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

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

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 [https://www.instagram.com/the101styard/] Shoot me a text, what do you think? [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2442071/fan_mail/new]

#039 Behind the Lens with Carly on the Kenai - Carly Padrta

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 brutal Alaska conditions, to how she balances adventure with raising two young boys, to why bad weather almost always makes the best photography.  In this episode:  * How a halibut charter in Ninilchik turned into a life in Alaska * The accidental origin of her photography career * Why she lets her camera take a beating — and what's survived * Her go-to gear: Sony, Sigma, and a backup SD card she keeps for emergencies * The Knik Glacier camping trip that got a little too real at 2 a.m. * Her honest take on AI editing and presets (spoiler: she's not a fan) * Aurora photography, wildlife encounters, and her favorite spots on the peninsula * Practical advice for parents who want to get outside but feel stuck Follow Carly:  Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/carly_on_the_kenai?fbclid=IwY2xjawRvATxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFZdVJ1eG9ZRTUxODBmZzhzc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHgCLZStWHc4q9tUxERNeBql-UtksosjH1XoVfpVNvdKYoMjVAGqn2PEza5gB_aem_OA6K3iGtJZZGqDq1_ue5Ww] & Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=61550037245248] @carly_on_the_kenai   Shoot me a text, what do you think? [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2442071/fan_mail/new]

#038 Mowers & Math: How a 20-Year-Old Built a Million Dollar Business in Alaska - Kaedyn Jennings

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 last year, and has become a force to be reckoned with in the industry. In this conversation Kaedyn walks Manny through all of it — his upbringing, the lawn care math that started everything, how he solved the three biggest problems in the industry before he even had his first client, and what he's learned about debt, hiring, leadership, and money from a network of real Alaska business owners he's built around himself. But the deeper thread running through this episode is what comes next — Kaedyn is 20, has already built the time freedom most people spend decades chasing, and is now figuring out how to turn that into financial freedom, 50 rental units, a helicopter, and a life built entirely on his own terms.   What We Cover  * Growing up between homes,  the aunt who raised him — and what shaped his drive * How he went from watching a friend cut grass to building a company that did close to $750K last year * Why he believes passion is overrated when it comes to building a business — and what matters more * His take on Dave Ramsey, debt, and why he's focused on eliminating it entirely at 20 years old * "Hire fast, fire fast" — his no-nonsense approach to building a small team and getting out of the way in leadership. * The loneliness of being a young entrepreneur, and why he says the bottom is just as lonely as the top * Big aspirations and the long game he's playing while others his age drag their feet   About Kaedyn Jennings   Kaedyn Jennings is a 20-year-old entrepreneur from Wasilla, Alaska, and the owner of Snip&Clip Alaska, a lawn care and snow removal company serving the Mat-Su Valley and Anchorage. He built the business from the ground up as a teenager, growing it to a small team with an operations manager, a sales team, and an office — and he's currently aiming for 400 customers this year.  He also creates content daily across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, where he shares his journey as a young business owner in Alaska.   Follow Kaedyn Jennings on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/kaedyn.jennings.9], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/kaedyn.jennings/], and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@realkaedynjennings] Subscribe to his YouTube channel @KaedynJennings907 [https://youtube.com/@kaedynjennings907?si=SICjyAvAH4r9eskq]   Contact Snip&Clip Alaska [https://snipandclipalaska.com/] for your lawncare and snow removal needs.   Advertise With Us   Interested in putting your business in front of an engaged and growing audience that cares about Alaska?  Learn more at www.thestateiamin.com [https://thestateiamin.com/] Stay Connected @thestateiaminpodcast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok [https://linktr.ee/thestateiamin]  Subscribe on YouTube @thestateiamin [https://youtube.com/@thestateiamin?si=D2KrQN8KFqVyZW07]   Shoot me a text, what do you think? [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2442071/fan_mail/new]

#037 Snug Harbor Outpost: One Family’s Mission to Preserve and Share a True Alaskan Experience - Willie, Abe & Eli Porter

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 way of life alive for future generations. What You’ll Hear in This Episode *  The Porter family’s Alaska origin story dating back to 1908 *  What life looked like growing up in early Kenai (including dumping trash off the bluff 😳)  *  The rise and fall of commercial canneries in Cook Inlet  *  How fishing evolved from family-run operations to heavily regulated industry  *  Why commercial fishermen are often misunderstood today  *  The history behind Snug Harbor Cannery and how it nearly disappeared  *  How the Porters bought and are restoring this historic site  *  The reality of maintaining a remote, deteriorating property across the inlet  *  Bear viewing, fishing, and offering a truly authentic Alaska experience  *  Why preserving this history matters—before it’s gone for good   Key Themes Legacy & Generational Knowledge The Porters aren’t just telling stories—they’re living proof of how knowledge, grit, and values get passed down through generations. The Evolution of Alaska From fish traps and canneries to modern regulations and tourism, this episode highlights how drastically life has changed—and what’s been lost along the way. Preservation vs. Erasure Snug Harbor isn’t just a business—it’s a fight against time to preserve a disappearing culture and industry. Authentic Alaska Experience This isn’t crowded rivers and tourist traps. It’s remote, raw, and real—exactly what people hope to find when they come north. 🛠️ About Snug Harbor Outpost Located across Cook Inlet near Lake Clark, Snug Harbor is a restored historic cannery turned remote adventure experience. Visitors can: *  Fish for salmon and halibut  *  View bears in their natural habitat  *  Explore untouched Alaska wilderness  *  Walk through a living museum of Alaska’s fishing history 🌎 Why This Episode Matters As Alaska continues to modernize, stories like this are becoming rare. The Porter family is holding onto something bigger than a business—they’re protecting a way of life. If you’ve ever wondered what Alaska used to be—and what it still can be—this episode is for you. Visit www.snugharboroutpost.com [https://www.snugharboroutpost.com/] to learn more Follow Snug Harbor on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/snugharboroutpost/] & Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/snugharboroutpost/] Shoot me a text, what do you think? [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2442071/fan_mail/new]

#036 Magnetic North Brewing Co: Starting a Brewery & Staying the Course in Alaska - Jeremiah Christian

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 challenging business environment. What separates Jeremiah isn’t luck or perfect timing—it’s his willingness to do what he said he was going to do. Even when it got hard. Even when it stopped making sense. Even when the hits kept coming.  We talk about what it really looks like to build something from the ground up in Alaska, the realities of the craft beer industry, and the mindset and tactics it takes to keep going when quitting would be easier.  This is a conversation about grit, direction, and refusing to drift.    What We Cover: *  Starting a brewery during COVID  *  The realities of running a business in Alaska  *  Regulations, taxes, and industry challenges  *  The decline and pressure within the craft beer market  *  Why “doing what you said you would” matters  *  The mindset required to stay in the game long-term  *  Building something for locals, not just tourists    About Magnetic North Brewing Co:   Magnetic North Brewing is an Anchorage-based brewery focused on crafting beer for Alaskans. Built on consistency, grit, and a commitment to the community, it reflects the same mindset Jeremiah brings to business—steady, intentional, and resilient. Check them out on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/MagneticNorthBrewingCo] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/magnorthbrewing/]   www.magneticnorthbrewingco.com [https://magneticnorthbrewingco.com/] Shoot me a text, what do you think? [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2442071/fan_mail/new]