This week on Salt Lake Dirt, we welcome back the talented Gary Lippman to discuss his latest book, I Wish, Therefore I Am. In this episode, Kyler and Gary discuss the creative process behind the book, exploring the significance of titles and the role of wishes in our lives. Gary shares his insights on how he arrived at the catchy title and the unique structure of the book, which he affectionately refers to as his "kitchen sink book."
Great book, great chat! Thanks for listening.
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Previous Episodes with Gary:
This week on Salt Lake Dirt, we have the pleasure of welcoming Tim Kirk, author of the new novel, All His Damned Mother's Sons. In this episode, Kyler and Tim delve into the fascinating world of alternate history, exploring a timeline where Elvis Presley meets an untimely death during his military service in Germany. This pivotal moment sends shockwaves through the lives of four characters, particularly Billy Clover, who finds himself thrust into the limelight as the new Prince of Rock and Roll.
Great book, great chat! Thanks for listening.
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Salt Lake Dirt is wrapping up its coverage FilmQuest this week! FilmQuest is one of my favorite film festivals out there. Check it out!
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Episode 353
Film: The Waking Call
Guest: Riccardo Suriano
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On the Radio on 11/3/25
KPCR 92.9FM Los Gatos
KMRT 101.9FM Santa Cruz
KVBE 91.9FM Portland, OR
This week on Salt Lake Dirt, we welcome back William Cooper to discuss his new novel, The Trial of Donald H. Rumsfeld. In this episode, Kyler and Will dive deep into the complex character of Rumsfeld, exploring the nuances of his personality and the historical context that shaped his decisions. Will shares how the events of September 11th sparked his interest in politics and led him to create a narrative that humanizes a figure often viewed as distant and unrelatable.
As they discuss the book's themes, listeners will discover the intriguing concept of alternate history and how it allows for a fresh perspective on real-life figures. Will reveals his writing process, the challenges of portraying a controversial character, and the irony behind some of Rumsfeld's most famous quotes. This engaging conversation showcases the intricacies of human nature, the impact of ego on decision-making, and the lessons learned from history.
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Episode Links:
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Previous Episodes with Will:
Salt Lake Dirt is covering FilmQuest this week! FilmQuest is one of my favorite film festivals out there.
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Episode 351
Film: Stomach It
Guest: Peter Klausner
Logline: While struggling to emotionally detach from the deceased, a crime scene cleaner believes a monstrous presence is toying with him.
On the Radio on 11/17/25
KPCR 92.9FM Los Gatos
KMRT 101.9FM Santa Cruz
KVBE 91.9FM Portland, OR
This week Kelly Cervantes joins me on Salt Lake Dirt. She is the author of the new memoir, The Luckiest: A Memoir of Love, Loss, Motherhood, and the Pursuit of Self. Kelly takes us on an emotional journey through her life, exploring the complexities of motherhood, the depths of grief, and the transformative power of love.
Kelly shares the inspiration behind her memoir, which is beautifully structured around the metaphor of nesting dolls. She reflects on her experiences navigating the highs and lows of life, particularly the challenges faced when her daughter was diagnosed with epilepsy just as her husband achieved a career milestone. Kelly's vulnerability and honesty shine through as she discusses the importance of embracing all parts of oneself, including the painful chapters of life.
We talk about themes of perfectionism and people-pleasing, as Kelly opens up about the pressures women face and the struggle to maintain a sense of self amidst societal expectations. With grace and insight, she encourages listeners to find compassion for their past selves and to recognize the beauty in their journeys.
Thanks for listening!
Kyler
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Episode Links:
Salt Lake Dirt has been covering FilmQuest the past couple of weeks. FilmQuest is one of my favorite film festivals out there. Enjoy these interviews!
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Episode 349
Film: The Vanity
Guest: Megan Rosati
SYNOPSIS: In the near future, a young couple makes their living as influencers for a new social media platform: THE VANITY. But when THE VANITY upgrades to AI, the horrific visions it shows forces them to decide what matters most: their online following, or each other.
On the Radio on 11/3/25
KPCR 92.9FM Los Gatos
KMRT 101.9FM Santa Cruz
KVBE 91.9FM Portland, OR
Today I welcome author Cairo Smith to discuss his new book, Scenebux. In this thought-provoking narrative, we follow Ben, a 25-year-old grappling with a quarter-life crisis in San Francisco as he embarks on a whirlwind adventure through a tech-driven world filled with eccentric characters and existential dilemmas.
Cairo shares insights into his writing process, revealing how he meticulously crafted the plot and details that define Ben's journey. From his background in filmmaking to the unique blend of noir and picaresque storytelling, Cairo's passion for storytelling made for a fascinating episode. Thanks for listening!
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Episode Links
Salt Lake Dirt is covering FilmQuest this week! FilmQuest is one of my favorite film festivals out there.
Episode 347
Film: M.U.B. (Monster Under the Bed)
Guest: Serena Dykman
IG: @serena_dykman
SYNOPSIS: A one-night stand takes a surreal turn when a childhood Monster creeps from Under the Bed.
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On the Radio on 11/3/25:
KPCR 92.9FM Los Gatos
KMRT 101.9FM Santa Cruz
KVBE 91.9FM Portland, OR
This week on Salt Lake Dirt, we dive into the mind of author John Vines as he discusses his debut novel, The World is Angry. A geologist by career, John reveals how his passion for storytelling has led him to create a gripping psychological thriller that intertwines the lives of three friends with a chilling serial killer.
Set against the backdrop of a haunting New Orleans, the story follows three protagonists as they confront their pasts while being pursued by a killer with a twisted rationale. As the narrative unfolds, the characters grapple with their own demons, leading to a suspenseful chase that keeps readers guessing who is truly hunting whom.
John shares his writing process, from outlining chapters to the importance of setting aside dedicated time to write. He reflects on his inspirations, including the literary giants that have influenced his work, and discusses the balance between creativity and discipline in writing.
Join us for an insightful conversation about the craft of writing. Thanks for listening!
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Episode Links
Salt Lake Dirt is covering FilmQuest this week! FilmQuest is one of my favorite film festivals out there.
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Episode 345
Film: Margaret the Brave
Guest: Danny Chandia
SYNOPSIS: A recently-divorced professor of mythology tries to inspire his teenage daughter with a fairy tale on the night she leaves home to live with her mother, but considering the state of the world- it will take more than fantasy to reach her.
On the Radio on 11/3/25:
KPCR 92.9FM Los Gatos
KMRT 101.9FM Santa Cruz
KVBE 91.9FM Portland, OR
Salt Lake Dirt is covering FilmQuest this week! FilmQuest is one of my favorite film festivals out there.
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Episode 344
Film: NIGHTFALL
Guest: Guy Hershler
SYNOPSIS: Haunted by guilt, a young man seeks forgiveness from a grieving mother – only to be sucked into a nightmarish night of chilling truths.
On the Radio on 11/3/25:
KPCR 92.9FM Los Gatos
KMRT 101.9FM Santa Cruz
KVBE 91.9FM Portland, OR
Salt Lake Dirt is covering FilmQuest this week! FilmQuest is one of my favorite film festivals out there.
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Episode 343
Film: GRUNGE
Guest: Rene Rivas
SYNOPSIS: In 1992, the rising rock band “Le Slouch” is on the verge of stardom. With a scorching new single lighting up the airwaves, and their debut music video premiering on MTV’s “Headslammers Bash,” everything seems to be falling into place, until disaster strikes.
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On the Radio on 11/3/25
KPCR 92.9FM Los Gatos
KMRT 101.9FM Santa Cruz
KVBE 91.9FM Portland, OR
Salt Lake Dirt is covering FilmQuest this week! FilmQuest is one of my favorite film festivals out there.
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Episode 342
Film: SELF-TAPE
Guests: Nick Samson & Josh Baker
SYNOPSIS: A struggling actor running a makeshift self-tape studio in his San Fernando Valley apartment grows increasingly disillusioned as a wide range of actors flow in and out, and lazy contemporaries continue to get opportunities that elude him.
On the Radio on 11/3/25
KPCR 92.9FM Los Gatos
KMRT 101.9FM Santa Cruz
KVBE 91.9FM Portland, OR
Salt Lake Dirt is covering FilmQuest this week! FilmQuest is one of my favorite film festivals out there.
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Episode 314
Film: PEEPING TODD
Guest: Chris Alan Evans, Josh Munds, Mabel Thomas
SYNOPSIS: When his peeping passions become compromised, Todd decides he’ll do whatever it takes to continue stalking his beloved Claire. An obsessive HOA fleet and a dense boyfriend are obstacles Todd must dance around if he wants to sing his way into Claire’s heart. As Claire gets wrapped up in the lies of her fiancé and the web of her stalker, she must escape the two most toxic relationships she’s ever faced.
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On the Radio on 11/3/25
KPCR 92.9FM Los Gatos
KMRT 101.9FM Santa Cruz
KVBE 91.9FM Portland, OR
Salt Lake Dirt is covering FilmQuest this week! FilmQuest is one of my favorite film festivals out there.
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Episode 340
Film: BLINDSIDED
Guest: Patrick Hogan
https://jhdanger.com/
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SYNOPSIS: A blind schoolteacher is thrust into a nightmarish game of survival when an alien spaceship crashes and unleashes a monstrous predator. This unique horror short film features an all low-vision cast and places the audience in the POV of a blind protagonist who is only able to hear what happens around her.
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On the Radio on 11/3/25
Salt Lake Dirt is covering FilmQuest this week! FilmQuest is one of my favorite film festivals out there.
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Episode 339
Film: GRIMA
Guest:Richie Harrington
SYNOPSIS: When Jen’s guilt starts to catch up to her, she begins to experience grima, the sensation you get from nails on a chalkboard. She must choose to confront the past or be consumed by her guilt.
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On the Radio on 11/3/25
This week we are covering FilmQuest in Provo, Utah!
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FILM: Slow
DIRECTOR: Rebecca Berrih
SYNOPSIS: A field recorder’s life shatters when she encounters a sinister force that manipulates time and must outwit it to escape a nightmare where every second feels endless.
GENRE: Horror, Sci-Fi
DIRECTOR’S BIO: Rebecca Berrih is a Paris-born, Los Angeles-based writer, director, and producer who began her career editing trailers for studio films like MARCH OF THE PENGUINS and NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM. Her short GLITCH won multiple awards on the festival circuit, and the feature screenplay version reached the quarterfinals of the Nicholl Fellowship. Her recent short SLOW, a sci-fi thriller about acreature that manipulates time, won Scariest Short at Popcorn Frights and was selected for Screamfest and the Chattanooga Film Festival.
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EPISODE LINKS:
This week on Salt Lake Dirt, I’m excited to chat with filmmaker Adrian Bobb about his captivating short film, Drifters, which is screening at FilmQuest 2025. Adrian shares the unique journey of crafting a narrative that blends romance with elements of sci-fi and horror, exploring the emotional landscapes of memory and identity.
Don’t miss the chance to see Drifters at FilmQuest on Monday, October 27th at 2 PM as part of the International Sci-Fi Shorts block. Thanks for tuning in!
Kyler
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Episode Links:
This week on Salt Lake Dirt, I'm thrilled to kick off our coverage of FilmQuest 2025 with director Joe Bandelli. We'll dive into his gripping short film, The Sequence, which screens this Halloween morning at 11:30 AM at Velour in Provo, Utah. Joe shares the intense storyline revolving around Taylor, a stay-at-home mom grappling with the repercussions of a potential infidelity, as her dream begins to manifest into reality throughout a single day.
We discuss the creative process behind the film, the challenges faced during production, and the collaborative spirit between Joe and writer-producer Brian LaProcino. Joe reflects on the editing process, the importance of pacing in short films, and the technical hurdles encountered while bringing this psychological thriller to life.
Thanks for tuning in!
Kyler
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Episode Links: