Today on Up+Adam, we’re joined by powerhouse actress and...

On this Halloween episode of Up+Adam, Amy Hargreaves and Landry Bender drop in with a thriller built for tonight. Self-Help follows a young woman who goes undercover inside a self-actualization community to pull her mother away from its dangerously charismatic leader. We talk about power, persuasion, and the thin line between guidance and gaslighting. Amy and Landry open up about the scenes that rattled them, what they protected as co-creators, and why this story sticks to you on the ride home. Self-Help is only in theaters today, October 31, 2025. • Official trailer: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMADDlO0Utg&utm_source=chatgpt.com)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMADDlO0Utg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMADDlO0Utg&utm_source=chatgpt.com) • Showtimes and tickets: (https://www.fandango.com/self-help-2025-242828/movie-overview?utm_source=chatgpt.com)https://www.fandango.com/self-help-2025-242828/movie-overview (https://www.fandango.com/self-help-2025-242828/movie-overview?utm_source=chatgpt.com) • Rotten Tomatoes page: (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/self_help?utm_source=chatgpt.com)https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/self_help (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/self_help?utm_source=chatgpt.com) • Amy Hargreaves on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/amyhargreavesofficial/) • Landry Bender on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/landrybender/)********Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:* Official Website: adammontiel.com* Apple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple Podcasts* Spotify: Up+Adam on Spotify* iHeartRadio:

What does it mean to tell a powerful story with no words? In this episode of Up+Adam, Adam Montiel sits down with Theresa Slobodnik and Blair London, the powerhouse duo behind Ballet Theatre San Luis Obispo (BT-SLO). Theresa, a lifelong choreographer and artistic director, and Blair, a retired engineering professor turned ballet teacher, are proving that ballet isn't just an art form. It’s a soulful, emotional experience that can move audiences of all ages.From honoring mentors and pushing creative boundaries to empowering dancers young and old, Theresa and Blair open up about how their studio and performances create connection, beauty, and real human moments. Whether you're a ballet lover or a total newcomer, this episode will have you seeing dance in a whole new light.Catch BT-SLO’s Upcoming 2026 Season All shows take place at the BlackBox Theatre at Ballet Theatre San Luis Obispo • Feb 21 and 22 – Romantic Moments • Mar 14 and 15 – Youth Showcase: La Boutique Fantasque and The Joy of Musical Theatre • May 23 and 24 – Gems of the Classics • Oct 10 and 11 – Autumn Dances • Dec 12 and 13 – Holiday DelightsTo learn more, get tickets, or sign up for a class, visit • (https://www.bt-slo.org)bt-slo.org (https://www.bt-slo.org) • 3566 S Higuera St #207, San Luis Obispo • 805-440-1439 • info@bt-slo.org (mailto:info@bt-slo.org)********Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:* Official Website: adammontiel.com* Apple Podcasts:

In this episode of Up+Adam, Adam Montiel welcomes Karla ...

In this episode of Up+Adam, we welcome award-winning author and cultural historian Jeff Chang for a powerful conversation about his upcoming book, Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America.This isn’t just about Bruce Lee the legend, it’s about the human behind the icon. The immigrant. The artist. The man navigating masculinity, identity, and expectation in a world that demanded he be a symbol before he could even be himself. Drawing from never-before-seen letters, intimate interviews, and rare archives, Jeff’s new book paints a bold, deeply emotional portrait of Bruce Lee, and the rise of Asian America alongside him.Adam and Jeff talk about what Bruce Lee still teaches us about power, softness, representation, and why his legacy feels even more relevant today than it did in 1973. If you’ve ever felt the tension between who you are and what the world wants you to be, this conversation’s for you.• Get the book: (https://www.harpercollins.com/products/water-mirror-echo-jeff-chang)Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America (HarperCollins) (https://www.harpercollins.com/products/water-mirror-echo-jeff-chang) • Follow Jeff on Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/zentronix)@zentronix (https://www.instagram.com/zentronix) • Learn more about Jeff’s work: (https://www.jeffchang.net/)https://www.jeffchang.net (https://www.jeffchang.net/)********Adam will be leading a live workshop on The Art of the Interview at this year’s Central Coast Writers Conference (http://cuesta.edu/writers-conference), happening September 26–27, 2025 at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo. For details and registration, visit cuesta.edu/writers-conference (http://cuesta.edu/writers-conference)

What do you get when you think you're interviewing Lin-Manuel Miranda… but instead end up with the scholar who might know him even better?In this episode of Up+Adam, Adam Montiel sits down with Daniel Pollack-Pelzner - New Yorker contributor, Shakespeare scholar, and author of Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist. Daniel spent years talking with over 150 people from Lin’s world, his family, mentors, collaborators, and Lin himself - to unpack how a sweet, curious kid from Washington Heights became the most transformative voice in modern musical theater.This conversation isn’t just about Lin, it’s about genius as a slow build, creativity as collaboration, and what it really takes to find your artistic voice. Whether you're a theater geek, a Miranda superfan, or just someone trying to turn inspiration into something real, this one hits deep.Check out Daniel’s book, available now: • Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist - Buy it on Bookshop.orgFollow Daniel: • Twitter/X: (https://twitter.com/dpppollack)@dpppollack (https://twitter.com/dpppollack) • Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/danielpollackpelzner/)@danielpollackpelzner (https://www.instagram.com/danielpollackpelzner/) • More about Daniel’s work: danielpollackpelzner.com (http://danielpollackpelzner.com)********Adam will be leading a live workshop on The Art of the Interview at this year’s Central Coast Writers Conference (http://cuesta.edu/writers-conference), happening September 26–27, 2025 at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo. For details and registration, visit cuesta.edu/writers-conference (http://cuesta.edu/writers-conference)Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:* Official Website:

What do you get when you combine aerospace engineering with live comedy? You get Dane Larkin. As Director and founding board member of the Central Coast Comedy Theater, Dane is helping to ...

Grenache Giddy-Up at The Loading Chute Barn Creston is calling. One grape in three colors - Paso powerhouses pouring in Creston. One grape in three colors inside the Loading Chute Barn. Meghan Ball and Kristen Parker join Adam to talk why Grenache hits in white, rosé, and red, who is pouring, what to pair with a Chute bite, and how that barn turns into a Sunday afternoon party.Event details* Sunday, October 26, 2:00 to 4:30 p.m.* The Loading Chute Barn, 6350 Webster Rd, Creston, CA 93432* Tickets: Grenache Passport $45, General Admission $20, Kids $10, under 3 freeSample pour list Adelaida, Alta Colina, Booker, Caliza, Dilecta, End of the Day, Hawks Hill Ranch, Justin, Shale Oak, Site, Zanoli, Zobèto, Ruakh, and more.Make it a night Pick up bottles at the event, then head into The Loading Chute for dinner after.Links* Event info and tickets: Loading Chute Events (Select PICK UP) (https://loadingchute.hrpos.heartland.us/order) - (they are using their to go order platform to sell tickets)* Venue Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/loadingchute)@loadingchute (https://www.instagram.com/loadingchute)* Meghan Ball Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/vinlumia?utm_source=chatgpt.com)@vinlumia (https://www.instagram.com/vinlumia?utm_source=chatgpt.com)********Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:* Official Website: adammontiel.com* Apple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple Podcasts* Spotify:

Delta Force to Bestseller: The Brad Taylor DebriefIn this episode of Up+Adam, we step into the shadows with Brad Taylor, former Delta Force commander and New York Times bestselling author whose thrillers hit harder because they come from real-world experience. With 21 years in the Army, including eight inside the elite and secretive 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment–Delta, Brad knows exactly how modern conflict moves… quietly, strategically, and often without headlines.His newest novel Into the Gray Zone drops us into modern-day India (pretty damn timely if you ask me), where a lavish wedding turns into a targeted massacre and where terrorism might actually be a high-level play for economic dominance. Through Pike Logan, the relentless Taskforce operator at the heart of the series, we’re pulled through cyber sabotage, rare earth conflicts, and the dark politics of separatism. This is where war lives now…in the space between diplomacy and disaster.We talk about the origin of Pike, the real stories behind Brad’s fiction, and how close we really are to the chaos his novels predict. Spoiler: closer than you think.Into the Gray Zone is out now:* bradtaylorbooks.com (https://www.bradtaylorbooks.com)* Buy the book on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Into-Gray-Zone-Logan-Novel-ebook/dp/B0D2LC27LD/)********Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:* Official Website: adammontiel.com* Apple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple Podcasts* Spotify: Up+Adam on Spotify* iHeartRadio:

On today's episode of Up+Adam, Adam sits down with Jonathan Goldstein, the creator and host of the acclaimed podcast Heavyweight. Known for helping real people revisit the moments that still weigh on them—lost friendships, family fallouts, the apology that never happened—Jonathan brings his signature mix of humor, depth, and emotional precision to a conversation that’s part storytelling masterclass, part human excavation.They talk about the origins of Heavyweight, the ethics of revisiting pain, the stories that still haunt him, and how silence can sometimes say more than any scripted line. This episode is for anyone who’s ever stayed up late thinking, What if I had just said something back then...?If you’re new to Heavyweight, consider this your sign to dive in. And if you’re already a fan, you’re going to love hearing the man behind the mic get a little reflective himself.• Listen to Heavyweight: (https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/heavyweight)https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/heavyweight (https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/heavyweight) • Follow Jonathan on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/heavyweightpodcast/) • More about Jonathan’s work: https://www.pushkin.fm/hosts/jonathan-goldstein (https://www.pushkin.fm/hosts/jonathan-goldstein)********Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:* Official Website: adammontiel.com* Apple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple Podcasts* Spotify:

What if the mountain in front of you wasn’t meant to break you, but to build you?On today’s episode of Up+Adam, Adam Montiel sits down with Joshua Rosa, a nationally recognized speaker, author, and the voice behind the powerful podcast Made For This Mountain. Joshua shares his journey through trauma, redemption, and obedience, inviting listeners into a deeper understanding of faith, failure, and healing.Raised in New Jersey by a proud Dominican mother, Joshua has become a force in the space where authenticity meets ministry. With nearly a million followers across platforms, his message is clear and raw: your scars don’t disqualify you, they qualify you. This conversation dives into manhood, generational cycles, self-betrayal, the spiritual weight of healing, and the cost of choosing purpose over comfort.If you’ve ever felt stuck at the bottom of your own mountain, this episode will remind you—you were made to climb.Connect with Joshua Rosa: • Made For This Mountain Podcast: (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-made-for-this-mountain-po-273843630/)https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-made-for-this-mountain-po-273843630/ (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-made-for-this-mountain-po-273843630/) • Book – Choosing to Do Wrong, Failing to Do Good: (https://www.amazon.com/Choosing-wrong-Failing-good-Joshua/dp/B0D4B15QS8)https://www.amazon.com/Choosing-wrong-Failing-good-Joshua/dp/B0D4B15QS8 (https://www.amazon.com/Choosing-wrong-Failing-good-Joshua/dp/B0D4B15QS8) • Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/_joshuarosa/?hl=en)https://www.instagram.com/_joshuarosa/?hl=en (https://www.instagram.com/_joshuarosa/?hl=en) • YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmnIP09gWXqdvB6CX8lRUNg (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmnIP09gWXqdvB6CX8lRUNg)********Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:* Official Website: adammontiel.com* Apple Podcasts:

She’s photographed the gods of rock, from Pink Floyd and Bob Dylan to Amy Winehouse and Leonard Cohen, and somehow, in the eye of Britpop’s loudest storm, she captured the rise and fall of...

What happens when a football team becomes a time capsule for a country on the edge of change? In this episode, Adam sits down with award-winning journalist and author David Fleming to unpack A Big Mess in Texas, the jaw-dropping, hilarious, and deeply human true story of the 1952 Dallas Texans.You don’t have to know a first down from a fumble to love this story. Whether you're a sports fan or not, this one grabs you with its chaos, characters, and cultural crossroads.From drunken halftime quarterbacks and elephant-dung-covered fields to civil rights standoffs and Klan bombings, this isn’t just the most dysfunctional season in NFL history, it’s a forgotten American epic. David takes us behind the scenes of his years-long research journey, the characters too wild for fiction, and why this story had to be told now.This episode is for the football fan, the history buff, the curious soul, and anyone who knows that sometimes the biggest messes leave the deepest marks.Guest: David Fleming • Book: A Big Mess in Texas: The Incredible True Story of the Dallas Texans • Learn more: https://www.abigmessintexas.com • Order the book: (https://www.amazon.com/Big-Mess-Texas-Incredible-Dysfunctional/dp/1250374305)https://www.amazon.com/Big-Mess-Texas-Incredible-Dysfunctional/dp/1250374305 (https://www.amazon.com/Big-Mess-Texas-Incredible-Dysfunctional/dp/1250374305) • Follow David: (https://twitter.com/FlemFile)https://twitter.com/FlemFile (https://twitter.com/FlemFile)********Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:* Official Website: adammontiel.com* Apple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple Podcasts* Spotify:

In this #TrueCrimeTuesday episode of Up+Adam, Adam Montiel goes deep Inside the Cartel with former FBI Special Agent Martin Suarez, the man known inside the Bureau as its most prolific undercover operative in FBI history, and Ian Frisch, the acclaimed journalist who helped him bring his untold story to life.For 23 years, Suarez lived as “Manny,” infiltrating a Colombian narco empire, smuggling $1 billion in cocaine, and laundering $50 million, all in the name of justice. Now, living with ALS, he’s breaking his silence about the double life that cost him almost everything.Together, Martin and Ian pull back the curtain on the high-stakes world of undercover espionage, the failures of the War on Drugs, and the emotional toll of a life lived in shadows. This is not just a true-crime story; it’s a human one: about identity, faith, family, and the courage it takes to keep telling the truth, even when your voice is fading.* Buy the book: Inside the Cartel on HarperCollins (https://www.harpercollins.com/products/inside-the-cartel-martin-suarezian-frisch)* Follow Ian Frisch: (https://www.instagram.com/ian_frisch/)@ian_frisch (https://www.instagram.com/ian_frisch/)********Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:* Official Website: adammontiel.com* Apple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple Podcasts* Spotify: Up+Adam on Spotify* iHeartRadio:

 UP+ADAM LISTENERS — FOR THE NEXT 48 HOURS, GET SLO OPERA TICKETS FOR JUST $25! USE PROMO CODE: HANSEL25THIS IS MAJOR SAVINGS — SOME TICKETS ARE USUALLY $50, OTHERS UPWARDS OF $100 DEPENDING ON SEATING. DON’T MISS THIS LIMITED-TIME DEAL TO EXPERIENCE WORLD-CLASS OPERA FOR A FRACTION OF THE PRICE.Continuing with Artober coverage on Up+Adam, we’re diving into the whimsical and slightly wicked world of Hansel and Gretel, but not the bedtime story version. Opera San Luis Obispo is pulling out all the stops for their grand production of Engelbert Humperdinck’s beloved opera, featuring a full 60-piece orchestra, massive two-story woodland sets, vivid costumes, and a talented cast of international stars and local youth.Adam sits down with mezzo-soprano Mandi Barrus (Hansel), soprano Amy Goymerac (Gretel), Children’s Chorus Manager Luana Gerardis, and County Superintendent of Schools Dr. James Brescia, who also serves on the OperaSLO board. Together, they talk about the magic of bringing opera to families, why it’s perfect for October and Artober in SLO, and the role of arts in education. Oh, and yes, Adam definitely tries his hand at opera himself in an improvised mini-opera you won’t want to miss.This episode is full of laughs, love for the arts, and a whole lot of talent. Whether you’re an opera lover or totally new to it, Hansel and Gretel is your gateway into something unforgettable.And remember - for the next 48 hours only, Up+Adam listeners can grab tickets for just $25 when you use the promo code HANSEL25 at checkout. Regular ticket prices range from $50 to upwards of $100 depending on your seat, so this is a rare and major opportunity to experience live opera with huge savings.• Get your tickets: (https://www.pacslo.org/events/detail/hanselandgretel25)https://www.

What happens when the dream of reality TV becomes a nightmare? In this episode of Up+Adam

Part of our month-long ARTober on Up+Adam seriesThis week on

She’s been possessed, kidnapped, cloned, and married more times than we can count, and we’ve loved her for every second of it. On this episode of Up+Adam, Adam Montiel sits down with the incomparable Deidre Hall, the woman behind one of television’s most iconic characters: Dr. Marlena Evans of Days of Our Lives.As Days celebrates its upcoming induction into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame, Deidre reflects on her nearly 50-year journey on the show, how it shaped her, and how she’s shaped it in return. We talk legacy, vulnerability, real-life motherhood through surrogacy, and the emotional moment that made even her stop in her tracks. This isn’t just a conversation. It’s a love letter to daytime, to presence, and to a woman who helped redefine what it means to be a TV legend.Support Deidre’s causes: All proceeds from her Days of Our Lives merchandise benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital • deidrehall.com (http://deidrehall.com)You can also shop her hand-painted greeting cards, with proceeds going to Wounded Warriors, on the same site.Follow Deidre Hall on Instagram • (https://www.instagram.com/deidrehall_official/)@deidrehall_official (https://www.instagram.com/deidrehall_official/)********Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:* Official Website: adammontiel.com* Apple Podcasts:

In this #TrueCrimeTuesday episode of Up+Adam, Adam Montiel sits down with Elin Lantz Lesser, award-winning producer, former clinical psychologist, and host of the powerful new podcast (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-americas-crime-lab-63028149/)America’s Crime Lab (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-americas-crime-lab-63028149/).Together, they explore the heartbreak and humanity behind unsolved crimes, and the revolutionary forensic science giving victims and families a voice—sometimes decades after the fact. From the gut-wrenching case of 9-year-old K Rogers to the surprising role of genealogy websites in solving murders, Elin opens up about the emotional toll of telling these stories, how her psychology background shapes her work, and the quiet moments that still echo long after the mic is off.They also dig into:LEARN MORE* Listen to America’s Crime Lab: (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-americas-crime-lab-63028149/)iHeart Podcast Page (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-americas-crime-lab-63028149/)* Elin’s Website: (https://www.elinlantzlesser.com/)ElinLantzLesser.com (https://www.elinlantzlesser.com/)* Minimalism & Simple Living YouTube: (https://www.youtube.com/@elinlantzlesser)https://www.youtube.com/@ElinLesser********Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:* Official Website: adammontiel.com* Apple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple Podcasts* Spotify:

Adam chatted with Lindsey Baruch of Lindsey Eats, a creator with over 1 million followers across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and her blog, about her debut cookbook Something Delicious: 100 Recipes for Everyday Cooking (Ten Speed Press, releases September 30, 2025). They dive into cooking with all five senses, how to build confidence fast with low-fuss techniques, and why “delicious beats pretty” every time. Expect crunchy-creamy eggplant, a legit 30-minute chicken move, wedge salad theater, a pepper mill splurge Adam can’t stop raving about, and easy entertaining pairings that make weeknights feel like an invitation. If you’re cooking today, you’ll walk away with quick wins, pantry power ups, and a couple of sauces you’ll steal immediately.Links & resources:* Website: (https://lindseyeatsla.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)https://lindseyeatsla.com/ (https://lindseyeatsla.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)* Cookbook hub (all retailers): (https://lindseyeatsla.com/cookbook/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)https://lindseyeatsla.com/cookbook/ (https://lindseyeatsla.com/cookbook/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)* Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/lindseyeats/)https://www.instagram.com/lindseyeats/ (https://www.instagram.com/lindseyeats/)* YouTube: (https://www.youtube.com/lindseyeats?utm_source=chatgpt.com)https://www.youtube.com/lindseyeats (https://www.youtube.com/lindseyeats?utm_source=chatgpt.com)* Buy the book, Amazon: (https://www.amazon.com/dp/059383545X)https://www.amazon.com/dp/059383545X (https://www.amazon.com/dp/059383545X)* Buy the book, Bookshop: