Podcast
Amazing Arizonans
Hosted by KTAR News · EN
KTAR News’ Mike Broomhead sits down and visits with incredible people from around the state for Amazing Arizonans. You can listen or watch the interviews each week with a new episode being released on Wednesdays.
Mike hosts The Mike Broomhead Show on KTAR News 92.3 from 8a-noon Monday-Friday.
13episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Darcy Olsen, child advocate
1w ago00:52:24Tap to summarizeI love hearing from people who quietly do great things. Darcy Olsen has impacted on the lives of thousands of our most vulnerable children. She is a brilliant woman with a long history of policymaking and policy influence. But her work protecting the rights of abused children is remarkable. Darcy has fostered 10 children and adopted 4. This journey led her to start "The Center for the Rights of Abused Children". In our conversation you can hear her passion and her strength. This is one of the most significant installments of Amazing Arizonans. I hope you enjoy it.
Transcribe →Favorite Episode: Dan Quayle, former Vice President of the United States
2w ago00:33:49Tap to summarizeWe 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! This episode was originally published on March 2nd, 2026.
Transcribe →Mike D'Antoni, Hall of Famer and former Suns Coach
3w ago00:25:09Tap to summarizeIt’s a privilege to have a conversation with a Hall of Famer in any field. It’s even more special when they are a local legend and a fantastic human being. That describes former Phoenix Suns coach Mike D’Antoni. D’Antoni talks about his career and some great memories he has of being the coach of the Suns. Not only the great players they were, but the great men of character they were as well. He is such a humble man that he spent so much of our time together talking about other people and not himself. He is a man of faith who loves his family and is very grateful for his career. I hope you enjoy the conversation.
Transcribe →Mark and Carrie Schnepf, owners of Schnepf Farms
4w ago00:53:11Tap to summarizeOne 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.
Transcribe →Mark Tarbell, owner of Tarbell's Restaurant and Iron Chef winner
May 400:50:24Tap to summarizeI 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.
Transcribe →Jordan Rose, Attorney
Apr 2700:28:48Tap to summarizeLearning 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.
Transcribe →Chef Gio Osso
Apr 2000:45:17Tap to summarizeI 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.
Transcribe →Favorite Episode: Stephanie Vasquez, owner of Fair-Trade Cafe and CEO of Amor Collective
Apr 1301:12:11Tap to summarizeI 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.
Transcribe →Becky Lynn, KTAR anchor and Arizona Media Association Hall of Fame recipient
Apr 600:40:16Tap to summarizeI 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.
Transcribe →Sine Kerr, former state director for the USDA Farm Services Bureau
Mar 3000:45:42Tap to summarizeTwo 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.
Transcribe →