Jaime's Local Love Podcast

In this episode, we meet Julie Hurt of Modern Bride in Old Town Scottsdale. She says a wedding dress should be fresh, stylish and "uniquely her." We learn how Hurt spent 20 years in the wedding industry, how her daughter's Quinceanera launched her first event business and how she noticed a gap in the gown market when it came to personalization. Hurt talks wedding dress trends into 2026 a...

In this episode, we meet owner of Shop Rolling Rack, Susie Diamond. With four locations around Arizona, the sassy boutique aims to dress everyone from daughter to grandmother for brunch, weddings, church and a girl's nights out. Hear how Susie spent nearly two decades in finance before her father's passing inspired her to follow her passion for fashion. Susie talks about shifting in business, addr...

In this episode, we meet Chef Justin Beckett of Beckett's Table. His restaurant in Arcadia is celebrating 15 years in the Valley. Some fan favorites on his menu include the BT signature grilled cheese, deviled eggs, and short ribs. Chef Justin has long been a mentor in the Valley's Culinary World and he's promoting a new event to help support our Arizona Chefs. Arizona Chef's Week 2025 runs August...

Join host Jaime Ceretta in this episode of Jaime's Local Love, where she talks to Audrey Corley about owning  Boycott Bar —the only lesbian bar left in Arizona— Dahlia Tapas and Tequila , and Title 9 Sports Grill . These three entities embody the things Aubrey loves: Supporting the queer community, dining on great food, and cheering on women’s sports. Audrey says she is pass...

In this episode, we talk to Josh Coddington with the Arizona Office of Tourism to inspire you to travel Arizona this summer and fall. Josh tells us some of the most popular places to visit, some new places to explore and tells us of some hidden gems as well. Plus, FESTIVAL SEASON is coming up. He will fill your calendar with great events from wine tasting to pirate themed celebrations! https:...

In this episode, we talk to two beloved chef/restaurant owners in the Valley. Gio Osso of Virtu Scottsdale and Pizzeria Virtu and Dominic Ruggiero of Hush Public House and Fire at Will come to the table for some real talk about the restaurant industry in the Instagram world and staying true to their passion for real food for real people. The chefs are leaders in their field—both winning a ve...

A Valley man is creating what he's called a lifestyle movement in Central Phoenix rooted in wellness and intention. Along Camelback and from 10th Street to Central, you will see three of his buildings. Inside them, Dean Waziry of Urban Fraiche is creating a lifestyle boutique, a Mediterranean restaurant, and a spa. In this episode, we learn after decades in the hospitality business, he knows how t...

In this episode, we meet two of the four sisters behind Aunt Chilada's at Dreamy Draw in Phoenix. Owned by a big family filled with big personalities, Michelle Woods and Tiffany Allison say Aunt Chilada's is a lady with a past, and it's up to them to ensure her future. The restaurant started as a general store, became a brothel and a steakhouse before it became the beloved Mexican restau...

We are sitting down with Arizona's Family's super reader. In this episode, we talk to our Whitney Clark, anchor/reporter and host of the Beyond the Next Chapter Podcast. We talk to her about her love of reading and how she gets it done so fast, every week. Whitney also tells us how she got into journalism, her favorite locally owned bookstores, plus she tells us why she loves Arizona and gives us...

It's doggone hot out there. In this episode, we brought in the Arizona Humane Society along with one of its longtime supporters. Uncle Bear's Grill and Tap is a family-owned and operated restaurant where your furry friends are welcome. The burgers are named after dogs, the walls are covered with pet photos, and yes, they have a dog menu too. We talk to father and daughter Todd and Lauren Carey abo...

Two Valley natives meet and fall and love. One owns and runs his family's legacy flower business, the other created a public relations company for luxury hotels and travel. In this episode, we learn the back story on the Luomas. Eric Luoma is the President of Cactus Flower Florists, who are celebrating 50 years in the Valley. His wife, Tatum Luoma, promotes some of Arizona's iconic hotels. We lear...

In this episode, we meet Paul Ford of Big Red's Hot Sauce and Ryan Alarie of RA Seasonings. The two flavor kings work out of the same Arizona commercial kitchen whipping up their creations. Ryan started creating healthy spices after donating his kidney to his cousin. Paul made his first hot sauce after seeing his neighbor's hot sauce collection. Hear how their passions were sparked...

Arizona is a hotspot for golfers, but women sometimes struggle to find good clothing that helps in the heat and doesn't interfere with their backswing. In this episode, we meet two Valley eye doctors who coincidentally both saw a need for change in women's athletic wear. Tara Ransdell of TJ Sport created a women's clothing line focused on fit, function, and fashion. Katy Craft of VimHue...

CEO/Founder of Wildjoy, Lacy Cain, says she forgot to do the things she likes to do. That realization sparked her passion project and now career: Wildjoy. We learn how she uses social media to share experiences people can enjoy to get out in nature and out of their own heads. Lacy hosts events to make friends as adults. She says she's working on a merch line, featuring a Sonoran hot dog...

Jewelry is a must, and we love when we find someone locally who has great jewelry that is meaningful too. In this episode, we meet Lisa Valenzuela from Truly Blessed Jewels. She tells us how a difficult situation at work pushed her to go out on her own. Hear how she went viral and gained a big following, she says she owes her success to the people who lifted her up during challenging times. Truly...

PHOENIX Magazine aims to be very helpful to its readers. It features ways to enjoy Arizona through travel, hikes, food and more. In this episode, we meet Managing Editor Leah Lemoine. She grew up in Arizona and worked her way up the ranks at PHOENIX Magazine after her college internship. She shares her love for print, in-town day trip ideas, and her favorite neighborhood spots. PHOENIX magazi...

Baking with love and cooking with purpose is what they do at BEG Bakery and PARM Italia in the Valley. BEG stands for no butter, no eggs, no gluten. PARM represents "plants are restorative medicine". Owners Rich and Michelle Bonura both live with dietary restrictions.  They are both foodies. After Rich got sick a few years ago, he lived bed ridden for eight months and did a lot of research on...

In this episode, we meet Jane Spicer, the lady bringing fun and flair to your golf game. As a teenager, Spicer created and sold her first golf club headcover right here in Phoenix. Now with four decades in the business, Daphne's Headcovers is international, selling animal headcovers offering everything from alligator to zebra. While things are great now, she tells us there was a time in her career...

In this episode, we meet Sarah Chisholm of Wild Rye Baking Co. She spent her youth training to be a ballerina, and after a career ending injury at Ballet Arizona, she had to start over. She turned to a place she loved to be as a kid, in the kitchen, with a mixing bowl. We talk about Chisholm's transition out of dance to find her identity and creative flair again in the kitchen. And after years as...

That's what Darleen Santore wants to help you do. In this heartfelt conversation, we talk to the board-certified occupational therapist, mental skills coach, and author about her career, her recovery after three strokes and her new book in which she shares the secret sauce on how to show up as a better YOU! She says it all starts with intention, mindset, and "reviewing the tape". In her book "The...

In this episode, we sit down with our resident world traveler Jared Dillingham here at Arizona's Family. He talks about the great sights to see not just in Phoenix but across Arizona. And even though Jared is a global traveler, he says his favorite place in the world is right here in our home state. Jared loves the outdoors and has some great Arizona recommendations for us. And if you're looking f...

We meet Valley native Jenni Pollack of Light and Bark Candle Co. She says her love of dogs sparked an interest in fundraising for the animals, so she started making candles. Those candles turned into a full-time business that now gives back to at least ten rescues in the Valley. Light and Bark Candle Co. is located in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale. They offer build your own candle experiences,...

Herbal remedies like teas, tinctures, and oils are gaining new interest as people search for natural ways to improve their health. We meet an herbalist who’s always loved how plants can help us heal. MeriHelen Nunez owns Tangled Root Botanicals in historic downtown Glendale. It’s an apothecary where she loves working with plant medicine and empowering others to navigate their way throu...

We meet Jacob Cutino of Cutino Sauce Co. What started with one all-natural jalapeno sauce inspired by his step-father's homemade recipe has grown into a full line of hot sauce flavors. Early in the game, Cutino had to do a rebrand due to a naming conflict. He tells us how he luckily had world-renowned Chef Chris Bianco there to help him through it. In fact, Bianco became his very first retail acco...

The best meats and cheeses from around the world paired with perfectly balanced cocktails. That’s what Phil Lewkowicz wants to deliver with the new Belmont Kitchen and Cocktails in North Scottsdale. We learn Phil’s family knows fine dining, as they own both Café Monarch and The Reserve. Phil says he’s always loved hospitality and Belmont Kitchen and Cocktails will provide...