Subscribe, leave a review below, and please share your thoughts at MontclairPod.com. Follow on Instagram and send us a tip: [email protected].

Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill sits down with The Montclair Pod for one of her first interviews since the election. She delivers a candid, forceful take on Montclair’s deepening school budget crisis. Sherrill, a longtime Montclair resident and parent of public-school students, voices fury and frustration over what she calls a “breakdown in fiscal management,” questioning how the district ended up with a $20+ million deficit and why taxpayers are being asked to contribute more without a full accounting of what went wrong. Note: This conversation was recorded before the district’s major plot twist this week: the state signaling it will extend an advance on next year’s state aid if Question 2 on the December 9th ballot fails — avoiding immediate catastrophic cuts but triggering long-term consequences, including reduced future aid and the likely arrival of a state fiscal monitor.

We break down what the new scenario means for taxpayers, schools, staffing, extracurriculars, and the future of Montclair’s magnet system. We also clarify key points from the interview, including the difference between a forensic audit and a fiscal monitor.

Beyond education, Sherrill discusses the state’s affordability crisis, her plan to freeze utility rate hikes on day one, school district consolidation, and the economic pressures facing families across New Jersey.

Later in the episode, Farnoosh and Mike head to Jalwa on Glenridge Avenue for their latest “Farnoosh & Mike Eat Food” segment, sponsored by Twocents, the app lets you leave feedback for any NJ business—anonymously if you want. Then in “Ask Our Agent,” sponsor Karin Diana of Compass Montclair shares how to begin prepping for a home purchase in 2026. Plus: The Montclair Bridge Fund launches to support neighbors following the referendum. Local sports and arts highlights, and more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In her most candid interview yet, Superintendent Ruth B. Turner discusses accountability, fiscal discipline, and the tough choices facing Montclair schools, as the district faces a $19.6 million deficit and a pivotal special election on December 9.

In the interview, Turner explains:

• Why Question 1 leaves out mention of the state loan and monitor
• Why Question 2 makes the tax hike permanent
• What a fiscal monitor could and couldn’t do in Montclair
• Why the forensic audit is tied to Question 2
• Whether teachers and nurses could be reinstated if new funds pass
• How the district plans to avoid another deficit and restore transparency

Plus, a look at where the “missing $12 million” actually went and what happens if the town must take a short-term bridge loan just to make payroll.

Later in the episode, Farnoosh and Mike head to Bao Dumplings and Bao Tea in Verona for their latest “Farnoosh & Mike Eat Food” adventure, sponsored by Twocents, the app lets you leave feedback for any NJ business—anonymously if you want.

Then in “Ask Our Agent,” Karin Diana of Compass Montclair shares how smart, high-impact staging can make a home shine—even in a brisk market—and what today’s HGTV-raised buyers are really looking for.

Plus: a quick round of Montclair headlines, from Board of Ed election results and the Imani 25th Anniversary Gala, to the town’s latest openings and events.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Subscribe, leave a review below, and please share your thoughts at MontclairPod.com. Follow on Instagram and send us a tip: [email protected].

This week on The Montclair Pod, Farnoosh and Mike put two of Montclair’s favorite topics under the microscope: schools and real estate. With a nearly 20 million dollar school deficit, a December 9 referendum, and talk of a possible state monitor, they ask the question everyone is whispering at open houses: Could this hurt Montclair’s reputation and even our property values?

• They revisit their interview with Town Manager Stephen Marks, who says the housing market is still strong by the numbers, then layer in fresh data and social media reactions. Local real estate attorney and 18 year Montclair resident Jen Metzger joins to explain what she is seeing in contracts, buyer behavior, and how much school headlines really factor into closing day.
• NJ also has a new governor. Political reporter Terrence McDonald of the New Jersey Monitor stops by with quick reactions to Mikie Sherrill’s decisive statewide win, why flipping several Trump leaning counties matters, and how a governor who raised her family here might show up for towns like Montclair that are wrestling with school funding and affordability.
• Farnoosh and Mike then pull back the curtain on their decision to run an anonymous No No op-ed about the referendum on MontclairPod.com.
• In Ask Our Agent, sponsor and Compass agent Karin Diana answers a question many Brooklyn and Manhattan buyers have: What is the toughest part of adjusting to Montclair life and how do you ease the shift from walkable city to car seats, commutes, and home repairs?
• For Farnoosh and Mike Eat Food, brought to you by Twocents, the hosts head to La Fontaine, a charming café blending French, Italian, and Turkish flavors, and talk about why it has become a neighborhood favorite.
• And if you have ever wanted to rent your house to a movie crew, this one is for you. Former Upper Montclair homeowner Kim Amirata shares what it was like to have her house used in the new Bruce Springsteen biopic, and Glenn Schuster of Film Friendly Locations explains how productions find Montclair homes and what homeowners can expect.
• The episode wraps with a quick local news rundown, from township email scams to school clubs losing funding to the upcoming Montclair Comedy Festival, plus the one big thing each host is doing this weekend.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Subscribe, leave a review below, and please share your thoughts at MontclairPod.com. Follow on Instagram and send us a tip: [email protected].

This week on The Montclair Pod, Farnoosh and Mike head straight into Montclair’s creative heart, from film to storytelling to live theater, before zooming out to the pressing issue shaping our town right now: the future of our schools.

Montclair Film Festival

We begin at the Montclair Film Festival, where Farnoosh and Mike hosted a live conversation with the filmmakers behind Brenda, a moving short documentary about a Montclair woman’s journey from Honduras seeking asylum for herself and her children.

Montclair Story Salon

Farnoosh catches up with actor and storyteller Liz Samuel, the founder of Montclair Story Salon, a growing community event where residents share personal stories, songs, and art, all in support of local nonprofits. Liz shares how creativity, connection, and giving back intertwine in these intimate gatherings that have become a Montclair favorite.

At Luna Stage

Mike brings us to Luna Stage in West Orange for a look at Mrs. Stern Wanders the Prussian Library, a riveting play inspired by philosopher Hannah Arendt’s arrest in 1933 Berlin. He connects the story’s themes of courage, censorship, and resistance to our current cultural and political moment.

Farnoosh & Mike Eat Food

In this week’s Eat Food segment, sponsored by Twocents, the hosts grab breakfast at Ray’s Luncheonette on Walnut Street. Expect iced coffee, secret menu finds, and some serious bacon envy.

The School Deficit Debate

Finally, Farnoosh and Mike break down the latest on the district’s $19.6 million budget shortfall and the upcoming December 9 referendum with insights from Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill, who shares how Montclair’s crisis fits into the wider county picture and what’s at stake for local control.

Ask Our Agent

Compass real estate agent Karin Diana answers whether renting your home to a film crew is worth it, and how to tap into New Jersey’s booming production scene without losing your sanity (or your floors).

Episode Credits:

Hosted by Farnoosh Torabi and Mike Schreiber

Edited by Bob Raynor

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Subscribe, leave a review below, and please share your thoughts at MontclairPod.com. Follow on Instagram and send us a tip: [email protected].

This episode dives into how residents are navigating modern relationships in all their forms: gay, straight, open, and swinging. The hosts examine how political views, community culture, and midlife realities shape connection and commitment in town.

The pod also continues its coverage of Montclair’s ongoing school budget crisis, unpacking what’s at stake in the upcoming “Yes-Yes” vs. “No-No” vote and how it could reshape the district’s financial future.

This week's Farnoosh and Mike Eat Food features La Couronne, an Italian restaurant in Watchung Plaza.

And in Ask Our Agent, we learn why some homes have a much harder time selling than others.

• Junie Moon, relationship expert and Montclair’s own love coach
• Elizabeth and Jason, single parents share their experiences dating in Montclair
• Grace L. Williams, journalist and Montclair Pod special assignment reporter
• Mishiko Passikoff, therapist on tension in relationships over politics
• Reubena Spence, co-founder of Out Montclair, on the LGBTQ+ dating scene
• Rich Reynics and Corey Pierson, organizers behind SaveMontclairSchools.com, advocating for a “Yes/Yes” vote on the school budget

Hosted by Farnoosh Torabi and Mike Schreiber

Edited by Bob Raynor

Sponsored by Twocents, Glen Ridge Taekwondo, Luna Stage, and Karin Diana, Compass Montclair

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Subscribe, leave a review below, and please share your thoughts at MontclairPod.com. Follow on Instagram and send us a tip: [email protected].

This week, Montclair’s financial story gets real. We sit down with Town Manager Stephen Marks to talk candidly about the township’s budget, his first six months on the job, and why he believes a state fiscal monitor might be “warranted” for Montclair’s schools, given a nearly $20 million deficit.

Then: What can Montclair learn from our neighbors in Nutley, who are currently experiencing the effects of a state takeover of their school district? We unpack the lessons, the trade-offs, and the emotion behind what it means to lose (or preserve) local control.

Plus:

• Why are some residents voting Yes/Yes to fund both deficits, and others are saying No to send a message?
• Montclair principals send letters to families outlining potential cuts and encouraging a YES vote on December 9, which raises flags.
• A new resource SaveMontclairSchools.com, is a grassroots group urging residents to vote Yes/Yes in the upcoming special election.
• A lighter break: Farnoosh & Mike Eat Food (sponsored by Twocents) heads to Libélula Café for empanadas that might change your day.
• “Ask Our Agent” with sponsor Karin Diana of Compass: Options for Montclair homeowners who want to downsize but stay local.

And your favorite local pod just got some hardware. The Montclair Pod is officially a Signal Awards winner for Best Local News Podcast!

Join for a special live taping of The Montclair Pod at The Montclair Film Festival. Reserve your seats.

Episode Credits:

Hosted by Farnoosh Torabi and Mike Schreiber

Produced by The Montclair Pod

Edited by Bob Raynor

Sponsored by Twocents and Karin Diana, Compass Montclair

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Subscribe, leave a review below, and please share your thoughts at MontclairPod.com. Follow on Instagram and send us a tip: [email protected].

In this episode, we dig into the cost of living in Montclair and ask, is it worth it? We start at the Farmers Market, where residents share how rising prices are changing their day-to-day lives. Then, we meet a renter who dreams of buying in town but feels priced out, and hear from Councilor-at-Large and Deputy Mayor Susan Shin Andersen on what the township is doing to address affordability.

In our Ask Your Agent series with Karin Diana of Compass, we uncover the hidden costs of homeownership. At the same time, our Montclair grocery showdown—Kings vs. ACME vs. Whole Foods—reveals a surprising winner. Plus, a rooftop visit to The Splendid at the MC Hotel, local election updates, and One Big Thing to end the week.

Our Sponsors

• Twocents
• Karin Diana of Compass Montclair

Resources and Links

• Deputy Mayor Susan Shin Andersen on Instagram
• SeedArtists
• Our IG Post on The Cost of Living in Montclair

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Montclair Pod, it’s a jam-packed episode:

• Montclair Schools Budget Town Hall. We take you inside last Friday night’s meeting at Buzz Aldrin Middle School, where Superintendent Ruth B. Turner and Interim Business Administrator Dana Sullivan laid out the reality: the district is facing nearly $20 million in debt. Parents pressed for answers, students spoke out, and hard choices are on the table, from closing schools to eliminating Chromebooks. We break down what’s really at stake and the options ahead, from state loans with oversight to a possible special election on a tax increase.

• Montclair Pod Makes the Finals. The Montclair Pod has been nominated for a Signal Award for Best Local News Podcast alongside NPR, WHYY, and Colorado Public Radio. Here's where you can vote for us to win the People’s Choice Award.

• Dinner at Sushi Koshi. In our “Farnoosh and Mike Eat Food” series sponsored by Twocents, we visit Watchung Plaza’s Sushi Koshi, learn about the restaurant’s culture of care, and even invent a new roll (yes, we’re pitching the Montclair Pod Roll). Twocents is an app that makes it easy to give real feedback to New Jersey businesses - anonymously if you prefer.

• Montclair Film Festival Preview. Montclair Film's Artistic Director Tom Hall gives us the scoop on this year’s lineup, including The Sound of Music opening at the newly restored Bellevue Theater, George Clooney’s Jay Kelly as the opening night film, and a Spike Lee–Stephen Colbert conversation at the Wellmont.

• Love It or List It: Montclair Edition. Compass real estate agent and Montclair Pod sponsor Karin Diana tackles one of the toughest homeowner questions: should you renovate your house (dust, costs, and all) or sell and buy a new one in town? Her practical advice may surprise you. To reach Karin and receive her free Love It or List It worksheet email [email protected].

Please remember to subscribe and leave us a review!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Subscribe, leave a review below, and please share your thoughts at MontclairPod.com. Follow on Instagram and send us a tip: [email protected].

In our Season 3 debut, we are talking all-things schools.

First, as we reported, Montclair Public Schools’ deficit is closer to $18M than $11M. We replay part of our conversation with Superintendent Ruth B. Turner, unpack what’s fact vs. speculation, and talk about oversight, a possible forensic audit, and what a “hard reset” could look like.

Then: Is Montclair still a smart move for families seeking a great education for their kids? We kick off our "Ask Our Agent" series brought to us by Compass Montclair real estate agent Karin Diana who breaks it down.

Plus: We get practical on phones in middle school with Screen Aware Montclair, a sponsored spotlight the Montclair Cooperative School’s middle-school approach, decode this year’s college admissions twists (hello, Michigan ED1/ED2), summarize all five BOE candidates, and launch our new food series brought to us by Twocents, with brunch at Oso Felipe (watermelon salad = star). We close with town news and “One Big Thing.”

Visit Montclair Cooperative School during their October 10th Open House

Sign up for a special evening with Dr. Sheryl Ziegler who wrote The Crucial Years. Montclair Cooperative School, October 13th

Thanks to our special co-host guest Danielle Neff, founder of The Montclair Moms, Dads, Parents FB group.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Montclair Pod News:

• Councilor-at-Large Carmel Loughman has resigned just over a year into her term. We break down what happened, what it means for the council, and hear directly from Deputy Mayor Susan Shin Andersen on what comes next.
• The Montclair school deficit grows to $18 million. We revisit our conversation with Superintendent Ruth B. Turner and the state’s response to the district’s financial troubles.
• A new bagel shop is here — O’Bagel opened on Bloomfield Avenue to lines around the block. We talk to fans and the second-generation owner about what makes this cult-favorite spot so beloved.
• And we sit down with Montclair’s own Bobbi Brown. The beauty mogul opens up about her new book, Still Bobbi, why she launched another cosmetics company in her 60s, and the local life that has grounded her for more than three decades.

Reserve for Bobbi Brown's book debut in Montclair, Friday 9/19 at 18 Label Studios

Reserve for the live pilot taping of Your Best Life with Junie Moon on October 8.

Subscribe, leave a review below. Follow on Instagram and send us a tip: [email protected].

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.