Roots and Branches of Lehi: The People and Stories of Our City

Lehi City Councilmember James Harrison on Growth, Zoning, Taxes, and Transportation | Roots & Branches of Lehi Podcast

How can a growing city balance new housing, traffic, taxes, and the needs of longtime residents? In this episode of Roots & Branches of Lehi, host Ryan Harding sits down with Lehi City Councilmember James Harrison to discuss the decisions shaping Lehi’s future and how residents can take part in local government.

Before moving to Lehi in 2022, James served in the Army Reserve as a transportation logistics officer and worked in the U.S. State Department For...

🍔 Building Chubby’s | Family Business, Cajun Fest & Utah’s Burger Legacy | Highlight Reel

How does a family turn a small restaurant into a growing Utah burger brand? In this highlight from Roots & Branches of Lehi, brothers Tom and Mike Moak share the story behind Chubby’s, a family-owned restaurant business built on perseverance, teamwork, and a commitment to serving its community.

Starting in Pleasant Grove during the challenging economic climate of 2010, the brothers learned to adapt their menu, work through financial uncertainty, and divide responsibilities according to their individual strengths. With one focused on customer relationsh...

From Louisiana Roots to Utah Burgers: Tom & Mike Moak on Family, Resilience, and Chubby’s | Roots and Branches of Lehi Podcast

What does it take to turn a small restaurant into a growing family business without losing sight of what matters most? In this episode of Roots and Branches of Lehi, host Ryan Harding sits down with brothers Tom and Mike Moak, founders of Chubby’s, to explore the family, faith, resilience, and customer-first mindset behind a Utah burger brand that started during a difficult economy and continues to grow.

Tom and Mike share how their fam...

✨ Sunshine Street Co. | Personalized Jewelry, Healing Moments & Small Business Dreams | Highlight Reel

What if a simple piece of jewelry could tell someone's story? In this highlight from Roots & Branches of Lehi, Rachel Hunter shares how a desire to create something meaningful beyond motherhood led her to build Sunshine Street Co., a one-woman business dedicated to celebrating life's most important moments.

After launching on August 26, 2021, Rachel taught herself the art of hand-stamped jewelry using little more than a hammer, an anvil, and a vision. What began as a creative outlet quickly grew into a thriving business know...

Turning Grief into Purpose: Rachel Hunter on Sunshine Street Co. and Lehi Community | Roots and Branches of Lehi Podcast

How can a simple piece of jewelry become a lasting reminder of love, hope, and connection? In this episode of Roots and Branches of Lehi, host Ryan Harding sits down with lifelong Lehi resident and Sunshine Street Co. owner Rachel Hunter to share the heartfelt story behind her hand-stamped jewelry business and the community that helped it grow.

Rachel reflects on growing up in Lehi and how one deeply personal experience changed the course of her life. A...

🤠 Lehi Heritage Days | Six Generations, Small-Town Roots & Keeping Traditions Alive | Highlight Reel

How do you preserve a community's traditions while embracing a rapidly growing future? In this highlight from Roots & Branches of Lehi, Shawn and Nikki Winters share what it's like to belong to families whose roots in Lehi stretch back six generations—and why preserving community heritage matters now more than ever.

Growing up in Lehi meant learning that neighbors often felt like family, where honesty, hard work, and service were simply expected. From family ties to Fox Farm and Thanksgiving Point to memories of a t...

Preserving Lehi’s Heritage: Shawn & Nikki Winters on Service, Tradition, and the Stock Parade | Roots and Branches of Lehi Podcast

What keeps a community connected as it grows? In this episode of Roots and Branches of Lehi, host Ryan Harding sits down with lifelong Lehi residents and high school sweethearts Shawn and Nikki Winters to explore how generations of family, service, and tradition continue to shape the heart of Lehi. With family roots stretching back six to eight generations, the Winters share why they've chosen to stay, serve, and invest in the city they proudly call home.

Fr...

📚 Small-Town Roots, Big Lessons | Service, Teaching & Financial Literacy | Highlight Reel

How can one teacher change an entire community? In this highlight from Roots & Branches of Lehi, Gig Griffith shares a lifetime of lessons about education, service, and preparing young people for success far beyond the classroom.

Growing up in a small town taught Gig that lasting relationships are built through shared experiences. After a successful business career—including helping transform customer service into a profit center at Novell—he followed a new calling into education, where he discovered the greatest investment wasn't in products, but in peopl...

Teaching Beyond the Classroom: Gig Griffith on Service, Leadership, and Building Community | Roots and Branches of Lehi Podcast

What happens when a successful business professional trades the corporate world for a classroom? In this episode of Roots and Branches of Lehi, host Ryan Harding sits down with educator, mentor, and community volunteer Gig Griffith to explore how one career change created opportunities to shape countless young lives through education, leadership, and service.

Gig shares his journey from growing up in Irvine, California, to working as a CPA with Ernst & Young and Novell before following a new c...

🏈 Coaching Beyond the Game | Building Young Men Through Hard Work & Leadership | Highlight Reel

What makes a great coach? In this highlight from Roots & Branches of Lehi, Chad Wilson shares why the greatest victories have little to do with the scoreboard—and everything to do with helping young people become responsible, resilient adults.

From growing up in a small town to being sent far from home to attend a church college, Chad reflects on the experiences that shaped his life and coaching philosophy. He recalls working alongside Coach Edwards, helping build a school program from the ground...

Chad Wilson: Coaching, Education, and Community Pride in Lehi | Roots and Branches of Lehi PodcastIn this episode of Roots and Branches of Lehi, host Ryan Harding sits down with retired educator, administrator, and coach Chad Wilson to reflect on a lifetime dedicated to developing young people through education, athletics, leadership, and service.Chad shares his journey from growing up in South Carolina with a love for football to attending Ricks College, serving a mission in Colorado, and continuing his education at BYU. After teaching and coaching in California, he returned to Utah in 1990, where he became a teacher and...

🌎 From Navy Rescue Pilot to Faith-Focused Filmmaker: Building Bridges Through Service | Roots & Branches of Lehi Highlight Reel

What does a life of service look like across multiple careers? In this highlight from Roots & Branches of Lehi, Howard Collett reflects on a remarkable journey that spans military aviation, emergency medical transport, publishing, and faith-based filmmaking—all connected by a desire to serve others and bring people together.

Growing up in a small town, Howard learned that community extends far beyond family ties. Although both of his parents were professors, he admits he didn't fully appreciate the value o...

Many Careers, One Purpose | Howard Collett on Service, Storytelling, and Faith | Roots and Branches of Lehi Podcast

What can a lifetime of unexpected careers, service, travel, and faith teach us about finding purpose? In this episode of Roots and Branches of Lehi, host Ryan Harding sits down with Lehi resident Howard Collett, whose remarkable journey has taken him from Navy rescue pilot to entrepreneur, publisher, humanitarian photojournalist, and faith-based filmmaker.

Howard shares stories from growing up in Ogden and joining the Navy during the Vietnam draft era, where he trained as a pilot and flew resc...

Taylor Smith (eXp Realty) on Utah's 2026 Market, Inspections & Pricing Homes to Sell | From Rents to Roots

What does it really take to succeed in today's Utah housing market? In this episode of From Rents to Roots Home Ownership with Work Hard Mortgage, host Ryan Harding sits down with Taylor Smith of eXp Realty to discuss market trends, home inspections, pricing strategies, and the importance of setting realistic expectations for buyers and sellers.

Originally from Canada, Taylor shares how his background in construction management gave him an advantage when transitioning into real estate. With nearly two...

🌮 How Nacho’s Life Started | Family Food Truck, Live Music & Small Business Success | Highlight Reel

What does it take to turn a pandemic idea into one of Lehi’s favorite local food businesses? In this highlight from Roots & Branches of Lehi, William Zuniga shares how family, community, and a willingness to take risks led to the creation of Nacho’s Life.

After moving to Utah, meeting his wife, and navigating the uncertainty of the pandemic, William and his family decided to build something of their own. Inspired by a simple idea—serve delicious food people crave year-rou...

Building Community One Plate at a Time | William Zuniga on Nachos Life, Food Trucks, and Family Entrepreneurship | Roots and Branches of Lehi Podcast

In this episode of Roots and Branches of Lehi, host Ryan Harding sits down with William Zuniga, owner of Nachos Life on Lehi Main Street, to talk about entrepreneurship, family, and the power of creating experiences that bring people together.William shares his journey from Cartagena, Colombia, to Utah, where he originally came to study before meeting his wife and building a life centered on family and community. After being laid off during the...

🌎 From First Deal to Shady Acres: How One Family Built Wealth with Mobile Home Investing | From Rents to Roots Highlight Reel

What if your first investment property didn't require hundreds of thousands of dollars? In this highlight from From Rents to Roots, Christina Haws shares how curiosity, education, and creative thinking helped her family build wealth through real estate—starting with a modest investment and eventually transforming an aging mobile home and RV park into a thriving business.

Christina's journey began in 2019 after discovering real estate investing through podcasts like BiggerPockets. Inspired by stories of everyday...

🎓 34 Years in School Counseling | Mentorship, Mental Health & Raising Resilient Kids | Highlight Reel

How do mentors shape the lives of young people? In this highlight from Roots & Branches of Lehi, Lynn Meek reflects on a 34-year career helping students navigate school, life, and the challenges of growing up.

Inspired by a class at BYU that deepened his appreciation for education and service, Lynn found his calling in school counseling after being told he wasn't "marketable." That unexpected setback became the beginning of a career centered on guiding students, helping them plan for the future, and serving as a...

Helping Students Thrive | Lynn Meek on Counseling, Mental Health, and Mentorship in Lehi Schools | Roots and Branches of Lehi Podcast

How do caring mentors, strong families, and supportive schools help young people navigate an increasingly complex world? In this episode of Roots and Branches of Lehi, host Ryan Harding sits down with longtime educator and counselor Lynn Meek, whose 34-year career has impacted thousands of students and families throughout the Lehi community.

Lynn shares his journey from growing up on a dairy farm and ranch in Preston, Idaho, to discovering his passion for education at BYU...

Buying Smart in Utah’s Changing Market | Dan Hodson on Affordability, Starter Homes, and Real Estate Strategy | From Rents to Roots

Is now really the right time to buy a home? And how can first-time buyers navigate rising prices, higher interest rates, and an increasingly competitive market?

In this episode of From Rents to Roots: Homeownership with Work Hard Mortgage, host Ryan Harding sits down with Utah real estate professional Dan Hodson to discuss practical strategies for buying and selling in today’s market. Whether you're purchasing your first home, considering a move, or simply trying to...

🏛️ Lehi City Up Close | Community, Budget Realities & Local Government That Responds | Highlight Reel

How much impact can local government really have on everyday life? In this highlight from Roots & Branches of Lehi, Paul Binns shares why community involvement at the local level often creates the biggest and most immediate changes.

Drawing on small-town values and a belief in giving back, Mayor Binns reflects on returning to Lehi and finding opportunities to serve the community he calls home. He explains that while national politics often dominates headlines, local government is where residents see direct results—from maintaini...

Serving a Growing City | Mayor Paul Binns on Leadership, Local Government, and Lehi’s Future | Roots and Branches of Lehi

What does local government actually do—and how can everyday residents help shape the future of their community?

In this episode of Roots and Branches of Lehi, host Ryan Harding sits down with Mayor Paul Binns to discuss leadership, civic service, and the opportunities and challenges facing one of Utah’s fastest-growing cities. Drawing on a family tradition of giving back, Mayor Binns shares what motivated him to run for office and why he believes strong comm...

📖 Preserving Lehi’s Forgotten Stories | Family History, Community & Local Legends | Highlight Reel

Who keeps a community’s stories alive? In this highlight from Roots & Branches of Lehi, Lee Anderson shares why preserving everyday stories matters just as much as recording major events.

Born at the old Lehi Hospital when the town was still surrounded by farmland, Lee reflects on growing up in a large family and building a life rooted in hard work, connection, and curiosity. After a career change prompted by a doctor’s advice to find a “new occupation,” he found a new m...

Every Family Has a Story Worth Preserving | Lee Anderson on Lehi History, Family Stories, and Preserving Roots | Roots and Branches of Lehi

In this episode of Roots and Branches of Lehi, host Ryan Harding sits down with lifelong Lehi resident Lee Anderson to explore how personal stories, family history, and local archives come together to preserve the identity of a growing city. From Lehi’s days as a small farming town to today’s rapidly changing community, Lee offers a grounded, story-driven look at how the past continues to shape the present.

Lee...

🌎 From Small-Town Roots to Environmental Leadership | Service, Brownfields & Protecting Utah | Highlight Reel

What does it mean to dedicate your career to protecting both people and the places they call home? In this highlight from Roots & Branches of Lehi, Brent Everett reflects on a life shaped by curiosity, service, and a deep commitment to community.

Growing up in a small agricultural town, Brent learned early that meaningful connections extend far beyond family. A fascination with rocks and minerals eventually led him toward environmental work influenced by landmark laws like RCRA and...

How do everyday public servants quietly shape the health, growth, and future of a community?

In this episode of Roots and Branches of Lehi, host Ryan Harding sits down with Brent Everett to explore a career built around environmental stewardship, civic responsibility, and education. From growing up in Fresno, California, to studying geology at BYU and building a lifelong career in Utah, Brent shares how curiosity about the natural world led him into decades of public service.

Brent offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at his work with the Utah...

💛 52 Years of Marriage, Motherhood, Nursing & Faith | Service, Family & Finding Home | Highlight Reel

What creates a life centered on service, faith, and lasting connection? In this heartfelt highlight from Roots & Branches of Lehi, Joan Collett reflects on a lifetime shaped by family, caregiving, and trusting God through every season of life.

From growing up in a small town and on Whidbey Island to building a 52-year marriage with Howard, Joan shares how community bonds are formed through shared experiences, sacrifice, and love. As a mother of eight, stay-at-home mom, PTA pre...

Faith, Family, and Lifelong Service | Joan Collett on Nursing, Missions, and Finding Home in Lehi | Roots and Branches of Lehi

What does it look like to build a life centered on faith, family, and service—across decades, careers, and continents?

In this episode of Roots and Branches of Lehi, host Ryan Harding sits down with Joan Collett, whose journey from Whidbey Island, Washington, to Lehi reflects a life of resilience, purpose, and deep community connection. Raised in a Navy family, Joan shares how frequent moves shaped her early life be...

🎬 From Small-Town Roots to Angel Studios | Fighting Disney & Reinventing Entertainment | Highlight Reel

What happens when a small-town idea challenges some of the biggest studios in the world? In this highlight from Roots & Branches of Lehi, Jordan Harmon shares the unlikely journey from growing up in Burley, Idaho to helping build Angel Studios—a company reshaping family-friendly entertainment.

What started as a simple idea—giving families control to skip or mute unwanted content—quickly drew attention from major studios like The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros., 20th Century Fox, and Lucasfilm...

From VidAngel to Angel Studios | Jordan Harmon on Lawsuits, Storytelling, and the Angel Guild | Roots and Branches of Lehi

In this episode of Roots and Branches of Lehi, host Ryan Harding sits down with Lehi resident and entrepreneur Jordan Harmon, co-founder of Angel Studios, to explore a journey defined by risk, resilience, and reimagining how stories reach audiences. From growing up in rural Idaho to building companies in Utah, Jordan shares the experiences that shaped his entrepreneurial path.

Jordan walks through the origins of VidAngel, a platform created to help families filter...

🎓 From Small-Town Roots to Global Education Access | BYU–Pathway, Resilience & Opportunity | Highlight Reel 

How can education open doors—not just locally, but across the world? In this highlight from Roots & Branches of Lehi, Melissa Everett shares her journey from small-town beginnings to helping build a global education program that’s changing lives. 

After leaving Wyoming and transitioning from a health and fitness background into teaching, Melissa became part of the first group of online instructors for what would grow into BYU–Pathway Worldwide. What started as a preparatory initiative has since expanded into a worldwide effort, reaching...

Expanding Access to Education Worldwide | Melissa Everett on BYU Pathway Worldwide and Lifelong Learning | Roots and Branches of Lehi

What does it look like to make education accessible to anyone, anywhere in the world? In this episode of Roots and Branches of Lehi, host Ryan Harding sits down with educator Melissa Everett to explore the mission and rapid growth of BYU–Pathway Worldwide. From her early career in health promotion and cancer control to becoming an early online instructor with BYU–Idaho, Melissa shares how her path led her to the forefront of one of the Church Educ...

🕊️ Faith, FamilySearch & Finding Purpose | A 52-Year Love Story & Life of Service | Highlight Reel

How do faith, family, and shared purpose shape a lifetime? In this highlight from *Roots & Branches of Lehi*, Reid Madsen and Katie Madsen reflect on a journey defined by devotion, resilience, and meaningful connection.

From early life in Compton to building a life in Orange County after a time of unrest, Reid shares how community bonds were formed through service and shared experiences in a ward. A simple moment—being prompted to wake during a church meeting...

Faith, Family, and Finding Your Roots | Reid & Katie Madsen on FamilySearch, DAR, and Legacy | Roots and Branches of Lehi 

What does it mean to preserve the past while building a meaningful life in the present? 

In this episode of Roots and Branches of Lehi, host Ryan Harding sits down with Lehi neighbors Reid and Katie Madsen to explore a life shaped by faith, family history, and service. After 17 years in the Dallas area, the Madsens made Lehi home more than a decade ago — bringing with them a lifetime of experiences that span continents, careers, and generations...

🍞 Building Community One Loaf at a Time | F'kosh Bakery, Family & Main Street Lehi | Highlight Reel 

What starts as a simple idea can sometimes grow into something that feeds an entire community. In this highlight from Roots & Branches of Lehi, Brent Knudson shares how a “crazy idea” turned into F'kosh Focaccia Bakery—now a beloved staple on Lehi Main Street. 

What makes F'kosh different? It’s not just the bread—it’s the intention behind it. With a focus on one product—focaccia made from just five simple ingredients—Brent and his family have embraced a slower, more deliberate process...

From Focaccia to Family Business | Brent Knudson on F'kosh Bakery and Starting Over in Midlife | Roots and Branches of Lehi 

What does it take to start over in your 40s — and build something your community can’t get enough of? 

In this episode of Roots and Branches of Lehi, host Ryan Harding sits down with Brent Knudson, co-owner and head baker of F'kosh Bakery on Lehi’s Main Street. Brent shares his journey from growing up near Seattle to moving to Utah in 2013, eventually settling in Lehi — where he discovered his own family’s deep roots tied to the city’s...

🎭 Small-Town Roots, the Arts & Finding Your People | Community, Confidence & Creativity | Highlight Reel 

What role do the arts play in shaping confidence, friendships, and lifelong opportunities? In this highlight from Roots & Branches of Lehi, Jean Hatch reflects on growing up in a small farming community where family, traditions, and simple moments—like walking home from movies or sharing neighborhood stories—helped shape a deep sense of belonging. 

From helping organize community pageants to participating in theater productions, Jean shares how creative spaces give young people the opportunity to discover their voices. Whether learning to speak confidently on stage or w...

Preserving Lehi’s Traditions | Jean Hatch on Miss Lehi, Community Arts, and Growing Up in Old Lehi | Roots and Branches of Lehi 

What was Lehi like before the rapid growth — when dirt roads, canyon picnics, and small-town traditions shaped everyday life? 

In this episode of Roots and Branches of Lehi, host Ryan Harding sits down with lifelong resident Jean Hatch to reflect on growing up in what many remember as “Old Lehi.” Jean shares vivid memories of a tight-knit farming town — playing at Vet’s Park, attending local theaters, and participating in neighborhood traditions like ward “round-the-block”...

🚑 From Small-Town Roots to Trauma Nursing & Fire/EMS Leadership | Service, Sacrifice & Resilience | Highlight Reel 

What shapes someone into a lifelong first responder? In this powerful highlight from Roots & Branches of Lehi, we hear the story of Rick Howard, a Southern California–born, Hawaii-raised nurse and Fire/EMS leader whose life was shaped by early loss, deep family bonds, and a calling to serve. 

After losing his father at a young age, he learned quickly how fragile life can be. Years later, a Valentine’s Day blind date in Lehi led to a 45-year marriage built on faith, perse...

Rick Howard on EMS, Fire Service, and Teaching the Next Generation | Roots and Branches of Lehi Podcast 

What does a lifetime of service look like — and what does it cost? In this episode of Roots and Branches of Lehi, host Ryan Harding sits down with longtime firefighter, nurse, paramedic, and educator Rick Howard to reflect on decades spent serving others in moments that matter most. 

Rick shares his journey from growing up in Southern California and Hawaii to eventually settling in Lehi after a blind date with his wife, Susan. He opens up about the heartbreaking...