J.D.
Jared Dillingham is a multi-media storyteller with 20 years of experience connecting with people on television, online, and on social media.
He's earned several Emmy Awards for his work as a news reporter, and currently anchors the evening newscasts in Phoenix, AZ.
In addition to his work in Arizona, Jared has filed reports from around the country and the world, including Vietnam, the DMZ, Cuba, and Mexico.
Jared's passion for travel began after college, when he uprooted his life in New York for a job in Montana, where he fell in love with hiking and the outdoors.
After reporting for stations in Great Falls, Montana, and Spokane, Washington, Jared moved to Phoenix, Arizona. The landscapes and hiking opportunities in the Desert Southwest are a large part of what's kept him there for more than a decade.
Outside the newsroom, Jared can be found hiking the mountain trails in Phoenix year-round, while listening to as many podcasts as possible.
At home, he spends time tending to his struggling desert garden projects and small forest of fiddle leaf fig trees.
Meet Myrtle!
During the pandemic, Jared and his partner adopted a nameless 7-year-old dog, who’d lived her life in a puppy mill cage.
“Myrtle" is struggling, learning “how to be a dog.” Her slow evolution is documented on this site and on her Instagram page to raise awareness about animal abuse and shelters.
Jared
01. Podcasts at Twice (2x) the Speed
I have “podcast anxiety,” and am constantly struggling to get through a backlog of political and news podcasts. From the dailies, like “Post Reports” and “Today Explained,” to the weeklies like “Amicus,” and the “Political Gabfest,” they’re on nonstop in my earbuds and in my car. Double-speed is all about efficiency, and I’m wondering when they’ll come out with triple speed… :)
02. My Failing Desert Garden
I talk about trees, plants, and gardening a LOT. To be clear, I love it all… but I’m *not necessarily successful at any of it! I’m pretty good at nursing sick fiddle leaf fig trees back to health (just give me about a year). Otherwise, my twice-annual vegetable garden attempts are enjoyable, but usually unproductive in the desert heat.
03. Puppy Mill Myrtle
Poor Myrt! From what we know, she lived 6+ years in a puppy mill cage, breeding. We adopted her in the winter of 2020 from the AAWL and her struggle is REAL! She doesn’t enjoy our company, but we love hers … and hope one day she’ll reciprocate. We’re working to teach Myrtle “how to be a dog,” and find out what brings her joy (aside from us leaving her alone!)
04. Travel & Exploration
Travel is the main focus of this site. Over the years, I started helping friends and relatives plan trips and search for deals. It’s a great feeling to be able to share what I’ve learned about deal-hunting, and how to efficiently explore cities around the world!
What’s with the socks?
My love of colorful, splashy, patterned socks dates back to college, when I accidentally left my suit pants at home and had to wear shorts and striped dress socks to the campus TV station. Nearly 20 years later, they’re a staple, whether they’re hidden behind the anchor desk or loud and proud (and muddy) on a hiking trail.