Media Monday: Live! with Ron Klopfanstein

Ron Klopfanstein
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Media Monday: Live! with Ron Klopfanstein brings you conversations with the people creating, informing, and shaping our communities. Join award-winning journalist Ron Klopfanstein for interviews with writers, actors, musicians, artists, journalists, community leaders, and newsmakers. Each episode explores their work, ideas, and experiences, alongside feature stories about local events and issues that matter. Rooted in Utica and the Mohawk Valley, this independent show connects local voices with broader conversations about arts, culture, media, and community life. New episodes every Monday!

  1. Oct 20

    Wood Creek Hollow, Brian Herrington, LGBTQ+ Rights, Adriana Primadonna & Supillar | Media Monday: Live! | S3: E4

    Halloween scares, community connections, LGBTQ+ rights, live music, and local artists—join Ron Klopfanstein for Media Monday: Live! from the Tramontane Café in Utica. First, Ron, Lily Christopher, and Jim Hale venture into Wood Creek Hollow’s Psycho Path. It’s Lily’s first haunted-house experience! Meet the people behind the scares and hear how classic horror films inspired owner Patrick’s vision. Brian Herrington, owner of 1-Up Wellness, discusses building a welcoming fitness community, supporting charitable causes, and helping small businesses through Level Up Local. The free community shopping event takes place Saturday, October 24, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 2428 Chenango Road in Utica. Our LGBTQ+ Rights Rally report features voices on family, safety, equality, and concerns about Title IX protections. The rally was organized by the Oneida County Pride Alliance and Indivisible Mohawk Valley. Singer, songwriter, and producer Adriana Primadonna returns to discuss creativity, the influence of her grandmother, and showing up fully for yourself and others. She also performs her song “10 X 10.” Finally, we visit the Supillar art show at Super Official coffee house in Rome. Local artists discuss community, making art accessible, and their concerns about AI’s impact on creative work and their livelihoods. Plus, hear what’s happening at the Tramontane Café! Enjoy the episode? Like, share, and follow Media Monday: Live! for more independent local stories, interviews, and performances. New episodes arrive Mondays. Recorded October 14, 2026.Episode released October 19, 2026. Host/Producer: Ron KlopfansteinDirector / AI Content Producer: Jim HaleAssociate Producer/Correspondent: Lily ChristopherEntertainment Correspondent: Nabil Khan Thanks to our sponsor and venue, the Tramontane Café, 1105 Lincoln Avenue in Utica. Join our live audience Wednesdays at 3:30 p.m., and enjoy some food or a drink while we record.

  2. Oct 19

    Magda’s Story, Ihor Semko & Big Grizzley | Media Monday: Live! | S3: E3

    Theatre, everyday issues, and local music on the October 12, 2026 episode of Media Monday: Live! with Ron Klopfanstein, recorded at the Tramontane Café in Utica. 🎭 MAGDA’S STORYDirector Suzanne Rodio and actors Valerie Abel and Ben Gelfuso discuss DramaSphere Theatricals’ production of Magda’s Story and their work bringing it to the stage. 🗳️ IHOR SEMKOThe candidate for New York State Assembly’s 122nd District shares his priorities on health care, utility bills, and staying connected with constituents. He also discusses his family’s experience with rising costs. Learn more:https://www.semkoforassembly.com/ 🎵 BIG GRIZZLEYReturning guest Big Grizzley joins Ron for a conversation about his music. Thanks to the Tramontane Café for supporting the show!1105 Lincoln Avenue, Utica, NY Watch this episode on YouTube:https://youtu.be/ScpjEy5KrUw Like, share, and follow Media Monday: Live! for more interviews, local voices, and community stories. 👍😎

  3. Oct 12

    Magda’s Story, Ihor Semko & Big Grizzley | Media Monday: Live! | S3: E3

    Theatre, issues affecting local families, and music—this week on Media Monday: Live! with Ron Klopfanstein, recorded at the Tramontane Café in Utica. Director Suzanne Rodio and actors Valerie Abel and Ben Gelfuso discuss Magda’s Story, presented by DramaSphere Theatricals. New York State Assembly candidate Ihor Semko shares his priorities for the 122nd District. We discuss health care, utility bills, community engagement, and his own family’s experience with rising costs. Plus, returning guest Big Grizzley joins us to talk about his music. Watch the episode:YouTube: https://youtu.be/ScpjEy5KrUwTikTok: https://shorturl.at/UnIiN Thank you to the Tramontane Café for supporting Media Monday: Live! Visit them at 1105 Lincoln Avenue in Utica, and find them on Facebook for upcoming events. Host/Producer: Ron KlopfansteinProducer/Audio Engineer: Jim HaleAssociate Producer/Correspondent: Lily ChristopherEntertainment Correspondent: Nabil Khan Originally released October 12, 2026.

    Magda’s Story, Ihor Semko & Big Grizzley | Media Monday: Live! | S3: E3

  4. Oct 6

    Media Monday: Live! S3: E2 | Dr. Zachary Willis · Oneida County NAACP · Obama & Prince Harry · Zeus Le

    Media Monday: Live! — Season 3, Episode 2Hosted by Ron Klopfanstein Relationships, community involvement, reporting, and photography come together in this episode, recorded with a live audience at Utica’s Tramontane Café. IN THIS EPISODE • Dr. Zachary Willis & Aaron WoodmanAuthor Dr. Zachary Willis discusses his books, self-awareness, and healthy relationships. Aaron Woodman joins the conversation from the Oneida County NAACP to discuss the branch’s work and upcoming Freedom Fund Dinner. • Lily Christopher: Covering Obama & Prince HarryOur associate producer and correspondent shares her experiences covering former President Barack Obama’s visit and Prince Harry in New York City. The episode includes her reports from both assignments. • Photographer Zeus LeUtica photographer Zeus Le joins Ron to discuss his work behind the camera, including photography, live streaming, and video editing. CREDITS Host/Producer: Ron KlopfansteinProducer/Audio Engineer: Jim HaleAssociate Producer/Correspondent: Lily ChristopherEntertainment Correspondent: Nabil Khan Recorded September 30, 2026.Episode premiere: October 5, 2026. VENUE & SPONSOR Tramontane Café1105 Lincoln Avenue, Utica, New YorkFind Tramontane Café on Facebook for upcoming events and details. WATCH THE FULL EPISODE YouTube: https://youtu.be/ORrb7gtOyQg Subscribe for new episodes, interviews, feature stories, and more independent journalism. New episodes arrive Mondays. #MediaMondayLive #IndependentJournalism #Utica

    Media Monday: Live! S3: E2 | Dr. Zachary Willis · Oneida County NAACP · Obama & Prince Harry · Zeus Le

  5. Sep 29

    Media Monday: Live — S3:E1 | Ryan Nobles, Pete Coulter, Brendan Maslauskas-Dunn, “Biker” Dave Paul, Amelia Edwards & March for Animals

    Media Monday: Live — S3:E1 Media Monday: Live begins a new independent chapter with a packed Season 3 premiere, recorded in front of a live audience at Tramontane Café in Utica, New York. In this episode: • Ryan Nobles — NBC News Congressional Correspondent, on journalism, fact-checking, media trust, and his Central New York roots. • Pete Coulter — writer, creator, and producer of Carrion Creek. • Brendan Maslauskas-Dunn — international war correspondent, discussing the realities of reporting from conflict zones. • “Biker” Dave Paul and Amelia Edwards — on the record-setting 327-bike burnout event at Harley-Davidson of Utica and the story behind it. Plus, a special feature on the March to Abolish Animal Testing as it passed through Marcy, New York, including the story of Jane, a rescued beagle whose life changed after leaving a breeding facility. Media Monday: Live brings together journalism, culture, community stories, and conversations with people making an impact across Central New York and beyond. Hosted by Ron Klopfanstein. Production: Jim Hale — Producer / Audio Engineer / Photojournalist / AI Content Producer Lily Christopher — Associate Producer / Journalist / Correspondent Nabil Khan — Entertainment Correspondent Recorded at Tramontane Café in Utica, New York. #MediaMondayLive #Journalism #VideoPodcast #UticaNY #CentralNewYork #IndependentMedia

    Media Monday: Live — S3:E1 | Ryan Nobles, Pete Coulter, Brendan Maslauskas-Dunn, “Biker” Dave Paul, Amelia Edwards & March for Animals

  6. Sep 17

    S2:E51 | YWCA Billboards, Sculpture Space CHAIRity Art Auction & Utica Zoo Wildlife Festival

    This week on Hot Seat: Media Monday, we celebrate women’s leadership, explore the power of public art and take you inside a day of wildlife, science and family fun. Michelle McCarrick of YWCA Mohawk Valley joins us with Salute Academy alumnae to discuss the organization’s new billboard campaign celebrating local women leaders—and why publicly recognizing their faces, accomplishments and contributions matters. Then Tom Montan, Executive Director of Sculpture Space, previews the 2026 CHAIRity Art Auction. The online auction runs September 11–18 and culminates in a live Wrap Party and auction close on Friday, September 18, from 5–9 PM at Sculpture Space, 12 Gates Street in Utica. The fundraiser supports Sculpture Space and its internationally recognized artist-in-residence program. Finally, Lily Christopher and I visit the Wildlife Festival, where the Utica Zoo and New York Energy Zone bring together animals, conservation, electricity, art and hands-on learning. Kaylee Zagrino, Community Relations Manager at the New York Energy Zone, introduces us to an annual event featuring more than 40 interactive exhibits, wildlife activities, vendors, face painting, chainsaw sculpture—and a little Frozen magic. CREDITS Host and Producer: Ron KlopfansteinAudio Engineer: Jonathan Brooks/DJ J-EasyPhotojournalist and AI Content Producer: Jim HaleAssociate Producer/Journalist: Lily ChristopherEntertainment Correspondent: Nabil KhanPhotojournalism and Technology: Jameson Conley Originally aired September 14, 2026, on 95.5 FM The Heat. Watch full episodes and features: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RonKlopfansteinUtica Phoenix: https://UticaPhoenix.net/MediaMondayFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ronklopfansteinTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ronklopfanstein Please follow, rate and share the show to support local journalism. All the stories. All the culture. All in one show. Meet me in the Hot Seat. 👍😎 #MeetMeInTheHotSeat #MediaMonday #YWCA #SculptureSpace #CHAIRityArtAuction #UticaZoo #NewYorkEnergyZone #UticaNY #MohawkValley #LocalJournalism

  7. Sep 11

    Hot Seat: Media Monday S2:E50 — 75 Years of Wisdom, Liberty, Lifelong Learning and Live Music

    In the Season Two finale of Hot Seat: Media Monday, Ron Klopfanstein celebrates a milestone birthday, explores the meaning of liberty across nearly 250 years and discovers how learning and creativity can enrich every stage of life. Cassandra Harris Lockwood celebrates her 75th birthday by sharing lessons from a lifetime of creativity, activism, journalism, leadership and community service. In the feature story From Muskets to Ballots: Liberty—Then and Now, Revolutionary War living history at Fort Stanwix is placed alongside a separately organized Protect the Vote demonstration in Rome. Together, the events raise an enduring question: What responsibility do we have to protect the liberty previous generations fought to establish? Dawn Laguerre and Nancy Ketz discuss the Mohawk Valley Institute for Learning in Retirement and its opportunities for retired and semi-retired adults. Musician and performer Donna Ray also shares what she has been working on, including her work with the Utica-area band Screaming Nurse. Hosted and produced by Ron Klopfanstein. Photojournalism and AI content production by Jim Hale. Audio engineering by Jonathan Brooks, DJ J-Easy. . O/!dawn.music.press and Summer. Lechowicz discuss chamber music. They share insight into live performance, collaboration, and why classical music continues to matter in a changing cultural landscape. Listen to Hot Seat: Media Monday on 95.5 FM The Heat and find more episodes at: https://UticaPhoenix.net/MediaMonday

    Hot Seat: Media Monday S2:E50 — 75 Years of Wisdom, Liberty, Lifelong Learning and Live Music

  8. Sep 3

    S2:49 | Royal Roots · Allen Guy Wilcox · Homelessness · Sleep in Heavenly Peace · Branwen Rhiannon Drew

    Lily Christopher co-hosts the full hour as we spotlight theater, poetry, culture and community—and give people across the Mohawk Valley a platform to tell their stories. We begin at Hanna Park, where Utica Royalties holds its first Royal Roots & Rhythms Festival. Founding Executive Director Hawa Peters and young performers discuss culture, community and taking pride in their roots. Ron samples Sobolo from Randy at Akwaaba Kitchen and speaks with author Dr. Zachary Willis. Actor, poet and Theater at Woodshill founding artistic director Allen Guy Wilcox joins us to discuss making professional theater accessible in the Mohawk Valley. Allen talks about playing Caliban in William Shakespeare’s The Tempest, the working life of an actor and his debut poetry collection, The Red Goose. He also reads “At the Dinner Table at Night.” Outside the Utica Public Library, a pregnant woman describes living without safe housing, prenatal care or enough food. Ron also shares the response he received from a supervisor in the emergency housing unit of Oneida County’s Department of Family and Community Services. The supervisor identified the severe shortage of affordable housing as the larger obstacle facing people seeking help. Ron then joins the United Way of the Mohawk Valley to help deliver beds while representing 95.5 FM The Heat. Bill Gagnon, president of the local Sleep in Heavenly Peace chapter, explains how the organization builds and delivers more than 600 beds each year. Volunteer Jim Learned describes what those beds mean to the children receiving them. Finally, poet, artist and library volunteer Branwen Rhiannon Drew responds in her own words after becoming the target of an anti-transgender Facebook post. She discusses identity, visibility, coming out and the role poetry has played in expressing her experiences. Branwen reads “The Problem Is Not” and “I Will Not Be Erased.” Host and Producer: Ron KlopfansteinCo-host: Lily ChristopherPhotojournalist and AI Content Producer: Jim HaleStudio Engineer: Dave Dancy, filling in for Jonathan Brooks/DJ J-Easy Originally aired August 31, 2026, on Hot Seat: Media Monday on 95.5 FM The Heat. Listen live Mondays from 5–6 p.m. at:https://955theheat.com Find show replays and links at:https://uticaphoenix.net/mediamonday Theater at Woodshill:https://woodshill.org Content note: This episode discusses homelessness, pregnancy, suicidal statements and anti-transgender harassment.

    S2:49 | Royal Roots · Allen Guy Wilcox · Homelessness · Sleep in Heavenly Peace · Branwen Rhiannon Drew
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About

Media Monday: Live! with Ron Klopfanstein brings you conversations with the people creating, informing, and shaping our communities. Join award-winning journalist Ron Klopfanstein for interviews with writers, actors, musicians, artists, journalists, community leaders, and newsmakers. Each episode explores their work, ideas, and experiences, alongside feature stories about local events and issues that matter. Rooted in Utica and the Mohawk Valley, this independent show connects local voices with broader conversations about arts, culture, media, and community life. New episodes every Monday!

Information

  • Creator
    Ron Klopfanstein
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    98
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Ron Klopfanstein