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PODCAST

The Montclair Pod

Montclair Pod LLC

TheMontclairPodis an award-winning podcast that offers a deep dive into the stories, issues, and buzz shapingMontclair, NJ. Hosted by local friends—journalist and financial expert Farnoosh Torabi and MediaFeed co-founder Michael Schreiber—we’re here to explore the heart of our vibrant community with curiosity and a dose of neighborly chatter. From the latest drama inMontclairschools to the tangled web of local politics and even the mysteries of our rollercoaster real estate market, we cover the

society & culture places & travel

All Episodes

57:54

Immigration, Art, and County Commissioner Brendan...

The Montclair Pod ·

2025/10/30

Subscribe, leave a review below, and please share your thoughts at MontclairPod.com. Follow on Instagram and send us a tip: hello@montclairpod.com.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 FestivalWe begin at the Montclair Film Festival, where Farnoosh and Mike hosted a live conversation with

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1:05:42

Modern Love in Montclair: Gay, Straight, Swinging....

The Montclair Pod ·

2025/10/23

Mike and Farnoosh explore the intertwined themes of love and money in Montclair from the dating scene to the school budget. 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.They also continue their coverage of Montclair’s ongoing school budget crisis, unpacking what’s at stake in the upcoming “Yes-Yes”

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44:41

State Monitor or Local Control? Montclair Is Divided....

The Montclair Pod ·

2025/10/16

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

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53:13

Is Montclair Worth It? The Real Cost of Living Here

The Montclair Pod ·

2025/10/09

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

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46:28

Montclair’s $20M School Deficit Explained and the Big...

The Montclair Pod ·

2025/10/02

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

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53:56

Montclair Schools at a Crossroads: $18M Shortfall,...

The Montclair Pod ·

2025/09/25

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

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48:00

A Sudden Council Resignation, O’Bagel’s Big Debut,...

The Montclair Pod ·

2025/09/18

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

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36:48

Montclair Schools' Budget Deficit: It's Worse Than We...

The Montclair Pod ·

2025/09/11

In a frank and revealing interview on The Montclair Pod, Montclair's new schools superintendent, Ruth B. Turner, announced that the district’s financial deficit has swelled to approximately $18 million. The startling figure combines inherited debts with a newly discovered $4 to $5 million shortfall in the current budget. Compounding the crisis,Turner revealed that after a direct appeal for help, the Township of Montclair has declined to provide any financial support to the schools.The interview,

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28:11

9/11 Reflections, Bellevue Theatre’s Glow-Up, and The...

The Montclair Pod ·

2025/09/11

On the September 11, 2025, edition of The Montclair Pod News, Mike and Farnoosh open with reflections on 9/11 and how it shaped their early journalism careers. Then it’s:A fast tour through first-week-of-school headaches (and why better district communication is an equity issue)A sneak peek inside the revived Bellevue TheaterA tense car-theft chase on Porter PlacePaper Plane Coffee’s expansionThe quirks of World Cup ticketingA playful pitch for HBO to film The White Lotus in Upper Montclair.In “The

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29:10

Back to School, More Town Debt and Gas Under $3

The Montclair Pod ·

2025/09/04

In this episode of The Montclair Pod, Mike and Farnoosh dive into the first week of September in town, with plenty of local updates and a few personal confessions.Highlights include:Back to School Drama – Montclair renews its $1.5M contract with food service provider Southwest Food Service Excellence. Will new “healthier” options and salad bars outweigh student complaints?Gas Below $3? – Prices hit five-year lows in Montclair, with one Valley Road station leading the way. Plus, what’s next for

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31:18

Montclair High Takes a Rankings Hit, a $7.5M Listing...

The Montclair Pod ·

2025/08/28

This week on The Montclair Pod News, we’re covering a packed lineup of local stories and some irresistible neighborhood gossip. Montclair High School slipped in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings, falling from #55 to #95 in the state — sparking debates about test scores, funding, and what really defines success in our schools.We also take a peek inside a jaw-dropping $7.5 million listing for a two-family home once tied to Kool & the Gang — is it worth the price tag? Over in

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37:47

More School Drama, A Local Mail Heist & Lead in Our...

The Montclair Pod ·

2025/08/21

This week on The Montclair Pod, Farnoosh, Mike, and political correspondent Terrence McDonald from the New Jersey Monitor break down the stories making waves in Montclair and beyond:Lead Pipe Replacements Coming: Homes built before 1940 may still have lead service lines. Montclair will begin replacing them in 2026 under a statewide mandate to eliminate all lead pipes by 2031. The Montclair Water Bureau has created an online inventory of all known service lines here.New Power Substation on Valley

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32:36

Mikie vs. Jack, the Montclair Jitney and Clary...

The Montclair Pod ·

2025/08/14

Award-winning journalist Terrence McDonald, editor at the New Jersey Monitor, joins Mike and Farnoosh for a deep dive into state politics, local news, and Montclair's ever-evolving dining scene.We kick off with a look at the New Jersey governor’s race and why polls might not tell the whole story. Terrence breaks down the latest political flashpoints, including the tragic Lakewood DUI case that’s become a national talking point, the Trump administration’s investment in the state race, and how bail

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42:12

August in Montclair: MedievalFest, End of Summer...

The Montclair Pod ·

2025/08/07

As summer winds down and Montclair empties out, The Montclair Pod is here with a jam-packed Season 2 finale to help you make the most of August, whether you’re staying put or sneaking in one last getaway.Co-hosts Farnoosh and Mike share their personal plans (pork shoulder rotisserie, anyone?), surprising listener hotspots, and clever ways to spend your August locally, including music, comedy, beaches, workouts at Brain and Body Method, and yes…MedievalFest.Plus:A fire closes two Bloomfield Ave

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45:21

Going Green in Montclair: Beehives, Solar Panels,...

The Montclair Pod ·

2025/07/31

In this episode, Farnoosh and Mike explore sustainability with a Montclair lens. What does it really mean to “live green” in our town—and is it affordable, practical, or even possible?You’ll hear:A solar reality check from Montclair local Ivy Sheibar, who breaks down the truth behind “free” solar panels, what the upcoming federal tax credit deadline means for homeowners, and how to decide if solar is worth it for your house. Plus, she’s offering a free guide for listeners.A trip to American Royal

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51:48

Montclair Art: From Frames to Fine Art, Dance Icons,...

The Montclair Pod ·

2025/07/24

Back by demand: It’s our second deep dive into the world of Montclair arts: bigger, bolder, and possibly haunted.Dance phenom Sharron Miller takes us from flat feet to Broadway, and back to Montclair where she’s mentored generations of dancers at her namesake academy.The Montclair Dance Festival has arrived. Hear from founder Donna Scro Samori about its community roots and big dreams.Step into Ria Frame Shop x Art Gallery, where frames meet fine art. Owner Ria Mulvey shares how her dual business

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39:16

Homeless in Montclair: The Story of MESH and a Town...

The Montclair Pod ·

2025/07/17

Montclair is facing a growing crisis: homelessness. As of the latest count, there are 93 homeless people (sheltered and unsheltered) in Montclair, according to a study by Monarch Housing. That's the fourth highest number in Essex County. And while the need for help has never been more urgent, the community’s response has never felt more complicated.In this episode, co-hosts Farnoosh and Mike take listeners deep into the story behind MESH (Montclair Emergency Services for Hope), a local nonprofit

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48:28

Montclair’s Non-Profit Network: Stories of Urgency,...

The Montclair Pod ·

2025/07/10

This week's show highlights some of the nonprofits doing critical, often unsung work to support our community. With over 210 registered nonprofits in town, we hear from some of the most impactful organizations responding to food insecurity, domestic violence, and urgent financial crises. Guest co-host is Tom Hall, Artistic Director/Co-Head of Montclair Film, who also provides insights into how the arts fit into the nonprofit landscape.Guests include:Ray Graj, co-founder of Montclair Helps, on how

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45:38

Montclair’s New Superintendent Speaks: School...

The Montclair Pod ·

2025/07/03

Montclair has a new superintendent—and she’s stepping into the role at a critical moment. In this episode, Farnoosh and Mike sit down with Ruth B. Turner, the newly appointed head of Montclair Public Schools, for an unfiltered conversation about the district’s financial audit, recent staffing cuts, and her vision for rebuilding trust in the community. To learn more about Turner's upcoming Listen and Learn sessions check out our site.Turner shares how her background in social work informs her

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46:14

Traffic Safety in Montclair: Necessary Improvements...

The Montclair Pod ·

2025/06/26

This week on The Montclair Pod, we’re taking a closer look at how safe it feels to get around Montclair and what’s being done to improve it.We sit down with Laura Torchio, the town’s new Complete Streets Director, in her first public interview since stepping into the role. Torchio shares her vision for making Montclair’s streets safer and more accessible for everyone, whether they’re walking, biking, or driving. She also talks candidly about the obstacles: slow change, coordination, and the need

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46 results

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