Small Lake City

Join me, Eric Nielsen, as I sit down with two remarkable individuals who are making waves in Utah. First up is Michael Wolff, the creative mastermind behind Utah Food Finds and NHL Utah. Michael shares his journey from his Alaskan roots to becoming a key figure in Utah's foodie and hockey communities. Discover his passion for highlighting local restaurants and their inspiring owners, as well...

Ever wondered why Utah is becoming a hotspot for food enthusiasts and entrepreneurs? Join me as I chat with Michael Wolffe on the Small Lake City Podcast about his fascinating transition from Alaska to Utah. We unravel stories from his Instagram journey with Utah Food Finds, where Michael intimately connects with local restaurateurs to showcase their culinary narratives and the challenges they fac...

Join us as Michael Wolff, the mastermind behind Utah Food Finds on Instagram, shares his fascinating journey from the cold landscapes of Alaska to the vibrant streets of Utah. Discover how his passion for supporting local businesses and his love for the culinary scene led him to become a pivotal figure in spotlighting hidden gems across the state. Michael talks about his college days at the Univer...

Have you ever imagined launching a business amidst unprecedented challenges? Brent Lee Williams, the dynamic owner of Old Cuss Coffee Shop, shares his remarkable journey from Kansas City to Salt Lake City, driven by love and a dream. We journey through Brent’s pioneering days of operating a coffee truck during a pandemic to establishing a beloved brick-and-mortar cafe. With passion and perseveranc...

Join me, Erik Nilsson, on the Small Lake City Podcast as we navigate through local highs and lows this week! Get ready to meet Brent Lee Williams, the resilient visionary behind Old Cuss Coffee, who turned a pandemic-era coffee truck into a vibrant coffee hub with unique lattes, vegetarian delights, and exciting plans for an alcohol menu in a new space on Pierpont. You'll hear about his journ...

Ever wondered what shapes a vibrant bar scene? Clif Reagle and Crystal Daniels from Bar Nohm join us to unravel the evolution of Salt Lake City's nightlife over the past decade. From a budding hotspot in the Central Ninth Area to the collaborative magic between Bar Nohm and Water Witch, we uncover the stories behind the city's burgeoning bar culture. Cliff offers a firsthand account of c...

Eric Nilsen here, back with your Tuesday update on the Small Lake City podcast. Ever wondered how you can stay ahead of the curve in Utah's political scene? Join us as veteran political analyst Brian Schott, former Salt Lake Tribune contributor and the mind behind Utah Political Watch, opens the curtain on local races that mainstream media overlooks. Understand the pivotal issues shaping Utah...

Join us for an insightful journey into the heart of Utah politics with our special guest, Bryan Schott, a seasoned political analyst and founder of Utah Political Watch. If you've been curious about the seismic shifts in political dynamics and why local elections matter more than ever, this episode promises to enlighten you. Together, we dissect the zero-sum game of tribalism that has taken r...

Discover the transformative journey of Baj Bajan, who found unexpected relief from ulcerative colitis through cannabis—a story that challenges the stigmas and highlights the medical benefits of this evolving treatment in Utah. Join us as Baj shares his compelling personal narrative about his family's move from the Middle East and his experience with cannabis, offering insights into its impact...

Warning: This episode contains conversations about cannabis and for those 21+ Ever wondered how a personal health journey could ignite a pioneering entrepreneurial spirit? Meet Bajan Sakaki, whose battle with ulcerative colitis led him to discover the transformative power of medical cannabis. As he shares his compelling story, you'll learn how this discovery turned into a mission to make cann...

Unlock the secrets behind crafting some of America's most beloved spirits with our special guest, Isaac Winter, the master distiller at High West. Isaac shares his incredible journey from aspiring doctor to whiskey connoisseur, revealing the serendipity and determination that led him to distilling. Discover how Isaac's experiences in Scotland and his time with Utah's iconic brewerie...

Chloe Jones, the visionary Executive Director of Utah Presents, takes us on a journey through the vibrant world of performance art at Kingsbury Hall. From her artistic upbringing in Utah to her inspiring time managing a creative space in Martha's Vineyard, Chloe's story is a testament to the power of embracing the unexpected. We explore the centennial legacy of Kingsbury Hall as it appro...

Renowned portrait artist Jeff Hein takes us on a poignant journey of transformation, resilience, and artistic discovery in our latest episode. From his unexpected calling in the art world during a mission in Utah to overcoming severe medical challenges like battling testicular cancer, Jeff's story is both inspiring and humbling. We explore the cultural contrasts of growing up as a Mormon in N...

What if your hometown could transform into a culinary haven, sparking both nostalgia and innovation? Join us as we explore the remarkable journey of a young entrepreneur who breathes new life into Salt Lake City's food scene. From his humble beginnings at Litza's Pizzas Classic to the award-winning Pizza Nono and the vibrant Nona Bistro, we trace his path through bustling neighborhoods,...

Ever wondered how a simple breakfast sandwich could become the talk of Salt Lake City? Join us as we chat with Max and Noah, the dynamic duo behind Central 9th Market, and uncover the secrets of their success. From their humble beginnings and Midwest roots to creating a culinary hotspot in the Maven District, their journey is nothing short of inspiring. Find out how they turned early hardships int...

What propels someone to dedicate their life to empowering others? Sherry Jensen, associate professor of economics at Salt Lake Community College, shares her compelling story of community service and personal growth. From her roots in Kentucky to her life in Utah, Sherry's experiences have fueled a passion for supporting vulnerable women through the Women Helping Women initiative. Discover the...

What if love could end homelessness? Join us as we sit down with Preston Cochrane, CEO of Other Side Village, to unravel the innovative and heartfelt approaches his organization is using to tackle Salt Lake City's homelessness crisis. Preston’s journey to Other Side Village sheds light on the organization's core belief in love and community as essential elements for change. We recount a...

What if one man's journey from a small-town upbringing to owning a successful camera business could inspire an entire community? Join us on the Small Lake City Podcast as we explore this intriguing question through the life of Jacob Nuttall, the passionate founder of Acme Camera Co. Celebrate the 11th anniversary of his thriving business as we share the heartfelt stories of how Jacob's c...

What if a passion for heavy metal could shape an entire community? Join us as we sit down with Kevin Kirk, the inspiring founder and owner of the Heavy Metal Shop (@theheavymetalshopsaltlakecity), a beloved fixture in Salt Lake City's counterculture. Fueled by early dreams of rock stardom and a love for music sparked by Alice Cooper, Kevin shares the emotional journey of creating his iconic s...

Ever wondered how a missed franchise opportunity could lead to a local dining legend? This week, we chat with Jon Hale, son of Hires Big H founder Don Hale, about the fascinating history of this beloved Salt Lake City institution. From the early days of Hale's Market to the creation of Hires Big H in 1965, John shares personal stories that illustrate his father's entrepreneurial spirit,...

What if family dynamics could make or break a startup? Join us as we uncover the compelling journey of Greg Levesque, CEO of Strider Technologies, who turned the skepticism around family-run businesses on its head. Greg, alongside his brother Eric, has built a company that not only addresses the complex issue of intellectual property theft by foreign nation-states but also contributes significantl...

Can the natural beauty of Salt Lake City transform your approach to business? This week, we sit down with Charlie Warner, a queer entrepreneur from Utah, who reveals how the great outdoors can help align your career with your deepest passions and values. From earning her MBA and navigating the tech industry to founding Human Work, Charlie shares her journey of crafting meaningful and sustainable c...

What emotional legacy does an amusement park ride carry? Join us on a captivating journey through the generational leadership at Lagoon Amusement Park with our special guest, Julie Freed. As a third-generation member of the family that owns and operates Lagoon, Julie shares her unique experiences from starting work at the park at the tender age of nine to rising to her current influential role. Yo...

What happens when you mix passion, perseverance, and a pinch of creativity? You get TF Brewing, a gem in Salt Lake City's vibrant brewery scene. Join us as we sit down with founders Kevin and Britt Templin, who share their remarkable journey from brewing beer in a mine shaft at Alta to creating a beloved community hub that has earned international acclaim. From facing daunting challenges to c...

What if you could solve dental anxiety and improve oral health with a simple ingredient? Join us as Donald and Monica Bailey, founders of Epic Dental, reveal their incredible journey from dealing with childhood cavities to discovering the power of xylitol. Donald shares his personal experiences and how they sparked the creation of innovative dental solutions. Beyond the business, we get an inside...