Up + Adam with Adam Montiel

In this episode, Adam sits down with the incredibly talented (and ridiculously humble) British actor Finn Cole—best known for his standout roles in Peaky Blinders as Michael Gray and Animal Kingdom as J Cody. But now, he’s front and center in a brand-new thriller that’s got people talking: Last Breath, in theaters now, where he stars alongside Simu Liu and Woody Harrelson in a high-stakes, claustr...

In this episode of Up+Adam, we chat with Paula Froelich, the trailblazing journalist who redefined celebrity news as the deputy editor of Page Six. Now, as the creative force behind The Scoop on NewsNation, Paula continues to deliver unvarnished insights into the world of entertainment. We get into it all—Meghan and Harry, the Snow White disaster, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively’s legal war, and th...

In this electrifying episode of Up+Adam, we dive deep into the untamed history of the 1990s' most iconic music festival: Lollapalooza. Our guests, Richard Bienstock and Tom Beaujour, co-authors of Lollapalooza: The Uncensored Story of Alternative Rock's Wildest Festival, take us on a journey through the festival's inception, its cultural upheaval, and the unforgettable moments that defined a gener...

Why has being in band carried a stigma for so long? And more importantly, how are today’s young musicians proving that being in band isn’t just cool, but a launchpad for creativity, confidence, and success? In this episode of Up+Adam, we dive into the world of high school band, where talent, passion, and community come together in a big way. At San Luis Obispo High School and Laguna Middle School,...

In this episode of Up & Adam, host Adam Montiel brings together two dynamic figures from California's Central Coast: winemaker Michael Brughelli and musician Dan Curcio of Moonshiner Collective. Michael shares insights into his journey from EMT firefighter to vintner, highlighting his latest endeavor, Sacramental Wine , where 100% of the proceeds support the Altadena Community Fund to aid fire...

In this episode of Up+Adam, we sit down with Jason and Erica Redman, co-authors of Mission: Invincible Marriage . Jason, a retired Navy SEAL, and Erica, his steadfast partner, open up about how they built a battle-tested, unbreakable marriage despite the overwhelming odds stacked against them. From surviving Jason’s severe combat injuries to navigating the pressures of military life, they share th...

In this episode of Up+Adam, we dive deep into the phenomenon of St. Fratty’s Day—a student-led celebration that has morphed into one of San Luis Obispo’s biggest public safety challenges. What started as a rowdy college tradition exploded into viral chaos, with moments like the infamous 2015 roof collapse that injured nine people, rooftop raves, and students dangling from power lines. This year, f...

What do professional tennis and stand-up comedy have in common? More than you think. In this episode of Up+Adam, Adam sits down with comedian, The Daily Show senior correspondent, and former pro tennis player Michael Kosta. His new book, Lucky Loser: Adventures in Tennis and Comedy, is a brutally honest and hilarious deep dive into what it takes to chase a dream, fail at it, and find success in an...

Chances are, if you’ve ever had a night out in Paso, SLO, Morro Bay, or Atascadero over the last 20+ years, you’ve seen ‘The Flower Girl’. Dressed to impress, basket in hand, weaving through bars, restaurants, and packed patios, Christine Minkkinen has been making the rounds, selling flowers, and adding a little unexpected romance to the night. But have you ever stopped to wonder—who is she? How d...

In today's #TrueCrimeTuesday edition of Up+Adam, we revisit, 'The Rachel Cancer Scam' with its creator, Harry. This podcast exposes the intricate lies and manipulation alleged of a local woman named Rachel, who is alleged to have faked cancer, pregnancies, and professional credentials, leaving a trail of emotional devastation. Harry, once romantically involved with Rachel, has turned his painful e...

In this episode of Up+Adam, we chat with the dynamic Anna Francese Gass , a chef, cookbook author, and culinary influencer who is redefining Italian cuisine for the modern home cook. You’ve seen her on Good Morning America, TODAY show, and more - Born in Italy and raised in the U.S., Anna's deep-rooted passion for Italian flavors shines through in her innovative approach to traditional dishes. Her...

Up + Adam: Cab Franc Masters, Pet of the Week, & Weekend Events Paso Robles is gearing up for Cab Franc Masters, a two-day event celebrating one of the most intriguing and underrated varietals in the wine world. Today, Adam sits down with Neeta Mitral of LXV Wines and Damian Grimley of Brecon Estate to talk about why Cab Franc is having a moment, what makes this grape so special, and why this...

For one night only, Booker Vineyard is flipping the script and transforming its tasting room into a full-service restaurant—and at the helm of this culinary takeover is none other than Chef Rachel Ponce . Known for her bold, inventive, and interactive dishes, Rachel is teaming up with Micah Park, Booker’s hospitality and events mastermind, to create a dining experience like Paso has never seen bef...

In this episode, Adam sits down with Josh Klapper, owner and winemaker at Timbre Winery, along with Kyle Hollenbeck and Lyla Fernandez, students from Cal Poly's Advanced Experiential Marketing class. They discuss the upcoming event, "Timbre Winery: A Melody of Flavors," happening this Sunday, March 9, at Timbre Winery's production facility in San Luis Obispo. This FREE event is entirely student-le...

It’s True Crime Tuesday, and we’re keeping it local today on Up+Adam! While the big networks are busy covering far-off scandals, we’re digging into a case happening right here in San Luis Obispo. Former probation officer Fallyn Rollins is accused of embezzling over $100,000 from her own union. The DA went public with his frustration over how her bail was handled, throwing accusations of special tr...

Special Publishing of The Pour with Adam Montiel here for the Up+Adam community while in Santa Barbara for World of Pinot Noir. On this episode of The Pour with Adam Montiel, we’re coming to you straight from the 25th Anniversary of the World of Pinot Noir at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara—where the pours are deep, the wines are rare, and the conversations go where no tasting notes can take you. This one...

CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK! ******** Untamed Dinner at At Her Table – March 9 Location: Paso Bamboo, 5590 North River Road, Paso Robles Tickets and event info: AtHerTable.com Moonshiner Collective – Live Performance Moonshiner Collective, the band behind the Up & Adam theme song “Start Again”, will be performing live at Rod & Hammer’s SLO Stills on March 29. Tickets and eve...

In this episode, Adam sits down with Molly Clark, Director of Cal Poly Arts, to talk about the business of performing arts and what it takes to curate a show-stopping season. Molly shares behind-the-scenes insights into booking performances, balancing financial wins with artistic risks, and why some acts resonate while others take time to find their audience. They also discuss the surprising show...

The 15th annual SLO Comedy Festival is back, bringing 40+ top comedians to 10 venues across four days for an unforgettable weekend of stand-up. In this episode, Adam sits down with festival organizers Eric Shantz & Kris Rubio to discuss what it takes to put on one of the biggest comedy events in California. They share behind-the-scenes stories, what makes SLO audiences unique, and the evolutio...

It’s #TrueCrimeTuesday on Up+Adam, and today Adam chats with Leah Rothman, an Emmy-nominated producer, writer, and director who’s worked with A&E, MSNBC, FOX, OWN, Bravo, Lifetime, Universal Pictures, and more. She’s the force behind The Real Killer podcast, a series that takes a hard look at the 1997 murder of Anastasia Whitbols-Fry—a case that seemed closed until new evidence, conflicting wi...

In this episode of Up+Adam, Adam chats with bestselling author and award-winning journalist Michael Cannell to discuss his latest book, Blood and the Badge: The Mafia, Two Killer Cops, and a Scandal That Shocked the Nation. The book dives deep into the true story of Louie Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa, two NYPD detectives who worked as Mafia hitmen while on the city’s payroll. It’s a tale of betr...

In this episode of Up+Adam, we break down the anatomy of the slam dunk. Adam Montiel chats with bestselling author and award-winning journalist Mike Sielski to talk about his latest book, Magic in the Air: The Myth, the Mystery, and the Soul of the Slam Dunk. It’s more than a sports story - it’s about how the dunk became basketball’s ultimate power move, from being banned by the NCAA in the '60s t...

On this episode of Up+Adam, Adam sits down with Thomas Reiss, founder of Kraftwerk Design, one of the Central Coast’s top creative agencies. But this chat isn’t just about design—it’s about what it really takes to build a brand that sticks, especially when AI can generate logos, websites, and copy in seconds. Thomas shares how Kraftwerk uses AI as a creative accelerator—not a replacement—and why b...

Today on Up+Adam, I’m joined by the one and only Adam Carolla—podcast pioneer, comedy legend, and one of the biggest names in the game. He’s coming to SLO to perform at the Fremont Theatre on February 28, and we had a chance to chat about everything from the state of podcasting and radio to stand-up comedy and California politics. And here’s the kicker—despite a career that’s spanned bestselling b...

In this episode of Up+Adam, legal analyst and best-selling author Jeffrey Toobin joins Adam Montiel for a deep dive into one of the most controversial and consequential powers in American politics—the presidential pardon. With insights from his new book, The Pardon: The Politics of Presidential Mercy, Toobin explores historic pardons, the political weight behind them, and the ethical dilemmas they...