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Arizona
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Whether you're a longtime Arizona resident or a newcomer, chances are there's something you've always wondered about the Valley. From The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com comes Valley 101, a weekly podcast where our journalists find answers to your questions about metro Phoenix and beyond. From silly to serious, you tell us what to investigate. You can submit questions at valley101.azcentral.com... more

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Artwork for Valley 101

Latest Episodes

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, ... more

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 wha... more

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 happ... more

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... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Tony Christofellis
Co-founder of Salad and Go
Salad and Go (founder)
Episode: What happened to Salad and Go?
Eddie Fontanez
Food and dining correspondent
The Arizona Republic
Episode: What happened to Salad and Go?
Corina Vanek
Business and development reporter
The Arizona Republic
Episode: What happened to Salad and Go?
Jonathan Bodow
Resident who owns a condo in Rocky Point
Not specified in transcript
Episode: How did Rocky Point become Arizona's beach?
Steve Schumacher
Official historian of the Phoenix Mayor's Office
Phoenix Mayor's Office
Episode: What is the mysterious pyramid in Papago Park?
Peter Joseph Torres
Assistant professor in the English department at Arizona State University, linguist
Arizona State University
Episode: Is there an Arizona accent?
Samara Klar
Professor at University of Arizona
University of Arizona
Episode: Is Arizona a red state?
Ron Hansen
National politics reporter
Arizona Republic
Episode: Is Arizona a red state?
Julie Palmer
One of the owners of Cheese and Stuff
Cheese and Stuff, Phoenix
Episode: Is Cheese 'n Stuff really Uptown Phoenix's favorite sandwich?

Host

Bill Goodykootz
Host of Valley 101 (journalist for The Arizona Republic / azcentral.com) with deep ties to regional storytelling and local history.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 343 ratings
  • Excellent storytelling!

    I love the diversity of the content and every episode is really educational and engaging. I’ve lived in Arizona for 33 years and have learned so many things from this podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MelissaDflip
    United States3 months ago
  • Good info for travelers

    My family all live in AZ , so it’s fun to visit and have some knowledge of the things that make AZ special. Well researched and well presented material.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bburg lady
    United States4 months ago
  • Phoenician In the Jungle

    Every episode truly brings me joy to listen to. Growing up in downtown Phoenix (Central Park!) and now living in São Paulo Brazil, every episode here just makes me happy to learn more about Home. Gives me that loving nostalgia that reminds me that Arizona really is an amazing place. Thank you everyone and keep up the amazing work you do day in and day out. You’re really appreciated down south of the equator here!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bebes360
    Brazil8 months ago
  • Excellent episode

    I loved the episode about best Arizona movies. Agree with the pics and also have a few new movies to check out!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hannahdancer2
    United States9 months ago
  • Excellent journalism

    This is an information based podcast. It is unbiased and does not humor conspiracy theories. These journalists have integrity and it shows. Plus it's very entertaining!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kaiser Soso
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners feel production and narration could be more polished for broader appeal.
Audience appreciates the mix of history, culture, and current events and the newsroom credibility.
Consistent emphasis on Arizona-specific topics makes it a go-to for residents and newcomers alike.
Shows strong local focus with accessible storytelling and credible guests.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Is Arizona a red state?
Q: Is Arizona a red state?
The panel suggests that Arizona defies simple labeling; while registration leans Republican, actual governance and recent election results show substantial Democratic influence and a strong independent voter base, making the state a battleground with a spectrum from red to purple.
How extreme are Arizona wildfires?
Q: Is Arizona the worst state in the nation for wildfires?
No. While Arizona experiences frequent large fires, California has more fires overall due to its size and landscape, so Arizona ranks high but is not the worst.
What time is it actually in Arizona?
Q: Why did Arizona decide to stop observing daylight saving time after a trial in 1967?
Public outcry and practical concerns, including extremely hot summers and the impact on evening activities, led lawmakers to opt for standard time year-round much sooner than many other states.
Is Cine Capri the best movie theater in Phoenix?
Q: How did the community respond to the threat of closing the Cine Capri?
Over 200,000 people signed a petition to save the Cine Capri, showing a strong sense of community and connection to the theater.
Is Cine Capri the best movie theater in Phoenix?
Q: What is the significance of the Cine Capri Theatre in Phoenix's history?
The Cine Capri Theatre represents an era of glamorous movie-going experiences and was notable for its design, technology, and cultural impact, remaining a beloved part of Phoenix's film history even after its closing.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Valley 101

What is Valley 101 about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show tackles questions about the Phoenix metro area with a journalistic lens, mixing history, culture, science, and current events. Recent episodes span Rocky Point tourism and cross-border dynamics, local landmarks like Papago Park, linguistic quirks and accents, Arizona politics and civic life, and practical topics from weather and climate to public health and water safety. Guests range from university researchers and city officials to local business owners and subject-matter experts, creating a blend of archival context, on-the-ground experience, and expert analysis. The format often blends personal anecdotes with data-driven insights, making complex regional topics approachable for a broad audience. A notable strength is the show's... more

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How many listeners does Valley 101 get?

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To see how many followers or subscribers Valley 101 has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Valley 101?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Valley 101:

1. The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast
2. Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
3. Fresh Air
4. Throughline
5. Settle In with PBS News

How many episodes of Valley 101 are there?

Valley 101 launched 8 years ago and published 401 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Valley 101?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on Valley 101?

Recent guests on Valley 101 include:

1. Tony Christofellis
2. Eddie Fontanez
3. Corina Vanek
4. Jonathan Bodow
5. Steve Schumacher
6. Peter Joseph Torres
7. Samara Klar
8. Ron Hansen

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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