Try for $0.00
Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.
Alaska Is the Center of the Universe By cover art

Alaska Is the Center of the Universe

By: James Dommek Jr., Josephine Holtzman, Isaac Kestenbaum
Narrated by: James Dommek Jr.
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Episodes
  • Trailer

    Trailer
    Nov 2 2023
    Alaska’s recent history is one of massive changes: Western contact, colonization, climate change. But some stories have survived—including stories of mysterious creatures that may still be out there. In this series, Iñupiaq storyteller James Dommek, Jr, goes on a journey across Alaska in search of stories of the unknown… to find out what they can tell us about how to live today.
    Show more Show less
    3 mins
    Try for $0.00
  • Intro

    Intro
    Nov 2 2023
    At a time of great change for Alaska, James Dommek, Jr, a rock-n-roll drummer, Iñupiaq storyteller and podcaster, sets out on a journey across the whole state of Alaska to find old myths, stories about cryptids, and forgotten history, to learn what they can teach us about the world as it is today.
    Show more Show less
    9 mins
    Try for $0.00
  • Episode 1: The Hairy Man

    Episode 1: The Hairy Man
    Nov 2 2023
    In this episode, James travels to Utqiagvik, the northernmost city in Alaska (and the country) in search of stories of The Hairy Man, a cryptid with mysterious powers… and a taste for blood. Plus: a murder ballad like you’ve never heard before.
    Show more Show less
    29 mins
    Try for $0.00
James Dommek, Jr.
Josephine Holtzman
Isaac Kestenbaum

About the Creator and Performer

James Dommek, Jr. is an Alaska Native musician and audio producer. He has played drums with Alaskan bands The Whipsaws, Pamyua, Meg Mackey Band, Quinn Christopherson and Medium Build, as well as Tim Easton. He is a member of the Iñupiaq tribe and the great-grandson of one of the last Iñupiaq story-tellers, Palangun.
James has worked in film and audio production for over a decade. In 2013, he scored an Emmy award-winning documentary. His previous podcast for Audible, Midnight Son, received critical acclaim and several awards.
Additionally, he co-created (with Anchorage public radio)"The RIVR" (Rising Indigenous Voices Radio), an international online radio station that provides a platform for Alaska Native and American Indian singers, songwriters, and musicians. He is also the Marketing Coordinator for a local philanthropic nonprofit organization.
James resides in Anchorage, Alaska, where he is rooted in Alaska Native culture, foods, and traditions. He enjoys subsistence hunting, fishing, and the Alaskan way of life with his three children.

About the Creator

Josie Holtzman is an audio documentarian, podcast producer and multimedia artist. Her work includes an award-winning multimedia piece about the effects of climate change on Alaska's rural indigenous communities, a multi-platform project exploring the modern-day impacts of treaties on Native American communities in the US with NPR's Story Lab and the Pulitzer Center, and an Audible Originals podcast that pits Native American folklore against the US justice system. She has produced soundwalks and audio tours for the Eisenhower Memorial Museum and the Anchorage Museum, among others. She has taught at NYU’s Journalism School, the Association for Independent in Radio, UnionDocs and Monson Arts.
In 2018 she co-founded the audio production company, Future Projects Media, with partner Isaac Kestenbaum.
She lives in Portland, ME with her husband and two sons.

About the Creator

Isaac Kestenbaum is a veteran audio producer and journalist. He is the co-founder, along with Josephine Holtzman, of the production company Future Projects; Along with James Dommek, Jr, they created the award-winning true crime podcast Midnight Son for Audible Originals. Isaac has reported extensively on climate change in Alaska, and his work has been funded by the Arctic Circle Foundation and the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting.
He is the former Production Manager at the national oral history and radio project StoryCorps. Honors include a Peabody Award, a duPont Award, two Online News Association awards and an Alaska Broadcasters "Goldie" Award.
He is currently the director of the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies in Portland, Maine.

Social Sciences
Show more Show less

What listeners say about Alaska Is the Center of the Universe

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    31
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    30
  • 4 Stars
    2
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    30
  • 4 Stars
    2
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.com reviews

Amazon reviews
Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Reed S Matheny

I keep thinking about this series

This was one of the best things I listened to this year- soulful, entertaining, deep, lighthearted. Really really special and well done!

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Grant Magdanz

Incredible stories and story telling

James and the other story tellers do an incredible job. Each episodes are engaging, powerful, and moving. It’s like a more authentic Serial.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Harold Houdini

Cultural intersections shared with heart and soul

This podcast is so absolutely original and full of heart — probably my favorite audio series of the year. Take Alaska Native stories of the strange and spiritual, gently uncover and share their historic and cultural roots and implications, all in the most intimate and thoughtful way… I was sad that there were only eight chapters. James is a masterful storyteller, and the audio production is pristine yet inviting. Can’t wait to hear more from him and this team.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Anonymous User

Strange, delightful, moving

This is one of the most wonderful things I’ve ever listened to. The stories are strange and miraculous, and they have really stuck with me. And they’re embedded in a story about a really likable host meeting folks from Alaska and yelling and eliciting stories. The part about his travels is delightful. Highly recommend!

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Libby

Entertaining as all get-out

Witty narration and compelling storytellers with smooth transitions throughout. It felt like a privilege to be able to hear these legends delivered orally by expert storytellers who aren't going off a script. Listened to this while doing house chores; would also be a great listen for a road trip.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Elliot

Great storytelling and informative

Didn’t want it to end… so much culture and it felt like I was there with James.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Grayum

amazing show with unique perspective

i loved the narration and sound design! Each episode is special and i can't wait to hear more! keep em coming please.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Jacqueline

Interesting educational horror!

First hand tellings, by native Alaskans, of even more things to be afraid of. Who knew there were land otters or that they were evil. Thank you Mr. Dommek Jr, I hope you continue with another season.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Jordan

unique tales and voice

fantastic to hear more indigenous storytelling. I haven't listened to a podcast like this before, but I hope there will be many more like it.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for 25608888

One of the best shows I've maybe ever heard

I thought Ghost Story was going to be the best show of 2023, but this more than exceeds that show!

I used a free trial to listen to this series and it is so good that I would pay to subscribe if I was guaranteed something like this. I listened to it all in one afternoon while working in the garden and I miss it already.

It's full of stories and people that will linger with me for a while. The series is so nuanced. There's lore and humour and big emotions. The writing is strong. Though not a serial, the episodes weave together and build to a thoughtful finale.

The score is really seamless and melt into the show. And the tone is consistent. The sound design has some really nice thoughtfully built moments that enhance the storytelling to in subtle, but pulsating ways.

I enjoyed the whole thing, but eps 2, 5 and 6 are highlights!

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful