Valley 101

Latest Episodes:

Is Arizona a red state? Jul 20, 2026

Show notes

Election 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?

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Guests: Samara Klar, Ron Hansen

Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Producer: Tori Weiss, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amanda Luberto⁠⁠

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Is Cheese 'n Stuff really Uptown Phoenix's favorite sandwich? Jul 13, 2026

Show notes

Just 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.

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Guests: Julie Palmer, Bahar Anooshar

Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amanda Luberto⁠⁠⁠⁠

Producer: Tori Weiss

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What makes an Arizona summer complete? Jul 06, 2026

Show notes

Arizona 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.

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Guests: Richard Ruelas, Itzel Rios Soto, Michael Salerno, Dina Kaur

Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amanda Luberto⁠⁠⁠⁠

Producer: Tori Weiss, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amanda Luberto⁠⁠

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Is metro Phoenix LGBTQ+ friendly? Jun 29, 2026

Show notes

LGBTQ+ 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.

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Guests: Neil Giuliano, Lawrence Moore, Angela Huey

Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Producer: Tori Weiss, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amanda Luberto⁠⁠

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How can 78 degrees feel so different in Arizona? Jun 22, 2026

Show notes

In 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.

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Guests: Tevian Whitehurst, Micahel Morris

Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Producer: Tori Weiss, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amanda Luberto⁠⁠

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What was Arizona like when Juneteenth happened? Jun 15, 2026

Show notes

Juneteenth 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.

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Guests: Treya Allen

Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Producer: Tori Weiss, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amanda Luberto⁠⁠

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How extreme are Arizona wildfires? Jun 08, 2026

Show notes

To 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.

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Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Watchlist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, our Friday media newsletter.

Guests: Joan Meiners

Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Producer: Tori Weiss, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amanda Luberto⁠⁠

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Are monsoons still a thing in Arizona? Jun 01, 2026

Show notes

Usually 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.

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Guests: Amber Sullins , Tom Frieders

Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Producer: Tori Weiss, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amanda Luberto⁠⁠

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Are Arizona lakes safe to swim in? May 25, 2026

Show notes

It's no surprise that in Arizona, it's getting hot, and what better way to cool off then to take a trip to the lake?

But what lakes are safe to swim in? On this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we find out why algae and water clarity is important when deciding what lakes to dip into this summer.

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Guests: Erin Jordan

Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Producer: Tori Weiss, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amanda Luberto⁠⁠

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What is Valley Fever? May 18, 2026

Show notes

There’s a lot of things to be cautious about in Arizona; the sun, the monsoons, the snakes, oh and did we mention Valley Fever?

But what exactly is Valley Fever, how do you catch it and what happens if you do? On this week’s episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we dive into the strange fungal infection that you might have already had and didn’t even know it.

Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix!

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Guests: Dr. John Galgiani

Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Producer: Tori Weiss, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amanda Luberto⁠⁠

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