Us: The extraordinary ordinary

The Extraordinary Us Podcast is taking a summer break

I first met John Curtis as the Mayor of Provo over a decade ago. It was fun to sit down and share memories, talk politics and about his hope for the future. John currently represents Utah's 3rd Congressional District in the United States congress. Prior to being elected, John was the 45th mayor of Provo City. Congressman Curtis works hard and strives to do his best as a representative of our state. In this insightful episode, we discuss running for office, the opioid epidemic, growth of blockchain, inflation, climate change, and much more.

I had a friend contact me months ago with a story to tell. My guy, Sean Cortese, wanted to talk about something hard: drug addiction. Sean is a good person with a great heart who felt inspired to share his story in hopes of helping others who may be struggling with something challenging. In this very intimate conversation, Sean shares his personal story of addiction to drugs, how he found a way to forgive himself and overcome this hardship in his life.

Brad Bonham is a great entrepreneur and an even better person who is constantly striving to serve others and make a difference in the world. Brad is the CEO of Walker Edison and an EY Entrepreneur of the year winner. In this episode we talk about success but also heartache and disappointment. Brad shares the heartbreaking story of losing his son Grant, how he turned his loss into something amazing, never giving up, pushing through the hard things in life, and turning challenges into something meaningful.

As March Madness begins we re-release Coach Mark Pope's episode to remind us all that “failure is fuel that leads to greater opportunities in life!” Coach Pope is the current BYU men's head basketball coach, a former NCAA champion and NBA player. Coach Pope is a great example of being relentless, having a positive perspective on life, and encouraging others to use failures to find success.

Today I had the opportunity to sit down and have an uplifting conversation with Jason Clawson. Jason brings something special and unique to the podcast as we talk about death and grief and how to best overcome the hardships we face in life. In this episode, Jason shares the saddening loss of his wife, Valerie, to cancer, how his family overcame this tragedy and found happiness, and how he used his profession as a therapist to create a charity. Giving Sunshine is focused on those who are struggling by giving sunshine baskets full of tools to help others get through their hardest moments.

Today I was blessed to sit down and have a heartfelt conversation with my dear friend and long-time mentor Fraser Bullock. Fraser was an original partner at Bain Capital for many years, and then later founded Sorenson Capital. He is also the former COO of the 2002 Winter Olympics and currently serves as the CEO of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games. In this profound episode, we discuss his brush with death that changed his perspective and caused him to realize that every day is a gift. We also discuss the magic and future of the Olympics games in Salt Lake City.

Fun to reconnect with my good friend and former running mate Senator Dan McCay. Before serving in his current position as a State Senator of Utah, Dan served in the House of Representatives for seven years. In this somewhat insightful episode

It was exciting to sit down & talk about the future, what's happening & what is coming w/Kirk Ouimet the co-founder of Scan & our always entertaining & insightful friend Scott Paul. This is the 2nd episode we have done about potentially scary but also world changing technology & trends. Listen in to become more educated about the future and learn how we can have optimism instead of fear for what lies ahead.

Today is the first of a series of episodes that I am starting off with in 2022 - all about The Future! Paul Weimer is an economist who studied at the London school of economics and now runs a Crypto hedge fund. We had fun discussing the future of cryptocurrency, decentralized finance, NFTs, and how we all can learn and participate in shaping the best future for the most people possible.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays! We end 2021 of the Extraordinary Us podcast recapping some of the highlights from amazing guests this year. Jeff also teases what the future holds in 2022 for the podcast, and reminds us all not to look back in fear but to take steps forward in faith, molding the future to be the best it possibly can be for all of us.

It was my pleasure to sit down with my tennis partner Jeff Flake, the former Senator from Arizona and newly confirmed Ambassador of Turkey, and his lovely wife Cheryl to learn about living in the public eye and representing the United States throughout the world. In this singular episode, Jeff and Cheryl share personal stories of strength and triumph while living through the storms of life. Including the harrowing first-hand story of surviving a shooter at a congressional baseball practice.

It was fun to sit down, catch up and have a compelling conversation with my former competitor and current Governor of Utah, Spencer J. Cox. In this eye-opening episode, Governor Cox shares personal struggles that he has experienced in life and opens up about how they have informed his leadership style. We discuss everything from growing up in Fairview, Utah to now leading one of the fastest-growing states in the country. If you are curious about who Spencer really is this episode is for you!

Today I got to sit down and have a fun and interesting conversation with Jess Toolson. She is the founder of Mixhers and they are everywhere! After living internationally with her young family for 12 years, Jess followed her dreams of creating a brand to help women feel more healthy and like themselves. She shares insights about being proactive, her passion for connection and community, and growing a company in the health space for women.

It was a joy for me to sit down today with my friend Tom Holmoe, director of BYU athletics and 4x super bowl champion. Tom shared the inside story on BYU getting into The Big 12, how he led through COVID, and insights on winning and losing. Tom is a master at learning and growing and a great example of getting out of your comfort zone to get and be better.

Natalie Gochnour is everywhere and that's almost always a good thing! She serves as an associate dean and director of the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah. In this engaging episode, Natalie shares why she seeks simplicity in life and the importance of cutting through clutter and chaos in our modern world to get to the heart of important community issues.

Today I got to sit down with a fellow venture capitalist Blake Modersitzki. Blake came from a small-town farm in Idaho and is now one of the big names in investing in Silicon Slopes and beyond. In this insightful episode he shares lessons he's learned throughout the years and the future he sees for entrepreneurs. We discuss everything from cryptocurrency to life on the farm. This is a fun episode you don't want to miss.

Today I got to sit down and have an intimate conversation with my favorite person. My wife, Sally Burningham. Sally grew up knowing that there were two passions she had in life. Being a mother, and being a teacher. She has been able to live both of those passions and approaches each new opportunity with boundless positivity and simplicity. She's always teaching me something new and I learn from her every day. I hope you enjoy getting to know her a little bit more and will mourn with us at the recent passing of Sal's dad.

Today I had the good fortune of sitting down with a wonderful person and friend battling a terminal illness, ALS. Warren grew up on a farm in Perry Utah and has now become a prolific entrepreneur and investor. Over 3 years ago he and his family learned that he had ALS. Today he shares lessons learned in life, love and entrepreneurship. He is battling a terminal illness with tenacity, a sense of humor and a smile on his face. There is a lot for all of us to learn here.

Today I give you an inside glimpse into one of America's most well known families; the Huntsman's. Here are a couple of questions I ask Jon and Mary Kaye: 1. What's it really like to be a Huntsman? 2. The role that faith has played in their lives? 3. How they decided not to run a write in campaign for Utah Governor 2020? Hope you enjoy this inside look!

I learned something new and insightful in my conversation with an old friend Gabe Reid today. Even he, a college star and NFL football player struggled with his self confidence. Learn how he built confidence and overcame his fears while famously fumbling in the Super Bowl, and why that mistake was one of the best things that ever happened to him.

Jeff switches seats for this episode and is interviewed by Michael Jolley. Jeff shares what he learned from running for governor, his big takeaways from his life experience thus far, and why he started the Us podcast.

Former Congressman, Author, and Fox contributor Jason Chaffetz is interviewed by Jeff Burningham on Season 2 of Extraordinary US. In this episode,Chaffetz shares his views on politics, the state of news, what being a republican conservative truly means, and family. In this episode, the former congressman encourages us to be the change you want to see in the world and to never allow others to stop you from pursuing your passion.

Former Attorney and Founder of LGBTQ+ Youth and Family Resources Home Encircle, Stephenie Larsen, is interviewed by Jeff Burningham on season 2 of Extraordinary US. In this episode, Stephanie shares the founding story behind the mission at Encircle, the reality and struggles many LGBTQ+ individuals face every day, how family members can better support this community, and the importance of being kind and gracious to each other.

Greg McKeown, NY Times best-selling author of Essentialism and now Effortless, a leading public speaker, is Jeff's guest on the latest episode of Extraordinary US. Greg discusses the role of mentorship in his life, essentialism, what it takes to create sustainable success and burnout. Throughout this episode, we are reminded of of what matters most, and are taught how to make doing those things effortless.

Entrepreneur duo, podcast hosts, and board members of Faith Matters, Aubrey and Tim Chaves, are interviewed by Jeff Burningham on season 2 of Extraordinary US. In this episode, the married couple share tales of their entrepreneurial journeys, their thoughts on faith and family, and learning to be okay with uncertainty. Above all, they remind the listeners that it's okay to ask for help and prioritize their mental health.

Alma Ohene-Opare, entrepreneur, engineer, motivational speaker & one of the newest citizens of the United States of America is interviewed by Jeff Burningham on season 2 of Extraordinary US. Alma Ohene-Opare discusses the dark side of contentment, entrepreneurship, and the best ways we can support one another. In this episode, Ohene-Opare reminds us the importance of striving for more and living your life to the fullest.

Brandon Fugal, commercial real estate mogul, Chairman of Collier's International, and owner of the Skinwalker Ranch, is interviewed by Jeff Burningham on this episode of season 2 of Extraordinary US. Brandon Fugal discusses commercial real estate, his experiences at the Skinwalker Ranch, and the golden rule to success - treat others the way you would like to be treated.

Mark Pope, current head coach of the BYU men's basketball team and former NCAA National Champion & NBA player talks with Jeff this week. Coach Pope discusses how to keep a positive mindset, the importance of being a team player, and the reason why we should all want to experience failure. It's only through loss and disappointment that we are able to become the best version of ourselves.

Joseph Woodbury is an up and coming entrepreneur, the co-founder and CEO of Neighbor.com, a company that provides a better solution for customers in the $400+ billion self-storage industry. Joseph has been featured on Forbes 30 under 30, The Wall Street Journal and more. His story illustrates the power of the entrepreneurial journey to create positive change in communities around the entire country.

Paul George who has advanced degrees in clinical social work, marriage and family therapy and has been working with individuals and families for over 30 years, talks about this period of imbalance in all our lives. Paul touches on human nature's need to be goal directed, to plan, and participate in events, and our overall need for meaningful social interactions. Jeff talks about mental fitness and some of his struggles in the past.

Scott Paul, former CEO of Wooly, a platform for word-of-mouth commerce, talks about being an igniter and a connector and knowing when self-awareness is necessary to get out of your own way. Scott dives into his different business ventures, the qualities of a leader, having a strong mind, entrepreneurship, taking chances, crypto, and the art of not making any plans.

Steve Starks, CEO of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies and former president of the Utah Jazz joins Jeff on this third episode of season 2 of Extraordinary US. We discuss work balance, mental health, what Steve learned from Larry H Miller, new owner of the Utah Jazz Ryan Smith, and the myth that money equals happiness. It's only when we allow ourselves to live in the moment and acknowledge the many blessings surrounding us that we experience true wealth.

Susan Petersen, entrepreneur and social media expert, is interviewed by Jeff Burningham on this second episode of season 2 of Extraordinary US. Susan Petersen discusses the ups and down of social media, our relationship with money, forgiveness, the journey of becoming a women entrepreneur and more. It's only once we are able to let go of the fears and anger holding us back that we are able to become the best version of ourselves and inspire others to do the same.

Derek Brown, former chair of the Republican Party, is interviewed by Jeff Burningham on the first episode of season 2 of Extraordinary US. Derek Brown discusses the effect social media has had on people in recent years, the importance of becoming comfortable with change, developing tolerance, and much more. In these unprecedented times, social media has become a symbol of unity, while simultaneously a place for criticism. When we are quickly able to block out opinions that don’t align with our values with a click of a button, we are left to wonder about the long-lasting effects this might have on our world.

We end season 1 of the Us podcast with the entire Burningham family looking back at a challenging 2020 & forward to an exciting 2021! This is a candid & unscripted conversation of the highs and lows found in 2020 and hopes and fears for 2021. Hope you enjoy all the voices/personalities in this episode & the thoughts & laughs we shared.

Merry Christmas! Today I spoke with Senator Lee’s state director, Rob Axson, about being physically separated but still connected. We spoke about sweating in the service of others, Christmas and politics in WA DC.

I learned something new & insightful in my conversation with an old friend Gabe Reid today. Even he, a college star & NFL football player struggled with his self confidence. Learn how he built confidence & overcame his fears while famously fumbling in the Super Bowl. And why that mistake was one of the best things that ever happened to him.

This episode was a special one. Sitting down with my friend Spencer Fluhman, the Executive Director of The Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship at BYU was enlightening & inspiring. Religious belief is waning but we need more faith, not less, right now in 2020.

I had the privilege of sitting down with one of the best education administrators in our state & talking about teaching our kids during the pandemic & what the future of education should look like. Fidel Montero is a high school principal & emblematic of all the great educators who deserve our respect, appreciation & support during this challenging time!

Short, sweet & to the point. Despite our many current difficulties let’s rally and #givethanks for all the good around us, this Thanksgiving in 2020.

I was grateful to be able to get down to southern Utah today & interview the Mayor of one of the fastest growing cities in America, St George. Jon has an interesting story & is a public servant at heart. Hope you enjoy this inside look into his life & the exciting city he leads.

The day before the Presidential election I was able to sit down with Thomas Wright; former chair of the Republican party in Utah & a candidate for Governor in 2020. Thomas reminds us all that the strength of our country is found in the people, not our politicians. This was the perfect conversation to have right before the uncertainty we are now experiencing in the 2020 Presidential election.

Today I had the good fortune of sitting down with a wonderful person & friend battling a terminal illness, ALS. Warren grew up on a farm in Perry Utah & has now become a prolific entrepreneur & investor. Over 3 years ago he & his family learned that he had ALS. Today he shares lessons learned in life, love & entrepreneurship. He is battling a terminal illness with tenacity, a sense of humor & a smile on his face. There is a lot for all of us to learn here.

This is an episode about overcoming & healing. Elsa immigrated to the USA from Peru with 3 children & in mid-life. After a heart breaking divorce she pulled herself up, found a hidden talent for massage & started what is now a successful spa. She uses her gifts on a daily basis to help others & is an example of courage during hard times.

It was great to sit down with my friend & a wonderful entrepreneur & person, Johnny Hanna. Johnny is the founder & CEO of one of most exciting up and coming companies in Utah, Homie. We talk a bit about his story, entrepreneurship & the real estate market but spent most of our time on a topic we are both passionate about & thinking a lot of in 2020; Mental Fitness.

Today I sat down with Clint Betts to learn more about where he came from & how he became the Executive Director & face of the Silicon Slopes movement in Utah. It was fun to remember & share some stories of the early days building, learning & growing together. This is an insightful look into arguably Utah’s most important up and coming industry group & the guy who leads it.

After tonight’s mess of a debate, rinse yourself clean with this fresh perspective from the Deseret News Opinion editor Boyd Matheson about why the first Wednesday in November 2020 is actually much more important than the first Tuesday; Election Day. Despite the sad state of our politics, learn why Boyd has never been more bullish about the future of the USA. The power in our country resides in the people, not its elected officials.

Today I had the pleasure of sitting down with a 5 time New York Times best selling author, founder of Vital Smarts & The Other Side Academy (TOSA), my great friend & father to a former drug addict, Joseph Grenny. I believe that Joseph is one of the most skilled teachers alive right now. Listen to him talk about human behavior, vulnerability & living a purpose filled life. I literally took a page of notes during this podcast - so impactful!

Today Jeff sits down with an old friend who finds himself in a unique position as a black entrepreneur & bishop during a challenging year in history; 2020. Learn about how everyone is struggling with something & how we each can overcome & support each other in making a difference.

Today Jeff visits with Kera Birkeland about life, legislating, overcoming obstacles & finding the good in life. Kera has 4 biological children, 1 adopted bi-racial son, and 1 foster child. She shares what it is like to be the mother of a diverse family in 2020.