Up + Adam with Adam Montiel

Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:

Official Website: adammontiel.com
Apple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple Podcasts
Spotify: Up+Adam on Spotify
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YouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music

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Life Elements

City of SLO

https://www.ticketweb.com/event/legion-of-groove-the-slo-brew-rock-tickets/14156214

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

Inside the SLO Hip Hop Scene: How Gehrig Kniffen Is Changing the Sound of SLO CAL Mar 18, 2026

Show notes

March 18, 2026 Sponsored by Portabidet

Hip-hop on the Central Coast does not always have a clear lane and that is exactly where Gehrig Kniffen is finding his voice.

In this episode of Up+Adam, Adam sits down with Gehrig to talk about building a hip-hop presence in a region known more for acoustic sets and winery gigs than late-night bars and rap shows. From his early days freestyling with friends to developing a sound with his crew The Green Room, Gehrig shares what it really takes to carve out space, find your audience, and stay authentic while doing it.

They get into the creative process behind his ‘Bubble Gum Alley’ project, how working with producer Tommy de Silva shapes his sound, and why having someone in the room who will say “I don’t believe you” might be the most important part of making great music.

There is a real sense of perspective here too. Gehrig talks about being self-aware in the genre, staying true to who he is, and making music that reflects both the competitive edge of hip-hop and the reality of being a guy from Cambria chasing something bigger.

If you have ever wondered what it takes to build something creative from the ground up in your own backyard, this one hits.

• Live Show

• Music + Info

https://greenroomboys.com/gehrig-kniffen

• Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1HnUvdbEyzKUi5I2ql64p9

• Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/gehrigkniffen/

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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 on iHeartRadio
YouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music

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Life Elements

City of SLO

https://rosethesloway.com/

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

Rosé the SLO Way Returns | Hotel SLO’s Pink Party Supporting Woods Humane Society | Up+Adam Mar 17, 2026

Show notes

March 17, 2026 Sponsored by Portabidet

Rosé season is arriving on the Central Coast, and one of the most joyful spring events in San Luis Obispo is back. Adam sits down with Rebekah Francher of Hotel SLO and Robin Coleman of Woods Humane Society to talk about the return of the 5th Annual Rosé the SLO Way, happening Sunday, April 19 from 1–4 pm at Hotel SLO’s Garden Courtyard.

This pink-themed celebration brings together more than 25 Central Coast rosé producers, an impressive lineup of chefs, music, fashion, and a curated mini marketplace featuring local businesses. Guests will enjoy bites from Executive Chef Ryan Fancher’s team at Ox + Anchor and Piadina, along with special guest chef Dustin Valette from Sonoma and other Central Coast culinary standouts. Expect oysters, caviar, desserts, and a whole lot of rosé.

But behind the fun is a powerful mission. The event raises funds for Woods Humane Society, which has been serving San Luis Obispo County for more than 70 years, and Hotel SLO’s Uncork Potential Scholarship Fund at Cal Poly, supporting students pursuing careers in wine, viticulture, and hospitality.

Robin also shares a moving story about a puppy named Sled, who required life-saving heart surgery after arriving at Woods with congenital heart failure. Stories like Sled’s are exactly why community events like Rosé the SLO Way matter. They help provide the resources needed for Woods Humane Society to rescue animals, support pet owners, run youth education programs, and perform thousands of spay and neuter surgeries each year.

Along with incredible wine and food, guests can explore a mini marketplace of local vendors, compete for best dressed in pink, and spend time at the beloved Woods Humane Society Cuddle Corner filled with adorable puppies and kittens.

It is one of the most joyful afternoons on the Central Coast. Great wine, great food, great people, and a cause that truly makes a difference.

• Tickets and event info

• Rosé the SLO Way on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/rose_the_slo_way

• Woods Humane Society

https://woodshumanesociety.org/

• Hotel SLO

https://www.hotelslo.com/

• Learn more about the Uncork Potential Scholarship Fund

https://www.hotelslo.com/uncork-potential

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*PORTABIDET: UP+ADAM IS AN OFFICIAL SPOKESPERSON FOR PORTABIDET - USE THIS LINK FOR UP+ADAM LISTENERS TO LEARN MORE AND GET YOURS!

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 on iHeartRadio
YouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music

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Life Elements

City of SLO

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-doubt-the-case-of-lucy-le-321229564/about

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

Amanda Knox is Up+Adam | When Certainty Goes Wrong: From Wrongful Conviction to Criminal Justice Advocate Mar 16, 2026

Show notes

Up+Adam March 16, 2026 Sponsored by Portabidet

What happens when the world decides your story before the truth has a chance to catch up?

In this episode of Up+Adam, Adam sits down with Amanda Knox for a conversation about certainty, conviction, and the stories we tell when we desperately want answers. Knox spent four years in an Italian prison and nearly a decade fighting to clear her name after being wrongfully convicted in a case that captured global headlines. Today she’s an author, journalist, public speaker, and advocate for criminal justice reform who studies how media narratives and public opinion can shape the pursuit of justice.

Her latest project, Doubt: The Case of Lucy Letby, examines one of the most shocking criminal cases in the United Kingdom involving former neonatal nurse Lucy Letby. In the podcast, Knox revisits the evidence and asks a difficult question that many people are afraid to explore: is the case truly as open and shut as the world believes? Drawing from her own experience of wrongful conviction, Knox looks at how institutional pressure, media narratives, and the human desire for simple answers can sometimes overpower complexity.

Adam and Amanda dive into the psychology of certainty, why people instinctively want to pin guilt on someone when tragedy strikes, and how easy it is for investigations and headlines to take on a life of their own. They also talk about something unexpected in Knox’s story: her success in stand-up comedy. For Knox, humor has become a way to reclaim her narrative and process the absurd situations she still finds herself in. As she explains in the conversation, sometimes the choice in dark moments is simple. You can cry about the absurdity of it all, or you can laugh and keep moving forward.

• Listen to the podcast Doubt: The Case of Lucy Letby

• Amanda Knox official website

https://www.amandaknox.com

• Amanda Knox book FREE: My Search for Meaning

https://www.amandaknox.com/writing.html

• Follow Amanda Knox on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/amamaknox

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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 on iHeartRadio
YouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music

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Life Elements

City of SLO

https://www.operaslo.org/

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 CAL Opera and Dance Leaders Respond to Timothée Chalamet’s “No One Cares” Comment on Up+Adam Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

Up+Adam March 13, 2026 Sponsored by Portabidet

A single comment from Hollywood sparked a global arts conversation. When actor Timothée Chalamet joked that “no one cares about opera or ballet anymore,” the remark landed hard for artists who have dedicated their lives to those very forms. On this episode of Up+Adam, Adam sits down with two Central Coast creatives who know the reality behind the headlines: Brian Asher Alhadeff, General and Artistic Director of Opera San Luis Obispo, and Lisa Deyo, Artistic Director of Deyo Dances.

The conversation goes far beyond celebrity sound bites. Brian and Lisa share what it felt like to hear those comments as lifelong artists, why opera and ballet still hold profound emotional power, and what happens when audiences experience live performance for the first time. From the challenge of competing with modern entertainment to the magic of a live orchestra vibrating through a theater, they explore how these centuries-old art forms remain deeply human and relevant today. As Lisa beautifully puts it, opera and dance are not about “getting it right.” They are about feeling something.

Adam also dives into the local angle: what it takes to keep these art forms thriving right here on the Central Coast. The answer involves creativity, community, and constantly finding new ways to invite people into the experience. Because once someone steps into the theater and lets the performance wash over them, chances are they will want to come back again.

If you have ever been curious about opera, ballet, or live performance but felt intimidated, this conversation might be your invitation.

• Learn more about Opera San Luis Obispo

• Learn more about Deyo Dances

https://www.deyodances.com/

• Follow Opera SLO on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/operaslo/

• Follow Deyo Dances

https://www.instagram.com/deyodances/

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*PORTABIDET: UP+ADAM IS AN OFFICIAL SPOKESPERSON FOR PORTABIDET - USE THIS LINK FOR UP+ADAM LISTENERS TO LEARN MORE AND GET YOURS!

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 on iHeartRadio
YouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music

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Life Elements

City of SLO

https://www.instagram.com/labigapasorobles/

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

Marino Monferrato: Hell’s Kitchen Star and Paso Robles Neighbor Opens La Biga Pizza | Up+Adam Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

Up+Adam Sponsored by Portabidet

On this episode of Up+Adam, Adam sits down with one of the most recognizable faces in restaurant television who just happens to be right here in our own backyard. Marino Monferrato, the longtime Maître d’ on Hell's Kitchen, joins the show alongside his lovely better-half Michelle Monferrato to talk about hospitality, marriage, pizza philosophy, and why Paso Robles has become home.

For fourteen seasons Marino has stood beside Gordon Ramsay managing the dining room chaos of Hell’s Kitchen, while also serving as VP of Hospitality at DAOU Vineyards. But the latest chapter of the Monferratos’ story is something much more personal. Together they’ve opened La Biga, an authentic Neapolitan-style pizzeria in Paso Robles’ Paso Market Walk built around a living dough starter known as “the mother.” It’s traditional Italian pizza rooted in culture and craft… just, as Marino jokes, “not as droopy.”

In this conversation Adam and the Monferratos dive into Marino’s path from hospitality school in Italy to high-end restaurants in Los Angeles, the unexpected phone call that landed him on Hell’s Kitchen, and what it’s really like working with Gordon Ramsay when the cameras are rolling and when they’re not. They also talk about the philosophy of Italian cooking, the beauty of simple ingredients, the discipline behind great pizza dough, and the real heartbeat behind La Biga.

Michelle also shares what it’s like supporting a hospitality career for more than thirty years, helping build the business behind the scenes while pursuing her own path in nursing. The result is a conversation about partnership, community, and why great hospitality is less about food and more about how people feel when they walk through the door.

And yes, the show settles one very important debate: pineapple pizza, ranch dressing, and the one test Marino says determines whether a pizzeria is truly great… the classic Margherita.

If you're in Paso Robles, you can experience La Biga for yourself at 1803 Spring Street, open Wednesday through Sunday starting at 4 PM.

Learn more and follow along:

• La Biga Paso Robles Website

https://labigapaso.com

• La Biga Paso Robles Instagram

• Marino Monferrato Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/marino.monferrato/

• Hell’s Kitchen (Marino profile)

https://hellskitchen.fandom.com/f/t/Marino%20Monferatto

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*PORTABIDET: UP+ADAM IS AN OFFICIAL SPOKESPERSON FOR PORTABIDET - USE THIS LINK FOR UP+ADAM LISTENERS TO LEARN MORE AND GET YOURS!

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 on iHeartRadio
YouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music

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Life Elements

City of SLO

https://surfingforhope.org/

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

Bob Voglin: Surfing for Hope Founder on Cancer Survival, Surf Culture, and Riding the Wave of Hope | Up+Adam Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

Sponsored by Portabidet

Bob Voglin is one of those Central Coast characters whose story feels bigger than the waves he rides. Known to many locals as “Helmet Bob,” he is a longtime surfer, cancer survivor, and the heart behind Surfing for Hope, a San Luis Obispo–based nonprofit that uses the healing power of the ocean to support individuals and families affected by cancer.

What began as an idea sparked in the water has grown into a community movement. Since its early days, Surfing for Hope has raised more than $200,000 for the Hearst Cancer Resource Center and other local programs helping cancer patients and their families. Through surf contests, community gatherings, and programs like the Pure Stoke youth surf clinics, the organization creates moments of connection, healing, and joy for people navigating some of life’s hardest challenges.

Bob recently captured his journey in a new memoir, Riding the Wave of Hope. In the book, he reflects on his life in the surf, his battle with cancer, the lessons learned along the way, and the powerful role positivity, spirituality, and the ocean have played in helping him keep moving forward.

This conversation dives into Bob’s story, the origin of Surfing for Hope, the impact it continues to have on the Central Coast, and why sharing what you love can sometimes be the most powerful way to help others.

• Surfing for Hope

• Buy the book: Riding the Wave of Hope

https://www.amazon.com/Riding-Wave-Hope-Surviving-challenges/dp/B0FXN3R92Y

• Follow Bob Voglin on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/bobvoglin2019/

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*PORTABIDET: UP+ADAM IS AN OFFICIAL SPOKESPERSON FOR PORTABIDET - USE THIS LINK FOR UP+ADAM LISTENERS TO LEARN MORE AND GET YOURS!

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 on iHeartRadio
YouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music

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Life Elements

City of SLO

https://dombenavidez.com/

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

Redemption, Recipes, and the Kitchen That Saved Her: Central Coast Chef Dominique Benavidez | Up+Adam Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

Up+Adam March 10, 2026 Sponsored by Portabidet

Chef Dominique Benavidez joins Adam for one of the most honest and revealing conversations we’ve had on Up+Adam. What begins as a conversation about food quickly becomes something deeper. Dominique shares the story behind her culinary journey. From leaving school at a young age to care for her father, to navigating loss, addiction, and ultimately finding healing and purpose through cooking. It’s a powerful reminder that the people creating the meals we love often carry stories far beyond the plate.

She’s now bringing that philosophy to a special Domingo Mexican-inspired brunch pop-up happening in downtown San Luis Obispo. Guests can expect a three-course experience with two menu options, fresh juices, and a relaxed Sunday morning vibe. Seating is limited, making it an intimate way to experience Chef Dominique’s cooking and the story behind it.

• Learn more about Chef Dominique Benavidez

• Reserve tickets for Domingo Brunch

• Follow along for upcoming pop-ups, private dinners, and events

Website

Domingo Brunch Tickets

https://dombenavidez.com/events

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/chef.benavidez/

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*PORTABIDET: UP+ADAM IS AN OFFICIAL SPOKESPERSON FOR PORTABIDET - USE THIS LINK FOR UP+ADAM LISTENERS TO LEARN MORE AND GET YOURS!

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 on iHeartRadio
YouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music

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Life Elements

City of SLO

https://www.nikkimammano.com

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

From Waikiki Underworld to PTA Mom | Breaking Good with Nikki Mammano | Up+Adam Mar 09, 2026

Show notes

Up+Adam March 9, 2026 Sponsored by Portabidet

What does rock bottom really look like? And more importantly, what does it take to climb back from it?

On this episode of Up+Adam, Adam sits down with Nikki Mammano, author of Breaking Good: A Memoir, for a conversation that is as raw as it is hopeful. Nikki’s life story reads like something straight out of a crime drama. She arrived in Hawaii at twenty years old hoping for a fresh start and college life at the University of Hawaii. Within just a few years, addiction and survival pulled her into Waikiki’s drug underworld where she went from a struggling young woman to someone people called “boss” in a dangerous scene fueled by meth, money, and power.

In this conversation with Adam, Nikki reflects on the version of herself who once stared into a motel mirror wondering how her life had unraveled, the unexpected leadership instincts that helped her survive in a dangerous world, and what it means to live a completely different life today raising two daughters and telling her story publicly for the first time.

• Learn more about Nikki Mammano

• Buy Breaking Good: A Memoir

https://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Good-Memoir-Nikki-Mammano/dp/B0FP5JX13F

• Follow Nikki Mammano on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/nikki_mammano/

• Support RYSE Hawaii, the nonprofit Nikki mentions helping youth experiencing homelessness

https://www.rysehawaii.org

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*PORTABIDET: UP+ADAM IS AN OFFICIAL SPOKESPERSON FOR PORTABIDET - USE THIS LINK FOR UP+ADAM LISTENERS TO LEARN MORE AND GET YOURS!

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 on iHeartRadio
YouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music

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Life Elements

City of SLO

*PORTABIDET: UP+ADAM IS AN OFFICIAL SPOKESPERSON FOR PORTABIDET - USE THIS LINK FOR UP+ADAM LISTENERS TO LEARN MORE AND GET YOURS!

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

Sign of the Times: Rob Rossi on the Fremont Theatre and Whether the Iconic Sign Has to Come Down Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

March 6, 2026 Rob Rossi is Up+Adam Sponsored by Portabidet

The Fremont Theatre is more than a building in downtown San Luis Obispo. It is a landmark layered with memories. First dates. Film Festival nights. Legendary concerts under glowing neon. And lately it has been the subject of one big question echoing across town: what is going on with the Fremont?

After a powerful winter storm knocked a portion of the historic sign loose, the iconic 1940 art deco theater was temporarily closed while engineers evaluate the structure and determine the safest path forward. The moment immediately sparked concern across the community, and according to longtime owner Rob Rossi, he could not go anywhere in town without someone asking about it.

So he reached out.

In this episode of Up+Adam, developer, architect, and visionary Rob Rossi joins Adam Montiel to talk openly about the current state of the Fremont Theatre. Rossi explains what actually fell during the storm, what engineers are discovering inside the 80+ year old structure, what restoration might look like, and why preserving the historic character of the building matters so much to him and the community.

They also talk about the Fremont’s history, why the building has been such an important cultural anchor for downtown San Luis Obispo, and what reopening night might feel like when the marquee lights up again.

For Rossi, the goal is simple: make it safe, restore what makes it special, and make sure the Fremont Theatre continues to serve the community for the next hundred years.

• Learn more about the Fremont Theatre: https://www.fremontslo.com

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