Former Oregon Ducks QB and NFL vet Joey Harrington joins Nat Borchers to talk about life after the spotlight—what it takes to keep perspective, why Portland still feels like home, and how the Harrington Family Foundation is investing in the next generation of local leaders.

What you’ll hear:

• The real day-to-day of pro sports (and why perspective matters)

• Growing up in Portland and watching the city change

• Compassion vs. “clean it up”—a nuanced take on downtown post-COVID

• The Community Quarterback Scholarship: 5× $25k awards for Oregon students

• Why you don’t need a big title to make a big impact

🎧 Watch on YouTube & listen on Spotify.

In this episode of Heavy Lifts, Nat Borchers and AJ Nash sit down with Tom Hoffert, long-time Salem leader and CEO of the Salem Chamber of Commerce, to talk about what’s shaping the city’s future.From championing small businesses to building community through collaboration, Tom shares insights on leadership, connection, and what it really takes to move a city forward.This episode is a mix of real talk, hope, and hometown pride — proof that big things are happening right here in Salem.What you’ll hear:▸ Why collaboration is Salem’s biggest strength▸ The role of the Chamber in connecting business and community▸ How Salem’s downtown energy is shifting▸ Why leadership means showing up and listening▸ What’s next for growth and revitalization🎧 Full episode streaming now on YouTube & Spotify.Connect with us!Nat: @natborchers on Instagram▸ @backlinerealestate on Instagram▸ www.backlinerealestate.com#HeavyLiftsPodcast #BuildWhereYouLive #SalemOregon #CommunityBuilders #Leadership #SalemChamber

In this special episode of Heavy Lifts, Nat Borchers and AJ Nash open up about one of their biggest projects yet, and why they’re no longer buying the JCPenney building in downtown Salem.This conversation is about transparency, lessons learned, and staying true to the mission: reimagining Salem’s spaces together.Nat and AJ share what went into the decision, what they discovered about the project along the way, and what comes next for Back Line Real Estate and the future of downtown development.Even when plans change, the vision stays the same — building spaces that connect people, create opportunity, and move Salem forward.What you’ll hear: ▸ Nat and AJ's hot yoga experience▸ Nat's background (for those who haven't seen his Wiki page)▸ Why the JC Penney deal didn’t move forward▸ What’s next for Back Line Real Estate▸ Why belief in Salem remains stronger than ever🎧 Full episode streaming now on YouTube & Spotify#HeavyLiftsPodcast #BuildWhereYouLive #SalemOregon #CommunityBuilders #RealEstateDevelopment #BackLineRealEstate

In this episode of Heavy Lifts, Nat Borchers and AJ Nash sit down with Derek Gilbert, financial advisor, volunteer, and longtime Salem community advocate.

As the owner of Anthem Wealth Strategies, Derek shares how his work goes far beyond numbers — it’s about helping people and small businesses find clarity, confidence, and purpose in what they’re building. From mentoring others to leading downtown community events, Derek opens up about the lessons learned through setbacks, resilience, and saying yes to showing up for Salem.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

▸ How Derek turned adversity into purpose and growth

▸ Lessons from nearly 20 years of service as a firefighter and community volunteer

▸ The importance of helping families and small businesses protect what matters most

▸ Why getting involved — even in small ways — makes the biggest difference

🎧 New Heavy Lifts episodes drop every Friday at 9 AM on YouTube & Spotify.

🏗️ Heavy Lifts: For those who take risks.

Connect with us!

Nat: @natborchers on Instagram

▸ @backlinerealestate on Instagram

▸ www.backlinerealestate.com

Derek: ⁨@derek.gilbert.7 ,@anthem.wealth.dg on Instagram

#HeavyLiftsPodcast #communitybuilders #salemoregon #urbanrevival

In this episode of Heavy Lifts, Nat Borchers and AJ Nash sit down with Jacob Espinoza, entrepreneur, community advocate, and the creator of What’s Happening Salem, a platform giving people a voice in how the city grows and connects.

Jacob talks about taking risks, building community through open dialogue, and why keeping the comments open — the good and the bad — matters. From the challenges of representing a whole city to the importance of listening first, this conversation dives into what it really means to create connection in public spaces.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

▸ The story behind What’s Happening Salem

▸ Why transparency and feedback are key to community growth

▸ How to balance criticism, creativity, and collaboration

▸ The role of risk-taking in building trust

▸ Lessons in leadership, patience, and purpose

🎧 New Heavy Lifts episodes drop every Friday at 9 AM on YouTube & Spotify.

🏗️ Heavy Lifts: For those who see opportunity and embrace the risk to build it.

Connect with us!

Nat: @natborchers on Instagram

▸ @backlinerealestate on Instagram

▸ www.backlinerealestate.com

Jacob: ⁨@WhatsHappeningSalem⁩ on Instagram

#HeavyLiftsPodcast #communitybuilders #salemoregon #urbanrevival

This week’s Heavy Lifts was more than a conversation; it was a promise of an experience. Nat & AJ promised to join Lorissa Addabbo on the mat to see firsthand what makes Common People Yoga such a special space for connection, movement, and community.

🎧 Catch the full episode now: link in bio.

🏗️ Heavy Lifts: For those who see opportunity and embrace the risk to build it.

#HeavyLiftsPodcast #SalemOregon #BuildWhereYouLive #CommunityBuilders #WellnessJourney

Sometimes all people need is a space to just be. 🧘‍♀️ 

This week on Heavy Lifts, Lorissa Addabbo opens up about building community through movement and how yoga, wellness, and simple connection can remind us that we all belong.

🎧 Episode streaming now on YouTube & Spotify: link in bio!

🏗️ Heavy Lifts: For those who see opportunity and embrace the risk to build it.

#HeavyLiftsPodcast #CommunityBuilders #BuildWhereYouLive #WellnessCommunity #UrbanRevival

In this episode of Heavy Lifts, Nat Borchers and AJ Nash sit down with Lorissa Addabbo, the owner of Common People Yoga and the soon-to-open Hot Loft, spaces built around mindful movement, connection, and community.

Lorissa shares her story of moving from a career in healthcare to building wellness spaces that bring people together. From the grind of small business ownership to the joy of seeing strangers connect, she opens up about what it means to create spaces that help people show up, let go, and just be human.This episode dives deep into building community through wellness, collaboration, and relentless perseverance, even when no one’s watching.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

▸ Lorissa’s journey from healthcare to wellness entrepreneurship

▸ The heart behind Common People Yoga and The Hot Loft

▸ Why human connection is the real measure of success

▸ Lessons in perseverance, creativity, and collaboration

▸ How community and wellness fuel one another

🎧 New Heavy Lifts episodes drop every Friday at 9 AM on YouTube & Spotify.

🏗️ Heavy Lifts: For those who see opportunity and embrace the risk to build it.

Connect with us!

Nat: @natborchers on Instagram

▸ @backlinerealestate on Instagram

▸ www.backlinerealestate.com

Lorissa: @commonpeopleyoga, @thehotloft on Instagram

#heavyliftspodcast #communitybuilders #salemoregon #wellnesscommunity

This week on Heavy Lifts, Lorissa Addabbo, founder of Common People Yoga and The Hot Loft, shares how she turned her love for wellness and connection into real spaces that bring people together. @commonpeopleyoga, @thehotloft

🎧 Full episode drops tomorrow at 9 AM on YouTube & Spotify.

🏗️ Heavy Lifts: For those who see opportunity and embrace the risk to build it.

#HeavyLiftsPodcast #BuildWhereYouLive #CommunityBuilders #WellnessJourney #SalemOregon

There's no wrong way to create art at @creativiteespace!

🎧 Watch Episode 12 now on YouTube + Spotify!

🏗️ Heavy Lifts: For those who see opportunity and embrace the risk to build it.

#HeavyLiftsPodcast #DowntownSalem #CommunityBuilders #CreativiteeSpace