
City Cast Salt Lake
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.
Latest episodes

Apr 18, 2025 • 34min
320K Signatures vs. #1 Economy, 'Minecraft' Chicken Jockey, Bar Egg Hunt
Utah has boasted the number one economic outlook in the nation for 18 years, but according to who? Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means dive into the data and compare it to support for Utah's labor movement. Plus, chickens in theaters, two new neighborhood murals, and ideas for Easter weekend. Resources and references:
For 18th year, Utah ranks No. 1 for best economic outlook. What could threaten its top spot? [Utah News Dispatch]
Adults required at ‘Minecraft’ movie after ‘chicken jockey’ trend hits Heber [KPCW]
Apply for SLC's Ballpark mural program through May 15, 2025.
Central 9th Beaster Egg Hunt
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
Momentum Climbing
Harmons
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC.
Workshopslc.com - use code CITYCAST for 20% off.
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Apr 17, 2025 • 23min
Can SLC Ride Out the Next Massive Earthquake?
It’s the Utah ShakeOut, which means you might have a friend or a kid in an earthquake drill right now. Host Ali Vallarta asks Keith Koper, director of the seismological observatory at the University of Utah, how prepared Salt Lake is for "The Big One."This episode first aired Nov. 14, 2024. Resource and references:
Apply to Salt Lake City’s Fix the Bricks program.
How to Prepare for “The Big One” [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
Momentum Climbing
Harmons
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Apr 16, 2025 • 26min
A Big Idea for Salt Lake’s Nightlife
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 ClosingBecome 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
Momentum Climbing
Harmons
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 15, 2025 • 45min
Why Four SLC Restaurants Closed, Gaga for COSMICA, New Union Hub
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 Market.
Check out the Utah Workers Center.
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 Bryan Terzi, the CMO of AutoCamp, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:
ICO
Momentum Climbing
Harmons
Cozy Earth - Use code COZYSALTLAKE for 40% off best-selling sheets,
towels, pajamas, and more.
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC.
Workshopslc.com - use code CITYCAST for 20% off.
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Apr 14, 2025 • 19min
Hate Paying Taxes? Let’s Get Hyped.
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.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
Momentum Climbing
Harmons
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 11, 2025 • 31min
Could Tariffs Save Great Salt Lake? Noisy Neighbors, Free Tax Help
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 looks like.
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:
Salt Lake Bees
Salt Lake Sewciety
The Shop
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC.
Workshopslc.com - use code CITYCAST for 20% off.
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Apr 10, 2025 • 24min
How To Keep Main Street Bars From Closing
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 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:
Salt Lake Bees
Salt Lake Sewciety
The Shop
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 9, 2025 • 26min
A Realtor’s Case Against Home Buying in SLC
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 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:
Salt Lake Bees
Salt Lake Sewciety
The Shop
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 8, 2025 • 43min
RFK Jr. and Bernie Visit, $300M for Parking, Central City Parrot
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’s water? [KUER]
RSVP for Bernie Sanders rally in SLC.
In last-minute change, plan for new downtown Salt Lake City entertainment district near Delta Center gets even bigger [Salt Lake Tribune]
The $30M SLC Schools Lost to Developers [City Cast Salt Lake]
It’s Not Impossible for Utahns To Win the Lottery [City Cast 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.If you enjoyed the interview with Ty Wardle, the general manager of the Salt Lake Bees, learn more here.Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:
Salt Lake Bees
Salt Lake Sewciety
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC.
Workshopslc.com - use code CITYCAST for 20% off.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 7, 2025 • 28min
LDS Men and the Manosphere
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 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 other sponsors of this episode:
The Shop
Salt Lake Sewciety
Salt Lake Bees
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices