In this powerful episode of Utah Stories, Richard Markosian sits down with Peggy and Steve Ayers to explore the raw, emotional journey of addiction, trauma, and healing within their family. From the hidden realities behind picture-perfect appearances to the lifesaving support of community, this episode dives deep into the challenges families face when a loved one struggles with substance abuse—and what it takes to begin healing.

🎙️ Topics include: The stigma and secrecy of addiction A parent’s perspective on trauma and recovery The role of peer support and communication Reflections on adoption, hope, and resilience This is more than just a podcast—it’s a lifeline for anyone affected by addiction. 📌 Subscribe for more real stories from Utah’s communities.

🎧 Full story on utahstories.com

#AddictionRecovery #UtahStories #MentalHealth #FamilySupport #SubstanceAbuse #Hope #RealStories

visit UtahStories.com for more and to subscribe to our free digital newsletter. There you can also support our journalism by subscribing to our print magazine for $5 per month. Follow us on: Instagram @UtahStories Twitter @UtahStories

What do Led Zeppelin, blues clubs in the UK, and pastrami sandwiches have in common? They all helped shape the life and passions of Michael Feldman—musician, storyteller, and owner of Salt Lake’s beloved Feldman’s Deli.

In this soulful episode of Utah Stories, Michael sits down with Richard Markosian to reflect on his lifelong love for music, the Utah music scene, and how his travels in Europe and deep love for the blues still influence his life and community today. 🎶 In this episode: Growing up with Led Zeppelin, Clapton, and the blues The evolution of Utah’s local music scene Why Salt Lake needs more intimate venues From guitar strings to deli trays—how music and food connect us 🎧 Listen in for a delicious mix of nostalgia, rhythm, and local culture. 🔔 Subscribe for more inspiring stories from Utah’s original voices. 📍

 Watch more at utahstories.com

#MichaelFeldman #UtahMusicScene #FeldmansDeli #Blues #LedZeppelin #UtahStoriesPodcast #SaltLakeMusic visit UtahStories.com for more and to subscribe to our free digital newsletter.

There you can also support our journalism by subscribing to our print magazine for $5 per month. Follow us on: Instagram @UtahStories Twitter @UtahStories

What do The Goonies and Utah’s film industry have in common? 🎥 In this episode of The Utah Story Show, host Richard Markosian sits down with actor Andrew Lenz of Nuworlds Productions to talk about the highs, lows, and weird in-betweens of breaking into film. Andrew shares stories from working near Touched by an Angel, brushes with Goonies lore, and what it’s really like on a film set—why the crew matters more than the cast, and how Utah’s tight-knit production community makes all the difference.

Whether you're a die-hard fan of 80s classics or looking to break into film, this episode is for you. 

#TheGoonies #UtahFilm #UtahStories #AndrewLense #TouchedByAnAngel #IndieFilm #UtahStoryShow #BehindTheScenes #andrewlenz #nuworldsproductions Follow us on: Instagram @UtahStories Twitter @UtahStories

In this candid and thought-provoking episode of The Utah Story Show, Richard Markosian sits down with James Behunin from the Utah Homeless Services Board to discuss the complex challenges of homelessness in Utah. Together, they examine the policy struggles, personal stories of hope and tragedy, and the delicate balance between compassion and accountability.

From the inspiring transformations at The Other Side Academy to heartbreaking stories of addiction, this conversation sheds light on the human side of homelessness and the systemic changes needed for real solutions.

Join us for a deep dive into one of Utah’s most pressing social issues, and discover the innovative ideas and community efforts striving to make a difference.

🔗 Stay informed. Join the conversation. 👉 Subscribe to our channel for more insightful local stories. 👉 Learn more at utahstories.com

Bob Campbell isn’t your average coin dealer. Raised in a poor family, Bob climbed to the top of the numismatic world, becoming President of the American Numismatic Association and a recognized expert in counterfeit coin detection. He has taught U.S. federal agencies like the FBI, Secret Service, IRS, Homeland Security, and collectors how to spot fake coins.

In this podcast, Bob shares: 

How he built his coin business from nothing

The secrets to finding rare, valuable coins (including the $500,000 penny!) 

The importance of knowledge and passion in coin collecting

How to avoid scams in the coin and gold market

Plus, hear fascinating stories about Mormon gold coins, the infamous 1943 copper penny, and Mark Hoffman’s counterfeiting schemes. Learn how to get into coin collecting and protect your wealth with precious metals. 👉 If you’re a coin enthusiast or want to protect your investments, this video is a must-watch! 

 Like, comment, and subscribe to Utah Stories for more expert interviews and deep dives into local history, business, and collectibles. #CoinCollecting #RareCoins #GoldInvesting #Numismatics #AvoidScams #UtahStories #BobCampbell visit UtahStories.com for more and to subscribe to our free digital newsletter. There you can also support our journalism by subscribing to our print magazine for $2 per month. Follow us on: Instagram @UtahStories Twitter @UtahStories

Why has it become nearly impossible to discuss important political topics without resorting to personal attacks and tribalism?

In this episode of Utah Stories, we dive deep into the state of public discourse, the growing political divide, and why ideas are often judged by who presents them rather than their actual merit.

Join the discussion! Do you think we can return to rational, civil conversations about politics and society? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

 Subscribe for more deep dives into Utah’s most pressing issues, politics, and local adventures. #PublicDiscourse #PoliticalTribalism #UtahStories #CivilConversation #HomelessCrisis #bertrandrussell visit UtahStories.com for more and to subscribe to our free digital newsletter.

There you can also support our journalism by subscribing to our print magazine for $2 per month. Follow us on: Instagram @UtahStories Twitter @UtahStories

What would it be like to ride across 25 states on horseback? Jake Harvath took on the challenge, leaving everything behind to embark on an epic journey that tested his resilience, connected him with incredible people, and gave him a deep bond with his horses.

In this episode of Utah Stories, Jake shares:

🏇 How a childhood dream turned into a 400-day odyssey

🏕️ The challenges of camping in the wild and relying on strangers for survival

🐎 The deep connection he formed with his mustangs

🌍 How his journey made him reflect on modern society’s detachment from nature Join us as we explore what it means to truly live on the road, connect with the land, and push personal limits.

📢 Watch the full episode and subscribe for more untold Utah stories! 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe to Utah Stories for more incredible journeys and real-life adventures. #UtahStories #YearOfTheMustang #WildHorses #TravelByHorse #Adventure #Podcast #AmericanWest visit UtahStories.com for more and to subscribe to our free digital newsletter.

There you can also support our journalism by subscribing to our print magazine for $2 per month. Follow us on: Instagram @UtahStories Twitter @UtahStories

How are the latest tariffs impacting small businesses in America? In this episode of the Utah Stories Podcast, we sit down with Scott Brown, the founder of Paddle Smash, to discuss how rising import tariffs are threatening small businesses that rely on overseas manufacturing.

Scott shares:

🔹 The challenges of manufacturing in the U.S. vs. China

🔹 How Trump's new tariffs are forcing price hikes on American consumers

🔹 The hidden complexities of moving production to other countries like Vietnam or Mexico

🔹 Why small businesses lack the cash reserves to absorb these changes

🔹 Whether AI and automation could be the future of U.S. manufacturing As tariffs on imported goods rise, many companies are struggling to find solutions.

Is reshoring manufacturing realistic, or are we driving small businesses out of existence? 📢 Watch the full episode to learn what’s at stake for local entrepreneurs and American-made products.

🔔 Subscribe to Utah Stories for more in-depth conversations on business, politics, and local issues. #UtahStories #Tariffs #ManufacturingCrisis #SmallBusiness #TrumpTariffs #Ecommerce #Pickleball #MadeInUSA visit UtahStories.com for more and to subscribe to our free digital newsletter.

There you can also support our journalism by subscribing to our print magazine for $2 per month. Follow us on: Instagram @UtahStories Twitter @UtahStories

Epic Brewing has been a mainstay in Utah’s craft beer scene since opening in 2009. 🍺 Epic burst onto the Utah craft beer scene with incredible high-point beers immediately loved by Utah craft beer fans. Initially, Epic could not keep up with the demand for their beer for their first two years of operation: founders, David Cole and Peter Ericson, along with brewmaster Kevin Crompton, struck paydirt with a simple formula — beers with more than 3.2% ABV that tasted fantastic, offering a massive variety of beers along with standard offerings.

By 2012 Epic had outgrown their humble State Street facility in just a few years of operation and looked to expand. They decided to join Denver’s massive craft beer scene in the River North or RiNo District. Epic thrived for a long time in RiNo. They expanded to more markets throughout the U.S. But after a decade the craft beer market began shifting dramatically. The biggest shifts were away from beer and towards seltzers and canned cocktails. What created this shift is hard to pinpoint. However, consumers turning away from microbreweries might have something to do with how so many were being bought out by private equity. Utah's most renowned brands such as Wasatch, Squatters, and Uinta took venture capital deals that would pump money into these big brands to increase their visibility and market share and take advantage of greater distribution channels and economies of scale. Epic kept plugging away making great beers and chose not to cash out.

How does Epic compete in today's craft beer scene? Ryan Kluh and Clay Turnbow sat down with us on the Utah Stories podcast to explain how Epic has found a new niche in the craft beer world. Epic has consolidated its brewing operations, closing its River North facility in Denver Colorado focusing just on the Utah market. Epic's line-up of beers changes seasonally. Turnbow let us sample the beers that they are most proud of at the moment. The one I found the most surprising was their "Pineapple Express." Which requires a huge amount of pineapple juice to create each barrel. It tastes how it sounds, it's fruity, sweet and it's like drinking a tropical drink on this snowy afternoon. They also brought their big double IPA called Chasing Ghosts. It's a hoppy, traditional IPA that offers a high-gravity beer more accustomed to Epic's initial claim to fame. And of course their "Big-Bad Baptist". The beer that made them famous. It contains chocolate, and coffee and is aged in whiskey barrels. This is a beer to be slowly sipped to be properly enjoyed. I liken it to drinking a bourbon. Like the badness on the label, it is rich and big. Kluh and Turnbow are having a great time doing what Epic has always been great a doing: brewing a massive assortment of craft beers that Utah consumers enjoy. Their success in their State Street facility is due to its remaining local and true to the spirit of what makes craft beer beloved by Salt Lakers: you can see the brewers working; fans get a constant update on beer offerings, and the proof is in the sampling of their products: they are unique and delicious!

Follow Epic @epicbrewingslc @epicbrewingslc #epic #craftbeer #utahcraft #utahbeer #utahstories Follow us on: Instagram @UtahStories Twitter @UtahStories

In this powerful episode of Utah Stories, we tackle the hard-to-discuss issues of homelessness, mental health, and the nonprofit system. Richard Markosian sits down with Bernie Hart, a changemaker who's been quietly transforming lives for over a decade.

Bernie runs a free Tai Chi program at Library Square in Salt Lake City, offering not only breakfast but also a chance for homeless individuals to heal their minds and bodies. Hear his unfiltered insights on why many homeless individuals are labeled "service-resistant" when, in reality, they have experienced repeated failures from existing mental health and shelter systems.

This episode challenges the conventional nonprofit model, which Bernie argues is more focused on satisfying donors than creating real change for clients. He offers an honest critique of mental health programs and addiction services while proposing a shift toward community-based, human-centered solutions. Get Involved: Support Bernie's mission at UnderstandingUsNonprofit.org Follow Utah Stories for more in-depth interviews and community spotlights. 

Follow us on: Instagram @UtahStories Twitter @UtahStories