This week on What’s Up, Alaska?, we’re diving into the world of stand-up with two voices shaping the state’s comedy scene: Ida Taylor and Andrea.

Andrea, an Anchorage-based comic, got her start at open mics at Koots just three years ago and has since taken her act on the road — across Alaska and even beyond. Ida Taylor is a stand-up comedian and filmmaker who’s been using humor as a survival tool most of her life. She’s a founding member of Rubber Ptarmigan, an Alaskan comedy production group, and serves on the committee for the Alaska B4UDie Comedy Festival.

Together, they’re bringing the laughs statewide on their upcoming Big Bird Tiny Tour, proving that comedy in Alaska is alive, thriving, and ready to hit the road.

🎧 Tune in for real talk, hilarious moments, and a peek behind the curtain of Alaska’s stand-up scene.

Check out your hosts:

Blaze Bell:

https://www.blazebell.com/

https://www.instagram.com/blazebellbliss/

Justin Williams:

https://www.tiktok.com/@justineatsalaska

www.instagram.com/justineatsalaska

Margaret Griffo and Miranda Miller are two Alaskans who serve with their canine
partners through NATIONAL Crisis Response Canines, a nonprofit that deploys
highly-trained teams into high-stress environments. These canines don’t just visit they respond. They seek out those who need them most, offering stability, connection, and moments of relief in the middle of crisis, disaster, and trauma.
Both teams recently traveled to Washington DC, where they supported airline staff and travelers at Reagan National Airport (DCA) following a tragic incident with American Airlines.

Margaret is a retired speech-language pathologist, a first responder chaplain with the Alaska Police and Fire Chaplains, and the team coordinator for Alaska’s CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management) team. Her Keeshond, Smartie Pants, is the Chaplain K9 for the Municipality of Anchorage, and together, they’ve been there for all kinds of responses within Alaska and beyond. From helping first responders after tough calls, to offering support in hospital hallways or deploying to the LA fires in California... Margaret and Smartie Pants show up where they’re needed most. As a chaplain, Margaret even has the privilege of crossing the yellow tape to support those in the front lines.

Miranda is an Indigenous Alaskan from rural Alaska. She works alongside her Brittany, Arya Bear, who started training at just 10 weeks old and has been a well-known presence in the Anchorage community ever since. During the pandemic, when certifications were paused, Arya supported the community wherever dogs were allowed — offering comfort and love when it was needed. In 2022, Arya officially became a certified therapy dog, and soon after, they joined NATIONAL Crisis Response Canines.

Miranda is CISM-trained and focused on getting crisis response canine teams into rural and Indigenous communities that may not have easy access to these resources. Arya’s real-life stories will soon be shared in a children’s book series.

Find out more here:
https://www.crisisresponsecanines.org/

https://wjla.com/amp/news/local/washington-dc-plane-crash-midair-collision-dca-
reagan-national-airport-american-airlines-staff-passengers-black-hawk-helicopter-crisis-response-dogs-support-photos-victims

https://linktr.ee/Cupidthecrisisresponsek9

https://linktr.ee/aryabearthebrittany

https://www.aryabearbooks.com/

Lorna-lei Sua’ava is a Sāmoan woman born in Long Beach, California, and raised in Palmer, Alaska. With a deep passion for education and community, she has always sought opportunities for growth, both personally and professionally.

She recently earned a Master’s in Neuropsychology from the University of Arizona (September 2024).

In addition to her academic and professional endeavors, Lorna-lei dedicates her time to volunteer efforts that uplift her Pasifika community.

Follow Lorna-lei here: https://www.instagram.com/lolesmoov/

Check out your hosts:

Blaze Bell:

https://www.blazebell.com/

https://www.instagram.com/blazebellbliss/

Justin Williams:

https://www.tiktok.com/@justineatsalaska

www.instagram.com/justineatsalaska