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

🌳 Dive into Lehi's heart with Roots and Branches of Lehi. Join us for stories from those shaping our community, from city leaders to everyday heroes. Each episode explores Lehi's evolution, offering insights and celebrating our collective history. Whether you’re a longtime resident or new, these narratives deepen connections to our town.🎙️ Subscribe for inspiring stories and expert insights every week!

Roots and Branches of Lehi: The People and Stories of Our City is a society podcast hosted by Work Harding, with 107 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Work Harding hosts Roots and Branches of Lehi: The People and Stories of Our City, a society show with 107 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #102

  The Life Lessons Sports Should Teach

  Aug 21, 20266 minS1

  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 up, balancing demanding teaching and coaching responsibilities, and even stepping in to coach sports outside his expertise when students needed someone to lead. Throughout his career, Chad discovered that athletics are temporary, but character lasts a lifetime. Whether encouraging parents to trust coaches, reminding students that hard work matters more than excuses, or emphasizing that teachers and coaches deserve grace too, his message is centered on developing future husbands, fathers, leaders, and community members—not just winning games. It’s a powerful reminder that the best coaches don’t simply build athletes—they help build the kind of people who strengthen families and communities for generations. Love stories about leadership, mentorship, and the people investing in the next generation? Follow for more highlights and full episodes of Roots & Branches of Lehi , brought to you by Work Hard Mortgage. At Work Hard Mortgage, we believe in that same principle: stronger communities are built when people invest in each other and put down roots where they live. ⸻ • 00:00 – Small Town Roots • 00:19 – College & Coaching Beginnings • 01:02 – Building a Program from Scratch • 01:28 – Sports as a Tool for Character • 02:15 – Parents, Pressure & Perspective • 02:46 – Hard Work Over Excuses • 03:34 – Winning vs. Developing Young People • 04:04 – A BYU Love Story • 04:27 – Giving Grace to Teachers & Coaches • 04:49 – Why Coach at All? • 05:35 – Mission, Purpose & Perspective ⸻ Youth Sports • Coaching Leadership • Character Development • Mentorship • Parenting Student Athletes • High School Athletics • Education & Leadership • Teacher Appreciation • Building Resilient Kids • Community Leadership • Roots and Branches of Lehi Podcast • Lehi Utah • Personal Growth • Hard Work & Perseverance ⸻ Take the 60-second Homebuyer Readiness Quiz — link in bio Full conversation also in bio #RootsAndBranchesOfLehi #WorkHardMortgage #BuyAHomeBuildACommunity #LocalLeadership #LehiUtah #RealStoriesRealPeople

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  Episode #99

  The Remarkable Career Journey from Rescue Pilot to Faith-Based Films

  Aug 10, 202650 minS1

  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 rescue helicopters in northwest Washington. After the military, his career continued to evolve through real estate, commercial helicopter work, and launching Life Flight programs. He eventually entered publishing, building a magazine connected to WordPerfect into a company with more than 100 employees and hundreds of thousands of subscribers before becoming the founding editor of LDS Living . His work later took him around the world as a humanitarian photojournalist for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Howard reflects on the people he met in countries including Sierra Leone and the lessons those experiences taught him about human connection, compassion, and the desire people everywhere have to live peacefully. The conversation then turns to Howard’s work in film, including producing The Good Samaritan and filming The Parable of the Ten Virgins in Morocco, along with plans for future faith-based projects. Throughout the episode, Howard shares lessons on leadership, entrepreneurship, lifelong learning, and asking good questions. He also reflects on life in Lehi, his service as a patriarch, and the simple principles he hopes to pass on: prepare well, keep learning, and love the people around you. Love discovering the stories, experiences, and wisdom of the people who call Lehi home? Subscribe for more Roots and Branches of Lehi episodes celebrating service, faith, entrepreneurship, and community. Brought to you by Work Hard Mortgage — helping families go from renting to rooted. ⏱ Key Moments in This Episode • 00:00 – Podcast Welcome • 00:37 – Meet Howard Collett • 00:55 – Growing Up in Ogden • 01:58 – The Vietnam Draft & Navy Pilot Training • 02:49 – Rescue Flying & Meeting Joan • 04:49 – A Career Filled with Many Chapters • 05:19 – Launching Life Flight Programs • 06:17 – Publishing, WordPerfect & Entrepreneurship • 07:34 – Building LDS Living • 08:09 – Becoming a Humanitarian Photojournalist • 08:54 – Lessons from Sierra Leone • 10:36 – Missions & the Beginning of Film Work • 13:46 – Filming The Parable of the Ten Virgins • 16:47 – Production Logistics & Film Budgets • 19:36 – Understanding the Angel Distribution Model • 21:47 – Why Faith-Based Films Matter • 23:56 – Casting Choices & Storytelling • 24:34 – Bonding, Miracles & Film Production • 27:00 – The Next Film: Prodigal Son • 28:56 – Making Scripture Feel Real • 30:57 – Howard’s Entrepreneurial Drive • 31:27 – Writing Two Novels • 35:00 – Lessons from WordPerfect • 38:31 – Advice for Young Adults • 40:00 – Life in Lehi, Utah • 42:51 – Serving as a Patriarch • 45:53 – Prepare, Learn & Love Others • 48:24 – Closing & Thanks Related Topics: Navy Rescue Pilot • Humanitarian Work • Faith-Based Films • Angel Studios • Entrepreneurship • Publishing • Photojournalism • Life Flight • Leadership • Faith and Service • Lehi Utah • Roots and Branches of Lehi Listen to More Roots & Branches of Lehi: Apple: https://apple.co/40J53Ln Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7BC8a3YpULFYMSRgtfqF7v YouTube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlz4rzd_rsGZcR4Kscsck4ez_bWSLCuwM Ready to go from renting to rooted? ✔️ https://workharding.com/start #RootsAndBranches #LehiUtah #CommunityStories #WorkHardMortgage #FromRentsToRoots #FaithBasedFilms #HumanitarianService #Entrepreneurship #AngelStudios #LehiStories

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  Episode #25

  Utah’s 2026 Market, Inspections & Pricing Homes to Sell

  Jul 27, 202643 minS4

  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 decades of experience, he explains how understanding how homes are built helps him guide buyers through inspections, distinguish major concerns from minor repairs, and keep transactions moving forward. The conversation explores one of the biggest reasons real estate deals fall apart: unrealistic expectations. Taylor discusses how "future pacing" prepares clients for challenges before they arise and why honest communication between agents, lenders, inspectors, and title professionals leads to better outcomes for everyone involved. Taylor also shares his perspective on Utah's mid-2026 housing market, explaining why buyer activity often increases when mortgage rates fall, why turnkey homes continue to attract strong demand, and why locations closer to major transportation corridors remain highly desirable. For buyers, he encourages focusing on finding the right home rather than the perfect home, while reminding sellers that strategic pricing below market value can generate stronger interest and better negotiating leverage. The episode also covers networking advice for new real estate agents, lessons learned from market cycles, and why long-term relationships remain more valuable than relying solely on cold calling. It's a practical conversation about buying smarter, selling strategically, and navigating Utah real estate with confidence. Want practical strategies for moving from renting to homeownership? Subscribe for more From Rents to Roots conversations about real-world homebuying journeys. Brought to you by Work Hard Mortgage — helping families go from renting to rooted. ⏱ Key Moments in This Episode 00:00 – Welcome to the Show 00:33 – Meet Taylor Smith 00:48 – From Ranch to Realtor 01:44 – Surviving Market Cycles 02:40 – Construction Edge in Homes 04:35 – Inspections and Expectations 06:15 – Owning the Mistakes 07:36 – Hard Truths with Sellers 09:50 – Advice for New Pros 12:07 – Building a Trusted Team 16:16 – Utah Market Mid 2026 17:28 – Turnkey Buyers and Trends 20:22 – Why Buyers Want Closer In 21:14 – Why Listings Sit 22:01 – Buyer Checklist Mindset 23:28 – Renting Versus Buying 27:56 – Seller Pricing Strategy 30:45 – Networking for New Agents 36:04 – Community Events Matter 37:00 – Wild Showing Stories 40:53 – Final Takeaways and Outro Related Topics: Utah Real Estate • Home Inspections • First-Time Homebuyers • Seller Pricing Strategies • Housing Market Trends • Construction Knowledge • Realtor Advice • Utah Housing Market • Home Buying Tips • From Rents to Roots Listen to More From Rents to Roots Apple: https://apple.co/40J53Ln Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7BC8a3YpULFYMSRgtfqF7v YouTube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlz4rzd_rsGZcR4Kscsck4ez_bWSLCuwM Ready to go from renting to rooted? ✔️ https://workharding.com/start #FromRentsToRoots #UtahRealEstate #HomeBuyingTips #FirstTimeHomebuyer #HomeInspections #SellerTips #WorkHardMortgage #HousingMarket #RealEstateAdvice #FromRentingToRooted

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  Episode #98

  How a Family Built Nacho’s Life: From Pandemic Idea to Food Truck Success

  Jul 24, 20266 minS1

  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-round—they launched a family business centered around smoked pork, fusion-style nachos, and authentic hospitality. From hosting local bands at their Lehi location to taking their food truck directly to customers, William explains why creating memorable experiences is just as important as serving great food. Along the way, he shares lessons about entrepreneurship, marketing, rising food costs, and the determination it takes to keep a small business growing. Whether it's catering major community events, partnering with local businesses, or encouraging aspiring entrepreneurs to "start now," this conversation celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit that helps communities thrive. It’s a reminder that some of the strongest community connections are built around shared meals, local businesses, and families willing to chase a dream together. Love stories about local entrepreneurs, family businesses, and the people making Lehi unique? Follow for more highlights and full episodes of Roots & Branches of Lehi , brought to you by Work Hard Mortgage. At Work Hard Mortgage, we believe in that same principle: stronger communities are built when people invest in each other and put down roots where they live. ⸻ ⏱ Key Moments in This Highlight Reel • 00:00 – Small Town Connections • 00:20 – From Coast to a New Life in Utah • 00:35 – The Pandemic Sparks Nacho’s Life • 01:07 – Building Community Through Live Music • 01:38 – Why Nachos Instead of Colombian Food • 02:07 – Signature Smoked Meats & Fusion Flavors • 03:01 – Catering, Crowds & Community Events • 03:28 – Why Food Trucks Can Win • 04:38 – Marketing & the Karl Malone Event • 05:29 – The "Do It Now" Entrepreneur Mindset • 06:13 – Rising Costs, Customer Loyalty & Giving Back ⸻ Related Topics: Small Business Success • Family-Owned Business • Food Truck Business • Restaurant Entrepreneurship • Nacho's Life • Lehi Utah Restaurants • Smoked Pork • Fusion Cuisine • Live Music Events • Local Entrepreneurship • Community Businesses • Roots and Branches of Lehi Podcast • Lehi Utah • Marketing for Small Business • Food Truck Success Stories ⸻ Take the 60-second Homebuyer Readiness Quiz — link in bio Full conversation also in bio #RootsAndBranchesOfLehi #WorkHardMortgage #BuyAHomeBuildACommunity #LocalLeadership #LehiUtah #RealStoriesRealPeople

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  Episode #22

  From First Deal to Shady Acres: How One Family Built Wealth with Mobile Home Investing

  Jul 11, 20265 minS4

  🌎 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 people building wealth, she realized that investing wasn't reserved for the wealthy. Her family's first purchase was a $40,000 property in Carbon County, Utah, proving that getting started often matters more than waiting for the perfect opportunity. That first step eventually led to one of their biggest projects: purchasing Shady Acres, a mobile home and RV park through a creative seller-financing agreement. With a 0% interest rate, a 10-year payment structure, and a balloon payment at the end, the deal demonstrated how unconventional financing can create opportunities that traditional lending sometimes cannot. Rather than making cosmetic changes alone, Christina and her husband focused on improving the property's long-term value. They upgraded sewer infrastructure, electrical systems, gravel roads, landscaping, signage, and the park's online presence while choosing to own the mobile homes themselves—creating multiple income opportunities and increasing the property's overall performance. Throughout the conversation, Christina emphasizes that successful investing starts with education. She encourages aspiring investors to run the numbers carefully, learn from experienced mentors, and never skip important inspections like sewer scopes that can uncover expensive problems before closing. Perhaps her biggest message is one of action. Many people wait until they feel completely ready before buying a home or investment property, but Christina believes confidence often comes after taking the first step. She also encourages homeowners to think long-term by keeping their first home as a rental whenever possible, allowing appreciation and rental income to become building blocks for future wealth. 📌 Interested in real estate investing, creative financing, and practical strategies for building long-term wealth? Follow for more highlights and full episodes of From Rents to Roots , brought to you by Work Hard Mortgage. 🏡 At Work Hard Mortgage, we believe homeownership can be the first step toward lasting financial freedom. With the right education and guidance, today's home can become tomorrow's investment. ⸻ ⏱ Key Moments in This Highlight Reel • 00:00 – Building the Homebuying Mindset • 00:09 – Discovering Real Estate Investing • 00:34 – The First Deal & Shady Acres • 01:14 – Property Upgrades and Lessons Learned • 02:14 – Winning with Creative Financing • 02:35 – Today's Changing Housing Market • 03:10 – Why Great Agents Add Value • 04:11 – Building Your Real Estate Team • 04:47 – Starting Before You're Ready • 05:06 – Building Wealth Through Rental Properties ⸻ 👣 Related Topics: Real Estate Investing • Mobile Home Park Investing • Seller Financing • Creative Financing • House Hacking • Rental Property Investing • First-Time Investors • BiggerPockets • Homeownership Wealth Building • Real Estate Negotiation • Property Inspections • From Rents to Roots Podcast • Work Hard Mortgage • Financial Freedom Through Real Estate ⸻ 📲 Take the 60-second Homebuyer Readiness Quiz — link in bio 🎧 Full conversation also in bio #FromRentsToRoots #WorkHardMortgage #RealEstateInvesting #SellerFinancing #HouseHacking #RentalProperty #FinancialFreedom #MobileHomePark #WealthBuilding #Homeownership

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