Left of the Lake

We talked with Heston Williams, the Recreation Director for the City of Saratoga Springs. He shared some great information about what the city has to offer for recreation and the issues we are facing. Episode Highlights Heston's background and his tenure as the director of Saratoga Springs Recreation Suggestions on how to reach more potential volunteers for the fishing program The importance and c...

We interview Norm Wilkenson, AKA The Happy Health Insurance Guy. You've seen him all over Facebook, and now he's in our studio, fresh from his almost cross country trip to pick up his new Corvette.   Episode Highlights Discussion on Norm's experience in Utah, his previous places of residence like Pleasant Grove and his initial impressions of Saratoga Springs. Norm shares his expertise in providing...

We talked with Kyle and ShyAnn Killam, owners of Killam's Koatings. Killam's Koatings is an Eagle Mountain based Cerakote company. Cerakote is a unique ceramic-polymer technology that imparts both flexibility and excellent physical performance providing unmatched corrosion, chemical and durability performance.   Episode Highlights Discussing favorite projects done by guests, mentioning work on pro...

We talked with Matt Johnson, owner of MJ Pianos in American Fork.  A fascinating story from piano tuning as a teenager to owning a piano store.   Episode Highlights The nature of their friendships and how they network within their community Matt's early struggle with piano tuning and how it led him to start his own piano tuning business at The complexity and skill needed for piano tuning, sharing...

We talked with Britt Shipley, owner of SunDree Med Spa. A great story of how she built her spa from nothing and her work with her charity that donates services to women in need.   Episode Highlights The location of Britt's spa in relation to other establishments in Saratoga Springs How and why she moved to Saratoga Springs Her story of how she got into the spa industry, her initial struggles, and...

We interviewed Melissa Clark from the Eagle Mountain Chamber of Commerce. We talked about all the great things that the Chamber does for small and local businesses.   Episode Highlights How the newly acquired Chamber of Commerce space would be utilized to benefit local businesses The benefits and opportunities provided through a Chamber membership People involved with the Chamber How people can st...

Structural inspector and engineer Garth Haslem shares his experiences and advice on maintaining a structurally sound home. He emphasizes the need for homeowners, contractors, and insurance companies to be aware of potential issues and the importance of soil preparation to prevent water damage. He also discusses two podcasts he hosts.  Episode Highlights How Garth ended up moving into his current h...

We talk with Utah Author Steven Bohls, writer of the Jed and the Junkyard books, as well as a collaborator with Brandon Sanderson to expand the Reckoners Universe.   Episode Highlights What Steven's academic background is The iron price: The hard work it takes to achieve success Brandon Sanderson's career journey and past works The challenge of writing in someone else's style and voice Brandon San...

We interviewed Sterling Jacobson with Avative Fiber Internet, a Saratoga Springs based Internet service provider.   Episode Highlights The paucity of amenities when Sterling first moved to Saratoga Springs Avative Internet having thousands of customers, mainly in Saratoga Springs User experience shared about upgrading to use Avative Internet, including improved quality when streaming movies or sho...

We Interviewed Helen Robson from the Saratoga Springs Veterans Council, along with her husband Russ, an Army veteran.   Episode Highlights The purpose and vision of the Veterans Council Confusion over recent name changes of popular military bases The big project: The "Patriot Park Memorial" The number of active military and veterans living in Saratoga Springs Perks of military discounts How the co...

Don Markham volunteers at Saratoga Springs Desert Industries where he helps people find employment. Episode Highlights Transitioning from Huntington Beach to Utah, Don shares about the big change and where exactly he relocated in Saratoga The charity work Don performs at the employment center, his schedule, and his open invitation for more volunteers. A story about a teenager's job hunting experie...

Neil, Greg and Jeff did a live show at Eagle Mountain ShopFest with guest Lawrence Christenson from Reviv Agency. Episode Highlights Lawrence's educational background in web and graphic design The success he's had in his career His initial interest in becoming a professional artist leading him to pursue graphic design as a steady career His passion for the arts in high school and how it guided his...

Neil, Greg and Jeff speak with Jeff Jensen, a Titanic historian living in Saratoga Springs about the Titanic and his favorite US presidents.   Episode Highlights Jeff shares about his online teaching job, specifically teaching history Diverse experiences of passengers aboard the Titanic based on their class of travel Finding good within tragic instances and how that applied to the Titanic tragedy...

Neil, Greg and Jeff talked with Marley Juarez from Strides Pediatric Therapy in Eagle Mountain about how they use animals and other therapy to help children.   Episode Highlights Marley's treatment approach for her daughter's disease The history of Strides Pediatric Therapy and personal motivations behind it The growth and current staffing and therapy horse situation One of the unique approaches u...

Neil, Greg and Jeff talked with Matt Madsen, a Saratoga Springs character, about life, the universe, and hot springs mud. Episode Highlights Matt's unique hobby and respect for the hot springs How applying clay on skin feels, and how to properly rinse it afterwards. How he started this business with his brother in Wyoming by retrieving old snow fences The uses of reclaimed lumber, like making grow...

Neil, Greg and Jeff talk about our recent vacations this summer along with other Utah vacation ideas.   Episode Highlights Visiting Lava Hot Springs A cave adventure Traversing difficult cave sections Visiting Escalante in Southern Utah Another summer activity: Visiting the Parade of Homes Visiting houses in Lehi, Utah during the Parade of Homes   Episode Resources Connect with Neil Bryce, Jeff Be...

We interviewed Dana Smith with Mucky Boot Pest Control. Hear the crazy stories about both large and small pest control.   Episode Highlights Dana shares the story of how they started Mucky Boots Pest Control, with help from his father who owns a pest control company in Phoenix Crazy animal stories from the pest control work How skunks are capable of controlling the amount of scent they spray Manag...

We interviewed Rachael Smith, coordinator of Eagle Mountain Shop Fest.   Episode Highlights The vibrant business community in Eagle Mountain Advantages of being a part of the local chamber for small businesses The role and benefits of a Chamber of Commerce and the advantages for small businesses Tips for vendors participating in Shop Fest for the first time The process and benefits of marketing fo...

We interviewed James Gaffney, creator of the Chow Trux app.  This new application is a great way to find all your favorite food trucks, wherever they are! It also will connect you with food trucks that you haven't tried.   Episode Highlights James' journey of getting his first house with a second kitchen Experience of working out of Utah The concept of Chow Trucks and its usefulness for food truck...

We chat with Jennette Booth, who is Mrs. Rocky Mountain and her cause of preventing child sexual abuse. She is the founder of Body Safety Songs. Body Safety Songs are an accessible way for parents to talk to their children about a really difficult topic, child sexual abuse. This episode may not be suitable for all listeners.   Episode Highlights Jennette talks about her journey of becoming Mrs. Ro...

We chatted with J Benjamin Lyn aka The "I Believe in You" sign guy. Episode Highlights How people react to Ben's sign in other countries and in other languages The quite eccentric character in Saratoga Springs causing a stir on social media Ben shares how reactions in his home area have been incredibly positive and sometimes very emotional Ben's professional career and role at Salesforce. His real...

We talked with Lori Hatfield, an amazing local artist here in Saratoga Springs. Episode Highlights Lori's background and why she moved to Saratoga Springs Her love for oil painting and her artistic background, along with some personal challenges she faced in her journey Artistic interests and abilities of Lori's children The emotional aspect of creating art and the challenge of doing tribute paint...

We talk with Hyrum Romrell about his delicious "Hyrum's Everything Sauce", then we chat with Courtney Snarr about her Preschool. Episode Highlights Hyrum shares his background, including his time as a food blogger and his wife's influence on his sauce recipe.  Where to find the Hyrum's "Everything Sauce" even if it's currently not sold in stores Who is Courtney Snarr? Courtney's philosophy on teac...

We talked with Savana Brown, Miss Lehi about her crazy photo shoot with our resident photographer, Jeff, what it's like to compete for Miss Lehi and all about her responsibilities as Miss Lehi. Episode Highlights The interesting photoshoot experience Savana's involvement with Miss Utah Preparing for the Miss America Scholarship Program Responsibilities as Miss Lehi and with community service work...

Neil, Greg and Jeff interview Jerry Cortez, Guitarist for the American R&B and funk-based band Tower of Power. Tower of Power originated in Oakland, California and has been performing since 1968. Jerry's funky rhythm style and blazing leads impressed us right from the start and he was a fantastic guest. Episode Highlights Steve Winwood and Traffic's influence Jerry Cortez's life in Saratoga Spring...