Explore Local Podcast

Ryan Paul is a lecturer of history at Southern Utah University. Previous to his time at SUU, Paul was the museum curator for the Frontier Homestead State Park in Cedar City, Utah. 
Paul is the author of Celebrate 50 Years: Utah Shakespeare Festival and the upcoming Singaway, a book about the Utah Parks Company. He has written five documentary films, lectured across the State as a Utah Humanities Council Road Scholar, served as President of the Utah Museums Association, and created a number of museum exhibits.
He is a devotee of all things Elvis, Dr. Who, and DC Comics. He is married to Kami, has one son who is a genius, one daughter who is equally brilliant, and recently welcomed a second daughter who has more hair than he does.

The Explore Local Podcast is presented by Visit Cedar City Brian Head and hosted by David Johnson, Cedar City Economic Development Director.

This episode is sponsored by:

The Cedar City Business and Innovation Center. Dedicated to supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs, it provides resources and services aimed at fostering  business creation, growth, and retention. The center features the “Makerspace” where entrepreneurs and small businesses can have access to 3D printers, video production and photography equipment, t-shirt printing and more! Whether you’re starting a new venture or looking to expand an existing one, the Cedar City Business and Innovation Center offers the tools and guidance to help you succeed. To learn more and get involved, visit innovationcenter.cc

Brandon has over 25 years of experience in the entertainment industry, traveling locally and abroad as a professional actor, singer, director, producer, teacher, and fundraiser - including five years with the acclaimed Utah Shakespeare Festival. He holds an M.F.A. from UNLV’s Professional Actor Training Program and a B.A. in Theatre from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. 

Prior to coming to work for Cedar City, Brandon has served as Artistic Director of The Onyx Theatre and Off-Strip Productions in Las Vegas, Director of Operations for Access Theatre in New York City, Senior Producer at BOX86 Media in Cedar City, and he is co-owner of InterMountain Performing Arts Conservatory (IMPAC).

The Explore Local Podcast is presented by Visit Cedar City Brian Head and hosted by David Johnson, Cedar City Economic Development Director.

This episode is sponsored by:

The Cedar City Business and Innovation Center. Dedicated to supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs, it provides resources and services aimed at fostering  business creation, growth, and retention. The center features the “Makerspace” where entrepreneurs and small businesses can have access to 3D printers, video production and photography equipment, t-shirt printing and more! Whether you’re starting a new venture or looking to expand an existing one, the Cedar City Business and Innovation Center offers the tools and guidance to help you succeed. To learn more and get involved, visit innovationcenter.cc

Abdul-Khaliq Murtadha (AK) plays Martin Luther King, Jr. in The Mountaintop, Peter Shaw in Silent Sky in the 2024 season at the Utah Shakespeare Festival. He is also known for his roles: Los Angeles Shakespeare Center, Seattle Rep, Ensemble Theatre Company (Santa Barbara), Phoenix Theatre, Indianapolis Shakespeare Company, South Dakota Shakespeare Festival, Pioneer Theatre Company (Salt Lake City), WBTT and Asolo Rep (Sarasota, FL)

Alia Shakira plays Camae in The Mountaintop; Annie Cannon in Silent Sky in the 2024 season at the Utah Shakespeare Festival. She is also known for her roles: Makeda in *The House that will not Stand––*Horizon Theater (GA), Biddie in *A Lady and A Woman––*Impact Theater (GA), The Alliance Theatre (GA); numerous plays at New Federal Theatre (NY), Metropolitan Playhouse (NY), TheatreWorks (Tour), and The National Black Theatre Festival.

The Explore Local Podcast is presented by Visit Cedar City Brian Head and hosted by David Johnson, Cedar City Economic Development Director.

This episode is sponsored by:

The Cedar City Business and Innovation Center. Dedicated to supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs, it provides resources and services aimed at fostering  business creation, growth, and retention. The center features the “Makerspace” where entrepreneurs and small businesses can have access to 3D printers, video production and photography equipment, t-shirt printing and more! Whether you’re starting a new venture or looking to expand an existing one, the Cedar City Business and Innovation Center offers the tools and guidance to help you succeed. To learn more and get involved, visit innovationcenter.cc

James Barlow, an entrepreneur since his teenage years, has led one of the most innovative construction companies in the US. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of BZI Steel, a leading technology steel erection company, as well as InnovaTech, an innovative equipment manufacturing company. BZI and Innovatech systems are recognized for providing unrivaled new standards for safety, simplicity and efficiency. BZI’s patented construction equipment, innovations and exclusive unique steel erection methods have resulted in the company growing its revenue 10-fold since 2016 and growing their employee base from 80 to over 450.

Thomas Harker is the Chief Operations Officer at BZI. As one of the first five employees at the company, his career started as a farmhand erecting pole barns and pre-engineered buildings in his hometown of Southern Utah. Thomas has held a variety of roles at BZI, including field hand. foreman, superintendent, and regional manager oversaw structural steel, pre-engineering, and specialty welding projects. Currently, as COO, Thomas oversees all operations for the company. He is responsible for leading all team members and general contractors for each project, ensuring the right policies and procedures are followed to create a safe working environment while completing projects on time.

The Explore Local Podcast is presented by Visit Cedar City Brian Head and hosted by David Johnson, Cedar City Economic Development Director.

This episode is sponsored by:

The Cedar City Business and Innovation Center. Dedicated to supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs, it provides resources and services aimed at fostering  business creation, growth, and retention. The center features the “Makerspace” where entrepreneurs and small businesses can have access to 3D printers, video production and photography equipment, t-shirt printing and more! Whether you’re starting a new venture or looking to expand an existing one, the Cedar City Business and Innovation Center offers the tools and guidance to help you succeed. To learn more and get involved, visit innovationcenter.cc

Jon Oglesby is the Executive Director of the Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games at Southern Utah University. He shares about how he got involved with the games, it's history, and what is on the way.

The Explore Local Podcast is presented by Visit Cedar City Brian Head and hosted by David Johnson, Cedar City Economic Development Director.

This episode is sponsored by:

The Cedar City Business and Innovation Center. Dedicated to supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs, it provides resources and services aimed at fostering  business creation, growth, and retention. The center features the “Makerspace” where entrepreneurs and small businesses can have access to 3D printers, video production and photography equipment, t-shirt printing and more! Whether you’re starting a new venture or looking to expand an existing one, the Cedar City Business and Innovation Center offers the tools and guidance to help you succeed. To learn more and get involved, visit innovationcenter.cc