Carmen Jones is the Branch Manager at WaFd bank here in Price Utah. I went into the bank to open my new business checking account and while there sat down with Carmen in her office to talk about her experience in Eastern Leaders Academy, what it was like growing up in Carbon and Emery counties, and her passion for volunteering and teaching financial literacy.

Andrew Lasslo is the pastor of New Life Ministries - a non-denominational Christian church in Helper Utah. Their church service is held every Sunday at 10:00 AM at 5194 US Highway 6. For more information visit their website newlifeutah.com.

0:00 Introduction

0:14 Having a Clean Heart and Acting Rightly

0:35 Membership and Love First

0:44 Personal Journey of Turning to God

0:54 Partnership in Ministry and Marriage

1:05 The Healing Power of the Psalms

01:24 Staying Close to God: The Purpose of Life

01:41 New Life Church: A Welcoming and Inclusive Spiritual Community

01:53 The Power of the Aaronic Blessing

Rikki Epperson is the Executive Director of Community Rebuilds based in Moab Utah. The mission of Community Rebuilds is to build energy-efficient housing, provide education on sustainability, and improve the housing conditions of the workforce through an affordable program.

0:02 Introduction to Community Rebuilds

0:07 Financing Options and Partnerships

0:16 History and Growth of Community Rebuilds

0:41 Rikki's Background and Involvement with Community Rebuilds

0:48 Promoting Diversity and Inclusion in the Construction Industry

0:56 The Living Building Challenge

01:20 Expanding Educational Programs and Funding

Music: 'Old Friends' by Lunareh

Davina Smith is a 2024 candidate for the Utah State House of Representatives for District #69, which is the largest house district in the state, covering roughly a quarter of the state’s land area in southeast Utah. Originally from Monument Valley, Utah, Davina is an enrolled member of the Diné tribe (the Navajo Nation). Her career experience includes producing documentary films, working as the Director of the Indian Teacher Training program at the University of Utah, and working as an independent consultant for the National Parks Conservation Association.

01:30 Introduction and Growing Up in Monument Valley

08:51 Navigating the Complexity of Terminology

29:08 Working on Land Conservation and Engaging with Tribes

37:34 Improving Health, Longevity, and Happiness for Communities

45:40 Education Needs and Retaining Teachers in Rural Communities

53:41 Getting Involved and Supporting Davina's Campaign

C.J. McManus is a radio DJ at AJB Broadcasting, which runs both Jack FM 100.1 and True Country 104.9 based out of Price Utah. C.J. is also currently serving as the Stage Host for this year’s Helper Saturday Vibes event series.

01:09 Getting to Know C.J.

03:15 Community and High School Closure

05:05 Reasons for Staying in Carbon County

08:13 Career in Media

14:12 Transition to Radio DJ

42:00 Involvement in Helper Saturday Vibes

47:08 Running for City Council

56:15 Experience with Substance Use Disorder

01:06:02 Recovery and Rehabilitation

01:21:19 Causes and Impact of Substance Use Disorder

01:24:58 Factors contributing to substance abuse in Carbon County

01:30:32 Importance of mental health professionals

01:34:06 Advice for recovery

01:38:14 Housing and employment solutions for recovery

01:44:16 Prevalence of addiction in the community

01:52:08 Need for diversity in the local economy

01:55:53 Different leadership styles

02:00:30 Importance of finding one's own path to recovery

Bryan Carman is an industrial designer, builder, artist, and writer from Adelaide, Australia. He also happens to be one of my best and oldest friends. We met over ten years ago at a sustainable design-build school in New Mexico. We've had countless conversations over the years but this is the first we've ever recorded. In it, I ask Bryan about his many different lines of work, passions and endeavors. We discuss our mutual love of Earthships, the design/build process, what makes the United States so simultaneously flawed and wonderful, some of Bryan's current art and writing projects, and if the rumors that he is coming to Utah this year are true.

Asia Raine is a Helper-based silversmith, jewelry maker, memory recovery professional & podcaster. Her podcast ‘Letters to the People’ focuses on exploring the experiences of those impacted by cults. I went to Asia’s house to hear about her work as an artist, teacher and entrepreneur. She also shared with me what she has learned through her healing journey as a survivor of satanic ritual abuse, torture, advanced mind control and drug testing. And finally, why she decided to start a support group for people going through faith transition out of the LDS church.

Brad came to the Store to tell me about what he learned at the recent GAIN (Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear) conferene he attended. We also talked about the Eastern Leaders Academy pilot program he helped start last year, and what else is involved in his job as facilitator of engagement between Utah State University Eastern and the local community in Price.

Than Woodward came up to the Store to tell me about his path to becoming a lawyer and why he returned home to Price after spending many years away. He also shared his perspective on what makes Carbon Democrats unique and his vision for how the local party can evolve to better advocate for the people, support quality candidates running for office, and help to heal the political divide in our community.

I went to the Carbon School District office to talk with Superintendent Mika Salas. Mika told me about her journey as an educator that led to her becoming Superintendent and gave me a bird's eye overview of the district. We discussed all of the progress that has been made in our school district in recent decades as well as the ongoing challenges facing students and faculty alike.