Amazing Arizonans

The word legend is often overused. But when it comes to my guest on Amazing Arizonans it is definitely appropriate. I had the privilege of talking with former Suns broadcaster Al McCoy. Discussing his humble roots growing up on a farm in Iowa and his dream of being in radio. He describes being told that he was never going to be a good broadcaster and how he never gave up on his dream. His memories of the Suns and the great names that have been a part of the franchise are captivating. Al has some peers in the business. But there is none better in the industry than him. But the best part of this podcast is that he is a better man than he is a broadcaster. He is kind, genuine, humble and good. I hope you enjoy my conversation with this legend. 

On this episode of Amazing Arizonans I sit down with Paula Pedene. If you’re a veteran, you are probably familiar with Mrs. Pedene. She is a Navy veteran and worked for the Phoenix VA for decades. She was a central part of two separate whistleblower cases at the VA. The best  known case was the falsification of patient care documents. The VA was reporting that patients were getting care much faster than they actually were. Paula shares her story of being stripped of her job, office, cell phone and even her VA email address. She was eventually vindicated, and the leaders of the VA were held accountable. Her story is compelling. I hope you enjoy it.

In this episode of Amazing Arizonans I have a conversation with Kirk Nurmi. Kirk is best known for being the attorney for convicted murderer Jodi Arias. But his life after defending Ms. Arias is truly remarkable. I met Kirk because I (like many people) assumed that he came up with the defense strategy for Ms. Arias. After watching a documentary about the case, I realized that I was wrong and had Kirk as a guest on my show to apologize. His books “Trapped With Ms. Arias” tell a harrowing story. He believes that the stress of that trial caused him to develop cancer. His story of beating cancer and reclaiming his life is truly inspirational. I hope you enjoy the conversation. 

In this episode of Amazing Arizonans I have the privilege of talking with the Adjutant of the Arizona National Guard General Kerry Muehlenbeck. The General commands both the Army National Guard and the Air Guard. General Muehlenbeck was a great athlete. From high school, to college and eventually playing for the Army on the national softball team. She is a professor at heart and loves teaching. Her command skills were recognized by many. She was asked to command the Arizona National Guard. We talk about her unlikely path to command and her love for the people she commands and serves with. She is down to earth, intelligent and a great leader. I think after this podcast you’ll admire her as much as I do. 

On this episode of Amazing Arizonans I have a great conversation with CEO of the Arizona Cardinals Michael Bidwill. Most people know him for his time with the Cardinals. What most people don’t know is that Michael was a federal prosecutor before taking over the team from his father. Hearing the story of what led him to a life in public service is fascinating. Of course, we talk Cardinals football. The amazing players and the run to a Super Bowl and some of the great players like Larry Fitzgerald, Pat Tillman, Ron Wolfley and others. One of the most compelling moments was when we talked about Pat Tillman and the legacy he left in the organization. He told me an incredible story of service and that Pat wasn’t the first Cardinal to serve his country in combat. You’re gonna LOVE that story. Mr. Bidwill has so many interesting stories and I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. 

On this episode of Amazing Arizonans I sit down with the President and CEO of St. Vincent De Paul Shannon Clancy. I’ve had the privilege to know Shannon for over a decade. I not only love what they do at SVDP but I love the way they do it. Their mission is to feed, cloth, house and heal people in the community. It is a huge mission that requires focus and dedication of employees, donors and volunteers. But it also requires great leadership. Shannon shares her heart to serve the community. What caused her to take on a life of service and why she is so proud of the work they do at SVDP. We talk about some of the amazing things they do to rehouse people experiencing homelessness. How they try to keep people housed and addressing the medical and dental needs of the working class families in Arizona. The enormity of their reach is inspiring. I hope you enjoy learning more about them.

     When I came up with the concept for the Amazing Arizonans podcast it was to share stories like Ron Wolfley’s. Ron is truly one of my favorite people. Most people are aware of him being a former NFL star for the Arizona Cardinals and a former Pro Bowler. He is also the voice of the Arizona Cardinals & cohost of the Wolf and Luke Show on Arizona Sports. He has one of the most recognizable voices in the industry. But Ron is one of the kindest and humble people I know. For someone who is so accomplished in multiple industries, he is selfless. We talk about things he is passionate about faith, family and football. Ron has a way of getting everyone around him fired up. I think you’re going to love this podcast. 

On this episode of Amazing Arizonans I talk with Arizona icon Jan D’Atri. Jan has been a superstar on valley radio and television for decades. She is a very successful restauranteur and chef. Using her media notoriety and her expertise both in front of and behind the camera. She has carved out an amazing career. She is respected for her exceptional talent in media, in business and in the kitchen. She has taken all those skills and become one of the most recognized names in Arizona. I met Jan early in my radio career and loved her enthusiasm and professionalism. We share a love for serving the community and of cooking. Her cook books are considered a must have for many amateur cooks (like me) and professional chefs. She has taken her love for cooking and for teaching and teaches sold out cooking classes in north Scottsdale. Jan is a wonderful and inspiring person. I hope you enjoy our conversation.

On this episode of Amazing Arizonans, I talk with former Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone. His law enforcement career spanned over 30 years. He was a police officer in Phoenix for 21 years. For seven of those years, he headed up the “Silent Witness” program, which encouraged witness to submit tips anonymously and help solve crimes. In 2012, Penzone ran, but lost, to then Joe Arpaio for sheriff of Maricopa County. In 2016 he was elected to the first of two terms as Sheriff. He stepped down from the office in January of this year.    In this episode, we talk about Penzone’s career in law enforcement. He shared with me his successes and what he will miss about the job. But in this discussion, I learned a lot about the other aspects of his life. He talks about his faith and how it motivates him to serve the community in other ways and how it makes him strive to be a better person. We discuss the diverse ways he has served and the unique way he is serving now in his new position at Blue Cross Blue Shield. It is always interesting to learn more about someone you know. I thought I knew Paul well. But I loved getting to learn about the civilian servant that he is now. Paul Penzone is a remarkably interesting man who has accomplished a lot in his life, and he’s not done yet. Amazing Arizonans is available at KTAR.com, the KTAR News app and everywhere you get your podcasts. The podcast, which debuted in June 2023, has had more than 20 episodes spotlighting some of the best and brightest to come out of the Grand Canyon State. Previous guests on the podcast include Jerry Colangelo, Michael Crow, Jan Brewer and Doug Ducey.  

On this installment of Amazing Arizonans, I talk with Rick Romley. He’s a Marine Corps veteran and lifelong public servant, and longtime Republican political figure in Arizona. I met Romley in 2003 while he was Maricopa County Attorney. Today, he continues to serve his fellow veterans as a judge in Veterans Court. You’ll hear Romley’s amazing story. He joined the Marine Corps and was sent to Vietnam in 1968. He was seriously injured in combat and a few months later he lost his best friend during the war. That deep loss motivated him to serve the veteran community for decades. He talked about the creation of the Veterans Court and shared some examples of lives that were changed through this process. He shares how it is helping veterans stay out of the traditional courtrooms with early intervention and assistance from the VA. Among many other awards, he was named the Outstanding Disabled American Veteran of the year in 2001. Romley served as Maricopa County Attorney for nearly two decades. He was first elected in 1988 and served through 2004. Then again served as interim for a few months in 2010. He believed victims’ rights should be protected and so he made that a priority in seeking and maintaining the office. Rick is a good man who has served Arizona for a long time. I hope you enjoy the conversation. Amazing Arizonans is available at KTAR.com, the KTAR News app and everywhere you get your podcasts. The podcast, which debuted in June 2023, has had more than 20 episodes spotlighting some of the best and brightest to come out of the Grand Canyon State. Previous guests on the podcast include Jerry Colangelo, Michael Crow, Jan Brewer and Doug Ducey.