Up + Adam with Adam Montiel

What if the song you can’t stop playing isn’t just a banger... but a breadcrumb?In this episode of Up+Adam, Adam sits down with DJ Hesta Prynn - internationally acclaimed DJ, licensed therapist, and host of the iHeart podcast Music is Therapy. This is not just a conversation about music. It’s about identity, nostalgia, grief, healing, reinvention - and how the songs we return to are often pointing us toward something deeper.Hesta opens up about how music from her teen years shaped her identity, what losing her entire CD collection in college taught her about personal transformation, and how playlists can help us move through grief and joy alike. From Tori Amos and Beastie Boys to the healing power of a perfect transition, this one is packed with insight, energy, and soul.If you’ve ever used a mixtape to get over someone... or found yourself looping one track on repeat for days... you’re going to love this chat.Listen to Music is Therapy oniHeartSpotifyor wherever you get your podcastsFollow Hesta Prynn on Instagram: @hestaprynnmusicExplore the podcast directly at: hestaprynn.com/musicistherapyLearn more about Hesta, her work, and upcoming projects: hestaprynn.comMusic is Therapy. Your session starts now.********Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music********CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK!********ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE!********FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM*********Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them!Life ElementsCity of SLOWoodsHumaneSocietyTin City DistilleryOriginal Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner CollectiveMoonshiner on Spotify HEREPlease Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com********Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music********CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK!********ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE!********FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM*********Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them!Life ElementsCity of SLOWoodsHumaneSocietyTin City DistilleryOriginal Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner CollectiveMoonshiner on Spotify HEREPlease Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.comH

HURRY — RESTAURANT MONTH ENDS THIS WEEKSavor exclusive menus and special offers at your favorite local spots, including Beda’s Biergarten, during SLO Restaurant Month. It runs through the end of January, so now is the time to taste something unforgettable.• https://www.visitslo.com/restaurantmonthIn this episode of Up + Adam, broadcaster Adam Montiel sits down with Beda Schmidthues, founder of Beda’s Biergarten in San Luis Obispo and one of the most beloved local figures on the Central Coast.After losing his art publishing business during the Great Recession, Beda didn’t rebuild with bitterness. He rebuilt with bratwurst. What started as backyard dinners with friends turned into a full-blown German biergarten where the schnitzel is homemade, the beer is imported, and the sense of belonging is absolutely real.In this heart-filled and often hilarious conversation, Beda shares how starting over led him to his true calling, why a raised German flag once signaled the best dinner party in town, and how community, not capital, built everything he has today. From stories of his childhood in Duisburg to the birth of BedaFest, this is the kind of conversation that sticks to your ribs in the best way.Learn more about Beda’s Biergarten, check out their events, or rent the iconic beer bike at:• https://bedasbiergarten.com• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bedas_biergarten/********Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music********CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK!********ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE!********FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM*********Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them!Life ElementsCity of SLOWoodsHumaneSocietyTin City DistilleryOriginal Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner CollectiveMoonshiner on Spotify HEREPlease Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com********Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music********CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK!********ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE!********FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM*********Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them!Life ElementsCity of SLOWoodsHumaneSocietyTin City DistilleryOriginal Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner CollectiveMoonshiner on Spotify HEREPlease Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com

If you know, you know. And if you don’t…welcome to Brass Mash.This week on Up+Adam, Adam sits down with three members of the Central Coast’s most electrifying live band: founder and fearless leader Colin Dean, saxophone slayer Anna Wilson, and trumpet powerhouse Ben Kerr. Together, they break down the method behind the musical madness. How mashups become dance floor anthems. How they craft shows that cross generations. And why their upcoming March 6 show at the Fremont Theater is their most important gig yet.More than a band, Brass Mash is an experience. Think Britney Spears meets Black Sabbath. Lorde with Dre. Daft Punk colliding with ZZ Top. This is a group that should be playing to 20,000 people a night, and for the first time, they’re stepping into a major venue to prove it.If you’ve ever seen them live, or even just heard the buzz, this is your chance to support something homegrown, one-of-a-kind, and on the verge of something massive.Grab tickets now for their Fremont show on March 6:• prekindle.com/event/53994-brass-mash-san-luis-obispoLearn more about the band and upcoming shows:• brassmash.com• Follow on Instagram: @brassmashbandThis is the band your favorite band wishes it could be. Tap and play and get ready to mash it up.********Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music********CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK!********ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE!********FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM*********Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them!Life ElementsCity of SLOWoodsHumaneSocietyTin City DistilleryOriginal Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner CollectiveMoonshiner on Spotify HEREPlease Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com

What happens when one of SLO’s most iconic restaurants changes hands quietly, without fanfare, but with deep emotion and mutual respect? On this episode of Up+Adam, Adam Montiel sits down with Phil Lang, the founder and original owner of Bon Temps, and George Parsons, the new owner stepping into some very seasoned shoes alongside his wife.In this candid, heartfelt conversation, Phil opens up about what it really felt like to let go of the restaurant he built from scratch, what made him say yes to George, and what it meant to feel so seen and celebrated by the community during the handoff. George shares what it’s like to take on a beloved legacy, the delicate dance of honoring what came before while evolving into what’s next, and how he and his wife are bringing new heart into the kitchen.This is not just a story about food. It’s about trust, timing, stewardship, and two people connected by something bigger than business.• Follow Bon Temps on Instagram• Visit Bon Temps online********Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music********CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK!********ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE!********FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM*********Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them!Life ElementsCity of SLOWoodsHumaneSocietyTin City DistilleryOriginal Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner CollectiveMoonshiner on Spotify HEREPlease Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com

Up+Adam is proud to partner with the City of San Luis Obispo for Restaurant Month 2026, highlighting the chefs, storytellers, and flavor-makers who are feeding the Central Coast in more ways than one. Today, we sit down with one of the most passionate, purpose-driven restaurateurs in town: Kiko Pomalaza, owner of Kiko Peruvian Restaurant & Pisco Bar.What started as a dream in a rundown café space at the Mission Mall has become one of the most soulful, unforgettable dining experiences in San Luis Obispo. Kiko shares how his childhood in Peru, years in luxury hospitality, and love for human connection all come together in every plate, every cocktail, and every conversation inside his restaurant.Kiko Restaurant’s 2026 Restaurant Month Specials:• Three appetizers from a special menu – $35• Two appetizers and two Pisco drinks – $45• A three-course dinner experience – $50Whether you're a longtime fan or have never tried Peruvian food, this episode will make you hungry, inspired, and maybe even rethink what hospitality really means.Visit the restaurant:• Website: https://kikorestaurantslo.com• Location: Mission Mall, San Luis Obispo• Instagram: @kikorestaurantslo********Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music********CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK!********ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE!********FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM*********Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them!Life ElementsCity of SLOWoodsHumaneSocietyTin City DistilleryOriginal Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner CollectiveMoonshiner on Spotify HEREPlease Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com

When a local business you love is suddenly in transition, the headlines don’t always tell the whole story. In this episode of Up+Adam, Adam sits down with Feben Teffera, co-owner of Ebony, the beloved Ethiopian restaurant in downtown San Luis Obispo that’s been a cultural and culinary anchor for the community.With Ebony now looking for a new home, Feben joins the show to talk about what’s really happening behind the scenes. She opens up about the emotions of this moment, what she wants the community to understand, and how she’s thinking about the future of Ebony. This is the conversation that brings clarity with empathy, honesty, and heart.• Visit Ebony online: https://www.ebony-slo.com• Follow Ebony on Instagram********Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music********CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK!********ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE!********FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM*********Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them!Life ElementsCity of SLOWoodsHumaneSocietyTin City DistilleryOriginal Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner CollectiveMoonshiner on Spotify HEREPlease Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com

What happens when a 25-year-old journalist says yes to a war zone... before he even knows where it is on the map?In this gripping episode of Up+Adam, Adam Montiel sits down with NewsNation correspondent Robert Sherman, author of Lessons From the Front, a raw, unflinching book that takes us inside the emotional realities of covering war in Ukraine and the Middle East. But this isn’t your typical war reporter memoir. Robert doesn’t pretend to have the answers. He invites you into his questions. And in doing so, he offers something rare: perspective born from humility.Together, they talk about the first rocket, the mother who called Russian soldiers "goblins" to protect her daughter’s mind, and the deep, complicated meaning of the word “home” after witnessing a world torn apart. This conversation isn’t about headlines. It’s about heartlines. It's about what war teaches you when you stop reporting and start listening.Whether you’re a fellow journalist, a student of storytelling, or just someone trying to understand the world a little better, this one’s going to stay with you.• Grab Robert’s book: Lessons From the Front• Explore more of Robert’s work: robertshermantv.com• Follow Robert on Instagram: @robertshermantv• Watch his dispatches and reports via NewsNation: newsnationnow.com/author/robert-sherman********Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music********CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK!********ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE!********FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM*********Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them!Life ElementsCity of SLOWoodsHumaneSocietyTin City DistilleryOriginal Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner CollectiveMoonshiner on Spotify HEREPlease Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com

Adam Montiel connects with actor, playwright, and director Ronnie Marmo, the powerhouse behind the critically acclaimed one-man show I’m Not a Comedian... I’m Lenny Bruce. Touring the country and now coming to the Clark Center in Arroyo Grande, the show brings the infamous comic and cultural disruptor Lenny Bruce back to life with sharpness, heart, and unflinching honesty.Directed by Tony Award winner Joe Mantegna, Ronnie’s performance dives deep into Lenny’s court battles, his biting satire, and his unapologetic push for freedom of speech. In this episode, Adam and Ronnie explore what it means to portray someone who was once arrested for language and how that conversation still echoes today in an era of cancel culture and cultural overcorrection.They talk legacy, language, vulnerability, and the risks artists take when they decide to tell the truth on stage, in comedy, and in life.• Tickets to I’m Not a Comedian... I’m Lenny Bruce at the Clark Center: https://clarkcenter.org/shows/lenny-bruce/Socials and Links for the Guest + Show Team:I’m Not A Comedian... I’m Lenny BruceInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamlennybruce/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IAmLennyBruce/Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/iamlennybruceRonnie MarmoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ronniemarmo/Facebook (Actor Page): https://www.facebook.com/RonnieMarmo.ActorFacebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/ronnie.marmoTwitter (X): https://twitter.com/realronniemarmoJoe MantegnaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/joemantegna/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joemantegnaTwitter (X): https://twitter.com/joemantegnaJanelle Gaeta MarmoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/janellegaeta/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janellegaetaTwitter (X): https://twitter.com/janellegaeta#IAmLennyBruce#GeneralHospital#CriminalMinds#FreeSpeech#TheMarvelousMrsMaisel********Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music********CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK!********ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE!********FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM*********Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them!Original Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner CollectiveMoonshiner on Spotify HEREPlease Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com

In a town like San Luis Obispo, where pizza spots are on every block and every menu claims to be the best, one name keeps rising to the top: My Friend Mike’s. In this episode, Adam sits down with owner Mike Radakovich, the low-key craftsman behind one of SLO’s most beloved wood-fired pizza joints. They talk about how My Friend Mike’s got its name, why his menu reads more like a love letter than a checklist, and what it takes to stand out in a town already full of great pies.Mike opens up about his creative process, how he balances technique with instinct, and what it feels like when a customer tells you your pizza changed their night. He’s also one of the standout participants in SLO Restaurant Month, and he’s offering a deal you don’t want to miss.Whether you're a pizza fan, a small business dreamer, or just someone who appreciates food with soul, this episode is for you.learn more about slo restaurant month and see all participating restaurants:https://www.visitslo.com/restaurantmonthexplore my friend mike’s menu, story, and hours:https://www.myfriendmikes.comfollow my friend mike on instagram:https://www.instagram.com/myfriendmikes********Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music********CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK!********ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE!********FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM*********Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them!Life ElementsCity of SLOWoodsHumaneSocietyTin City DistilleryOriginal Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner CollectiveMoonshiner on Spotify HEREPlease Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com

What if the biggest threat to your well-being at work isn’t the workload but your boss?In this episode of Up+Adam, Adam sits down with Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett — an award-winning organizational psychologist, author, and workplace culture expert — for a raw and revealing conversation on how to identify, survive, and escape toxic leadership. Dr. Laura’s latest book, I Wish I’d Quit Sooner: Practical Strategies for Navigating and Escaping a Toxic Boss, isn’t just eye-opening. It’s a lifeline.Together, they unpack the eight toxic boss personas (yes, you’ve met one), how to protect your sanity when you can’t walk away, what to say in the moment without risking your job, and how to heal from years of verbal abuse and manipulation. Whether you’re still stuck, just got out, or leading a team yourself and wondering if you might be the problem — this one’s for you.• Learn more about Dr. Laura: drlaura.live• Listen to her podcast Where Work Meets Life: drlaura.live/podcast• Get the book on Amazon: I Wish I’d Quit Sooner (Paperback & Audiobook)• Follow her on Instagram: @drlaura.liveIf this episode hit home, share it with someone who’s been quietly surviving at work when they deserve to be thriving.********Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music********CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK!********ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE!********FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM*********Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them!Life ElementsCity of SLOWoodsHumaneSocietyTin City DistilleryOriginal Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner CollectiveMoonshiner on Spotify HEREPlease Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com

On today’s episode of Up+Adam, Adam Montiel sits down with actor and performer Casey Biggs for a conversation that’s equal parts hilarious, heartfelt, and filled with stardust. Known for his iconic role as Damar on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Casey shares stories from the set, the stage, and his life off the screen. From acting alongside legends to living part-time in Europe with his wife, author and chef Bridget Binns, Casey brings depth and insight to every story.The two talk about the fragility of life, what it means to live like there’s “an inch left,” and how a single line on a sheet of paper changed Casey’s entire approach to time. They also dive into Cass After Dark, a new winter event at Cass Winery in Paso Robles happening Saturday, January 17. With live Americana and folk music, fire pits, mulled wine, and stargazing with Cal Poly’s Astronomical Society, this is not your average night in wine country.Casey shares behind-the-scenes stories about Star Trek, Shameless, Criminal Minds, and even his time on seven Star Trek cruises. A little wine talk, a little Hollywood talk, this episode has it all.Links:• Cass After Dark Tickets• Event Info from Paso Wine• Paso Daily News Article• Casey Biggs on Wikipedia• Startrek.com Interview********Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music********CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK!********ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE!********FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM*********Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them!Life ElementsCity of SLOWoodsHumaneSocietyTin City DistilleryOriginal Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner CollectiveMoonshiner on Spotify HEREPlease Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com

SLO RESTAURANT MONTH IS HEREIf you’ve ever had that smoky crispy melt-in-your-mouth tri-tip from Old San Luis BBQ, you know exactly why Matt Pearce is in a league of his own. On this episode of Up+Adam, Matt joins Adam Montiel to talk about how he traded civil engineering for fire and flavor, building one of the Central Coast’s most beloved barbecue brands from the ground up.From his catering roots to a growing BBQ empire with three locations, Matt shares the origin story behind Old SLO, the family recipes that fuel it (yes, including that granny cake), and what it means to honor the traditions of Santa Maria-style barbecue while still innovating the menu with local love.This month, as part of SLO Restaurant Month, Old San Luis BBQ is rolling out an absolutely stacked special: a Tri-Tip Smash Burger featuring double the ground tri-tip, double cheese, fries, and a drink for just $15. Matt puts it like this: “I put it up against In-N-Out any day.” Come hungry.Expect sizzling stories, local flavor, and a behind-the-grill look at what it takes to turn smoke and oak into something unforgettable.• Learn more about Old San Luis BBQ: oldsanluisbbq.com• See all the SLO Restaurant Month specials and participating spots: visitslo.com/restaurantmonth********Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music********CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK!********ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE!********FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM*********Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them!Life ElementsCity of SLOWoodsHumaneSocietyTin City DistilleryOriginal Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner CollectiveMoonshiner on Spotify HEREPlease Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com

In this episode of Up+Adam, Adam Montiel sits down with Dr. Ian K. Smith, number one New York Times bestselling author, physician, and nationally recognized health expert, to talk about what it really takes to lose the most stubborn weight... and more importantly, what you gain in the process.Dr. Ian’s new book, The Last 15: Say Goodbye to Those Most Stubborn Pounds, is not just another quick-fix diet. It is a seven-week metabolic reset rooted in science, strategy, and sustainability. And even though it is written for the last 15 pounds, this episode is especially for you if you are still staring down your first. Whether you are feeling stuck, plateaued, or just plain overwhelmed, this conversation is your permission slip to start again with less shame and more strategy.We talk metabolism myths, emotional weight, why the final stretch is often the most revealing, and what it really means to build an identity rooted in discipline, not deprivation. Adam asks the questions no one else is asking, and Dr. Ian responds with the kind of wisdom that does not just change bodies, it changes minds.•••GET THE BOOK:Buy The Last 15 on AmazonLEARN MORE ABOUT DR. IAN:Website: www.doctoriansmith.comInstagram: @doctoriansmithFacebook: Dr. Ian K. SmithTwitter/X: @DrIanSmith********Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music********CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK!********ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE!********FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM*********Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them!Life ElementsCity of SLOWoodsHumaneSocietyTin City DistilleryOriginal Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner CollectiveMoonshiner on Spotify HEREPlease Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com

Greenland is in the headlines—military talks, rare earth minerals, foreign influence—and on today’s episode of up+adam, we’re going way beyond the headlines.Adam sits down with award-winning journalist Kenneth R. Rosen, whose new book polar war: submarines, spies, and the struggle for power in a melting arctic is already being called one of the most urgent reads of the year. rosen spent years reporting from the frontlines of the arctic—embedded with coast guards, scientists, navy seals, and even inside the shadowy corners of espionage in the far north.together, they explore why Greenland and the arctic are now center stage in a new cold war. We talk radar bases, Russian incursions, rare earth elements, and why this once-frozen frontier could determine the balance of global power for decades to come.This conversation is cinematic, real, and chilling in the best way.• buy the book: Polar War by Kenneth R. Rosen• learn more: kennethrrosen.com********Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music********CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK!********ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE!********FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM*********Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them!Life ElementsCity of SLOWoodsHumaneSocietyTin City DistilleryOriginal Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner CollectiveMoonshiner on Spotify HEREPlease Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com

On the one-year anniversary of the Palisades Fire, Up+Adam marks the moment with a conversation that burns deep.Jacob Soboroff is a New York Times bestselling author, an award-winning journalist, and a familiar face on MSNBC and NBC News. But when the deadliest wildfire in LA history came for his childhood neighborhood, he didn’t just report the story. He lived it. His new book, Firestorm: The Great Los Angeles Fires & America's New Age of Disaster, is part memoir, part frontline reporting, and part reckoning with the world we’re heading into if we don’t change course.Adam and Jacob go ICET-deep on the failures that led to the fire, the silence after the smoke cleared, and why this fire wasn’t an act of God but a symptom of something we’re still not ready to face. They talk hometown heartbreak, political accountability, the psychology of disaster, and what it means to raise kids in a place you’ve watched burn.A must-listen for anyone who loves Los Angeles or lives somewhere that could be next.• Get the book: Firestorm on Amazon• Follow Jacob on Instagram: @jacobsoboroff• Follow Jacob on X: @jacobsoboroff********Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music********CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK!********ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE!********FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM*********Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them!Life ElementsCity of SLOWoodsHumaneSocietyTin City DistilleryOriginal Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner CollectiveMoonshiner on Spotify HEREPlease Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com

See all SLO Restaurant Month participantsWhat do you get when you mix Detroit-style deep dish, a scholar with an Oxford mind, and a passion for community? You get Ben Arona, owner of Benny’s Pizza Social Club in downtown San Luis Obispo. In this episode, Adam sits down with Ben to talk about how Benny’s evolved from a one-man underground kitchen hustle to one of the most beloved pizza joints on the Central Coast.We dig into the vibe, the dough, and the deep love Ben has for the old-school soul of his space, formerly Pepe Delgado’s. He shares the genius behind his famous frozen lasagna (the ultimate gift hack), why sauce placement matters more than you think, and how he’s celebrating SLO Restaurant Month with a $49.99 dinner-for-two deal. Ben is not just serving pizza, he’s serving history, heart, and heaping portions of gratitude to the community that helped build him.Check out Benny’s, and don’t miss the other restaurants participating in SLO Restaurant Month at the link below.Links from this episode:Benny’s Pizza Social ClubFollow Benny’s on InstagramJoin the Benny’s Pizza Facebook CommunitySee all SLO Restaurant Month participants********Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music********CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK!********ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE!********FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM*********Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them!Life ElementsCity of SLOWoodsHumaneSocietyTin City DistilleryOriginal Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner CollectiveMoonshiner on Spotify HEREPlease Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com

On today’s episode of Up+Adam, we sit down with Samantha Payette, the powerhouse Director of Operations for the Blue Mango Restaurant Group, the team behind SLO favorites like Novo, Luna Red, and Robin’s in Cambria. But Sam isn’t just keeping restaurants humming. She’s also helping lead the charge on civic culture and community engagement through her role on the City of San Luis Obispo’s Promotions Coordinating Committee, where she’s been instrumental in bringing SLO Restaurant Month to life.Adam and Sam go deep on what really happens behind the scenes of a big restaurant initiative, what January means for the people working in hospitality, and what it takes to keep both diners and city leaders excited about local food. They also talk shop on leadership, local love, and why vibe is something you can’t train... but you can absolutely cultivate.Support local. Eat well. Tip good.• Check out SLO Restaurant Month (menus, deals, and full list of participating restaurants): https://www.visitslo.com/restaurantmonth• Learn more about the Blue Mango Restaurant Group: https://www.bluemangorestaurants.com-=[ • Novo: https://www.novorestaurant.com• Luna Red: https://www.lunaredslo.com• Robin’s Restaurant (Cambria): https://www.robinsrestaurant.com********Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music********CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK!********ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE!********FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM*********Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them!Life ElementsCity of SLOWoodsHumaneSocietyTin City DistilleryOriginal Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner CollectiveMoonshiner on Spotify HEREPlease Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com

Ready to send 2025 out in style? On this episode of Up+Adam, we’re counting down the most exciting ways to ring in the New Year right here on the Central Coast. From family-friendly fireworks to funk-fueled dance floors and intimate live shows, there’s something for every vibe—and we’ve got the inside scoop.Adam welcomes Ryan Orr, Entertainment Director for SLO Brew Rock, and Dan Curcio of Moonshiner Collective for a high-energy conversation on what makes a great NYE party, how their teams are leveling up this year’s experiences, and why live music just hits different when the clock strikes midnight. We also surprise the winner of our Up+Adam NYE Paso Staycation, live on air.Whether you're eyeing a classy night at the Opera or ready to raise a glass in the heart of downtown Paso Robles, this episode gives you four unforgettable ways to celebrate. Let’s pop the cork, set the vibe, and get your plans locked in.New Year’s Eve Events Featured in this Episode:• Paso Robles City Park Celebration (Hosted by Adam!) ➤ prcity.com/New-Years-Eve-2025• SLO Brew Rock: Funk Bizarre ft. Pimps of Joytime ➤ slobrew.com/NYE-2026• Moonshiner Collective Live at Club Car Bar, Templeton ➤ Get Tickets• OperaSLO Super Gala at PAC SLO (Family-Friendly!) ➤ pacslo.orgFollow Our Guests:• SLO Brew Rock – slobrew.com | @slobrew• Moonshiner Collective – moonshinercollective.com | @moonshinercollective********Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music********CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK!********ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE!********FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM*********Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them!Life ElementsCity of SLOWoodsHumaneSocietyTin City DistilleryOriginal Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner CollectiveMoonshiner on Spotify HEREPlease Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com

Ringing in the New Year does not have to mean staying out late or forgetting the night entirely. In this episode of Up+Adam, Adam Montiel sits down with the creative team behind the Opera SLO New Year’s Eve Super Gala to talk about a different kind of celebration. One rooted in live music, community, and that feeling you only get when a full orchestra hits the room and you realize you are part of something shared.At the center of it all is conductor and Opera San Luis Obispo General Director Brian Asher Alhadeff, whose vision for the Super Gala is simple and bold. Make it welcoming. Make it joyful. Make it unforgettable. Brian describes the night as “dessert music,” a sampler of Broadway favorites, classical showstoppers, iconic movie moments, and large ensemble pieces that feel familiar even if you have never been to an opera before.Joining the conversation is Grammy Award winning baritone Gabriel Manro, whose career spans opera, Broadway, film, television, and major international stages. Gabriel talks about growing up on the Central Coast, finding his voice, and why live, unamplified music still matters in an age dominated by screens and algorithms. You also hear from stage director Justine Prado Manro and Children’s Chorus Manager Luana Gerardis, who share how Opera SLO’s youth programs and citywide collaborations keep the arts alive and accessible for families.The Opera SLO New Year’s Eve Super Gala takes place December 31 at 7 pm at the Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo. The show is family friendly, features children on stage, and wraps up early enough to be home for the ball drop. It is a true Central Coast collaboration with multiple local arts organizations sharing one stage for one night only.If you are looking for a meaningful, memorable way to close out the year and start the next one feeling connected and inspired, this conversation explains why this night is different.• Opera SLO New Year’s Eve Super Galahttps://www.pacslo.org/events/detail/nye25• Tickets and informationhttps://www.pacslo.org/events/detail/nye25805-756-4849• Opera San Luis Obispohttps://www.operaslo.org• Brian Asher Alhadeffhttps://www.operaslo.org/about/artistic-director.phphttps://www.instagram.com/maestroalhadeff• Gabriel Manrohttps://www.gabrielmanro.comhttps://www.instagram.com/gabriel_manro• Justine Prado Manrohttps://www.justineprado.comhttps://www.instagram.com/nymphatic• Luana Gerardis and Opera SLO Children’s Chorushttps://www.operaslo.org/about/staff.phphttps://www.instagram.com/luanagerardis/********Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music********CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK!********ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE!********FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM*********Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them!Life ElementsCity of SLOWoodsHumaneSocietyTin City DistilleryOriginal Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner CollectiveMoonshiner on Spotify HEREPlease Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com

Today’s Up+Adam is one of the most meaningful episodes we do all year.This is Breaking & Entering Christmas.Each holiday season, we quietly and anonymously select one local family who has been carrying more than their share, and we show up. Not with pity. With people. With dignity. With a community that decides to say yes.This episode centers on the family selected this year, chosen from weeks of heartfelt nominations. The letter that nominated them is shared exactly as it was written, with names changed to protect the family. Their story reflects the reality many families face quietly every day. Three generations living in low-income field-worker housing. Grandparents sleeping on the floor so the kids can have a room. A father working long shifts, even on Christmas. A grandmother recovering from breast cancer and collecting recyclables each morning to help the family get by.What happens next is the heart of this episode.More than 25 people walk through the door. Movers. Volunteers. Local businesses. Media partners. Listeners. A sleeper sofa replaces the floor. A Christmas tree arrives. Presents are stacked. A broken garbage disposal gets fixed. The house breathes again.This episode captures the sounds, moments, and emotion of a community showing up in real time. It is not about charity. It is about dignity. It is about service. It is about a Christmas this family never saw coming and the one they deserve.With Gratitude to Our Community Partners and Supporters Meathead Movers Libertine Brewing Company Sinor-LaVallee Wine North County Copy & Parcel General Store Paso Robles Mr Putters Mino Golf Author Rob Vold and his wife Jenny of Uncle Banana book series Red Oak Security Andy’s Awesome Arcade Spark’l Bands Salinas River Ranch Perfetto Cafe SLO Town Studios WiLD 106.1 FM KSBY 95.3 The Beach KPIG Radio The Grade Country Dimes Media CorporationAnd to the listeners of Up+Adam who continue to show what community really looks like.Thank you for being part of the 12th Annual Breaking & Entering Christmas.********UNCLE BANANA CHILDREN'S BOOK - CHRISTMAS LESSONS - PROCEEDS BENEFITTING BREAKING & ENTERING CHRISTMASListen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music********CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK!********ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE!********FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM*********Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them!Life ElementsCity of SLOWoodsHumaneSocietyTin City DistilleryOriginal Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner CollectiveMoonshiner on Spotify HEREPlease Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com