Hosted by Alaska Native-Tlingit filmmaker, forager, and artist Alaska Mary, ”Connect + Culture + Cause” is a podcast rooted in meaningful conversations. Each episode explores how Native culture shapes identity, forges deep connections, and fuels the purpose behind creative and cultural work. Join Alaska Mary and her guests as they share stories, traditions, and the powerful “why” that drives them to keep sharing.
In this episode of Connect + Culture + Cause, Mary sits down with Tsimshian artist, carver, cultural educator, and language advocate David Robert Boxley. David reflects on growing up immersed in Tsimshian art and culture, learning alongside his father, and how carving, language, music, and cultural leadership continue to shape his work and his commitment to carrying Tsimshian knowledge forward.
7 Oct 2026
Episode 010: Preston Singletary
In this episode of Connect + Culture + Cause, Mary sits down with internationally recognized Tlingit glass artist Preston Singletary to talk about art, story, and cultural responsibility. Preston shares how Tlingit stories, forms, and traditions have shaped his work, including Raven and the Box of Daylight, and reflects on the role artists play in carrying culture forward through contemporary mediums.
6 Jul 2026
Episode 009: Kiliii Yuyan: National Geographic Photographer
Featured guest Kiliii Yüyan joins Mary for a conversation on storytelling through photography and his new book, Guardians of Life: Indigenous Science, Indigenous Wisdom, and Restoring the Planet. Kiliii, who is of Chinese and Nanai/Hèzhé East Asian Indigenous descent, is an award-winning photographer, speaker, and National Geographic Explorer. His work captures life in polar regions, beneath cold seas, and within human communities through a sensory, holistic lens shaped by deep, long-term immersion.
5 May 2026
Patuk Glenn: Episode 8
Join my conversation with Tik Tok sensation, and Executive Director for the Artic Slope Community Foundation (and friend) Patuk Glenn. Patuk and I reminisce about meeting at an American Indian and Alaska Native tourism conference where she was the guest speaker. We share our love for maktak and I learn more about her Iñuit culture.
8 Apr 2026
Steve Johnson 006
Tune in to hear Super Harvester, Steve Johnson of Sitka, Alaska talk about the challenges of food securitiy in rural Alaska and his role in helping provide food to the community. Steve Johnson is also the owner of a smoked fish business called Tradish Fish.
Check out his business at:
www.TradishFish.com or on Instagram @Tradishfish
7 Apr 2026
Bailey McCallson 007
Bailey McCallson is a Yupik Inuit from Bethel. Owner of Tuskworthy Premiums LLC, Bailey is an ivory artist and pilot. Join Mary and Bailey as they chat Yupik culture and how Bailey works with ivory and baleen that connects him to his culture as well as his girlfriend Ashley.
Follow Bailey on Instagram at @tuskworthy_premiums or checkout his website at www.tuskworthy.com
30 Jan 2026
Episode005: Lance Twitchell
I had the honor to visit Lance Twitchell, talking about our endangered Tlingit language. Lance shares his hope and the efforts being made to promote language speakers. This was our first visit after filming Lance on my film The Woman Who Married a Bear, the first narrative film completely in the Tlingit language, which was done with Lance's guidance, translating skills, and on-camera acting.
X̱ʼunei Lance Twitchell (Lingít, Haida, Yupʼik, Sami) is a Professor of Alaska Native Languages at the University of Alaska Southeast, and lives in Juneau with his wife and bilingual children.
5 Jan 2026
Episode 004: Naolmi Michaelson
Tune in to hear Naomi Michalsen, a member of the Tlingit tribe of Southeast Alaska and Mary talk about Naomi's dedication to the health and wellness of families and communities through sharing her plant knowledge. Naomi has more than 25 years of experience working as an advocate, coach, presenter, indigenous chef and cultural specialist.
29 Sept 2025
Episode 003: Kanisha
Kanisha, who lives in Cordova, is one of the most humble people I know. She borders on the shy side, even though she is multi-talented. Tune in as she shares her healing work as well as her artwork.
30 Jul 2025
Episode 002: Sylvia Lang
Tune in as Mary and Sylvia talk art. Painter and Cordova community member Sylvia Lang shares how her paintings reflect her Tlingit culture and why her paintings only go to non-profits.
24 Jun 2025
Rob Kinneen: Tlingit Chef
Chef Rob Kinneen, the Tlingit Chef, discusses normalizing Indigenous foods through his culinary career in an interview with the host.
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 4 / 100
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Quality
7
Social presence
0
YouTube
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Engagement
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