Every fall in Utah, Thriller by Odyssey Dance Theatre proves why it’s the Halloween tradition you just can’t skip. From the moment the zombies stumble into the aisles to the tap-dancing skeletons and the bride of Frankenstein twirling with her monster, the show mixes jaw-dropping dance with laugh-out-loud humor. One of the biggest crowd favorites? The Jasons, three masked madmen who storm the stage with chainsaws and machetes in a routine that has the entire audience cracking up. It’s that perfect blend of spooky and silly, scary and hysterical, that makes Thriller unlike anything else on stage. In this episode, we sit down with Derryl Yeager, Founder and Artistic Director of Odyssey Dance Theatre, to hear the behind-the-scenes story of how Thriller came to life, why it’s become such a beloved tradition, and what keeps audiences coming back year after year. Whether you watch it at the Grand Theatre, the Egyptian in Park City, or outdoors at Tuacahn, it’s an unforgettable night. If you’ve never been, trust us: grab friends, make a memory, and go. T

Tickets: https://odysseydance.com/thriller/

It’s not October in Cache Valley without the North Logan Pumpkin Walk! In this episode, Steph and co-host Shay sit down with long-time volunteer and committee member Gina Worthen, who has been part of the Pumpkin Walk magic for nearly 30 years.

Gina shares the heartwarming history of the event, from its humble beginnings on a local farm to its move to Elk Ridge Park where tens of thousands now gather every year. You’ll hear about unforgettable scenes from pirates on the canal to the viral Taylor Swift “Eras” display and the incredible creativity that turns simple pumpkins into Spider-Man, Chewbacca, Narnia wardrobes, and more.

We also go behind the scenes to learn what it takes to pull off this free, community tradition: hundreds of volunteers, thousands of carved pumpkins, music, treats, and even the beloved witch hut. Whether you’ve been coming for decades or have never experienced it, this episode captures the joy, artistry, and community spirit that make the Pumpkin Walk a Utah favorite.

More Info: https://pumpkinwalk.org/

In this episode of the Utah Fan Club, Steph sits down with Mars Teny, the dynamic founder of MarsCom, a Utah-based telecom company that helps businesses install, manage, and support professional phone systems. Mars shares the unexpected journey that led her from working in tech sales at Wells Fargo to starting her own business with just $76 in hand.

Mars opens up about how her entrepreneurial spark ignited while facilitating a self-reliance group at church. Surrounded by others starting businesses, she became inspired to start one herself. The timing felt right—both she and her husband were feeling the weight of high-pressure sales jobs and wanted more time with their kids. Her first major business moment came on a field trip to Mrs. Cavanaugh’s Candy Factory, where she told the owner how inspiring their story was. That conversation led to her very first sale.

Throughout the episode, Mars and Steph discuss the growing pains of starting a business. Mars candidly recounts the stress of accidentally losing a client’s 1-800 number during a porting process—an error that taught her a valuable lesson and showcased her determination when she drove to the business that had unknowingly acquired the number and got it back. She also reflects on early days when she went above and beyond at client installs, even crawling through insulated ceilings—something she later learned was definitely outside the scope of her responsibilities.

Mars explains how the telecommunications space has changed, especially with more people working from home. She breaks down the benefits of having a business phone system that works through an app on your phone or desktop. For solo entrepreneurs or small teams, this allows for professional call routing, business texting, voicemail transcription, and keeping personal and business communication separate. Mars emphasizes that this system protects business continuity—if an employee leaves, the phone number and all its associated business relationships stay with the company.

As the business grew, Mars and her husband tag-teamed MarsCom’s operations, allowing one another to alternate between growing the company and maintaining steady income. COVID accelerated the demand for VoIP solutions, enabling MarsCom to expand its services and staff. Now with seven employees, MarsCom continues to prioritize a culture of flexibility and balance. Whether it’s supporting a client from a child’s baseball game or juggling work with school, Mars wants her team to “win at life” while still upholding high standards for client care.

To wrap up the episode, Mars encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to simply start. Whether it's a networking event or a class, she advises people to get out there, share what they’re doing, and push through the awkward moments. Growth comes from showing up—and she’s living proof of where those first steps can lead.

Learn more about MarsCom:
Website: https://www.marscom.us
LinkedIn: Mars Communications