Left of the Lake

Neil, Greg and Jeff talk about The State of the Podcast as we celebrate 50 episodes! We finish things off with a fascinating bit of Utah history, Utah's only Professional Football team, the Salt Lake City Seagulls, who played two seasons in the late 1940s. Episode Highlights The Salt Lake Seagulls introduced a professional football team in 1946 at Utah State Fairgrounds The Seagulls used to travel...

We interviewed Corrine Prestwich, Saratoga Springs Civic Events Coordinator. We talked about Splash Days, parades, and other events in and around Saratoga Springs. Episode Highlights Corrine talks about her journey from volunteering to being the Civic Events Coordinator for Saratoga Springs Upcoming events for Splash Days in Saratoga Springs The free events available at Splash Days The University...

We talked with Greg Hansen, a Park Ranger at Camp Floyd, about Ghost Hunting. Sometimes called Paranormal Activity, hear all about the spooky activities there. Episode Highlights Locals in Camp Floyd start seeing ghosts, including a little girl wearing old pioneer clothes How the Camp Floyd became a popular spot for ghost hunters Connections between the Theory of Relativity, string theory, and par...

We interviewed Robyn Chavez & Chris McCullough from R&R Tactical, Saratoga Spring's finest Firearms store. Episode Highlights R&R Tactical being a baby business and what they offer such as firearms, ammunition, and tactical gear The origin of the name R&R Tactical The backstory of how R&R Tactical started as a home-based business R&R Tactical's commitment to going the extra mile for customers and...

We talked with Scot Hazard from The Real Estate Group and Mare Burningham, Eagle Mountain resident, on building wild animal friendly neighborhoods. Episode Highlights Importance and impact of establishing wildlife corridors in Eagle Mountain Scot Hazard's unique approach to working with the community for wildlife preservation Deer Haven development project with dedicated wildlife corridor discusse...

We interviewed EJ Michels, a local musician and current contestant on The Voice. He also plays and sings with a local band, Foreign Figures. Episode Highlights EJ's journey into music, starting with piano lessons How EJ gets into singing and performance The meaning behind the band name Foreign Figures Who are the artists that inspired him The importance of being vulnerable and real in music and in...

We talked with Gregor Greinor with Purple Mattresses and then heard a wild story about the battleship USS Utah's Silver Service. Episode Highlights Gregor's family history in Namibia and Germany, and how his parents met and moved to the USA His experience in swimming, joining the University of Texas swim team, and meeting world record holders Stories about his great-great-grandfather's experiences...

Amy Downing Loveless, known as Mrs. Claus, discusses her and her husband's journey as Santa and Mrs. Claus, creating magical experiences for children during the Christmas season. They adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic, offering socially-distanced photos from their transformed home. The hosts also interview Jenn Watts, owner of Jenn Watts Cleaning, who shares her journey from working for the state o...

We hear a story about Utah's massive US flag during its inauguration into the United States, then chat with Nate Walker, a business consultant and musician. Nate Walker stressed the significance of storytelling in marketing, concentrating on the consumer's experience rather than product features. He explained how companies often focus on the wrong aspects, making advertisements less effective. To...

In this podcast, the hosts feature two interviews - one with Levi Tippett, owner of TC Decks, who shares tips for choosing a deck contractor and offers information on budgeting and new innovations, and another with Amber Peterson, the assistant coach of Westlake Track, who talks about her recent move to Saratoga Springs and the benefits of track as a complementary sport that builds endurance and m...

We interview Coach Arnold Ale, the Football Coach at Westlake High School and we talk with Jennifer Yorgansen, who produced a segment of American Dream TV that highlighted Saratoga Springs and featured our very own Jeff Beck. Episode Highlights The coach's focus is on aligning players, parents, coaches, administration, and the community in order to create a winning culture Developing a winning pro...

We interviewed Amanda Hunsaker from The Finer Things Bakery, who brought us a delicious cake! Then we talked about the history of Prisoners of War in Utah during World War II. Episode Highlights How Amanda Hunsaker started The Finer Things Bakery The different types of cakes and treats available What makes the treats and cakes from The Finer Things Bakery unique Ways to contact Amanda and order a...

We talked about the history of the USS Salt Lake City, a World War Two ship and the first ship named after our capital city. Next, we Interviewed Clarissa Thomas, Mrs. Utah County, about some really personal stuff. Episode Highlights The brief history of the USS Salt Lake City The battle of the Tokyo Express and the USS Salt Lake City's role in it What is the involvement of the USS Salt Lake City...

We talked with Steffanie and Tony Anderson, owners of Yoga Vega. Next, we had Marian Burningham from the Eagle Mountain Nature and Wildlife Alliance. Episode Highlights How Yoga Vega started The benefits of having a mindful practice Difference between practicing yoga and pilates What a pilates reformer is and what it does to the body Variety of classes offered at Yoga Vega What the Eagle Mountain...

We interviewed Heather Lambert, President of the West Lake Council PTA. Next, we talk with Nick Cooper, a local hunter and jerky maker extraordinaire. Episode Highlights Meet Nick Cooper: Local hunter and jerky maker extraordinaire Exploring the Rush Valley and the left region of the lake What hunting and family life in Utah looks like Hunting as a connection to the earth and self-sufficiency Hunt...

We interviewed Mike Kieffer, editor of the Cedar Valley Sentinel.  Next, we tell the story of the Burgon's Crossing Accident of 1938. Episode Highlights Getting to know Mike Kieffer: The Owner of Cedar Valley, Utah Unique experience of living in Cedar Valley Wildlife on a five-and-a-half-acre property Protecting chickens from horned owls What is Cedar Valley Sentinel's mission? Exploring the histo...

We talked with Adventurer Blake Josephson about his amazing local adventures and  TV Show!  Then we have a tale from the 1930s about a Sheriff's hunt to solve a missing man mystery. Episode Highlights Who is Blake Josephson? Utilizing the cool things in Utah Find the best hiking and biking trails in Saratoga Springs Solving the mystery surrounding Spencer's disappearance Episode Resources Connect...

We interviewed BYU professor Ben Abbott about the Utah Lake Island project, as well as his other projects and interests. Highlights What happened to the Utah Lake Island project? The division of the Utah Lake Importance of the Utah Lake The history of the lake Impact of pollution The River Delta Project: The restoration of the Utah Lake Why June Suckers are important for the lake The role of the G...

We talked with Mitch Foss about his Christmas lights, A Very Merry Meridian; and we interviewed Scott Johnson about his app, Woje Money. Highlights How long has Scott been in Saratoga? What people are doing for fun Things that made Scott love Saratoga Springs What is Woje Money? The process of saving money with Woje Money What A Very Merry Meridian is and how they started Setting up and getting th...

Shannon Cox is the founder of Haitian Roots, a charity committed to protecting and empowering underserved Haitian children through education. Who's The Guest? Shannon Cox is an executive director, primarily working on the Haitian Roots sponsorship programs. In 2005, Shannon had a goal to raise money to send 20 children to school. Funds were raised that year for 23 children. The funds raised each y...

We talked with Aaron Brinkerhoff with Rock Solid Roofing about his roofing charity projects and interviewed Tyler Smedley, designer of a really fun card game called Don't Cross Me! Highlights Getting to know who Aaron Brinkerhoff is The top three golf courses in Utah to go to What you need to know about solar panels and roofing Is it easier to do more repairs or more replacements? Solar power cons...

We interview Author Johan Twiss, hear about the Battleship named after Utah, and Jeff tells us about his experience with the Utah Metropolitan Ballet. Highlights Who is Johan Twist? How he got into researching, writing, and the creative line His writing process and inspiration for his new book Advice to aspiring writers on how to get started Benefits of listening to the Writing Excuses podcast Wha...

Greg's wife Erica joins us with a great story about Utah's Lake Monsters, Neil's new neighbors talk about their experiences with moving from California, and Jeff talks about the midge, his least favorite insect. Highlights What is the interesting story behind The Utah Lake Monster? The Loch Ness Monster: Is it a fact or fiction? The Bear Lake Monster: A real or fake Utah legend? The legend of the...

We interview Chelsea Regier, a travel specialist with Cruise and Travel Masters, hear about Calvin Smith, Utah's World War One Fighting Chaplain, and an interview with magician Scott Chamberlain. Highlights How Chelsea Regier became a travel specialist The difference between getting a travel agent versus working on things on your own Benefits of planning your vacation in advance Which is better: H...

We interviewed Matt Canaday, owner of the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, and Auntie Anne's Pretzels at Thanksgiving Point, Greg talks about Cove Fort and Jeffs tells us about the Carp removal in Utah Lake. Highlights Who is Matt Canaday? How Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and Auntie Anne's Pretzels reached success as a small business What the benefits of entrepreneurship is The struggles of s...