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What happens when a spider monkey, an armadillo, and a baby kangaroo walk into the LoBro Studio? You get one of the wildest, most heartfelt conversations ever to hit Up+Adam. In this special two part episode, Adam welcomes David and Lisa Jackson, the powerhouse duo behind Zoo to You, a nonprofit rescue zoo based in Paso Robles that has been connecting humans with animals for over 36 years. From training marine mammals for the Navy to working alongside Jack Hanna and even bringing animals to The Tonight Show, these two have stories that will floor you. More than that, they have built something deeply meaningful. An animal experience that is as much about the heart as it is about the habitat. Whether you are an animal lover, a parent, an educator, or just someone who believes in connection, this episode will move you. • Want to meet a capybara • Pet a porcupine • Sip wine under the stars while kangaroos graze nearby Book your own private encounter or overnight stay here: https://www.zootoyou.org https://www.instagram.com/zootoyouanimals/ This episode of Up+Adam was recorded live at the LoBro Studio in Paso Robles. If you loved this conversation, leave a review, share the episode, and send it to the animal lover in your life. ******** Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music******** CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK! ******** ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE! ******** FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM ********* Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them! Life Elements City of SLO WoodsHumaneSociety Tin City Distillery Original Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner Collective Moonshiner on Spotify HERE Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com  ©2026 Up+Adam with Adam Montiel / LoBro Studios, All Rights Reserved.

Guest: Sina Shakerian | Owner, Head Chef & Grill Master, Shekamoo Grill From Cal Poly engineering student to Central Coast kabob king, Sina Shakerian’s journey is what the American dream tastes like: char-grilled, saffron-slicked, and straight from the soul. In this episode, Adam sits down with the man behind Shekamoo Grill, the Persian food sensation that’s lighting up San Luis Obispo with flame-grilled tradition, family-rooted recipes, and an unwavering love for community. Sina shares how a promise made at the SLO Farmers Market in 2009 became a thriving culinary vision, fueled by faith, sweat, and a little something called shallot yogurt. He opens up about what it means to honor his father’s cooking, collaborate with his powerhouse wife Lindsey, and carry the spirit of Iran on every skewer, all while navigating the emotion of watching his home country in turmoil from thousands of miles away. This conversation is delicious, human, and quietly revolutionary, just like Shekamoo itself. Visit Shekamoo Grill: • In-person at SLO Ranch Farms & Marketplace — 811 Froom Ranch Way, Suite 140, San Luis Obispo, CA • Every Thursday night at the Downtown SLO Farmers Market • Private events, weddings, and catering available Connect with Shekamoo Grill: • Website: shekamoogrill.com • Instagram: @shekamoogrill Hungry yet? Yeah, us too. Press play. ******** Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music******** CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK! ******** ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE! ******** FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM ********* Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them! Life Elements City of SLO WoodsHumaneSociety Tin City Distillery Original Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner Collective Moonshiner on Spotify HERE Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com  ©2026 Up+Adam with Adam Montiel / LoBro Studios, All Rights Reserved.

He’s been called the real-life Indiana Jones, and after this conversation, you’ll understand why. In this episode of Up+Adam, Adam Montiel sits down with world-renowned Egyptologist Dr. Zahi Hawass ahead of the global release of his new documentary, The Man with the Hat. From crawling 60 feet underground to uncover a sealed tomb just days ago, to the mystery chambers still hidden inside the Great Pyramid, Dr. Hawass shares discoveries that sound too wild to be real. And yet, they are. Adam and Dr. Hawass explore what it feels like to be alone with the Sphinx, the emotional toll of protecting a civilization’s legacy, and why, despite everything he’s already uncovered, he believes Egypt is still hiding its greatest secrets. This is more than an interview. It is a journey through time, passion, and purpose. Whether you're a history buff, a documentary lover, or someone who’s just always been captivated by the pyramids, this conversation is for you. • Learn more about Dr. Hawass and his work: www.hawasszahi.com • Watch the documentary The Man with the Hat: www.zahifilm.com • Follow Dr. Hawass on Instagram: @zahi_hawass ******** Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music******** CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK! ******** ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE! ******** FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM ********* Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them! Life Elements City of SLO WoodsHumaneSociety Tin City Distillery Original Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner Collective Moonshiner on Spotify HERE Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com ******** Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music******** CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK! ******** ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE! ******** FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM ********* Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them! Life Elements City of SLO WoodsHumaneSociety Tin City Distillery Original Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner Collective Moonshiner on Spotify HERE Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com

What if the song you can’t stop playing isn’t just a banger... but a breadcrumb? In this episode of Up+Adam, Adam sits down with DJ Hesta Prynn - internationally acclaimed DJ, licensed therapist, and host of the iHeart podcast Music is Therapy. This is not just a conversation about music. It’s about identity, nostalgia, grief, healing, reinvention - and how the songs we return to are often pointing us toward something deeper. Hesta opens up about how music from her teen years shaped her identity, what losing her entire CD collection in college taught her about personal transformation, and how playlists can help us move through grief and joy alike. From Tori Amos and Beastie Boys to the healing power of a perfect transition, this one is packed with insight, energy, and soul. If you’ve ever used a mixtape to get over someone... or found yourself looping one track on repeat for days... you’re going to love this chat. Listen to Music is Therapy on iHeart Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts Follow Hesta Prynn on Instagram: @hestaprynnmusic Explore the podcast directly at: hestaprynn.com/musicistherapy Learn more about Hesta, her work, and upcoming projects: hestaprynn.com Music is Therapy. Your session starts now. ******** Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music******** CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK! ******** ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE! ******** FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM ********* Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them! Life Elements City of SLO WoodsHumaneSociety Tin City Distillery Original Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner Collective Moonshiner on Spotify HERE Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com ******** Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music******** CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK! ******** ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE! ******** FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM ********* Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them! Life Elements City of SLO WoodsHumaneSociety Tin City Distillery Original Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner Collective Moonshiner on Spotify HERE Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com H

HURRY — RESTAURANT MONTH ENDS THIS WEEK Savor exclusive menus and special offers at your favorite local spots, including Beda’s Biergarten, during SLO Restaurant Month. It runs through the end of January, so now is the time to taste something unforgettable. • https://www.visitslo.com/restaurantmonth In this episode of Up + Adam, broadcaster Adam Montiel sits down with Beda Schmidthues, founder of Beda’s Biergarten in San Luis Obispo and one of the most beloved local figures on the Central Coast. After losing his art publishing business during the Great Recession, Beda didn’t rebuild with bitterness. He rebuilt with bratwurst. What started as backyard dinners with friends turned into a full-blown German biergarten where the schnitzel is homemade, the beer is imported, and the sense of belonging is absolutely real. In this heart-filled and often hilarious conversation, Beda shares how starting over led him to his true calling, why a raised German flag once signaled the best dinner party in town, and how community, not capital, built everything he has today. From stories of his childhood in Duisburg to the birth of BedaFest, this is the kind of conversation that sticks to your ribs in the best way. Learn more about Beda’s Biergarten, check out their events, or rent the iconic beer bike at: • https://bedasbiergarten.com • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bedas_biergarten/ ******** Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music******** CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK! ******** ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE! ******** FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM ********* Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them! Life Elements City of SLO WoodsHumaneSociety Tin City Distillery Original Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner Collective Moonshiner on Spotify HERE Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com ******** Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music******** CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK! ******** ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE! ******** FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM ********* Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them! Life Elements City of SLO WoodsHumaneSociety Tin City Distillery Original Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner Collective Moonshiner on Spotify HERE Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com

If you know, you know. And if you don’t…welcome to Brass Mash. This week on Up+Adam, Adam sits down with three members of the Central Coast’s most electrifying live band: founder and fearless leader Colin Dean, saxophone slayer Anna Wilson, and trumpet powerhouse Ben Kerr. Together, they break down the method behind the musical madness. How mashups become dance floor anthems. How they craft shows that cross generations. And why their upcoming March 6 show at the Fremont Theater is their most important gig yet. More than a band, Brass Mash is an experience. Think Britney Spears meets Black Sabbath. Lorde with Dre. Daft Punk colliding with ZZ Top. This is a group that should be playing to 20,000 people a night, and for the first time, they’re stepping into a major venue to prove it. If you’ve ever seen them live, or even just heard the buzz, this is your chance to support something homegrown, one-of-a-kind, and on the verge of something massive. Grab tickets now for their Fremont show on March 6: • prekindle.com/event/53994-brass-mash-san-luis-obispo Learn more about the band and upcoming shows: • brassmash.com • Follow on Instagram: @brassmashband This is the band your favorite band wishes it could be. Tap and play and get ready to mash it up. ******** Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music******** CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK! ******** ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE! ******** FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM ********* Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them! Life Elements City of SLO WoodsHumaneSociety Tin City Distillery Original Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner Collective Moonshiner on Spotify HERE Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com

What happens when one of SLO’s most iconic restaurants changes hands quietly, without fanfare, but with deep emotion and mutual respect? On this episode of Up+Adam, Adam Montiel sits down with Phil Lang, the founder and original owner of Bon Temps, and George Parsons, the new owner stepping into some very seasoned shoes alongside his wife. In this candid, heartfelt conversation, Phil opens up about what it really felt like to let go of the restaurant he built from scratch, what made him say yes to George, and what it meant to feel so seen and celebrated by the community during the handoff. George shares what it’s like to take on a beloved legacy, the delicate dance of honoring what came before while evolving into what’s next, and how he and his wife are bringing new heart into the kitchen. This is not just a story about food. It’s about trust, timing, stewardship, and two people connected by something bigger than business. • Follow Bon Temps on Instagram • Visit Bon Temps online ******** Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music******** CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK! ******** ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE! ******** FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM ********* Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them! Life Elements City of SLO WoodsHumaneSociety Tin City Distillery Original Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner Collective Moonshiner on Spotify HERE Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com

Up+Adam is proud to partner with the City of San Luis Obispo for Restaurant Month 2026, highlighting the chefs, storytellers, and flavor-makers who are feeding the Central Coast in more ways than one. Today, we sit down with one of the most passionate, purpose-driven restaurateurs in town: Kiko Pomalaza, owner of Kiko Peruvian Restaurant & Pisco Bar. What started as a dream in a rundown café space at the Mission Mall has become one of the most soulful, unforgettable dining experiences in San Luis Obispo. Kiko shares how his childhood in Peru, years in luxury hospitality, and love for human connection all come together in every plate, every cocktail, and every conversation inside his restaurant. Kiko Restaurant’s 2026 Restaurant Month Specials: • Three appetizers from a special menu – $35 • Two appetizers and two Pisco drinks – $45 • A three-course dinner experience – $50 Whether you're a longtime fan or have never tried Peruvian food, this episode will make you hungry, inspired, and maybe even rethink what hospitality really means. Visit the restaurant: • Website: https://kikorestaurantslo.com • Location: Mission Mall, San Luis Obispo • Instagram: @kikorestaurantslo ******** Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music******** CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK! ******** ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE! ******** FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM ********* Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them! Life Elements City of SLO WoodsHumaneSociety Tin City Distillery Original Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner Collective Moonshiner on Spotify HERE Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com

When a local business you love is suddenly in transition, the headlines don’t always tell the whole story. In this episode of Up+Adam, Adam sits down with Feben Teffera, co-owner of Ebony, the beloved Ethiopian restaurant in downtown San Luis Obispo that’s been a cultural and culinary anchor for the community. With Ebony now looking for a new home, Feben joins the show to talk about what’s really happening behind the scenes. She opens up about the emotions of this moment, what she wants the community to understand, and how she’s thinking about the future of Ebony. This is the conversation that brings clarity with empathy, honesty, and heart. • Visit Ebony online: https://www.ebony-slo.com • Follow Ebony on Instagram ******** Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music******** CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK! ******** ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE! ******** FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM ********* Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them! Life Elements City of SLO WoodsHumaneSociety Tin City Distillery Original Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner Collective Moonshiner on Spotify HERE Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com

What happens when a 25-year-old journalist says yes to a war zone... before he even knows where it is on the map? In this gripping episode of Up+Adam, Adam Montiel sits down with NewsNation correspondent Robert Sherman, author of Lessons From the Front, a raw, unflinching book that takes us inside the emotional realities of covering war in Ukraine and the Middle East. But this isn’t your typical war reporter memoir. Robert doesn’t pretend to have the answers. He invites you into his questions. And in doing so, he offers something rare: perspective born from humility. Together, they talk about the first rocket, the mother who called Russian soldiers "goblins" to protect her daughter’s mind, and the deep, complicated meaning of the word “home” after witnessing a world torn apart. This conversation isn’t about headlines. It’s about heartlines. It's about what war teaches you when you stop reporting and start listening. Whether you’re a fellow journalist, a student of storytelling, or just someone trying to understand the world a little better, this one’s going to stay with you. • Grab Robert’s book: Lessons From the Front • Explore more of Robert’s work: robertshermantv.com • Follow Robert on Instagram: @robertshermantv • Watch his dispatches and reports via NewsNation: newsnationnow.com/author/robert-sherman ******** Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music******** CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK! ******** ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE! ******** FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM ********* Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them! Life Elements City of SLO WoodsHumaneSociety Tin City Distillery Original Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner Collective Moonshiner on Spotify HERE Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com

Adam Montiel connects with actor, playwright, and director Ronnie Marmo, the powerhouse behind the critically acclaimed one-man show I’m Not a Comedian... I’m Lenny Bruce. Touring the country and now coming to the Clark Center in Arroyo Grande, the show brings the infamous comic and cultural disruptor Lenny Bruce back to life with sharpness, heart, and unflinching honesty. Directed by Tony Award winner Joe Mantegna, Ronnie’s performance dives deep into Lenny’s court battles, his biting satire, and his unapologetic push for freedom of speech. In this episode, Adam and Ronnie explore what it means to portray someone who was once arrested for language and how that conversation still echoes today in an era of cancel culture and cultural overcorrection. They talk legacy, language, vulnerability, and the risks artists take when they decide to tell the truth on stage, in comedy, and in life. • Tickets to I’m Not a Comedian... I’m Lenny Bruce at the Clark Center: https://clarkcenter.org/shows/lenny-bruce/ Socials and Links for the Guest + Show Team: I’m Not A Comedian... I’m Lenny Bruce Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamlennybruce/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IAmLennyBruce/ Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/iamlennybruce Ronnie Marmo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ronniemarmo/ Facebook (Actor Page): https://www.facebook.com/RonnieMarmo.Actor Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/ronnie.marmo Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/realronniemarmo Joe Mantegna Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joemantegna/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joemantegna Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/joemantegna Janelle Gaeta Marmo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janellegaeta/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janellegaeta Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/janellegaeta #IAmLennyBruce #GeneralHospital #CriminalMinds #FreeSpeech #TheMarvelousMrsMaisel ******** Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music******** CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK! ******** ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE! ******** FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM ********* Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them! Original Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner Collective Moonshiner on Spotify HERE Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com

In a town like San Luis Obispo, where pizza spots are on every block and every menu claims to be the best, one name keeps rising to the top: My Friend Mike’s. In this episode, Adam sits down with owner Mike Radakovich, the low-key craftsman behind one of SLO’s most beloved wood-fired pizza joints. They talk about how My Friend Mike’s got its name, why his menu reads more like a love letter than a checklist, and what it takes to stand out in a town already full of great pies. Mike opens up about his creative process, how he balances technique with instinct, and what it feels like when a customer tells you your pizza changed their night. He’s also one of the standout participants in SLO Restaurant Month, and he’s offering a deal you don’t want to miss. Whether you're a pizza fan, a small business dreamer, or just someone who appreciates food with soul, this episode is for you. learn more about slo restaurant month and see all participating restaurants: https://www.visitslo.com/restaurantmonth explore my friend mike’s menu, story, and hours: https://www.myfriendmikes.com follow my friend mike on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myfriendmikes ******** Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music******** CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK! ******** ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE! ******** FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM ********* Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them! Life Elements City of SLO WoodsHumaneSociety Tin City Distillery Original Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner Collective Moonshiner on Spotify HERE Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com

What if the biggest threat to your well-being at work isn’t the workload but your boss? In this episode of Up+Adam, Adam sits down with Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett — an award-winning organizational psychologist, author, and workplace culture expert — for a raw and revealing conversation on how to identify, survive, and escape toxic leadership. Dr. Laura’s latest book, I Wish I’d Quit Sooner: Practical Strategies for Navigating and Escaping a Toxic Boss, isn’t just eye-opening. It’s a lifeline. Together, they unpack the eight toxic boss personas (yes, you’ve met one), how to protect your sanity when you can’t walk away, what to say in the moment without risking your job, and how to heal from years of verbal abuse and manipulation. Whether you’re still stuck, just got out, or leading a team yourself and wondering if you might be the problem — this one’s for you. • Learn more about Dr. Laura: drlaura.live • Listen to her podcast Where Work Meets Life: drlaura.live/podcast • Get the book on Amazon: I Wish I’d Quit Sooner (Paperback & Audiobook) • Follow her on Instagram: @drlaura.live If this episode hit home, share it with someone who’s been quietly surviving at work when they deserve to be thriving. ******** Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music******** CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK! ******** ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE! ******** FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM ********* Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them! Life Elements City of SLO WoodsHumaneSociety Tin City Distillery Original Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner Collective Moonshiner on Spotify HERE Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com

On today’s episode of Up+Adam, Adam Montiel sits down with actor and performer Casey Biggs for a conversation that’s equal parts hilarious, heartfelt, and filled with stardust. Known for his iconic role as Damar on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Casey shares stories from the set, the stage, and his life off the screen. From acting alongside legends to living part-time in Europe with his wife, author and chef Bridget Binns, Casey brings depth and insight to every story. The two talk about the fragility of life, what it means to live like there’s “an inch left,” and how a single line on a sheet of paper changed Casey’s entire approach to time. They also dive into Cass After Dark, a new winter event at Cass Winery in Paso Robles happening Saturday, January 17. With live Americana and folk music, fire pits, mulled wine, and stargazing with Cal Poly’s Astronomical Society, this is not your average night in wine country. Casey shares behind-the-scenes stories about Star Trek, Shameless, Criminal Minds, and even his time on seven Star Trek cruises. A little wine talk, a little Hollywood talk, this episode has it all. Links: • Cass After Dark Tickets • Event Info from Paso Wine • Paso Daily News Article • Casey Biggs on Wikipedia • Startrek.com Interview ******** Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music******** CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK! ******** ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE! ******** FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM ********* Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them! Life Elements City of SLO WoodsHumaneSociety Tin City Distillery Original Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner Collective Moonshiner on Spotify HERE Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com

SLO RESTAURANT MONTH IS HERE If you’ve ever had that smoky crispy melt-in-your-mouth tri-tip from Old San Luis BBQ, you know exactly why Matt Pearce is in a league of his own. On this episode of Up+Adam, Matt joins Adam Montiel to talk about how he traded civil engineering for fire and flavor, building one of the Central Coast’s most beloved barbecue brands from the ground up. From his catering roots to a growing BBQ empire with three locations, Matt shares the origin story behind Old SLO, the family recipes that fuel it (yes, including that granny cake), and what it means to honor the traditions of Santa Maria-style barbecue while still innovating the menu with local love. This month, as part of SLO Restaurant Month, Old San Luis BBQ is rolling out an absolutely stacked special: a Tri-Tip Smash Burger featuring double the ground tri-tip, double cheese, fries, and a drink for just $15. Matt puts it like this: “I put it up against In-N-Out any day.” Come hungry. Expect sizzling stories, local flavor, and a behind-the-grill look at what it takes to turn smoke and oak into something unforgettable. • Learn more about Old San Luis BBQ: oldsanluisbbq.com • See all the SLO Restaurant Month specials and participating spots: visitslo.com/restaurantmonth ******** Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music******** CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK! ******** ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE! ******** FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM ********* Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them! Life Elements City of SLO WoodsHumaneSociety Tin City Distillery Original Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner Collective Moonshiner on Spotify HERE Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com