On today's episode Kyler welcomes filmmaker Matthew Avant to discuss his compelling new documentary pilot, Roots and Relics. Inspired by his father’s passion for history and a lifetime spent visiting historic sites, Matthew has created a show that focuses on the deep-seated stories behind family heirlooms. The conversation explores the project's origins, starting with Matthew’s early days filming family interviews in 2001 and evolving into a series that uses unique artifacts as windows into the past.

A central highlight of the discussion is the fascinating history of Blacktail Ranch, where Matthew filmed his pilot. He recounts the harrowing story of a 19th-century miner named Joe Baker, whose final words were discovered etched into a limestone rock after a grizzly bear attack—a "final text" from 1881 that now sits in a family museum alongside a 5-mile-deep cavern filled with 13,000-year-old artifacts. Beyond the history, Matthew shares insights into his creative process, working with host J.D. Hart, and his diverse background in sci-fi and horror filmmaking. Be sure to catch the screening of Roots and Relics at Dances with Films in New York City on Saturday, January 17th at 3:00 PM.

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Episode Links:

• IG: @rootsandrelicstv
• Media Savant
• Dances with Films
• Blacktail Ranch

In this episode of Salt Lake Dirt, Kyler Bingham talks with award-winning biographer Carla Kaplan about her latest book, Troublemaker: The Fierce, Unruly Life of Jessica Mitford. Jessica Mitford, or "Decca," was a member of the famously eccentric British aristocracy who famously defected from her privileged upbringing to become a passionate Marxist and a legendary muckraking journalist in America. Kaplan discusses the fascinating and often dark history of the six Mitford sisters—whose lives spanned the political spectrum from Communism to Fascism—and how Decca used her "hold-your-sides funny" humor as a powerful tool for social activism. From her world-changing exposé of the funeral industry, The American Way of Death, to her tireless work against police brutality in Oakland, this conversation highlights how Mitford's relentless spirit and refusal to succumb to despair offer a vital roadmap for navigating the political tensions of the current moment.

Thanks for listening!

Episode Links:

• Purchase Troublemaker: The Fierce, Unruly Life of Jessica Mitford
• CarlaKaplan.com

In this episode of Salt Lake Dirt, Kyler Bingham sits down with actor and producer Shaun Wu to discuss his compelling new narrative pilot, Henry by the Hour, which is making its world premiere at Dances With Films in New York.

Inspired by the real-world "rental family" services in Japan and the pervasive sense of modern isolation, Shaun explores the profound "beautiful sadness" of paid companionship. The series follows Henry, a professional "rental friend" who navigates the unique needs of his clients—ranging from a simple physical presence in a quiet room to playing the role of a boyfriend to satisfy family expectations.

Thanks for listening!

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Screening Information:

If you are in New York City, catch the world premiere of Henry by the Hour:

Date: January 17th 12:45 PMLocation: Regal Cinemas, Union Square 10

Episode Links:

Instagram: @shaunqwu & @henrybythehour