Small Lake City

Hosted by Erik Nilsson

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Episodes

230

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Small Talk, Big City Join host Erik Nilsson as he interviews the entrepreneurs, creators, and builders making Salt Lake City the best place it can be. Covering topics such as business, politics, art, food, and more you will get to know the amazing people behind the scenes investing their time and money to improve the place we call home. Follow along for more!

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60 recent

September 1, 20261 hr 43 min

Vault Episode 16: Why Everyone Should Make Art with Micah Christensen

What if getting good at art has less to do with talent—and more to do with learning how to see? Micah Christensen is an art historian, educator, painter, and the owner of Anthony’s Fine Art and Antiques in Salt Lake City. His path to the art world was anything but straightforward, taking him through opera, business, Harvard, Sotheby’s Institute of Art, and a PhD studying how artists were trained from the Renaissance through the 19th century. In this episode of Small Lake City, Micah breaks down why painting is a skill anyone can learn, why repetition matters more than finding your “style,” and why adults shouldn’t be afraid to pick up a brush for the first time. We talk about approaching art the way we approach sports: you don’t have to become a professional for participating to make your life better. Micah also shares the remarkable story of taking over Anthony’s Fine Art and Antiques after his father collapsed, what decades of looking at art taught him about connoisseurship, and how experts can sometimes recognize a questionable masterpiece within seconds. We explore Utah’s surprisingly deep artistic tradition, the Springville Museum of Art, the importance of galleries and collectors, and why acclaimed Spanish painter Antonio López García described Utah as one of the great art capitals of the world. More than anything, this is a conversation about beauty, stewardship, and learning how to see. Whether you want to start painting, collect your first original piece, or simply understand why certain works of art move you, Micah makes the case that art isn’t a luxury reserved for experts—it’s something all of us can participate in. 🎙️ Small Lake City is a podcast about the people, ideas, and stories shaping Salt Lake City and Utah. 50% Off Minky Couture Blankets: softminkyblankets.com/SMALLLAKECITY Visit www.luxeautomotive.com or use this link to request a quote Please be sure to like, review, follow, subscribe and share the podcast with your friends and family! See you next time Support the show Small Lake City Calendar, add for all the events coming up straight to your iCal, Google Calendar, or Outlook: https://42b1ul.share-na2.hsforms.com/2NEaCwuBsSH-fY1z5Hr7Dkg Join the Small Lake City Discord: https://discord.gg/TYNzMhCxeK Subscribe to the Newsletter! https://www.smalllakepod.com/newsletter-landing-page Instagram: @smalllakepod Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SmallLakeCityPodcast TikTok: @smalllakepod

August 27, 202612 min

SLC’s 999 Ride Has a Problem + Gen Z Is Leaving the LDS Church

Southern Utah got hammered by monsoon storms, and the footage doesn’t fully capture how fast things can turn. We walk through the Bryce Canyon flash floods that stranded hikers across multiple trails, the rescue delays caused by lightning, and the death of a hiker found near the Fairyland Loop area. If you hike Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, or slot canyons, we also get practical about what “predictable” danger looks like after a dry winter and a summer of burn scars, plus why checking the National Weather Service Utah flash flood forecast should be a default step before you head out. Then we pivot to a story that’s been sitting in Utah conversations all summer: new research showing Gen Z women leaving the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at rates that would’ve sounded impossible a generation ago. We unpack the headline numbers, the overlapping drivers researchers point to (politics, same-sex marriage, women’s roles in leadership, purity culture), and the tricky causality question that keeps this from being a simple hot take. The takeaway isn’t outrage bait, it’s a real signal about where Utah culture may be heading. We also talk about Salt Lake City’s 999 ride: how it started, why it draws huge crowds, and why increased SLCPD enforcement and resident complaints have pushed it to a tipping point. A public panel laid out the core problem clearly: no organizer means no permits, no traffic control plan, and no single point of accountability. Plus quick hits on Meta’s landmark teen safety settlement, Dolly Parton’s Utah literacy connection, Flock camera arrests, and the coming Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante monument cuts. Subscribe wherever you listen, share this with a Utah friend, and leave a review if you want more reporting like this. What part of the 999 ride debate do you think matters most? 50% Off Minky Couture Blankets: softminkyblankets.com/SMALLLAKECITY Please be sure to like, review, follow, subscribe and share the podcast with your friends and family! See you next time Support the show Small Lake City Calendar, add for all the events coming up straight to your iCal, Google Calendar, or Outlook: https://42b1ul.share-na2.hsforms.com/2NEaCwuBsSH-fY1z5Hr7Dkg Join the Small Lake City Discord: https://discord.gg/TYNzMhCxeK Subscribe to the Newsletter! https://www.smalllakepod.com/newsletter-landing-page Instagram: @smalllakepod Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SmallLakeCityPodcast TikTok: @smalllakepod

August 25, 2026Episode 271 hr 21 min

S2, E27: Josh Rosenthal, The “Worst 100-Miler” Who Built Borderlands

Josh Rosenthal: Borderlands, Ultra Running & DFL Before DNF Josh Rosenthal is the founder of Borderlands , a trail running media company built around the people, stories, and culture that make the sport special. But Josh’s path to the trail running world started somewhere completely different. In this episode of the Small Lake City Podcast , Josh shares his journey from building businesses in Salt Lake City’s food and beverage scene—including La Barba Coffee and Seabird —to discovering ultra running, attempting 100-mile races, and eventually creating Borderlands. And he’s quick to point out: he wasn’t exactly dominating those races. Josh jokingly calls himself “the worst 100-miler,” with a long list of DNFs that ultimately helped shape one of his defining philosophies: DFL Before DNF — finish dead last before quitting. We talk about what those failures taught him about resilience, when to keep pushing, when to stop, and how doing hard things can reshape the way you approach the rest of your life. Josh also opens up about the realities of entrepreneurship—the pressure of growing a company, navigating business partnerships, carrying stress home, and the impact COVID had on Salt Lake City’s hospitality industry. Running became more than exercise; it became a way to process that pressure and create space between work and family life. Eventually, that relationship with running led to Borderlands , where Josh focuses on telling stories from across trail and ultra running—not just podium finishers and sponsored athletes, but everyday runners, race directors, creators, and the people finishing at the back of the pack. We also dive into Salt Lake City’s rapidly growing trail running scene , the history and influence of races like the Wasatch Front 100 and Bear 100 , the rise of UTMB, and why Utah may be one of the best places in the country to be a trail runner. In this episode: Building La Barba Coffee and Seabird in Salt Lake City The realities of entrepreneurship and business partnerships How COVID changed Josh’s career Discovering ultra running and 100-mile races Why Josh calls himself “the worst 100-miler” The philosophy behind DFL Before DNF Failure, resilience, and knowing when to keep going Why Josh founded Borderlands The culture and future of trail and ultra running UTMB and the globalization of the sport Wasatch 100 and Bear 100 Why Salt Lake City is becoming a trail running epicenter Finding purpose when the finish line disappears If you’re interested in trail running, ultra running, ultramarathons, 100-mile races, Borderlands, entrepreneurship, Salt Lake City, Utah outdoor culture, or the psychology of endurance , this conversation is for you. Small Lake City Podcast tells the stories of the people building, creating, and shaping Salt Lake City and Utah. Subscribe for more conversations with Utah’s entrepreneurs, athletes, creators, community leaders, and interesting people. Small Lake City Calendar, add for all the events coming up straight to your iCal, Google Calendar, or Outlook: https://42b1ul.share-na2.hsforms.com/2NEaCwuBsSH-fY1z5Hr7Dkg Join the Small Lake City Discord: https://discord.gg/TYNzMhCxeK Subscribe to the Newsletter! https://www.smalllakepod.com/newsletter-landing-page Instagram: @smalllakepod Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SmallLakeCityPodcast TikTok: @smalllakepod Support the show Small Lake City Calendar, add for all the events coming up straight to your iCal, Google Calendar, or Outlook: https://42b1ul.share-na2.hsforms.com/2NEaCwuBsSH-fY1z5Hr7Dkg Join the Small Lake City Discord: https://discord.gg/TYNzMhCxeK Subscribe to the Newsletter! https://www.smalllakepod.com/newsletter-landing-page Instagram: @smalllakepod Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SmallLakeCityPodcast TikTok: @smalllakepod

August 20, 202611 min

Utah Gave Them Tax Breaks. Now 723 Jobs Are Gone.

Utah gave Tyson Foods tax breaks to bring jobs to Eagle Mountain. Now the plant is closing, 723 workers are losing their jobs — and the tax incentive agreement is still active. Welcome to the Small Lake City Weekly Update covering the biggest Salt Lake City and Utah news from the last 7 days. Each week, we break down the local headlines you need to know — from development, transportation and local government to restaurants, culture, business and the stories shaping life along the Wasatch Front. This week, we look at the Tyson Foods closure in Eagle Mountain and what it says about Utah's approach to corporate tax incentives. We also dig into the massive incentives connected to Meta's Eagle Mountain data center and the growing debate over who ultimately benefits from these deals. Also in this week's Utah news: • UTA is proposing its first base fare increase in 13 years • New data shows robberies and assaults trending down in Salt Lake City • The 9th & 9th whale has a brand-new look • Salt Lake City's proposed private jail ban moves forward amid the ICE detention center fight • The University of Utah opens its new medical school building • A new independent film festival could be coming to Park City • Fork Cancer returns to the Gallivan Center this Friday And stick around for a preview of this Saturday's Small Lake City Podcast with Josh Rosenthal, founder of Borderlands and the person behind several recognizable Salt Lake City food and drink spots. What do you think about Utah's corporate tax incentives? Should companies continue receiving tax benefits after major layoffs or closures? Let me know in the comments. Subscribe to Small Lake City for a new weekly update covering the biggest Salt Lake City and Utah headlines from the previous seven days, plus conversations with the people shaping Utah. 🎙️ Small Lake City Podcast Instagram + TikTok: @smalllakepod 🌐 http://www.smalllakepod.com #UtahNews #SaltLakeCity #SLC #Utah Fork Cancer: utah.acscanforkcancer.org Discord: https://discord.gg/jQw5hptf8e 50% Off Minky Couture Blankets: softminkyblankets.com/SMALLLAKECITY Please be sure to like, review, follow, subscribe and share the podcast with your friends and family! See you next time Support the show Small Lake City Calendar, add for all the events coming up straight to your iCal, Google Calendar, or Outlook: https://42b1ul.share-na2.hsforms.com/2NEaCwuBsSH-fY1z5Hr7Dkg Join the Small Lake City Discord: https://discord.gg/TYNzMhCxeK Subscribe to the Newsletter! https://www.smalllakepod.com/newsletter-landing-page Instagram: @smalllakepod Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SmallLakeCityPodcast TikTok: @smalllakepod

August 17, 20261 hr 8 min

Vault Episode 15: Utah Food Finds With Amber, Mile High Food Fairy

Utah’s restaurant scene isn’t “all chains” anymore, but you have to know where to look and that’s where Amber (Mile High Food Fairy) comes in. We sit down with a pediatric dentist who somehow also became one of the most useful guides to Salt Lake City restaurants and Utah County food, and we get into the real mechanics of how people pick where to eat in 2026: saved posts, short-form video, and a handful of creators you trust more than a menu page. Amber walks us through her path from Vegas to the University of Utah, then out to New York City and Colorado for residency, where the habit of photographing meals turned into a dedicated food page. We talk about Yelp, Instagram, TikTok growth, and why Instagram Reels changed everything, including the frustrating part: when the algorithm shifts, your reach can disappear overnight. She also shares a standout moment when a Doki Doki dessert video helped drive a line down the block, reminding us that social media can be a real lifeline for local small businesses. Then we get practical. Amber explains how she balances a demanding day job with content creation, why she turns down collaborations that don’t fit, and how credibility matters more than quick money. Expect a packed list of recommendations across sushi, Thai, Indian, hot chicken, desserts, ice cream, brunch, Mexican, bakeries, Vietnamese, burgers, and Korean BBQ, plus a thoughtful look at where Utah’s food culture should go next: more mom-and-pop spots, more diverse cuisines, and more authentic options like dim sum and soup dumplings. If you enjoy discovering new places to eat in Utah, subscribe, share this with a friend who’s always hungry, and leave a review with your most underrated Utah restaurant pick. 50% Off Minky Couture Blankets: softminkyblankets.com/SMALLLAKECITY Visit www.luxeautomotive.com or use this link to request a quote Please be sure to like, review, follow, subscribe and share the podcast with your friends and family! See you next time Support the show Small Lake City Calendar, add for all the events coming up straight to your iCal, Google Calendar, or Outlook: https://42b1ul.share-na2.hsforms.com/2NEaCwuBsSH-fY1z5Hr7Dkg Join the Small Lake City Discord: https://discord.gg/TYNzMhCxeK Subscribe to the Newsletter! https://www.smalllakepod.com/newsletter-landing-page Instagram: @smalllakepod Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SmallLakeCityPodcast TikTok: @smalllakepod

August 13, 202610 min

Mystery Cameras And False Alarms

A surveillance camera shows up at a busy Mill Creek park, quietly scanning every passing license plate, and when someone asks who approved it, the answer is chillingly simple: nobody. We walk through what happened, why the camera was removed, and why the bigger story is the data trail. Who collects it, how long it lives on servers, and who can search it are the questions Utah still struggles to regulate, even as local governments make case-by-case decisions with no statewide framework. Then we rewind to the moment phones across northern Utah lit up with a blunt emergency alert: “Evacuate now.” The evacuation order was real, but the blast radius was not. We unpack the dispatch glitch that sent a wildfire alert to an enormous unintended area, and the uncomfortable contrast from the same week near Logan, where some residents in the fire’s path reportedly never received any alert at all. If emergency alerts are life safety infrastructure, these failures show exactly where the cracks are. We close with much-needed good news: Salt Lake City’s Fleet Block final design is out after years of planning, with a new public green space coming to the Granary District and a community benefits agreement shaping nearby development. Utah also posts its first decline in homelessness since 2019, with notable drops in chronic and unsheltered homelessness. Plus, quick updates on the Calchi ruling, reported ICE deportation flights from SLC, upcoming Twilight shows, and a preview of next week’s vault conversation for food lovers and content nerds. Subscribe for weekly Salt Lake City news and Utah policy updates, share this with a neighbor, and leave a review so more locals can find the show. 50% Off Minky Couture Blankets: softminkyblankets.com/SMALLLAKECITY Please be sure to like, review, follow, subscribe and share the podcast with your friends and family! See you next time Support the show Small Lake City Calendar, add for all the events coming up straight to your iCal, Google Calendar, or Outlook: https://42b1ul.share-na2.hsforms.com/2NEaCwuBsSH-fY1z5Hr7Dkg Join the Small Lake City Discord: https://discord.gg/TYNzMhCxeK Subscribe to the Newsletter! https://www.smalllakepod.com/newsletter-landing-page Instagram: @smalllakepod Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SmallLakeCityPodcast TikTok: @smalllakepod

August 10, 2026Episode 2638 min

S2, E26: Marti Wymer Turned a Personal Loss Into Spoonful of Comfort

A single question sits at the heart of this conversation: what do you send when someone you love is hurting and you can’t get on a plane? Marti, founder and CEO of Spoonful of Comfort, shares the true origin story behind her comfort food delivery brand, starting with the call every family dreads and the search for something more meaningful than flowers or candy. When she couldn’t find a chicken soup gift that felt personal, practical, and caring, she built it and poured her love and grief into the work. We talk through the real early days of building a food and e-commerce business: learning the rules, finding production help, packing orders at the kitchen table, and doing post office runs with kids in the car. Then the growth moment hits, a wave of press, hundreds of orders in hours, and the kind of scramble that forces a company to level up fast. Marti also explains how she and her husband run the business together, how they split responsibilities, and why moving to Utah became a turning point for scaling operations and finding the right community. We also get into what makes Spoonful of Comfort stand out: thoughtful branding, a warm unboxing experience, and products designed for life’s hardest moments. Marti shares favorites, how the menu evolved from a tight starting lineup to bigger add-ons and sweets, and what’s coming next, including a Hallmark partnership timed perfectly for cozy movie season. If you care about founder stories, customer experience, and building a brand with heart, hit play then subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review with your favorite comfort food. 50% Off Minky Couture Blankets: softminkyblankets.com/SMALLLAKECITY Visit www.luxeautomotive.com or use this link to request a quote Please be sure to like, review, follow, subscribe and share the podcast with your friends and family! See you next time Support the show Small Lake City Calendar, add for all the events coming up straight to your iCal, Google Calendar, or Outlook: https://42b1ul.share-na2.hsforms.com/2NEaCwuBsSH-fY1z5Hr7Dkg Join the Small Lake City Discord: https://discord.gg/TYNzMhCxeK Subscribe to the Newsletter! https://www.smalllakepod.com/newsletter-landing-page Instagram: @smalllakepod Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SmallLakeCityPodcast TikTok: @smalllakepod

August 4, 2026Episode 2557 min

S2,E25: Bringing Millions to Salt Lake with Visit Salt Lake's Kaitlin Eskelson

Salt Lake City keeps getting compared to other Western cities, but the closer you look, the more the comparison breaks down. The mountains aren’t a weekend trip from here, they’re a backdrop you can touch, and that single detail changes how people visit, how they meet, and how the local economy grows. We’re joined by Kaitlin Eskelsen, CEO of Visit Salt Lake, to talk about what destination marketing really looks like when it’s done at scale. We dig into the behind-the-scenes work of booking conventions at the Salt Palace, building a sports tourism engine through Sport Salt Lake, and creating event moments that make people rethink what a “conference city” can be. Kaitlin also explains why the organization focuses on exogenous spend, how that money moves through local small businesses, and why tourism can feel invisible until you understand the numbers. Then we look forward to the 2034 Winter Olympics and what the lead-up can unlock, from storytelling and athlete visibility to mobility improvements and a tighter, more connected visitor experience. We also get personal about how people actually remember travel, including Caitlin’s book The VX Society and the simple idea that the peak moment and the goodbye are what stick. If you care about Salt Lake City, tourism economics, convention strategy, sports events, or the future of the Wasatch Front, this conversation will give you a sharper lens. Subscribe, share this with a friend who still thinks Salt Lake is “far from the mountains,” and leave a review with your favorite takeaway. 50% Off Minky Couture Blankets: softminkyblankets.com/SMALLLAKECITY Visit www.luxeautomotive.com or use this link to request a quote Please be sure to like, review, follow, subscribe and share the podcast with your friends and family! See you next time Support the show Small Lake City Calendar, add for all the events coming up straight to your iCal, Google Calendar, or Outlook: https://42b1ul.share-na2.hsforms.com/2NEaCwuBsSH-fY1z5Hr7Dkg Join the Small Lake City Discord: https://discord.gg/TYNzMhCxeK Subscribe to the Newsletter! https://www.smalllakepod.com/newsletter-landing-page Instagram: @smalllakepod Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SmallLakeCityPodcast TikTok: @smalllakepod

July 31, 202610 min

New Trains, New Hospital

A downtown eyesore locals jokingly called “Sears Lake” is finally turning into something real, and that’s only the start of a packed week. We break down the long-awaited redevelopment of the former Sears site near 300 West and 400 South, where Intermountain Health is beginning environmental remediation ahead of a new hospital campus. After years of stalled potential, the cleanup alone feels like the first domino, and the location near TRAX, the Gateway, and the Granary District could change the gravity of that corridor. Then we get into a genuine transit win: Frontrunner is slated for a major upgrade, with new commuter trains expected to be built right here in Salt Lake City by Stadler. We talk about what a proposed $328 million contract means, how it connects to UDOT’s double tracking project, and why frequency is the real quality-of-life feature riders care about even if the timeline stretches out a few years. The mood shifts when we zoom out to the escalating data center debate in Utah. Packed public hearings in Tooele County, wastewater permit concerns tied to wetlands connected to the Great Salt Lake, a county moratorium, and the still-paused Stratos project in Box Elder County all point to a bigger question: who gets to decide how land and water are used as Utah becomes a data center hub? We wrap with the local culture pulse check: Cafe Rio admits fans are right and promises a return to the original sweet pork barbacoa, the Utah Talons go back-to-back, extreme heat safety tips, and a quick look at the Winter Classic plans. If you like smart local news with strong opinions and receipts, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. 50% Off Minky Couture Blankets: softminkyblankets.com/SMALLLAKECITY Please be sure to like, review, follow, subscribe and share the podcast with your friends and family! See you next time Support the show Small Lake City Calendar, add for all the events coming up straight to your iCal, Google Calendar, or Outlook: https://42b1ul.share-na2.hsforms.com/2NEaCwuBsSH-fY1z5Hr7Dkg Join the Small Lake City Discord: https://discord.gg/TYNzMhCxeK Subscribe to the Newsletter! https://www.smalllakepod.com/newsletter-landing-page Instagram: @smalllakepod Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SmallLakeCityPodcast TikTok: @smalllakepod

July 28, 2026Episode 241 hr 7 min

S2, E24: Why Would Anyone Run 100 Miles, with Jesse Rich

You can be fit, tough, and motivated and still get wrecked by a simple mistake like the wrong breakfast. We sit down with ultra runner and nutrition coach Jesse Rich to trace the real path from “I don’t like running” to finishing and competing in ultramarathons, including the hard-earned lessons that only show up when you’re deep into a 50K or staring down a 100-mile day. Jesse breaks down the moment that changed everything: a brutal Speedgoat 50K where stomach issues turned a promising start into survival mode. That failure pushes him into formal nutrition education and years of trial, error, and refinement in sports nutrition for endurance athletes. We talk hydration, electrolytes, sodium, carbohydrates, and why “training the gut” is a skill you build on long runs, not a gamble you take on race day. If gels make you gag or your stomach shuts down late, you’ll recognize yourself here. We also zoom out to the bigger world of trail running and ultrarunning: how the sport has exploded, how UTMB has become a global target, and why even high-level athletes can struggle to make the economics work. Jesse shares how he turns his experience into a coaching career, what kinds of athletes reach out for help, and how family life, aging, recovery, and time constraints change the way you train. The thread that ties it together is simple: consistency wins, fueling is performance, and “white space” might be the most underrated training tool we have. If you’re training for your first ultra marathon, chasing a PR at a local trail race, or trying to stop blowing up in the final hours, this conversation gives you a smarter way forward. Subscribe, share this with a friend who’s training, and leave a review with your biggest fueling question. 50% Off Minky Couture Blankets: softminkyblankets.com/SMALLLAKECITY Visit www.luxeautomotive.com or use this link to request a quote Please be sure to like, review, follow, subscribe and share the podcast with your friends and family! See you next time Support the show Small Lake City Calendar, add for all the events coming up straight to your iCal, Google Calendar, or Outlook: https://42b1ul.share-na2.hsforms.com/2NEaCwuBsSH-fY1z5Hr7Dkg Join the Small Lake City Discord: https://discord.gg/TYNzMhCxeK Subscribe to the Newsletter! https://www.smalllakepod.com/newsletter-landing-page Instagram: @smalllakepod Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SmallLakeCityPodcast TikTok: @smalllakepod