Radio Free Palmer

Brad Alexander, a substance abuse counselor for True North Recovery in Wasilla, joins Mike on Valley Edition. Brad has written four children's books addressing various types of trauma, addiction, and recovery. Brad wants young readers to be able to explore complex topics like trauma and addiction safely and compassionately. It shows that change is possible, […]

Nelson Crone gives the monthly update on the UAF Farm and Extension Center with host Mike Chmieleski. The farm will start harvesting the different grain trials with the new combine. All the staff have been trained on the new combine, which represents a 40-year technological jump. It is the time of year when moose are […]

The Communist's Secret is the second book in The Leningrad Trilogy, a gripping World War II tale with a complicated heroine. Katya is courageous, impulsive, and desperate, as she battles the Nazis and her demons in this story of second chances.

Layla Harrison, Vice President of the Palmer FFA, talks with Lee Henrikson about the (WLC) Washington Leadership Conference she just attended. The conference is about being a leader in your community. Each attendee picks a project or a need in their community to work on. Layla chose a youth mental health camp as her project. […]

Impertinent Question is Dan O’Neill’s new book. He shares stories with Mike about being a liberal columnist at a conservative newspaper in the red state of Alaska. Dan says that his fidelity is to accuracy, truth, and putting history together.

Palmer City Manager Kolby Zerkel joins Mike Chmielewski on Inside the City. Mike asked Kolby about the idea of annexation and the proposed ballot measure to allow the City Manager to live up to 5 miles from the city.. They also discussed the survey being taken now about parking in Palmer.

Join Rachel and John this week as they address disappearing federal information, terminated grants for Alaskan farmers, the freezing and unfreezing of appropriated money, and how the Fourth Amendment applies to your smart phone at the border.

Carol Kenley joins host Ken Hoffman on Ag Matters. Carol was born and raised on a dairy farm, here in the Valley. She now raises vegetables, which her grandkids sell at their vegetable stand. In her position as President of the Matanuska Farm Bureau and Alaska Grown, she asks everyone to stop by the booth […]

Brad Alexander, a substance abuse counselor for True North Recovery in Wasilla, joins Mike Chmielewski on Valley Edition. Brad has written several children's books addressing various types of trauma, addiction, and recovery. 

David Shields Talks with Jeff Powers, the Executive Director of The Palmer Food Bank. Palmer Food Bank is a non-profit organization run by volunteers. The big news for the food bank is that it will be moving to a new location by mid-November. The new address is 404 Arctic Avenue. Jeff thanked St. Michael’s Church […]

Please join John and Rachel this week as they discuss how federal changes are likely to impact drug treatment, rural radio, local schools, and the power of Congress. https://www.bigcabbageradio.org/2025/07/30/home-to-roost-7-26-2025/feed/ 0

Mike Chmielewski and Palmer Mayor Steve Carrington discussed Celebrate Palmer Pride, an event that happened after their conversation. This year, Celebrate Palmer featured free hot dogs, family-friendly activities, and an awards presentation. The award for Business of the Year is Aktive Soles and its owner, Anne Thomas. Ambassador of the Year is Carla Swick, honored […]

Scott Blair from My Favorite Reality talks with David Shield. This month, buyers are out there, but they are in a ‘kick-the-tire’ mode, taking their time and looking around before making a purchase. There are numerous commercial properties for sale in Palmer and along the Wasilla-Palmer Highway.

Emily Forester is joined by three students from the MSBSD Teacher Academy, Scholarship, and Loan program: Don, Ruebin, and Tory. Mat-Su’s recent graduates can stay in Mat-Su and become an accredited teacher. They enroll in Chadron State College’s online teacher preparation program and do their practicum work and student teaching here in the Mat-Su. If the […]

The Alaska End-of-Life Alliance was formed three years ago to support Alaskans who are planning for, or nearing the end of their lives. This support encompasses a wide range of services, including advanced care planning and decision-making discussions about all aspects of death and dying.

MaryAnn, Rebbeca, and Ellis discuss the book of the month, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote. They compared the book to the movie, and Audre Hepburn’s classical portrayal of Holly Golightly. Ellis shares that the book is actually an anthology of short stories.

Ken Hoffman talks with Alaska Adventure Chefs’ Owner and Chef, Kevin Moffat. Adventure Chef was established with a clear mission: to ensure that food enhances, rather than impedes, the joy of any adventure. Ken discusses using the freshest, valley-grown products. During COVID, Kevin and his wife began growing their garden. Today, that garden supplies edible […]

Gina Davis, the Finance Director for the city of Palmer, joins David Shield to discuss what is happening in the city’s finance department. The finance department is wrapping up the yearly audit for 2024. Gina and David examine the significance of the audit as a means of keeping the city council informed so that they […]

Rachel Levitt and John Robertson discuss Federal actions that impact Alaska on Home to Roost. This week on Home to Roost, Rachel and John discuss the July 14th headline from the PBS News Hour titled “Big Beautiful Bill Could Accelerate the Private Education Shift.” Every week in the Plain Reading section, they review a portion […]

David Shield learns about internet safety from Peter House from Deeptree Inc. Peter had good news about a ransomware group that was arrested. The head of the group, a Russian professional basketball player, Daniil Kasatkin, and four others were arrested. He is currently facing charges of “conspiracy to commit computer fraud” and “computer fraud conspiracy” […]

Ken Hoffman talks to Alex Wilson, the Youth Agriculture Education Co-Ordinator at Alaska Pacific University. Alaska Pacific University's Kellogg Campus in Palmer hosts Camp Kellogg: four weeks of adventure, science, creative arts, farm, and nature. Alex enjoys showing students the wonders of growing their own food.

David Shields Talks with Jeff Powers, the Executive Director of The Palmer Food Bank. Palmer Food Bank is a non-profit organization run by volunteers. The big news for the food bank is that it will be moving to a new location by mid-November. The new address is 404 Arctic Avenue. Jeff thanked St. Michael’s Church […]

Mike Chmeilewski has a conversation with Dylainie Nathlich, the Executive Director of the Palmer Museum of History and Art. Dylainie has held this position for one month; she started in the collections department in 2021.  The Art in the Garden is a family-friendly event featuring local artists and vendors, art workshops, garden classes, musical performances, […]

Mike Chmielewski discusses the state of the borough with Mike Brown, the Mat-Su Borough manager. The Manager is responsible for the proper administration of all Borough affairs. The two Mikes break down the new proposition in front of the Assembly for a $.07 tax on fuel to be used for road improvements.

Lee Henrickson and Dr. Jill Valerius discuss the varying factors that contribute to liver disease. Dr. Jill says the most powerful drug for fighting most liver diseases is exercise. Other steps we can take to support our liver include making dietary and lifestyle changes.

David Shield welcomes Rick Skwiot, the award-winning author, to discuss his new book The Bootlegger’s Wife. Rick talks about his father and his life, which is where he draws his inspiration and characters. The Bootlegger’s Wife frames the story of twelve-year-old A.J. Nowak's search for identity after being orphaned by World War II. Ultimately, A.J. […]

David Shield discusses her first book, The Spectacle, with Anna Barrington. The Spectacle is a thriller that explores the price of ambition in the decadent underbelly of New York’s high-end art world in 2016/2017. The book highlights many of the political events and cultural happenings of the time.

Joseph Davis shares all the news from Glacier View in The Glacier Review. In this episode, he talks with David Klew, the Public Information Officer for the Division of Forestry and Fire Protection. The Division of Forestry and Fire Protection has set up the command site for the Nelchian Glacier Fire at the Gunsite Mountain […]

Rachel Levitt and John Robertson on Home to Roost, in which they review federal actions and their impact on Alaska. In the headline news this week, Rachel and John focus on the White House’s $7 billion education funding freeze. The estimated amount of funds that Alaska will not receive is $46.4 million. In the plain […]

Lee Henrickson welcomes Ailis Vann, the Palmer Parks and Facilities Manager, to Inside the City. The Parks and Facilities Department has been very busy this summer. They are responsible for the maintenance of eight parks, all the sports fields, and the MTA Events Center. One major project is saving and rehabilitating the shrubs and trees […]

Host Ken Hoffman is joined by Michelle Pages, President of the Kodiak Chapter of the Alaska Farm Bureau. Michelle wears many hats, including those of a 5th-generation farmer, wife, mother, rancher, chef, gym manager, and owner of a feed store. Listen to how Michelle fits all these jobs into her week.

This month's episode of Voices of the Mat-Su is called “The Storytellers.” It is the story of two friends, a dream, and a grandma. Listen to the story about two cartoon artists who create new stories from the ancient teachings of the Chickaloon Tribe. Stories that grew into the comic book series called Chickaloonies and […]

Rachel Levitt and John Robertson on Home to Roost, in which they review federal policies that impact Alaska. This episode’s weekly headline is the Supreme Court’s decision in the Birthright Citizenship Case. The reading from the Constitution this week is the Public Debt Clause. This clause is covered by the Fourteenth Amendment, Section 4.

Mike Chmielewski and David Shield talk with David Cheezem about his travels. David’s first bike ride was in 2018. This year, he started in Buffalo, New York, and tells us all about what prompted him to make these trips, as well as details about this year’s journey.

Patricia Grayhall is a medical doctor and author of the award-winning memoir, Making the Rounds: Defying Norms in Love and Medicine, and a romance novel, Golden Years and Silver Linings, with her wife, and author, Linda M. Ford. Patrica’s third book is A Place for Us, a story of two women who find each other irresistible but […]

Join Rachel Levitt and John Robertson as they discuss the headlines this week, focusing on “The Big Beautiful Bill Act” and how it will affect Alaska. The plain reading this week is Article I, Section 8, Clause 11, the Declare War Clause of the Constitution of the United States.

Christopher Travis Rice is an American author. Rice made his fiction debut in 2000 with the bestselling A Density of Souls. His mother was the award-winning author Anne Rice. Anne Rice passed in 2021 during COVID-19 restrictions. A belated tribute to her will be held on November 1st. Anne Rice, The All Saints Day Celebration […]

Join host Ken Hoffman as he talks with Tarn Coffey on Ag Matters. The first year, the Coffeys planted 1/4 acre of sweet corn. They then won a bid for Nenena-Totchaket Agricultural Parcels and have received 5 parcels or 225 acres. This year, they planted 10 acres. You can follow Tarn’s story on his YouTube […]

Scott Blair from My Favorite Realty provides an update on the real estate market with Mike Chmielewski. The discussion focused on commercial real estate, on new vs. older commercial buildings. When considering commercial real estate, evaluating the benefits and drawbacks of both new and older buildings is essential. Each offers distinct advantages and disadvantages depending […]

Peter House updates on threats to one and all.

David Cheezem completes his ride in St. Louis.

MatSu District Manager Stuart Leidner talks about all things parks and trails.

Mary Ann and Rebecca from Fireside Books and Taylor from Black Birch Books discuss “Kwaidan” by Lafcadio Hearn, a 1904 book of Japanese ghost stories and insect studies.

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David continues his journey by bike in the Lower 48.

Allison Gaylord talks about her farm in Homer and the Homer peony coop.

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This is the audio recording of the Council meeting. Architect Gary Wolf updates the Council on progress toward designing the new Palmer Library. And Borough attorney Nick Spiropoulis presents a proposition for revenue sharing with the Borough and other Cities. NOTE: The video recording of the meeting had audio problems. We will make the video […]

This week on Home to Roost, John and Rachel discuss Palmer's Job Corps center, the right to peaceful assembly, and announce the latest recipient of the Whiplash Award.

Aundra Jackson with Mat-su Borough Martin Luther King Foundation, and Mike Chmeilewski chat about the Juneteenth celebration. The celebration will take place at the Palmer Pavilion on June 19th from 3 – 7 pm.