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 116 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Work Harding hosts Roots and Branches of Lehi: The People and Stories of Our City, a society show with 116 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 #108

  How Sunshine Street Co. Began

  Sep 18, 20265 minS1

  ✨ 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 known throughout Lehi for personalized necklaces, bracelets, and keepsakes that commemorate names, anniversaries, birthdays, meaningful symbols, and even angel numbers. But for Rachel, the jewelry has always been about more than accessories. Many of her most meaningful creations honor life's biggest milestones—from welcoming a new baby to remembering a loved one who has passed away. Through each custom piece, she has witnessed how thoughtful gifts can provide comfort, preserve memories, and strengthen the bonds between families and friends. Her journey is also a testament to the courage it takes to build a business from the ground up, embrace vulnerability, and serve a community that has enthusiastically supported her dream. It's a beautiful reminder that the smallest handcrafted treasures often carry the greatest meaning—and that strong communities are built one meaningful connection at a time. Love stories about local entrepreneurs, creativity, and the people making Lehi a special place to call home? 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 – Lehi Roots & Growing Up • 00:15 – Starting Sunshine Street Co. • 00:51 – Launching an Online Business • 01:47 – The Hustle of a One-Woman Shop • 02:05 – Personalized Jewelry & Customer Stories • 02:25 – Building Confidence Through Business • 02:44 – Jewelry That Marks Life's Biggest Moments • 03:54 – Angel Numbers, Grief & Healing • 04:27 – A Love Letter to the Lehi Community ⸻ Small Business Entrepreneurship • Personalized Jewelry • Hand-Stamped Jewelry • Women-Owned Business • Handmade Gifts • Meaningful Jewelry • Grief & Healing • Creative Entrepreneurship • Supporting Local Businesses • Community Connection • Roots and Branches of Lehi Podcast • Lehi Utah • Family Milestones • Custom Jewelry • Sunshine Street Co. ⸻ 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 #107

  The Inspiring Story Behind Sunshine Street Co. and Handmade Jewelry

  Sep 14, 202626 minS1

  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. After creating "Brooklyn Strong" bracelets during a Lehi Roundup fundraiser in honor of her cousin, Brooklyn Trapp , who courageously battled cancer for eight years, Rachel discovered the power of creating meaningful keepsakes that celebrate life, preserve memories, and bring comfort during life's most significant moments. That experience inspired her to launch Sunshine Street Co. on August 26, 2021. As a one-woman business owner and mother of three, Rachel shares the realities of balancing family life with entrepreneurship while designing every piece by hand. From personalized necklaces and bracelets to memorial jewelry and custom gifts, she explains how each order tells a unique story. She also discusses building her business through Instagram, local events, and word-of-mouth, along with the overwhelming support she's received from the Lehi community. Throughout the conversation, Rachel reflects on why Lehi continues to feel like home, the importance of supporting local businesses, and why pursuing your passion—even when it feels uncertain—is always worthwhile. Her story is a reminder that small acts of creativity and service can leave a lasting impact on individuals, families, and an entire community. Love hearing stories from the entrepreneurs, creators, and community members making Lehi a special place to call home? Subscribe for more Roots and Branches of Lehi episodes celebrating local businesses, meaningful service, and the people behind our community. Brought to you by Work Hard Mortgage — helping families go from renting to rooted. • 00:00 – Podcast Welcome • 00:37 – Meet Rachel Hunter • 01:04 – Growing Up in Lehi • 01:57 – Introducing Sunshine Street Co. • 02:47 – The Story Behind the Brand • 06:01 – Five Years in Business • 06:59 – Products, Customers & Personalized Jewelry • 07:54 – Selling Online and at Community Events • 08:58 – Running a One-Woman Business • 09:31 – Balancing Motherhood and Entrepreneurship • 10:40 – Kids, Creativity & Family Life • 11:16 – The Signature Delilah Discs Collection • 12:53 – Managing the Business Behind the Scenes • 14:16 – Memorial Jewelry and Healing Through Keepsakes • 16:48 – Make a Day Monday Moments • 19:22 – The Story Behind the 11:11 Necklace • 21:58 – Why Lehi Feels Like Home • 23:36 – Thoughts on Lehi's Growth and Road Changes • 24:42 – Final Advice and Closing Thoughts Related Topics: Sunshine Street Co. • Small Business • Handmade Jewelry • Personalized Gifts • Women Entrepreneurs • Memorial Jewelry • Lehi Small Business • Community Stories • Local Makers • 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 #SunshineStreetCo #SmallBusiness #WomenEntrepreneurs #HandmadeJewelry #ShopLocal

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  Episode #106

  Keeping Lehi's Heritage Alive

  Sep 11, 20265 minS1

  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 town where nearly everyone knew each other, Shawn and Nikki reflect on the values that shaped their lives and continue to define the community today. The conversation explores the balance between welcoming new residents and honoring the traditions that have made Lehi unique for generations. From organizing Heritage Days and the iconic stock parade to supporting meaningful service projects—including improvements to the cemetery office for grieving families—they share how communities stay strong when people give back. As horses become harder to keep and long-standing traditions naturally evolve, Shawn and Nikki remind us that preserving heritage isn't about resisting change—it's about carrying forward the values that make a place feel like home. It's a heartfelt reminder that communities thrive when the past is remembered, the present is celebrated, and everyone is invited to help shape the future. Love stories about local traditions, community service, and the people preserving Lehi's heritage? 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 Bonds • 00:11 – Six Generations of Lehi Roots • 00:30 – Community Values & Hard Work • 00:49 – Honoring Heritage Days • 01:06 – Balancing Tradition & Growth • 01:25 – Building a Culture of Service • 01:40 – The Heritage Days Stock Parade • 01:51 – Leadership Through Service • 02:40 – Preparing for the Old West Parade • 03:11 – Preserving Western Traditions • 03:52 – The Changing Role of Horses • 04:05 – Keeping Heritage Alive • 04:28 – What It Means to Be a Pioneer • 04:39 – How Traditions Evolve • 04:53 – When Everyone Knows Everyone ⸻ Lehi Heritage Days • Lehi Roundup Rodeo • Stock Parade • Pioneer Heritage • Small-Town Traditions • Community Service • Thanksgiving Point • Fox Farm History • Western Heritage • Family Legacy • Roots and Branches of Lehi Podcast • Lehi Utah • Community Growth • Preserving Local Traditions • Small-Town Values ⸻ 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 #105

  Inside Lehi's Famous Stock Parade and Community Traditions

  Sep 9, 202654 minS1

  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. From growing up in a close-knit farming community to experiencing life outside Utah before returning home, Shawn and Nikki reflect on the unique culture that makes Lehi special. They discuss how events like the Stock Parade , Lehi Roundup Rodeo , Arts in the Park , and countless volunteer efforts bring together longtime residents and newcomers alike, helping preserve Lehi's identity while welcoming growth. Shawn also offers a behind-the-scenes look at his years serving as Lehi's cemetery sexton, including creating the city's infant cemetery section and improving the cemetery experience for grieving families. Now working with the Parks Department, he shares the challenges of maintaining beautiful public spaces while balancing growth, sustainability, and water conservation. Together, Shawn and Nikki also explain what it takes to organize the beloved non-motorized Stock Parade and why preserving traditions matters for future generations. This heartfelt conversation is a reminder that thriving communities aren't built by accident—they're built by neighbors who volunteer, preserve local history, and create places where families can gather for generations to come. Love hearing the stories of the people preserving Lehi's history and traditions? Subscribe for more Roots and Branches of Lehi episodes celebrating community, heritage, and the people who make Lehi feel like home. Brought to you by Work Hard Mortgage — helping families go from renting to rooted. • 00:00 – Podcast Welcome • 00:45 – Meet Shawn and Nikki Winters • 01:50 – Six to Eight Generations in Lehi • 03:37 – Growing Up in a Small-Town Community • 07:41 – Bridging "Old" and "New" Lehi • 09:45 – Volunteering and Community Traditions • 12:33 – Honoring Heritage Through Lehi Days • 14:08 – Creating the Infant Cemetery Section • 18:52 – Serving Through the Parks Department • 21:19 – Growth, Parks, and Community Service • 24:44 – Water-Wise Park Design • 27:04 – Conserving Water While Growing Lehi • 28:01 – Lessons from the Parade Committee • 30:11 – Safer Online Parade Registration • 34:13 – Preserving the Non-Motorized Stock Parade • 35:38 – Memorable Wild Horse Moments • 37:10 – Parade Logistics, Hitches & Trophies • 38:30 – Favorite Family Parade Memories • 43:29 – Looking Ahead to Lehi's Future • 47:13 – Expanding Parks for Future Families • 49:25 – Legacy, Gratitude & Closing Thoughts • 52:45 – Podcast Outro Related Topics: Lehi Heritage • Stock Parade • Lehi Roundup Rodeo • Community Service • Parks & Recreation • Historic Preservation • Volunteerism • Family Traditions • Civic Engagement • 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 #LehiHeritage #StockParade #CommunityService #Volunteerism #LehiRoundup

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  Episode #104

  Why Every Student Needs Financial Literacy

  Aug 28, 20267 minS1

  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 people. From promoting internships for future teachers to establishing trust with students and parents through clear expectations, Gig explains why meaningful education begins with strong relationships. He also reflects on Utah's nationally recognized financial literacy efforts, sharing how practical money skills can help families avoid debt, make wiser financial decisions, and build a more secure future. Beyond academics, Gig encourages students to read widely, develop public speaking skills, strengthen their mental math abilities, and learn that there is often more than one right solution. He also celebrates the diversity of public education, the value of service—including donating a kidney—and the importance of helping every student find a place where they belong. It’s a powerful reminder that education isn't just about earning good grades—it's about building capable, compassionate people who strengthen their families and communities. Love stories about education, leadership, and the people shaping 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 • 00:08 – An Unusual Name • 00:28 – Leaving Home & Coming Back • 00:42 – From Business to Service & Education • 01:09 – Teaching Through Trust • 01:40 – Utah's Financial Literacy Mission • 02:39 – Learning Through Failure • 03:37 – Recognizing Student Success • 04:26 – Essential Skills for Life • 05:31 – The Value of Public Schools • 05:57 – Service, Giving & Donating a Kidney • 06:38 – Helping Students Stay in the Game • 06:52 – A Message of Hope ⸻ Financial Literacy • Personal Finance Education • Teacher Impact Stories • Student Success • Public Education • Service & Leadership • Public Speaking Skills • Life Skills Education • Utah Financial Literacy • Community Mentorship • Kidney Donation • Roots and Branches of Lehi Podcast • Lehi Utah • Building Strong Communities • Youth Development ⸻ 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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