Podcast
Shifting Ears
Hosted by Valley Metro · EN
Shifting Ears is a podcast about all things Valley Metro. From stories about the people who make the agency run, to major news from the transit industry, we’re taking you along for the ride. Join hosts Juliana Vasquez-Keating and Ricardo Tejada as they share information about upcoming events, interviews with employees, updates on Maricopa County transportation and more.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
60. Pointing us in the right direction
Oct 8, 202400:18:51Tap to summarizeAs we transition into a two-line system next year, Valley Metro is working to find the right signs to point our riders to their destination. Our hosts speak with Marketing Program Coordinator Alex Kinkopf about how he worked to test out future signage and what he learned from it.
Transcribe →59. Charting the course for Valley Metro
Sep 6, 202400:15:39Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Shifting Ears hosts Juliana and Ricky are looking ahead to the future of Valley Metro. They speak with Chief Administrative Officer Jim Hillyard about our 5-year strategic plan and how everyone will have a role in it.
Transcribe →58. Powering up our technicians
Aug 9, 202400:18:24Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Shifting Ears, hosts Juliana and Ricky learn all about the technical side of our light rail system from our experts, technical trainers Joe Scholz and Joe Hernandez. They explain all about the many systems they oversee and how they train our employees.
Transcribe →57. Heat relief heroes
Jul 8, 202400:15:49Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Shifting Ears, hosts Juliana and Ricky are spotlighting the Customer Experience Coordinators’ Hydration Station program. Learn how they find the best spots to bring heat relief to our riders and how they are able to have fun despite the triple-digit heat.
Transcribe →56. Know Your Metro: Finance & Procurement
Jun 12, 202400:23:16Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Shifting Ears, hosts Juliana and Ricky take a deep dive into the Finance andProcurement division. They talk with Manager of Budget and Operations Financial Controls Tyler Olson and Director of Contracting and Procurement Jonathan Thatcher to discuss the budget creation process and the steps involved in purchasing a train.
Transcribe →55. Collaboration to the VMAX!
May 13, 202400:30:18Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Shifting Ears, hosts Juliana and Ricky showcase Valley Metro’s newest program “VMAX.” Learn how it started from Manager of Learning and Organizational Development, Julie Landspurg and Director of Communications and Strategic Initiatives, Hillary Foose. Then hear from Valley Metro employees who were among the first participants.
Transcribe →54. Wellness at Work
Apr 5, 202400:18:52Tap to summarizeStaying healthy while working! In this episode, hosts Juliana and Ricky talk with Tammie Whitfield and Linda Raben from Human Resources about the benefits of the agency’s Health and Wellness program and how you can participate.
Transcribe →53. San Fran man with a plan
Mar 5, 202400:13:16Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Shifting Ears, hosts Juliana and Ricard chat with one of the newest members of the Operations team. Deputy Chief of Rail Operations Chris Ramirez talks about his plans to increase collaboration between Bus and Rail as well as how he’s enjoying his time in Arizona so far.
Transcribe →52. Teaming up for a safer system
Feb 9, 202400:26:35Tap to summarizeThis episode of Shifting Ears is fire! 🔥 Our hosts Juliana and Brittany talk with Emergency Manager Jon Dootson and Captain Rob McDade from the Phoenix Fire Department to learn how Valley Metro and Phoenix Fire worked together for a joint safety exercise over the I-17 rail bridge.
Transcribe →51. The race to a great transition
Dec 8, 202300:24:23Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Shifting Ears, hosts Brittany and Juliana do a deep dive into the once in adecade transition of bus contractors. First, they speak with Dave Todd of Keolis North America to learn more about the new operations contractor. Then, they sit down with Deputy Chief of Bus and Paratransit Operations Tom Young, who explains all the hard work that goes into this transition.
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