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The State I Am In
Welcome to The State I Am In, a podcast that amplifies the voices and stories of Alaskans, hosted by fellow Alaskan, Manny Coelho. Each week, we dive deep with hunters, aurora chasers, athletes, entrepreneurs, elected leaders, and everyday heroes to explore the topics that matter most in the Last Frontier. Through engaging conversations, we uncover insights, gain practical tools for daily life, and strengthen our connection to this incredible place we call home.
Expect long-form interviews, monthly solo episodes, and a chance to shape the conversation.
Subscribe now to join the journey and celebrate the people and stories that make Alaska unique.
Episodes
18 episodes
#016 4T% Ranch: Cold Hard Cattle - Ben Adams
In this episode I sit down with Ben Adams, owner and operator of 4T% Ranch in Soldotna, Alaska, to talk about the work, the cost, and the conviction behind one of the wildest modern ranching stories I have ever heard. Ben grew up poor ...
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1:43:42
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#015 Jiu-jitsu in AK: Finding confidence & community on the mat - Jordan Kontra
In this episode, I sit down with Jordan Kontra, 3rd degree black belt, owner of Holdfast Grappling in Homer, AK, and co-owner of Southside Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Anchorage. Jordan shares his journey from early influences in wrestling to becoming ...
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1:26:08
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#014 Alaska Day: Then & Now
Alaska Day marks the moment the American flag replaced the Russian one in Sitka — a turning point in our state’s story. But over 150 years later, what does that really mean for those of us who call this place home? In this bonus episode, ...
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7:07
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#013 The Space Between Red & Blue - Manny Coelho
In this episode, Manny reflects on what it means to live and think in the middle — that quiet space between red and blue where real conversation still has a chance. After watching local elections play out across Alask...
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20:05
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#012 Warflower - Robert Stark
In this episode of The State I Am In, I sit down with Alaskan author, veteran, and homesteader Bob Stark. Bob’s story takes us from the wide-open beaches of Nome, to life in Eagle River and Seward, to the battlefields of Iraq as an air...
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2:12:03
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#011 Keep North - Manny Coelho
In this solo episode of The State I Am In, I dive into the meaning behind a phrase I’ve recently started using to close out every show: Keep North. At first, it seemed like the perfect tagline for an Alaska-based podcast, but ...
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19:07
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#010 Relentless Pursuit of a Dream - Bridgett Watkins
In this episode of The State I Am In, I sit down with Bridgett Watkins — Alaskan musher, ER nurse, wife, mother, and author of Marker to Marker. Bridgett takes us deep into her journey from childhood races in Fairbanks to surv...
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1:29:48
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#009 Landslide Risk in Alaska: What You Need to Know - Dr. Bretwood "Hig" Higman
In this episode of The State I Am In, I talk with Dr. Bretwood “Hig” Higman—geologist, lifelong Alaskan, and founder of Ground Truth Alaska—about life, land, and the very real risks facing our coastal communities. We explor...
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1:12:18
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#008 Trawling & Bycatch: Two Words Every Alaskan Should Know - Ryan Astalos and Jackie Boyer from SalmonState
In this eye-opening episode of The State I Am In, I’m joined by Ryan Astalos and Jackie Boyer from SalmonState to break down one of the most urgent issues facing Alaska today: industrial trawling and the devastating impact of bycatch. ...
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1:10:01
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#007 Landmark Collective - Amanda Bowles
In this special virtual episode of The State I Am In, I sit down with Amanda Bowles, the driving force behind Landmark Collective—a powerful community of women entrepreneurs based in the Mat-Su Valley. We dive into how these w...
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1:12:36
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#006 Success, Failure, & Youth Sports
In this episode of The State I Am In, I speak not just as a parent, but as a coach and former Little Leaguer myself. From hitting my first home run to striking out with the game on the line, I share personal stories that shaped how I v...
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40:09
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#005 Alaska Blade Studio - Zeke Johnston
Alaskan bladesmith Zeke Johnston joins me to talk about the craft of hand-forging knives and what makes a blade more than just a tool. We explore the heirloom value of a well-made knife, the stories it can carry, and how the forging process mir...
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2:04:12
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#004 Faith, Doubt, & Belonging - Pastor Frank Alioto
In this episode, I sit down with Pastor & Chaplain Frank Alioto for a candid conversation about the role of the church in today’s world. We talk about the purpose of gathering, what might hold someone back from faith in God or stepping into...
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1:20:36
#003 Parenting In The Digital Age - Lt. Ryan Browning
In this episode of The State I Am In, Lieutenant Ryan Browning of the Homer Police Department joins us for one of the most important conversations we’ve had on the show. We discuss the real-life events that led him to champion digital ...
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1:20:12
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#002 Community Centered Business - Shelby Oden
In this episode of The State I Am In, we sit down with Shelby Oden—an inspiring entrepreneur and community advocate based on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. Shelby shares her journey from growing up as a military brat to building a life with...
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1:01:07
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#001 Longevity - Dr. Bob Ledda
In this engaging conversation, Dr. Bob Ledda shares his journey from emergency medicine to a focus on preventive health. We discuss his approach to a lifestyle prescription, the importance of hormones, nutrition, and exercise in achieving optim...
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2:04:06
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