaska History class.

    EPISODE 79: Colyn Lyons

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2023 36:03


    Colyn Lyons, grandson of Amy Hallingstad, talks with Owen Anderson about his life growing up with his grandmother and about why she is an important figure in Alaska History. This interview was recorded in April of 2023 when Owen was a senior in High School and was done as an assignment for Mr. Shumway's Alaska History class.

    EPISODE 78: Carolyn Hurtt

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2023 10:32


    Carolyn Hurtt talks to her grandson, Jaren Whitethorn, about what brought her to Petersburg, what has changed in the community over the years, and why she has stayed. This interview was recorded in April of 2023 when Jaren was a senior in High School and was done as an assignment for Mr. Shumway's Alaska History class.

    EPISODE 77: Kathy Emmenegger

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2023 14:12


    Kathy Emmenegger talks to her grandson, Jack Engell, about what brought her to Petersburg and why she has stayed. This interview was recorded in April of 2023 when Jack was a senior in High School and was done as an assignment for Mr. Shumway's Alaska History class.

    EPISODE 76: Diane Benson (part 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2023 46:07


    Stacey Eilenberger asks Diane Benson about naming her son, how her work centering on Elizabeth Peratrovich has impacted Diane's life, teaching at the University level and taking part in writing a new textbook for Alaska History, as well as Diane's life in theater and film. This is part 2 of a 2-part interview done in April of 2023, and was an assignment for Stacey in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History Class at Petersburg High School.

    EPISODE 75: Diane Benson (part 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2023 60:01


    Diane Benson talks with Stacey Eilenberger about growing up in foster care, attending BIA boarding schools, coming of age, getting her MFA in Creative Writing, and running for political office in the State of Alaska. This is part 1 of a 2-part interview done in April of 2023, and was an assignment for Stacey in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History Class at Petersburg High School.

    EPISODE 74: Debra O'Gara

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2023 26:46


    Debra O'Gara talks with Mikayla Garza about her life's work and motivations. Debra is an accomplished Tlingít weaver and published author. She is a Lawyer and has been a Judge, Magistrate, and Policy Specialist for the Alaska Women's Resource Center. Debra is currently teaching Tribal Government at UAF and is also a PhD Candidate in their Indigenous Studies Program. This interview was done in April of 2023, and was an assignment for Mikayla in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History Class at Petersburg High School.

    EPISODE 73: Cody & Wyatt Litster

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2023 26:55


    State Trooper, Cody Litster, talks with his son Wyatt about what brought him to Alaska and how he became a State Trooper. This interview was recorded in April of 2023 when Wyatt was a senior at Petersburg High School and was an assignment for Mr. Shumway's Alaska History class.

    EPISODE 72: Petersburg Then & Now

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2023 42:15


    Devon Guthrie talks to his dad, Alex Guthrie, about growing up in Petersburg. They discuss Alex's experience growing up with limited supervision; and the differences Alex sees in Petersburg, from his time as a kid to now raising children. This interview was recorded on April 19, 2023 when Devon was a senior in High School, and was done as an assignment for Mr. Shumway's Alaska History class.

    EPISODE 71: Alaskan Experiences

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2023 29:00


    Rachel Cassandra talks about her Alaskan experiences prior to taking a job as News Reporter for KFSK. She also discusses the current environment of journalism and ethics of the industry.

    EPISODE: 70 Mary Katasse-Miller

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2023 29:00


    Mary Katasse-Miller talks about her life, family, and Lingít culture as she prepares to leave Petersburg for South Dakota to be near family.

    EPISODE 69: Love, Art, & Life

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2023 29:00


    Mary Katasse-Miller talks about meeting her husband Jay Miller and their life together. Mary also discusses the meanings behind both of her family's Lingít crests.

    EPISODE 68: Honoring Mexican Independence Day

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2022 51:31


    Jonathan Canek Elias Sosa, a freshman at Petersburg High School talks about growing up in Mexico and immigrating to the US in 2018. He is a member of the library's GOAT Radio Show for teens and discusses an upcoming special radio show he has planned to honor Mexican Independence that will be celebrated on September 15 & 16, 2022.

    EPISODE 67: Marisol Westhoff

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2022 41:29


    Marisol Westhoff talks about coming to Petersburg from Mexico to work in the cannery, and how she came to call Petersburg her home with husband, Tom, and their three young girls.

    EPISODE 66: StarFlower the Duck

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2022 39:40


    Matt Gerrits talks about his beloved duck StarFlower, her miraculous survival, charisma, & local fame.

    EPISODE 65: Library LOVE!

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2022 26:25


    Sue Jensen Paulsen talks with Kari Petersen about the history of Petersburg Public Library. 2022 National Library week will be celebrated with a heartfelt dedication of the Helmi Jensen Community Room.

    EPISODE 64: Patti Norheim & Gloria Ohmer-Koenigs

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2022 35:16


    Two dear friends and sisters by marriage talk about their business ventures in this Listening Project recorded in 2010.

    EPISODE 63: FisherPoets Gathering 2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2022 38:29


    Alec McMurren plays his original “Fisher Folk Songs” and gives poetry readings while discussing his love of the annual FisherPoets Gathering, happening online Feb. 25-26.

    EPISODE 62: Strengthening Local Non-Profits

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2022 29:00


    Joni Johnson talks about the Petersburg Community Foundation's mission & grants as well as endowments and support for local non-profits. The library's Build A Better World Challenge is featured as a way to support local non-profits in January.

    EPISODE 61: Rachel Krafchow (Part 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2021 42:52


    Rachel discusses working in the U.S. and abroad before finding home in Petersburg.

    EPISODE 60: Rachel Krafchow (Part 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2021 37:45


    Rachel talks about growing up in Israel, coming to the U.S., and returning to Israel to join the Army.

    EPISODE 59: Alaska Natives Without Land

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2021 38:50


    Nicole Hallingstad, a member of Petersburg Alaska Natives Without Land, discusses the history and future of Landless Natives.

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