After more than a decade kayaking flat water, Daniel Hartung wanted to try some rapids. His opportunity came during a bluegrass and whitewater festival in Hope, Alaska. As he made his way down Six Mile Creek and between steep canyon walls, he went over a set of falls and hit a rock. His kayak filled with water, and he was thrown into the river. He drifted until his foot was snagged in an underwater branch. Then things got worse.
We also talk to an Alaskan travel expert about how to safely experience the ruggedness of the Far North.

Guests include:
Daniel Hartung
Obadiah Jenkins
Zen Godfrey - https://www.alaska.org/community/zen-godfrey

For more about the series, check out https://www.onstar.com/podcast.

In January 2025, a deadly fire blazed through the hills north of Los Angeles. Amidst the inferno, Aaron Samson needed to get his 83-year-old father-in-law, Ron, to safety. Aaron didn’t have a vehicle, and Ron has Parkinson’s disease. They tried 911. They tried to get a rideshare. They were on foot when they encountered Andrew Lin. He was attempting a different rescue when he stopped to save them instead.

We also talk with Jennifer Oteng, a geriatric outreach nurse, about helping people during an emergency — specifically elderly people with physical or cognitive limitations.

Guests include:
Aaron Samson
Andrew Lin
Jennifer Oteng — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-oteng-aa945768/

For more about the series, check out https://www.onstar.com/podcast.

While on vacation, Colt Johnson went in search of a little fresh air and headed toward Arizona’s Superstition Mountains. Five hours into his hike, he began to feel lightheaded. He knew the heat was probably getting to him. His water was gone. Colt started losing his balance, and then his body started to fail. He laid down under a thorny bush and passed out. Before that, however, he fired three shots into the sky and hoped someone heard them. We also talk with Tami Hew-Butler about the dangers of dehydration and of having too much water.

Guests include:
Colt Johnson
John Zeto
Tamara ‘Tami’ Hew-Butler — https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamara-hew-butler-dpm-phd-facsm-86390742/

For more about the series, check out https://www.onstar.com/podcast.