RadioWest
KUER
KUER’s award-winning interview show explores the world through deep thinkers who host Doug Fabrizio asks to think even deeper. Join writers, filmmakers, scientists and others on RadioWest: A show for the wildly curious.
How to be a Better Talker
Do you find yourself struggling in conversations? Fear not. There’s actually science to help you get better at the art of talking with other people.
Mar 27, • 50:30
Best of RadioWest: Meditations and Magical Overthinking
This week, we're revisiting two of our recent favorite shows, focusing on how we find balance in our lives.
Mar 26, • 42:41
The Satanic Panic Comes to Spring City, Utah
Satanic panics — a fear that satanic cults secretly performed ritualistic abuse and sacrifices — were common in the late '80's and early '90's. One seems to be playing out in San Pete County today.
Mar 20, • 50:30
Why a Massacre of Chinese Miners 140 Years Ago Still Matters
On September 2, 1885, tragedy struck the coal-mining town of Rock Springs, Wyoming, when white coal workers brutally attacked and murdered Chinese immigrants brought in to work the mines.
Mar 19, • 50:30
Utah Axed Collective Bargaining this Year. What Other Laws Passed in 2025?
Another legislative session is in the books. This year, lawmakers passed over 500 bills. We’re talking about what’s new after the 2025 Utah Legislative Session.
Mar 13, • 50:30
For Women in the Workplace, What's Changed Since the '80s?
In 1980, Jane Fonda and her producing partner Bruce Gilbert, took a serious issue — women in the workforce not receiving equal pay — and made it into the accessible and smash-hit comedy “9 to 5.” Starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton, it became a pop culture hit.
Mar 12, • 50:30
A Year-Long Misadventure Through the Grand Canyon
Kevin Fedarko’s best friend said it would be easy: Hike from one end of the Grand Canyon to the other. He said it would be “a walk in the park.” It wasn’t.
Mar 6, • 50:30
Lessons from a Year on Ozempic
Johann Hari spent a year on the weight-loss drug Ozempic, and it worked — better than he could’ve imagined. But the treatment left him deeply conflicted.
Mar 5, • 50:30
What Will Donald Trump Do With Public Lands?
It’s unclear whether President Donald Trump gives much thought to public land in the West. Nonetheless, observers on all sides are fairly certain his new administration will have a noticeable impact on public lands policy in the region. Which begs the question: If Trump isn’t the one guiding those policies, who is? And what does that mean for America’s 640 million acres of federally-owned public land?
Feb 27, • 50:30
The Hidden Histories of the Viking Age
If the word “Viking” conjures for you a braided warrior raiding a village in the north of Europe, you’re not wrong. But there’s a lot more to the story.
Feb 26, • 50:30
Unveiling the Secrets of American Militias
In the aftermath of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, John Williams, a wilderness survival trainer from Utah, embarked on a dangerous mission to infiltrate American militias. Posing as an ally, Williams spent years undercover within groups like the Oath Keepers.
Feb 20, • 50:30
Can Christianity Save the Country?
Author and journalist Jonathan Rauch is a Jewish atheist. And yet, he’s calling on Christians to remember their faith — and practice it the way Founding Father James Madison might have done.
Feb 19, • 50:30
The Utah Point Guard that Broke the NBA’s Color Barrier
Can you name the person who broke the color barrier in professional basketball? If you are thinking Chuck Cooper, Nat Clifton or Earl Lloyd, you are wrong. It was a Japanese American point guard from Ogden named Wat Misaka.
Feb 13, • 50:30
For the Medically Frail and Dying Homeless, There’s Only One INN Between
The INN Between is the only end-of-life and recuperative care facility of its kind in the U.S. And it’s housed in a quiet neighborhood in Sugarhouse.
Feb 12, • 50:30
Da Vinci knew it—Notebooks are *the* killer app for creative thinking
These days, you might type ideas into the Notes app. But that’s just a testament to the importance of history’s real creative titan: the humble notebook.
Feb 6, • 50:30
A Conversation with Senator John Curtis
John Curtis took his place in the United State Senate on January 3 of this year. He’s joining us to talk about his life in politics and his vision for Utah and the nation.
Jan 30, • 50:30
The 2025 Utah Legislative Session
With the new year comes a new legislative session — and a new tone.
Jan 29, • 50:30
Does "American Primeval" get the Violence of Mormon History Right?
The Netflix mini-series “American Primeval” depicts the Utah War with extreme brutality. It’s also raising questions about historical accuracy.
Jan 23, • 50:30
Why We Love Football
Sports journalist Joe Posnanski is a diehard baseball fan, but deep down, he knows what Americans really love: football on Sundays.
Jan 22, • 50:30
A Spiritual Crackdown at Brigham Young University?
In 2021, Jeffrey Holland, an apostle for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, suggested it would be better for Brigham Young University to lose accreditation than compromise its spiritual mission. Today, BYU’s Commissioner of Education is holding professors to higher spiritual standards.
Jan 16, • 50:30
The Ongoing Collapse of Great Salt Lake
Last week, we talked about new reporting on Great Salt Lake that raised questions about the lake’s decline. The claim? Climate change, more than overuse, is to blame.
Jan 15, • 50:30
How Indigenous Americans Discovered Europe
History is full of white explorers “discovering” the Americas. But there are stories that flow the other way, too, of Indigenous people who also “discovered” a new land — Europe.
Jan 9, • 50:30
Is Great Salt Lake Actually on Life Support?
In January of 2023, Brigham Young University released a dire report about the Great Salt Lake. The biggest takeaway? The lake will be gone in five years. Then, a major snowfall hit the state, we had a record-breaking winter and Governor Cox called the report a joke.
Jan 8, • 52:00
Shakespeare According to Dame Judi Dench
If you’ve ever wanted to share a room with two great actors talking about Shakespeare, here’s your chance — with Dame Judi Dench and Brendan O’Hea.
Jan 2, • 50:30
A Map to a More Meaningful Life
Time is limited. And life is short. So why, asks the writer Oliver Burkeman, do we waste so much of it trying to get on top of things before we can focus on the really meaningful parts of life?
Jan 1, • 50:30
Norman Maclean and 'A River Runs Through It'
Norman Maclean became a literary star after publishing his largely autobiographical novella, “A River Runs Through It.” A new book recounts his lifelong efforts to reconcile the different parts of himself.
Dec 26, 2024 • 50:30
Awe and the Science of Wonder with Dacher Keltner
You know that feeling you get when you see something so incredible that it transcends understanding? That’s awe. But, really, what is awe?
Dec 25, 2024 • 50:30
The Desperate Lives and Troubled Times that Made Handel’s Messiah
In 2021, protestors stormed the U.S. Capitol and tried to overturn the presidential election. In that moment, author Charles King turned to Handel’s Messiah.
Dec 19, 2024 • 50:30
A Predator in Prophet's Clothing
When Warren Jeffs, the former leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was arrested in 2006 and later imprisoned, a power vacuum emerged in the polygamous sect. In time, a man named Samuel Bateman stepped up and declared himself the new prophet. He and his followers proceeded to exploit the needs of the faithful in order to satisfy their own deviant sexual desires.
Dec 18, 2024 • 50:30
Two of Our Favorite Interviews from 2024
This week we’re revisiting two of our favorite conversations from 2024, asking questions about life on the Red Planet and animals that inspire awe.
Dec 12, 2024 • 42:45
One of the Worst Movies of All Time
Talk about bad. Not only does the 1965-film “The Conqueror” feature John Wayne, of all people, in the leading role as Genghis Khan, but its production may have led to cancer diagnoses in the cast and crew.
Dec 11, 2024 • 50:30
The Horrors of an Indian Residential School
In 2021, unmarked graves were discovered at several residential boarding schools in Canada. Then the investigations began.
Dec 5, 2024 • 50:30
RadioWest’s 2024 Holiday Book Show
It’s been a year of politics and constant news. Now, it’s time to sit back and relax over the holidays with a good book — and grab a few for your friends.
Dec 4, 2024 • 50:30
The History of the Plymouth Pilgrims with John Turner
More than 400 years ago this month, a group of English protestants—separatists from the Church of England—landed in the New World in search of religious freedom. But what did freedom really mean to these pilgrims?
Nov 28, 2024 • 50:30
Bee Wilson Reveals the Secret of Cooking
For many of us, cooking is an annoying, boring chore. But the food writer Bee Wilson says there’s a simple secret to an easier life in the kitchen, and it begins with the person who cooks.
Nov 26, 2024 • 50:29
A History of American Horror
If you want to get to the roots of horror in America, you have to go way back. Back to slavery, back to Salem, back to the colonization of the New World.
Nov 21, 2024 • 50:30
Through the Lens: ‘Takin’ Care of Business’
In 1977, Randy Bachman was a rock star. Then the guitar with which he’d written hits like “American Woman” and “Takin’ Care of Business” was stolen.
Nov 20, 2024 • 50:30
Dinosaurs at the Dinner Party
During the 1800s, the Victorians had the natural world pretty much figured out, or so they thought. Then a 12-year-old discovered the first dinosaur tracks.
Nov 14, 2024 • 50:30
David Grann on the Disastrous Voyage of the Wager
In 1740, the Wager set sail from England in search of Spanish treasure. Just about everything that could go wrong did go wrong.
Nov 13, 2024 • 50:30
Katherine Rundell’s Bestiary of Vanishing Treasures
The author Katherine Rundell didn’t believe in love at first sight until she met a pangolin. The encounter with the anteater-like creature made her curious about other endangered animals, and now, she wants us to notice more of these exquisite creatures.
Nov 7, 2024 • 50:30
Election 2024: The Morning After
When you read this, it’s likely either Election Day or the morning after. We’re going live to talk about what we know and what’s still to come.
Nov 6, 2024 • 50:30
Latter-day Saint Voters in Arizona
Arizona is one of the swing states that candidates are honing in on this year. 10,457 — that’s how many votes went to Joe Biden in Arizona in 2020, close enough to swing the state blue. So, of course, both of the 2024 presidential campaigns set up camp in Arizona weeks ago. Their target audience? Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Oct 31, 2024 • 50:30
Ancient Rome on the Silver Screen
With “Gladiator 2” set to hit theaters in November, we’re exploring the history of Rome in film and television. Will “sword and sandal” epics be making a comeback?
Oct 30, 2024 • 50:30
Amanda Montell on the Age of Magical Overthinking
The author Amanda Montell says magical thinking is everywhere. If you’ve ever wondered if you could manifest your way to wealth, this one’s for you.
Oct 24, 2024 • 50:30
Through the Lens: ‘Indigo Girls: It’s Only Life After All’
Everyone knows the Indigo Girls — or at least they think they do. The indie rock duo hit the music scene in the early 80’s, and people were quick to try to categorize them.
Oct 23, 2024 • 50:30
The 2024 Election, Here and Beyond
We’re mere weeks away from the 2024 election, and there’s a lot more at stake than just the presidency. We’re convening a panel of local experts to get you ready.
Oct 17, 2024 • 50:30
How Indigenous Americans Discovered Europe
History is full of white explorers “discovering” the Americas. But there are stories that flow the other way, too, of Indigenous people who also “discovered” a new land — Europe.
Oct 16, 2024 • 50:30
A Map to a More Meaningful Life
Time is limited. And life is short. So why, asks the writer Oliver Burkeman, do we waste so much of it trying to get on top of things before we can focus on the really meaningful parts of life?
Oct 10, 2024 • 50:30
How Joe Rogan Remade Austin
The journalist Helen Lewis says that Austin, Texas, is at the center of a Venn diagram encompassing culture, gun ranges, low taxes and kombucha. Why? Because podcaster Joe Rogan lives there.
Oct 9, 2024 • 50:30
An Instagram Guide to Rock Art in the West
In the early 2000s, Matt Relkin, an artist from Florida, was living in New York City, where he took in fine art at galleries and museums. But when he took a trip to southern Utah on the advice of a friend, and saw the ancient petroglyphs in Sego Canyon, his love for nature collided with his passion for art. He was instantly hooked.
Oct 3, 2024 • 50:30
The Rise and Rise of Mormon Influencers
A recent exposé in a British newspaper pulled back the curtain on the world of Hannah Neeleman, a hugely popular Utah-based social media influencer. Once an aspiring ballerina, Neeleman’s posts now depict her seemingly idyllic as a Mormon stay-at-home mom caring for her eight kids, brood of chickens, herd of cows and flock of sheep on a homestead in Kamas, Utah. Her Instagram account is yet another window into a surprisingly large and growing constellation of hugely popular Mormon influencers.
Sep 26, 2024 • 50:00
Why Animals Talk
The howling of wolves, the mewing of your cat, dolphins whistling —these aren’t just noises. They’re animals talking, and what they say might surprise you.
Sep 25, 2024 • 50:30
The Fight Over Amendment D
Utah lawmakers called themselves into emergency special session last month to draft a constitutional amendment that would give them the power to significantly alter voter-approved ballot initiatives. That change would need to be approved by voters, if, that is, the state courts allow it.
Sep 19, 2024 • 50:28
How Mike Lee Came to Support Trump
In 2016, Utah’s Senator Mike Lee tried to stop Donald Trump from becoming the president. Today, he might become Trump’s attorney general.
Sep 18, 2024 • 50:30
The Untold History of Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln is widely regarded as the greatest president in American history, a transformational figure who guided the nation through civil war and paved the way for the abolition of slavery. But what if he was queer, by modern standards? Because historians say that may well have been the case.
Sep 12, 2024 • 50:29
Selling Your Soul to the Devil
In Christopher Marlowe’s “Doctor Faustus,” the titular magician trades his soul to Lucifer for power. We’ve been captivated by such demonic transactions ever since.
Sep 11, 2024 • 50:30
The Fateful Final Voyage of Captain Cook
On July 12, 1776, James Cook set sail aboard the HMS Resolution. It was Cook’s third voyage, and this time, he wouldn’t come home again.
Sep 5, 2024 • 50:29
How the Road Crossed the Land
Roads are such a common feature of the landscape that you can forget they aren’t natural at all — that is, unless you’re an animal trying to cross one.
Sep 4, 2024 • 50:30
Why is Governor Spencer Cox Supporting Donald Trump?
Donald Trump has said that surviving an assassination attempt didn’t change him. But it sure did change Utah Gov. Spencer Cox.
Aug 29, 2024 • 50:30
A History of Witchcraft in Thirteen Trials
The scholar Marion Gibson is an expert on witches. Her latest book tells a centuries-long history through the stories of 13 witch trials.
Aug 28, 2024 • 50:30
The Legacy and Future of Abravanel Hall
With a major reconstruction in the works for downtown Salt Lake City, the fate of Abravanel Hall hangs in the balance.
Aug 22, 2024 • 50:30
'A River Runs Through It' and Writer Norman Maclean
Norman Maclean became a literary star after publishing his largely autobiographical novella, “A River Runs Through It.” A new book recounts his lifelong efforts to reconcile the different parts of himself.
Aug 21, 2024 • 50:30
Inside the U.S. Government's Search for Alien Life Here ― and Out There
UFOs undoubtedly exist. After all, people have been seeing inexplicable things in the skies for centuries. So, if the truth is out there, what does the government know about it?
Aug 15, 2024 • 50:30
Hijackings' Strange Early History
If you were born in post-9/11 America, the idea of a plane getting hijacked is terrifying. But once upon a time hijackers seemed more interested in the thrill than instilling fear. And one of them even became a kind of folk hero.
Aug 14, 2024 • 50:30
Black Mormons and the Struggle for Racial Equality, Pt. 2
We’re continuing our conversation about Black Latter-day Saints and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ long-awaited decision to grant Black men the priesthood.
Aug 8, 2024 • 50:30
Black Mormons and the Struggle for Racial Equality, Pt. 1
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints granted Black men the priesthood in 1978. It reversed a practice that had lasted for more than a century.
Aug 7, 2024 • 51:03
How to Build a Better Utah Garden
This one’s going out to all the local green thumbs — the Utahns who want beautiful gardens that actually thrive in the West. Our guest says it’s totally possible.
Aug 1, 2024 • 50:30
The Heat Will Kill You First
Jeff Goodell knows a thing or two about the climate crisis. He’s been writing about it for years. But it didn’t become personal until the heat nearly killed him.
Jul 31, 2024 • 50:30
A Conversation with a Death Doula
Alua Arthur’s life’s work is all about death. She’s a witness and shepherd to people who have reached the end of life. And she wants you to think about death too.
Jul 25, 2024 • 50:30
The Miracle Of The Gulls And Other Utah Legends
One of Utah’s many oddities is its state bird: the California Gull. But did you know that the humble gull is the hero in its own miracle tale?
Jul 24, 2024 • 50:30
The Real Origins of the Ten Commandments
Louisiana just passed a law that puts the Ten Commandments in public classrooms. That got us thinking: Where do the Ten Commandments really come from?
Jul 18, 2024 • 50:30
Sebastian Junger on Death and the Afterlife
Sebastian Junger is no stranger to death. He covered the war in Afghanistan for years. But it was a medical emergency that brought him face to face with dying — and an afterlife.
Jul 17, 2024 • 59:29
The Women Who Mapped the Botany of the Grand Canyon
When you think of the Grand Canyon, you probably think of rocks and, of course, the Colorado River. But in the summer of 1938, two women risked their lives to study another feature of the canyon: its plants.
Jul 11, 2024 • 50:30
Lessons from a Year on Ozempic
Johann Hari spent a year on the weight-loss drug Ozempic, and it worked — better than he could’ve imagined. But the treatment left him deeply conflicted.
Jul 10, 2024 • 49:36
The Revolutionary Samuel Adams
The role that Samuel Adams played in fomenting the American Revolution once made him the most wanted man in the country.
Jul 4, 2024 • 50:30
Shakespeare According to Dame Judi Dench
If you’ve ever wanted to share a room with two great actors talking about Shakespeare, here’s your chance — with Dame Judi Dench and Brendan O’Hea.
Jul 4, 2024 • 50:30
Shakespeare According to Dame Judi Dench
If you’ve ever wanted to share a room with two great actors talking about Shakespeare, here’s your chance — with Dame Judi Dench and Brendan O’Hea.
Jul 3, 2024 • 50:30
The Past, Present and Future of Salt Lake City’s Japantown
Almost 60 years ago, Salt Lake City’s Japantown was condemned to make way for the Salt Palace. Now, new plans for a big development have put what’s left of the Japanese American enclave in the crosshairs of urban development.
Jun 27, 2024 • 50:30
A Cultural History of Hypochondria
Writer Caroline Crampton survived cancer, but she still didn’t feel well. Instead, she was stuck with a persistent, anxious fear that the cancer would come back.
Jun 26, 2024 • 50:30
Is it Actually a Good Idea to Colonize Mars?
Life on earth is for the dogs. There’s too much regulation, too few resources and it’s burning up besides. Better to pack up and leave for Mars. Or is it?
Jun 19, 2024 • 50:30
RadioWest’s 2024 Summer Book Show
With summer upon us, it’s time again for a “RadioWest” tradition — gathering our trio of local booksellers to get you set up with all their favorite reads for the season.
Jun 19, 2024 • 50:18
RadioWest’s 2024 Summer Book Show
With summer upon us, it’s time again for a “RadioWest” tradition — gathering our trio of local booksellers to get you set up with all their favorite reads for the season.
Jun 19, 2024 • 50:18
On the Many Meanings of Twins
Twins have captivated the human mind since ancient times. But often what’s imagined of them reveals more about everyone else than it does about real twin life.
Jun 13, 2024 • 50:30
What An Owl Knows
Look into the eyes of an owl and what do you see? Is there any way to know what’s hidden behind those eyes? Thanks to new research, there might be.
Jun 12, 2024 • 50:30
Amanda Montell on the Age of Magical Overthinking
The author Amanda Montell says magical thinking is everywhere. If you’ve ever wondered if you could manifest your way to wealth, this one’s for you.
Jun 6, 2024 • 50:30
The Future of Sports and Entertainment in Salt Lake City
Plans for a so-called “rejuvenation zone” in downtown Salt Lake City are quickly moving ahead, but there’s a lot we still don’t know.
Jun 5, 2024 • 50:30
Mormonism's First Rebel Historian
This isn’t really an episode about a little-known Mormon writer from the 19th century: it’s an episode about the lifelong search to figure out what you believe.
May 30, 2024 • 48:58
A Year-Long Misadventure Through the Grand Canyon
Kevin Fedarko’s best friend said it would be easy: Hike from one end of the Grand Canyon to the other. He said it would be “a walk in the park.” It wasn’t.
May 29, 2024 • 1:21:01
A People’s History of the Nuclear West
In 1951, the U.S. government began test detonations of nuclear bombs in the Nevada desert. It wasn’t long before people started getting cancer.
May 28, 2024 • 48:55
Searching for Home in (Very) Rural America
Navied Mahdavian had always been a city guy. He had never fished, gardened, hiked, hunted or lived in a snowy place. Then he, his wife and dog moved from San Francisco to an off-the-grid cabin in rural Idaho.
May 28, 2024 • 49:34
The Emperors of Rome with Mary Beard
Mary Beard is an expert on the Roman Empire, and her latest book is about the rulers who presided over it — 30 emperors in nearly three centuries.
May 16, 2024 • 49:36
The Fateful Final Voyage of Captain James Cook
On July 12, 1776, James Cook set sail aboard the HMS Resolution. It was his third voyage, and his last.
May 15, 2024 • 48:49
The Tipping Trap
Has America's gratuity culture reached a tipping point? With tip prompts popping up everywhere from butcher shops to airport kiosks, the social norms around tipping are more fraught than ever.
May 9, 2024 • 49:45
The Enslaved Christians who Co-Wrote the Bible
Scholars say the New Testament was authored by familiar names, like Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Paul. But they had important help: slave labor.
May 8, 2024 • 49:32
The State of the Utah Republican Party
Utah’s Republican conventions have always been rancorous and incredibly contentious. But according to one longtime observer, this year’s meeting was as nasty as it’s ever been.
May 2, 2024 • 49:37
The Past, Present and Future of Pro Hockey in Utah
It’s official: Utah is getting a professional ice hockey team. But is this a hockey place?
May 1, 2024 • 49:57
Never Heard of Scrupulosity? Neither Have Many Who Suffer From It
Even if you aren’t afflicted by it, you probably know about obsessive compulsive disorder. But even if you have it, there’s a good chance you’ve never heard of scrupulosity.
Apr 25, 2024 • 50:14
Celebrating the Natural World with Writer Rick Bass
For the acclaimed writer and environmental activist Rick Bass, there are no hard lines between life, art and the natural world.
Apr 23, 2024 • 48:03
Whales of the High Desert
In 1888, the daily Salt Lake Herald-Republican reprinted a story from a Canadian paper. The headline? That a family of whales was flourishing in the Great Salt Lake.
Apr 18, 2024 • 36:10
Breathing Salt Lake’s West Side Air
If you live in the Salt Lake Valley, you know a thing or two about air pollution. There are days when you can see it. But if you live on the west side it’s even worse.
Apr 17, 2024 • 49:14
Mere Beauty: Utah Symposium on Science and Literature
If you got a poet, a neuroscientist and a theoretical physicist together to talk about beauty, what would they possibly have to say to each other?
Apr 11, 2024 • 50:04
Through the Lens: ‘Hotshot’
Hotshots are the hardened individuals who fight wildfires. Gabriel Mann’s new film gets viewers as close to the fire line as you can be without becoming a hotshot yourself.
Apr 10, 2024 • 49:28
How the Ocean Works
The oceanographer Helen Czerski wants you to think of the ocean as a vast, planet-spanning engine. And what it drives is no less than life itself.
Apr 4, 2024 • 49:35
Exploring Clint Eastwood’s ‘Unforgiven’
Ahead of the Salt Lake Film Society’s screening of the 1992 Clint Eastwood classic “Unforgiven,” we sit down to talk about this great Western.
Apr 3, 2024 • 52:20
The Debate Over Women's Empowerment in the LDS Church
A recent post on the LDS Church’s official Instagram page has racked up thousands of comments, many from women who see a vast gulf between how empowered the church says they are, and how empowered they actually feel.
Mar 28, 2024 • 49:22
Is it Actually a Good Idea to Colonize Mars?
Life on earth is for the dogs. There’s too much regulation, too few resources and it’s burning up besides. Better to pack up and leave for Mars. Or is it?
Mar 27, 2024 • 49:39
A History of Witchcraft in Thirteen Trials
The scholar Marion Gibson is an expert on witches. Her latest book tells a centuries-long history through the stories of 13 witch trials.
Mar 21, 2024 • 48:52
Gardening along the (not so dry) Wasatch Front
Utah is suffering from megadroughts, a dying lake (or two) and a dwindling Colorado River. So, why, then, are we watering so much Kentucky bluegrass along the Wasatch Front?
Mar 20, 2024 • 49:15
Podcast Extra: A Brief History of Polyamory in America
Polyamory is having a bit of a moment right now. We wanted to learn more about the history of having more than one romantic partner.
Mar 18, 2024 • 44:00
The Serious Search for Alien Life
UFOs undoubtedly exist. After all, people have been seeing inexplicable things in the skies for centuries. So, if the truth is out there, what does the government know about it?
Mar 14, 2024 • 49:30
Through the Lens: ‘Exposure’
In 2018, a group of inexperienced explorers — all women — set out on a journey that lots of people thought they couldn’t possibly finish: a trek to the North Pole.
Mar 13, 2024 • 49:16
Tax Exemptions for Religious Institutions
According to one report, the LDS Church’s financial holdings are in the hundreds of billions of dollars. And that raises the question: When is a church less about spirit and more about profit?
Mar 7, 2024 • 50:17
The Mastermind Behind Oil in the Uinta Basin
Transporting oil out of the Uinta Basin isn’t easy. The place is remote and the roads aren’t great. But a Texas oil man named Jim Finley is trying to change all that.
Mar 6, 2024 • 49:01
The 2024 Utah Legislative Wrap-Up
There is a new format for the Utah Legislative session — start with the most controversial bills up top. However, now that we near the end of the session, important bills are still in flux.
Mar 1, 2024 • 49:26
The Long Shot Bid for a Utah Lottery
Utah is one of only four states without a lottery. A longshot bill under consideration by the Utah State Legislature could potentially change that.
Feb 27, 2024 • 49:37
Through the Lens - The Eternal Memory
“There is pain here,” “But there is also a lot of nobility.” From the book “The Forbidden Memory” by Augusto Góngora.
Feb 21, 2024 • 49:35
Through the Lens - The Eternal Memory
“There is pain here,” “But there is also a lot of nobility.” From the book “The Forbidden Memory” by Augusto Góngora.
Feb 21, 2024 • 49:35
The Alien Abduction of Betty and Barney Hill
On September 19, 1961, Betty and Barney Hill claimed they were abducted by “beings that were somehow not human.”
Feb 15, 2024 • 49:16
Spirit World Encounters in Mormon Utah
Growing up in Northern Utah, the scholar Erin Stiles often heard stories from her Mormon friends about visits from spiritual beings. In a new book, she explores just how common these experiences happen to be.
Feb 14, 2024 • 47:45
Spirit World Encounters in Mormon Utah
Growing up in Northern Utah, the scholar Erin Stiles often heard stories from her Mormon friends about visits from spiritual beings. In a new book, she explores just how common these experiences happen to be.
Feb 8, 2024 • 47:45
The Golden Era of Hijacking Planes
If you were born in post-9/11 America, the idea of a plane getting hijacked is terrifying. But once upon a time hijackers seemed more interested in the thrill than instilling fear. And one of them even became a kind of folk hero.
Feb 7, 2024 • 49:09
The Plan to Save Great Salt Lake
A new plan to protect Great Salt Lake was recently released. This one has the endorsement of Utah’s most powerful political leaders. But does it have what it will take to save the lake?
Feb 1, 2024 • 50:11
How the Road Crossed the Land
Roads are such a common feature of the landscape that you can forget that they aren’t natural at all — that is, unless you’re an animal trying to cross one.
Feb 1, 2024 • 49:40
The Future of D.E.I.
Lawmakers are rushing an anti-D.E.I. bill through the 2024 Utah Legislature.
Jan 25, 2024 • 50:12
Sundance Film Festival 2024: ‘Sugarcane’
In 2021, unmarked graves were discovered at several residential boarding schools in Canada. Then, investigations began.
Jan 24, 2024 • 49:09
A New History of Mormonism
Upstate New York, 1830: self-proclaimed prophets are creating new faiths. Joseph Smith was one such man, and it was his new religion that would endure.
Jan 18, 2024 • 49:30
Budget, Housing and DEI — It’s the 2024 Legislative Session
The controversial bills — including Diversity, Equity and Inclusion — will kick off the 2024 Utah Legislative Session.
Jan 17, 2024 • 48:50
The Offensive Magic of Swearing
A good swear is like a bomb, shocking and offensive to all in the blast-radius. Except for those times when swears don’t quite go off. So, what’s the difference?
Jan 11, 2024 • 49:42
Mary Beard On The Emperors of Rome
Mary Beard is an expert on the Roman Empire, and her latest book is about the rulers who presided over it — 30 emperors in nearly three centuries.
Jan 10, 2024 • 49:55
How the Female Body Drove Human Evolution
In biological and medical research, the majority of studies that use mice are only using males. Why? Because female mammals’ estrous, or sexual, cycle means that their bodies are more “messy” than their male counterparts.
Jan 4, 2024 • 49:43
The Films of 2023
You’ll find plenty of lists of the best films of 2023 out there. But only ours includes the tenth installment of a notoriously grisly horror franchise.
Jan 3, 2024 • 48:44
Habits — Good and Bad
For the new year, we’re sharing our conversation with psychologist Wendy Wood, who told us that changing habits and keeping goals isn’t about willpower — it’s about tapping into our unconscious selves.
Dec 28, 2023 • 49:28
Exploring the Sonic World with ‘Sounds Wild and Broken’
Our planet is filled with sound — birdsong, music, speech. Even the earth itself makes noise. That sonic diversity is in danger.
Dec 27, 2023 • 49:23
Nigella Lawson on What Makes a Good Meal
If you’re into food writing or follow celebrity chefs, the chances are good that you've run across British food star Nigella Lawson. But how much do you actually know about her work?
Dec 20, 2023 • 49:07
The LDS Church's Playbook for Hiding Child Sexual Abuse
A recent report from the Associated Press tells the story of Chelsea Goodrich, who alleges that her father, a former Mormon bishop, sexually abused her as a child. He’s since been excommunicated from the LDS Church, which sought to keep Goodrich’s allegations under wraps.
Dec 20, 2023 • 49:56
RadioWest’s 2023 Holiday Book Show
It’s our favorite time of year – when we indulge in gathering piles of books and gifting them to our family and friends.
Dec 20, 2023 • 50:27
Through the Lens: ‘Subject’
Being featured in a documentary changes your life — and not just during the filming. Being a participant can often also mean public scrutiny, maybe trauma, for years and years.
Dec 13, 2023 • 50:18
The End of Craving
In recent years, many Americans have cut carbs and sugar, reduced fat and tried every diet. Yet millions of us still have high blood pressure, are pre-diabetic and obese. Why?
Dec 7, 2023 • 49:46
The Real Life of Napoleon Bonaparte
With Ridley Scott’s film “Napoleon” in theaters, we’re talking today about the real "Petit Caporal," a normal man who lived a life that was anything but small.
Dec 5, 2023 • 49:28
The Perfect Fence
In 1874, a farmer named Joseph Glidden patented what became known as “the perfect fence:” two wires lined with sharp, metal barbs.
Nov 29, 2023 • 49:04
The (Previously) Untold Story of the Women Who Mapped the Botany of the Grand Canyon
When you think of the Grand Canyon, you probably think of rocks and, of course, the Colorado River. But in the summer of 1938, two women risked their lives to study another feature of the canyon: its plants.
Nov 29, 2023 • 49:41
The Secret of Cooking
For many of us, cooking is an annoying, boring chore. But the food writer Bee Wilson says there’s a simple secret to an easier life in the kitchen, and it begins with the person who cooks.
Nov 21, 2023 • 48:46
RadioWest Films: ‘A Sister Must Sacrifice’
Miranda couldn’t wait to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She just didn’t know her weight would be a problem.
Nov 16, 2023 • 49:47
A People’s History of the Nuclear West
In 1951, the U.S. government began test detonations of nuclear bombs in the Nevada desert. It wasn’t long before people started getting cancer.
Nov 15, 2023 • 49:28
The 2023 Salt Lake City Mayoral Election
The race for Salt Lake City mayor comes down chiefly to two people, and both are, in a way, seeking re-election.
Nov 9, 2023 • 49:30
Through The Lens: ‘Body Parts’
During the silent film era, women directed, wrote scripts and had a lot of say over how they were portrayed on screen. Fast forward a hundred years to the #metoo movement, and that dynamic has entirely changed.
Nov 7, 2023 • 49:52
How the Ocean Works
The oceanographer Helen Czerski wants you to think of the ocean as a vast, planet-spanning engine. And what it drives is no less than life itself.
Nov 1, 2023 • 49:35
The Reckoning of Mitt Romney
When Mitt Romney was 17 years old, he attended the 1964 Republican national convention with his dad, then-governor of Michigan. George Romney, disgusted by the extremes he saw in his party, delivered a scathing rebuke. Years later, his son found himself in a very similar situation.
Oct 31, 2023 • 1:19:40
Radio Hour Episode 17: ‘Sherlock Holmes and The Final Problem’
Plan B Theatre and “RadioWest” are back with a new hour of live radio — and a live audience — with “Sherlock Holmes and the Final Problem.”
Oct 30, 2023 • 50:29
The Man Who Tasted Words
It’s through the senses of taste, sight, hearing, smell and touch that we perceive the world around us. But just how reliable, really, are those senses?
Oct 26, 2023 • 49:16
The Case Against the Gondola
The Utah Department of Transportation received more than 35,000 comments about its plans to build a gondola in Little Cottonwood Canyon. According to one count, more than 60% of commenters opposed the idea.
Oct 23, 2023 • 49:57
The Disastrous Voyage of the Wager
In 1740, the Wager set sail from England in search of Spanish treasure. Just about everything that could go wrong did go wrong.
Oct 19, 2023 • 49:31
The Scariest Movie of All Time
In 1973, moviegoers were seen fleeing from theaters. Some fainted; others threw up. That was the year that “The Exorcist” was released.
Oct 13, 2023 • 48:04
How to Cure Your Craving for More
If you find yourself fixating on something you want but know you don’t need, it’s not your fault; it’s the “scarcity brain” at work.
Oct 12, 2023 • 49:22
Through The Lens: ‘A Run For More’
In 2018, Frankie Gonzales-Wolfe, a transgender woman, ran for a city council seat in San Antonio, Texas — just as a flurry of anti-trans legislation was kicking up.
Oct 6, 2023 • 48:53
The Unraveling of Tim Ballard
In July, Tim Ballard stepped down as CEO of Operation Underground Railroad, just as “Sound of Freedom,” the movie based on his work, was released. Since then, a series of strange stories about Ballard have emerged.
Oct 6, 2023 • 49:39
"Sluffing School" and Other Utah-isms
Wanna talk like a real Utahn? Well, pour yourself a glass of “melk” and head on up to the “ruf.” We’ve got some “explainin’” to do.
Sep 29, 2023 • 49:54
Searching for Home in (Very) Rural America
Navied Mahdavian had always been a city guy. He had never fished, gardened, hiked, hunted or lived in a snowy place. Then he, his wife and dog moved from San Francisco to an off-the-grid cabin in rural Idaho.
Sep 29, 2023 • 49:44
A Struggle for the Soul of Mormonism
In September of 1993, six prominent intellectuals were disciplined and excommunicated from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Sep 21, 2023 • 49:22
The World’s Most Successful Art Thief with Michael Finkel
Between 1995 and 2001, Stéphane Breitweiser stole 239 works of art from more than 100 museums around Europe. He never sold a single one.
Sep 21, 2023 • 49:38
The Case for the Gondola
More than fifty years ago, there was a proposal to build a gondola from the base of Little Cottonwood Canyon to Snowbird Ski Resort. What if it was the right idea all along?
Sep 16, 2023 • 49:17
How Parking Explains the World. Seriously.
Here’s a way in to understanding what author Henry Grabar wants to tell you about parking: it’s one of the reasons we’ve got a housing crisis in America.
Sep 14, 2023 • 50:14
The New Science and Enduring Mystery of Owls
Look into the eyes of an owl and what do you see? Is there any way to know what’s hidden behind those eyes? Thanks to new research, there might be.
Sep 8, 2023 • 49:31
Oliver Burkeman: How to Spend Four Thousand Weeks of Life
If each of us lives to be 80, we’ll have spent about four thousand weeks being alive on this planet — which isn’t really much time at all. So, how should we spend it?
Sep 7, 2023 • 49:51
What Happens to the Group When the Individual Tops All?
American culture promotes a strong sense of individualism. But, what happens when individualism trumps community?
Sep 1, 2023 • 49:22
Clint Eastwood: The Man with No Name
Clint Eastwood has been a constant in American cinema for more than 60 years. But if you think it’s all Westerns and machismo, you’d be wrong.
Aug 31, 2023 • 49:35
Is a Gondola the Silver Bullet for Little Cottonwood’s ‘Red Snake’?
By now you’ve probably heard about the gondola, the one that’s slated to go up Little Cottonwood Canyon. It’s still decades away, but debate over the plan is holding steady at a fever pitch.
Aug 25, 2023 • 46:40
The Whales of the Great Salt Lake
In 1888, the daily Salt Lake Herald-Republican reprinted a story from a Canadian paper. The headline? That a family of whales was flourishing in the Great Salt Lake.
Aug 24, 2023 • 50:05
Kelsy Burke on America’s Pornography Obsession
In 2016, Utah Republicans declared pornography a public health crisis. But their resolution was merely a modern salvo in the ongoing pornography wars.
Aug 21, 2023 • 49:46
Timothy Egan on the KKK’s Plot to Take Over America
At the height of its power, the Ku Klux Klan was run by a depraved charlatan named D. C. Stephenson, until a woman's deathbed confession brought him down.
Aug 21, 2023 • 49:20
Searching for Paradise with Pico Iyer
Religions and myths tell us of paradise — where there is no suffering and bliss abounds. But can a real paradise ever be reached or made?
Aug 14, 2023 • 49:29
Alvin Hall Drives the Green Book
In 2019, author and broadcaster Alvin Hall drove from Detroit to New Orleans, using the same guide that was used during the height of segregation, The Negro Motorist Green Book.
Aug 11, 2023 • 48:47
Through the Lens: '32 Sounds' with Sam Green
Filmmaker Sam Green is obsessed with sound. After you see his documentary, you might feel the same way.
Aug 3, 2023 • 49:30
Ramesses II: The King of Kings
The first known peace treaty was negotiated by Ramesses II, a pharaoh who came from a line of commoners and was the only Egyptian king known as “the Great.”
Aug 3, 2023 • 50:22
The Mountain Meadows Massacre, Pt. 2: Blood, Blood, Blood
“Did Brigham Young order the Mountain Meadows Massacre?”
Jul 27, 2023 • 48:23
The Mountain Meadows Massacre, Pt. 1: Too Late, Too Late
On September 11, 1857, a Mormon militia attacked a wagon train of California-bound emigrants. They killed more than a hundred men, women and children.
Jul 27, 2023 • 49:33
Web Extra: Revisiting Operation Underground Railroad
With the release of the new film, “The Sound of Freedom,” Operation Underground Railroad and its founder, Tim Ballard, are back in the news, so we are reposting our 2022 episode about the organization and the realities of child-sex-trafficking. This episode mentions an investigation into Operation Underground Railroad, which has since been dropped.
Jul 27, 2023 • 51:28
David Remnick on the GOATs of Pop Music
As the longtime editor of The New Yorker, David Remnick has profiled many of rock n’ roll and pop music’s greatest performers, often later in their lives.
Jul 21, 2023 • 47:47
The Alien Abduction of Betty and Barney Hill
On September 19, 1961, Betty and Barney Hill claimed they were abducted by “beings that were somehow not human.”
Jul 20, 2023 • 48:51
David Grann on the Disastrous Voyage of the Wager
In 1740, the Wager set sail from England in search of Spanish treasure. Just about everything that could go wrong did go wrong.
Jul 14, 2023 • 49:10
Never Heard of Scrupulosity? Neither Have Many Who Suffer From It
Even if you aren’t afflicted by it, you probably know about obsessive compulsive disorder. But even if you have it, there’s a good chance you’ve never heard of scrupulosity.
Jul 14, 2023 • 50:20
Through The Lens: Users
After the birth of her son, documentary filmmaker Natalia Almada asked herself: Will technology be a better mother than me?
Jul 7, 2023 • 49:56
Awe and the Science of Wonder with Dacher Keltner
You know that feeling you get when you see something so incredible that it transcends understanding? That’s awe. But, really, what is awe?
Jul 6, 2023 • 48:33
Michael Finkel on the World’s Most Prolific Art Thief
Between 1995 and 2001, Stéphane Breitweiser stole 239 works of art from more than 100 museums around Europe. He never sold a single one.
Jul 1, 2023 • 50:01
The Revolutionary Samuel Adams with Stacy Schiff
The role that Samuel Adams played in fomenting the American Revolution once made him the most wanted man in the country.
Jun 29, 2023 • 52:00
Quentin Tarantino and ‘Inglourious Basterds’
What do you get when you mix conversations about burgers in Europe, debates about Madonna’s “Like a Virgin,” plus lots of violence? A Tarantino movie.
Jun 22, 2023 • 49:34
Is Utah Ready For The Big Leagues?
An effort is underway to bring a Major League Baseball team to Utah. But what does it mean, and what does it take to make the jump to the big leagues?
Jun 16, 2023 • 49:55
Abraham Verghese On ‘The Covenant of Water’
Abraham Verghese’s new novel “The Covenant of Water” is already a critical sensation. We’re talking with him about writing it, as well as the intersection between art and medicine.
Jun 15, 2023 • 49:44
Through the Lens: ‘Squaring the Circle (The Story of Hipgnosis)’
What do Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon,” Led Zeppelin’s “Houses of the Holy” and “Elegy” by The Nice have in common? All are iconic albums — visually, as well as musically.
Jun 10, 2023 • 45:12
Through the Lens: ‘Squaring the Circle (The Story of Hipgnosis)’
What do Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon,” Led Zeppelin’s “Houses of the Holy” and “Elegy” by The Nice have in common? All are iconic albums — visually, as well as musically.
Jun 9, 2023 • 45:12
RadioWest’s 2023 Summer Book Show
With summer here, it’s time once again to gather our trio of booksellers, who are full of good ideas about what to read poolside this year.
Jun 9, 2023 • 51:30
Through the Lens: ‘Squaring the Circle (The Story of Hipgnosis)’
What do Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon”,” Led Zeppelin’s “Houses of the Holy” and “Elegy” by The Nice have in common? All are iconic albums — visually, as well as musically.
Jun 8, 2023 • 47:52
A History of Utah Pride
Today, we’re talking about the history of the LGBTQ+ experience in Utah. At the beginning of Utah’s statehood, it was common for people of the same gender to live together. Think of groups of women in polygamist households or scores of men living together on ranches. So, did anyone question these groups’ sexuality?
Jun 2, 2023 • 47:38
John Vaillant On The Personality Of Fire
If you’ve been following the news, you’ll know that Nova Scotia and New Brunswick are currently burning. But this area of Canada, located just above the Northeastern U.S., is not one of North America’s hot, dry, fire prone areas.
Jun 2, 2023 • 49:24
Toby Wilkinson on Egypt’s King of Kings
The first known peace treaty was negotiated by Ramesses II, a pharaoh who came from a line of commoners and was the only Egyptian king known as “the Great”.
May 26, 2023 • 49:48
Latino History in Utah with Professor Armando Solorzano
Armando Solorzano, a professor at the University of Utah, says the time has come for Latino-American Utahns to reclaim their history and regain a sense of belonging to this state.
May 26, 2023 • 49:40
Little Moon Sits at the Tiny Desk
In 2008, NPR Music created the Tiny Desk concerts — a video series of live concerts performed at the desk of “All Songs Considered” host Bob Boilen. What began as a simple and intimate performance has turned into somewhat of a “cult following.”
May 19, 2023 • 49:20
Timothy Egan on the KKK’s Plot to Take Over America
At the height of its power, the Ku Klux Klan was run by a depraved charlatan named D. C. Stephenson, until a woman's deathbed confession brought him down.
May 19, 2023 • 49:20
Radio Hour Episode 16: ‘The Case of the Missing Dog’
Plan-B Theatre and “RadioWest” are back with a new hour of live radio: a world premiere by Brandan Ngo, “The Case of the Missing Dog.”
May 12, 2023 • 46:00
A Conversation with Heather Armstrong
On Tuesday, Heather Armstrong died by suicide after a lifetime struggle with depression.
May 11, 2023 • 49:50
Rethinking John Wayne
43 years after his death, John Wayne is still among America’s most popular and revered movie stars. Today, we’re talking about his life, roles and legacy.
May 5, 2023 • 53:00
Kelsy Burke on America’s Pornography Obsession
In 2016, Utah Republicans declared pornography a public health crisis. But their resolution was merely a modern salvo in the ongoing pornography wars.
May 4, 2023 • 53:00
The Undelivered Great Speeches
Have you ever wondered what Hillary Clinton might’ve said if she’d become president? Actually, you can know — by reading her speech that was never delivered.
Apr 28, 2023 • 53:00
Lori Daybell and 'Doomsday' Beliefs
The trial of Lori Vallow Daybell is underway in Idaho and it is bringing attention to her “doomsday” religious beliefs. This week we are revisiting our conversation with the author Leah Sottile, who wrote about Daybell in her book: “When the Moon Turns to Blood”.
Apr 27, 2023 • 53:06
Web Extra: NPR's A Martínez on the Future of Public Radio
When A Martínez got his first job in public radio in 2012, he was already well into a very successful radio career. He also knew nothing about public radio or the public radio world. So, how did he end up here?
Apr 27, 2023 • 52:54
Web Extra: Wes Anderson and “The Royal Tenenbaums”
Wes Anderson’s films are among the most stylistically recognizable in American cinema. And “The Royal Tenenbaums” is among his most lauded.
Apr 24, 2023 • 37:00
What the Bible Does — and Doesn’t — Say
Dan McClellan is a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who oversaw scripture translations at the Church for years. Dan Beecher is an ex-Mormon and an atheist. Together, they host a podcast about the Bible.
Apr 21, 2023 • 53:00
Claire Dederer on Reckoning with the Great Art of Bad People
Is it okay to consume — even to love — the art created by people who’ve done terrible things? What are the ethics of making a choice like that?
Apr 21, 2023 • 53:00
The Utah Floods of 1983 — And 2023
It was spring of 1983, Utah skiers were happy, snowpack was at a record high and temperatures kept it there well into May. Until it didn’t. Sound familiar?
Apr 14, 2023 • 52:48
John Hendrickson’s ‘Life on Delay: Making Peace with a Stutter’
In 2019, “Atlantic” writer and editor John Hendrickson wrote a piece about then-presidential candidate Joe Biden’s struggle with stuttering. It forced Hendrickson to reconcile with his own stutter, too.
Apr 13, 2023 • 53:00
The History of Juanita Brooks' History of Mountain Meadows Massacre
For nearly a century, the murder of 120 emigrants by Mormon militiamen at Mountain Meadows in early September, 1857, existed as little more than whispers around Utah. Then a rural housewife and writer named Juanita Brooks dared to tread where others had long feared to and write the first history of the Mountain Meadows Massacre.
Apr 12, 2023 • 52:04
Pico Iyer's Search For Paradise
Religions and myths tell us of paradise — where there is no suffering and bliss abounds. But can a real paradise ever be reached or made?
Apr 7, 2023 • 53:00
Through the Lens: All That Breathes
Out of the polluted skies over New Delhi, India, birds of prey known as Black kites fall to the ground. Two brothers care for and rehabilitate them.
Mar 31, 2023 • 53:00
Society's Obsession with Women’s Butts
We’ll forgive you for laughing at the headline of this episode. But the thing is, butts have a serious cultural history.
Mar 30, 2023 • 53:00
Defining Christian Nationalism
Last month, a Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) poll gauged the rising influence of Christian nationalism among religious Americans. Its findings were eye opening.
Mar 28, 2023 • 53:01
Dacher Keltner on the Science of Awe
You know that feeling you get when you see something so incredible that it transcends understanding? That’s awe. But, really, what is awe?
Mar 23, 2023 • 53:00
LDS Church and the GSL, Part II
On Wednesday, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that it will donate a permanent yearly transfer of 20,000 acre feet of water to the Great Salt Lake.
Mar 17, 2023 • 53:00