Salt Lake Dirt

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with two of my favorite creators, Todd Hughes and Tim Kirk, for a special episode of Salt Lake Dirt . These two have such a unique history—they grew up together in California and have been collaborating on films since they were twelve years old. It was great to hear them reminisce about their early days shooting Super 8 shorts like Whopper , which surpri...

I've always loved reading as a way to step into another person's perspective, which is exactly why Natalie Davis ’s new memoir, Saying Yes: My Adventures in Polyamory , caught my eye. Natalie spent years writing legal briefs for the Department of Justice before pivoting to a much more vulnerable form of storytelling. What started as emails to a friend evolved into a decade-long chronicle o...

Today I had the chance to sit down with V.N. Alexander to talk about her new novel, The Girlie Playhouse (Heresy Press 4.7.26) I completely devoured this book. It’s a first-person account narrated by a dancer named Pixie, who is trying to make sense of her world and the memory of her mother. What really pulled me in wasn't just the setting of the cabaret, but the way Alexander handles the internal...

Elle Nash - Episode 366 Kyler sits down with author Elle Nash to discuss the practical side of maintaining a long-term writing career. Following the release of her most recent novel, Deliver Me , Elle shares her perspective on the creative process and the importance of pacing oneself to avoid hitting a wall. The conversation covers the realities of the publishing industry and the need to protect y...

In this episode of Salt Lake Dirt , Kyler reports from the 2026 Sundance Film Festival—the final year of the festival’s historic run in Park City. Kyler sits down with actor and musician Aaron Conte to discuss his role in the episodic project The Screener , a series created by Jim Cummings and PJ McCabe that tackles the high-stakes world of white-collar crime and the protection of independent film...

On today's episode Kyler welcomes filmmaker Matthew Avant to discuss his compelling new documentary pilot, Roots and Relics . Inspired by his father’s passion for history and a lifetime spent visiting historic sites, Matthew has created a show that focuses on the deep-seated stories behind family heirlooms. The conversation explores the project's origins, starting with Matthew’s early days...

In this episode of Salt Lake Dirt , Kyler Bingham talks with award-winning biographer Carla Kaplan about her latest book, Troublemaker: The Fierce, Unruly Life of Jessica Mitford . Jessica Mitford, or "Decca," was a member of the famously eccentric British aristocracy who famously defected from her privileged upbringing to become a passionate Marxist and a legendary muckraking journalist...

In this episode of Salt Lake Dirt , Kyler Bingham sits down with actor and producer Shaun Wu to discuss his compelling new narrative pilot, Henry by the Hour , which is making its world premiere at Dances With Films in New York. Inspired by the real-world "rental family" services in Japan and the pervasive sense of modern isolation, Shaun explores the profound "beautiful sadness&quo...

In this episode of Salt Lake Dirt , I’m joined by director Deborah Correa to discuss her new film, The War Between . Based on a story and novella by Ron Yungul, the film explores a lesser-known chapter of the American Civil War: the conflict within the Arizona Territory and New Mexico. Deborah shares the fascinating history behind the California Column , a volunteer force that pushed the Confedera...

How does our awareness evolve, and what role does kindness play in that journey? Brian Joel Jolly ( Evolving Awareness: Why Kindness Matters ) joins Kyler to discuss consciousness and his unique take on the biblical creation story. It’s a conversation about how we see the world, how we connect with one another, and why our perspective on "reality" changes everything. Great book, great ch...

Kyler welcomes back a long-time friend of the show, author Chip Jacobs . Chip is here to chat about his brand new novel, Later Days . The book is a personal one—it weaves together parts of Chip's own life and the moving story of his friend Tom, all set during their high school years. We dive deep into friendship, forgiveness, and how memory shapes us. Great book, great chat! Thanks for listeni...

This week, we sit down with filmmaker Joe D'Ovidio . Joe joins us to discuss his short film, A Drive at Dawn , which has been a strong presence on the festival circuit, including a run at the highly-regarded FilmQuest . Find Joe D'Ovidio on Instagram: @joe.dovidio Thanks for listening! Kyler

Today on the show I welcome back Bruce Wagner . Bruce is one of my all-time favorite authors and he is here to talk about his latest novel AMPUTATION . "AMPUTATION is the first novel to be written about the inferno that obliterated two Los Angeles cities in January of 2025. Major characters are comedian Stephen Colbert; Karen Bass; a Timothée Chalamet stunt double; a fiercely pro-Palestinian...

On this episode of Salt Lake Dirt, Kyler sits down with author and musician Daniel Gard'ner to talk about his novel, Desert Songs . Daniel shares how decades in the music industry led him to write this rock and roll L.A. noir, built around the characters Cash and Slim. It's a candid conversation about the reality of band dynamics, friendship, and the pressures of success—a fascinating look...

This week on Salt Lake Dirt, we welcome back the talented Gary Lippman to discuss his latest book, I Wish, Therefore I Am . In this episode, Kyler and Gary discuss the creative process behind the book, exploring the significance of titles and the role of wishes in our lives. Gary shares his insights on how he arrived at the catchy title and the unique structure of the book, which he affectionately...

This week on Salt Lake Dirt, we have the pleasure of welcoming Tim Kirk , author of the new novel, All His Damned Mother's Sons . In this episode, Kyler and Tim delve into the fascinating world of alternate history, exploring a timeline where Elvis Presley meets an untimely death during his military service in Germany. This pivotal moment sends shockwaves through the lives of four characters,...

Salt Lake Dirt is wrapping up its coverage FilmQuest this week! FilmQuest is one of my favorite film festivals out there. Check it out! --- 2025 FilmQuest Episode 353 Film: The Waking Call Guest: Riccardo Suriano Watch the Trailer --- On the Radio on 11/3/25 KPCR 92.9FM Los Gatos KMRT 101.9FM Santa Cruz KVBE 91.9FM Portland, OR www.kpcr.org www.saltlakedirt.com

This week on Salt Lake Dirt, we welcome back William Cooper to discuss his new novel, The Trial of Donald H. Rumsfeld . In this episode, Kyler and Will dive deep into the complex character of Rumsfeld, exploring the nuances of his personality and the historical context that shaped his decisions. Will shares how the events of September 11th sparked his interest in politics and led him to create a n...

Salt Lake Dirt is covering FilmQuest this week! FilmQuest is one of my favorite film festivals out there.  --- 2025 FilmQuest Episode 351 Film: Stomach It Guest: Peter Klausner IG: @stomachitfilm IG: @klausnerpeter Logline : While struggling to emotionally detach from the deceased, a crime scene cleaner believes a monstrous presence is toying with him. On the Radio on 11/17/25 KPCR 92.9FM Los Gato...

This week Kelly Cervantes joins me on Salt Lake Dirt. She is the author of the new memoir, The Luckiest: A Memoir of Love, Loss, Motherhood, and the Pursuit of Self . Kelly takes us on an emotional journey through her life, exploring the complexities of motherhood, the depths of grief, and the transformative power of love. Kelly shares the inspiration behind her memoir, which is beautifully struct...

Salt Lake Dirt has been covering FilmQuest the past couple of weeks. FilmQuest is one of my favorite film festivals out there.  Enjoy these interviews! --- 2025 FilmQuest Episode 349 Film: The Vanity Guest: Megan Rosati SYNOPSIS: In the near future, a young couple makes their living as influencers for a new social media platform: THE VANITY. But when THE VANITY upgrades to AI, the horrific visions...

Today I welcome author Cairo Smith to discuss his new book, Scenebux . In this thought-provoking narrative, we follow Ben, a 25-year-old grappling with a quarter-life crisis in San Francisco as he embarks on a whirlwind adventure through a tech-driven world filled with eccentric characters and existential dilemmas. Cairo shares insights into his writing process, revealing how he meticulously craft...

Salt Lake Dirt is covering FilmQuest this week! FilmQuest is one of my favorite film festivals out there.  2025 FilmQuest Episode 347 Film: M.U.B. (Monster Under the Bed) Guest: Serena Dykman IG: @serena_dykman www.serenadykman.com SYNOPSIS: A one-night stand takes a surreal turn when a childhood Monster creeps from Under the Bed. --- On the Radio on 11/3/25: KPCR 92.9FM Los Gatos KMRT 101.9FM San...

This week on Salt Lake Dirt, we dive into the mind of author John Vines as he discusses his debut novel, The World is Angry . A geologist by career, John reveals how his passion for storytelling has led him to create a gripping psychological thriller that intertwines the lives of three friends with a chilling serial killer. Set against the backdrop of a haunting New Orleans, the story follows thre...

Salt Lake Dirt is covering FilmQuest this week! FilmQuest is one of my favorite film festivals out there.  --- 2025 FilmQuest Episode 345 Film: Margaret the Brave Guest: Danny Chandia SYNOPSIS: A recently-divorced professor of mythology tries to inspire his teenage daughter with a fairy tale on the night she leaves home to live with her mother, but considering the state of the world- it will take...