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.

The State I Am In is a society podcast hosted by Manny Coelho, with 46 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Manny Coelho hosts The State I Am In, a society show with 46 episodes published.

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  The State I Am In

  #044 Entering the Winter State - Manny Coelho

  Sep 22, 202615 min

  Every September, something changes in Alaska. The days get shorter, the temperature starts to drop, and the annual ritual of preparing for winter begins. We winterize our homes, vehicles, and lives. We check the tires, stock up on firewood or fill the heating oil tank, find the snow gear, and make sure we're ready for the cold and dark ahead. But what about the more internal aspect ? In this solo episode, Manny reflects on the version of himself that seems to show up every winter and asks a bigger question: If we put so much effort into preparing everything else for an Alaska winter, how can we be just as intentional about winterizing our hearts and minds? This episode also marks the beginning of a recurring conversation on The State I Am In about mental health, resilience, and navigating the darker months in Alaska. Throughout the winter, you'll hear from clinicians, coaches, and everyday Alaskans with experiences and lessons worth sharing. And eventually, those conversations will lead into something new: the Polar Night 65 Challenge, a 65-day challenge through the darkest part of the Alaska winter focused on taking better care of our bodies, minds, and relationships. Winter is coming. Let's prepare for more than just the weather. Shoot me a text, what do you think?

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  The State I Am In

  #043 Alaska's Bone Man: A Life Built From Bones - Lee Post

  Sep 14, 20262h 8m

  Lee Post is known simply as "The Bone Man." What started as a lifelong curiosity about the natural world eventually led Lee to the Pratt Museum in Homer, Alaska, where he was handed a challenge: figure out how to put a whale skeleton back together. There was no manual. There was no YouTube tutorial. And as Lee discovered, there weren't many people in the world who could even tell him how to do it. So he figured it out. In this episode, Lee shares how that first whale skeleton launched a decades-long journey of articulating skeletons, teaching students, illustrating bones, writing books, and sharing his knowledge around Alaska and across the world. We talk about recovering a 41-foot sperm whale, working with students to build skeletons, the strange science of cleaning bones, some of the unusual requests Lee has received over the years, and how a self-taught passion became an expertise few people possess. More than anything, this is a conversation about curiosity, following the path in front of you, and what can happen when you find something you love doing and refuse to let it go. This is the story of Lee Post, The Bone Man. visit www.boneman.com to connect with Lee and learn more. Shoot me a text, what do you think?

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  The State I Am In

  #042 Protecting What Matters: A Lifetime of Service & Survival - Chris Johnson

  Sep 7, 20261h 29m

  Chris Johnson has spent his adult life protecting what matters. From a childhood dream of becoming a game warden to a career spanning more than three decades in wildlife law enforcement, Chris has dedicated his life to protecting Alaska’s people, wildlife, and wild places. In this episode, Chris shares stories from a career that has taken him across Alaska and put him face-to-face with some of the realities and dangers of working in the Last Frontier. We talk about conservation, bear encounters, law enforcement, search and rescue, and the responsibility that comes with protecting the resources Alaskans are fortunate enough to call their own. But for all the years Chris spent protecting others, some of his greatest tests would come far from the badge. In previous episodes, we sat down with Chris’s son, Tyler, and heard his incredible story of surviving a brown bear attack deep in the Alaska backcountry. This time, we hear that story from the perspective of the father who was there with him. Chris also takes us into another remote Alaska survival story involving Tyler, and we talk about preparation, fatherhood, raising kids by example, a lifetime of service, and what nearly four decades in Alaska have taught Chris about protecting the things that matter most. Shoot me a text, what do you think?

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  The State I Am In

  #041 The Time is Now: A Musician's Journey to the Big-Time - Owen MacDonald

  Aug 31, 202650 min

  Born and raised in tiny Cantwell, Alaska, Owen MacDonald grew up in a K–12 school with only a handful of students and never imagined music would become his career. What started with a guitar, some bad songs in a notebook, and a $30 microphone eventually became something much bigger. In this episode, Owen sits down with Manny to talk about leaving Alaska, chasing hockey to Minnesota, taking a shot at music, failing in Chicago, and continuing to write and record even when almost no one was listening. He shares how years of persistence, songwriting, self-producing, and relentless promotion have finally started to pay off. Now, with a record deal signed, new music on the way, and plans to hit the road, Owen finds himself standing at the edge of the dream he’s been chasing for years. As he puts it: “It feels like the time is now.” They also get into the influence Alaska has had on Owen’s songwriting, the rise of AI-generated music, why imperfection matters in art, building an audience from scratch, staying authentic when the music industry comes calling, and his advice for anyone chasing a creative dream that other people might not understand. From Cantwell to the doorstep of the big time, this is Owen MacDonald’s journey — and it may only be the beginning. Shoot me a text, what do you think?

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  The State I Am In

  #040 The 101st Yard: Reclaiming Life After a Bear Attack - Ariean Colton

  Jun 22, 20261h 5m

  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's about what happens after survival. Ariean shares the physical, emotional, and mental challenges of rebuilding her life, learning to walk, run, and trust the outdoors again. We talk about fear, trauma, family, resilience, and the difficult question many survivors ask: "Why me?" We also discuss her Instagram project, Ariean's 101st Yard , inspired by the distance she was dragged and the belief that life's most important step is often the one that comes after tragedy. This is a conversation about courage (not the absence of fear) and the decision to keep moving forward despite it. Whether you've experienced trauma yourself or have supported someone through it, Ariean's story is a powerful reminder that healing isn't about returning to who you were before. It's about discovering who you can become next. Follow Ariean's journey on Instagram: @the101styard Shoot me a text, what do you think?

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