Career success without fulfillment is just a paycheck. Kathleen Bodenlos discovered this truth after spending a decade climbing the corporate ladder, only to realize that external achievements weren't filling her soul. Our conversation takes an unexpected turn as she reveals how childhood memories of her favorite museum sparked a complete career reinvention, eventually leading her to become CEO of Discovery Gateway Children's Museum in Salt Lake City.

What makes this episode particularly compelling is how universal Kathleen's experience feels. We dive deep into questions many professionals silently struggle with: How do you recognize when your career path isn't right for you? What role do childhood passions play in discovering your true calling? And perhaps most importantly, how can you find the courage to pivot toward fulfillment when everyone around you sees only your "success"? Whether you're a parent looking for meaningful experiences to share with your children or someone questioning your own career trajectory, Kathleen's insights offer valuable perspective.

Looking ahead, I also preview my upcoming conversation with Chad Hopkins, founder of Hopkins Brewing—a beloved Sugar House institution that evolved from basement beer-making to a community gathering place with exceptional brews and food. The story of how Chad and I connected is quintessential Small Lake City, highlighting the beautiful interconnectedness of our community. Stay tuned for concert ticket giveaways through our partnership with Live Nation, and catch us on Instagram for exclusive chances to win tickets to your favorite shows around the valley. Spring has arrived in Utah—the perfect time to enjoy outdoor activities before summer heat sets in, and perhaps contemplate what true fulfillment looks like in your own life. Listen, subscribe, and join our growing community of curious minds exploring all that makes Salt Lake City special.

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Kathleen Bodenlos had everything society told her she should want – a successful corporate career with good pay and prestige. Yet something was missing. "I thought success would make me fulfilled and it was not fulfilling," she reflects. That realization sparked a dramatic career shift that would eventually lead her to Salt Lake City and the helm of Discovery Gateway Children's Museum.

Ten years ago, Kathleen took a significant pay cut to pursue her childhood passion for museums, beginning at the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh where she grew up. Despite skepticism from friends, the move immediately felt right: "I didn't feel like I was working anymore." This authentic alignment with her values carried her through roles at several prestigious institutions before landing in Utah to lead Discovery Gateway during its most challenging period.

When Kathleen arrived, the museum was struggling – closed for months due to COVID and facing an uncertain future. She developed an ambitious renovation plan that was originally meant to take a decade. Through strategic partnerships with corporate sponsors and her energetic leadership style, she's accomplished that transformation in just five years, earning her the 2024 CEO of the Year Award in Utah.

The revitalized museum now features extraordinary new exhibits like a dinosaur display with authentic fossils, a stunning $3.5 million train installation (donated by a couple who reached out via Instagram), and an Associated Foods tractor-trailer that teaches children about food supply chains. Coming soon: an Intermountain Healthcare exhibit focused on emotional wellbeing and what will become the largest children's rooftop garden in the country.

Beyond the exhibits, Kathleen has expanded access through programs like the Museum Inclusion Fund and reduced admission for families on public assistance. Her philosophy centers around creating spaces where both children and adults can experience joy, wonder, and creativity together – reconnecting with that childlike spark that many of us lose in adulthood.

Ready to rediscover your sense of wonder? Visit discoverygateway.org to learn more about upcoming exhibits and plan your visit to this remarkable Salt Lake City treasure.

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What happens when a former Mormon decides to turn his religious upbringing into comedy gold? Adam Broud joins us to share his fascinating journey from rural poverty to BYU graduate to the co-founder of Comedy Church, a unique comedy experience that playfully examines religious upbringings without resorting to faith-bashing.

Growing up poor with limited exposure to higher education, Adam never imagined he'd find himself on comedy stages across the country. His path took an unexpected turn when fellow comedian Greg Kyte approached him about co-hosting Comedy Church, creating a space where they could use humor to process their religious pasts. What began as local shows has expanded to performances nationwide, where they explore not just Mormon experiences but regional religious identities from Judaism in New York to evangelical backgrounds in Texas.

Our conversation delves into the complex relationship between comedy and religion, particularly how the same jokes land differently in Utah versus other parts of the country. "In Utah, people think I have it out for the church," Adam explains, "but when I perform the exact same material elsewhere, audiences are surprised by how gentle I am toward religion." This dichotomy reflects the heightened sensitivities that exist in post-Mormon spaces and how religious identity remains deeply intertwined with personal identity.

We also explore the surprising national fascination with Mormon culture—from "soaking" to dirty soda shops—and how these peculiarities have become cultural touchpoints that outsiders find endlessly fascinating. Adam notes that while Utah comedians often worry their Mormon material won't translate outside the state, he frequently finds the opposite to be true: audiences across America are hungry for these unique perspectives.

Whether you're post-religious, curious about Mormon culture, or simply appreciate thoughtful comedy, Adam's journey from mission-bound Mormon to boundary-pushing comedian offers a window into how humor can help us process our pasts while creating community in the present.

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Imagine meeting your work friend in the office one day, bonding over your shared divorce experiences, and deciding to start a business together. That's exactly what happened with Tiffany and Kierstyn, founders of Relationship Recovery, who transformed their personal pain into a mission that now helps people worldwide navigate the complex terrain of relationship trauma.

What began as a small Instagram page with quote cards has evolved into an international company offering coaching, courses, and community to those experiencing divorce and relationship difficulties. Their approach is refreshingly honest – they've learned that charging for services actually helps clients take their healing journey more seriously, showing up with commitment rather than simply seeking quick fixes.

Throughout our conversation, Tiffany and Kierstyn shatter common relationship myths perpetuated by rom-coms and social expectations. "Love's not enough," they emphasize, explaining how healthy relationships require multiple connection points beyond just romantic feelings. They dive deep into why we repeat damaging relationship patterns, how we often mourn "what we thought a relationship would be" rather than the actual person, and why the journey back to yourself is the true path to healing.

While discussing Salt Lake City's unique relationship landscape – influenced by religious expectations and early marriage norms – they reveal that relationship struggles share surprising similarities across different cultures and communities. Whether dealing with a narcissistic partner, rebuilding self-trust after betrayal, or learning to date authentically, the fundamental work remains reconnecting with your authentic self.

For anyone navigating relationship trauma, considering divorce, or simply wanting to understand their patterns better, this episode offers practical wisdom and genuine hope. As Tiffany and Kierstyn share, watching someone reclaim their power and confidence after relationship trauma is "the most rewarding part" of their work – a transformation that's possible for anyone willing to embark on the journey of self-discovery. 

Discovery Call with The Relationship Recovery

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Ready your calendars and prepare for both community adventures and deep conversations as we roll out multiple exciting events and preview a powerful upcoming episode. This Saturday, hop on your bike and join us for the World Bicycle Day Brew Tour starting at the Bicycle Collective – a perfect blend of exercise, socializing, and sampling some of the city's finest craft beverages. For those who prefer indoor fun, mark next Thursday for our board game night at HK Brewing where "Ales and Allies" offers hundreds of games to enjoy with old friends or new connections.

While you're waiting for these events, don't miss our recent conversation with Dana and Layla from Wasteless Solutions. Their innovative approach to food distribution not only addresses waste but creates accessible paths for everyone to contribute meaningfully to our community. Their work exemplifies how simple actions can create profound impacts for those most in need.

The spotlight of this update, however, falls on our upcoming Saturday release featuring Kierstyn and Tiffany – two former work colleagues whose story defies conventional career trajectories. What began as a marketing and events company transformed dramatically when both women experienced divorce in their personal lives. Rather than being defeated by these challenges, they channeled their experiences into creating a relationship recovery consulting business that has flourished for nearly a decade. Their conversation explores the emotional landscape of divorce, strategies for navigating major life transitions, and how personal struggles can evolve into professional purpose. Their journey offers both inspiration and practical wisdom for anyone facing relationship changes or seeking to transform difficult experiences into something meaningful.

Subscribe on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform to catch this compelling conversation when it drops this Saturday. Your next dose of community connection, authentic conversation, and local insight awaits!

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What if we could solve Utah's food insecurity crisis with what we're already throwing away? That's exactly what Dana Williamson and her team at Wasteless Solutions are doing—turning our wasteful habits into meaningful community action.

Dana's journey from corporate America to founding Utah's most dynamic food rescue operation reveals how one person's awakening to the food waste crisis sparked a movement. What started with Dana filling her car with surplus cafeteria food has blossomed into an operation that's rescued over 2.6 million pounds of food with the help of 800+ volunteers.

Community Engagement Manager Laila Hakkarinen brings her environmental justice background to the conversation, sharing powerful insights from the frontlines of food insecurity. Together, they paint a vivid picture of what happens when perfectly good food from places like the Delta Center and Whole Foods makes its way to people in need, rather than landfills.

The emotional impact becomes clear when they share how a homeless man, upon receiving high-quality prepared food, remarked: "Someone must really care about us to give this kind of food." It's this intersection of environmental impact, community care, and human dignity that makes their work so compelling.

Beyond their current success, Dana and Laila share ambitious visions for mobile markets to reach food deserts and neighborhood-based food rescue ecosystems. They also offer practical advice for listeners to reduce their own food waste, starting with the simplest step: shopping from your fridge before heading to the grocery store.

Whether you're passionate about environmental sustainability, community support, or simply making better use of the food in your refrigerator, this conversation will transform how you think about the food on your plate and the power of community-driven solutions. Ready to get involved? Follow @WastelessSLC or visit wastelesssolutions.org to join their Earth Month events and become part of the movement.

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Spring has sprung in Salt Lake City, and we're celebrating with an exciting lineup of community gatherings! This April is packed with opportunities to connect with fellow podcast listeners while exploring some of the city's most vibrant venues.

Mark your calendars for our inaugural Dinner Club at the brand-new Sugarhouse Station food hall this Thursday, April 10th. I haven't even been there yet, so we'll be discovering this adult food hall together! Later this month on April 24th, we're partnering with Ales and Allies for a board game night at HK Brewing, featuring everything from casual party games to strategic challenges. Bring friends or come solo and make new connections over kombucha, cocktails, or craft beer.

The highlight of the month might be our World Bicycle Day celebration on April 19th. Join our Small Lake City Bicycle Day Brew Tour as we pedal between four different breweries, enjoying the beautiful spring weather and local craft beverages. It's the perfect way to experience our city's brewing culture while getting some fresh air and exercise!

This Saturday's episode features my conversation with Dana and Layla from Wasteless Solutions. Dana founded this food rescue organization after leaving corporate America, and it's now grown into her full-time passion. You might recognize their distinctively branded van around Salt Lake City (I used to see it parked outside my gym every morning!). We discuss how they're tackling food waste, redirecting resources to those in need, and how you can get involved in this important work.

If you missed our recent episode with Gabby and Jackie from Elevate Utah, be sure to check it out. These two incredible women bring a fresh Gen Z perspective to local politics, making legislative sessions digestible and accessible for all of us. Between their Substack newsletter and new political action committee, they're reshaping how we engage with local government.

Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, follow us on Instagram for event updates, and I'll see you this Saturday for another episode celebrating the people who make our Small Lake City special!

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In Utah's shifting political landscape, Jackie Morgan and Gabi Finlayson saw an opportunity where others only saw challenges. Having grown up as progressive outliers in conservative communities, both women were drawn to political work from an early age, inspired by mothers who engaged in grassroots activism despite living in overwhelmingly Republican neighborhoods.

Their paths took them across the country – Gabi working for Pete Buttigieg in Iowa and the Biden campaign in New Hampshire, Jackie moving to New York before managing education campaigns remotely – but they eventually returned to Utah with a shared vision. After a single two-hour meeting at a downtown bar, Elevate Strategies was born, a consultancy determined to help everyday people run for office who might otherwise lack the resources or connections to do so.

What makes Elevate unique isn't just their impressive win rate (11 victories from 15 races in their first year) but their innovative approach to political communication. Recognizing that most people find politics overwhelming and inaccessible, they began creating content explaining Utah's legislative session in simple, engaging terms. Within weeks, they had amassed tens of thousands of followers on social platforms and built a 20,000-subscriber Substack newsletter where readers eagerly consume their 5,000-word analyses of complex legislation.

Their success reflects a genuine hunger for straightforward political information without partisan spin. As Jackie explains, "People are tired of both-sidism. They're looking for people to give it to them straight." This philosophy extends to their Political Action Committee, which supports candidates like teachers, nurses, and community leaders who understand local needs but lack political networks.

The timing couldn't be better. Utah represents a unique political opportunity as the youngest, fastest-growing state in America, with universal vote-by-mail (rare among red states) and the largest leftward shift in LDS voters under 35 of any demographic since 2016. While Elevate's work is firmly progressive, their approach transcends partisanship – they're making democracy more accessible for everyone, providing clear explanations and actionable steps that empower everyday citizens to engage meaningfully with the political process.

Ready to see politics through a different lens? Follow @elevate_utah on social platforms and discover how two determined women are transforming Utah's political landscape one TikTok, newsletter, and grassroots campaign at a time.

Follow Them:

Instagram/Threads: @elevate_utah

TikTok: @elevate_utah

Bluesky: @elevateutahpac.bsky.social

Substack: https://elevatepac.substack.com/

Twitter: @ElevateUtahPAC

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