Valley 101

This week on Valley 101, host Bill Goodykoontz talks to one of the few people who can say Dwayne Johnson has played them in a biopic, extreme fighter Mark Kerr. We explore what it's like to have a superstar depict your life, the hardships of having your worst qualities displayed on the silver screen and what Kerr's time as a roadie for bands like The Rolling Stones and Bon Jovi was like. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you find yourself thinking, "This summer wasn't that bad," you're not alone. The Valley 101 crew feels the same way But are our senses tricking us into thinking triple digits aren't that bad? ' This week, Producer Amanda Luberto sets the record straight with the help of a state climate expert and some definitive data. Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: Erinanne Saffell⁠ Host: ⁠Amanda Luberto⁠ Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

State fairs across the country are often known for being places full of large, fried, and trendy foods. Arizona is no different. This week, host Bill Goodykoontz and The Arizona Republic dining team explore the trendiest foods of the Arizona State Fair, including lots of hot honey and Dubai chocolate. Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: Dina Kaur, Tiffany Acosta, Endia Fontanez Host: Bill Goodykoontz Producer: Madison Knutson, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A story from U.S. News & World Report crossed the desk of our host Bill Goodykoontz this week that crowned the chihuahua as the most popular dog in Arizona, but why is that doggie the favorite of the Grand Canyon State? And why does Bill Goodykoontz seem to dislike cats so much? Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: Joe Casados Host: Bill Goodykoontz Producer: Madison Knutson, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s coming up on fall! A time where America seems to be jumping up in joy, donning their cardigans and proclaiming their love for leaves, apple cider and, of course, pumpkin everything. Arizona is no different … at least in spirit. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: Roger Naylor, Jim Dublinski Host: Kaely Monahan Producer: Madison Knutson, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto, Kaely Monahan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The weather is triple digits, it's dry as a bone and the city landscape is overrun with strip malls. Yet, Phoenix is the fifth largest city in the nation and the population is growing fast. So why are people moving here and more importantly, why do they stay? This week on Valley 101, we ask an advocate and someone who returned why the Valley of the Sun has people falling in love with it every day. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Watchlist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, our Friday media newsletter. Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: Mayor Kate Gallego, Sean Mclaughlin Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto ⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Football season is finally back and the ASU Sun Devils are expected to deliver on their high expectations. At least according to Tim Healey, the longtime announcer of the Sun Devils football, basketball and baseball teams. He's called ASU football for 38 years, 10 on TV, 28 on the radio. So he'd know. This week on Valley 101 we answer the question: What's it like to call Arizona State football games for almost 40 years? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Watchlist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, our Friday media newsletter. Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: Tim Healey Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Producer: ⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto ⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everyone has their own definition of the well-worn phrase "comfort food." Pizza, burgers, whatever it is that takes your mind off stress and helps you chill out qualifies. How about fried chicken? This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we spoke with the winner of our fried chicken poll, the co-owner of CC's on Central about what makes good fried chicken and how to best make it at home. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Watchlist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, our Friday media newsletter. Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: Sharon Cunningham Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Producer: ⁠⁠Amanda Luberto ⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Something Arizonans hear a lot is that we're running out of water. While the state has enough water to not induce complete panic yet, conservation methods are being put into place and Arizona's long-term water supply is being considered more often by policymakers. But if water is such a precious resource in Arizona, is it really a smart idea to use it to grow marijuana? It's becoming a major industry in the state, leading many to joke that maybe a 6th C should be added to the state's mantra: cannabis. This week on Valley 101, we talk with the director of the Kyl Center for Water Policy at ASU, to give us a sense of where our water is being used. Then, a cannabis brand shares how their grow is using as little water as possible. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: Sarah Porter, Jake Ritter Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The rumors might be true... the desert heat is hot– maybe even hot enough to cook your breakfast. Just ask the town of Oatman, Arizona, where the annual egg fry competition has become a long-standing tradition. If anyone can confirm the myth, it's the participants. But as it turns out– there is always more to the story. In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we explore this Arizona heat myth, with the help of a climatologist, food safety expert, and small-town competition to answer the question: can you really cook an egg on the sidewalk in Arizona? ⁠⁠⁠⁠Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Watchlist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, our Friday media newsletter. Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: Bobby Mursick, Erinanne Saffell, Heather Miller Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Abby Bessinger⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arizona has a different kind of beauty. Those craggy rocks and scrubby little bushes start to look better, if you look in the right places. If you don’t like the terrain or the view in the part of Arizona you’re in, you can just hop in your car and drive for an hour or two and find something extremely different. This week on Valley 101, a podcast about metro Phoenix and beyond, host Bill Goodykoontz talks with an Arizona author and travel writer and, the consumer travel reporter for The Republic to answer a question we posed to readers: what is the most scenic view in Arizona?  ⁠⁠⁠Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Watchlist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, our Friday media newsletter. Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: Roger Naylor, Michael Salerno⁠ Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Producers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Abby Bessinger⁠, ⁠Amanda Luberto ⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The fires burning at the Grand Canyon are now the the fifth-largest blaze at a national park in recent history. It's destroyed the historic lodge and has spanned nearly 17,000 acres of forest. The destruction has Shelby reminiscing and reflecting on what being from Arizona means to her. This week on Valley 101, a podcast about metro Phoenix and beyond, Republic editor Shelby Slade shares a personal essay about how Arizona's namesake made her fall in love with her state. Read Shelby's article here Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: Shelby Slade Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Peacock’s hit reality TV series “Love Island USA” wrapped it's seventh season on Sunday, July 13 after leveraging millions of viewers worldwide for its juicy summer drama. However, Season 7 had an unusual run despite many rocky relationships in the villa and bombshells “taking your man.” The drama went beyond Fiji when several accounts of public backlash rose against contestants online. Arizona contestant Cierra Ortega was removed from the villa, though she was not the only one. This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we answer the questions: What is the controversy behind an Arizona “Love island” contestant and what this scandal may mean for casting reality television contestants moving forward. Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: Dina Kaur Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Abby Bessinger, Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you've ever been to an Arizona Diamondbacks game, you've heard Bobby Freeman. You may not know you have, but you have. There's no way around it — he's been the organist for the team since they started play in 1998. A self-taught musician, he is part of the team that keeps Diamondbacks fans entertained, even when the team doesn't. In this week's episode of Valley 101, we travel to Chase Field to talk to Freeman to answer the question: What's it like to be the organist for the Arizona Diamondbacks? ⁠⁠⁠Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Watchlist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, our Friday media newsletter. Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: Bobby Freeman Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Abby Bessinger, Amanda Luberto ⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happily, metro Phoenix has some great pizza places. Places? Joints? Choose your own colloquialism. Your favorite pizza place says a lot about you. So who has the best? Lucky for us, we have a way of figuring this out. The Arizona Republic's 2025 Phoenix Pizza Poll... This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com about metro Phoenix and beyond, host ⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠ chats with Endia Fontanez, the food and dining reporter for The Republic and the lucky winner of the contest, Jeff Carlberg. ⁠⁠Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Watchlist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, our Friday media newsletter. Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: ⁠Endia Fontanez, Jeff Carlberg Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Abby Bessinger Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arizona has been home to many musical acts — some born and raised here, others who found fame along the way. But who's the biggest artist to come out of the Grand Canyon state? Is it Alice Cooper? Stevie Nicks? Linda Ronstadt? The answer might surprise you. This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com about metro Phoenix and beyond, host ⁠Bill Goodykoontz teams up with Republic pop music critic and reporter Ed Masley⁠ to settle the debate. ⁠Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Watchlist⁠⁠⁠⁠, our Friday media newsletter. Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: Ed Masley Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠ Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Abby Bessinger Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Monsoons are an ancient phenomenon, bringing heavy bursts of rain and wind to the Valley. But there's much more to know about this season. This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com about metro Phoenix and beyond. Tom Frieders, the warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Phoenix, and Sean McLaughlin, a meteorologist at Arizona’s Family stations answer the question: When does the monsoon REALLY start? Submit your question⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠The Watchlist⁠⁠⁠, our Friday media newsletter. Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠. Guests: Tom Frieders, Sean Mclaughlin Host: ⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠ Producer: ⁠⁠⁠Abby Bessinger Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drownings are an unfortunately part of covering news in Arizona, but one has captured more attention than normal. This week on Valley 101, a podcast by the Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we discuss the case of influencer Emilie Kieser's son and drowning prevention. Submit your question⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Subscribe to ⁠⁠The Watchlist⁠⁠, our Friday media newsletter. Follow us on ⁠⁠X,⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠. Guests: Lori Stauffer, Elena Santa Cruz⁠, KiMi Robinson Host: ⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠ Producer: ⁠⁠Abby Bessinger⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sonoita is one of three American Viticultural Areas in the state, and due to their higher elevation, they make excellent locations in the desert to grow wine. Unlike the greater Phoenix metro area, these parts of Arizona don't see triple-digit temperatures nearly every day in the summer and they also get a lot of rain. Arizona is home to more than 150 wineries now and small towns are dependent on them for tourism and economic boosts. So how are vintners adjusting to climate change in the desert and how is it impacting the wine industry overall? This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com about metro Phoenix and beyond, we take a look at how changing weather patterns are affecting wine growing and how Arizona can even grow it in the first place. Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: Michael Pierce, Corey Turnbull, Brian Freedman⁠ Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Vi

Pretty much everyone can tell you their favorite spot around town to dine. Sometimes it’s the newer classics like First & Last or Valentine. Sometimes it’s standard Valley must-haves like Chuck Box for a burger or Long Wong’s for wings. While you can take a suggestion from just about anyone why not ask the experts. When Arizona's best chefs step away from the oven, stove or grill, where do they like to dine? This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com about metro Phoenix and beyond, we sit down with the Republic's dining and nightlife reporter Bahar Anooshahr about her new series Chef's Night Out. ⁠⁠Submit your question⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠. Guests: Bahar Anooshahr⁠ Producers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices