Show overview
Valley 101 has been publishing since 2019, and across the 7 years since has built a catalogue of 385 episodes, alongside 1 trailer or bonus episode. That works out to roughly 130 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a weekly cadence.
Episodes typically run ten to twenty minutes — most land between 15 min and 22 min — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. It is catalogued as a EN-language News show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 2 days ago, with 19 episodes already out so far this year. Published by azcentral podcasts.
From the publisher
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.
Latest Episodes
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Why is there a pool at Chase Field?
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? Submit your question about Phoenix! Subscribe to The Watchlist, our Friday media newsletter. Follow us on X, Instagram and TikTok. Guests: Greg Schulte, Derek Montilla Host: Bill Goodykoontz Producer: Tori Weiss, Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How was The Wave discovered?
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? Submit your question about Phoenix! Subscribe to The Watchlist, our Friday media newsletter. Follow us on X, Instagram and TikTok. Guests: Mike Koopsen, Light Hunter Fatali Host: Bill Goodykoontz Producer: Tori Weiss, Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How many people live in Phoenix?
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. Follow us on X, Instagram and TikTok. Guests: Corina Vanek Host: Bill Goodykoontz Producer: Tori Weiss Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What time is it actually in Arizona?
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?” Submit your question about Phoenix! Follow us on X, Instagram and TikTok. Guest: Calvin Schermerhorn Host: Bill Goodykoontz Producers: Amanda Luberto, Tori Weiss Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Is Cine Capri the best movie theater in Phoenix?
In this day and age, there are so many options on where to see a movie. If you want dinner and a show, there's a theater. If you want arthouse, there's a theater. The Valley even has 4 regulated IMAX theaters. But one place in particular has created an experience for Phoenix movie goers since the 20th century. This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we explore the history of Harkins' Cine Capri Theatre. Submit your question about Phoenix! Follow us on X, Instagram and TikTok. Guests: Gayle Martin, Jason Carney Host, Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Were there Black cowboys in Arizona?
People's impression of cowboys is largely due to Hollywood. Actors like John Wayne, Gary Cooper and Clint Eastwood cemented the image of the rugged, handsome, White cowboys throughout their films. While it made for good movies, it's not entirely accurate to how the West looked at the time. There's plenty of history on vaqueros, or Mexican cowboys, in the West, but one demographic left their prints on Arizona history with their stories vastly untold: Black cowboys This week on Valley 101, we answer the question: Were there Black cowboys in Arizona? Submit your question about Phoenix! Follow us on X, Instagram and TikTok. Guests: Tricia Martineau Wagner, Tomari "TJ" Stevenson Host, Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Why is the Nancy Guthrie case uniquely Arizonan?
One of the interesting things about the Guthrie story is that it is so deeply rooted in Arizona. Obviously it's taking place here; Guthrie's home is north of Tucson, and the desert landscaping has played a part in how the case is progressing It just feels like an Arizona story. Because it is. This week on Valley 101, longtime the Republic reporter who has been covering the story, talks about the Guthrie case, the frustrations of making slow progress and the Arizona ties. Submit your question about Arizona! Follow us on X, Instagram and TikTok. Guests: Richard Ruelas Host: Bill Goodykoontz Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When did Arizona become a state and what took so long?
When did Arizona become a state? The answer is easy enough to find. What’s more interesting is how Arizona became a state, and even more interesting than that, what took so long. This week on Valley 101, a podcast about metro Phoenix and beyond, we look at two different approaches to the question: When did Arizona become a state? And what took so long? Submit your question about Phoenix! Follow us on X, Instagram and TikTok. Guests: Bob Boze Bell, Stuart Rosebrook Host: Bill Goodykoontz Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Did a murder lead to a wishing shrine in Tucson?
In an unassuming dirt patch in Tucson's Barrio Viejo sits a shrine that is said to grant wishes. But this altar is not like most. It sits at the site of a brutal murder that happened when a love affair went wrong in 1800s Tucson and is said to be the only true shine to a sinner. This week on Valley 101, a podcast by the Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, you'll hear the true crime story that lead to a symbol of history and hope for the Mexican-American community in west Tucson. Submit your question about Phoenix! Follow us on X, Instagram and TikTok. Guests: Abraham Cooper Host, Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How does a restaurant stay essential?
The Arizona Republic has once again come up with a list of 100 Essential Restaurants in the Valley. Like every year, there are some iconic must-visits alongside some new places. Discovery is a big part of the fun. But some places have been on the list for years. This week on Valley 101, we talk with the Chicago Hamburger Company about what makes a restaurant a staple and how it stays essential to a community. Submit your question about Phoenix! Follow us on X, Instagram and TikTok. Guests: Felicia Campbell, Bob Pappanduros Host: Bill Goodykoontz Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Why does Arizona have so many specialty license plates?
For some people, a license plate can be something more. It's a way for some drivers to express themselves, whether through witty (and not so witty) words and names and such, or through a speciality plate. You have doubtless seen both. And in Arizona, there are over 100 ways to express yourself with a specialty plate. This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we answer the question: why does Arizona have so many specialty plates? Submit your question about Phoenix! Follow us on X, Instagram and TikTok. Guests: Bill Lamoreaux Host: Bill Goodykoontz Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What is it like to bike across Arizona?
Most of us have seen parts of Arizona. Some of us have even seen most of Arizona. But Joan? Joan has seen all of Arizona top to bottom. In 2025, the Arizona Republic's climate reporter rode her bike along the Arizona Trail, spanning the whole state North to South, observing and documenting how climate is impacting the state. This week on Valley 101, Joan shares the story of her trip, what she learned and how she sees the future of Arizona's climate playing out. Read Joan's story here and check out her instagram here Submit your question about Phoenix! Follow us on X, Instagram and TikTok. Guests: Joan Meiners Host: Bill Goodykoontz Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What are the upcoming projects in the Valley for 2026?
Phoenix is constantly expanding. It seems like there's a new construction project popping up every day, and it looks like that's not about to change in 2026. To kick off the new year, Valley 101 explores what's to come with the help of the development reporter for the Arizona Republic, Corina Vanek. Find out what projects she's keeping an eye on and if the classic company town will be resurrected in Phoenix. Submit your question about Phoenix! Follow us on X, Instagram and TikTok. Guests: Corina Vanek Host: Bill Goodykoontz Producer: Madison Knutson, Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How did the Flagstaff Pinecone Drop become an Arizona tradition?
It's that time of year when every state kicks off the new year with its own "ball" drop. North Carolina has the pickle drop. Florida has the shrimp drop. Arizona is no different. The pinecone drop has been an annual tradition in Flagstaff since 1999, but why a pinecone? Valley 101 investigates this unique tradition with the help of its founder, Sam Green. Find out why the pinecone is the staple of Northern Arizona's new year, why it's lasted so long and how a trash can scandal changed the celebration. Submit your question about Phoenix! Follow us on X, Instagram and TikTok. Guests: Sam Green Host: Bill Goodykoontz Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices