719 | Flying with Ariel Tweto – Alaska, Bush Planes, Suicide Prevention

     

In this episode, we take a unique journey into the world of bush flying in Alaska with Ariel Tweto—pilot, adventurer, and star of Flying Wild Alaska. Ariel shares what it was like growing up in a family of pilots, the thrill of her first appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman, and even a memorable drink with Harrison Ford.

Beyond the adventures, we dive into a more serious topic—suicide prevention in Native Alaskan communities, a cause close to Ariel’s heart. From broken bones to big dreams, this episode is packed with stories of resilience, passion, and making the most of every moment.

Show Notes with Ariel Tweto. Hit play below! 👇🏻

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(The full episode transcript is at the bottom of this blogpost) 👇🏻

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Episode Chapters with Ariel Tweto

4:43 – Ariel shares that flying has been an integral part of her life since birth, as her entire family is deeply involved in aviation. Her grandfather was one of the first Native American pilots to start an airline, founding Ryan Air in Alaska. Both her parents and extended family are pilots, and she grew up flying regularly, even before she could walk or talk.

8:33 – Ariel shares the unexpected journey of how Flying Wild Alaska became a TV show.

15:23 – Ariel recalls her first solo flight as a terrifying experience. Reflecting on the experience, she acknowledges that being a pilot isn’t her true passion. Though she respects the family legacy, she realizes she doesn’t have the mindset needed for full-time flying.

17:35 – She shares some of the projects she worked on after Flying Wild Alaska including being a recurring guest on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and doing an episode on The Late Show with David Letterman. Currently, she co-hosts Native Shorts where she discusses short films created by Indigenous filmmakers from around the world.

19:41 – Ariel remains passionate about adventure and action sports, participating in extreme activities like mountain biking and surfing. She has suffered multiple injuries, including a broken collarbone from mountain biking, broken ribs, and a recent severe facial injury while surfing in Mexico.

21:41 – She tells how her parents inspired and encouraged her to explore which has been instrumental in shaping who she is today.

26:47 – Ariel has had a love for travel since childhood. One of her earliest experiences was a trip to Texas with her cheerleading coach, where she was fascinated by the cultural differences—frying an egg on the sidewalk and learning line dancing. Her curiosity grew when she joined Alaska’s travel basketball team in middle school, leading her to the UK.

30:35 – Ariel started a nonprofit called Popping Bubbles in 2014, inspired by her personal loss of a number of friends to suicide. The organization focuses on breaking people out of their comfort zones, encouraging them to explore new experiences, meet different people, and see the possibilities beyond their immediate environment.

         

35:39 – She reflects on her father’s deep passion for flying, emphasizing that no matter how many close calls he had—including a crash where he broke his neck—he never considered stopping. His happiest moments were in the sky, exploring new landing spots, and he had no plans to retire from flying as long as his body and vision allowed. Although he once said he would stop off-airport flying at 70, Ariel and her family believe he would have continued beyond that.

43:00 – She tells us about her running routine. Sometimes she runs for as little as 30 minutes, but on days like she had in Utah, she ran for three hours simply because of the beautiful surroundings

44:40 – Ariel is currently working on the animated TV show The Great North, which is now in its fifth season.

47:09 – Going back to suicide prevention, Ariel emphasizes the power of human connection in addressing depression. She believes that feeling seen and valued is essential, as isolation often leads to hopelessness.

53:18 – Ariel played point guard in basketball. Growing up in Alaska, her high school team often flew to different villages for games. She later played college basketball in Boston but quickly realized she preferred a warmer climate with mountains, leading her to move to California.

57:00 – Ariel is an avid podcast listener. Some of her favorites include SmartLess, Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, and Oprah’s Super Soul Sundays. She particularly enjoys Mel Robbins for her practical, life-changing advice.

1:01:23 – She also enjoys music, with her current obsession being Xavier Rudd, an artist from New Zealand known for his nature-inspired music and didgeridoo playing.

Follow Ariel on Instagram  @arieltweto.

Read the Full Podcast Transcript Below

Conclusion with Ariel Tweto

Ariel Tweto’s journey is one of adventure, resilience, and passion. From growing up in Alaska’s wild landscapes to starring in Flying Wild Alaska and advocating for suicide prevention in Native communities, her story is both inspiring and eye-opening. Whether she’s flying bush planes, sharing laughs with Hollywood legends, or helping others find hope, Ariel embodies a spirit of exploration and connection.

If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to follow along for more stories that celebrate adventure, community, and the power of pursuing what you love.