Valley 101

Latest Episodes:

Is Arizona haunted? Oct 26, 2026

Show notes

When you think of scary places, a spooky oak tree or a cemetery might come to mind.

But is Arizona a haunted state? The summer heat might be terrifying but there are actually plenty of ghosts haunting the desert.

This week on Valley 101 we sit down with Debe Branning, a ghost hunter and the director of the MVD Ghostchasers, as well as Eddie Fontanez, a reporter at the Arizona Republic who loves anything spooky, to talk about the most famous haunted places in Arizona and what ghosts lurk their halls.

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Guests: Debe Branning, Eddie Fontanez

Host: Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Producer: Tori Weiss, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto⁠

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Is Four Peaks Brewery really haunted? Oct 19, 2026

Show notes

For people looking to go beyond the brews, Four Peaks Brewery's 8th Street Pub in Tempe offers another annual tradition: their Haunted Brewery Tours.

The ale house is thought to be one of the most haunted places in the Valley. But is it the paranormal or just good publicity?

This week on Valley 101, we sit down with the brewery's ghost expert and a supernatural professional to see if their stories check out.

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Guests: Carter Nacke, Drew Gill

Host: Amanda Luberto⁠

Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto⁠, Tori Weiss

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What can Arizona's Route 66 dive bars teach us? Oct 12, 2026

Show notes

Some of the best stories along Route 66 can be found inside its dive bars. From local legends to a bar with decades of history, these places have plenty of stories to tell.

This week on Valley 101, our host, Bill Goodykoontz, takes a roadtrip to learn what Arizona's historic dive bars can teach us about their history, their people, and the stories they carry.

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Guests: Mike Fox

Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠

Producer: Tori Weiss, Amanda Luberto⁠⁠⁠

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What is it like to be famous and Hispanic in Arizona? Oct 05, 2026

Show notes

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate Hispanic culture and identity, but it isn't always easy, especially in the current political and social climate. But what is it like to be famous and Hispanic in Arizona?

On this episode of Valley 101, we discuss the challenges of navigating identity, culture, and building a successful life in Arizona.

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Guests: Vanessa Ruiz, Armando Hernandez

Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠

Producer: Tori Weiss, Amanda Luberto⁠⁠⁠

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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.

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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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