In this episode of Up+Adam, Adam Montiel chats with Taylor Jenisch, producer of the groundbreaking documentary The Death of Recess. This film is a deeply moving and eye-opening exploration of how our education system is failing our children by clinging to an industrial-era model that treats students like factory workers instead of creative, curious individuals. Through a decade of research, Taylor and the team shine a light on what’s broken and explore inspiring global solutions, from Finland’s student-focused system to innovative approaches here in the U.S.



If you care about the future of education, this conversation is a must-listen. Don’t miss Taylor’s insights into the making of the film and his passionate call for meaningful reform.

Links to Explore

• Watch The Death of Recess: Official Website
• Burning Boat Films: Website
• Taylor’s IMDB: IMDB Profile
• Follow Taylor on Instagram: @BurningBoatFilms

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Breaking and Entering Jingle Jam is officially happening! This is a chance for all of us to come together, raise some funds for our Breaking and Entering Christmas mission, and celebrate the season with some great local music. Mark your calendars for Friday, December 13th, at SLO Brew Rock—now called Rod and Hammer’s Rock. We’ve got an amazing lineup including Damon Castillo, Dante Marsh, Josh Rosenblum, Kenny Lee Lewis from the Steve Miller Band, and Michael Venia from Carbon City Lights. More artists are being added as we speak, and I couldn’t be more excited to see how this is coming together. I’ll have more info next week on how to get your tickets, but in the meantime, head over to adammontiel.com to learn more, donate, or support our Breaking and Entering Christmas efforts. Let’s make this holiday season special for a family who truly needs it.

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ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE!

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For more behind-the-scenes moments and additional content, follow Adam on Instagram at @adamontheair HERE.

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NEW EPISODE OF THE POUR OUT NOW FROM OUR TIME IN THE LOIRE VALLEY

Sincere Thanks to the 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!

Window Coverings By Design

Barometer Coffee

We Help You Legal

General Store Paso Robles

Daou Vineyards

WoodsHumaneSociety

Tin City Distillery

Original Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner Collective

Moonshiner on Spotify HERE

Follow Adam on Instagram

Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com

In today’s episode of Up+Adam, Sheriff Ian Parkinson joins us to talk about the annual Sheriff’s Christmas Bicycle Giveaway—a program that has been running for 35 years, bringing joy to children across San Luis Obispo County. Sheriff Parkinson discusses the importance of this initiative, which not only provides bikes to children in need but also gives inmates an opportunity to learn a new trade and give back to their community.

Additionally, we tackle everything from the ongoing fentanyl crisis and its impact on SLO County, to what Thanksgiving and Christmas is like in jail.

For more information about Sheriff Ian Parkinson and the programs discussed, visit the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office website: Sheriff’s Office BIke Giveaway Information

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ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE!

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For more behind-the-scenes moments and additional content, follow Adam on Instagram at @adamontheair HERE.

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NEW EPISODE OF THE POUR OUT NOW FROM OUR TIME IN THE LOIRE VALLEY

Sincere Thanks to the 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!

Window Coverings By Design

Barometer Coffee

We Help You Legal

General Store Paso Robles

Daou Vineyards

WoodsHumaneSociety

Tin City Distillery

Original Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner Collective

Moonshiner on Spotify HERE

Follow Adam on Instagram

Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com

Clay Aiken, who's making a daring return to music with his new holiday album, Christmas Bells Are Ringing. After a decade-long hiatus, Clay opens up about reinventing classic Christmas songs, including a cinematic spin on "Do You Hear What I Hear?" that's set to redefine your seasonal soundtrack. Adam and Clay bond over our shared obsession with the Carpenters and the timeless magic of Karen Carpenter's voice, which inspired his rendition of "Merry Christmas, Darling." Clay gets real about life after politics, why he's choosing joy over division, and how a spontaneous call from Ruben Studdard reignited his passion for performing. And as a special treat, Adam’s sister Angie—Clay’s biggest fan—jumps into the conversation, leading to some unforgettable moments.

Connect with Clay Aiken:



• Website: www.clayaiken.com
• Instagram: @clayaiken
• Twitter: @clayaiken
• Facebook: Clay Aiken Official
• Stream or Purchase Christmas Bells Are Ringing:
• Spotify

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ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE!

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For more behind-the-scenes moments and additional content, follow Adam on Instagram at @adamontheair HERE.

*********

NEW EPISODE OF THE POUR OUT NOW FROM OUR TIME IN THE LOIRE VALLEY

Sincere Thanks to the 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!

Window Coverings By Design

Barometer Coffee

We Help You Legal

General Store Paso Robles

Daou Vineyards

WoodsHumaneSociety

Tin City Distillery

Original Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner Collective

Moonshiner on Spotify HERE

Follow Adam on Instagram

Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com

In this special episode of Up+Adam, Adam Montiel welcomes the multifaceted Danica McKellar to the show. Well-known for her iconic role as Winnie Cooper on the landmark series "The Wonder Years," Danica shares how she was up for the role against her own sister—a competition that ultimately shaped her journey in acting.

We dive into her latest film, "A Cinderella Christmas Ball," premiering Friday, November 29th at 8/7 Central on Great American Family. This film is particularly special as it marks Danica's first writing credit, in addition to starring and executive producing.



Beyond the screen, Danica is a New York Times bestselling author of math books designed to inspire and empower kids, especially young girls, to embrace mathematics. Since 2007, she has sold over two million copies, and her books can be found at McKellarMath.com.

Links:

• Danica McKellar's Math Books: McKellarMath.com
• Instagram: @danicamckellar
• Twitter: @danicamckellar
• Great American Family: GreatAmericanFamily.com
• Great American Christmas Festival Tickets: GACFestival.com
• Watch the Trailer for "A Cinderella Christmas Ball": YouTube

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ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE!

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For more behind-the-scenes moments and additional content, follow Adam on Instagram at @adamontheair HERE.

*********

NEW EPISODE OF THE POUR OUT NOW FROM OUR TIME IN THE LOIRE VALLEY

Sincere Thanks to the 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!

Window Coverings By Design

Barometer Coffee

We Help You Legal

General Store Paso Robles

Daou Vineyards

WoodsHumaneSociety

Tin City Distillery

Original Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner Collective

Moonshiner on Spotify HERE

Follow Adam on Instagram

Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com

In this episode of Up+Adam, host Adam Montiel takes a journey that's truly out of this world—literally! With all the recent buzz about UAPs (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena) and UFOs, we're diving deep into what to make of it all. Joining us is our good friend Patrick Brooks. You've heard Patrick on the show before as the master distiller and co-owner of Tin City Distillery, but today, we're swapping spirits for spaceships!

Adam and Patrick engage in a thought-provoking conversation that explores recent congressional hearings with all the "X-Files" vibes, whistleblower allegations about secret government programs like "Operation Immaculate Constellation," and the intriguing idea that while we've been looking to the stars, perhaps we should have been looking into our own oceans for answers.

From discussing the potential risks these phenomena pose to national security to emphasizing the importance of shedding the stigma around UAP discussions, this episode is as engaging as it is enlightening. Together, they question what we know, what we believe, and what the government might be keeping under wraps.



Links to Patrick Brooks' work and social media handles:

• Tin City Distillery Website: www.tincitydistillery.com
• Instagram: @tincitydistillery

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ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE!

********

For more behind-the-scenes moments and additional content, follow Adam on Instagram at @adamontheair HERE.

*********

NEW EPISODE OF THE POUR OUT NOW FROM OUR TIME IN THE LOIRE VALLEY

Sincere Thanks to the 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!

Window Coverings By Design

Barometer Coffee

We Help You Legal

General Store Paso Robles

Daou Vineyards

WoodsHumaneSociety

Tin City Distillery

Original Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner Collective

Moonshiner on Spotify HERE

Follow Adam on Instagram

Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com

In this episode of Up+Adam, Adam sits down with John and Kim Kelliher, the founders of Grapeline Wine Tours, a top-rated wine tour company operating across five major California wine regions. Since 2002, the Kellihers have been crafting unique, personalized experiences that celebrate the distinct charm of each area they serve. From learning how they adapt to the local wine community in places like Paso Robles to hearing the challenges of growing a multi-regional business, this conversation dives deep into what makes Grapeline a leader in wine tourism.

Adam shares his own experiences with Grapeline, highlighting their attention to detail and personal touches, and explores how John and Kim have kept their passion alive after more than two decades in the industry. Whether you’re a wine lover or just curious about the behind-the-scenes of creating unforgettable tours, you’ll love this episode.



Links from the show:

• Visit Grapeline Wine Tours: gogrape.com
• Follow Grapeline on Instagram: @gograpeline

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ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE!

********

For more behind-the-scenes moments and additional content, follow Adam on Instagram at @adamontheair HERE.

*********

NEW EPISODE OF THE POUR OUT NOW FROM OUR TIME IN THE LOIRE VALLEY

Sincere Thanks to the 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!

Window Coverings By Design

Barometer Coffee

We Help You Legal

General Store Paso Robles

Daou Vineyards

WoodsHumaneSociety

Tin City Distillery

Original Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner Collective

Moonshiner on Spotify HERE

Follow Adam on Instagram

Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com

Today on Up+Adam, we’re welcoming back a friend and favorite local chef, Jacob Towne of The Spoon Trade in Grover Beach. Jacob and his partner, Brooke, have transformed The Spoon Trade into a Central Coast staple that’s earned attention well beyond California. In September, they were featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, putting the spotlight on their unique blend of scratch-made dishes and commitment to fresh, local ingredients. And if that wasn’t enough, Jacob recently took his culinary talents to Guy’s Grocery Games, walking away as the latest champion after facing off in some wild challenges.

We get into everything: the creativity behind The Spoon Trade’s menu, the one dish he thinks best captures their vibe, his time in Flavortown, and how he and Brooke juggle it all—including Grover Beach Sourdough, their artisan bakery just across the street. Listen in for the behind-the-scenes stories, insights on what’s next for this culinary team, and a look at how national exposure has shaped The Spoon Trade’s future.

Follow Jacob & Brooke at The Spoon Trade on Instagram at @the_spoon_trade, and check out Grover Beach Sourdough at @groverbeachsourdough. Visit their official website at thespoontrade.com for their menu, hours, and reservation options. Don’t miss your chance to experience their creations in person at The Spoon Trade in Grover Beach!

*********

ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE!

********

For more behind-the-scenes moments and additional content, follow Adam on Instagram at @adamontheair HERE.

*********

NEW EPISODE OF THE POUR OUT NOW FROM OUR TIME IN THE LOIRE VALLEY

Sincere Thanks to the 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!

Window Coverings By Design

Barometer Coffee

We Help You Legal

General Store Paso Robles

Daou Vineyards

WoodsHumaneSociety

Tin City Distillery

Original Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner Collective

Moonshiner on Spotify HERE

Follow Adam on Instagram

Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com