Valley 101

Latest Episodes:

Happy Holidays from Valley 101! Dec 22, 2025

Show notes

For most of the country, Christmas time means snow. And it took host Bill Goodykoontz a while to adjust to a warm holiday season.

But then Corona came along. And not how you're thinking.

This week, we wish you a happy holidays and share a special memory that helped Bill grow accustomed to his new winter weather.

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Host: Bill Goodykoontz

Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto

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Does downtown Phoenix have enough parking? Dec 15, 2025

Show notes

The struggle to park in any busy city can bring stress to commuters and visitors alike. Downtown Phoenix is no different.

We've heard the same thing from Phoenicians all the time: There are no parking spots in downtown.

This week, Valley 101 explores whether that is true with the help of city representatives and an urban planning expert. Find out why there seem to be fewer and fewer spots and how drivers can contend with parking in a popular city.

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Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Guests: Jeff Stapleton, Joe Collins, David King

Host: ⁠⁠Madison Knutson

Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto⁠⁠, Madison Knutson

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Who won Arizona Highway's Best Picture of 2025? Dec 08, 2025

Show notes

Arizona Highways has chosen its Best Picture of 2025, and surprise, it isn't of the Grand Canyon or Monument Valley - although one of those panoramas did place.

This week on Valley 101, host Bill Goodykoontz is taking on a podcasting challenge: use audio to describe a photo.

Bill talks to Arizona Highway's photo editor and the big winner about the uniqueness of the photo and the patience it took to capture it.

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Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Guests: Jeff Kidda, Tam Ryan

Host: ⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠

Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto⁠, Madison Knutson

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What is the best movie made in Arizona? Dec 01, 2025

Show notes

It might surprise you to know that a good amount of movies have been filmed in Arizona over the decades. And more than just westerns!

But what is the "best" movie? That is subjective: a movie you love, someone else might hate and vice versa. So we called in for backup.

This week on Valley 101, a podcast about metro Phoenix and beyond, we're joined by a former critic and current communications manager at the Sidney Poitier New American Film School at ASU, along with another film critic at the Republic who you might recognize.

Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix!

Guests: Barbara VanDenbergh, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto⁠⁠⁠

Host: Bill Goodykoontz

Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto, Madison Knutson

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What Thanksgiving sides do Arizonans like best? Nov 24, 2025

Show notes

It's Thanksgiving week, and Arizonans have food on their mind. Stores are starting to sell out of food. It's the last rush before the big meal.

Something that people like to talk about during this season is food rankings. One of the biggest food debates is: What is the best Thanksgiving side?

This week on Valley 101, we dive into the rankings with the help of Arizona Republic's dining and food reporter Endia Fontanez and several Arizona chefs. You'll also hear from the Valley 101 team about their Thanksgiving opinions.

Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix!

Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Guests: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Endia Fontanez, Mahfam Mooeni Alacron, Justin Beckett, Julie Moreno, Charleen Badman, Mark Tarbell, ⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠

Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Madison Knutson

Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Madison Knutson, Amanda Luberto

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Why is Christmas music playing so early in Arizona? Nov 17, 2025

Show notes

Love it or hate it, Christmas music has started playing on radio stations and in grocery stores.

Beth McDonald hosts "Beth and Friends" on KEZ 99.9 FM. She's been playing Christmas music for 41 years. In the past, she would start after Thanksgiving. This year, she started music on November 5.

This week on Valley 101, we explore why Arizonans are asking Beth McDonald to kick off Christmas music early. We also brought on Bill Goodykoontz to share his complicated views on the seasonal earworms.

Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix!

Guests: ⁠⁠⁠Beth McDonald, Bill Goodykoontz

Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Madison Knutson

Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Madison Knutson

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What's the best Native American restaurant in the Valley? Nov 10, 2025

Show notes

November is designated as National Native American Heritage Month. According to the Department of the Interior, it's a time to recognize the contributions that indigenous communities have made to the United States.

One Valley 101 listener had the question: What's the best Native American restaurant in the Valley?

A quarter of Arizona is designated tribal land, and there are many different Native American restaurants. We're going to cover one in Wild Horse Pass.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, reporter Martiza Dominguez explores the old and new of Native American food.

⁠Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix!

Guests: ⁠Ryan Swanson, Mario Ettsity

Host: ⁠Maritza Dominguez

Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Madison Knutson, ⁠Amanda Luberto

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What makes these Phoenix bars best in the US? Nov 03, 2025

Show notes

Recently, two Arizona bars made it on USA Today's 29 best bar list: Carry On and Gracie's Tax Bar.

These bars couldn't be more different. One is a highly themed, cocktail experience. The other is a friendly dive bar in a former tax office. However, both these bars shine bright, nonetheless.

This week on Valley 101, host Bill Goodykoontz talks to Arizona Republic dining reporters about what makes these bars among the best in the country. He's also joined by the owner of Carry On Theodore Myers to discover what it's like to make it on this kind of list.

Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix!

Guests: Bahar Anooshahr, Endia Fontanez, Teddy Myers

Host: Bill Goodykoontz

Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Madison Knutson, Amanda Luberto

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What's it like working in an AZ haunted house? Oct 27, 2025

Show notes

You might know what it's like to walk through a haunted house. It's exhilarating, scary and just a little bit annoying. But what is it like on the other side?

This week on Valley 101, host Bill Goodykoontz talks to two people who know what it's like to be behind the scenes scaring people at the 13th Floor Haunted House.

Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix!

Guests: Kyle Seichard, Lauren Garris

Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz

Producer: Madison Knutson ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Why are people licking Sonoran Desert toads? Oct 20, 2025

Show notes

You might've heard screeching outside after the rain this year. Don't fear, it's just the Sonoran Desert Toad.

This toad appears during the monsoon season to reproduce. More importantly, this amphibian has a special ability. They're psychedelic!

In this week's episode of Valley 101, experts join producer Madison Knutson to explore the danger and importance of this Arizona amphibian.

Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix!

Guests: Thomas Jones, Blythe Kelly, Candace Lewis