The Ogden Way

In this episode of The Ogden Way Podcast, Mayor Ben Nadolski sits down with longtime Ogdenite and community powerhouse Michelle Tanner , Executive Director of Ogden Friends of Acoustic Music (OFOAM) . From her decades-long nursing career to launching one of Ogden’s most beloved events, the Ogden Music Festival, Michelle opens up about service, the healing power of music, and how grit and heart def...

In this episode of The Ogden Way, Mayor Ben sits down with Aldin Falcon , owner, operator, and true hustler behind Ogden Barber Company . From the heart of Washington Boulevard, Aldin opens up about his journey, the culture he's building, and what it means to serve your community one cut at a time. It’s more than a barbershop, it’s a movement. Tap in for real talk on purpose, people, and keepi...

In this high-energy episode of The Ogden Way podcast, Mayor sits down with Evan Parker , Ogden native and manager of the Ogden Raptors . From his early days on local diamonds to leading a championship team, Evan brings fire, focus, and fierce pride for his hometown. They talk about everything from building a championship culture and mentoring young players, to the grit and hustle that define both...

In this powerful episode of The Ogden Way, Mayor Ben Nadolski sits down with Flor Lopez , local business owner, community advocate, and champion for underserved residents. From arriving in Ogden with a single suitcase and no English, to becoming a force of connection and empowerment in the city, Flor shares a gripping personal story marked by loss, resilience, and transformation. Together, they ta...

In this powerful episode of The Ogden Way, we flip the script, literally! Mayor Ben steps out of the host chair and into the hot seat as his wife, Jaynee , interviews him for a deeply candid and refreshingly human conversation. They dig into some of the most complex issues facing Ogden today, affordable housing, political polarization, class dynamics, and the future of the city all while shedding...

In this heartwarming episode of The Ogden Way Podcast, Mayor sits down with Meghan Kelly , founder of Utah Neighborhood Connection (UNC) , to spotlight the resilience, grit, and heart of Ogden’s north end. From handing out cocoa to hundreds of students to creating afterschool programs and grocery events, Meghan shares how her nonprofit is transforming lives, one connection at a time. Tune in as th...

In this powerful episode of The Ogden Way, Mayor Nadolski sits down with renowned sustainability expert Bill Reed for a deeply human conversation on what it truly means to sustain life, not just the environment, but people, purpose, and place. Together, they explore how Ogden’s unique identity, sense of belonging, and service-minded culture can serve as a national model for regenerative community...

In this heartwarming episode, Mayor sits down with Sara Mejeur , a vibrant community leader, executive director of the Dinosaur Park, and proud Ogden transplant from Michigan. Together, they dive into what makes Ogden feel like a small town with a big heart, from garbage juice stories to GOAL Foundation friendships, the power of showing up, and how Sara's path led her to lead one of Ogden’s mo...

Service isn’t just an act—it’s a way of life. In this episode of The Ogden Way podcast, we sit down with Isaiah Salazar —a local businessman, community connector, and all-around force for good. Through personal experiences and lessons learned, Isaiah shares how service has been a cornerstone of both his personal growth and his impact on Ogden. He dive deep into the power his relationships, the gri...

Ogden Made is more than just a brand—it’s a symbol of local pride, craftsmanship, and community spirit. In this episode, we sit down with owner Josh Stewart to discuss the power of small businesses in shaping a city's identity, the impact of shopping local, and how a passion for quality gear turned into a beloved staple of Ogden culture. This conversation highlights what truly makes Ogden spec...

In this episode of The Ogden Way podcast, Mayor Ben Nadolski sits down with Ogden City Police Chief Jake Sube to discuss leadership, legacy, and the deep-rooted connection between the city and its police department. Chief Sube shares his journey from growing up on Ogden Avenue to becoming the city’s police chief, emphasizing the importance of history, community engagement, and mentorship. The conv...

In this episode of The Ogden Way podcast, we sit down with Jodi Brown —local leader, author, and champion of resilience. Jodi shares her extraordinary journey of overcoming a life-altering brain tumor diagnosis and how small acts of service and connection changed her path. From finding an unexpected lifeline to learning the power of pressing on , Jodi’s story embodies the true spirit of Ogden: lif...

In this inspiring episode of The Ogden Way Podcast, we sit down with Jennie Taylor —Gold Star wife, community leader, and founder of the Major Brent Taylor Foundation. Jennie shares her deeply personal journey of resilience, from growing up in North Ogden to navigating the unimaginable loss of her husband, Major Brent Taylor, who was killed in action while serving in Afghanistan. Through her story...

In this episode of The Ogden Way Podcast, Mayor Ben Nadolski sits down with community leaders Ronnie White and Luis Lopez to discuss the profound legacy of Marshall White and the long journey to revitalize the Marshall White Center. From its historical significance to the challenges of bringing a shared vision to life, this conversation highlights the resilience, collaboration, and unwavering comm...

In this episode of The Ogden Way podcast, we sit down with Farmer Carl, the visionary behind Grow Ogden, a transformative job training program using farming to uplift lives. Discover how this initiative is helping individuals overcome homelessness, trauma, and unemployment by cultivating both crops and life skills. From reconnecting with the earth to fostering a supportive "farmily," Carl shares i...

In this episode of The Ogden Way podcast, we explore theintersection of conservation, urban development, and community engagement with Mayor Ben Nadolski and Sarah Kapel, Conservation Director of the Ogden Nature Center. Together, they discuss the challenges and opportunities in balancing growth with environmental stewardship, the importance of access to outdoor spaces, and Ogden’s role in protect...

In this episode of The Ogden Way Podcast, we sit down with Lorenzo Gutiérrez to explore his powerful journey of redemption, resilience, and community service. From his early struggles and time in prison to becoming a driving force for change in Ogden, Lorenzo shares how self-determination, faith, and support from his community helped him turn his life around. Now the founder of For One and All, he...

What happens when policing goes beyond lawenforcement and becomes about real human connection? In this episode of The Ogden Way, we sit down with Diana Lopez, the Community Outreach Coordinator for the Ogden Police Department. From her journey as a first-generation immigrant to becoming a bridge between officers and the community, Diana shares how outreach, understanding, and trust shape the futur...

In this episode, we sit down with Lieutenant Shane Keyes of the Ogden Police Department to dive into the rich history of Ogden’s law enforcement. A self-proclaimed history nerd, Lt. Keyes shares stories of legendary officers, the evolution of policing in Ogden, and how past generations laid the foundation for today’s department. We also explore his passion project, the Junction City Justice podcas...

In this episode of The Ogden Way Podcast, Mayor BenNadolski sits down with Jim Konig, Publisher of the Standard-Examiner, for an insightful conversation about the vital role of local journalism in fostering accountability, trust, and transparency. They discuss the importance of unbiased reporting, the challenges facing modern media, and how a strong community newspaper can help shape a more inform...

In this episode, Mayor Ben Nadolski sits down with Steve Peterson and John Watson to discuss the power of service in shaping Ogden. From their deep community roots to their leadership in the My Hometown Initiative, they share stories of revitalizing neighborhoods, fostering self-reliance, and bringing people together. The conversation also highlights a new effort to support Ogden’s youth, addressi...

Ogden is built on resilience, connection, and the unwavering spirit of its people—and few embody that better than Delores Banks Green. In this episode of The Ogden Way podcast, Mayor Ben Nadolski sits down with Delores to talk about her journey growing up in Ogden, the power of community, and the critical role of mentorship in shaping the next generation. From her work with the Urban Student Allia...

In this episode of The Ogden Way , Mayor Ben Nadolski sits down with Olympic silver medalist and Ogden native, Billy Schuffenhauer. Billy shares his remarkable journey from a challenging childhood in Salt Lake City to standing on the Olympic podium in 2002. They discuss the pivotal role the Ogden community played in his rise to athletic prominence, his struggles post-Olympics, and how the same com...

Welcome to the first episode of The Ogden Way! JoinOgden City Mayor Ben Nadolski and his wife, Jaynee, as they dive into what it means to have a 'City of Champions' mindset. They break down The Ogden Way—what it is, why it matters, and how it’s shaping the future of Ogden. From the seven foundational pillars to the dedicated staff working behind the scenes, this episode is a deep dive into the val...