Valley 101

Latest Episodes:

Is Scottsdale the perfect place for a reality show? Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

What happens when you combine Scottsdale, youth baseball and reality TV? You get "Team Moms: Baseball", a new show from Kim Kardashian and the producers of 'Love Island USA', following families at an elite baseball academy in Scottsdale.

On this episode of Valley 101, we look at why Arizona is just now becoming a reality TV destination and how the show might have an effect on youth sports.

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Guests: Dina Kaur, Paola Boivin

Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠

Producer: Tori Weiss, Amanda Luberto⁠⁠⁠

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When does fall start in Arizona? Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

Fall officially arrives at the end of September, but in Arizona, it doesn't feel that way.

So when does fall actually start in the valley?

This week on Valley 101, we look at when Arizonans can finally expect cooler weather, and why it may be taking its time to get here.

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Guests: Tevian Whitehurst

Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠

Producer: Tori Weiss, Amanda Luberto⁠⁠⁠

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Why didn’t any Arizona restaurants earn Michelin stars? Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

The Michelin guide has finally come to Arizona.

And not a single Arizonan restaurant received a star. Though many still appeared in the guide, a few even received their own special awards, but no stars. Why?

This week on Valley 101, we look into what it takes to get a Michelin star and why none of Arizona's restaurants received one.

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Guests: Bahar Anooshahr

Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠

Producer: Tori Weiss, Amanda Luberto⁠⁠⁠

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Are backyard pools still a luxury in Arizona? Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

To survive an Arizona summer, most Arizonans escape the head by taking a vacation, staying inside or cooling off in a pool.

These days, having a pool at home can feel like a necessity, but it wasn't always that way.

This week on Valley 101, we learn about the increase of pools in Arizona homes and find out why it has went from a luxury to a must have.

Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix!

Guests: Skip Shasta III, Hannah Jones

Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Producer: Tori Weiss, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amanda Luberto⁠⁠

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What's with the dead bodies in Lake Mead? Aug 31, 2026

Show notes

Dead bodies are among the many things being revealed as Lake Mead's water levels continue to drop.

So why are bodies being found in Lake Mead? And how many are connected to crimes?

This week on Valley 101, we explore the stories behind the bodies, what the dropping water levels mean for Arizona and what the lake could reveal next.

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Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Watchlist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, our Friday media newsletter.

Guests: Shaun Mollica, John Mattos, Brandon Loomis

Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Producer: Tori Weiss, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amanda Luberto⁠⁠

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Are javelinas Arizona's wild pig? Aug 24, 2026

Show notes

If you have been to Arizona, chances are you’ve had a javelina encounter, maybe crossing the street or even hanging out in a backyard. They look a little like pigs, seem to be everywhere and have become an unmistakable part of Arizona life.

But what exactly are javelinas, and why are there so many of them here?

This week on Valley 101, we get to know one of Arizona’s most recognizable — and misunderstood — animals and find out how javelinas have become such an iconic piece of wildlife in our state.

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Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Watchlist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, our Friday media newsletter.

Guests: David Mizejewski

Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Producer: Tori Weiss, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amanda Luberto⁠⁠

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What happened to Salad and Go? Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

Salad and Go was founded in Gilbert in 2013 and quickly became a go-to spot for quick, affordable salads. On Aug. 4, 2026, the chain announced it was filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and closing all of its Arizona and Nevada locations.

But what happened?

On this week's episode of Valley 101, we look at what led to the closures and what the future could hold for those stores.

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Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Watchlist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, our Friday media newsletter.

Guests: Tony Christofellis, Eddie Fontanez, Corina Vanek

Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Producer: Tori Weiss, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amanda Luberto⁠⁠

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How did Rocky Point become Arizona's beach? Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

There is one thing most Arizonans can agree on, we need a beach.

While it’s a borderline impossible thought, we are fortunately able to head down to Puerto Peñasco in Sonora, Mexico, nicknamed “Arizona’s beach."

On this week’s episode of Valley 101, we take a walk down the shore and answer the question: How did Puerto Peñasco become Arizona’s beach?

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Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Watchlist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, our Friday media newsletter.

Guests: Michael Salerno, Jonathan Bodow

Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Producer: Tori Weiss, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amanda Luberto⁠⁠

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What is the mysterious pyramid in Papago Park? Aug 03, 2026

Show notes

Most 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.

Guests: Steve Schumacher

Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Producer: Tori Weiss, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amanda Luberto⁠⁠

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Is there an Arizona accent? Jul 27, 2026

Show notes

Sometimes, 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?

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Guests: Peter Joseph Torres

Host, Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto⁠

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