The Ogden Way

In this episode of The Ogden Way Podcast, Mayor Ben Nadolski sits down with Ogden City Arts Director Lorie Buckley to explore how art shapes not just spaces, but entire communities. From managing public art installations andcitywide grants to navigating the balance between creativity and bureaucracy, Lorie shares what it really takes to bring meaningful art into the public realm.  The conversation...

Ogden City Mayor Ben Nadolski sits down with Ogdenresident Chandler Copenhaver , an actor appearing in the globally popular series The Chosen . What began as a chance conversation after a city council meeting turned into a deeper discussion about faith, storytelling, and the surprising paths that can shape our lives. Chandler shares how his journey to the set of The Chosen  started unexpectedly, f...

Ogden City Mayor Ben Nadolski sits down with Isaac Vialpando , the visionary behind O-Town Kitchen , Ogden’sfirst incubator kitchen housed inside the former James Madison Elementary. Isaac shares how a late-night idea dreamed up in a New York dorm room turned into a full-circle return to Ogden, and why creating affordable, licensedcommercial kitchen space is a game-changer for local food entrepren...

Ogden City Mayor Ben Nadolski sits down with Ogden High School Principal Shauna Haney , Utah’s Principal of the Year and a national finalist, to talk about what it really takes to lead a school community through daily challenges while still building hope. Shauna shares why the recognition belongs to an entire team, from organized systems and strong support structures to the relationships that make...

Ogden City Mayor Ben Nadolski sits down with one of Ogden’s most beloved “Ogden all the way” people, Todd Brenkman , golf pro, lifelong resident, and an advocate who’s helped generations discover the game. Todd shares his unlikely start (a found seven iron, soup cans as putting cups, and a volunteer “cart kid” era at El Monte), and how that early spark turned into a decades-long career serving Ogd...

In this episode of The Ogden Way Podcast , Mayor Ben Nadolski sits down with Ogden Fire Department Chief Mike Slater to tell the story behind the badge, one rooted in service, resilience, and a deep commitment to people. ChiefSlater reflects on stepping into leadership during a period of major transition, honoring the legacy he inherited while navigating a wave of promotions, high-profile fires, a...

In this episode of The Ogden Way Podcast , Mayor Ben Nadolski sits down with Lisa Stout, Ogden City’s Executive Director of Administrative Services , to pull back the curtain on the work residents don’t always see, but feel every day. Together, they talk about what it really takes to run a city well: building a budget that reflects priorities, scrutinizing spending with purpose, and making sure ev...

In this episode of The Ogden Way , Mayor Ben Nadolski sits down with Deputy Chief of Police Tyler “Ziggy” Ziegler for acandid, human conversation about the people, culture, and leadership behind the Ogden Police Department. Together they talk openly about trust, accountability, hiring for mindset and will, and the journey they’ve taken, individually and together, to build the most capable and comm...

In this episode of The Ogden Way Podcast, Mayor Ben Nadolski sits down with Weber State Hall of Famer and women’s basketball legend Carla “CT” Taylor , a name synonymous with leadership, grit, and community. From her early days as one of the first women to benefit from Title IX to becoming the winningest coach in Weber State women’s basketball history, Carla shares her journey of breaking barriers...

In this Flip the Script episode of The Ogden Way Podcast, host Jaynee Nadolski sits down Mayor Ben Nadolski for a candid conversation about what’s really going on in Ogden. From park planning and open space studies to homelessness, housing, and the growing impact of online rhetoric, this episode peels back the headlines to reveal the facts behind the noise. Mayor Nadolski explains how Ogden is lev...

Meet Ron Pippin , better known around town as the Skeleton Man of Ogden . What started in 2020 with a few plastic skeletons during the pandemic has grown into a full-blown October tradition, where Ron creates new front-yard skeleton scenes every single day of the month. Mayor Ben Nadolski sits down with Ron to talk about how a simple idea turned into a viral community favorite, the rules he follow...

Mayor Ben Nadolski welcomes Dawn Hauptner from the Raindance Film Festival to announce Raindance’s new home in Ogden, and what it means for our community. They discuss Raindance’s mission to elevate emerging filmmakers,the community-first festival model (panels, premieres, student showcases), year-round programming beginning in 2026, and a charter school concept that blends classical academics wit...

In this episode of The Ogden Way Podcast, Mayor Ben Nadolski sits down with retired U.S. Air Force General Max Stitzer, an Ogden native whose career took him from Airman Basic to the halls of the Pentagon. Together, they reflect on Ogden’s unique role in shaping leaders, the vital connection between community and national security, and the enduring values of service and unity. From honoring the le...

In this episode of The Ogden Way , Mayor Ben Nadolski sits down with Troy Callantine , Executive Director of the GOAL Foundation . Together, they explore how the organization inspires locals to “Get Out And Live” by participating in, volunteering for, and spectating outdoor events across Ogden. From marathons to community-building moments, Troy shares how the GOAL Foundation fuels connection, cele...

In this episode of The Ogden Way , Mayor Ben Nadolski sits down with Heidi Wade , Director of the Senior Companions Program at Weber Human Services . Together, they shine a light on this heartwarming initiative where local seniors volunteer their time to support and connect with socially isolated seniors in our community. From stories of companionship to the powerful ripple effects of service, thi...

In this special on-site episode of Flip the Script, Jaynee Nadolski and Mayor Ben Nadolski sit down inside the newly renovated Marshall White Center to explore what makes this space more than just a building. From its rich history and connection to Officer Marshall White, to its modern programs, scholarship structure, and thriving community impact, this episode digs deep into why place matters. Wh...

In this episode of The Ogden Way, Mayor Ben Nadolski reconnects with longtime friend and Weber State University President , Brad Mortensen . The two reflect on their years of collaboration, from youth recreation projects at the Nadolski kitchen table to shaping Ogden’s educational landscape today. Hear about Brad’s journey as a Weber State alum turned president, the university’s evolving role in t...

In this episode of The Ogden Way, Mayor Ben Nadolski sits down with longtime friend and community leader, Murray Latson . Known for his positive spirit and signature greeting, “What’s good?”, Murray shares how service, showing up, and supporting others have shaped his life in Ogden. From personal challenges to public service, hear how one person’s energy and heart can make a lasting impact on the...

In this special “Flip the Script” edition of The Ogden Way , Jaynee Nadolski takes the mic once again to interview Mayor Ben Nadolski. Together, they dive into the Mayor’s recent international outreach efforts, including self-funded trips toGuadalajara and Guatemala, and discuss how these connections are opening doors for Ogden’s economy, culture, and future opportunities. From creating pathways f...

In this episode of The Ogden Way, Mayor Ben Nadolski sits down with Michael Smauldon from the American Red Cross. They talk about the importance of community connection, what it’s like stepping into leadership roles, and how local organizations like the Red Cross support Ogden in times of need. From emergency response to building partnerships with city leadership, this conversation highlights the...

In this episode of The Ogden Way, Mayor Ben Nadolski sits down with Jim Taggart, President of Ogden-Weber Technical College . They discuss the college’s evolving mission, its deep connection to Ogden’s identity, and the role it plays in preparing the local workforce for in-demand careers. From redefining technical education to addressing community needs, this conversation highlights why President...

In this meaningful episode of The Ogden Way, the script is flipped with host, Jaynee Nadolski, interviewing Mayor Nadolski. Together, they dive into the heart of what makes Ogden’s outdoor spaces so vital to the community’s well-being, identity, and future. From connecting underserved neighborhoods to trail access, to preserving Ogden’s wild spaces for generations to come, Jaynee shares the vision...

Step into the rich heritage and bright future of Ogden as Mayor Ben Nadolski sits down with longtime friend and newly appointed Pioneer Days Foundation Chair, Steve Handy. From their shared days in legislative affairs to a deep dive into what makes Ogden Pioneer Days a nationally ranked rodeo and world-class celebration, this episode explores the vision, volunteerism, and values that make Ogden sh...

From Teammates to Trailblazers: In this heartfelt and energizing episode, Mayor Ben Nadolski sits down with his former football teammate and longtime friend, Luke Rasmussen , now the superintendent of the Ogden School District . Together, they reflect on their shared roots, their deep commitment to community, and how collaboration between the city and the school district is shaping opportunities f...

In this episode of The Ogden Way Podcast, Mayor Ben Nadolski sits down with former horse jockey turned financial advisor Billy Peterson, for a conversation packed with purpose. From tales of high-stakes races and weight battles to building a wealth management business from scratch, Billy shares how grit, perseverance, and mindset shaped his journey. Together, they unpack the power of sacrifice, th...