City Cast Salt Lake

With two bars closing on Main Street, how can Salt Lake City upgrade its nightlife? Lutz Leichsenring of VibeLab makes the case to host Ali Vallarta for a "night advocate" and explains the science behind creating a vibrant city after dark. Related listening: How To Keep Main Street Bars From Closing Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make s...

Four Salt Lake restaurants shut their doors this past week, which has us asking: What went wrong? Hey Salt Lake newsletter editor Terina Ria and host Ali Vallarta talk about the closures and new places they’re hyped about. Plus, a wishlist for SLC’s lesbian bar, the launch of a Utah workers’ hub, and a must-see bathroom.  Resources and references: Find out what $50 gets you at the Winter Farmers M...

Hate filing your taxes? Jenna Williams, tax and budget policy analyst at Voices For Utah Children, joins host Ali Vallarta to explain what your taxes actually pay for and why you should be hyped.  Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we are around for years to come. Get all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm. Subscrib...

What if these Chinese tariffs help save the Great Salt Lake? Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means explore this possible silver lining. Plus, what to do about noisy neighbors, help on your taxes, and small business shoutouts.  Resources and references: Next Steps for Saving the Great Salt Lake [City Cast Salt Lake] Get free tax help at taxhelput.org. Check out what myrtle spurge loo...

First Alibi, now The Ruin; why are SLC bars on Main Street closing? Former Ruin owner Rheda Fouad joins host Ali Vallarta to talk about the challenges of doing business on Main and what we can learn from Central Ninth's nightlife.   Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we are around for years to come. Get all the details and sign up...

With the news that it’s now over twice as expensive to buy than rent in Salt Lake (!), host Ali Vallarta asked local realtor Kaitlin Hannig what the housing market is offering first-time homebuyers, the toxic traits of one particular neighborhood, and why maybe you shouldn’t buy a house. Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we are a...

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. by Monday, Bernie Sanders by Sunday. What are these men seeking in our city? Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means talk about their visits, another $300 million dollars for Ryan Smith, a found parrot in Central City, and a third lottery win for a friend of the pod. Resources and references: Utah banned adding fluoride. How long will it take to flush out of SLC’...

Are Latter-day Saint men falling prey to the "manosphere"? With Alpha Con 2.0 coming to town, Relationscapes podcast host Blair Hodges joins host Ali Vallarta to talk about the versions of masculinity that some Utah men are buying into and why. Resources and references: How a beta like me managed to get kicked out of Salt Lake City’s ‘Alpha Con’ [Deseret News]  Become a member of City Cast Salt La...

Is host Ali Vallarta's public bathroom dream coming true? Executive producer Emily Means joins her to talk through a best-case scenario for proposed city funds. Plus, the Salt Lake County Council chooses pettiness toward Sundance, construction expectations, and SLC’s best takeout.  Resources and references: Salt Lake County pulls funding from Sundance’s final festival in Utah [Salt Lake Tribune] S...

Birth control users listen up: President Donald Trump has frozen Title X funding in a number of states including Utah. Assistant Professor in Division of Family Planning at University of Utah, Dr. Rebecca Simmons joins host Ali Vallarta to explain what this means for access to low cost contraceptives in Utah. Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and h...

Stinky trees blooming, skiing across a pond dressed as Jesus — April is here. Host Ali Vallarta and Hey Salt Lake newsletter editor Terina Ria bring you a guide to making the most of this month, from pizza eating to 900,000 tulips. Plus, if you’re hitting up the final winter farmers market, listen to our episode on how to stretch $50 there.  If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starte...

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has been a busy bee deciding which bills to sign into law or veto. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means talk through the most controversial ones and how they will impact you. Plus, a new mental health resource, a must-have accessory, and how to get fluoride.  Resources and references: Cox vetoes bill giving him the power to pick the Utah Supreme Court’s chief...

Salt Lake City is constantly changing, with new construction happening all the time. But is there a version of our city that was never built? Wendi Pettett, co-host of the Demolished Places podcast, joins host Ali Vallarta to share her picks for the wildest projects that never got off the ground — but could have changed Salt Lake as we know it. Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s th...

The Sundance Film Festival is moving to Boulder, Colorado in 2027! Host Ali Vallarta and producer Ivana Martinez try to get to the bottom of why Boulder beat out Salt Lake’s bid, and what could emerge to take Sundance’s place in Utah. Plus, how to start your garden for cheap, a great fusion dessert, and a block party Sunday.  Related links: Interested in hearing more about Sundance’s identity cris...

As the federal government slashes national park funding, there’s been a lot of emphasis on the dollar value of Utah’s landscapes. But according to Dr. Megan Call, assistant clinical professor in psychiatry at the University of Utah, the state’s natural beauty also makes us smarter. This episode first aired on August 14, 2024. Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to suppo...

Eggs cost an arm and a leg at the grocery store these days, but have you tried shopping at your local farmers market? Host Ali Vallarta and Utah Food Coalition co-founder Chandler Rosenberg hit up Salt Lake City’s winter market to see how the prices compare and what $50 gets them. Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we are around f...

What does Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall think about the state bossing our city around this past legislative session? Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means discuss key takeaways from the mayor’s media roundtable. Plus, a teacher dancing for lunch money, the Black Hole award, and a winning streak for U of U Gymnastics.  Resources and references: The 2025 Bills That Targeted Sal...

Utah has a math problem: Seven presidents at six different universities in just four years. Host Ali Vallarta asks Salt Lake Tribune reporter Courtney Tanner why nobody wants to run a college anymore, and what that means for those of us who aren’t in school. Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we are around for years to come. Get a...

Utah has $60 million in gold hidden somewhere in Salt Lake City. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means discuss why the state is investing in precious metals. Plus, legalizing recreational cannabis, the protein bar wars, and March Madness. Resources and references: Built Bars sues Springville protein bar startup over trade secret accusations [KSL.com] Utah has invested $60M of taxpay...

The Great Salt Lake is home to millions of different species of wildlife, with penises as unique as they are. Yeah, you read that right. Biologist Jaimi Butler joins host Ali Vallarta to explore the genitalia of our namesake, plus the weird phenomenon of sexualizing brine shrimp. Interested in our sea monkeys? Learn why they’re so important to the Great Salt Lake.   Become a member of City Cast Sa...

Salt Lakers crave the sun and red rock splendor of southern Utah, but a lot can go wrong in the desert. Host Ali Vallarta asks Escalante search and rescue volunteer Rick Green how to avoid dangerous (and expensive) mistakes.  Check out Rick’s visitor checklist.   If you’re planning a spring trip in southern Utah, try these alternatives to the Mighty Five. Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake tod...

Is SLC’s hottest club a brunch spot? You decide. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means debrief on Salt Lake’s breakfast food scene and give their recs. Plus, the Sundance saga continues, a new coffee shop, and doorknocking for a cause.  Resources and references: Utah’s Hopes Of Keeping Sundance Threatened By Anti-Pride Flag Bill On Governor’s Desk [Deadline]  Become a member of City...

The SLC Twilight Concert Series lineup just dropped — did you get a ticket? Outdoor music season is about to hit Salt Lake, so host Ali Vallarta asked avid concert goer Reuben Hoyos for his best tips and tricks to enjoy the show.  Plus: Ever wonder how the SLC Twilight lineup gets booked? We’ve got answers. Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and hel...

Air taxis have arrived in Utah. Will you get on board? Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means dive into the details and possible silver linings. Plus, how the Twilight Concert Series has changed, Pi Day treats, and Utah’s nosy neighbors.   Resources and references: The 2025 SLC Twilight lineup and tickets Future of flight? Electric air taxi glides into Salt Lake City [Deseret News] T...

Spring is in the air, and we’re already sneezing our butts off. Why are allergies hitting so hard this year? Dr. Adriana Andreae, an allergist with University of Utah Health, joins host Ali Vallarta to explain what’s plaguing Salt Lakers’ immune systems and how to ease our suffering. Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we are aroun...