Getting Real - Cliff Ponte

Cliff Ponte
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship

Getting Real, hosted by Cliff Ponte, is a Fall River podcast about the people, stories, struggles, and moments that shape a city. Across this first season, Cliff sits down with guests who have lived Fall River from the inside — public figures, business owners, community voices, friends, critics, and people who have found themselves in the headlines. The conversations are personal, direct, and sometimes controversial, but always rooted in understanding the real person behind the reputation. For Cliff, this season is also a chance to show a different side of himself: not just the city councilor, business owner, or public figure moving a hundred miles an hour, but the person behind it all. Through honest conversations about ambition, setbacks, perseverance, politics, community, and second chances, Getting Real invites listeners to see Fall River — and the people who help define it — with more depth, more honesty, and a little more humanity.

Episodes

  1. 5h ago

    Marcel Riley from Mae's Playground

    Marcel Riley never expected to lead a citywide movement. He is a Fall River maintenance worker and father trying to create a sensory space for his autistic daughter. But after his fiancée was diagnosed with cancer—and the community rallied around his family—Marcel saw an opportunity to return that support. In this episode, Marcel shares how a backyard sensory board, a petition and an outpouring of community support grew into Mae’s Playground: an inclusive sensory playground planned for Abbott Court. He discusses the families driving the project, the thoughtful features being designed for children of all abilities, and what Fall River’s response has taught him about advocacy, generosity and the power of showing up for your neighbors. Resources Mentioned Mae's PlaygroundDoug Flutie Jr. Foundation for AutismNoah’s Place Playground

  2. Jul 20

    Will Flanagan

    Former Fall River Mayor Will Flanagan joins Cliff Ponte for the debut episode of the podcast—and the conversation goes far beyond politics. Will reflects on his unexpected rise to the mayor’s office, the recall election that abruptly ended his administration, and whether he would ever run again. He also shares the remarkable story of surviving a near-fatal stabbing, the difficult road back, and how the experience reshaped his priorities. The conversation also explores Fall River’s economic challenges, the changing political landscape, entrepreneurship, and why Will believes artificial intelligence will transform nearly every part of modern life.

  3. Episode 1

    Season 1 Trailer

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About

Getting Real, hosted by Cliff Ponte, is a Fall River podcast about the people, stories, struggles, and moments that shape a city. Across this first season, Cliff sits down with guests who have lived Fall River from the inside — public figures, business owners, community voices, friends, critics, and people who have found themselves in the headlines. The conversations are personal, direct, and sometimes controversial, but always rooted in understanding the real person behind the reputation. For Cliff, this season is also a chance to show a different side of himself: not just the city councilor, business owner, or public figure moving a hundred miles an hour, but the person behind it all. Through honest conversations about ambition, setbacks, perseverance, politics, community, and second chances, Getting Real invites listeners to see Fall River — and the people who help define it — with more depth, more honesty, and a little more humanity.

Information

  • Creator
    Cliff Ponte
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    3
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Cliff A Ponte Inc 2026