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 Klopfanstein
Audio Engineer: Jonathan Brooks/DJ J-Easy
Photojournalist and AI Content Producer: Jim Hale
Associate Producer/Journalist: Lily Christopher
Entertainment Correspondent: Nabil Khan
Photojournalism 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/@RonKlopfanstein
Utica Phoenix: https://UticaPhoenix.net/MediaMonday
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ronklopfanstein
TikTok: 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

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.

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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

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 Klopfanstein
Co-host: Lily Christopher
Photojournalist and AI Content Producer: Jim Hale
Studio 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.

Lily Christopher co-hosts the full hour as we spotlight local journalism, culture, and community.

WKTV reporter and producer Nolan Hyman joins us to talk about beginning his television news career in the community where he grew up. Lily takes us inside the United Way of the Mohawk Valley’s United Games, where she speaks with organizers, participants, Utica Royalties, and New York State Senator Joseph Griffo.

Then, Lily and I explore the Mohawk Valley Latino Association’s 20th Annual Latino Festival at Hanna Park. Howard Peters also joins us to preview Utica Royalties’ Royal Roots and Rhythms Festival.

Jim Hale is our photojournalist and AI content producer.

Originally aired August 24, 2026, on Hot Seat: Media Monday on 95.5 FM The Heat.

Please like, share, and follow to support my local journalism.

#MeetMeInTheHotSeat #MediaMonday #UticaNY #MohawkValley #LocalJournalism

DJ Roscoe Red joins Ron Klopfanstein as celebrity co-host for this week’s Hot Seat: Media Monday on 95.5 FM The Heat.

The show begins with Ron’s feature on 14-year-old Central New York musician Spencer K, who recently released his self-titled debut album. Then Roscoe takes a seat in the studio to talk about DJing, entertaining crowds, community, and the experiences that have shaped him.

In Segment 2, Christine Perez and Haley Edick from United Way of the Mohawk Valley join Ron and Roscoe to preview The United Games, a community event happening Saturday, August 22, at F.T. Proctor Park in Utica.

Then Nate Olsen of Stella Explores CNY joins the conversation — along with Stella herself — to talk about exploring Central New York with a service dog, accessibility, inclusion, and the adventures they share through Stella Explores CNY.

Hosted by Ron Klopfanstein.

Audio Engineer: Jonathan Brooks (DJ J-Easy)

Photojournalist & AI Content Producer: Jim Hale

Entertainment Correspondent: Nabil Khan

Correspondent: Lily Christopher

Hot Seat: Media Monday airs Mondays from 5–6 p.m. on 95.5 FM The Heat in Utica, NY.

Watch stories, interviews and full episodes at:

UticaPhoenix.net/MediaMonday

#MeetMeInTheHotSeat #MediaMonday

S2:E47 | Spencer K · DJ Roscoe Red · United Way · Stella Explores CNY

DJ Roscoe Red joins Ron Klopfanstein as celebrity co-host for this week’s Hot Seat: Media Monday on 95.5 FM The Heat.

The show begins with Ron’s feature on 14-year-old Central New York musician Spencer K, who recently released his self-titled debut album. Then Roscoe takes a seat in the studio to talk about DJing, entertaining crowds, community, and the experiences that have shaped him.

In Segment 2, Christine Perez and Haley Edick from United Way of the Mohawk Valley join Ron and Roscoe to preview The United Games, a community event happening Saturday, August 22, at F.T. Proctor Park in Utica.

Then Nate Olsen of Stella Explores CNY joins the conversation — along with Stella herself — to talk about exploring Central New York with a service dog, accessibility, inclusion, and the adventures they share through Stella Explores CNY.

Hosted by Ron Klopfanstein.

Audio Engineer: Jonathan Brooks (DJ J-Easy)

Photojournalist & AI Content Producer: Jim Hale

Entertainment Correspondent: Nabil Khan

Correspondent: Lily Christopher

Hot Seat: Media Monday airs Mondays from 5–6 p.m. on 95.5 FM The Heat in Utica, NY.

Watch stories, interviews and full episodes at:

UticaPhoenix.net/MediaMonday

#MeetMeInTheHotSeat #MediaMonday

Creativity, community, technology, and self-expression come together on this episode of Hot Seat: Media Monday.

Ron Klopfanstein and Photojournalist and AI Content Producer Jim Hale visit Something Wicked, a two-day festival where local musicians, artists, vendors, and attendees celebrate individuality, creativity, and the freedom to be yourself.

Then, Suzanne Rodio, Denise Morganti, and Gaetano Fornino discuss DramaSphere’s production of David Lindsay-Abaire’s Ripcord. The comedy follows two very different women sharing a room in a senior living facility. Beneath its escalating pranks and battle of wills, the play explores friendship, vulnerability, aging, and continuing to embrace life.

Autistic brothers Justin and Ryan join their mother, Christine, for a personal conversation about their very different experiences with autism. They discuss anxiety, sensory overload, communication, coping strategies, advocacy, and the importance of recognizing each autistic person’s individual strengths and support needs.

Finally, returning guests James Nason and Hawa Peters join Ron for a wide-ranging conversation about creativity and human potential. James shares the latest on Robojango and discusses resilience, discipline, mentorship, and helping young people discover their abilities. Hawa previews the Utica Royalties Talent Show, where Ron will serve as one of the judges, and discusses the organization’s youth programs and upcoming Royal Roots and Rhythms Festival.

WATCH THE FULL SHOW:

YouTube:
https://youtu.be/0RxSX74yhMo

WATCH THE FEATURE STORIES:

Something Wicked:
https://youtu.be/D-utnNIvkLU

A Conversation About Autism:
https://youtu.be/Olv3eqqLENk

FEATURED EVENTS:

Ripcord
Grace Church, 6 Elizabeth Street, Utica
Friday, August 14 and Saturday, August 15 at 7 p.m.
Sunday, August 16 at 2 p.m.
Tickets: $20
https://dramasphere.ludus.com

Utica Royalties Talent Show
Sunday, August 16, from 5–7 p.m.
730 Broadway, Utica
Open to all ages and all forms of talent. The winner receives $250 and an opportunity to perform with Utica Royalties at the New York State Fair.

ABOUT THE SHOW:

Hot Seat: Media Monday airs Mondays at 5 p.m. on 95.5 FM The Heat and streams at:
https://955TheHeat.com

Full episodes stream Wednesdays at 9 p.m. at:
https://UticaPhoenix.net/MediaMonday

Hosted and produced by Ron Klopfanstein
Audio engineering by Jonathan Brooks/DJ J-Easy
Photojournalism and AI content production by Jim Hale
Entertainment Correspondent: Nabil Khan
Journalist and Producer: Lily Christopher

All the stories. All the culture. All in one show.

#MeetMeInTheHotSeat #MediaMonday #955TheHeat #UticaNY #SomethingWicked #Ripcord #AutismAcceptance #Robojango #UticaRoyalties #CommunityJournalism

HOT SEAT: MEDIA MONDAY S2:E45
Avenue Q, Metal at the Marina & Alliance Classical Players

From Broadway puppetry and heavy metal to timeless classical compositions, this episode celebrates music in many of its different forms.

AVENUE Q

Claire Bosley, Carl Neff and Zach Swistack of the Pioneer Theatre Alliance at Utica University preview their upcoming production of Avenue Q.

The performers introduce their puppet costars—Kate Monster, Rod and Princeton—and explain how they act, sing and express emotion through their characters. They also discuss the humor and heart behind the adult musical and its surprisingly relatable exploration of identity, relationships, acceptance and the uncertainty of becoming an adult.

Avenue Q, directed by Justin Jones, runs August 13–16 at Strebel Auditorium at Utica University, with evening performances Thursday through Saturday and a Sunday matinee. Tickets and additional information are available through Utica University and Eventbrite.

METAL AT THE MARINA 3

Ron Klopfanstein and Jim Hale take viewers to Metal at the Marina 3 in Frankfort, one of the Mohawk Valley’s biggest free heavy-metal festivals.

Organizer Austin Evancheck, musicians, vendors and fans discuss the power of heavy metal and the community surrounding it. They describe metal as a source of energy, emotional release, self-expression, friendship and even calm.

The report also features Alex from The Omen Machine, who explains the band’s white-collar-crime concept, satirical image and collaborative creative process.

ALLIANCE CLASSICAL PLAYERS

Colleen O’Neal and Kristin Kelly celebrate 20 years of the Alliance Classical Players and their tradition of bringing free chamber music to the Mohawk Valley.

The two clarinetists discuss what makes classical music timeless, how classical instruments and musical styles have evolved, Mozart’s influence on the clarinet and what their instrument allows them to express.

They also preview the Alliance Classical Players’ free outdoor anniversary concert at 6:30 p.m. Monday, August 17, at the Rome Art and Community Center, 308 West Bloomfield Street in Rome.

Audience members should bring their own seating for the outdoor concert. The performance will move indoors in case of rain, and a free reception will follow.

FEATURED PERFORMANCES

• Arthur Bird’s Suite in D, Movement 4
• Handel’s Water Music Suite No. 2, “Bourrée”

VIDEO CHAPTERS

00:00 – Welcome and episode preview
01:06 – Avenue Q with Claire Bosley, Carl Neff and Zach Swistack
18:28 – Metal at the Marina 3
25:47 – Alliance Classical Players celebrate 20 years
30:23 – Arthur Bird’s Suite in D, Movement 4
32:04 – Why classical music remains timeless
46:40 – Handel’s Water Music Suite No. 2, “Bourrée”
50:35 – Closing credits and concert reminder

Hot Seat: Media Monday originally aired August 3, 2026, on 95.5 FM The Heat.

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Host and Producer: Ron Klopfanstein
Audio Engineer: Jonathan Brooks/DJ J-Easy
Photojournalist and AI Content Producer: Jim Hale
Entertainment Correspondent: Nabil Khan
Correspondent: Lily Christopher

Listen live Mondays at 5 p.m. on 95.5 FM The Heat or at 955TheHeat.com.

Watch, listen and learn more at UticaPhoenix.net/MediaMonday.

#MeetMeInTheHotSeat 👍😎 #MediaMonday

S2:E44 | Ilion AI Data Center Protest • Comic-Con 2026 • Sentient VI • Carrion Creek

This week on Hot Seat: Media Monday, Ron Klopfanstein is joined by entertainment correspondent Nabil Khan to break down the biggest announcements from Comic-Con 2026, including the latest Marvel, DC, Spider-Man, and blockbuster movie news.

Then, Ron heads to Ilion, New York, where residents gathered to protest a proposed AI data center at the former Remington Arms site. Hear directly from community members as they share their concerns about noise, infrastructure, environmental impacts, and the future of their village.

Also on the show, Mark Lewis and R.C. of Sentient VI discuss their music, the band's concept album based on the stages of addiction and recovery, and what it's like creating high-energy metal after 50.

Finally, writer and producer Pete Colter returns with an update on Carrion Creek, the upcoming Central New York horror anthology series, and explains how local actors, musicians, and creatives can get involved.

• Comic-Con 2026 highlights with Nabil Khan
• The Ilion AI data center protest
• Sentient VI's music and concept album
• Carrion Creek production update
• New music from Sentient VI

Host: Ron Klopfanstein
Entertainment Correspondent: Nabil Khan
Featured Guests: Mark Lewis, R.C. (Sentient VI), Pete Colter

New episodes of Hot Seat: Media Monday air Mondays at 5:00 p.m. on 95.5 FM The Heat and are released each week as a podcast and on YouTube.

In This Episode

“It’s gotta be a dream.”

Utica City FC professional Howard Miller Jr. shares what it really takes to reach the professional level—from passion and constant training to mental focus and discipline. Velocity Soccer Club founders Kayla Fazekas and Josh Lewin explain how they’re working to make advanced youth soccer training more accessible, while young players share how the sport builds confidence, friendships, and teamwork.

Plus, Hoops & Dreams brings families together while continuing Patrick Johnson’s legacy; Thomas Townsley reads his surrealist poetry and joins William Welch to discuss Doubly Mad; and Mordechai Rosenblatt of Home Visitor performs “Weezer Tattoo” and “I’ve Got Nothing.”

This week on Hot Seat: Media Monday S2:E42. All the stories. All the culture. All in one show. 👍😎

#MeetMeInTheHotSeat #MediaMonday #UticaCityFC #VelocitySoccerClub #HoopsAndDreams #DoublyMad #HomeVisitor #UticaNY