Roots and Branches of Lehi: The People and Stories of Our City

🎭 The Heart of Community Theater | Inclusion, Creativity & Connection | Highlight Reel  What does it mean to truly belong to a community? In this highlight from  Roots & Branches of Lehi , our guest reflects on growing up in a small town where connection went far beyond family ties—and how community theater became a place where everyone could find their role.  This conversation shines a l...

Creating Art, Building Belonging | Kurt Elison on Community Theater & the Lehi Arts Council | Roots and Branches of Lehi Podcast  What role do the arts play in shaping a community’s identity? In this episode of Roots and Branches of Lehi, host Ryan Harding sits down with Kurt Elison, president of the Lehi Arts Council, to explore how creativity, collaboration, and community support come togeth...

🎡 Community & Tradition in Lehi | Rodeo, Service & Small-Town Connection | Highlight Reel  What truly holds a community together as it grows and changes? In this highlight from  Roots & Branches of Lehi , a lifelong Lehi resident reflects on the traditions, service, and shared experiences that have shaped the city for generations.  From the Lehi rodeo to Christmas celebrations, parade...

Serving Where You Live | Dave & Rhonda Nerdin on Community, Tradition & Belonging | Roots and Branches of Lehi Podcast  What does it look like to truly invest in the place you call home? In this episode of Roots and Branches of Lehi, host Ryan Harding sits down with Dave and Rhonda Nerdin, a couple whose decades of service, involvement, and quiet leadership have helped shape Lehi’s communi...

🌱 Growing Leaders Through Agriculture | FFA, Education & Community Connection | Highlight Reel  What happens when education is rooted in real-world skills and strong community values? In this highlight from  Roots & Branches of Lehi , the host reflects on the power of shared experiences and the lasting impact of agricultural education on youth, families, and communities.  Through insights...

Rooted in the Land, Shaping the Future | Nathan Bushman on Agriculture, Education & Community | Roots and Branches of Lehi Podcast  What does it mean to grow up deeply rooted in the land—and choose to give back through education? In this episode of Roots and Branches of Lehi, host Ryan Harding sits down with Nathan Bushman, a Lehi native whose family history, career, and values are closely tie...

Community, Connection & Lifelong Learning | John Jay Harris on Special Education, History & Creativity | Roots and Branches of Lehi Podcast  What shapes the heart of a community? In this episode of Roots and Branches of Lehi, host Ryan Harding sits down with longtime Lehi resident John Jay Harris, whose life’s journey—from Northern California to the foothills of Utah—has been defined by se...

🌿 Life Lessons From a Small Town | Autism, Community, & the Heart of Lehi | Highlight Reel  How does growing up in a tight-knit town shape the way we see each other? In this highlight from Roots & Branches of Lehi , we hear a touching reflection on the power of community—from childhood memories to a career built on compassion.  The speaker shares how the streets and traditions of Lehi hel...

Community, Connection & Lifelong Learning | John Jay Harris on Special Education, History & Creativity | Roots and Branches of Lehi Podcast  What shapes the heart of a community? In this episode of Roots and Branches of Lehi, host Ryan Harding sits down with longtime Lehi resident John Jay Harris, whose life’s journey—from Northern California to the foothills of Utah—has been defined by se...

🔧 From Small Shop to Family Legacy | Community, Craft & Connection | Highlight Reel How does a simple small-town garage grow into a multigenerational legacy? In this highlight from Roots & Branches of Lehi, we explore the heartfelt story behind Rogers Automotive — a family business built on hard work, trust, and the kind of personal relationships that define Lehi’s spirit. This story begi...

Built to Last | Gary Rogers on Automotive Craft, Family Legacy & Community Trust | Roots and Branches of Lehi Podcast  What does it take to build a business that lasts for generations? In this episode of Roots and Branches of Lehi, host Ryan Harding sits down with Gary Rogers, lifelong Lehi resident and founder of Rogers Automotive, to explore a story shaped by family influence, hard work, and...

✨ Small-Town Lights & Lifelong Traditions | Community, Resilience & Holiday Joy | Highlight Reel How do holiday lights become the heartbeat of a community? In this highlight from Roots & Branches of Lehi , we follow the touching story of a lifelong resident, Mike Willes, whose festive displays have turned simple traditions into cherished memories for an entire town.  From growing up i...

Lighting Up Lehi | Mike Willes on Community, Resilience & the Magic of Holiday Traditions | Roots and Branches of Lehi Podcast  What inspires someone to turn their home into a beacon of joy for an entire community? In this episode of Roots and Branches of Lehi, host Ryan Harding sits down with Mike Willes, a lifelong Lehi resident whose incredible holiday light displays have become a beloved l...

🚜 Small Town Roots to High-Tech Agriculture | Education, Innovation & Community | Highlight Reel How does a small-town childhood lead to decades of impact in agricultural education? In this highlight from Roots & Branches of Lehi , we follow a remarkable journey from early memories in Albuquerque to a 43-year career shaping the future of modern agriculture.  This story explores the evolut...

Exploring FFA & Agricultural Education | Buddy Deimler on 43 Years of Teaching and Mentorship | Roots and Branches of Lehi Podcast  What shapes a young person’s confidence, direction, and sense of possibility? In this episode of Roots and Branches of Lehi, host Ryan Harding sits down with longtime educator Buddy Deimler, whose 43-year career in agricultural education—and service as Utah’s stat...

👑  Discovering Stories & Traditions in Lehi | The Miss Lehi Program & Community Connection  | Highlight Reel How do traditions help a growing city stay connected? In this highlight reel from  Roots and Branches of Lehi , we explore the lasting impact of the  Miss Lehi program  and the people who keep Lehi’s community spirit alive. Through stories of  leadership, volunteerism, and mentorsh...

Tradition & Community | Kate Daly on Miss Lehi and Lehi Roundup in Lehi | Roots and Branches of Lehi PodcastWhat connects a city’s traditions to the people who keep them alive? In this episode of Roots and Branches of Lehi, host Ryan Harding sits down with Kate Daly, a lifelong Lehi resident whose dedication to community events, heritage, and pageantry has made her a pillar of Lehi’s identity....

🏡  A Journey Through Lehi: Stories That Bind Us Together  | Highlight Reel What makes Lehi feel like home? In this highlight reel from  Roots and Branches of Lehi , we hear the heartfelt reflections of a longtime resident whose life has been intertwined with the community’s growth and transformation. From stories of  family legacy and education  to challenges in  community development and school...

🌾  Donna Barnes: A Lifetime of Dedication to Lehi  | Roots and Branches of Lehi Podcast What does it mean to dedicate your life to your hometown? In this episode of  Roots and Branches of Lehi , host  Ryan Harding  sits down with  Donna Barnes , a lifelong Lehi resident, educator, entrepreneur, and community advocate whose story beautifully captures the heart of small-town Utah. Donna shares her...

🎉  Exploring Lehi’s Vibrant Community Events with Melanie Busath  | Highlight Reel How does a city bring people together through celebration? In this highlight reel from  Roots and Branches of Lehi , host  Ryan Harding  sits down with  Melanie Busath , Lehi’s City Events Manager, to explore the passion and planning behind the community’s most beloved events. From the  Summer Splash Concert  and ...

🎉  Connecting Lehi: Community Stories with Event Manager Melanie Busath  | Roots and Branches of Lehi What makes a city feel like a community? In this episode of  Roots and Branches of Lehi , host Ryan Harding sits down with  Melanie Busath , Lehi’s City Events Manager, to talk about the heart and hard work behind the city’s most beloved celebrations. From the  Lehi Egg Hunt  and  Summer Splash C...

🏞️  A Journey Through Lehi’s History & Personal Reflections  | Highlight Reel What makes a hometown more than just a place on the map? In this highlight reel from  Roots and Branches of Lehi , we explore  personal stories, family legacies, and community milestones  that shaped Lehi into the city it is today. From the determination of early settlers like  William Caren  to the trials of small-t...

🌳 Roots and Branches of Lehi: Ken Greenwood’s Life & Legacy | Former Mayor & Community BuilderWhat does it mean to leave a lasting mark on your hometown? In this episode of Roots and Branches of Lehi, host Ryan Harding sits down with Ken Greenwood—lifelong Lehi resident, entrepreneur, two-term mayor, and community leader. Ken shares stories of his family’s history in Lehi, his entrepreneu...

✨ A Chaplain’s Journey: Stories of Service, Sacrifice & Hope | Highlight ReelWhat does it mean to serve selflessly, even in the face of tragedy? In this highlight reel from Roots and Branches of Lehi, Phil Wasden—community chaplain for Lehi’s fire and police departments—shares powerful stories from his life of service. From supporting first responders during their toughest moments to counseli...

🚒  A Heart of Service: Phil Wasden’s Journey as a Community Chaplain  | Roots and Branches of Lehi What does it mean to serve those who serve us? In this episode of  Roots and Branches of Lehi , host Ryan Harding sits down with  Phil Wasden , chaplain for Lehi’s police and fire departments, to explore his life of service and resilience. From his early years in California to his career in the Air...