Valley 101

Latest Episodes:

Why does Papago Park look like another planet? May 11, 2026

Show notes

In Papago Park, the rocks look almost out of this world, adding charm to one of Phoenix’s most iconic landscapes.

On this week’s episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we explore how those rock formations developed their unique look.

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Guests: Stephen Reynolds

Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Producer: Tori Weiss, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amanda Luberto⁠⁠

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Who is Arizona's mother? May 04, 2026

Show notes

Mother’s Day is coming, and Arizona has plenty of women who could be considered its “mother.”

From pioneers to cultural icons, the list is long. But one name keeps coming up. This week on Valley 101, a podcast by the Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we explore who Arizona's mother is.

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Guests: Karina Bland, Mary Jo West

Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Producer: Tori Weiss, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amanda Luberto⁠⁠

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Do people still use swamp coolers in Arizona? Apr 27, 2026

Show notes

Back in the day, realtors gave you a checklist to fill out: pool or no pool; two bedrooms, three bedrooms, four bedrooms; one story or two story.

A strange choice? Swamp cooler or no swamp cooler.

Does anyone still have a swamp cooler? And what are they?

On this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral, we talk to John Shurr, a realtor and Michael Morris, the owner of MJM Refrigeration, to answer this burning question: Whatever happened to swamp coolers?

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Guests: Michael Morris, John Shurr

Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Producer: Tori Weiss, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amanda Luberto⁠⁠

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Why has Castles N' Coasters lasted while other parks fail? Apr 20, 2026

Show notes

Castles N' Coasters in the longest-running theme park in Arizona. It will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2027.

Through the brutal Arizona summers, it's still stuck around.

What is the theme park's secret to success?

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we answer the question: What's made Castles N' Coasters the longest-running amusement park in the state?

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Guests: Tiffany Acosta , George Brimhall, Darsey Grantham

Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Producer: Tori Weiss, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amanda Luberto⁠⁠

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Why doesn't Route 66 go through Phoenix? Apr 13, 2026

Show notes

Route 66, the highway that runs 2,448 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica. And a chunk of it runs through Arizona.

In Bobby Troup's hit song "Route 66", it mentions "Flagstaff, Arizona/Don't forget Winona/Kingman, Barstow, San Bernardino."

But what about Phoenix?

This week on Valley 101, we talk with historians and tour guides to hear the crazy stories about priests and lumberjacks, but most importantly: Why doesn't Route 66 go through Phoenix?

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Guests: Bob Boze Bell, Nick Jones, Susan Johnson

Host: ⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Producer: Tori Weiss, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amanda Luberto⁠⁠

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Why does a 'Real Housewives' husband own an Arizona law firm? Apr 06, 2026

Show notes

People look to reality TV for a lot of things.

Escape, entertainment, fun, maybe a touch of schadenfreude.

There are a list of things you should not look for in reality TV and legal advice is at the top!

This week on Valley 101, we talk with a reporter at the Arizona Republic to answer the question: Why does a 'Real Housewives' husband own an Arizona law firm?

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Guests: Laura Gersony

Host: ⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Producer: Tori Weiss, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amanda Luberto⁠

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Why is there a pool at Chase Field? Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

Baseball is back!

One distinguishing feature of Chase Field is the outfield pool. But how did it get there? And who made that decision?

This week on Valley 101, experts join us to answer the question: Why is there a pool at Chase Field?

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Guests: Greg Schulte, Derek Montilla

Host: ⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Producer: Tori Weiss, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto⁠

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How was The Wave discovered? Mar 23, 2026

Show notes

If there is one geological formation Arizona is known for, it is without a doubt ... the Grand Canyon.

But it's not the only too-awesome-to-comprehend natural formation out there. There is also the Wave, the unbelievable sandstone rock formation more formally known as Coyote Buttes North.

On this week's episode of Valley 101, we look into the history of the Wave — it's about 200 million years old, so it's got some — and answer the question: How was the Wave discovered?

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Guests: Mike Koopsen, Light Hunter Fatali

Host: ⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Producer: Tori Weiss, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto⁠

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How many people live in Phoenix? Mar 16, 2026

Show notes

People are often shocked when you tell them that Phoenix is the 5th largest city in America.

You can pick nits about metropolitan statistical areas, but it's clear that Arizona is not the Old West outpost people thought it was back in the day.

So how many people actually live in Phoenix? This week on Valley 101, a podcast about metro Phoenix and beyond, we talk with the Republic's development reporter about some of the reasons that growth, while still happening in Arizona, may be slowing down.

⁠Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix!

Subscribe to ⁠The Watchlist⁠, our Friday media newsletter.

Guests: Corina Vanek

Host: ⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tori Weiss

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What time is it actually in Arizona? Mar 09, 2026

Show notes

What time is it in Arizona might seem like a trick question if you don’t live in Arizona. But when you do, you know what time it is, because the state doesn’t mess around with Daylight Saving Time.

However, Arizona did observe Daylight Saving Time once upon a time. And you know what those words mean. There’s a story behind all that.

This week on Valley 101, we ask the question, “What time is it in Arizona?” And we follow up with, “Why doesn’t Arizona observe Daylight Saving Time?”

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Guest: Calvin Schermerhorn

Host: ⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Producers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto⁠, Tori Weiss

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