The Natural History Museum of Utah is described as the "jewel in Utah's crown," a treasure trove of over 1.6 million artifacts spanning billions of years of natural history. From anthropological artifacts to geological gems, as well as one of the world's largest collection of fossils, you could spend days just seeing half of it. And today, we're going to step behind the scenes with the guidance of the museum team...including going behind not one, but several locked doors. Come along as we step into the fossil preparation lab, examine ancient skeletons in the exhibit halls, and explore the utterly vast and secret collections halls, which conjure images of Indiana Jones and endless wonder. Thank you to everyone who featured in this episode: -Director of External Relations Beth Mitchell -Paleontology Lab and Field Manager Tylor Birthisel -Executive Director Jason Cryan. You can learn more about the museum and plan your visit at www.nhmu.utah.edu. PLAN YOUR UTAH TRIP If you want to learn more about experiencing the sights and attractions featured in this episode, go to VisitUtah.com or follow along on social media @VisitUtah. International listeners can also book this itinerary directly as a package, with lots of other bonus experiences too -- just visit AmericanSky.co.uk/Utah-Holidays/Self-Drive-Experience-Utah-Life-Elevated or learn more about all the incredible destinations around the state at VisitTheUSA.com or on social media @VisitTheUSA. SOCIAL Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @armchairexplorerpodcast. Want travel tips and advice? Questions about this episode? Message me! Sign up for the monthly newsletter at armchair-explorer.com. CREDITS This show was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Brian Thacker managed pre-production. Jason Paton did the recording, and Charles Tyrie did the mixing and sound design. Aaron Millar hosted and served as executive producer.

Utah landed on the silver screen in 1923 with "The Covered Wagon," and it's been the coveted location for many of Hollywood's most iconic projects ever since. From Kevin Costner to Kevin Bacon, John Wayne to Frank Sinatra, some of the industry's biggest names have spent time telling their stories against the backdrop of this state.

Today, we're going to hear the personal stories from people who've made movie magic happen on set, as well as commentary from a film historian and expert who reflects on why the Western is such an enduring genre -- and why Utah has inspired so many storytellers. Whether you're a movie buff or you've never watched a western before, you'll be fascinated by all the insider stories about how movies are really made -- and where the industry is headed. Thank you to everyone who featured in this episode: -Dennis Judd and his family in Kanab -Norris Church with the Adventure Tour Company. You can book your own Stars and S'mores Tour at the Kanab Movie Fort online at www.adventure-tour-company.com. -Andrew Patrick Nelson, Film and Media Arts Department Chair at the University of Utah. Check out his podcast, How the West Was Cast, wherever you find podcasts, and find even more at www.andrewpnelson.com. PLAN YOUR UTAH TRIP If you want to learn more about experiencing the sights and attractions featured in this episode, go to VisitUtah.com or follow along on social media @VisitUtah. International listeners can also book this itinerary directly as a package, with lots of other bonus experiences too -- just visit AmericanSky.co.uk/Utah-Holidays/Self-Drive-Experience-Utah-Life-Elevated or learn more about all the incredible destinations around the state at VisitTheUSA.com or on social media @VisitTheUSA. SOCIAL Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @armchairexplorerpodcast. Want travel tips and advice? Questions about this episode? Message me! Sign up for the monthly newsletter at armchair-explorer.com. CREDITS This show was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Brian Thacker managed pre-production. Jason Paton did the recording, and Charles Tyrie did the mixing and sound design. Aaron Millar hosted and served as executive producer.

Welcome to Utah: Life Elevated, the documentary podcast that will take you all around Utah on an unforgettable road trip with travel writer and host Aaron Millar. Recorded on-location with cinematic-style surround sound, each episode will make you feel like you're right at the heart of the action. And in today's episode, there's plenty of action!

If there's one word that defines Utah, it just might be adventure. From rappelling down canyon walls to churning up dirt on a mountain bike, there are so many ways to get a taste of the outdoors in this great state.

Join us for some unforgettable, uniquely Utah experiences, from fly fishing in the pristine Flaming Gorge to riding mules through slot canyons to braving a 50-foot ski jump...directly into a pool.

Thank you to everyone who featured in this episode:

-Fly fisherman Ryan Kelly at Flaming Gorge

-Expert canyoner and guide Micah Mansfield with East Zion Adventures

-Pro mountain biker Eric Porter in Park City

-Trail guide McClain from Meecham Outfitters

-Ski coach Ryan Devine from Park City's Olympic Park

-Two-time Olympic medalist Shannon Bahkre

PLAN YOUR UTAH TRIP

If you want to learn more about experiencing the sights and attractions featured in this episode, go to VisitUtah.com or follow along on social media @VisitUtah. International listeners can also book this itinerary directly as a package, with lots of other bonus experiences too -- just visit AmericanSky.co.uk/Utah-Holidays or learn more about all the incredible destinations around the state at VisitTheUSA.com or on social media @VisitTheUSA.

CREDITS

This show was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Brian Thacker managed pre-production. Jason Paton recorded, wrote, mixed, and sound designed the episode. Aaron Millar hosted and served as executive producer.

Dinosaurs and dark skies have a lot more in common than you'd think...and Utah happens to be one of the best places in the world to experience both of them firsthand.

In this episode, join host Aaron Millar as he explores Utah through both time and space. From coming face to face with a wall of dinosaur bones to stepping onto a top-secret active dinosaur dig site and behind the scenes at the fossil preparation lab, you'll learn about how dinosaurs lived in the past -- and still exist today -- firsthand from the experts.

Then, dive into dark skies with NASA-strength telescopes and some of the world's most prominent Dark Sky activists, who'll help us to not only see the stars...but to see the planets too. Yes, even Pluto.

Thank you to everyone who featured in this episode:

-Ranger Dan Johnson from Dinosaur National Monument

-Tylor Birthisel, Dr. Jason Cryan, and Dr. Randy Irmis of the Natural History Museum of Utah

-Dr. Alan Titus of the Bureau of Land Management

-Volunteers Dr. Randy Johnson, Dr. Sue Beardmore, Andy Moleski, and Alex Politch with the Natural History Museum of Utah

-Dr. Anil Seth of the University of Utah

-Kevin Poe of the Dark Rangers in Bryce

PLAN YOUR UTAH TRIP

If you want to learn more about experiencing the sights and attractions featured in this episode, go to VisitUtah.com or follow along on social media @VisitUtah. International listeners can also book this itinerary directly as a package, with lots of other bonus experiences too -- just visit AmericanSky.co.uk/Utah-Holidays or learn more about all the incredible destinations around the state at VisitTheUSA.com or on social media @VisitTheUSA.

CREDITS

This show was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Brian Thacker managed pre-production. Jason Paton did the recording, mix and sound design. Aaron Millar hosted and served as executive producer.

Maiku. Yá'át'ééh. And hello!

You can't really know a place without hearing from the people who have always been there. Utah is the sacred and ancestral home of eight different tribal nations, including the Paiute, Navajo (Diné), Shoshone, Goshute, and more. And today, we're learning as much about their histories and cultures as we can.

Join us as we listen to Southern Paiute music under the stars, see a traditional Diné fireside dance, sample fry bread with a unique twist, step inside a traditional hogan in Monument Valley, and learn about what being Native American means in 2024.

Thank you to everyone who featured in this episode:

-Daniel Bullets of the Southern Paiute Tribe

-The Adventure Tour Company of Kanab

-Louis Williams of Ancient Wayves Tours in Bears Ears National Monument

-Harold Simpson and Cody of Simpson's Trailhandler Tours, as well as Marilyn, all of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

-David Libbert of Black Sheep Cafe in Provo

-Larry Holliday of Goulding's Lodge

PLAN YOUR UTAH TRIP

If you want to learn more about experiencing the sights and attractions featured in this episode, go to VisitUtah.com or follow along on social media @VisitUtah. International listeners can also book this itinerary directly as a package, with lots of other bonus experiences too -- just visit AmericanSky.co.uk/Utah-Holidays or learn more about all the incredible destinations around the state at VisitTheUSA.com or on social media @VisitTheUSA.

CREDITS

This show was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Brian Thacker managed pre-production. Jason Paton did the recording, mix and sound design. Aaron Millar hosted and served as executive producer.