March 13, 2025
Since its official launch in early 2019, the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity’s Business Elevated Podcast has provided a platform for entrepreneurs, executives, and community leaders to share their experiences of living and working in Utah.
Initiated in 2018 under the leadership of Val Hale, former GOEO executive director, and Pete Codella, current managing director of business services, the podcast highlights the state’s flourishing entrepreneurial ecosystem and addresses common misconceptions.
Over the years, Business Elevated has become a prominent voice for Utah’s business community. Initially held in person, interviews shifted online during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the podcast primarily features Utah-based executives, it has also included business leaders from as far as London who have professional ties to the state.
With over 200 episodes, many notable figures have appeared, including Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson and First Lady Abby Cox. For Codella, one standout episode included a conversation with Cotopaxi’s Davis Smith, during which he shared stories of his passion for survival challenges.
Another highlight for Codella was a conversation he shared with the founder of Auticon, a service that helps place individuals with autism in roles that match their technical skills, something that hit close to home as his wife teaches special education at a local high school.
“In that episode, it was amazing to see a pathway for many families and individuals to build independent, productive lives and jobs,” Codella said. “It’s been a privilege to host incredible conversations and people throughout the years.”
Maintaining consistency has been key to the podcast’s success. New episodes are released weekly, with Codella acting as the primary host. The podcast is syndicated through Libsyn, allowing distribution across major platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
For aspiring podcasters, Codella advises having a clear objective and knowing the target audience, which informs best practices for conducting interviews, as well as obtaining the proper equipment and selecting the right syndication platform.
As the Business Elevated Podcast continues to produce content, its team welcomes feedback and episode suggestions, which can be done by emailing business@utah.gov. The podcast remains committed to showcasing the diverse voices contributing to Utah’s dynamic economic landscape and telling the stories of the people living and working in this great state.
The information in this article is current as of the publishing date and is intended for informational purposes only. This article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal, tax, or business advice. Any resources and organizations mentioned, unless an entity of or a partner of the state of Utah, are not formally endorsed by the Startup State Initiative or state of Utah.