Heavy Lifts Podcast

What does it take to go from slinging cocktails at 2 AM to opening one of Salem's most talked-about coffee and boba spots? In this episode, Nat sits down with Brent Hayes and Jeff Juul — the duo behind Structure Bar Logistics and the newly opened Bonzi Coffee — to talk about a 15-year friendship, building a business out of necessity during COVID, why they gave away ownership to their team, and...

This week, Nat and Makayla are joined by Margarita Antunez & Tiffany Morales Baca, owners of 45th Parallel's newest coffee and cocktail bar, KOFI. The community will already be familiar with Margarita and Tiffany from Margarita and Ricardo Antunez's Xicha Brewing, and if the women weren't busy enough, they're now opening a new, vibrant, social, and community-focused coffee-and-...

In this episode of Heavy Lifts, Nat Borchers sits down with Emmy-nominated filmmaker, alongside returning co-host AJ Nash! Plus, Chris has a major announcement you won't want to miss. Chris shares his journey from CPA to commercial real estate broker to financial advisor, and finally to the wildlife filmmaker he always wanted to be. From a mystical bear encounter in Alaska at age 10, to a life-cha...

This week, Nat and Makayla sit down with former 45th Parallel Building Tennant, Nancy Yankovic, about the incredible growth of her wellness clinic, Saltwater Wellness. From moving within six weeks from Alaska to North Portland, to being inspired by an Ed Sheeran song to make the leap to opening her own clinic, and her incredible passion for individual wellness, this episode really shines on what a...

Another week, another episode of Nat and Makayla being very hungry at the end of a podcast. Why? This week's guest is Desirea Fields, owner of Grazing Fields Charcuterie, located in the 45th Parallel Building. We find out how Desirea got started in the Cheese Business, the specialities of it (tinfish included), plus her story of Oregon to Nashville to Oregon once more. This is a really fun epi...

This week, Nat and Makayla sit down with Daren Patera, tenant, friend, and one of the most genuinely positive people in the building! Daren is the co-founder (with business partner Brian) of Rapid Print Solutions, a Salem-based printer supply and service company that they've operated since 2003. But that's only half the story: Daren and Brian also launched Oregon Farm Fresh Snacks! They ta...

Another week, another Heavy Lift! In this episode, Nat sits down with Sean Keen, Principal Broker at the Reger Group. Sean shares his history in law enforcement, what brought him to work in real estate, and what the market has looked like over the last couple of decades. Check out Sean and co. online! ▸ https://www.facebook.com/RegerHomesWV ▸ https://www.instagram.com/regerhomesllcwv ▸ https://the...

Welcome to the Heavy Lifts Podcast! In this episode, Nat sits down with Louis Ruiz, owner of Capitol City Barbers, for a unique interview: filmed while he's cutting Nat's hair! Louis shares his entrepreneurial journey from working 9-to-5 jobs (forklifts, car sales, Verizon) to taking the leap and opening his own barbershop with business partner Joe. Discover how they transformed a vacant s...

We're back, Heavy Lifters! In the next phase, we're focusing on highlighting the incredible small businesses within the 45th Parallel Building. First up, Michelle Ashley Custom Cakes. Michelle shares her remarkable transformation from a functioning addict working as a project manager in Afghanistan to becoming one of Salem's most beloved bakery owners. After entering treatment at Hazel...

Makayla Larson is the event director for the 45th Parallel Building’s event space and, alongside Nat Borchers, manages the creation of Cellar 54. In this episode of Heavy Lifts (part 2!), Nat and Makayla talk about events in The Space, and through the real story behind Cellar 54: how a lower-level space inside The Forge became one of downtown Salem’s most distinctive event venues. From problem-sol...

Makayla Larson is the event director behind the 45th Parallel Building’s event space, managing the creation of Cellar 54, and her story is deeper than most people realize. In this episode, Makayla shares how her family’s home burned down when she was a kid, how constant change shaped her, and why she’s always chased momentum instead of comfort. She talks about building community through experience...

What does leadership look like when it’s built from lived experience? In this episode of Heavy Lifts, Nat Borchers sits down with Virginia Stapleton, Salem native, former City Councilor, and candidate for Oregon State Senate District 11, for a deeply personal conversation about education, trauma, public service, and the long work of building systems that actually work for people. Virginia shares h...

Leadership isn’t always loud. Most of the time, it’s quiet, consistent, and heavy. In this episode of the Heavy Lifts Podcast, Tiffany Bulgin (Isaac's Room and Ikebox) shares what leadership really looks like behind the scenes,when decisions are hard, expectations are high, and recognition isn’t guaranteed. This conversation explores responsibility, trust, and the pressure that comes with bein...

In Part 2 of our deep-dive conversation, MLS Cup champion, Dr. Robbie Russell, opens up about the real work behind reinvention. From the pressures of playing abroad as an international to joining Real Salt Lake at a pivotal moment to stepping into the biggest PK of his life, Robbie walks us through the defining experiences that shaped his story, including the legendary 2009 MLS Cup-winning penalty...

In Part 1 of this two-part episode, Nat Borchers sits down with his former teammate and close friend Robbie Russell, a man whose story spans continents, conflict zones, and championship locker rooms. Born in Ghana. Raised across Africa, the U.S., and Sri Lanka during civil unrest. A global childhood shaped his identity long before he ever touched a professional soccer pitch. Robbie opens up about:...

On this week’s Heavy Lifts Podcast, Nat Borchers sits down with former NFL fullback turned financial educator, author, and founder of Money Vehicle Academy. From NFL locker rooms to classrooms across the country, Jed breaks down why financial literacy isn’t just “good advice”… it’s a skill set every person needs to build a future. He opens up about life after sports, the identity crisis most athle...

What actually helps someone get off the street? In this episode of Heavy Lifts, Nat sits down with Melissa Ludington, a former heroin addict who spent six hard years unhoused across California and Oregon and is now the Volunteer Coordinator at Union Gospel Mission in Salem. Melissa walks us through her story: ▸ Growing up in Bend after a tragic car accident left her mom disabled ▸ Being overmedica...

Former Oregon Ducks QB and NFL vet Joey Harrington joins Nat Borchers to talk about life after the spotlight—what it takes to keep perspective, why Portland still feels like home, and how the Harrington Family Foundation is investing in the next generation of local leaders. What you’ll hear: The real day-to-day of pro sports (and why perspective matters) Growing up in Portland and watching the cit...

In this episode of Heavy Lifts, Nat Borchers and AJ Nash sit down with Tom Hoffert, long-time Salem leader and CEO of the Salem Chamber of Commerce, to talk about what’s shaping the city’s future. From championing small businesses to building community through collaboration, Tom shares insights on leadership, connection, and what it really takes to move a city forward. This episode is a mix of rea...

In this special episode of Heavy Lifts, Nat Borchers and AJ Nash open up about one of their biggest projects yet, and why they’re no longer buying the JCPenney building in downtown Salem. This conversation is about transparency, lessons learned, and staying true to the mission: reimagining Salem’s spaces together. Nat and AJ share what went into the decision, what they discovered about the project...

In this episode of Heavy Lifts, Nat Borchers and AJ Nash sit down with Derek Gilbert, financial advisor, volunteer, and longtime Salem community advocate. As the owner of Anthem Wealth Strategies, Derek shares how his work goes far beyond numbers — it’s about helping people and small businesses find clarity, confidence, and purpose in what they’re building. From mentoring others to leading downtow...

In this episode of Heavy Lifts, Nat Borchers and AJ Nash sit down with Jacob Espinoza, entrepreneur, community advocate, and the creator of What’s Happening Salem, a platform giving people a voice in how the city grows and connects. Jacob talks about taking risks, building community through open dialogue, and why keeping the comments open — the good and the bad — matters. From the challenges of re...

This week’s Heavy Lifts was more than a conversation; it was a promise of an experience. Nat & AJ promised to join Lorissa Addabbo on the mat to see firsthand what makes Common People Yoga such a special space for connection, movement, and community. 🎧 Catch the full episode now: link in bio. 🏗️ Heavy Lifts: For those who see opportunity and embrace the risk to build it. #HeavyLiftsPodcast #S...

Sometimes all people need is a space to just be. 🧘‍♀️  This week on Heavy Lifts, Lorissa Addabbo opens up about building community through movement and how yoga, wellness, and simple connection can remind us that we all belong. 🎧 Episode streaming now on YouTube & Spotify: link in bio! 🏗️ Heavy Lifts: For those who see opportunity and embrace the risk to build it. #HeavyLiftsPodcast #Communi...

In this episode of Heavy Lifts, Nat Borchers and AJ Nash sit down with Lorissa Addabbo, the owner of Common People Yoga and the soon-to-open Hot Loft, spaces built around mindful movement, connection, and community. Lorissa shares her story of moving from a career in healthcare to building wellness spaces that bring people together. From the grind of small business ownership to the joy of seeing s...