Valley 101

Latest Episodes:

What's it like to have the Rock play you in a movie? Oct 13, 2025

Show notes

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.

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Guests: Mark Kerr

Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠

Producer: Madison Knutson ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Summer felt less awful. But was it? Oct 06, 2025

Show notes

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.

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Guests: Erinanne Saffell⁠

Host: ⁠Amanda Luberto⁠

Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto

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What's new in state fair food? Sep 29, 2025

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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.

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Guests: Dina Kaur, Tiffany Acosta, Endia Fontanez

Host: Bill Goodykoontz

Producer: Madison Knutson, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto

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Why is the chihuahua Arizona's most popular dog? Sep 22, 2025

Show notes

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?

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Guests: Joe Casados

Host: Bill Goodykoontz

Producer: Madison Knutson, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto

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Where do the leaves change color in Arizona? Sep 15, 2025

Show notes

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.

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Guests: Roger Naylor, Jim Dublinski

Host: Kaely Monahan

Producer: Madison Knutson, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto, Kaely Monahan

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What's so great about Phoenix anyway? Sep 08, 2025

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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.

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Guests: Mayor Kate Gallego, Sean Mclaughlin

Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto ⁠

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What’s it like to call ASU football games? Sep 01, 2025

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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?

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Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Watchlist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, our Friday media newsletter.

Guests: Tim Healey

Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Producer: ⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto ⁠

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What's the secret to the best fried chicken in Phoenix? Aug 25, 2025

Show notes

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.

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Guests: Sharon Cunningham

Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Producer: ⁠⁠Amanda Luberto ⁠

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How much water does it take to grow weed in Arizona? Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

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.

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Guests: Sarah Porter, Jake Ritter

Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto

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Can you really cook an egg on the sidewalk in Arizona? Aug 11, 2025

Show notes

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?

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Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Watchlist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, our Friday media newsletter.

Guests: Bobby Mursick, Erinanne Saffell, Heather Miller

Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Abby Bessinger⁠⁠

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