Podcast
Salt Lake Dirt
Hosted by Kyler Bingham · EN
Join host Kyler Bingham in conversation with authors, filmmakers, actors and musicians.
saltlakedirt.com
12episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Craig Nova - The Last Sweet Taste - Episode 402
3d ago00:25:05Tap to summarizeOn today's episode acclaimed author Craig Nova discusses his fifteenth novel, The Last Sweet Taste, out now from Arcade Publishing. The conversation explores his masterful use of first-person perspective to establish distinct character voices. Drawing from his twenty years in rural Vermont, Nova shares how a practical engagement with everyday reality gives the book its vital resonance. Nova also opens up about the rigorous creative process, reminding writers that a high tolerance for imperfection is essential for finishing a manuscript. He describes the intense perseverance required for deep revision, while celebrating the pleasure of captured moments. Ultimately, the novel stands as a powerful testament to amplifying love and human vitality in the face of difficult circumstances. ---Episode Links:PURCHASE The Last Sweet TasteCraig Nova's Website
Transcribe →Luke Goebel - KILL DICK - Episode 401
6d ago00:52:06Tap to summarizeOn today's show author Luke Goebel discusses his novel Kill Dick, a fierce literary work fueled by personal loss and his own recovery from addiction. The conversation covers his survival of a harrowing car accident, his subsequent creative shift to the Southern California desert, and his mission to keep authentic literature alive by taking the reins of Tyrant Books. Published by Red Hen Press, Kill Dick subverts traditional structure by having its protagonist, Susie Vogelman switch from writing in the first person to writing the novel in the third person. The resulting story is an expansive tour of Los Angeles that navigates identity, trauma, and secret societies. You can follow Goebel's work on Instagram at @LukeLikesGlue. ---Episode Links:Purchase Kill DickLukeGoebel.comKillDick.comIG: @lukelikesglueIG: @killdickofficialLuke's Substack
Transcribe →Hannah Sward - Episode 400
1w ago01:03:52Tap to summarizeThis is a major milestone for the podcast. For the 400th episode of Salt Lake Dirt, I wanted to bring back a guest whose voice and perspective I truly respect. Hannah Sward, author of the incredible memoir Strip, joins me once again to catch up and talk about the realities of keeping things authentic in a noisy world. Hannah opens up about the process behind her Substack, Summer of Men, which captures raw experiences in real time—a reminder of why her sharp prose and vulnerability are so uniquely compelling. It is always a genuine pleasure to connect with Hannah, and her fearlessness on the page continues to be a great inspiration. Whether you are already a long-time fan of her work or discovering it for the first time, this conversation is the perfect way to mark our 400th episode. Check out the links below to pick up a copy of Strip, subscribe to Summer of Men, and join us for this special milestone. Thanks to Hannah, and thanks to all the listeners who keep me coming back week after week.Kyler---Episode Links:Purchase StripHannahSward.comSubstack: Summer of Men
Transcribe →Emmalea Russo - THE MOON PAPERS
1w ago00:46:34Tap to summarizeToday on Salt Lake Dirt, Kyler reconnects with author Emmalea Russo to discuss her latest novel, The Moon Papers, releasing June 30th from Arcade Publishing. Serving as a follow-up to her previous book, Vivienne, the new novel expands on characters from its predecessor but stands entirely on its own.Great chat, incredible novel!Thanks for listening.---Episode Links:Purchase The Moon PapersEmmaleaRusso.comEmmalea's Substack
Transcribe →Sarah Velk - Episode 398
2w ago01:01:31Tap to summarizeSarah Velk joined the Salt Lake Dirt podcast to discuss her literary journey, moving from Los Angeles to New York, where she co-founded the reading series Punisher. Alongside co-founder Kennedy Wright, Velk established the series to challenge the rigid, academic tropes often associated with traditional literary events, opting instead for an energetic, inclusive atmosphere that features both established and emerging writers. The conversation also touched upon her publication in Hobart, and an early childhood encounter with David Sedaris.Beyond her event organizing, Velk maintains an active writing profile, sharing cultural commentary and fiction through her portfolio and digital platforms. The full interview is available across major audio distribution networks. ---Episode Links:Substack: @svelkaIG: @sareiouslySarahVelk.comIG: @punisher.nyc
Transcribe →Vanessa Matic - AMERICAN DREAMS IN HAVOC HEAVEN - Episode 397
2w ago00:56:28Tap to summarizeVanessa Matic recently joined the podcast to discuss her new poetry collection, American Dreams in Havoc Heaven. Published by Hat and Beard Press, the book strips away the glossy cliches of the traditional American dream, trading white picket fences for an open, gritty landscape of youth, intimacy, and structural decay. Matic, who is also the founder of the grassroots Agape Lodge Poetry Society in Los Angeles, shared how her roots in independent cinema, cut-up literary traditions, and a naturally surreal life path heavily shape the sharp visual textures of her writing. The episode goes into her artistic journey, featuring a live reading of her poem "Dreamonic." Matic balances the violent, heavy realities of the world with a fierce dedication to preserving spaces of human connection and vulnerability for fellow creators.Thanks for listening!Kyler---Episode Links:Purchase American Dreams in Havoc HeavenAgape Lodge Poetry Society on Instagram
Transcribe →Mark Malkoff - LOVE JOHNNY CARSON - Episode 396
2w ago00:59:36Tap to summarizeOn today's show I welcome Mark Malkoff to discuss the behind-the-scenes reality of hosting The Tonight Show. In Love Johnny Carson, Mark's research reveals a grueling early format where Johnny Carson performed two separate monologues across an hour-and-45-minute runtime. While the media frequently labeled Carson cold, our conversation highlights a shy, private man who still maintained a down-to-earth Midwestern sensibility—driving himself without security, signing his own fan mail, and masking immense personal tragedies from his audience. As a massive fan of Dick Cavett, I especially enjoyed discussing Cavett's time writing for Carson and how his conversational style pioneered the modern interview format. Great book, great chat!Thanks for listening.Kyler---Episode Links:Purchase Love Johnny CarsonMark's WebsiteThe Carson Podcast
Transcribe →Catherine Hardwicke - STREET SMART - Episode 395
3w ago00:18:09Tap to summarizeI had the chance to speak with director and co-writer Catherine Hardwicke about her new film, Street Smart, which she penned alongside Nic Sheff (author of Tweak, the basis for the film Beautiful Boy). The film serves as an "Oliver Twist" style look at young creatives supporting each other through hard times in Venice Beach. Catherine shared the fascinating story of casting newcomer Isiah Hilt as Drex, a role they had written that mirrored Isiah's actual life as a Venice local. The production embraced a stark realism by shooting on the winter boardwalk, navigating the real-world grit of the location.Our conversation also highlighted the film’s unique cast, which features a blend of fresh faces and recognizable names like Paris Jackson, Skeet Ulrich, and Sally Struthers—who won Catherine over with a hilariously enthusiastic costume audition. With a strong musical pulse that includes original tracks from both Tyson Ritter of the All American Rejects and Isiah himself, Street Smart brought its vibrant energy straight to a sold-out premiere at the Bentonville Film Festival. It was wonderful discussing Catherine’s enduring passion for authentic storytelling, and you can keep up with the project's journey by following their Instagram at @streetsmart.movie. Thanks for listening!Kyler---Episode Links:IG: @streetsmart.movieStreet Smart trailer
Transcribe →Isiah Hilt - STREET SMART - Episode 394
3w ago00:23:34Tap to summarizeI had the chance to sit down with professional skateboarder and actor Isiah Hilt to discuss his starring role in director Catherine Hardwicke's new film, Street Smart, following its premiere at the Bentonville Film Festival. Isiah plays Drex, a character that heavily draws from his own life story of growing up on his own around Venice Beach. He stepped into the role naturally, relying on his years of experience as a street performer to connect with the cast and handle the transition to the screen without letting the cameras phase him.Beyond acting, Isiah spends much of his time teaching local kids to skate, a passion we talked about during the episode. He shared his perspective on how the constant falling in skateboarding teaches kids not to have a healthy view of fear, a mindset that has shaped his own life. We also discussed his music, specifically "BETTER DAYS?"—a track from his EP LET ME VENT that plays over the film's closing credits and reflects his journey through tough times. It was great catching up with him just as the movie rolls out to audiences.Thanks for listening!Kyler---Episode Links:IG: @isiahhiltStreet Smart IG: @streetsmart.movieIsiah Hilt on SpotifySLD Interview with Catherine Hardwicke
Transcribe →Michael McKinley & Nancy Merritt Bell - Episode 393
3w ago00:26:11Tap to summarizeIn the latest episode of Salt Lake Dirt, Kyler welcomes back author Michael McKinley alongside his co-author and writing partner, Nancy Merritt Bell, to celebrate their novel The Glamour of Evil winning the prestigious Indie Gold Grand Prize. This thrilling Vatican espionage novel follows Maddie Lynch, a New York TV producer who unexpectedly gets drafted into a high-stakes world of global raw intelligence, missing Vatican millions, and historical secrets dating back to World War II. The duo dives into the fascinating inspiration behind the book—sparked by a quote from Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal about the Vatican having the best spy agency in the world—and shares details about the book's anticipated upcoming paperback, ebook, and audiobook release. Beyond the secrets of the Vatican, Michael and Nancy open up about their unique, tag-team collaborative process. They share how Nancy’s dyslexia and background in dramaturgy act as a storytelling superpower, helping her visualize the "shapes" of a narrative to inject action, depth, and pacing into Michael's dialogue and prose. The couple also discusses an incredible new venture through their publishing company, BookGo: a brand-new, intensive annual writing workshop hosted at the University of Oxford, designed to give aspiring writers masterclasses and one-on-one mentorship in one of the world's most historic literary cities.Thanks for listening!---Episode Links:Purchase The Glamour of EvilBookGo.pubThe Oxford Writers Workshop - Aug. 14-20th, 2026
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