Mushing cover art

Mushing

Mushing

Written by: First Paw Media | Mushing.com
Listen for free

LIMITED TIME OFFER | Get 2 Months for ₹5/month

About this listen

 Mushing is a podcast from First Paw Media that follows the sport of dog mushing, the Iditarod, and races worldwide. Mushing is hosted by best-selling author Robert Forto (A Musher's Dream) and a team of co-hosts that bring a unique perspective to the show. During the Iditarod race each March, the show is a daily podcast that covers the race with an in-depth analysis you won't find anywhere else. In the off-season, hear interviews with mushers, behind-the-scenes news, and updates. Popular guests: Emily Robinson, Jessie Holmes, Ryan Redington, Barb Redington, Lance Mackey, Brenda Mackey, Jason Mackey, Anna and Kristy Berington, Rohn Buser, DeeDee Jonrowe, and more. Popular Podcast topics: Iditarod race stories and analysis, dryland mushing and off-season racing, interviews with mushers and racers, race preparation and training strategies, sled dog kennel life and dog care, Yukon Quest and other major races, mushing history and heritage, global mushing perspectives (international races), canicross and alternative mushing formats Community and culture in the mushing world, and more.2010-2026 First Paw Media
Episodes
  • Iditarod 54 Banquet, Insider Updates, and Smiles for Miles Initiative

    Iditarod 54 Banquet, Insider Updates, and Smiles for Miles Initiative
    Mar 5 2026

    The start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race begins long before the teams reach the trail. One of the most anticipated events of race week is the Iditarod Mushers Banquet, where fans, sponsors, and mushers gather in Anchorage for an evening that officially launches the Last Great Race on Earth.

    In this episode of the Mushing Podcast, hosts Robert and Michele Forto take listeners inside this iconic event. The banquet features the famous bib drawing from a traditional mukluk, meet-and-greet opportunities with mushers, auctions that help support the race, and special tributes to important figures in Iditarod history.

    The show also explores updates to the Iditarod Insider platform, including multi-camera livestreams, improved GPS tracking, fan chat features, and SMS alerts that allow followers around the world to stay connected to the race.

    Finally, the hosts discuss the newly announced IditaHealth: Smiles for Miles program, a pediatric dental initiative that will bring preventative oral health care and education to children in rural checkpoint communities along the Iditarod Trail. The program highlights how the race continues to support Alaska’s trail communities beyond the competition itself.

    Listeners will also hear about new features coming to this year’s Mushing Podcast coverage, including nightly race recaps, historical insights, rulebook discussions, and fan interaction throughout the race.

    Support our Work

    Like this episode? Share it with your mushing friends!

    Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share

    Sign up for our Newsletter HERE

    Join the On-Air Media Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on the air by Rober and get your podcast questions answered in real time.

    Apply now to the Team and Trail Foundation funding page and get support to turn your outdoor, education, or community project into a real impact.

    Apply for the Mushing® Media Accelerator and get deeper support and expert guidance tailored to your specific sponsorship and media goals. Email us at podcast@mushing.com

    Follow Mushing® for more muhsing news, insights, and more: Facebook | X | Instagram

    You can contact us here: Podcast@mushing.com



    © 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved
    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
  • Iditarod 54 | Kick Off Show

    Iditarod 54 | Kick Off Show
    Mar 4 2026
    The countdown to the 2026 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race has begun, and the Burled Arch podcast returns for another season of nightly race coverage.In this kickoff episode, hosts Robert and Michele Forto break down everything fans need to know before the ceremonial start. Broadcasting from Willow, Alaska, just miles from the official restart, the show dives into the field of 37 mushers, including defending champion Jessie Holmes, former champions Ryan Redington and Pete Kaiser, and a strong group of rookies entering the race.The episode also explores a unique storyline this year: the introduction of expedition mushers, participants who travel the trail outside traditional competition while supporting charitable initiatives and contributing to the race purse.You’ll also learn about the race format, checkpoints, trail conditions, nightly podcast coverage, listener participation, and new features for this year’s show as the team prepares to follow every mile of the nearly 1,000-mile journey to Nome.If you want a front-row seat to the Last Great Race on Earth, this is where the trail begins.In this episode:Introduction to the 2026 Iditarod coverage on the Burled ArchRace overview: 37 mushers, 14 rookies, and 3 past championsDefending champion Jessie Holmes returns to defend his titleLate race entry by Pete KaiserSpotlight on promising rookie mushersNew expedition musher category and what it means for the raceTrail conditions across Alaska, including heavy snow on parts of the routeDetails about the Iditarod banquet and ceremonial startHow listeners can participate with questions, voice messages, and triviaWhat to expect from nightly race coverage through the finishers banquetSupport our WorkLike this episode? Share it with your mushing friends!Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and shareSign up for our Newsletter HEREJoin the On-Air Media Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on the air by Rober and get your podcast questions answered in real time.Apply now to the Team and Trail Foundation funding page and get support to turn your outdoor, education, or community project into a real impact.Apply for the Mushing® Media Accelerator and get deeper support and expert guidance tailored to your specific sponsorship and media goals. Email us at podcast@mushing.comFollow Mushing® for more muhsing news, insights, and more: Facebook | X | InstagramYou can contact us here: Podcast@mushing.com © 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved
    Show More Show Less
    23 mins
  • The State of Mushing 2026: Why Differentiation Matters for the Future of Dog-Powered Sports

    The State of Mushing 2026: Why Differentiation Matters for the Future of Dog-Powered Sports
    Mar 4 2026

    In this episode of the Mushing Podcast, host Michele Forto shares a summary of the 2026 State of Mushing Letter from Robert Forto and the team at Mushing Magazine and the Team and Trail Foundation.

    Each year during Iditarod season, this letter reflects on the direction of dog-powered sports and the evolving role of the media that documents it. This year’s message centers on a powerful idea: differentiation.

    While many publications are shrinking or shifting entirely online, Mushing Magazine has chosen a different path by deepening its commitment to serious storytelling, field reporting, and preserving the history of the sport.

    In this episode, Michele discusses:

    1. Why print media still matters in the world of mushing
    2. The transition of Mushing Magazine into the Team and Trail Foundation
    3. How the sport is adapting to environmental change and shorter snow seasons
    4. The rise of dryland disciplines like canicross and bikejoring
    5. Why authentic storytelling still requires human journalists and photographers

    The State of Mushing letter is both a reflection on the sport’s past and a roadmap for its future, grounded in leadership, endurance, and the traditions that make dog-powered sports unique.

    If you care about sled dogs, racing, outdoor leadership, and the culture surrounding mushing, this episode offers an important perspective on where the sport is heading next.

    Support our Work

    Like this episode? Share it with your mushing friends!

    Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share

    Sign up for our Newsletter HERE

    Join the On-Air Media Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on the air by Rober and get your podcast questions answered in real time.

    Apply now to the Team and Trail Foundation funding page and get support to turn your outdoor, education, or community project into a real impact.

    Apply for the Mushing® Media Accelerator and get deeper support and expert guidance tailored to your specific sponsorship and media goals. Email us at podcast@mushing.com

    Follow Mushing® for more muhsing news, insights, and more: Facebook | X | Instagram

    You can contact us here: Podcast@mushing.com



    © 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved
    Show More Show Less
    7 mins
No reviews yet