Valley 101
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 or reach us on social media @azcentral. This show is hosted by Bill Goodykootz and produced by Amanda Luberto.
51
Why do the Grand Canyon fires feel personal?
The Dragon Bravo Fires have burned nearly 17,000 acres at the Grand Canyon. The destruction has this editor romanticizing her home state on Valley 101
9 min
52
What is the controversy behind an Arizona “Love...
Arizona’s Cierra Ortega went viral after her dramatic ‘Love Island’ exit. Here’s why her removal sparked a bigger reaction than usual.
16 min
53
What's it like to be the Dbacks organist?
Bobby Freeman has been the organist for the Arizona Diamondbacks since the team started. Valley 101 caught up with him at Chase Field recently.
20 min
54
Where's the best pizza in Phoenix?
Valley 101 talks with the winner of The Arizona Republic's 2025 Phoenix Pizza Poll, and Endia Fontanez, a Republic reporter, explains the contest.
13 min
55
What's the biggest band to come out of Arizona?
Alice Cooper? Stevie Nicks? Linda Ronstadt? Valley 101 delves into who the biggest musical act from Arizona is. The answer might surprise you.
20 min
56
When does the monsoon REALLY start?
What is the Arizona monsoon, and is June 15 really the start? Valley 101 answers your questions, with the help of Sean McLaughlin and Tom Frieders.
19 min
57
Why has the drowning death of Emilie Kiser’s so...
18 min
58
How can wine grow in Arizona's changing climate?
With rising temperatures, how can wine grow in Arizona? Wine makers and experts join Valley 101 to talk about adapting to climate change.
20 min
59
Where do Arizona's chefs like to eat?
When they're not serving up the best meals in Arizona, where do our renowned chefs like to dine? Valley 101 dishes about Chef's Night Out
14 min
60
How hot is too hot to hike?
How hot is Valley 101 looks into the debate over whether trails should be closed in the summer heat.
20 min
61
Why do homes in Phoenix have air conditioning u...
As air cooling technology evolved, so did efficiency. Where an AC unit is located can be a marker of when a home in Arizona was built.
12 min
62
How did Flagstaff become the world's first inte...
Arizona’s dark sky cities are turning the state into a top astrotourism destination. Valley 101 explores why visitors prefer traveling here after dark.
17 min
63
What are the weirdest laws in Arizona?
From pigs to hinnies, Valley 101 answers the question about which of Arizona's laws are the weirdest.
14 min
64
What's changed in my 35 years at The Arizona Re...
Bill Goodykoontz, media columnist and Valley 101 host for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, talks about changes in his 35 years in Arizona.
17 min
65
Are Phoenix drivers really the worst?
AZ drivers are often ranked among the worst in America. Valley 101 shares wild driving stories and discusses the state's plans to improve road safety.
24 min
66
What was it really like for the first female ne...
Mary Jo West, the first woman to anchor the news in Phoenix, talks about her career on Valley 101, including the harassment she suffered and more.
17 min
67
Why is the ASU journalism school named after Wa...
Walter Cronkite's name is on ASU's journalism school. Why?
14 min
68
Why is Wallace and Ladmo so important to Arizona?
Arizona kids will remember the magic of "Wallace and Ladmo." Never before heard interviews with the cast reveal why the magic stuck around.
56 min
69
How has the Phoenix Film Festival stuck around ...
The Phoenix Film Festival, the largest film festival in Arizona, is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025.
13 min
70
Why is flight school so popular in Arizona?
A history of aviation in the Valley began to unravel around WWII. Almost a century later, pilot school continues to soar to new heights in Arizona.
16 min
71
Do people still move to Arizona for the climate?
Climate has long been one of Arizona's 5 C's, along with citrus, cotton, copper and cattle. With climate change is it still? Valley 101 looks into it.
16 min
72
What is the most iconic spring training food?
It's spring training time for baseball. With the Cactus League in full swing, Valley 101 explores most iconic baseball foods
13 min
73
Does Sedona actually have vortexes?
The red rocks of Sedona are known for their powerful energy vortexes. But are they real?
11 min
74
How do you say Casa Grande?
How do you pronounce Casa Grande? Or Mogollon? It can depend on where you're from.
15 min
75
Who was Arizona civil rights leader, Annie Watk...
She helped start the NAACP in Flagstaff and taught Black voters how to have their vote count. But her story is lost to time.
15 min