In this episode of the Mushing Podcast, Robert Forto talks with musher, race organizer, and congressional candidate Niina Baum about her journey through the world of dog-powered sports. Nina shares the story behind bringing the IFSS Dryland World Championships to Wisconsin, competing internationally in countries like Spain, Sweden, and France, and revitalizing the iconic Sled Dog Central platform.

We also discuss how leadership in mushing helped shape her approach to politics, community building, and grassroots campaigning.

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© 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

In this episode of the Mushing Podcast, Robert Forto sits down with Alaska musher and dog trainer Destiny Lytle to discuss her journey from working line German Shepherds to competitive sprint mushing. Destiny shares stories from racing the Fur Rondy Championships in Anchorage, running the ONAC, racing in Tanana, building a kennel with dogs from elite bloodlines, and balancing life between working dogs and sled dogs.

We also talk about training philosophy, developing young leaders in harness, and the realities of building a competitive kennel in Alaska.

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© 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

How can mushers recognize subtle warning signs before a dog becomes injured? In this episode of the Mushing Podcast, Robert Forto talks with Dr. Erica Boling about canine movement analysis, stride mechanics, posture, topline changes, and how to develop a sharper eye for spotting weakness early. If you race, train, or work with dogs, this conversation offers practical tools to help keep your team healthy and performing at their best.

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© 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

In this episode of the Mushing Podcast, Robert Forto sits down with veteran musher Jody Potts-Joseph, calling in from Eagle, Alaska. With more than 40 years of experience in dog-powered travel and racing, Jody shares her deep connection to mushing as part of Athabascan culture and everyday life along the Yukon River.

Jody reflects on her 2026 Iditarod experience, including the challenges of an unusually difficult training season, extreme weather conditions, and the tough decision to scratch at mile 658 due to illness spreading through her team. Her story offers an honest look at the realities of long-distance racing, where dog health and decision-making matter more than finishing.

They then talk about her upbringing in a subsistence lifestyle, her return to mushing after raising a family, and her plans to come back stronger next season. Jody highlights the importance of leadership within a dog team, including a spotlight on her lead dog Koki, and shares insights into training, resilience, and adapting to adversity.

This episode is a powerful blend of storytelling, culture, and hard-earned lessons from the trail.

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© 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

What does it take to capture a sled dog team moving at full speed through snow and wilderness? In this episode, we sit down with Keela McCleneghan, a professional photographer behind Sunshine & Photo, to explore the craft of dog sled photography and the realities of working on the trail.

Keela shares how she got started, the gear she relies on in extreme conditions, and how she consistently captures powerful images that tell the story of the connection between musher and dog. From shooting 5,000 images a day to digging foxholes in the snow for the perfect angle, this conversation pulls back the curtain on a side of mushing most people never see.

We also talk about her work in overlanding and vehicle photography, her travel lifestyle, and how she balances art, business, and the demands of working in some of the toughest environments imaginable.

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© 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

There is a moment on the trail when plans stop working. Conditions shift, pressure builds, and every decision carries weight. That is where leadership shows up.

In this episode of the Team & Trail Podcast, we officially introduce the Team & Trail Expedition: Leadership Through Adventure. In March 2027, we will travel the Iditarod Trail from Willow to Nome, not simply as an endurance effort, but as a real-time leadership environment.

This project is built around a central idea. Leadership is not a concept or a checklist. It is something that happens when responsibility and uncertainty meet.

At the core of the expedition is the Leadership Fellowship, designed for college students who want more than theory. Participants will follow the journey, analyze real scenarios, and engage with leadership decisions as they happen. This creates a rare opportunity to observe leadership in conditions where outcomes are not guaranteed.

This episode explains:

• What the expedition is and why it matters
• How the Leadership Fellowship works
• Why real-world leadership experience is different from traditional instruction
• How organizations can get involved as partners

This is not just a single expedition. It is the beginning of something designed to grow, reach more people, and create a lasting model for experiential leadership development.

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© 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

On this episode of the Mushing Podcast, Robert Forto sits down with Iditarod finisher Brenda Mackey to discuss her long-awaited finish in Nome on her third attempt.

Raised in one of Alaska’s most well-known mushing families, Brenda shares what it means to carry on the Mackey legacy while building her own path in the sport. She talks about growing up in dog mushing, breeding and training her own team, and the emotional and physical challenges of racing across Alaska.

Brenda also breaks down the realities of the 2026 Iditarod, including extreme cold, tough trail conditions, and the unexpected moments that define the race. From setbacks in previous attempts to finally crossing the finish line, this conversation offers an honest look at what it takes to reach Nome.

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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.

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© 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

What does it take to become one of the most decorated junior mushers in the world? In this episode, we sit down with Leonie Tetzner, a 15-year-old musher from Germany who has built an impressive career racing in Alaska and beyond.

Leonie discusses the logistics of traveling internationally with over 30 sled dogs, the structure of her racing season, and what it means to compete in events like the Pedigree Stage Stop and North American Championship. She also shares how she manages school through online learning while spending months on the road, and how her family plays a central role in her success.

With multiple championship titles, track records, and years of experience already behind her, Leonie represents the next generation of elite mushers. This episode offers insight into the discipline, lifestyle, and global nature of modern dog-powered sports.

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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

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© 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved