Amazing Arizonans

One of our goals with the Amazing Arizonans podcast is to learn the history of iconic people and businesses that have been in Arizona for generations.

Schnepf Farms qualifies. I had the privilege of sitting down with Mark and Carrie Schnepf. Learning the family history of farming was an Arizona history lesson.

We talked about the challenges of farming in the 21st century, but what I loved most was their commitment to keeping the farm going. We learned how difficult it is in such a fast-growing state to say no to large sums of money for the farmland. I hope you enjoy the conversation.

I am fascinated by the restaurant industry. Having the creative mind to create amazing dishes that people are willing to pay for combined with the business mind to make it profitable seems impossible. So when I have a chance to sit down with someone who does it at the highest level, I jump at the chance. Mark Tarbell is nationally known as a successful restaurateur. He is also known in the Valley as a philanthropist. Our conversation talks about his career, his love of music and his love for our community. He is a brilliant and humble man. I hope you enjoy the conversation. This episode was originally published on January 26, 2026. 

Learning how the most successful people in any industry reached their success is one of the best things about Amazing Arizonans. Jordan Rose is not only one of the most successful attorneys in Arizona, but she is also a trailblazer and mentor to many women. Our conversation about her confidence and tenacity is inspiring. How she went from graduating from law school to being a business leader in many different industries is incredible. She is high energy, brilliant and shows no signs of slowing down. Definitely an Amazing Arizonan! I hope you enjoy the conversation.

I love meeting creative and determined people. My guest on this edition of Amazing Arizonans is definitely both. Chef Gio Osso is recognized as one of the most talented in the country. He's a James Beard Award semifinalist. He owns two very successful restaurants in Scottsdale, Virtue Honest Craft and Pizzeria Virtue. His love of cooking and teaching are obvious from the minute he begins to speak. We talk with people that are at the top of their game and Chef Gio certainly qualifies. I hope you enjoy the conversation.

I love this podcast because it introduces me to the most inspirational people. Case in point: Stephanie Vasquez, my guest this week.

If you’ve ever grabbed a sip at Fair Trade Café in Phoenix, you have Stephanie to thank. And that’s just one of her ventures. She’s also the force behind Amor Collective, an incubator space that supports 37 Latina-owned brands, bakers and artists near First Avenue and Roosevelt Street. Stephanie is an entrepreneur, mentor and community leader. Her vision for Latina-owned businesses has driven her to build something remarkable in the Valley, and her mission to help other women succeed is genuinely inspiring. I was moved by her passion. I think you will be too. This episode was originally published on February 9th, 2026. 

I love it when good things happen to great people. Recently our own Becky Lynn Ottiger was inducted into the Arizona Media Association Hall of Fame. I have been a fan of Becky Lynn since the early days of Tim and Willy. She has been in the valley anchoring news casts for over 36 years. and I was thrilled to talk with her about her life and her career. An icon on Valley Radio, but more importantly she's truly a great person. It was fun to hear her story and I hope you enjoy it too.

Two of Arizona’s five C’s are cattle and cotton. Farmers and ranchers are a huge part of our history. They are also a big part of our current economy.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Sine Kerr. The former state lawmaker is the state director for the USDA Farm Services Bureau.

Kerr and her husband have been farmers and ranchers since 1980. Our conversation was about how the industry has changed over the decades. Her insight into water issues is compelling. We talked about the environment and food security. I hope you enjoy the conversation.

I fell in love with the restaurant industry when I was 12 years old. I was hired as a busboy in a Chinese restaurant. I have done every job in the front and back of the house except for being a bartender.

I admire any restaurateur who has the artistic ability to create amazing meals and the business sense to make it profitable.

There is no better example of that in Arizona than the team behind Prime Steak Concepts. I had the privilege of sitting down with Jeff Mastro, chief executive officer, and Oliver Badgio, chief brand officer.

They both are brilliant and passionate about food and the complete dining experience. I hope you enjoy the conversation.

Arizona's Wildlife World Zoo president Kristy Hayden is the latest guest on Amazing Arizonans podcast. She talks about how the Zoo started and what is next for the park out in the West Valley.

Social media and podcasting platforms have allowed people with great stories and points of view to become very popular. My guest on this episode of Amazing Arizonans definitely fits that description. Brandon Tatum (@theofficertatum) has such an interesting background and story. An All American football player in high school. A star for the Arizona Wildcats, A police officer and now known as one of the most influential conservative voices in the country. I loved hearing more details about his life and experiences, I think you will too.

We started the Amazing Arizonans podcast hoping to give you a look at the remarkable people who make Arizona their home.

I never imagined that we’d have such a huge response.

This week I talk with former Vice President Dan Quayle. He served as vice president under President George H.W. Bush.

He is a great storyteller with a sharp sense of humor.

We talk about how the current fight against drug cartels is like the fight of the late 1980s and early 1990s. I hope you enjoy the conversation!

I was invited to visit the Resolution Copper Mine. I was excited to go that far underground. What I didn't expect was to meet such great people that are very proud of this project. My guest is the President of Resolution Copper Vicky Peacey. I learned a lot about the organization and their mission. They have such a love for the people of Superior Arizona and the surrounding towns. She taught me about mining in general and about what the resolution Copper project means to the entire country. I know you're going to learn a lot from this conversation. I know that I did.

This week's episode features a Phoenix entrepreneur who is opening doors to other Latina business owners in the valley. Her name is Stephanie Vasquez. She's the owner of Fair Trade Cafe and CEO of Amor Collective, both in downtown Phoenix. 

There are a few events that I consider Arizona signature events.

The WM Phoenix Open is definitely on top of that list. The Thunderbirds host this amazing tournament each year.

I sit down with the head of the organization, Chance Cozby. We talk about the massive growth of the tournament and the money that is raised.

The Thunderbirds give millions of dollars to Arizona nonprofit organizations. Chance also has a huge social media following. He posts his recipes and cooking skills and has amassed about a million followers online. I hope you enjoy the conversation. This episode was originally published on Oct 30, 2024. 

In Arizona, Tarbell's Restaurant is iconic and behind its success is a legend in the industry. Mark Tarbell sits down with Mike Broomhead on this episode of Amazing Arizonans to talk about his talent and passion for creating incredible food and more. 

I love to hear when someone gets to live their dream. Our goal with Amazing Arizonans is to hear amazing stories from right here in the Grand Canyon state. This episode checks both boxes. I talk with Ralph Velez Jr.

Known internationally as Ramblin’ Ralph. He is a world-famous boxing ring announcer. He’s worked some of the biggest fights in the world on some of the biggest platforms. He is a humble and gracious man that gives back generously in his community. His positive energy is contagious. I hope you like the conversation. This episode was originally published on Oct 1, 2025.

I love talking with people that are elite at their job, and this guest on Amazing Arizonans certainly qualifies.

Tom Lehman is one of the greatest golfers of his generation. He was ranked No. 1 in the world and is a major champion. Plus, he continues to play competitive golf.

I’m always interested in how someone develops into an elite competitor.

In this episode, we talk about work ethics, confidence, family and faith. He is a very interesting man, and he lives here in Arizona. I hope you like the conversation. I know I sure did!

If you’re football fan, you’re going to recognize my guest this week on Amazing Arizonans: Super Bowl-winning Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon.

On this episode, McMahon and I talk about his time at Brigham Young University, his time in the NFL, his battles with league officials and why he decided to settle here in metro Phoenix.

My first NFL game was in the Orange Bowl for Monday Night Football when the Bears lost their only game of the season to the Dolphins, so this was a fun conversation for me. I hope you enjoy it. This episode was originally published on June 4th, 2025. 

I had the privilege of sitting down with Diamondbacks legend Randy Johnson for this episode of Amazing Arizonans.

Randy is such an interesting person. He was a photographer in college at USC before his baseball career. It is his passion now. He describes how he has turned it into a career now.

We discuss his Hall of Fame baseball career, his time in Arizona and earning the World Series MVP. It’s definitely a great conversation with another amazing Arizonan. This episode was originally published on Jun 11, 2025. 

In this installment of Amazing Arizonans, I talk with Monica Villalobos. Monica is the President of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, but she does so much more in the community. We talk about lobbying for Hispanic owned business and their impact to the overall economy. She is a mentor to many, a person of influence, plus she's a well respected voice on the economy and business growth.

One of the most intriguing stories of my 30 years in Arizona is that of Governor Fife Symington III. A very successful businessman who like many before him decided to serve in our government. The most memorable of his time in office has to be the Phoenix Lights phenomenon. We spend a lot of time talking about him witnessing the event and the aftermath. After leaving office he went to culinary school and became a successful restaurateur. He also owns and operates a culinary school of his own. He has so many great stories and perspectives about Arizona. I hope you like the conversation.

I have had the privilege of talking with so many great people on Amazing Arizonans. But I have never had a bigger response to a guest than in this episode.

My guest is Frank Sloup. You know him as “Fridays with Frank” on social media.

Frank is arguably the most recognizable cop on social media. Almost a half dozen people in our building waited to meet him and get photos.

He is a deputy in Pinal County and is known for his interactions with people during traffic stops.

We talk about his rise in popularity and what it is like getting recognized everywhere he goes.

He has a long and very accomplished career in law enforcement. He is a fascinating person and a great storyteller. I hope you enjoy the conversation. This episode was originally published on September 3, 2025. 

Amy Van Dyken is an Olympic record holder in swimming. She is still active as a commentator and ambassador for the sport.

We talk about her career in swimming and in broadcasting.

We also talk about the accident that changed her life. An ATV accident rendered her paralyzed from the waist down. But her attitude is remarkable. You’ll learn how she’s taken the accident and used it as an opportunity to influence a different group of people.

This episode was originally published on August 27, 2025.

There are so many great people in Arizona and my guest this week on Amazing Arizonans is certainly among the very best. His name is Steve Zabilski. I met Steve when he was the CEO of St. Vincent De Paul in Phoenix. He remains on their board, but he is now the CEO of the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust.

 Steve has dedicated his life to philanthropy, with his success in the business world allowing him the ability to do this great work. Steve is truly one of the unsung heroes that works diligently to help people in need. He is truly an “Amazing Arizonan" and I hope you enjoy the conversation.

General Mick McGuire speaks his mind, it’s why I love our conversations. He’s been a fighter pilot, the Adjutant General of the Arizona national Guard and a candidate for the U.S. Senate. We discuss leadership and one of the most controversial times in his tenure as the Adjutant General when he refused to send National Guard troops to Washington DC after January 6th 2021. He gives us a look behind the scenes in the days that followed. He is an interesting man with a great history, I hope you enjoy the conversation.