Scottsdale Vibes

Councilman Barry Graham and City Council candidates Raoul Zubia and Michelle Ugenti-Rita sit down with Alicia as Scottsdale prepares for the November 3, 2026 election. With the future of Scottsdale on the ballot, we're giving voters an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates about the issues shaping our community. From responsible growth and development to quality of life and the challeng...

With the November 3 election approaching, Scottsdale voters will choose two members of the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) Governing Board from three candidates. On this episode of Scottsdale Vibes , Alicia Haygood sits down with Dr. Jennifer Johnson, Jeanne Beasley and current board member Amy Carney to discuss the issues shaping the future of Scottsdale schools. All three candidates ar...

Welcome to an all new Small Business Saturday Episode of Scottsdale Vibes! From once-in-a-lifetime safaris and luxury cruises to personalized getaways around the world, planning the perfect vacation is about more than booking a flight and hotel.  We're meeting luxury travel advisor June Kleier to talk about creating unforgettable travel experiences, why working with a travel advisor can make all t...

On this episode of Scottsdale Vibes, Alicia Haygood chats with our sponsors Jeremy Mueller and Shawn Shackelton about staying safe, protecting your home, and navigating Scottsdale's real estate market as the busy season kicks off. Jeremy Mueller of State Farm Insurance shares important tips for pedestrian safety, navigating busy streets, and making sure your auto insurance provides the coverage yo...

On this episode of Scottsdale Vibes, we're sitting down with Scottsdale's Interim Senior Director of Water Resources, Thyra Ryden-Diaz, to break down where our water comes from, how secure our supply really is, and what Scottsdale is doing to protect its water future. Water is something most of us probably don't think about very often. We turn on the faucet, water our yards, take a shower, and exp...

Scottsdale Fashion Week is back October 4th–11th, bringing a week of runway shows, designers, models, style and plenty of glamour to the city.  We're going behind the scenes with Jamie LeVine and Sheree Hartwell to talk about what's new this year, how Fashion Week has evolved, and why Scottsdale has become such a destination for fashion and luxury. What started as a showcase of fashion has grown i...

This week on Scottsdale Vibes, we're talking with Akshay Nanavati, a Marine veteran, polar explorer, mental performance coach and author of Fearvana, about turning adversity into growth, pushing past our mental limits, and finding more peace and purpose along the way. He has built his life around understanding what happens when we push ourselves far beyond what we think is possible. Akshay Nanavat...

his week on the Scottsdale Vibes Podcast, we chat with Scottsdale restaurant legend George Frasher , the founder of Frasher's Tavern, as he takes us behind the scenes of Scottsdale's evolving restaurant scene and shares the stories behind nearly three decades in the business. George has been part of Scottsdale's restaurant community since 1999, giving him a unique perspective on how the city's din...

Scottsdale knows how to throw a party, and the City's Special Events team is taking that to a whole new level with three events celebrating music, nostalgia, community, and fall fun. Today, we're getting a behind-the-scenes look at what's coming up, from a trip through Scottsdale's history to a pop-punk throwback and a bigger-than-ever Fall Festival. Alicia chats with Taylor DeAlba, a Recreation L...

WestWorld is one of Scottsdale's biggest event destinations, hosting everything from Barrett-Jackson and equestrian competitions to major entertainment and community events. On this episode of  Scottsdale Vibes , Alicia Haygood sits down with Cassie Johnson, Interim General Manager of WestWorld, to talk about the facility's history, its role in Scottsdale, and what's ahead as the city continues to...

This week on the Scottsdale Vibes Podcast, we chat with Scottsdale restaurant legend George Frasher , the founder of Frasher's Tavern, as he takes us behind the scenes of Scottsdale's evolving restaurant scene and shares the stories behind nearly three decades in the business. George has been part of Scottsdale's restaurant community since 1999, giving him a unique perspective on how the city's di...

The conversation continues as Alicia Haygood sits down with Scottsdale Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Scott Menzel for Part 2 of their conversation about the future of SUSD. In this episode, Alicia and Dr. Menzel continue their discussion about what comes next following the district's school closure discussions. Dr. Menzel explains what Phase Three could look like, the district's plans...

  Welcome to a special Small Business Saturday episode of the Scottsdale Vibes Podcast! Scottsdale has become a destination for health, wellness, innovation, and aesthetics, and in this episode, we're talking with one of the experts helping shape that reputation. Host Alicia Haygood sits down with Dr. Paul Holden of Scottsdale Plastic Surgeons , a double board certified facial plastic surgeon who...

As another school year begins, Scottsdale Vibes sits down with Scottsdale Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Scott Menzel for the first of a special two-part conversation about the future of education in Scottsdale. In Part 1, host Alicia Haygood and Dr. Menzel discuss what families can expect this school year, including school safety, academic achievement, district priorities, enrollment,...

Youth sports can build confidence, teamwork, and lifelong memories, but they can also come with a hefty price tag. What if there was a way to help offset those costs while teaching young athletes valuable life skills at the same time? In this episode of Scottsdale Vibes , we sit down with Scottsdale native Mandy Holmes, founder of Sponsor My Athlete, to discuss how families can turn their athlete'...

Music has the power to bring people together, but what happens after the final encore? In this episode of the Scottsdale Vibes Podcast, Alicia Haygood sits down with Maria Brunner, Arizona Chapter Director for  Musically Fed , to discuss how the nonprofit rescues surplus food from concerts, sporting events, and entertainment venues to feed local families experiencing food insecurity. One of the mo...

The Scottsdale City Council election is approaching, and Scottsdale Vibes is helping voters get to know the candidates before ballots arrive. In this special election series, host Alicia Haygood sits down with the individuals seeking to help shape Scottsdale's future. In this fourth episode, Alicia sits down with candidate Solange Whitehead.  The conversation covers the issues Scottsdale residents...

The Scottsdale City Council election is approaching, and Scottsdale Vibes is helping voters get to know the candidates before ballots arrive. In this special election series, host Alicia Haygood sits down with the individuals seeking to help shape Scottsdale's future. In this third episode, Alicia sits down with candidates Michelle Ugenti-Rita and Crystal Carroll.  The conversations cover the issu...

The Scottsdale City Council election is approaching, and Scottsdale Vibes is helping voters get to know the candidates before ballots arrive. In this special election series, host Alicia Haygood sits down with the individuals seeking to help shape Scottsdale's future. In this second episode, Alicia speaks with City Council candidates Raoul Zubia and Bob Littlefield. The conversations cover the iss...

The Scottsdale City Council election is approaching, and Scottsdale Vibes is helping voters get to know the candidates before ballots arrive. In this special election series, host Alicia Haygood sits down with the individuals seeking to help shape Scottsdale's future. In this first episode, Alicia speaks with City Council candidate Ethan Knowlden and current Councilmember Barry Graham, who is seek...

What if your pet sitter had real veterinary training and could recognize health concerns before they became emergencies? Today on Scottsdale Vibes, we're talking with the founders of VetterCare about how they're changing pet care by bringing trusted veterinary professionals directly into your home. If you're a pet owner, you know how stressful it can be to leave your furry family members in someon...

What if living a longer, healthier, happier life wasn't just about willpower, but about the community around you? This week on Scottsdale Vibes, host Alicia Haygood sits down with Sarah Kearney, Executive Director of Blue Zones Project Scottsdale, to talk about the simple lifestyle changes helping Scottsdale residents connect more, stress less, and thrive. Blue Zones are regions around the world w...

Today we're diving into a topic that so many people are curious about right now and that is concierge medicine. If you've ever felt rushed through a doctor's appointment, waited weeks to get in, or struggled to navigate the healthcare system, today's conversation is for you. MD² recently opened its Scottsdale practice in McCormick Ranch and is bringing a very different approach to healthcare. Thei...

What if simplifying your space could actually simplify your life?  Today's conversation is all about something most of us can relate to in one way or another, feeling overwhelmed by the "stuff" in our lives and looking for a little more breathing room. Today we're talking with Angie Ahlstedt, the heart behind Bee Organized Scottsdale, about how clearing clutter can create more calm, clarity, and c...

What if healing didn't start with words, but with connection?  Today, we're exploring how Hunkapi Programs are helping first responders, military members, and veterans regulate stress and reconnect through powerful, equine-assisted experiences. Today's conversation is one that really speaks to the power of connection, healing, and community. First responders, active military, and veterans carry an...