City Cast Salt Lake

Latest Episodes:

'Your City Could Be Better': Meet Nashville's Rogue Bench Builders — Presented By City Cast Salt Lake Apr 26, 2026

Show notes

Are DIY urban projects the key to improving the infrastructure in cities like Salt Lake? The grassroots group To Nashville, With Love has built and installed 60 benches at bus stops around Nashville, all without government approval. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Nashville podcast host Marie Cecile Anderson about what this guerrilla campaign is doing, why it’s gotten pushback from the city, and where Nashville’s Tactical Urbanism program fits into all this. Plus, the unique challenges of Nashville tourism.

Mentioned on the show:

"Who Put Benches at Nashville Bus Stops — and Why Did the City Remove Them?" (City Cast Nashville)
"Guerrilla Public Service Redux" (99% Invisible)

Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!

We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter

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Council Member Lopez Chavez Allegations, 'Yesteryear' Utah Ties, Money-Saving Ideas Apr 24, 2026

Show notes

Multiple women have accused Salt Lake City Council member and congressional candidate Eva Lopez Chavez of unwanted "sexual" advances. Executive producer Emily Means, Salt Lake Tribune reporter Robert Gehrke, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Cassie Bingham break down the story and its impacts. Plus, the book everyone is talking about takes inspo from Utah, and a members-only segment about ways to save money this weekend.

Resources and references:

Four people accuse Eva Lopez Chavez, a SLC Council member, of unwanted ‘sexual’ advances [Salt Lake Tribune]
Sen. Blouin’s Offensive Posts, Homeless Camping Update, Trad Wife Fiction [City Cast Salt Lake]

Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we are around for years to come. Get all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm.

Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.

Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137

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How To Make Friends in SLC Apr 23, 2026

Show notes

The number one question we get asked is how to make friends in Utah. Your wish is our command! Host Ali Vallarta, newsletter editor Terina Ria, and social media manager Molly Miloscia brainstorm some ways to meet new people in Salt Lake, whether you're a DINK, a SINK, or … a DILDO?

Here are even more ideas for making friends in Salt Lake City.

Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm.

Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.

Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137

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Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

Salt Lake’s Naughty Dog Problem Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

Salt Lake, we need to talk about naughty dogs. Professional canine coach Mo Lynch Vashel trains host Ali Vallarta on what dog owners can do to protect their pets and neighbors from undue stress on trails, sidewalks, and breweries.

Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.

Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137

Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.

Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

Supreme Court Justice Investigation, Utah’s Broke Behaviors, Free Matchas Apr 21, 2026

Show notes

Utah Republican leaders are investigating a Supreme Court justice for alleged misconduct, after she was already cleared by a bipartisan commission. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and producer Ivana Martinez discuss the politics of the situation. Plus, Utahns' "broke behaviors" and local shoutouts.

Resources and references:

‘Very little credibility’: Claims against Supreme Court justice found to be ‘misleading’. Cox, GOP lawmakers investigating anyway. [Salt Lake Tribune]
Did the Legislature break the law by disclosing complaint against Supreme Court justice? [Salt Lake Tribune]

Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we are around for years to come. Get all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm.

Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.

Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137

Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.

Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

TaskRabbit
Ritual Hot Yoga
Salt Lake Sewciety
Cozy Earth - use code COZYSALTLAKE for up to 20% off

The Wasatch Front's Data Center Boom Apr 20, 2026

Show notes

Could Utah become the country's next data center hub? Host Ali Vallarta tells executive producer Emily Means what she learned from experts at a recent roundtable and what questions remain.

Resources and references:

Data centers on the way to Utah, but how fast and at what cost? [Desert News]

Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.

Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137

Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.

Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

'Your City Could Be Better': Why Seattle Gives Every Voter $100 — Presented By City Cast Salt Lake City Apr 19, 2026

Show notes

Could public financing get more Salt Lakers involved in local elections? For the last decade, the City of Seattle has issued $100 in vouchers to every voter to donate to the candidate of their choice in municipal elections. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Seattle podcast host Jane C. Hu about how these Democracy Vouchers work, how many people are participating, and what the impact on local elections has been. Plus, is the “Seattle Freeze” a real thing?

Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!

We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter

Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

Sen. Blouin’s Offensive Posts, Homeless Camping Update, Trad Wife Fiction Apr 17, 2026

Show notes

Scandal hits the Congressional District 1 race with the surfacing of offensive online posts by Sen. Nate Blouin. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Chandler Rosenberg discuss the response and the impacts. Plus, Salt Lake City wants to update its no-camping ordinance, picks of the week, and a special bonus segment for City Cast Neighbors: Are Californians ruining Utah?

Resources and references:

Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we are around for years to come. Get all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm.

Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.

Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137

Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.

Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

Red Butte Garden

Improvements Coming to SLC’s Foothills … Finally Apr 16, 2026

Show notes

A years-long saga in Salt Lake City's foothills is finally coming to an end. Host Ali Vallarta asks Tyler Fonarow, SLC trails and natural lands director, how the city resolved the drama and what improvements are on the horizon.

Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.

Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137

Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.

Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

Red Butte Garden

Low-Water, No-Mow Grass and Other Garden Tips Apr 15, 2026

Show notes

Unpredictable weather has us asking: When should we start gardening this year? Host Ali Vallarta talks with Yardfarmer founder and principal designer Daryl Lindsey about sustainable landscaping and how to save water this summer.

Resources and references: