Famous Utahn: Senator and Astronaut, Jake Garn

Episode 205 we decided to feature in our monthly famous Utahn segment, Senator Jake Garn. By the end of the episode we realized he is one of the FEW Utahn’s (famous and infamous) that is still alive!

Born in Richfield, Utah, on October 12, 1932, Jake Garn would spend the majority of his life in Utah. Garn attended the University of Utah where he achieved a Bachelor of Science in business and finance. He did go on to join the US Navy and the National Guard as a pilot. He served on the Salt Lake City Commission and became Mayor in 1972.

Mr. Garn was a member of the Republican Party, and served as a U.S. Senator representing Utah from 1974 to 1993. At the time of his second election he earned, to this day, the highest amount of votes in a statewide race in Utah. That was 74%. During his time in office he was chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee and served on three subcommittees: Housing and Urban Affairs, Financial Institutions, and International Finance and Monetary Policy. He also was a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and served as Chairman of the HUD-Independent Agencies Subcommittee. Garn also served on four other Appropriations subcommittees: Energy and Water Resources, Defense, Military Construction, and Interior. Garn served as a member of the Republican leadership from 1979 to 1984 as Secretary of the Republican Conference.

So, how did Senator Garn become an American senator payload specialist astronaut 1984-1985? That was the official title of his astronaut mission. Senator Garn was asked to take part in his particular NASA flight because he was head of the appropriation committee that handled NASA. Oh, also he had extensive flight experience. Senator Garn was the first member of Congress to fly into space. This happened in 1985. Rumor had it that when training to do the mission that the the space sickness he experienced during the journey was so severe that a scale for space sickness was jokingly based on him, where “one Garn” is the highest possible level of sickness. Senator Garn has said that he wasn’t actually that sick. According to PeoplePill.com, “Astronaut Charles F. Bolden, however, described Garn as “the ideal candidate to do it, because he was a veteran Navy combat pilot who had more flight hours than anyone in the Astronaut Office.”

Senator Garn retired in 1992 and continues to speak about politics and America’s space program. We have attached a local news segment with Bob Evans, of Fox13, asking Jake Garn 3 questions. This interview was done in 2018.

Some of the resources we used for our research this episode:

www.astronautix.com / geni.com / peoplepill.com / NASA

Music By: Folk Hogan; Bootleggers Dance

Episode 174 Utah Pumpkin Feuds

Do you think the pumpkin patches in Utah have feuds, like West Side Story dancing kind of feuds? We do! Episode 174 we ran through a list of 40 of the the most family friendly fall adventures to take through every county in Utah, courtesy of Tips for Family Trips. Utah has zero shortage of corn mazes.

The end of September brings our infamous Utah segment. This month, although he was only born in Utah and spent a mere 11 years, we discussed the monster that is Gary Ridgway. Up until the last year, he was known as one of the most deadly serial killers in history.

We will ALWAYS love your “likes” BUT don’t forget to click that little SHARE button (or retweet) *sharing IS indeed caring* You can find us and subscribe on Soundcloud, Spotify, Stitcher, or Itunes, and Google Play and TuneIN. Leave us a review and Follow us on the Twitter @tnupodcast, Instagram @Tnupodcast, or on Facebook The New Utah Podcast

Music By: Folk Hogan. Bootleggers Dance.

Episode 171 But What About the Pie?

This week we talk about some really sad things… like no more Marie Callendar’s in Utah. We thought we would be without pie but we found some great pie places from the Daily Herald, both sweet and savory, in Utah County! We’ve also covered the best pies in Utah on past episodes. So fear not, there should be no pie shortage.

Jessica gave a recap of her Maui trip and how being stuck at an airport is not paradise. We also talk about our concert outing to the album release party of Folk Hogan, Behold! Check them out on episode 169!

Now for the important question… is it BIM-BO or BEEM-BO??

Music By: Folk Hogan. Bootleggers Dance.

Utah’s One Thing: Jay Whittaker, Actor/Comedian/Podcaster

Since we started our show in 2016, we have been asking our guests at the end of every New Utah interview, “What is the one thing that you would tell someone visiting Utah they had to do before leaving?”

Episode 111 we sat down with comedian, podcaster, and actor; Jay Whittaker. Jay said that the one thing he would tell someone visiting Utah that they had to do before leaving is to get to Moab. Jay said that he really understood how beautiful the earth was after visiting Moab. Jay also said to find yourself while you’re in Utah. He said that you might get briefed on the culture, and you can figure out what your brand is because Utah allows that.

Photo Credit: Choice Hotels.com

We love your “likes” BUT don’t forget to SHARE (or retweet) *sharing IS indeed caring* and to subscribe on Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Itunes, Google Play, and TuneIn. Follow us on the Twitter @tnupodcast On Instagram @tnupodcast or on Facebook The New Utah Podcast

Music By Folk Hogan. Bootleggers Dance.

Episode 110 Utah’s Natural Wonders

Utah? Natural Wonders? You may only here those in relation to the 5 National Parks in Southern Utah, but this week we found an awesome list that spans throughout the great state of Utah! Mike Godfrey, at KSL, picked out 7 natural wonders of Utah. We loved that we learned something new with this list. Did you know that the Uinta’s are one of only two North America mountain ranges that run East/West? Did you also know there are 1000 lakes throughout them?

We also thought it would be fun to discuss the Salt Lake Tribune’s recent article on 19 Utah Beers that have clever names based on Utah activities, places, and people! Do you have a favorite? Have you tried them all?

We know that a the half tiger, half lion, Liger is Napoleon Dynamite’s most favorite animal ever, but did you know it was an actual real animal? It still resides in Utah at the Bean museum in Provo. Click HERE to read more about Shasta, how she kept the zoo going, and her 24 years at the Hogle Zoo!

Shasta holds the record for longevity among ligers at 24 years. Toward the end, she developed arthritis and her body systems declined — and she was taken off public display. She died July 19, 1972. Farnsworth, who was then the zoo director, decided that because Shasta had been so loved and of such great interest, he sent her body to a taxidermist. “Then we put her on display in the old cat building,” he said, “so she still got a lot of attention.” She was later shipped to the Bean Museum at BYU in 1997. “There was a general philosophical change about hybrids. The thought was that since it didn’t happen in nature, we shouldn’t be doing it either in the zoo,” said Larry St. Clair, director of the museum.

We will ALWAYS love your “likes” BUT don’t forget to click that little SHARE button (or retweet) *sharing IS indeed caring* You can find us and subscribe on Soundcloud, Stitcher, or Itunes, and Google Play and TuneIN. Leave us a review and Follow us on the Twitter @tnupodcast, Instagram @Tnupodcast, or on Facebook The New Utah Podcast

Episode 100 The New Utah Podcast Celebrates a Milestone!

What is a more important milestone? 100 episodes or rolling into your third year? We have been debating this for weeks. Either way we are so grateful that we have made it this far on our journey through our amazing state of Utah. We have met so many amazing people and cannot believe how quickly it has all passed by!

Also, doesn’t everyone love the rains down in Africa???

This week we took some time to interview each other, recap our favorite interviews, and of course be our silly and inappropriate selves! You usually only get a snapshot of what happened during our week and a tiny glimpse of who we are. We thought it would be fun to write down some questions and spend some time letting you get to know each of us a little better.

What else would you like to know about us? Send us your questions here or on Facebook/Twitter!

Thank you to everyone; comedians, Senators, musicians, food and product creators, activists, distillers and brewers, drag queens, personal trainers, authors, artists, dentists, Irishmen, keeper of the plants and farms, and all those (way too many to list everyone) that have taken time to join us the past 100 weeks! We are so lucky to have you be part of our New Utah Podcast tribe. We definitely look forward to meeting more amazing Utahn’s and people who have influenced our state!

Music: Bootleggers Dance by local Utah Band Folk Hogan

Episode 99 Beer Always Starts as a Joke.

Ever wanted to know if you’re a closeted hipster like Jessica? Here is the quiz we made her take at the end of this weeks show; How Hipster are You Quiz.

This week we had a great time talking to co-owner of Talisman Brewing Company, Joann Williams. We were incredibly grateful for the time she had for us since Talisman Brewing Company has been working extra hard with opening their new tavern over this past weekend in Ogden. We are certain she probably preferred a nap instead of talking to us, but so happy we had an opportunity to listen to their story!

It is pretty incredible when you hear a business “started as a joke” and then hear that they are now living and thriving in their dream. Husband and wife brew team, Joann and Dusty, were transplants to Utah via Hill Air Force Base. Once it was time to retire from the military, Dusty was egged on by one of our favorite locals, James Fowler of Sugar House Distillery, to take the leap and start a brewery. We really wanted to name this episode, It’s James Fowler’s Fault! We are certainly glad he made that push for a craft beer business that Ogden really needed! So, great job James! High fives all around. Where did the name, Talisman, come from you ask? With Celtic descent from mostly Wales, Dusty decided that the talisman was the prefect emblem of good luck that they would need to grow this beer experience and business in a generally unfriendly, non-beer loving state. It makes their beer caps super fancy, too!

Joann and Dusty started Ogden’s first full brewery on Gibson Street. They are two years in and are currently distributing to local grocers and to the Utah liquor stores, as well as on site. Over the weekend of the 13th and 14th this month (April) they also opened a new tavern. Joann explained to us the legalities of operation and how they will be incorporating the community into this venture with music and food trucks! Currently they have 10 beers with a revolving door of seasonal beers and a special anniversary release coming up in celebration of their 2nd year. Not only are they giving back to the Ogden,Utah community through volunteer work and numerous food and clothing drives, they have started Beer Yoga at their location, they offer event space and brewery tours, and Talisman Brewery Co. offers all types of classes to both adults AND kids! Yes, you read that correctly, beer is science and kids can learn about it too! You can find their calendar by clicking HERE.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Talisman Brewery is their label artwork. Finding an artist that is cohesive with your business vision is imperative. Dusty and Joann found just that in an artist from the Philippines! Take a listen for more detail on how the artist was found. We could keep writing but want you to listen to their awesome creation story! Head up to Ogden to 1258 Gibson or check out one of their brews at a local Smith’s, Winco, Harmon’s, or liquor store this weekend!

Also, Talisman Brewery Co. runs fun social media campaigns you should participate in through hashtags such as #adventuresinIPA and #firstbreweryinOgden. You can find them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

Leave us a review and Follow us on the Twitter @tnupodcast, Instagram @Tnupodcast, or on Facebook The New Utah Podcast

Episode 90 Who farms when the farmer is sick?

This week we were going to be joined by the elusive Farmer Luke of Petersen Farms, but the illness struck and we will have him on in a few weeks for farm talk! Instead you get to listen to us talk about hoarding mother-in-laws, if Jeremy should bee keep again, our house projects, and how Bob Costas is a douchebag. Or is he?

In the spirit of the Olympics we made sure this week to dive deep into important topics, like that the Olympics hands out well over 450,000 condoms, that STD’s run rampant, and most important; Olympic sports that are so obscure you have probably never heard of them, brought to you by the Huffington Post. Ski ballet should definitely make a come back.

Don’t forget to follow our friends Olio Skin and Beard Co to see when their next soap making classes are! Make sure to sign up fast because they do sell out!

We also want to mention that the Salt Lake Library will be offering a local Utah musician streaming music service starting this summer! What an awesome way to support local music! Make sure to follow their website which will launch this summer. You can read more about the program at KSL.com

LISTEN HERE: The New Utah Podcast