What if an opportunity to host a national podcast could help give Utah County veterans, musicians, and everyday people a bigger voice?
That’s the question driving my participation in the 2026 Top Host competition, a nationwide contest offering a grand prize package that includes $25,000, an appearance on the On Air with Ryan Seacrest podcast, and the opportunity to participate in a six-episode podcast produced by iHeartRadio.
The competition began in October and continues through several elimination rounds, culminating in the finals in December. I’ve been fortunate to receive tremendous support from friends, family, and members of our community throughout the competition, and I’m hopeful that support will carry me all the way to the finish line.
My name is Daniel Birchett, although most people know me as “Wolfman Dan.” I’ve spent much of my life serving, working, raising a family, building businesses, and entertaining people right here in Utah County.
Winning this competition would certainly be a personal achievement. But what excites me most is the possibility of bringing what I learn, the relationships I develop, and the opportunities that follow back home.
I don’t just want to become a better podcast host; I want to help build something that serves our community for years to come.
Giving Our Veterans a Place to Be Heard
I served eight years in the United States Marine Corps, including a deployment to Iraq in 2007 and 2008. Afterward, I continued serving my community as a deputy sheriff with the Utah County Sheriff’s Office.
Those experiences introduced me to some remarkable people —many of whom have stories that deserve to be told.
Our communities are filled with veterans who have served in different branches, different generations, and different circumstances. Some experienced combat, while others served stateside, trained the next generation, maintained equipment, provided medical care, or performed thousands of other essential duties.
Every one of those experiences contributes to the larger story of military service.
Unfortunately, many of those stories are never shared outside a veteran’s immediate family or circle of friends. This is something I want to change.
I’ve started developing Veterans Music Collective, a community dedicated to helping veterans share their music, creativity, and personal experiences. One of its central projects is a podcast called After Action Sessions.
The idea behind this is simple: Sit down with veterans, listen to their stories, share their music when appropriate, and give them an opportunity to be heard.
Not every conversation needs to be about war or trauma. Some of the best military stories are hilarious. Others are about lifelong friendships, leadership, family, overcoming obstacles, or finding purpose after leaving the service.
I want to create a platform where those conversations can happen naturally, beginning by highlighting veterans in our own Utah communities.
Imagine a local veteran sharing a song inspired by his service, a retired Marine explaining how he built a business after coming home, or a military family discussing the challenges and rewards of supporting someone in uniform.
Those are stories worth preserving.
Supporting Utah’s Musicians and Creative Community
For more than a decade, I’ve operated Black Out Entertainment and Kick Ass Karaoke, providing entertainment and event production services throughout Utah.
Before that, I spent years working in technical theatre, including serving as technical theatre director at American Leadership Academy.
I’ve worked with students, musicians, performers, technicians, and countless people who have incredible creative abilities but don’t always have the resources or opportunities to reach a wider audience.
One lesson I’ve learned is that talent isn’t limited to people with record deals, television appearances, or thousands of social media followers. Sometimes the most interesting performer you’ll ever meet is singing at a neighborhood karaoke night; sometimes an extraordinary songwriter is working a regular day job and recording music in a spare bedroom; and sometimes a young person just needs someone to take an interest in their abilities and encourage them to keep going.
The experience of working with professional podcast producers could help me develop better interview techniques, production practices, audience engagement strategies, and storytelling skills.I want to put those skills to work featuring Utah musicians, independent artists, performers, and other creative people who deserve more opportunities to share what they do.
Over time, I’d love to create opportunities for local students and aspiring producers to learn about recording, editing, sound engineering, interviewing, and the business of digital media.
I’ve spent much of my career teaching people how to make productions happen behind the scenes. Podcasting could become another way to share that knowledge.
Building Something That Lasts
My long-term goal isn’t simply to launch one successful podcast; I’d like to develop a small network of shows that serve different audiences while providing opportunities for local involvement.
Veterans Music Collective and After Action Sessions would focus on veterans and their experiences. Other projects could highlight local musicians, entertainers, community members, and the people who make Utah County such an interesting place to live.
I’m also developing Winds of the 4th Age, which is a podcast centered on Robert Jordan’s fantasy series “The Wheel of Time,” bringing together another community I’ve enjoyed being part of for years.
These projects have different audiences, but they share a common purpose: bringing people together through stories and conversation.
The experience gained through the iHeartRadio opportunity could help me establish the production standards, format, and professional foundation needed to make those projects sustainable.
I envision eventually involving local talent in hosting, production, editing, technical support, and creative development.
These are goals,and not promises of immediate jobs or facilities. They are, however, the kind of opportunities I’d like to work toward if this competition opens the right doors.
I also believe there’s value in building those opportunities here rather than assuming everything worthwhile has to happen in Los Angeles, Nashville, or New York.
A Competition With a Charitable Purpose
There’s another important aspect of Top Host that makes participating especially meaningful: The competition raises money benefiting the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, which helps create broadcast media centers called Seacrest Studios in pediatric hospitals. These studios give hospitalized children opportunities to explore music, broadcasting, and creative expression while receiving medical treatment.
As an entertainer, I’ve seen firsthand how music and laughter can change someone’s day.
The competition allows supporters to cast one free vote every 24 hours. Supporters can also make charitable contributions to receive additional votes, with proceeds benefiting the foundation after competition fees and expenses.
This opportunity isn’t only about helping someone from Utah County pursue a dream; it also supports programs designed to bring creativity and joy to children facing difficult circumstances.
Why I’m Asking Utah County to Get Involved
I’ve worn a lot of hats over the years.I’ve been a Marine, a deputy sheriff, a construction worker, a theatre director, a business owner, a musician, a husband, and a father. Each of those experiences has taught me something about service, leadership, creativity, and the importance of community.
Now I’d like to bring those lessons together.
I want to help preserve the stories of our veterans before they’re lost. I want to give talented local musicians another place to be heard. I want to help aspiring creators learn the skills needed to produce their own work.
Most importantly, I want to demonstrate that a national opportunity can produce meaningful results right here at home.
Whatever the outcome of this competition, I’m grateful for the support I’ve received and excited about the possibilities ahead. My commitment to developing these projects and serving our community doesn’t depend on winning.
But winning could provide the professional experience, exposure, and resources to help turn those plans into reality much sooner.
How You Can Help
The Top Host competition continues through December 2026, with the final voting round scheduled to conclude December 10.
As long as I’m advancing through the competition, supporters can help by casting one free vote every 24 hours. Additional votes are available through charitable contributions, with proceeds benefiting the Ryan Seacrest Foundation after competition fees and expenses.
If voting is still underway when you’re reading this, I would sincerely appreciate your support. You can also check my current competition status and vote at tophost.org/2026/wolfman-dan
Whether you vote, share my story, or simply encourage someone else to pursue a dream they’ve been putting off, I appreciate the support.
Daniel “Wolfman Dan” Birchett is a Utah County entertainer, musician, United States Marine Corps veteran, former deputy sheriff, and founder of Black Out Entertainment and Veterans Music Collective. Learn more about his entertainment services, music, and projects at www.WolfmanDan.com.
By Daniel “Wolfman Dan” Birchett
