

City Cast Salt Lake
City Cast
City Cast Salt Lake is Salt Lake City’s daily news podcast. Host Ali Vallarta and a bevy of smart and entertaining locals will bring you conversations about the issues that matter most to SLC. Some days City Cast will make you proud; other days it’ll make you angry. It will celebrate Salt Lake’s triumphs, (try to) solve its mysteries, and explore its history. City Cast will help you feel more connected to the Wasatch Front – whether you’ve lived here for 6 months or 6 generations.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 26, 2025 • 25min
What $50 Gets You at the Farmers Market
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 for years to come. Get all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm.Subscribe to Hey Salt Lake, our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:
Inn at 500
Salt Lake Bees
Broadway Across America
Salt Lake Sewciety
Momentum Climbing

Mar 25, 2025 • 39min
Lawmakers Punishing SLC, Dancing for Lunch Dollars, Black Hole Award
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 Salt Lake City [Hey Salt Lake]
A Utah teacher has raised over $11,000 for her students by dancing on TikTok. Here’s why. [Salt Lake Tribune]
‘Disregard for transparency’: Utah Legislature’s public records laws earn it a ‘Black Hole’ award [Utah News Dispatch]
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.Subscribe to Hey Salt Lake, our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.If you enjoyed the interview with Michael Collins, learn more here.Learn more about the other sponsors of this March 25th episode:
Inn at 500
Salt Lake Bees
Broadway Across America
Salt Lake Sewciety
Momentum Climbing
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC.
Workshopslc.com - use code CITYCAST for 20% off.

Mar 24, 2025 • 15min
Why Are So Many University Presidents Leaving?
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 all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm.Subscribe to Hey Salt Lake, our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:
Inn at 500
Salt Lake Bees
Broadway Across America
Salt Lake Sewciety
Momentum Climbing

Mar 21, 2025 • 36min
Protein Bar Wars, Legalizing Weed, Utah's Gold Stash
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 taxpayer money in gold — so far. Here’s how the state plans to use it. [Salt Lake Tribune]
New poll says majority of Utah would vote to legalize recreational marijuana [FOX 13]
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.Subscribe to Hey Salt Lake, our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC. Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.If you enjoyed the interview with Ty Wardle, the general manager of the Salt Lake Bees, learn more here.Learn more about the other sponsors of this March 21st episode:
Inn at 500
Salt Lake Bees
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC.
Workshopslc.com - use code CITYCAST for 20% off.

Mar 20, 2025 • 20min
Penises of the Great Salt Lake
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 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.Subscribe to Hey Salt Lake, our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:
Inn at 500
Salt Lake Bees
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST

Mar 19, 2025 • 21min
How Not To Have Search and Rescue Save Your Ass
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 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.Subscribe to Hey Salt Lake, our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:
Inn at 500
Salt Lake Bees
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST

Mar 18, 2025 • 30min
SLC’s Brunch Scene, Sundance & Pride Flags, Referendum Hits the Streets
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 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.Subscribe to Hey Salt Lake, our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:
Inn at 500
Salt Lake Bees
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC.
Workshopslc.com - use code CITYCAST for 20% off.

Mar 17, 2025 • 21min
Tips and Tricks for SLC Concert Season
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 help make sure we are around for years to come. Get all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm.Subscribe to Hey Salt Lake, our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:
Inn at 500
Salt Lake Bees
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST

Mar 14, 2025 • 33min
Air Taxis Are Here, SLC Twilight Lineup, Pies for Pi Day
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]
The best local pie for Pi Day [Hey Salt Lake]
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.Subscribe to Hey Salt Lake, our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC. Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:
ICO
Salt Lake Bees
Treefort Music Fest
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC.

Mar 13, 2025 • 19min
Why Allergies Are Worse This Spring
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 around for years to come. Get all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm.Subscribe to Hey Salt Lake, our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:
ICO
Salt Lake Bees
Treefort Music Fest