Utah Stories Show

We are heading for a homelessness disaster in Salt Lake City. There has been an increase in seniors who are homeless by 45% in Utah. Many of them are them are seen on the streets of Salt Lake City. Former Mayor Rocky Anderson and the Salt Lake City regional Director for Swtichpoint Cody Sanders join us to discuss how we solve this growing problem to prevent the suffering of so many seniors on the...

From humble beginnings in Monterrey, Mexico, to building a salsa brand on Utah grocery shelves — this is the inspiring immigrant success story of Salsa Queen. In this interview with Utah Stories, Salsa Queen shares how she came to America at 17, raised seven kids, and turned her love of cooking into a business that began at the Wheeler Farm Farmers Market and grew into a brand now sold in major gr...

Starting a restaurant is one of the toughest businesses to survive in. Most fail within the first few years. But Ian Brandt, founder of Vertical Deli and Vertical Diner, has proven it can be done with passion and smart financial management. In this conversation, Ian shares how he went from running one of Utah's very first vegan food carts to building beloved restaurants that lasted decades. We div...

Ruby Franke, a popular YouTube vlogger known for her "8 Passengers" channel documenting her family life, was arrested in August 2023 along with her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt. Franke's 12-year-old son escaped Hildebrandt's house, revealing signs of severe malnutrition and injuries from being tied up. Police then found Franke's 9-year-old daughter in a similar condition inside the residence...

Join Utah Stories as Richard Markosian talks with Heidi from Millcreek Gardens about Festival Transylvania, a family-friendly Halloween experience featuring a haunted garden maze, live actors, and a fun election between Dracula and Frankenstein! Heidi also shares why fall is the perfect time to plant spring bulbs, winter vegetables, and colorful flowers that thrive in colder weather. Plus, discove...

Thinking about heading to Moab, Utah? Don't just stick to the national parks. In this episode of Utah Stories Travel & Adventure, Richard Markosian shares how he's explored Moab for over a decade—on foot, with dogs, and off the beaten path. From red rock vistas to mouthwatering meals, this guide gives you the real Moab experience—without the crowds or tourist traps.

Is Utah, long seen as the stronghold of American religiosity, quietly drifting away from faith? In this episode, we talk with Rabbi Yoni Kayman about the rise of secularism, the decline of shared moral values, and what we stand to lose when religion no longer anchors our culture.

Thayne Tagge could have sold his land for $30 million. Instead, he chose peaches over pavement. In this exclusive video, Utah orchardist Thayne Tagge shares why he placed his Brigham City farmland in a conservation trust — preserving it for future generations. As development overtakes the Wasatch Front, Tagge's fight to save his orchards sheds light on the broader battle between agriculture and ur...

In this bonus episode of Utah Stories, congressional candidate Bobby Darvish shares his personal journey from a secular Muslim upbringing to practicing Islam and eventually embracing Christianity. Darvish discusses his experiences in Iran, differences between Sunni and Shia Islam, his former leadership role with CAIR, and the religious and political beliefs that shaped his decision to leave Islam.

Should Utah embrace massive AI data centers or protect its local communities? Richard sits down with congressional write-in candidate Bobby Darvish to discuss Utah's controversial data center project, environmental concerns, economic growth, foreign influence, and national security. They explore whether AI development can coexist with local control, government transparency, and protection of Utah'...

Most Utah gardens look great for a few weeks… and then fade, dry out, or turn into bare patches by mid-summer or fall. But it doesn't have to be that way. In this episode, Loreen and Heidi from Millcreek Gardens explain how to design a true four season garden that holds color, structure, and life all year — even in Utah's harsh, desert climate. We talk about: Why so many Utah yards fail long befor...

Utah's housing costs are soaring, and many wonder if the crisis is truly accidental. Richard Markosian sits down with Kimberly Burnett of Ivory Innovations to explore whether Utah's housing shortage is manufactured —sustained by policy, regulation, and zoning that keep prices high and affordable homes out of reach. They discuss how 24% of every new home's cost comes from regulation, why smaller ho...

In this powerful episode of Utah Stories, Richard Markosian sits down with Peggy and Steve Ayers to explore the raw, emotional journey of addiction, trauma, and healing within their family. From the hidden realities behind picture-perfect appearances to the lifesaving support of community, this episode dives deep into the challenges families face when a loved one struggles with substance abuse—and...

What do Led Zeppelin, blues clubs in the UK, and pastrami sandwiches have in common? They all helped shape the life and passions of Michael Feldman—musician, storyteller, and owner of Salt Lake's beloved Feldman's Deli. In this soulful episode of Utah Stories, Michael sits down with Richard Markosian to reflect on his lifelong love for music, the Utah music scene, and how his travels in Europe and...

What do The Goonies and Utah's film industry have in common? 🎥 In this episode of The Utah Story Show, host Richard Markosian sits down with actor Andrew Lenz of Nuworlds Productions to talk about the highs, lows, and weird in-betweens of breaking into film. Andrew shares stories from working near Touched by an Angel, brushes with Goonies lore, and what it's really like on a film set—why the crew...

In this candid and thought-provoking episode of The Utah Story Show, Richard Markosian sits down with James Behunin from the Utah Homeless Services Board to discuss the complex challenges of homelessness in Utah. Together, they examine the policy struggles, personal stories of hope and tragedy, and the delicate balance between compassion and accountability. From the inspiring transformations at Th...

Bob Campbell isn't your average coin dealer. Raised in a poor family, Bob climbed to the top of the numismatic world, becoming President of the American Numismatic Association and a recognized expert in counterfeit coin detection. He has taught U.S. federal agencies like the FBI, Secret Service, IRS, Homeland Security, and collectors how to spot fake coins. In this podcast, Bob shares:  How he bui...

Why has it become nearly impossible to discuss important political topics without resorting to personal attacks and tribalism? In this episode of Utah Stories, we dive deep into the state of public discourse, the growing political divide, and why ideas are often judged by who presents them rather than their actual merit. Join the discussion! Do you think we can return to rational, civil conversati...

What would it be like to ride across 25 states on horseback? Jake Harvath took on the challenge, leaving everything behind to embark on an epic journey that tested his resilience, connected him with incredible people, and gave him a deep bond with his horses. In this episode of Utah Stories, Jake shares: 🏇 How a childhood dream turned into a 400-day odyssey 🏕️ The challenges of camping in the wil...

How are the latest tariffs impacting small businesses in America? In this episode of the Utah Stories Podcast, we sit down with Scott Brown, the founder of Paddle Smash, to discuss how rising import tariffs are threatening small businesses that rely on overseas manufacturing. Scott shares: 🔹 The challenges of manufacturing in the U.S. vs. China 🔹 How Trump's new tariffs are forcing price hikes o...

Epic Brewing has been a mainstay in Utah's craft beer scene since opening in 2009. 🍺 Epic burst onto the Utah craft beer scene with incredible high-point beers immediately loved by Utah craft beer fans. Initially, Epic could not keep up with the demand for their beer for their first two years of operation: founders, David Cole and Peter Ericson, along with brewmaster Kevin Crompton, struck paydir...

In this powerful episode of Utah Stories, we tackle the hard-to-discuss issues of homelessness, mental health, and the nonprofit system. Richard Markosian sits down with Bernie Hart, a changemaker who's been quietly transforming lives for over a decade. Bernie runs a free Tai Chi program at Library Square in Salt Lake City, offering not only breakfast but also a chance for homeless individuals to...

Meet Bryan Billmeyer, a resident of The Other Side Village who turned his life around after years of addiction and homelessness. Now a coach, Bryan helps others find their path to recovery through the Whole Person Change approach—a philosophy of accountability, authenticity, and addressing the root causes of trauma. Discover how this transformative model is creating lasting change for those overco...

Explore how The Other Side Village is transforming lives and addressing homelessness with a groundbreaking model of whole-person change and community support. In this inspiring interview, Preston Cochrane, CEO of The Other Side Village, shares insights into their mission, including vocational training, zero-tolerance policies, and creating safe, sustainable housing for chronically homeless individ...

What makes a great bourbon? Meet Brant Pounds, owner of Spirits of the Wasatch, a Utah-based craft distillery, as he shares his journey from mechanical engineer to master distiller. In this deep dive, Brant explains the science and artistry behind distilling whiskey, the unique four-grain bourbon his team produces, and what sets craft distilleries apart from industry giants. We also discuss bourbo...