The Montclair Pod

Montclair Pod LLC

The Montclair Pod is an award-winning podcast that offers a deep dive into the stories, issues, and buzz shaping Montclair, NJ. Hosted by local friends—journalist and financial expert Farnoosh Torabi and MediaFeed founder and CEO Michael Schreiber—we’re here to explore the heart of our vibrant community with curiosity and a dose of neighborly chatter. From the latest drama in Montclair schools to the tangled web of local politics and even the mysteries of our rollercoaster real estate market, we cover the topics you’re already chatting about at the bus stop, the farmer’s market, or over a drink at Tierney’s. Each episode features thought-provoking conversations and special guests, from community leaders to movers and shakers making waves in town. This is your show, too! Share your questions, opinions, critiques, and compliments at MontclairPod.com; you might hear them on an upcoming episode. Subscribe now to The Montclair Pod and join us in spotlighting the culture, stories, and spirited debates that make Montclair more than just a town—it’s home.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 2d ago

    A Substation Vote That Didn’t Happen, a Sculptor in a Fridge, and What Your House Is Worth

    Charlie Spademan makes sculptures out of steel, resin and wood. One of his workspaces at Lackawanna Plaza used to haul refrigerated food. We visit the Montclair artist to hear how he helped create Hillside Sculpture Park, how he got his hands on slabs from a red oak that came down at Hillside School, and what happened when a late-night James Rosenquist installation at Disney ended with breakfast served by Goofy. Spademan also has some thoughts on what it takes for artists to keep working in the town they helped make worth wanting. At the Nov. 10 council meeting, Montclair tabled the redevelopment plan for 205 Claremont Avenue, the Town Hall site. The plan would have allowed several uses, including a PSE&G substation. Mike was in the room and walks us through the debate over when residents could speak and what they wanted the council to make public before moving forward. Catch up on our substation coverage. And in What the Hell Is Going On With That?, Montclair is revaluing every property in town. We explain why Essex County ordered it, what to expect when inspectors come knocking in 2027, and how your new assessment could affect your 2028 tax bill. Plus, what we learned at the township’s budget hearings about rising health insurance costs and a proposal to move 911 dispatch, Cranbury Township’s reported $26 million wire fraud loss, Montclair’s Nov. 12 Finance Committee meeting, and the return of Saturday recycling drop-off at the DPW yard on Nov. 14. Register now for the NJ Small Business Sumit at Montclair State University. Happening on October 21. Use code MONTCLAIRPOD when you register here for $10 off. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  2. Nov 5

    Could Montclair’s Town Hall Become a Power Substation?

    Montclair needs a new electrical substation, and PSE&G is eyeing the site of the municipal building at 205 Claremont Avenue. We talk with Town Manager Stephen Marks and resident Glenn Pascrell and share the Montclair Center BID’s account of why an earlier Bloomfield Avenue site fell through. We also speak with Dave Placek, a developer who's got a stake in the matter. And, of course, PSE&G. We look at how 205 Claremont came up, what the Township and PSE&G have and haven’t shared, and what happens at the Nov. 10 Council hearing. Plus: local election results, the Township’s FY2027 budget hearings, Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s Montclair home hits the market, and The Band’s Last Waltz returns to the Montclair Art Museum this Saturday. Links and sourcesThe Montclair Pod substation explainerTownship FAQ: Municipal Complex Redevelopment Plan and the PSE&G substationOrdinance O-26-39 and the redevelopment plan (PDF)Montclair Local: Montclair probes PSE&G’s substation plans as opposition mountsFY2027 department budget hearings (Nov. 2 and Nov. 9)Montclair Local: Gov. Sherrill’s Montclair home on the marketThe New York Times: Mikie Sherrill lists her Montclair Victorian for $3.5 millionNew York Post: Gov. Mikie Sherrill lists $3.5M NJ homeMansion Global: Sherrill lists Montclair home after moving to the governor’s mansionThe Band’s Last Waltz tickets (Nov. 7, Montclair Art Museum)The Band’s Last Waltz on FacebookNov. 10 Council meeting agenda and livestream Follow us & Get in TouchWatch the show: YouTube ChannelJoin our weekly newsletterFollow us on Instagram @themontclairpodFollow us on NewsBreakSee something in Montclair that needs fixing? Email fixit@montclairpod.com with details and photos.Story ideas? hello@montclairpod.comRegister now for the NJ Small Business Sumit at Montclair State University. Happening on October 21. Use code MONTCLAIRPOD when you register here for $10 off. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  3. Oct 29

    NJ-11 Election 2026: Mejia vs. Hathaway on Taxes, Schools, ICE and Campaign Cash

    This week on The Montclair Pod, Farnoosh Torabi and Mike Schreiber sit down with the three candidates on the ballot for Congress in New Jersey’s 11th District: Rep. Analilia Mejia (D), Joe Hathaway (R) and Alan Bond, who is running under the label “Hope for Tomorrow.” With days to go before the Nov. 3 election, we asked Mejia and Hathaway the same questions on taxes, schools, small business, immigration and money in politics; Bond spoke with us in a shorter interview at his Montclair home. Also in the show: a tease of next week’s report on PSE&G’s proposed substation at 205 Claremont, a bomb threat at an Essex County early voting site, and reports of people being taken off Bloomfield Avenue by agents who appeared to be ICE. Not sure which congressional district you’re in? Montclair is split between NJ-10 and NJ-11, and our Nov. 3 ballot guide explains how to check. Register now for the NJ Small Business Sumit at Montclair State University. Happening on October 21. Use code MONTCLAIRPOD when you register here for $10 off. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  4. Oct 22

    Who Pays for Youth Sports in Montclair? Plus New School Kerfuffle & Film Festival Finale

    This week on The Montclair Pod, Farnoosh Torabi and Mike Schreiber ask what it takes to keep youth sports affordable in Montclair. Their reported package features Peter Daddabbo, who has spent 18 years helping run Montclair United Soccer Club; Michael-John Van Rhyn, who started Montclair Ultimate when his son couldn't find a middle school team; and the volunteers and donors who kept Clary Anderson Arena open. It's set against a national backdrop of rising costs and private equity money moving into clubs, facilities and game streaming. Next, it's closing weekend of the Montclair Film Festival. Farnoosh and Mike recap opening weekend at the Clairidge and the Bellevue, hear from festival photographer Kareem Wilder and Bellevue venue manager Will Kuhn, and preview what's still to come, including Ava DuVernay, Jesse Eisenberg's "The Debut" and closing-night film "Behemoth!" They also run through this weekend's games, from the Essex County cross country championships to Montclair State's Senior Day doubleheader. Also this week: a new "What the Hell" on the drop-off pileup around the new Pre-K on Chestnut Street, Kelly Clarkson's feud with a Brooklyn toy store and how the Pod decides when a bad customer experience is news, Mike's transformation into a zombie, Sam's Table chef Sam Stymest up for New Jersey Chef of the Year, and free water meter replacements for some Montclair households. In this episodeWhat does it take to keep youth sports affordable in Montclair? Montclair United, Clary Anderson Arena and Montclair UltimateKelly Clarkson, the $15,000 mechanical bird and when a bad customer experience is actually newsMike's zombie transformation at East Side MagsWhat the Hell: the Pre-K drop-off pileup on Chestnut StreetNews: this weekend's games, Sam Stymest's Chef of the Year nomination and free water meter replacementsMontclair Film Festival: opening weekend recap and closing weekend preview This weekend's games (Oct. 23–25)Essex County Cross Country Championships (Super Essex Conference)MaxPreps: Montclair High School boys footballMaxPreps: Montclair High School boys soccerMaxPreps: MKA boys footballMaxPreps: MKA boys soccerMontclair State women's volleyball scheduleMontclair State men's soccer scheduleEssex News Daily: Essex County girls soccer tournamentEssex News Daily: Essex County boys soccer tournamentMontclair Local: MHS field hockey and the county tournament NewsNJRHA Awards: Vote for the 2026 Chef of the Year (Sam Stymest, Sam's Table)Sam's TableTownship of Montclair: Water Meter Replacement NoticeSchedule your free meter replacement with MeterTek Utility Services: 833-505-5412 (Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.) or schedule online Follow us & Get in TouchWatch the show: YouTube ChannelJoin our weekly newsletterFollow us on Instagram @themontclairpodFollow us on NewsBreakSee something in Montclair that needs fixing? Email fixit@montclairpod.com with details and photos.Story ideas? hello@montclairpod.comRegister now for the NJ Small Business Sumit at Montclair State University. Happening on October 21. Use code MONTCLAIRPOD when you register here for $10 off. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  5. Oct 15

    BOE Candidates Talk Referendum, a Cornell Alum Speaks Out & the YMCA Steps Saga

    This week on The Montclair Pod, Farnoosh Torabi and Mike Schreiber revisit the Pod's first candidate forum, co-hosted with MPACT, featuring the six candidates running for three open seats on the Montclair Board of Education in the Nov. 3, 2026, election. They play two exchanges: how each candidate voted in the March school referendum, and what academic success should look like for Montclair students. Then they talk through what surprised them. Farnoosh also owns up to a Google Form mishap with the councilor-at-large candidates. Next, longtime friend Allison Fishman Task, a Montclair career coach and former TV cook, joins the show. Her videos went viral after she described what she says she reported about Cornell fraternities as a freshman more than 30 years ago. They come as Cornell University faces a new lawsuit and a reopened criminal investigation. Content note: this conversation involves allegations of sexual assault. Also this week: a new "What the Hell" on why the YMCA stairs in downtown Montclair were closed for months, NJ Transit's five-week Midtown Direct diversion to Hoboken, a proposed protected bike lane on Glenridge Avenue, the Montclair Township newsletter you probably didn't know existed, and Darryl "DMC" McDaniels of Run-DMC headlining a Montclair Helps fundraiser. Farnoosh recaps her yard sale, which Mike missed. Board of Education candidate forumThe Montclair Pod: Montclair Board of Education Election 2026: Meet the CandidatesYouTube: The full MPACT x Montclair Pod candidate forumMPACT: Montclair BOE governance reportThe Montclair Pod: Is Our Board of Ed Working? With MPACT's Dan Hafetz Councilor-at-large raceThe Montclair Pod: Mariana Horta: Seven Questions for Montclair's Councilor-at-Large CandidatesThe Montclair Pod: Antoinette "Toni" Martin: Seven Questions for Montclair's Councilor-at-Large CandidatesThe Montclair Pod: Kyle Porro: Seven Questions for Montclair's Councilor-at-Large CandidatesTownship of Montclair: 2026 General Election (Municipal Vacancy: Councilor-at-Large) Allison Fishman Task on CornellThe Montclair Pod: A Cornell Alumna Spoke About What She Saw. Now She Wants Parents to Talk About Consent.Instagram: Allison Fishman Task's first video about CornellInstagram: Allison Fishman Task's follow-up videoInstagram: @allisontaskcoachAllisonTask.com: About AllisonIBTimes UK: Cornell Alum Says She Reported Disturbing Fraternity 'Spy Room' 30 Years AgoRAINN: National Sexual Assault Hotline, 800-656-HOPE What the Hell resourcesSee something in Montclair that needs fixing? Email fixit@montclairpod.com with details and photos.YouTube: The Bloodhound Gang theme from PBS's 3-2-1 Contact NewsThe Montclair Pod: Portal Bridge Work Sends Montclair Commuters to Hoboken for Five WeeksNJ Transit: Portal cutover schedules and ticket guidanceThe Montclair Pod: Glenridge Avenue Cycle Track Design Goes Before Residents Oct. 28Township of Montclair: Glenridge Avenue Cycle Track Community Meeting, Oct. 28NJDEP: Essex-Hudson GreenwayThe Montclair Pod: Montclair Has a Township Newsletter. Who Knew?Township of Montclair: October 2026 Township Newsletter (PDF)Everbridge: Sign up for the Montclair Township newsletter and alertsThe Montclair Pod: 11 Big Takeaways From Montclair's New Jitney Report EventsThe Montclair Pod: Clean-Life Living in Montclair Puts DMC on Stage for Montclair HelpsZeffy: Tickets for Clean-Life LIVING, Saturday, Oct. 24Montclair HelpsThe Montclair Pod: Montclair's School District Referendum Is Now a Documentary (screening Oct. 21 at Just Jake'sRegister now for the NJ Small Business Sumit at Montclair State University. Happening on October 21. Use code MONTCLAIRPOD when you register here for $10 off. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  6. Oct 14

    Meet the Candidates for Montclair’s Board of Ed

    Six candidates. Three open seats on Montclair’s Board of Education. Who’s asking for your vote—and what do they hope to accomplish? In this bonus episode, The Montclair Pod partners with MPACT, Montclair Partnership for Accountability, Clarity and Trust, to host a forum featuring all six candidates: Andrew W. Gideon, Ayelet Haran, David Moon, Corey Pierson, Richard Reynics and George Simpson. Whether you have children in the district or not, school board decisions help shape our schools, our spending and the future of Montclair. This conversation offers a chance to get beyond the lawn signs before Election Day on Tuesday, November 3. Register now for the NJ Small Business Sumit at Montclair State University. Happening on October 21. Use code MONTCLAIRPOD when you register here for $10 off. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  7. Oct 8

    Uptown Sound Recap: Montclair's Newest Music Festival, Plus the New Documentary About Our Schools

    A nor’easter pushed Uptown Sound back a week, and it still drew a huge crowd. Mike and Farnoosh recap the festival and talk with organizers Dan Campeas and Dayana Ordonez. Plus, filmmaker Craig Schattner on his school-funding documentary Referendum, a What the Hell on the parking ticket cameras headed to Montclair, a shakeup in the Board of Ed race, Church Street comings and goings, and more. In this episodeUptown Sound recap and a conversation with organizers Dan Campeas and Dayana OrdonezCraig Shattner on his documentary Referendum, with a screening at Just Jake’s on Oct. 21What the Hell: parking ticket cameras are coming to MontclairNews: a Board of Ed candidate withdraws, pink paint on Maple Avenue, and Chip City closes as Oggi Gelato opens on Church StreetEvents: Emily Ladau at the Montclair Art Museum What the Hell resourcesMontclair Local: Belleville Has Them. Montclair Is Next: Parking Ticket Cameras Expand in N.J.PIX11: SafetySticks popping up in towns across NJMorristown Green: Cameras catch alleged camera vandal in Morristown SafetyStick pilotCBS New York: Assemblyman says NJ red light camera program brought no improvements6ABC: End is near for red light cameras in New JerseyNew Jersey Legislature: S3218, the School Zone Automated Speed Enforcement and Safety Act NewsMontclair Local: Brandie Bookhart withdraws from the Board of Education race [LINK TK]The Hoboken Girl: Chip City Cookies Is Closing All Locations, Including Hoboken + MontclairThe Montclair Girl: New Gelateria Coming to Montclair at Former Oasis Clothing Boutique Space EventsMontclair Art Museum: Book Talk: Demystifying Disability with Emily Ladau, Monday, Oct. 19Tickets and books for the Emily Ladau event at The Montclair Art Museum Register now for the NJ Small Business Sumit at Montclair State University. Happening on October 21. Use code MONTCLAIRPOD when you register here for $10 off. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  8. Oct 1

    NJ Gov. Mikie Sherrill, Bloomfield Preschool-Church Controversy & 2026 Montclair Film Fest Preview

    This week on The Montclair Pod, a chance encounter with Gov, Mikie Sherril, Montclair Film's Tom Hall previews the 2026 festival, and public tickets go on sale today. Plus: religious signs at a Bloomfield preschool, the lieutenant governor's resignation, a shuttle bus report, and the end(?) of the swim school saga. WHAT'S IN THIS EPISODE We're Signal Awards finalists! Vote for us for Best Local News Podcast and Best Local News Episode by Oct. 15. Be sure to confirm your vote in Signal's email. What the Hell Is Going On With That? Foundations Prep parents push back on religious and political signs posted by Brookdale Christian Church, their landlord. Montclair Film Festival preview: Tom Hall on "Wild Horse Nine," Colbert's conversation with Eisenberg, Giamatti and Moore, why "Referendum" didn't make the cut, and his advice for getting tickets. (tickets) Montclair's jitney: What the township's interim report says about routes, fares and cost. (our 11 takeaways) Swim school denied: The Planning Board votes down SwimQuest on Valley Road. (full story) Lt. Gov. Caldwell resigns: What the investigation found, and how Gov. Sherrill fills the seat. (full story) Sabor Montclair: MFEE's takeout fundraiser, Saturday, Oct. 10. (reserve a meal) One Big Thing: The Fire Prevention Block Party at Nishuane Park runs 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Saturday. Then Uptown Sound takes over Anderson Park, 2–8 p.m. (The Pod is a media partner of Uptown Sound.) Resources & Links From our archive, Montclair Film: Our 2025 festival preview · Last year's episode with Tom Hall · The Arts in Montclair: Voices of the Creators From our archive, MFEE: Our past episodes with MFEE Executive Director Masiel Rodriquez-Vars: [LINK] / [LINK] Montclair Film's full 2026 program Township shuttle bus report Foundations Prep: Who We Are Questions or tips? hello@montclairpod.com Follow us Watch the show: YouTube Channel Join our weekly newsletter Follow us on Instagram @themontclairpod Follow us on NewsBreak Register now for the NJ Small Business Sumit at Montclair State University. Happening on October 21. Use code MONTCLAIRPOD when you register here for $10 off. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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About

The Montclair Pod is an award-winning podcast that offers a deep dive into the stories, issues, and buzz shaping Montclair, NJ. Hosted by local friends—journalist and financial expert Farnoosh Torabi and MediaFeed founder and CEO Michael Schreiber—we’re here to explore the heart of our vibrant community with curiosity and a dose of neighborly chatter. From the latest drama in Montclair schools to the tangled web of local politics and even the mysteries of our rollercoaster real estate market, we cover the topics you’re already chatting about at the bus stop, the farmer’s market, or over a drink at Tierney’s. Each episode features thought-provoking conversations and special guests, from community leaders to movers and shakers making waves in town. This is your show, too! Share your questions, opinions, critiques, and compliments at MontclairPod.com; you might hear them on an upcoming episode. Subscribe now to The Montclair Pod and join us in spotlighting the culture, stories, and spirited debates that make Montclair more than just a town—it’s home.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Montclair Pod LLC
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    102
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Montclair Pod LLC
  • Show Website
    The Montclair Pod

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