In August 2025, Ariean Colton stepped outside for a morning run in Kenai, Alaska. Moments later, her life changed forever. Attacked by a bear just steps from her driveway, Ariean suffered devastating injuries, including a traumatic brain injury, multiple fractures, and months of recovery. Dragged nearly 100 yards and left for dead, she survived because of a neighbor who heard something unusual in the early morning and went to investigate. But this conversation isn't just about the attack. It'...
Jun 22
1 hr 4 min
Carly Padrta — known across Instagram as Carly on the Kenai — is a lifestyle and adventure photographer based on the Kenai Peninsula. What started as a hobby born out of new motherhood and a pandemic-era YouTube rabbit hole has grown into a full creative career taking her across glaciers, into the backcountry, and all over the state of Alaska. In this conversation, Carly pulls back the curtain on what her life actually looks like behind the camera — from the gear she trusts in bru...
May 11
1 hr 44 min
Kaedyn Jennings is 20 years old, from Wasilla, Alaska, and by almost every conventional measure wasn't supposed to be a success — a complicated upbringing between Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley, and a self-described bad student who nearly dropped out three months before graduation to start a lawn care company. He didn't drop out, but he did start the business — and four years later Snip&Clip Alaska has crossed a million dollars in total revenue, serviced properties over 6,000 times...
May 4
1 hr 54 min
In this episode of The State I Am In, Manny sits down with Willie, Abe, and Eli Porter—multi-generational Alaskans whose story is deeply tied to the roots of commercial fishing on the Kenai Peninsula. From homesteading in the early 1900s to losing boats, building businesses, and ultimately restoring a historic cannery across Cook Inlet, the Porters are preserving a piece of Alaska that’s slowly disappearing. This is more than a story about fishing—it’s about legacy, resilience, and keeping a ...
Apr 20
1 hr 15 min
In this episode of The State I Am In, I sit down with Jeremiah Christian, founder of Magnetic North Brewing Company in Anchorage, Alaska. Jeremiah started a brewery on the eve of the COVID-19 pandemic—when most people were pulling back, he leaned in and found ways for his long anticipated business to survive. What followed wasn’t smooth growth or overnight success, but six years of navigating setbacks, regulations, taxes, and the constant pressure of staying afloat in his industry's cha...
Apr 13
1 hr 28 min
In this episode of The State I Am In, I sit down with Fairbanks-based chef and community builder Lizzie Hartman. From her roots in Alaska’s culinary scene to appearing as a top 10 finalist on Master Chef, to traveling abroad and expanding her craft, Lizzie’s story is one of passion, creativity, and connection—but also profound loss. A few years ago, Lizzie lost her husband, leaving her to navigate life, motherhood, and grief in a way no one is ever truly prepared for. In this conversation, Li...
Apr 6
1 hr 5 min
One year ago, on Seward’s Day, I launched The State I Am In with a simple idea: Alaska is full of incredible people, and their stories deserve to be heard. A year later, that belief has only grown stronger. In this solo episode, I reflect on what I’ve learned from sitting across the table from so many individuals—people chasing purpose, facing obstacles, and figuring life out in real time. The biggest takeaway? The human story is far more powerful than we give it credit for. We’ve been sharin...
Mar 31
10 min
What does the Iditarod sled-dog race look like in 2026—and where is it headed? In this episode of The State I Am In, Manny sits down with longtime musher, media voice, and publisher Robert Forto to explore the evolving world of dog mushing. From the ceremonial start in Anchorage to the realities of running a kennel in Alaska, this conversation goes far beyond the race itself. They dive into the rising costs of competing, declining participation numbers, sponsorship challenges, and the ever-pr...
Mar 23
56 min
Discover the inspiring stories and expert insights from Dr. Bob Ledda, blending health science, outdoor adventures, and spiritual purpose. A key theme in this part 2 episode is Dr. Bob's observations with his son's recent type 1 diabetes diagnosis, and the significant improvements he's made due to the lifestyle prescription Dr. Bob prescribes. Is remission possible? Whether you're interested in longevity strategies, outdoor pursuits, or building meaningful ventures, this episode offers ...
Mar 16
1 hr 8 min
In the first return guest episode of the podcast, this conversation with Dr. Bob Ledda, we dive deeper into the worlds of health, wilderness, and the mindset that connects them. What starts with a powerful story about helping his son navigate Type 1 diabetes without insulin quickly opens into a broader discussion about lifestyle medicine, metabolic health, and the gap between conventional healthcare and proactive wellness. From there, the conversation shifts into the outdoors—where Dr. Bob be...
Mar 9
1 hr 37 min
Load more