The Must Read Alaska Show

On this episode of Energy and Business from Must Read Alaska, host Todd sits down with John Hendrix — President and CEO of HEX LLC, Homer native, civil engineer, and recently named Outstanding Alaskan of the Year — for a clear-eyed conversation about Alaska’s energy future.

In “Powering Alaska from Within: HEX and the Cook Inlet Comeback,” John explains how HEX LLC, the only 100% Alaskan-owned and operated natural gas producer in the state, is delivering reliable, affordable energy to Railbelt homes, businesses, and military bases right now. Headquartered in Anchorage, HEX operates critical offshore and onshore infrastructure in the Kitchen Lights Unit and recently unified its operations under one strong HEX brand while committing to new drilling and continued investment.

Listeners will hear the story behind HEX’s acquisition of the once-struggling Kitchen Lights Unit, how local ownership and disciplined investment turned declining production around — including doubling output from the Allegra Leigh platform in 2025 — and why Cook Inlet’s estimated 19 trillion cubic feet of natural gas represents a generational opportunity for Alaska energy security.

John connects the dots between local resource development, keeping the lights on and heat flowing during critical winter months, and building a stronger, more self-reliant Alaska. He also shares an encouraging message for young Alaskans considering careers in energy and for policymakers who want to see more homegrown investment succeed.

If you care about affordable energy, Alaska’s resource sovereignty, and practical solutions that keep money and jobs in-state, this episode delivers straight talk from the operator proving that Alaskan solutions work best for Alaskans.

 

HEX LLC: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hex-ak/posts/?feedView=all

 

SPONSORS:

Must Read Alaska: https://mustreadalaska.com/subscriptions/

Promo Code: energy for 10% off all our annual plans

DRB Productions: https://centertix.com/events/beatles-vs-rolling-stones-musical-showdown

Promo Code: London for MRAK subscribers

On this episode of The Social from Must Read Alaska, host Todd explores the powerful connection between food, health, and self-reliance with two expert guests: Kristen Rasmussen from the Culinary Institute of America and Brenda Josephson, Haines-based Culinary Institute of America-trained chef and author of MRAK’s popular Foodies & Foragers column.

In “Food, Health & the Future of What We Eat,” they discuss the groundbreaking Food is Life, Food is Health Summit held May 6–8, 2026, at the Culinary Institute of America at Copia in Napa, California. Co-organized with Stanford Medicine, the summit brought together chefs, physicians, dietitians, and researchers to reimagine food as the foundation of personal and planetary health.

Kristen shares insights from the national perspective — including cross-disciplinary kitchens where doctors and chefs trained side-by-side, the science validating traditional food wisdom, and practical strategies for culinary therapeutics. Brenda brings the authentic Alaska voice, connecting the summit’s themes to real-life practices like foraging kelp, harvesting wild salmon, using devil’s club, and embracing subsistence living in Southeast Alaska.

This conversation celebrates food independence as a core Alaskan value. In a time of supply chain vulnerability and rising chronic disease, it affirms that hunting, fishing, gardening, and foraging aren’t just traditions — they’re powerful acts of health sovereignty and resilience. Listeners will gain validation for their lifestyle and fresh inspiration for making food truly medicine in their own homes.

Whether you’re deeply rooted in Alaska’s wild food traditions or seeking practical ways to build greater self-sufficiency, this episode bridges national momentum with frontier wisdom.

Tune in for thoughtful discussion on reclaiming control over what we eat — and why it matters now more than ever.

 

Food is Life, Food is Health Conference: https://www.foodislifefoodishealth.org/about

Kristen Rasmussen Instagram: rootedfood

 

MRAK Foodies and Foragers with Brenda Josephson: https://mustreadalaska.com/foodies-and-foragers-food-is-life-food-is-health/

 

SPONSORS:

Must Read Alaska: https://mustreadalaska.com/subscriptions/

Promo Code: thesocial10 for 10% off the 'All In' or 'In For News' prepaid annual plans

The Wellness Company: https://www.twc.health/alaska

Promo Code: ALASKA for 10% off + free shipping on every order

Join Sonia on The Social from the Must Read Alaska Show as she sits down with Tandy Hogate — host of the Sustainable Alaska podcast and co-founder of Common Ground Alaska — for a timely conversation on Alaska’s growing homestead revival.

In “From the Land Up: Alaska’s Homestead Revival,” Tandy shares how more Alaskans are reclaiming self-reliance through gardening, animal husbandry, food preservation, and off-grid living. With Alaska importing nearly all its groceries and facing real supply chain risks, this movement isn’t just a lifestyle — it’s a practical response to food security and resilience.

Tandy previews the third annual Alaska Homestead Expo and Marketplace happening Memorial Day Weekend, May 22–23, 2026, at the Big Lake Lions Club. This year’s event expands to a hybrid format with livestreamed sessions, full recordings, and an entire summer series of 65+ additional classes included with your ticket.

 

2026 Alaska Homestead Expo:

Tickets: https://www.tixtree.com/e/2026-spring-alaska-homestead-expo-ad3e099b48b4

https://commongroundalaska.com/event/2026-spring-alaska-homestead-expo/

In-Person/Hybrid: $85 | Virtual: $45 | Marketplace only: $5 at the door

 

SPONSORS:

Must Read Alaska: https://mustreadalaska.com/subscriptions/

Promo Code: thesocial10 for 10% off the 'All In' or 'In For News' prepaid annual plans

Big Berkey Water Filters: https://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/

Promo Code: mrak10 for 10% off sitewide

Jim Minnery joins the Must Read Alaska Show and discusses the 2026 Alaska March For Life with Natalie Spaulding. They go through history of the March, the speakers that will be at the rally, and great ways to participate in the event. The March For Life begins at 12PM on Saturday with the rally starting at 1:30PM on the Delaney Park Strip, Downtown Anchorage.  Jim and Natalie discuss the events leading up to the march, you won't want to miss this conversation to learn more about how to support a culture of life in Alaska!

The conversation is full of life and hope for all those that think they have no other choice. For more information about the March For Life and how you can participate go to:

 

2026 Alaska March For Life:

https://www.canva.com/design/DAHDkTLGzYk/9QD1R2G8bK0pWAklRnwYfA/view?utlId=h31bc3bad03

https://www.akfamily.org/

 

Sponsors:

Seven Weeks Coffee – mold- and glyphosate-free, organic, regenerative, and 10% of every sale (over 50% of profits) goes to pro-life pregnancy centers nationwide. Grab the world’s best coffee and support a great cause at the same time.

Use promo code MRAK for 10% off your order at sevenweekscoffee.com. 

 

Must Read Alaska - Exclusive discount for our podcast audience listeners, get 20% off one of the annual subscriptions. Support a conservative news outlet sharing great content that matters most to Alaskans.

Use promo code mrakshow for 20% off the "All-In" or "In For News" annual subscriptions, https://mustreadalaska.com/subscriptions/

Rick Whitbeck guest-hosts an energizing conversation with two of the four candidates for the Chugach Electric Association Board of Directors: mechanical engineer and oil & gas veteran Todd Lindley and power-generation expert Michael McManamon.

This episode cuts through the noise on the issues that hit every Southcentral Alaska ratepayer’s wallet: protecting dispatchable Eklutna hydro while restoring salmon habitat, why the board’s aggressive 2030/2040 carbon-intensity targets are unrealistic and expensive, Cook Inlet gas shortfalls and the coming LNG imports, the proposed HVDC submarine cable from Bradley Lake, data-center demand, and the real path to affordable, reliable power for the next decade.

Both candidates deliver clear, engineer-driven answers: prioritize affordability and reliability, maximize local resources, reject one-size-fits-all green mandates, and keep the lights.

Ballots drop in your mailbox or inbox April 29. Voting runs through the annual meeting on May 29 at Change Point Church in Anchorage. This episode is required listening before you vote.

*Note: Chugach's Annual Meeting begins @4PM, not 5PM as stated during the show. All information related to the election and the annual meeting can be found at the following site: 

https://www.chugachelectric.com/your-cooperative/news-community/annual-meeting/annual-meeting-election

 

 

Candidate Info: 

All Candidates

https://www.chugachelectric.com/your-cooperative/news-community/annual-meeting/annual-meeting-election

 

Todd M Lindley

https://www.toddforchugach.com/

https://www.chugachelectric.com/system/files/annual_meeting/2026/2026%20Todd%20Lindley%20candidate%20bio.pdf

https://gumlet.tv/watch/69d6dddd15722ddd13942bf8/

 

Michael McManamon 

https://www.chugachelectric.com/system/files/annual_meeting/2026/2026%20Michael%20McManamon%20candidate%20bio.pdf

https://gumlet.tv/watch/69d6de4779cd218090ed4af0/

 

Listen now on Must Read Alaska – because Alaska’s energy future is on the ballot.

 

 

Sponsors:

Sponsored by Seven Weeks Coffee – mold- and glyphosate-free, organic, regenerative, and 10% of every sale (over 50% of profits) goes to pro-life pregnancy centers nationwide. Grab the world’s best coffee and support a great cause at the same time.

Use promo code MRAK for 10% off your order at sevenweekscoffee.com (link in show notes).