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Food has an extraordinary power to connect us across cultures, create community, and transform cities—a truth Lorin Warner discovered during his years traveling the world as a consultant. After meeting his wife abroad and experiencing diverse food cultures, the couple recognized something essential missing from Salt Lake City's culinary landscape.

This episode revisits my fascinating conversation with Lorin, the visionary founder behind Honest Eatery, who shares how his global experiences directly shaped the creation of this beloved local establishment. His story weaves together international influences, entrepreneurial spirit, and a deep belief that authentic food experiences can bring people together in meaningful ways. Lauren's journey from world traveler to local food pioneer offers a compelling lens through which to understand how global perspectives can transform local communities.

Since our original conversation, Honest Eatery has continued to thrive and expand, recently opening their newest location in South Jordan—a testament to how powerfully their vision of health-focused, community-oriented dining resonates with Salt Lake residents. Whether you're craving a smoothie, an açaí bowl, or simply a welcoming space to connect, Lauren's creation offers something special. If you haven't experienced Honest Eatery yet, consider this your invitation to discover one of Salt Lake's most authentic food destinations. Listen to discover how one entrepreneur's global journey created a local culinary landmark that continues to nourish our community.

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Summer has arrived in Salt Lake City, bringing an exciting lineup of events, festivals, and cultural celebrations worth marking on your calendar. 

Just released is our conversation with Manoli Katsanevas, founder of the beloved Manoli's and Perea restaurants. This deep dive explores his culinary journey and significant contributions to Salt Lake's food scene, while highlighting the upcoming Greek Festival that promises authentic cuisine, vibrant performances, and cultural traditions whether you're attending for the first or twentieth time.

The city is buzzing with activity as concert season hits its peak – from Halsey and Kesha to local performances, music lovers have plenty to celebrate. Wine enthusiasts won't want to miss our Wine Wednesday event at Nona Bistro featuring Jimmy Santangelo of Wine Academy of Utah, promising an evening of exceptional tastings and knowledge. Meanwhile, foodies should clear their schedules for July 9th when the Food Truck Cheese Fest takes over Mill Creek Common from 5-8pm, offering a family-friendly opportunity to indulge in creative, cheese-filled creations from local vendors.

With both July 4th and Pioneer Day (July 24th) approaching, Salt Lake City will transform with parades, fireworks, rodeos, and community gatherings. Our Thursday newsletter will feature comprehensive guides to these celebrations, ensuring you don't miss the festivities around our beautiful city. Whether you're celebrating Independence Day traditionally or embracing the uniquely Utah "Pie and Beer Day" alternative to Pioneer Day, there's something for everyone.

Stay connected with us on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter at smalllakepod.com to receive these updates directly. Be sure to follow Small Lake City on your favorite podcast platform so you'll always have our latest episodes ready when you need some local inspiration or entertainment.

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Ever wonder what it takes to build a thriving business from scratch? Ethan Cisneros, founder of Thirst Drinks, reveals the raw, unfiltered journey behind creating one of Utah's most beloved soda empires.

Ethan's entrepreneurial spirit ignited early when he started a lawn mowing business at age 11, leaving personalized notes for customers after each service. This fundamental lesson – that exceptional customer experiences drive business success – became the cornerstone of his future ventures. By 16, he had launched Olympus Ice, recognizing that snow cone shacks weren't just selling frozen treats but creating social hubs for teens.

When Ethan founded Thirst Drinks in 2016, success was anything but guaranteed. After an exciting grand opening, daily sales plummeted to just $100. With no outside funding and rapidly depleting resources, Ethan worked every shift for two years while relentlessly marketing on Instagram, personally messaging countless locals to invite them for free drinks. There was no overnight success – just persistent, brick-by-brick growth fueled by genuine connections and unwavering determination.

A breakthrough came when Ethan secured a vendor spot in the Vivint Arena (now Delta Center) through sheer persistence and relationship-building. Today, Thirst operates six locations across Utah, plus venue spots and a production bakery with 200 employees. Yet Ethan remains committed to authenticity, documenting his entrepreneurial journey through social media and his podcast "Learning by Doing."

What makes this story particularly compelling is Ethan's current challenge: transitioning from hands-on operator to leader while maintaining the brand's standards and experience. His philosophy of "nail it before you scale it" emphasizes perfecting operations before pursuing aggressive expansion – a refreshing perspective in today's growth-at-all-costs business culture.

Want to follow Ethan's entrepreneurial journey? Find him on Instagram @ethanfromthirst, check out his podcast, or watch his weekly YouTube vlogs where he continues to share the real, unvarnished truth about building a business from the ground up.

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Greek food isn't simply a cuisine in Salt Lake City—it's a cultural foundation that has shaped our dining landscape for generations. This week, we sit down with Manoli Katsanevas, the culinary force behind Manoli's and Parea, to explore how his family legacy evolved from Crown Burger to James Beard-nominated fine dining.

Born into the family that founded Salt Lake's beloved Crown Burger chain, Manoli shares how scrubbing floors and working the line as a teenager sparked his passion for restaurants. The conversation takes us through his culinary education, the launch of a catering business with his wife Katrina, and the eventual opening of Manoli's on 9th South—a restaurant that would elevate Greek cuisine while honoring traditional flavors and techniques.

What truly resonates throughout our discussion is how deeply intertwined food and community are in Greek culture. "Everything in Greek culture is around food, food and gathering together," Manoli explains. This philosophy guided his pandemic pivot when Manoli's temporarily closed, leading to take-and-bake meal kits that eventually inspired their newest venture, Parea—a fast-casual concept serving authentic Greek street food just half a block from their flagship restaurant.

We also explore Salt Lake's surprisingly robust Greek community, which traces back to early mining operations in Carbon County and has maintained strong traditions through generations. The Greek Festival (mark your calendars for September 5-7) stands as the largest Greek festival west of the Mississippi and showcases the community's enduring cultural pride.

Whether you're already a fan of Manoli's lamb riblets and charred octopus or you've yet to discover authentic Greek cuisine beyond gyros, this episode offers a fascinating glimpse into how one family's culinary traditions have become woven into Salt Lake City's identity. Listen now to understand why quality ingredients and authentic preparation remain non-negotiable, regardless of whether you're enjoying fine dining or street food—and why a Greek wedding with dollar bills flying and ouzo flowing is an experience you shouldn't miss.

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Summer in Salt Lake City is heating up, and we've got your insider guide to all the can't-miss happenings! Tomorrow's episode features Manoli Katsanevas, the culinary force behind Manoli's and Perea restaurants, sharing his remarkable journey from working in his family's Crown Burger empire to forging his own path in the restaurant world. His story of passion and dedication to his craft offers inspiration for anyone following their dreams.

Music lovers won't want to miss this Saturday's show at the Ranger lot in West Valley, where Ranger, Soundcar, and Doof are bringing in Coachella performer Cole Knight for what promises to be an unforgettable night. July 9th brings a double-header of events for both wine enthusiasts and cheese aficionados – join Jimmy Santangelo of the Wine Academy of Utah for Wine Wednesday at Nona Bistro, or bring the whole family to the Food Truck Cheese Fest at Mill Creek Common for prizes, giveaways, and deliciously cheesy creations.

Looking ahead to August 19th, we're thrilled to announce our partnership with Bookish for a special community gathering at Mountain West Cidery's gorgeous garden patio. It's the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow podcast listeners while enjoying ciders, cocktails, and typically some live music under the summer sky. We're also bringing back a vault episode this week, showcasing one of our favorite conversations from the early days of Small Lake City. Whether you're planning for the 4th of July, Pioneer Day, or just looking to make the most of these beautiful summer days, subscribe to our newsletter for comprehensive guides to local events that will keep you in the know about everything happening in our vibrant city.

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Summer is taking off in Salt Lake City, and we're here with all the essential updates to keep you connected to the best events around town!

Our biggest news? We've officially partnered with SLC Scoop after discovering our shared vision for highlighting what makes this city special. After recording with Dylan, Chris, and Jordan, we knew this collaboration would create something special. Stay tuned for exciting new segments and behind-the-scenes content coming your way soon.

Mark your calendars for the Salt Lake Arts Festival happening downtown from June 18th-22nd at the City County Building and library. Now in its 49th year, this beloved summer tradition offers local art, diverse food options, and live music—perfect for the beautiful weekend weather ahead. For the night owls, Ranger Sound Car and Doof are collaborating on an epic late-night EDM event on the 28th (location TBA, but tickets are available now). And don't miss the Food Truck Cheese Fest on July 9th at Mill Creek Common, a free, family-friendly event with prizes and delicious cheesy creations from Cache Valley Cheese.

Music fans will be thrilled to hear that Red West Festival returns this fall with an incredible lineup including Post Malone, Kacey Musgraves, Noah Kahn, and many more talented performers.

Looking ahead to this Saturday's episode, we're sitting down with Manoli Katsanevas, owner of the renowned Greek restaurant Manoli's and member of the influential Katsanevas family (whose roots extend from Crown Burger to the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City). We'll explore how he built his restaurant empire, including his newer fast-casual concept Perea, and dive into Salt Lake's vibrant Greek community.

Join us Saturday for this fascinating conversation, and follow our social channels for links to all the events mentioned. Which summer event are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments!

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Three creative minds, one viral Instagram account, and the unexpected story of how they became NBA YoungBoy's go-to content team in Utah. The SLC Scoop founders—Chris, Dylan, and Jordan—reveal the spontaneous beginnings of what's become Salt Lake City's most talked-about social media presence.

What started as a creative outlet for Chris, who was preparing for fatherhood, evolved into a digital phenomenon capturing everything from breaking local news to behind-the-scenes moments with some of music's biggest names. The trio shares how their complementary skills—Chris as the creative genius behind the lens, Dylan managing business relationships, and Jordan as the recognizable on-camera personality—created the perfect formula for success in Utah's growing digital landscape.

The conversation takes us into their relationship with NBA YoungBoy, detailing how their "run-and-gun" filming style perfectly matched his spontaneous approach to creating content. From shooting at Maverick gas stations to random houses in the woods, they've turned Utah into their creative playground. The recent presidential pardon of YoungBoy opens new possibilities for their collaborative work that extends beyond state lines.

Beyond celebrity connections, the SLC Scoop team discusses the surreal experience of seeing their brand recognized everywhere they go—their content has become Utah's version of "World Star!" as people capture viral moments. They share plans to expand beyond news coverage into consistent content segments and merchandise that reflects their rebellious brand identity.

Throughout their journey, they've discovered the power of networking in Utah's surprisingly collaborative environment, building relationships with entrepreneurs and established business figures who provide mentorship. Their ultimate vision extends beyond content creation to community building and giving back to the place that's embraced them so enthusiastically.

Follow SLC Scoop on Instagram to witness how they continue transforming chaos into community through their uniquely Utah lens. They're just getting started.

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What happens when you confront your deepest fears and step into authentic living? Jacob Baadsgaard's journey reveals the transformative power of radical self-honesty.

After building a successful marketing agency, Jacob found himself questioning everything when his marriage began failing. Through therapy, he discovered he wasn't showing up as a true partner because of his own self-judgment and inability to be present. This revelation sparked a profound personal transformation that not only saved his marriage but completely changed his approach to business and life.

Jacob shares how his realization that "it's not an adventure until you don't know what's next" became his guiding philosophy. His fourth child, born after reconciling with his wife, stands as a daily reminder of the beautiful possibilities waiting on the other side of fear. This experience taught him that life's richest rewards often come from embracing uncertainty rather than avoiding it.

We explore the fascinating phenomenon of midlife crises happening earlier than ever – now striking people in their 20s and 30s who've followed all the prescribed steps but still feel empty. Jacob explains how authentic living requires distinguishing between the stories we tell ourselves and the truth of who we are. His upcoming book "Authenticity Wins" distills years of personal growth into practical wisdom for others facing similar challenges.

The conversation dives deep into the paradox of being versus doing, the importance of present-moment awareness, and the fundamental questions that changed everything for Jacob: "Do I believe I'm enough to deal with whatever life brings? And do I believe everyone else is enough too?"

Whether you're struggling with relationships, questioning your career path, or simply feeling stuck, this episode offers powerful insights on finding your authentic self and embracing life's adventures with an open heart.

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