
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

Nov 13, 2023 • 19min
What Makes a Local Coffee Shop Great?
We crave more third spaces in this city — but our local coffeehouses do a damn good job! Host Ali Vallarta asks local cafetero Alonso Reyna Rivarola what makes a café worth spending hours in, and why coffee shops have become an important safe space for a lot of locals. Plus, where can you get a hot cuppa after 6 p.m.?Consider becoming a founding member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we’re around for years to come. Get all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm.Subscribe to 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:
Tecovas at City Creek Mall
State of Utah
Rowland Hall
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 10, 2023 • 33min
Essential Oils Diplomacy, Sexy Calendars, and Savory Donuts
We’re taking a break from election coverage to talk about two scandals that boggled our brains this week. One involves essential oils and the other a sexy calendar — we couldn’t make this up if we tried. Executive producer Emily Means joins host Ali Vallarta to break down the stories, plus share their picks of the week.Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC and Twitter @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:
Tecovas at City Creek Mall
State of Utah
Rowland Hall
At the end of the episode, we have a short conversation with Mick Gee, head of school for Rowland Hall, about the Salt Lake City-based school’s approach to education for preschool through 12th grade students. Learn more at an admission tour. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 9, 2023 • 48min
Analysis: Mayoral Candidate Erin Mendenhall on Homelessness
Homelessness is one of Salt Lake’s most urgent issues, and the topic has dominated the Salt Lake City mayoral race. Earlier this year, City Cast Salt Lake was quick to get candidates on the record about the issue. In the final part of our three-interview series, host Ali Vallarta talks with current SLC mayor Erin Mendenhall about her record on this issue, and how she views the city’s role in problem solving. Later, Ali and lead producer Emily Means offer analysis and deeper context. Yesterday, former mayor Rocky Anderson gave his take on homelessness, and on Tuesday, candidate Michael Valentine shared his perspective.Should SLC abandon shelters for permanent supportive housing?What’s in Salt Lake City’s new housing plan?How new incentives can help SLC’s housing crisis.Consider becoming a founding member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we’re around for years to come. Get all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm.Subscribe to 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:
Tecovas at City Creek Mall
State of Utah
Rowland Hall
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 8, 2023 • 39min
Analysis: Mayoral Candidate Rocky Anderson on Homelessness
The topic of homelessness has dominated the Salt Lake City mayoral race, and earlier this year, City Cast Salt Lake was quick to get candidates on the record about the issue. In the second of three interviews, host Ali Vallarta talks with former SLC mayor and current mayoral candidate Rocky Anderson about his record on this issue, stretching all the way back to the 2002 Olympics. Later, Ali and lead producer Emily Means offer analysis and deeper context. Yesterday, candidate Michael Valentine gave his take on homelessness, and finally, current Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall shares her perspective on Thursday’s episode. Should SLC abandon shelters for permanent supportive housing?What’s in Salt Lake City’s new housing plan?How new incentives can help SLC’s housing crisis.Consider becoming a founding member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we’re around for years to come. Get all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm.Subscribe to 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:
Tecovas at City Creek Mall
State of Utah
Rowland Hall
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 7, 2023 • 32min
Analysis: Mayoral Candidate Michael Valentine on Homelessness
The topic of homelessness has dominated the Salt Lake City mayoral race, and earlier this year, City Cast Salt Lake was quick to get candidates on the record about the issue. With Election Day about two weeks out, host Ali Vallarta and lead producer Emily Means are revisiting and analyzing our conversations with each of the candidates, starting with Michael Valentine. Find out more about Salt Lake City’s temporary shelter community.Learn about Denver’s sanctioned camping program. Could the SLC mayor declare a state of emergency around homelessness? Consider becoming a founding member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we’re around for years to come. Get all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm.Subscribe to 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:
Tecovas at City Creek Mall
State of Utah
Rowland Hall
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 6, 2023 • 20min
Will the Ski Bus Suck Less This Winter?
This past winter, ski bus service up Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons really sucked. With opening day at the resorts fast approaching, what can winter recreators expect this season? Russ Fox, director of planning at the Utah Transit Authority, joins host Ali Vallarta to talk about improvements, so you’re (hopefully) not left waiting at a bus stop in a blizzard. UTA’s guide on riding the ski bus this season. Consider becoming a founding member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we’re around for years to come. Get all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm.Subscribe to 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:
Tecovas at City Creek Mall
State of Utah
Rowland Hall
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 3, 2023 • 27min
Do Political Endorsements Matter? Green Loop Update, and a New Coffee Shop
Election Day is a couple weeks away, and candidates are making their last-ditch efforts to convince you to vote for them. But can their endorsers convince you? Lead producer Emily Means joins host Ali Vallarta to ponder how much political endorsements really matter in an election. Plus, they share municipal news about community funding for arts and culture programming and a permanent Green Loop as well as their picks of the week.Learn more about ranked choice voting.Apply for an ACE grant funding through Dec. 1.Provide feedback on the Green Loop draft design through Nov. 30.Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC and Twitter @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:
Tecovas at City Creek Mall
Epic Brewing
The McGillis School
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 2, 2023 • 20min
Why Salt Lakers Should Visit Boise
Looking for a weekend getaway from Salt Lake? Try heading north to Boise, Idaho. We know what you’re thinking: “Boise? Really?” But lead producer Emily Means just visited for the first time — for her mini honeymoon, of all occasions — and absolutely loved it. She joins City Cast Boise host Emma Arnold to debrief on food recommendations, tractors, and more. Plus, should Salt Lake be a little more like Boise?Consider becoming a founding member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we’re around for years to come. Get all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm.Subscribe to 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:
Tecovas at City Creek Mall
Epic Brewing
The McGillis School
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 1, 2023 • 22min
Your Guide to November in Salt Lake
November can seem like just a runway month to the holiday season. But producer Ivana Martinez and host Ali Vallarta are here to convince you to make the most of this month. They share their best bets for November, from nailing your Friendsgiving to local ideas for homebodies.Here are some of the events and places discussed:Workshop SLCSalt Lake PotteryBallet WestUtah SymphonyClever CucumberSugar House Craft & CreateDía de Muertos Cumbia Party at AlibiWild TurkeysConsider becoming a founding member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we’re around for years to come. Get all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm.Subscribe to 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:
Tecovas at City Creek Mall
Epic Brewing
The McGillis School
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 31, 2023 • 14min
Ranked Choice Voting, Explained
So you’ve received your ballot for Salt Lake City’s municipal elections, and it just might be your first time using ranked choice voting. Now what? Salt Lake City Elections Management Coordinator Olivia Hoge joins host Ali Vallarta to break down the do’s and don’ts when it comes to ranked choice ballots, so you can successfully cast your vote this election season. Dates, deadlines, and more helpful information for the General Election.Get more information about Salt Lake City’s ranked choice voting system. Consider becoming a founding member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we’re around for years to come. Get all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm.Subscribe to 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:
Tecovas at City Creek Mall
Epic Brewing
The McGillis School
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices