They’re called ‘Forever Chemicals’, but the damage they cause could last even longer. In this episode of Up+Adam, award-winning environmental journalists Sharon Udasin and Rachel Frazin join Adam Montiel to talk about their new book, Poisoning the Well: How Forever Chemicals Contaminated America. With gripping stories, damning internal documents, and emotional accounts from families devastated by PFAS exposure, this interview dives into the disturbing reality of how a class of chemicals, hidden ...
May 27, 2025•27 min
In this episode, Adam welcomes Elysian Moon, the magnetic musical duo of Tyson Leonard and Grace Jiia, into the Timbre Winery LoBo studios for an intimate conversation and a live in-studio performance that hits on every frequency. Known for their cinematic, ritualistic sets and hypnotic blend of neoclassical, global house, and sparkly techno, Tyson and Grace don’t just perform - they channel. From falling in love in a festival bathroom line to composing during moments of relationship tension, th...
May 23, 2025•1 hr 9 min
In this soulful, laugh-filled, and eye-opening episode, Adam sits down with longtime friend and culinary visionary Chef Nicola Allegretta — the heart behind Paso’s beloved Mama’s Meatball and the bold brilliance behind Mistura, one of the most acclaimed Peruvian restaurants in the country. From dancing salsa at The Grad to launching his latest Chef’s Table experience (yes, he’s serving kui, beef heart, and alpaca), Nicola shares the story of his culinary fusion, his deep spiritual connection to ...
May 22, 2025•36 min
In this episode of Up+Adam, Adam Montiel sits down at the LoBro Studios at Timbre with musician, curator, and Paso Robles native Corey Jordan, co-founder of Libretto Paso, the one-of-a-kind wine and jazz club making serious noise on the Central Coast. Corey isn’t just talking chords and concerts, he’s building legacy. We go deep on the upcoming May 22 fundraiser for the Libretto Conservatory, a music education program that’s bringing Grammy-level mentorship to young musicians across SLO County, ...
May 21, 2025•28 min
Dr. Leslie Dobson is not your typical psychologist. She's a courtroom expert, a clinical force, and the host of the razor-sharp podcast Intentionally Disturbing. In this episode, Adam and Dr. Dobson dive into the minds of predators, the patterns of trauma, and the uncomfortable truths we tend to look away from. They get into the Diddy allegations, how predators manipulate with power, and what it’s like to read someone’s darkness before they even open their mouth. This conversation is layered, fe...
May 20, 2025•26 min
In Part 2 of Adam’s conversation with Chef Rachel Ponce and brewmaster Eric Ponce, we move from the journey… to the juice. This episode dives into the creative heartbeat of The Staviary - their soon-to-open wine, food, and beer experience in downtown Paso Robles. From the chef’s counter to the curated bottle list, every choice is rooted in intention, flavor, and soul. Eric shares what makes their beer program unlike anything else in town, including international bottles with personal stories beh...
May 19, 2025•38 min
Pet of the Week - Wine Fest - Sailing with Phoenix Update ***** Sailing with Phoenix Links: Instagram: @sailing_with_phoenix PredictWind Tracker: Live GPS Map MarineTraffic: AIS Vessel Info GoFundMe: Help Make a Dream Come True Articles: Statesman Journal KGW News Today’s Interview: What does it mean to build a dynasty…and what does it cost to keep one? On today’s Up+Adam, Adam chats with former ESPN NBA reporter and Dub Dynasty host Israel Gutierrez to unpack the real story behind the Golden St...
May 16, 2025•13 min
Today on Up+Adam, we’ve got the exclusive first look at The Staviary —a brand new food and beer experience coming to downtown Paso Robles. Chef Rachel Ponce and brewmaster Eric Ponce join Adam to announce their long-awaited concept, opening behind the park in one of the most exciting new developments in town. From Michelin-star buzz to glassware from Belgium, these two are bringing something fresh, personal, and deeply soulful to the Central Coast. In this first half of their interview, we dig i...
May 15, 2025•37 min
From London stages to Hollywood firehouses, Oliver Stark has carved out a spot in primetime TV that’s impossible to ignore. Best known as Evan “Buck” Buckley on the hit ABC series 9-1-1, Oliver joins Up+Adam to talk about his unexpected journey, the real heart behind his character, and how playing a firefighter for over eight seasons has shaped the way he sees himself, and the world. Adam and Oliver get into everything from behind-the-scenes chaos to fan theories, imposter syndrome, and the kind...
May 14, 2025•22 min
What happens when the justice system locks up the wrong man - and leaves the right one walking free? Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Gilbert King joins Adam to talk about Bone Valley Season 2, the shocking true-crime series following the decades-long case of Leo Schofield. Convicted of murdering his wife in 1987, Leo still sits behind bars, even after another man, Jeremy Scott, confessed. Gilbert opens up about the emotional weight of investigating this case for over six years, why Season 2 tu...
May 13, 2025•31 min
On today’s Up+Adam, we spotlight the incredible voyage of Oliver Widger (aka Sailing with Phoenix) , a 29-year-old from Oregon who left his corporate job, bought a used boat, and set sail - solo - to Hawaii. Diagnosed with a rare spinal condition that could one day leave him paralyzed, Oliver decided to stop waiting and start moving. With no offshore experience and only his cat Phoenix for company, he’s now capturing the hearts of thousands online as he documents every challenge, every sunrise, ...
May 12, 2025•37 min
Paso Wine Fest is next weekend, and it's not just another tasting event—it's the moment on the Paso wine calendar. Executive Director of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, Joel Peterson, joins me to walk through what’s new, what’s returning, and what to circle in red on your calendar. With over 100 wineries participating, a Grand Tasting at the Paso Robles Event Center, and four full days of activations, open houses, and after-hours fun, this is Paso showing off. Get the lay of the land stra...
May 09, 2025•26 min
What do you get when a community treasure steps behind the mic and speaks from the soul? You get Damon Castillo. Today on Up+Adam, Adam catches up with the Central Coast’s own musical mainstay to talk songwriting, inspiration, the stories behind his sound, and what’s next for the Damon Castillo Band. From the studio to the stage, Damon’s blend of groove, grit, and genuine emotion continues to make him one of the most respected and beloved voices around here. If you’ve ever been to one of his sho...
May 08, 2025•55 min
Paso Robles is about to smell a whole lot better. In this episode of Up+Adam, we’re spotlighting the 2025 Paso Robles Olive & Lavender Festival, going down Saturday, May 10th, at Downtown City Park. Adam is joined by Gina Hambly of Hambly Farms and Dominique Lobjois of Sunshine Olive Oil—two makers at the center of this hyper-local celebration of scent, flavor, and Central Coast craftsmanship. Gina talks about how she and her husband built Hambly Farms from the soil up—harvesting, distilling...
May 07, 2025•40 min
On September 14, 2019, 21-year-old Thomas Jodry fell from a downtown San Luis Obispo parking structure. The police originally called it suicide. But his parents, William and Mary Jane Jodry, have been living inside the cracks of that story ever since, and they aren’t buying it. In this emotional and revealing #TureCrimeTuesday episode of Up+Adam, Adam sits down with the Jodrys to talk about the night everything changed. From the moment they realized something wasn’t right, to the knock at the do...
May 06, 2025•52 min
A wrap up on Lumina Nights and Josh Rosenblum is back for Part Two, and this one hits differently. We pick up the conversation mid-stride - talking fatherhood, finding creative flow, and what it really means to grow as an artist. Josh brings the same authenticity and warmth as he did in Part One, but here the conversation loosens up, gets even more revealing, and yes—he picks up the guitar again for some unexpected live moments that’ll stay with you. If you’ve ever felt caught between the grind ...
May 05, 2025•38 min
What do tamales, tiny dogs in costume, and civic pride have in common? Atascadero, baby. In this episode, we're joined by Terrie Banish, Deputy City Manager for the City of Atascadero, to talk all things Tamale Festival. It's one of the Central Coast's most festive, flavorful, and fur-friendly events of the year. We break down what’s new for 2025, how it’s grown into a regional favorite, and yes, Adam is back to be one of the judges for the legendary Pet Costume Contest. So polish up those paws ...
May 02, 2025•24 min
He’s one of the Central Coast’s most dynamic musical voices, and not just because he plays half the instruments in his band. In this free-flowing, no-rules conversation, Josh Rosenblum joins Adam for part one of a two-part hang where they get into the creative grind, what it means to write music with purpose, and how to stay hopeful without sounding preachy. Josh talks about growing up in a jazz-rooted family, his thoughts on the state of the world, fatherhood, and why he still believes in the p...
May 01, 2025•41 min
Today on Up+Adam, we’re joined by Sister Monica Clare — nun, author, viral TikTok star, and living proof that sometimes your wildest detours are actually leading you home. Before she was Sister Monica Clare, she was Claudette Powell: a Southern girl with big-city dreams, an improv actor with the Groundlings, and a Hollywood professional — until a deeper calling slowly but surely rewrote the story she thought she was living. In her brand-new memoir, A Change of Habit: Leaving Behind My Husband, C...
Apr 30, 2025•35 min
Today on Up+Adam, we welcome Kristin Casey—author, recovered addict, intimacy coach, and survivor. Kristin opens up about her incredible journey from battling addiction and depression to becoming a certified surrogate partner and intimacy counselor. In this raw and revealing conversation, we explore her powerful new memoir Casey Dancer, her insights into healing and self-acceptance, and the important tie-in to Sexual Assault Awareness Month and organizations like Lumina Alliance. Kristin also sh...
Apr 29, 2025•34 min
In this episode of Up+Adam, we sit down with Sarah Tomasetti, the driving force behind Wine 4 Paws, an annual unique event that marries the joy of wine tasting with over 80 wineries and more with the mission of supporting homeless animals from Woods Humane Society. Since 2009, Sarah's vision has galvanized the Central Coast community, raising over $700,000 for Woods Humane Society. Discover how this event has evolved over the years, the impact it has made, and how you can be part of this extraor...
Apr 25, 2025•22 min
In this episode of Up+Adam, Adam Montiel sits down with Poppy O’Toole , the Michelin-trained chef turned viral TikTok powerhouse behind Poppy Cooks. After losing her job during the pandemic, Poppy leaned into comfort, creativity, and carbs - and in doing so, built a global following obsessed with her signature style of accessible, personality-packed cooking. Known lovingly as “the High Priestess of the Potato,” she’s got over 4.4 million TikTok followers, 1.1 million on Instagram, and a growing ...
Apr 24, 2025•19 min
In this episode of Up+Adam, Adam sits down with ACLU president and NYU law professor Deborah Archer, who makes a bold claim in her new book Dividing Lines: America’s transportation system hasn’t just failed us—it was designed to divide us. This conversation doesn’t shy away from the big questions: In a time where everything is being called racist, is labeling roads helpful, or harmful? Do you think there’s a point where everything being framed as racial ends up diluting the very meaning of racis...
Apr 23, 2025•19 min
In this episode of Up+Adam, Adam chats with retired FBI Special Agent Scott Payne, the undercover legend dubbed the “Hillbilly Donnie Brasco.” From goat‑blood rituals with neo‑Nazis in a Georgia forest to the basement strip‑search that almost blew his cover, Payne unpacks 25 years inside Outlaw biker gangs, opioid pipelines, and the accelerationist movement plotting a race war, while getting candid about juggling seven burner phones, staying married, and the Safeguard psych checks that finally p...
Apr 22, 2025•28 min
In Part Two of this exclusive conversation, Adam continues his deep dive with beloved KSBY meteorologist Dave Hovde — picking up where they left off. From the evolution of local media to the emotional weight of walking away, Dave opens up about the regrets that linger, the career highs that surprised him, and the personal clarity he’s found through change. Whether it’s journaling through anxiety, raising kids in the public eye, or deciding not to chase the next big market — this is Dave Hovde ra...
Apr 21, 2025•43 min
After over 20 years as the face of weather on the Central Coast, Dave Hovde is stepping away from KSBY. But he’s not going far. In this first of a special two-part interview, Adam sits down in the Timbre LoBro Studios with Dave for an honest, revealing, and often hilarious conversation about why now was the time to step away, how he’s planning his next chapter, and why connection — not forecast accuracy — might be the true legacy he’s leaving behind. From early days covering explosions in North ...
Apr 18, 2025•39 min
Two undefeated MMA fighters from Paso Robles — both young, hungry, and ready to throw down. In this episode of Up + Adam, we sit down with Hunter Thompson and Octavio Gonzalez ahead of their April 19th bouts at 559 Fights 113 in Visalia. But this isn’t just for fight fans — it’s a raw, real convo about what it means to chase a dream, train your body and mind, and represent your hometown with pride. We get into what brought them into the sport, the mental and physical grind of fight prep, and how...
Apr 17, 2025•26 min
In this episode, Adam welcomes to the Timbre LoBro Studios two creative forces behind Sensorio’s newest and most ambitious exhibit yet—FOSO, the Fiber Optic Symphonic Orchestra , now glowing across 32 towering columns of light in Paso Robles. Bruce Munro , the internationally acclaimed light artist whose work has transformed landscapes around the world, now has five installations at Sensorio, making Paso home to his largest body of work anywhere. And Nainita Desai , one of the most in-demand com...
Apr 16, 2025•41 min
In this episode of Up+Adam, Adam Montiel chats with John Lee Bishop, former megachurch pastor, convicted drug trafficker, and now the author of one of the most jaw-dropping memoirs you’ll read: The Church of Living Dangerously. John Lee Bishop’s story isn’t just a fall from grace—it’s a high-speed nosedive into addiction, crime, prison, and somehow... redemption. From preaching to fifteen thousand people on Easter Sunday to smuggling bricks of weed through the Mexican desert, his life reads like...
Apr 15, 2025•21 min
In today’s episode of Up+Adam, Adam breaks down three wild and wildly different stories making waves on the Central Coast: A homeless man in San Luis Obispo becomes a millionaire after buying a winning scratcher at Sandy’s Liquor downtown. Yeah—that Sandy’s. Former SLO Mayor Heidi Harmon loses her lawsuit, and the fallout is as telling as it is expensive. Adam dives into the details and what it says about local leadership, accountability, and narrative control. In Morro Bay, energy giant Vistra ...
Apr 14, 2025•21 min
