Arizona Spotlight

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From state and local news to in-depth interviews with artists, authors, and the people behind the headlines, Arizona Spotlight keeps you informed on what's happening in Southern Arizona. New episodes air every Friday.

Arizona Public Media


    • Jul 24, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 28m AVG DURATION
    • 927 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Arizona Spotlight

    "Poets Square: A Memoir in Thirty Cats"--Why Courtney Gustafson's book is resonating with more than just cat lovers.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2025 32:46


    Also on Arizona Spotlight: Set sail for NPR's podcast, "Sea Camp"; and a new book makes native plant gardening in the Southwest accessible to all.

    Exploring "Observational Ecology" with Alan Ruiz Berman

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2025 31:24


    Also on Arizona Spotlight: Local grassroots theater group debuts a new comedy/mystery; and how a local middle school teacher reclaimed her life after a tragic illness.

    Exploring "Observational Ecology" with Alan Ruiz Berman

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2025 31:24


    Also on Arizona Spotlight: Local grassroots theater group debuts a new comedy/mystery; and how a local middle school teacher reclaimed her life after a tragic illness.

    "Hidden Voices" reveals empathy and compassion on the streets of Tucson

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2025 27:24


    Also on Arizona Spotlight: Building bridges through interfaith connections; and the spiritual creations of artist, Quinton Antone.

    "Hidden Voices" reveals empathy and compassion on the streets of Tucson

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2025 27:24


    Also on Arizona Spotlight: Building bridges through interfaith connections; and the spiritual creations of artist, Quinton Antone.

    "Hidden Voices" reveals empathy and compassion on the streets of Tucson

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2025 26:45


    Also on Arizona Spotlight: Building bridges through interfaith connections; and the spiritual creations of artist, Quinton Antone.

    The documentary "Final Vows" looks at a way of life that is disappearing.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2025 27:24


    Also on Arizona Spotlight: Retired Tucson architect Paula Holmes celebrates 100 years; and "Stories that Soar!" shares an amphibious love story.

    The documentary "Final Vows" looks at a way of life that is disappearing

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2025 25:17


    Also on Arizona Spotlight: Retired Tucson architect Paula Holmes celebrates 100 years; and "Stories that Soar!" shares an amphibious love story.

    The A.R.F.F. Program: How shelter dogs are helping people living with aphasia.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2025 40:53


    Also on Arizona Spotlight: Sharing memories of "The Twilight Zone" with Joseph Dougherty, author of "Rod Serling at 100".

    The A.R.F.F. Program: How shelter dogs are helping people living with aphasia

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2025 40:17


    Also on Arizona Spotlight: Sharing memories of "The Twilight Zone" with Joseph Dougherty, author of "Rod Serling at 100".

    The art of "Kindred Spirits: Honoring Animals in Death".

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2025 27:21


    Also on Arizona Spotlight: Katrina Kerstetter shares how she brought back things she learned in South Korea to help make Southern Arizona a better place.

    The art of "Kindred Spirits: Honoring Animals in Death"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2025 29:00


    Also on Arizona Spotlight: Katrina Kerstetter shares how she brought back things she learned in South Korea to help make Southern Arizona a better place.

    "It's the New Zoo Revue, comin' right at you!": A conversation with the hosts of the beloved 1970s kids' show.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2025 27:21


    Also on Arizona Spotlight: Mike Stark shares the natural history "Starlings: The Curious Odyssey of a Most Hated Bird"; and "Stories that Soar!" asks that we look for beauty beyond the screen.

    "Everything You've Got": Sometimes it takes seven billion years to find yourself.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2025 27:21


    Also on Arizona Spotlight: The connection between Alcatraz prison and the Hopi tribe of Arizona; The Tucson Pink Pistols make a comeback; and the former owner of Colette's remembers Tucson's queer nightlife in the '80s.

    "Everything You've Got": Sometimes it takes seven billion years to find yourself

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2025 29:33


    Also on Arizona Spotlight: The connection between Alcatraz prison and the Hopi tribe of Arizona; The Tucson Pink Pistols make a comeback; and the former owner of Colette's remembers Tucson's queer nightlife in the '80s.

    "It's the New Zoo Revue, comin' right at you!": A conversation with the hosts of the beloved 1970s kids' show

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2025 27:21


    Also on Arizona Spotlight: Mike Stark shares the natural history "Starlings: The Curious Odyssey of a Most Hated Bird"; and "Stories that Soar!" asks that we look for beauty beyond the screen.

    Ending the silence about mental health in Southern Arizona.

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2025 27:32


    Also on Arizona Spotlight: Tucson youth explores emotion and expectations in his book "The Weight of Tomorrow"; and how Ability Dogs of Arizona pairs those in need with canine companions.

    Ending the silence about mental health in Southern Arizona

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2025 26:41


    Also on Arizona Spotlight: Tucson youth explores emotion and expectations in his book "The Weight of Tomorrow"; and how Ability Dogs of Arizona pairs those in need with canine companions.

    Meet Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2025 26:42


    Get a behind the scenes view at what it is like to win on Jeopardy, and a new 10 minute drama that explores what stepping on a crack in the pavement can really do.

    Meet Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson.

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2025 27:20


    Get a behind the scenes view at what it is like to win on Jeopardy, and a new 10 minute drama that explores what stepping on a crack in the pavement can really do.

    Stories of Hope and Renewal

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2025 27:37


    Poet and author Liza Porter, storyteller Carmelene Siani and artist Tim H. Murphy share how they're able to look to the future without despair.

    Stories of Hope and Renewal

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2025 22:52


    Poet and author Liza Porter, storyteller Carmelene Siani and artist Tim H. Murphy share how they're able to look to the future without despair.

    How the The Master - Apprentice Program is helping preserve women in mariachi

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2025 28:07


    Explore how the Master-Apprentice program offered by the Southwest Folklife Alliance is preserving not just mariachi music, but the involvement of women in mariachi. Also: Sound Fiction returns with James Mustard's "Homestead on Bellatrix Prime"; celebrating the return of the Elegant Trogon to Madera Canyon; and "A Book I Love" from Cyclovia Tucson 2025.

    How the The Master - Apprentice Program is helping preserve women in mariachi

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2025 27:02


    Explore how the Master-Apprentice program offered by the Southwest Folklife Alliance is preserving not just mariachi music, but the involvement of women in mariachi. Also: Sound Fiction returns with James Mustard's "Homestead on Bellatrix Prime"; celebrating the return of the Elegant Trogon to Madera Canyon; and "A Book I Love" from Cyclovia Tucson 2025.

    Student filmmakers confess "I Dream in Widescreen."

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2025 27:56


    Also on Arizona Spotlight: Film essayist Chris Dashiell; remembering James Mercer, a Pima County Ranger killed in action in 1914; and "Stories That Soar!" celebrates the sun.

    Student filmmakers confess "I Dream in Widescreen"

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2025 27:00


    Also on Arizona Spotlight: Film essayist Chris Dashiell; remembering James Mercer, a Pima County Ranger killed in action in 1914; and "Stories That Soar!" celebrates the sun.

    Journeys in space and mind.

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025 27:26


    On Arizona Spotlight: Join Pati Jinich as she explores "Panamericana"; and Tibetan Buddhist Lama Lodu Rinpoche visits Tucson to share ancient wisdom about our inner space.

    Journeys in space and mind

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025 26:52


    On Arizona Spotlight: Join Pati Jinich as she explores "Panamericana"; and Tibetan Buddhist Lama Lodu Rinpoche visits Tucson to share ancient wisdom about our inner space.

    Crystal Gayle sings songs of the heart.

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2025 29:26


    Also on Arizona Spotlight: This month's storyteller shares about the one thing in life he cannot resist; and a new segment of "A Book I Love."

    Crystal Gayle sings songs of the heart

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2025 27:30


    Also on Arizona Spotlight: This month's storyteller shares about the one thing in life he cannot resist; and a new segment of "A Book I Love."

    Going the Distance!

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2025 27:50


    Meet Bruce Gungle an ultamarathon runner; learn about the University of Arizona women's triathlon team from triathlete Laura Holanszky; and hear about what it's like to bike almost every street in Tucson.

    Going the Distance!

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2025 26:47


    Meet Bruce Gungle an ultamarathon runner; learn about the University of Arizona women's triathlon team from triathlete Laura Holanszky; and hear about what it's like to bike almost every street in Tucson.

    April events that bring the Tucson community closer together.

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 29:06


    Learn about the All In for Autism Dino Day and Walk; Pima Community College's Climate Community Day; John Coinman returns to the 40th Annual Tucson Folk Festival; and a new "Stories That Soar!" with some 1st grade humor.

    April events that bring the Tucson community closer together

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 24:23


    Learn about the All In for Autism Dino Day and Walk; Pima Community College's Climate Community Day; John Coinman returns to the 40th Annual Tucson Folk Festival; and a new "Stories That Soar!" with some 1st grade humor.

    "It's the New Zoo Revue, comin' right at you!": A conversation with the hosts of the beloved 1970s kids' show.

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2025 32:39


    Also on Arizona Spotlight: "A SandHill Day" by nature writer Rebekah Doyle; and the final essay from "The Class of 2024" about how teens help each other through difficult times.

    "It's the New Zoo Revue, comin' right at you!": A conversation with the hosts of the beloved 1970s kids' show

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2025 30:54


    Also on Arizona Spotlight: "A SandHill Day" by nature writer Rebekah Doyle; and the final essay from "The Class of 2024" about how teens help each other through difficult times.

    The new film "Corina" offers a compassionate look at living with anxiety

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 27:45


    Also on Arizona Spotlight: "A Book I Love" from the 2025 Tucson Festival of Books; "The Class of 2024" continues; and Mary Jo Pollack shares the story of earning her driver's license in 1964.

    The new film "Corina" offers a compassionate look at living with anxiety

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 25:47


    Also on Arizona Spotlight: "A Book I Love" from the 2025 Tucson Festival of Books; "The Class of 2024" continues; and Mary Jo Pollack shares the story of earning her driver's license in 1964.

    "Back to the Heart" - Gabrielle Pietrangelo celebrates the end of a 4-year journey with a new album.

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2025 26:58


    Also on Arizona Spotlight: Tucson architect Paula Holmes at 100, a woman always ahead of her time; and Lilliona from "The Class of 2024" shares an essay about growing up in the digital age.

    "Back to the Heart" - Gabrielle Pietrangelo celebrates the end of a 4-year journey with a new album

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2025 21:18


    Also on Arizona Spotlight: Tucson architect Paula Holmes at 100, a woman always ahead of her time; and Lilliona from "The Class of 2024" shares an essay about growing up in the digital age.

    Two new books that bring important histories to light.

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2025 27:32


    Kirsten Miller talks about her novel "Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books"; and Mike Stark shares the natural history "Starlings The Curious Odyssey of a Most Hated Bird".

    Two new books that bring important histories to light

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2025 26:33


    Kirsten Miller talks about her novel "Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books"; and Mike Stark shares the natural history "Starlings The Curious Odyssey of a Most Hated Bird".

    The Class of 2024: Student essays about graduating in a time of uncertainty.

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2025 27:42


    Also on Arizona Spotlight: TIHAN provides kindness and support to those living with HIV or AIDS; and a new Ten-Minute Drama "Haricot Verts."

    The Class of 2024: Student essays about graduating in a time of uncertainty

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2025 26:17


    Also on Arizona Spotlight: TIHAN provides kindness and support to those living with HIV or AIDS; and a new Ten-Minute Drama "Haricot Verts."

    Rogue Theatre's "Marjorie Prime" creates a conversation about what it means to be human in the age of AI.

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2025 27:35


    Also on Arizona Spotlight: Understanding canyons on the moon; and more voices from The Class of 2024.

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