Best AZPM Podcasts (2025)

1
The Master - Apprentice program preserves not only mariachi, but women in mariachi 28:07

1d ago28:07

28:07

Also on Arizona Spotlight: 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.By AZPM

1
Episode 457: Discovering the most distant galaxies 5:23

7d ago5:23

5:23

Astronomers are focusing on the smallest and most distant galaxies in the universe. University of Arizona researcher David Sand describes how he locates dwarf galaxies through digital sky surveys and gathers information about them using ground-based telescopes in the Southern Hemisphere.By AZPM

1
Student filmmakers confess "I Dream in Widescreen." 27:56

8d ago27:56

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.By AZPM

1
It's Dry Out There: What one of the driest winters ever means for Arizona 27:45

14d ago27:45

27:45

To say the recently ended winter was dry would be a bit of an understatement. The Tucson area experienced its second driest winter ever, with about a quarter of an inch of rain. That's roughly a 10th of the area's average. Mountain snowpack around the state isn't proving much better. This week, we look at how this extremely dry winter will affect A…

1
Episode 456: Fueling airborne transportation with transmitted electricity 5:26

15d ago5:26

5:26

Now that people are driving electric cars and buses, researchers are working on the feasibility of all-electric airplanes.By AZPM

1
Journeys in space and mind. 27:26

15d ago27:26

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.By AZPM

1
Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee 28:07

21d ago28:07

28:07

Kimberly Yee has less than two years left in her second term as Arizona Treasurer. Her time in the office has seen notable growth in Arizona's economy, a restructuring of state income taxes, and new duties assigned to her office. The Buzz spoke with her about her job, new initiatives, and financial literacy.…

1
Episode 455: Studying medical science at Biosphere 2 5:26

22d ago5:26

5:26

Visitors imagine Biosphere 2 as a place for large scale research on plant life and ocean biology.By AZPM

1
Crystal Gayle sings songs of the heart. 29:26

22d ago29:26

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."By AZPM

1
Episode 454: Examining the health benefits of copper 5:26

28d ago5:26

5:26

Arizona's ties to copper go back to the territorial era, but the mineral also plays a big part in human health.By AZPM

1
Willcox community members talk about the AMA 29:06

28d ago29:06

29:06

People express trepidation and hope about the future of water in northern Cochise County following the establishment of an Active Management Area in the Willcox basin.By AZPM

1
Going the Distance! 27:50

29d ago27:50

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.By AZPM

1
Episode 453: Why do certain plants respond better to extreme weather events? 5:26

1M ago5:26

5:26

Plants and their pollinators work together to promote successful natural growth.By AZPM

1
Wildfire and home insurance 28:06

1M ago28:06

28:06

A report from The Consumer Federation of America shows insurance rates in Arizona went up by 48% between 2021 and 2024, the third highest rate in the nation. And as wildfires grow in frequency, some homeowners say they are losing their insurance entirely.By AZPM

1
April events that bring the Tucson community closer together. 29:06

1M ago29:06

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.By AZPM

1
Episode 452: How our brains can cause us to forget our memories 5:26

1M ago5:26

5:26

People coping with clinical amnesia provide a window to the importance of memory.By AZPM

1
"Adelante, Grijalvistas:" The legacy of longtime Southern Arizona Congressman Raúl Grijalva 29:00

1M ago29:00

29:00

This week, we remember the life and legacy of former Southern Arizona Congressman Raúl Grijalva. We hear from people whose lives were touched by him, from his daughter Adelita Grijalva, to friends and constituents.By AZPM

1
"It's the New Zoo Revue, comin' right at you!": A conversation with the hosts of the beloved 1970s kids' show. 32:39

1M ago32:39

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.By AZPM

1
Episode 451: Communicating with alien intelligence 5:26

2M ago5:26

5:26

Exchanging messages with aliens is the source material for science fiction stories, but scientists have been trying to communicate with outer space intelligence for decades.By AZPM

1
The new film "Corina" offers a compassionate look at living with anxiety 27:45

2M ago27:45

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.By AZPM

1
Episode 450: Can computers recognize human feelings? 5:26

2M ago5:26

5:26

Scientists are say the ability to recognize emotion is essential for advanced human-computer communication.By AZPM

1
The Tucson Festival of Books 27:28

2M ago27:28

27:28

The annual Tucson event brings around 130,000 people together to celebrate literature. Join us as we chat with the festival organizer, a featured author, and an attendee about one of the largest book festivals in the United States.By AZPM

1
"Back to the Heart" - Gabrielle Pietrangelo celebrates the end of a 4-year journey with a new album. 26:58

2M ago26:58

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.By AZPM

1
Episode 449: What science tells us about bilingual communication 5:26

2M ago5:26

5:26

Diverse languages and cultures interact every day in Southern Arizona. University of Arizona Speech and Cognitive Science professor Genesis Arizmendi discusses how being bilingual shapes how we communicate and connect within our communities.By AZPM

1
Preventing catastrophic wildfires 27:59

2M ago27:59

27:59

Arizona's last two rainy seasons have been subpar and have left much of the wildland around the state in severe danger of wildfire. Climate change is exacerbating the situation. So what are state and federal crews doing to help combat the problem?By AZPM

1
Two new books that bring important histories to light. 27:32

2M ago27:32

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".By AZPM

1
How public media is dealing with funding threats 31:56

2M ago31:56

31:56

This week we interview the Chair of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Ruby Calvert, to explore how proposed cuts to public media funding could hit rural and tribal stations the hardest, threatening vital news and emergency broadcasts.By AZPM

1
The Class of 2024: Student essays about graduating in a time of uncertainty. 27:42

2M ago27:42

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."By AZPM

1
Mental healthcare in the Pima County Jail 34:07

3M ago34:07

34:07

The Buzz partners with Arizona Luminaria to tell the story of how one man and his family navigate complex mental health and justice systems.By AZPM

1
Rogue Theatre's "Marjorie Prime" creates a conversation about what it means to be human in the age of AI. 29:06

3M ago29:06

29:06

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

1
Episode 448: Tracking the seasons on Mars 5:26

3M ago5:26

5:26

Scientists have long known Mars has annual seasons just like Earth. University of Arizona planetary scientist Shane Byrne describes how 20 years of observations by the U-of-A built HiRISE orbiting camera have given researchers new insight into what happens on the surface during the 687 Earth-day Martian year.…

1
Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne 27:39

3M ago27:39

27:39

The topic of K-12 education has been a major issue for Arizonans for years. Despite recent increases, the state remains near the bottom for per-pupil funding, and teachers routinely talk about having to have second jobs or side hustles to get by. The state has increased spending on schools since the Red For Ed movement began nearly a decade ago, bu…

1
Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers brings songs of love to Tucson 27:09

3M ago27:09

27:09

Listen to stories from a 60-year career largely spent helping people in love build everlasting memories. Bill Medley has one of the most distinctive voices in music history, and now at age 84 is still singing the songs the people love, continuing the legacy of The Righteous Brothers. Also: Marquez Price's new book "The Backcourt"; and "The Class of…

1
The Buzz celebrates 300 episodes 33:24

3M ago33:24

33:24

This week on The Buzz, show number 300! In this special retrospective, we look back on our journey since we hit the airwaves six years ago, reconnecting with both current and past staffers who've helped make The Buzz what it is today.By AZPM

1
Episode 447: Producing astronomy for the sight-impaired 5:26

3M ago5:26

5:26

Advances in 3-D modelling are leading to new ways of visualizing the surface of the Moon, Mars and other objects in the solar system.By AZPM

1
"Photographing with respect": How Tim H. Murphy creates unforgettable portraits of Indigenous dancers 27:39

3M ago27:39

27:39

"Stories that Soar!" asks that we look for beauty beyond the screen; and an essay series "The Class of 2024" begins.By AZPM

1
Comparing public and private-owned utilities 27:56

3M ago27:56

27:56

As Tucson considers taking over electricity service, we ask what difference public ownership makes.By AZPM

1
Episode 446: Updating the fight against infectious diseases 5:15

3M ago5:15

5:15

Medical researchers are shifting their attention to bird flu this season. University of Arizona professor Mohaned Al-Obaidi discusses how the H5N1 strain has created a challenge for scientists fighting the spread of the emerging virus.By AZPM

1
"Clickety-clack's, a-echoin back, The Blues in the Night" at Arizona Theatre Company. 27:45

3M ago27:45

27:45

Old Pueblo Playwrights take stories to the stage in their New Play Festival; and the Southern Arizona Regional Science and Engineering Fair celebrates its 70th anniversary.By AZPM

1
How Trump’s immigration policies affect Southern Arizona 35:51

3M ago35:51

35:51

Trump’s sweeping immigration overhaul ignites legal battles, international tension, and questions of constitutional limits.By AZPM

1
Episode 445: Tracing the cause of eating disorders 5:26

3M ago5:26

5:26

Scientists studying eating disorders are focusing on a part of the brain that governs food consumption and emotions. University of Arizona neuroscientist Haijiang Cai discusses how understanding the two functions could help people coping with anorexia.By AZPM

1
Micky Dolenz on what being a Monkee means to him 27:39

4M ago27:39

27:39

Hear how Micky Dolenz of The Monkees recent recordings are exploring new ground, and how he celebrates being part of one of the most popular bands of the 1960s. Also: Invisible Theatre's production of "What the Constitution Means to Me"; and how Adiba Nelson's new children's book is a love letter to those seeking representation and a connection to …

1
Removing ultra-processed foods from school meals 27:57

4M ago27:57

27:57

A Republican Arizona lawmaker wants ultra-processed foods out of public school meals, and he has introduced a bill that has bipartisan co-sponsors.By AZPM

1
Episode 444: Finding new similarities between chimpanzees and humans 5:26

4M ago5:26

5:26

Researchers are finding chimpanzees have more in common with humans that was previously thought. University of Arizona anthropologist Jacob Negrey discusses how chimpanzees transition to old age and how that translates to the human experience.By AZPM

1
Delfeayo Marsalis brings New Orleans jazz to Tucson 27:43

4M ago27:43

27:43

Trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis has always been an ambassador of the purest form of New Orleans jazz. Delfeayo will be performing in the Tucson Jazz Festival at the Rialto Theatre. Also: Three emerging local jazz musicians; and storyteller Jess Losoya shares a story about freedom.By AZPM

1
Previewing the 2025 legislative session 30:21

4M ago30:21

30:21

Arizona's 2025 legislative session opens next week. A handful of topics are likely to continue to top discussions around the legislature. Even though legislators are not yet gathering, a number of bills have been introduced, giving some ideas of what the major topics will be for the session.By AZPM

1
Episode 443: Using genetic science to control damaging plant pests 5:26

4M ago5:26

5:26

The Corn Earworm attacks both corn and cotton in Arizona, causing millions of dollars in damage each year. University of Arizona director of Entomology Bruce Tabashnik discusses why genetically engineered crops developed to defeat the Earworm have failed to keep the pest at bay.By AZPM

1
Stars who are coming to Tucson 29:36

4M ago29:36

29:36

Jazz singer Dominique Eade, rocker Dweezil Zappa, and comedy legend Vicki Lawrence all bring their talents to The Old Pueblo.By AZPM

1
Catching up with Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes 28:48

4M ago28:48

28:48

2024 was a busy year for the office of Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes: continued opioid and other lawsuits aimed at protecting the state's residents, attempting to crack down on school voucher and sober living home scams, legal action against a foreign alfalfa farm and more. Just before the end of the year, we sat down with Mayes in a conferen…

1
Catching up with some of our 2024 interviewees 27:10

5M ago27:10

27:10

Each year, the staff of The Buzz talk to more than 100 people for the episodes we bring you. To wrap up 2024, we decided to check in on some of the people we talked with to see how the rest of the year went for them.By AZPM

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Podcasts Worth a Listen