Podcast
Valley 101
Hosted by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com · EN
Whether you're a longtime Arizona resident or a newcomer, chances are there's something you've always wondered about the Valley. From The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com comes Valley 101, a weekly podcast where our journalists find answers to your questions about metro Phoenix and beyond. From silly to serious, you tell us what to investigate. You can submit questions at valley101.azcentral.com or reach us on social media @azcentral. This show is hosted by Bill Goodykootz and produced by Amanda Luberto.
34episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
What is the mysterious pyramid in Papago Park?
2w ago00:12:46Tap to summarizeMost people know Papago Park for the hole in the wall, or the famous Phoenix Zoo, but overlooking it all, on top of a hill, is one of the strangest landmarks in Arizona: a white pyramid. Many locals have no idea what it is — or what's in it. On this week’s episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we look into the history behind the mysterious pyramid and learn what it is, and what’s inside. Submit your question about Phoenix! Subscribe to The Watchlist, our Friday media newsletter. Follow us on X, Instagram and TikTok. Guests: Steve Schumacher Host: Bill Goodykoontz Producer: Tori Weiss, Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →
Is there an Arizona accent?
3w ago00:10:27Tap to summarizeSometimes, you can instantly tell where a person is from by the way they speak. A southern drawl or a California vocal fry can give someone away. If you're around it all the time, you might not even hear that you yourself have a distinct speech pattern. So when the idea of an "Arizona accent" was floating around social media, we had to find out. This week on Valley 101, we answer the question: Do Arizonans have an accent? Submit your question about Phoenix! Follow us on X, Instagram and TikTok. Guests: Peter Joseph Torres Host, Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →
Is Arizona a red state?
4w ago00:12:16Tap to summarizeElection season is about to heat up in Arizona, and everywhere else in the country. If your mailbox isn't clogged with campaign mailers already, count yourself among the lucky ones. Arizona is now a battleground state. That means more media scrutiny and more nasty campaign commercials, which is a real disappointment to those of us who enjoy turning off our brains on Sunday afternoons in the fall to watch football. On this week's episode of Valley 101, we answer the question: Is Arizona a red state? Submit your question about Phoenix! Subscribe to The Watchlist, our Friday media newsletter. Follow us on X, Instagram and TikTok. Guests: Samara Klar, Ron Hansen Host: Bill Goodykoontz Producer: Tori Weiss, Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →
Is Cheese 'n Stuff really Uptown Phoenix's favorite sandwich?
Jul 1300:25:24Tap to summarizeJust off the corner of Camelback Road and Central Avenue is an old-school deli that's been there for almost 100 years. Cheese 'n Stuff first opened its doors in 1949 — less than 40 years after Arizona gained statehood — and has been feeding the Uptown Phoenix neighborhood ever since. This week we answer the question: is Cheese 'n Stuff really Uptown Phoenix's favorite sandwich? Co-owner Julie Palmer joins us to discuss the history of the longstanding deli in central Phoenix. Then, we sit down with the Republic's restaurant critic to rank their 5 bestselling sandwiches. Submit your question about Phoenix! Follow us on X, Instagram and TikTok. Guests: Julie Palmer, Bahar Anooshar Host: Amanda Luberto Producer: Tori Weiss Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →
What makes an Arizona summer complete?
Jul 600:18:09Tap to summarizeArizona summers are known for their crazy high temperatures. The heat can make you want to stay inside, but where’s the summer fun when you’re trapped indoors? On this week’s episode of Valley 101, we talk with The Arizona Republic’s newsroom crew to find out how they like to continue to have fun even through the drastically hot summers. Submit your question about Phoenix! Subscribe to The Watchlist, our Friday media newsletter. Follow us on X, Instagram and TikTok. Guests: Richard Ruelas, Itzel Rios Soto, Michael Salerno, Dina Kaur Host: Amanda Luberto Producer: Tori Weiss, Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →
Is metro Phoenix LGBTQ+ friendly?
Jun 2900:22:14Tap to summarizeLGBTQ+ rights have changed significantly over time, but progress has not always been a straight line. Something that helps the community is living in a place that is LGBTQ+ friendly. But what does it mean to be LGBTQ+ friendly? On this week’s episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we explore whether Phoenix is LGBTQ+ friendly, the progress the city has made, and the challenges that still remain for the community. Submit your question about Phoenix! Subscribe to The Watchlist, our Friday media newsletter. Follow us on X, Instagram and TikTok. Guests: Neil Giuliano, Lawrence Moore, Angela Huey Host: Bill Goodykoontz Producer: Tori Weiss, Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →
How can 78 degrees feel so different in Arizona?
Jun 2200:11:05Tap to summarizeIn Arizona, 78 degrees can feel perfect in the winter and surprisingly cool in the summer. So why does the same temperature feel so different depending on the season? On this week’s episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we explore the science behind the air that thermostats blow into our homes and how our bodies adapt to the raging and changing temperatures that Arizona offers. Submit your question about Phoenix! Subscribe to The Watchlist, our Friday media newsletter. Follow us on X, Instagram and TikTok. Guests: Tevian Whitehurst, Micahel Morris Host: Bill Goodykoontz Producer: Tori Weiss, Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →
What was Arizona like when Juneteenth happened?
Jun 1500:13:24Tap to summarizeJuneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It’s history is often associated with the South, but what was Arizona like when Juneteenth happened? On this week’s episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we explore the significance of Juneteenth in Arizona, how it has been celebrated over the years, and why the holiday remains important today. Submit your question about Phoenix! Subscribe to The Watchlist, our Friday media newsletter. Follow us on X, Instagram and TikTok. Guests: Treya Allen Host: Bill Goodykoontz Producer: Tori Weiss, Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →
How extreme are Arizona wildfires?
Jun 800:19:03Tap to summarizeTo a lot of people, most refer to this time as summer. Arizonans though, think of it as another season: wildfire season. The past year in Arizona has been very dry, and with little rainfall, we could have some extremely serious wildfires this season. On this week’s episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we talk with The Republic’s climate reporter, Joan Meiners, to learn about the dangers of wildfire spread and what could cause this season to be one of our worst. Submit your question about Phoenix! Subscribe to The Watchlist, our Friday media newsletter. Follow us on X, Instagram and TikTok. Guests: Joan Meiners Host: Bill Goodykoontz Producer: Tori Weiss, Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →
Are monsoons still a thing in Arizona?
Jun 100:13:34Tap to summarizeUsually an Arizona summer means a season of monsoons, but the last few summers have been very hot and dry with less and less rainfall. Are monsoons still a thing in Arizona? On this week’s episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we learn about why there has been a lack of monsoons in Arizona, and what our summer could look like this year. Submit your question about Phoenix! Subscribe to The Watchlist, our Friday media newsletter. Follow us on X, Instagram and TikTok. Guests: Amber Sullins , Tom Frieders Host: Bill Goodykoontz Producer: Tori Weiss, Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →