News Source: Pinal Unlocked
In an innovative approach to civic engagement, longtime Pinal County residents Shane Doughty and Eirini Pajak have launched a new podcast aimed at bridging the gap between county government and its citizens—with a little help from an unlikely co-star.
“Pinal Unlocked,” which debuted this month, features in-depth interviews with county officials, interspersed with entertaining segments starring Peso, an adorable Chihuahua-Dachshund mix (Chiweenie) with a remarkable rescue story.
“I realized I knew very little about the largest governmental organization overseeing the place I’ve called home for most of my life,” said Doughty. “And I figured if I didn’t know much about how Pinal County works, many of my neighbors probably don’t either.”
Doughty, who spent 21 years as a Program Coordinator with the University of Arizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, was inspired to create the podcast after hearing media personality Adam Curry discuss the importance of local political engagement.
The podcast has already secured upcoming interviews with Deputy County Manager Himanshu Patel and Supervisors Rich Vitiello and Jeff Serdy, which will be released in the coming weeks.
“People should expect genuine, informative conversations about personal experiences, duties, and challenges facing our elected officials and county employees,” Doughty explained. “But we also discuss how citizens can and should be involved in shaping our county and taking advantage of the resources it provides.”
Between these substantive interviews, viewers are treated to light-hearted video segments featuring Peso, a Chiweenie with a touching backstory. Abandoned in the scorching summer heat of July 2024, Peso was discovered covered in cactus thorns, with no collar or microchip, sheltering under an irrigated tree alongside a road. Eirini Pajak, Peso’s owner and the creator of these entertaining segments, made extensive efforts to locate his previous owners through social media posts and community outreach, but no one came forward to claim him. Pajak now films the playful videos of Peso that add a charming dimension to the podcast.
“Peso represents resilience and adaptation,” Pajak said. “In a way, he symbolizes what we’re trying to do with this podcast—create connections and find belonging within our community.”
Pajak further explained that “the aim of the podcast is to help citizens understand more about how Pinal County Government is organized and works, and also help them learn how they can personally get more engaged.”
The format aims to keep viewers engaged through complex discussions about county operations, budgets, and civic responsibilities by balancing informative content with entertaining segments.
County officials have responded positively to the initiative. “This podcast offers a tremendous opportunity to communicate directly with residents in an accessible, entertaining format,” said Doughty about his upcoming discussions with county leadership. “We’ll be exploring how county services work and addressing misconceptions in a conversational way that traditional government communications often can’t achieve.”
For Doughty—husband, father of four, and grandfather—the podcast represents a natural extension of his professional experience and personal passions, which include entrepreneurship, travel, fishing, and outdoor activities.
“My hope is that ‘Pinal Unlocked’ makes county government more accessible and encourages more citizen involvement,” Doughty said.
Together, Doughty and Pajak have created a unique platform that combines substantive civic education with entertaining elements to make local government more approachable for all Pinal County residents.
