Scottsdale Vibes

With the November 3 election approaching, Scottsdale voters will choose two members of the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) Governing Board from three candidates.

On this episode of Scottsdale Vibes, Alicia Haygood sits down with Dr. Jennifer Johnson, Jeanne Beasley and current board member Amy Carney to discuss the issues shaping the future of Scottsdale schools.

All three candidates are asked the same questions about some of the district's biggest challenges, including declining enrollment, budget pressures, school closures and consolidation, the proposed $375 million bond and their vision for the future of SUSD.

Whether you're a parent, educator, community member or simply want to better understand the issues facing Scottsdale schools, this episode offers an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates and learn more about their perspectives before heading to the polls.

Listen, get informed and make your voice heard on November 3!

https://jennifer4susd.com/johnson

https://www.beasleyforsusd.com/

https://www.susdstrong.com/amy-carney

Welcome to an all new Small Business Saturday Episode of Scottsdale Vibes!

From once-in-a-lifetime safaris and luxury cruises to personalized getaways around the world, planning the perfect vacation is about more than booking a flight and hotel.

We're meeting luxury travel advisor June Kleier to talk about creating unforgettable travel experiences, why working with a travel advisor can make all the difference, and her appearance on "The Extra Mile Club".

June Kleier has more than 35 years of experience and has explored all seven continents. As a luxury travel advisor with Global Travel Collection, she creates personalized trips for every type of traveler, matching each experience to their interests, style and budget.

June has called Scottsdale home for 22 years and loves the sense of community here. She's also featured on The Extra Mile Club, a television series showcasing the value of travel advisors. In the Belgium edition, she competes to plan a special fiancé-moon for Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Bozoma Saint John and her fiancé, Keely Watson.

Contact June: https://www.globaltravelcollection.com/travel-agent/92618

Find her on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/junekleier/

https://www.facebook.com/june.kleier/

Thanks for listening

On this episode of Scottsdale Vibes, Alicia Haygood chats with our sponsors Jeremy Mueller and Shawn Shackelton about staying safe, protecting your home, and navigating Scottsdale's real estate market as the busy season kicks off.

Jeremy Mueller of State Farm Insurance shares important tips for pedestrian safety, navigating busy streets, and making sure your auto insurance provides the coverage you need. He also discusses what parents should know about teen drivers, driver training discounts, and what first-time homebuyers need to consider when shopping for homeowners insurance.

Then, REALTOR® Shawn Shackelton of The Shackelton Group joins Alicia to break down the latest Scottsdale real estate trends. From rising interest rates and changing buyer and seller expectations to seasonal homebuyers, snowbirds, and the rental market, Shawn shares her insights on what's happening across Scottsdale and what buyers and sellers should know before making their next move.

Whether you're preparing to buy your first home, reviewing your insurance coverage, or keeping up with Scottsdale's evolving housing market, this episode is packed with helpful advice to help you navigate the season with confidence!

On this episode of Scottsdale Vibes, we're sitting down with Scottsdale's Interim Senior Director of Water Resources, Thyra Ryden-Diaz, to break down where our water comes from, how secure our supply really is, and what Scottsdale is doing to protect its water future.

Water is something most of us probably don't think about very often. We turn on the faucet, water our yards, take a shower, and expect that water to be there. But behind that simple act is an incredibly complex system, and water security has become one of the most important issues facing communities across the globe. We're going to take a closer look at Scottsdale's water supply, the city's dependence on the Colorado River, conservation and advanced water treatment, and some of the challenges and solutions being discussed as we look toward the future.

Joining me is Thyra Ryden-Diaz, Scottsdale's Interim Senior Director of Water Resources. Thyra is a third-generation engineer who joined the City of Scottsdale in 1999 and has spent nearly three decades working on infrastructure projects that support the community. Her work has included water and sewer improvements, drainage systems, transportation projects, ASU Scottsdale SkySong, and the expansion of Scottsdale's Advanced Water Treatment facility. Over her career, she has managed nearly $500 million in city projects.

https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/water

Plus, we chat with our sponsor, Realtor Shawn Shackelton of the Shackelton Group.

https://www.theshackeltongroup.com/

Scottsdale Fashion Week is back October 4th–11th, bringing a week of runway shows, designers, models, style and plenty of glamour to the city.

We're going behind the scenes with Jamie LeVine and Sheree Hartwell to talk about what's new this year, how Fashion Week has evolved, and why Scottsdale has become such a destination for fashion and luxury.

What started as a showcase of fashion has grown into a week-long experience bringing together designers, models, stylists, buyers, celebrities, influencers, and fashion lovers from Scottsdale and beyond. And with shows and events taking place throughout the city, it's become an exciting part of Scottsdale's event calendar.

Today, we're getting a behind-the-scenes look at this year's Fashion Week with two people who know the Scottsdale fashion scene inside and out, Jamie LeVine and Sheree Hartwell.

Let's talk about what's in store for 2026.

We also sit down with our sponsor, Jeremy Mueller of Jeremy Mueller State Farm Insurance.

https://scottsdalefashionweek.com/

https://www.statefarm.com/agent/us/az/scottsdale/jeremy-mueller-jgfb423v000

This week on Scottsdale Vibes, we're talking with Akshay Nanavati, a Marine veteran, polar explorer, mental performance coach and author of Fearvana, about turning adversity into growth, pushing past our mental limits, and finding more peace and purpose along the way.

He has built his life around understanding what happens when we push ourselves far beyond what we think is possible.

Akshay Nanavatee is a U.S. Marine veteran, mental performance coach, polar explorer and the author of Fearvana.

After facing addiction, PTSD, depression and alcoholism, Akshay rebuilt his life through the disciplined pursuit of extreme challenges. His experiences have taken him from ultramarathons and mountain climbing to spending 17 days alone in complete darkness and, most recently, 60 days alone in Antarctica on a world-first expedition.

Today, he works with athletes, entrepreneurs and high performers, helping them master their minds and their craft while finding greater peace and joy in the process.

And, perhaps most importantly for us here on Scottsdale Vibes, Akshay has chosen Scottsdale as home.

https://fearvana.com/

his week on the Scottsdale Vibes Podcast, we chat with Scottsdale restaurant legend George Frasher, the founder of Frasher's Tavern, as he takes us behind the scenes of Scottsdale's evolving restaurant scene and shares the stories behind nearly three decades in the business.

George has been part of Scottsdale's restaurant community since 1999, giving him a unique perspective on how the city's dining scene has changed, grown and evolved. Alicia Haygood and George talk about the rise of steakhouses in Scottsdale, the importance of locally owned restaurants, the challenges of staying competitive in a rapidly changing market and what it takes to build a restaurant that keeps customers coming back.

George also shares the story behind Frasher's Tavern, his commitment to quality food and service, and the longtime employees who have become part of the Frasher's family. He talks about his other restaurants, including Frasher's Smokehouse and Mrs. Chicken, and even his newest passion for frozen custard.

The conversation also dives into Scottsdale's deep connection to baseball and the new baseball museum inside Frasher's Tavern. George explains how the Arizona Baseball Legacy Experience came to the restaurant and highlights some of the remarkable memorabilia on display, including artifacts connected to Scottsdale baseball history and the original Scottsdale Stadium.

With Scottsdale's restaurant scene constantly changing, George offers a fascinating look at where it has been, where it is today and what he believes makes a great Scottsdale restaurant stand out.

Plus, Alicia checks in with Scottsdale Vibes sponsor Jeremy Mueller of State Farm Insurance. Jeremy shares important insurance advice for parents with college students, including renters insurance, vehicles, coverage when students move away and what parents should know when their kids return home. He also talks about summer in Scottsdale and his plans to support local events and the community.

If you love Scottsdale restaurants, Old Town Scottsdale, steakhouses, Scottsdale history, baseball, local businesses and the people who have helped shape the city, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Listen to Scottsdale Vibes wherever you get your podcasts.

Scottsdale knows how to throw a party, and the City's Special Events team is taking that to a whole new level with three events celebrating music, nostalgia, community, and fall fun. Today, we're getting a behind-the-scenes look at what's coming up, from a trip through Scottsdale's history to a pop-punk throwback and a bigger-than-ever Fall Festival.

Alicia chats with Taylor DeAlba, a Recreation Leader with the City of Scottsdale's Special Events team. Taylor works behind the scenes on everything from vendor contracts and marketing to social media and creating the creative, immersive designs that make Scottsdale's events feel like much more than your typical Parks & Recreation experience.

And that's exactly what we're talking about on this episode, the City's goal of creating free, all-ages events where residents and visitors can have fun, make memories, and feel connected to the community.

Fall Events Line-up

Parks & Rec Rewind 75: Celebrating 75 years of Scottsdale through seven decades of music, history, games, crafts, retro experiences, live entertainment, and more.

Pop Punk Picnic: A brand new throwback event celebrating pop punk nostalgia with live music, themed activities, food vendors, a cocktail garden, and photo opportunities.

Scottsdale Fall Festival: A bigger and better fall tradition featuring live music, a DJ, trick or treating, carnival games, arts and crafts, food vendors, and family friendly activities.

https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/parks

WestWorld is one of Scottsdale's biggest event destinations, hosting everything from Barrett-Jackson and equestrian competitions to major entertainment and community events. On this episode of Scottsdale Vibes, Alicia Haygood sits down with Cassie Johnson, Interim General Manager of WestWorld, to talk about the facility's history, its role in Scottsdale, and what's ahead as the city continues to invest in and reimagine the 400-acre property.

Cassie shares her unique journey with the City of Scottsdale, from starting as an intern with the Scottsdale Police Department to returning to the city and eventually taking on a leadership role at WestWorld. She also discusses the economic impact WestWorld has on Scottsdale and the region, bringing visitors who stay in local hotels, dine, shop and experience everything the community has to offer.

Alicia and Cassie also talk about Monterra, the newly refreshed event space that will offer a different type of venue for weddings, banquets, celebrations and other events. From major national events to smaller equestrian competitions that many Scottsdale residents may not even realize are happening, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at what makes WestWorld such an important part of Scottsdale's identity and economy.

https://westworldaz.com/

This week on the Scottsdale Vibes Podcast, we chat with Scottsdale restaurant legend George Frasher, the founder of Frasher's Tavern, as he takes us behind the scenes of Scottsdale's evolving restaurant scene and shares the stories behind nearly three decades in the business.

George has been part of Scottsdale's restaurant community since 1999, giving him a unique perspective on how the city's dining scene has changed, grown and evolved. Alicia Haygood and George talk about the rise of steakhouses in Scottsdale, the importance of locally owned restaurants, the challenges of staying competitive in a rapidly changing market and what it takes to build a restaurant that keeps customers coming back.

George also shares the story behind Frasher's Tavern, his commitment to quality food and service, and the longtime employees who have become part of the Frasher's family. He talks about his other restaurants, including Frasher's Smokehouse and Mrs. Chicken, and even his newest passion for frozen custard.

The conversation also dives into Scottsdale's deep connection to baseball and the new baseball museum inside Frasher's Tavern. George explains how the Arizona Baseball Legacy Experience came to the restaurant and highlights some of the remarkable memorabilia on display, including artifacts connected to Scottsdale baseball history and the original Scottsdale Stadium.

With Scottsdale's restaurant scene constantly changing, George offers a fascinating look at where it has been, where it is today and what he believes makes a great Scottsdale restaurant stand out.

Plus, Alicia checks in with Scottsdale Vibes sponsor Jeremy Mueller of State Farm Insurance. Jeremy shares important insurance advice for parents with college students, including renters insurance, vehicles, coverage when students move away and what parents should know when their kids return home. He also talks about summer in Scottsdale and his plans to support local events and the community.

If you love Scottsdale restaurants, Old Town Scottsdale, steakhouses, Scottsdale history, baseball, local businesses and the people who have helped shape the city, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Listen to Scottsdale Vibes wherever you get your podcasts.