This is the final episode of 2025 — it’s just me. In this solo episode, I reflect on the first nine months of The State I Am In: what started as a simple “what if” has grown into real conversations with remarkable Alaskans, unexpected lessons about creation and consistency, and a deeper understanding of what this place — and its people — truly represent. I talk about the transition from podcast listener to creator, the challenges of showing up imperfectly, and the realities of building someth...
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This is the final episode of 2025 — it’s just me. In this solo episode, I reflect on the first nine months of The State I Am In: what started as a simple “what if” has grown into real conversations with remarkable Alaskans, unexpected lessons about creation and consistency, and a deeper understanding of what this place — and its people — truly represent. I talk about the transition from podcast listener to creator, the challenges of showing up imperfectly, and the realities of building someth...
#015 Jiu-jitsu in AK: Finding confidence & community on the mat - Jordan Kontra
The State I Am In
1 hour 26 minutes
2 months ago
#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 a respected instructor and voice in Alaska’s Jiu-Jitsu community. We explore how Jiu-Jitsu offers real-world self-defense skills, not just for athletes, but for everyday people—including healthcare workers, first responders, and those who routinely work...
The State I Am In
This is the final episode of 2025 — it’s just me. In this solo episode, I reflect on the first nine months of The State I Am In: what started as a simple “what if” has grown into real conversations with remarkable Alaskans, unexpected lessons about creation and consistency, and a deeper understanding of what this place — and its people — truly represent. I talk about the transition from podcast listener to creator, the challenges of showing up imperfectly, and the realities of building someth...
