Montclair Local

In this episode we talk with the Editor, Louis Hochman and the Sports/Community reporter, Andrew Garda from Montclair Local. They are two of the many dedicated people who make up the team that serves our community with their award-winning newspaper. Founded by Heeten Choxi, the paper operates as a non-profit and relies on this community to support their efforts to create a cohesive and informed community about local matters.

Montclair Local won 34 New Jersey Press Association awards for work done in 2020. For the third year in a row, Montclair Local has garnered the New Jersey Press Association's General Excellence award.

AIR DATE: 5/31/2021

 

Podclair - 3 Years & 100 Episodes Later

In this episode, Andrew Garda of the Montclair Local newspaper interviews Joanna Seltzer, Tracey Diamond and Margo Bruton of Podclair discussing how the podcast came to be, the need to share stories about our community, and the last three rewarding years producing a podcast for and about Montclair.

Andrew is an experienced journalist who is a Member of the Pro Football Writers Association of America with a decade of experience writing about the NFL and 15+ years of writing in various other formats, including blogs, screen and teleplays, short stories and standard newsprint articles.

During his time on the sports beat for the Montclair Local, he has covered things like the high school’s first African-American female basketball coaching staff, an undefeated state championship football season. In our Covid year, he's been lending his considerable talents to other stories for the paper.

AIR DATE: 5/16/2021

 

Sister to Sister Montclair

In today's episode, Joanna speaks with Dr. Doris Walker-Bennett and Lisa White of the local non-profit organization Sister to Sister. The organization works with the Montclair Board of Education to provide free mentorship to girls to support them from 4th grade through high school, including the college admissions process. In town for over 20 years and serving hundreds of students in their after school programs, they have had 100% of their graduate on time and accepted to college, mostly as first generation college students - and in a testament to the cohesive community they create, many alumni of the program return to be guest speakers mentors themselves for the next generation of mentees.

AIR DATE: 5/2/2021

 

Cafe Moso

In this episode, Joanna speaks with Zina Floyd, the lively and dynamic serial entrepreneur and owner of Cafe MOSO on Orange Road. Coined MOSO, for Montclair South, Zina and her husband, Michael, a native Montclairian, sought out a chef to partner with to open the space in July 2019. Together they crafted seasonal menus with elevated comfort food and BBQ classics that has become a staple both in Montclair's South End VIllage and beyond. Zina explains what called her to the restaurant business, the surprising pivots of adapting to the pandemic, and the impact of Black Lives Matter as they approached their first year anniversary.

AIR DATE: 4/18/2021

 

Growth Point Business Consulting

In today's episode, we are featuring a guest that would be helpful to the many businesses in town that are rethinking their business approach as they gear up for the post-Covid world. And if you are just starting a business, being clear about your process and goals can help your marketing strategy succeed in the new future we're facing.

Arnie Amir has helped many big and small businesses go through the process of analysing and clarifying their business plan to make the most of their opportunities. He's the owner of Growth Point Business Consulting. He has a clear and practical approach to planning and implementing clear strategies that will do the things that will be most effective in reaching your goals. We also about what it takes to get a business or organization in shape for the challenges of today's business environment.

AIR DATE: 4/4/2021

 

Bike and Walk Montclair

In today's episode, Joanna speaks with John Sullivan of the advocacy group, Bike & Walk Montclair.  In town for 17 years, the non-profit organization has been dedicated to creating bikeable and walkable options in town.  Through their determined efforts, they were able to have the town agree to a "SAFE" street framework for the upcoming town master plan, which will consider ways to ensure the "streets are for everyone" when designing and planning new streets and developments starting in 2021. John discusses the work of the non-profit over the years and what keeps the organization going both before and after the pandemic. 

New Jersey Bike Walk Coalition: https://njbwc.org

Safe Streets Initiative: https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/business/localaid/safe.shtm

AIR DATE: 3/21/2021

 

Dream Martial Arts

In this episode, Joanna speaks with Emilio DeLia, owner of Dream Martial Arts. Emilio details what brought him into martial arts, the inspiration behind opening his studio, and how he sustained his mental health and resiliency during the pandemic lockdown to re-envision how to continue serving the children of Montclair and neighboring communities with classes and community.

AIR DATE: 3/7/2021

 

Jeree Wade

In today's episode, we speak with life counselor and therapist Jeree Wade.  Born in Atlantic City, she lived between there and Harlem for a good deal of her life.  Montclair became her home many years ago after marrying actor, singer and producer Adam Wade.

Jeree has had a distinguished career herself in showbiz as a singer and actress, but her training as a life coach started calling to her in mid-life.  So she got her Masters Degree and switched gears to inspire others to manage their lives in the best way possible to achieve their goals and dreams. 

AIR DATE: 2/22/2021

 

Vesta Chocolate

In today's episode, Joanna speaks with Roger and Julia Wood about the inspiration behind their bean to bar chocolate boutique, Vesta Chocolate, on Valley Road in Upper Montclair. Roger, an accomplished chocolatier and chef at top restaurants like Jean George and Gramercy Tavern, and Julia, a food stylist at the Food Network and many Major Brands, have joined forces in both marriage and entrepreneurship to open a stylish cafe that required redesigning a former bank entrance, complete with original vault, and adding a chocolate kitchen. They explain the story of how Covid shut them down only a few months after they opened, but inspired a whole new level of creativity that helped make it to their one year anniversary, on January 22, 2021

AIR DATE: 2/8/2021

 

Ahava Felicidad Hair and Body - The Holistic Hair Healer

In today's episode, Joanna speaks with Ahava Felicidad, the Holistic Hair Healer. A true native of Montclair, born right at Mountainside Hospital, Ahava first started working with hair in 1986. In 2013, she started her first solopreneur location uptown on Bellevue Ave. Her current studio is located on Midland Ave near our previous podcast guest, Fleet Feet. ⁠ Ahava tells Joanna what started her journey in hair as a young girl, the benefits of a natural, chemical-free approach for curly hair, and how making her own soaps and scrubs led her to develop her own locally-made hair care product line. 

AIR DATE: 1/24/2021

 

Montclair Meal Kits

In today’s show we’re talking with Jason Milleisen, the creator of Montclair Meal Kits, a full food delivery service devoted to local restaurants in the Montclair area serving the people who live there. An entrepreneur at heart, Jason continues to run a pizza truck and has a true appreciation for the men and women in the food service industry. With the pandemic expected to ramp up, this winter restaurants need our help more than ever. Jason’s vision is for our great Montclair eateries to be easily accessible to the residents via delivery without all the punishing surcharges from third party delivery providers. So what will it take to make this all work? Listen and find out!

AIR DATE: 12/20/2020

 

Artisans Gallery Pop-Up

In today's show we're talking with Lucienne Coppedge and Renau Daniels, owners of the Artisans Gallery Pop-up Store. They started this business as a side project to their day jobs but it is a labor of love for them both and it shows in the careful selection of items they offer to their customers. They've made it their mission to bring quality Fair Trade and sustainable jewelry, clothing, home goods and artwork, made by local and international artisans. Many of their items are handcrafted and the majority of them are made by women artisans and designers. They also encourage products and businesses that participate in zero waste and sustainability. Lucienne and Renau have been creating this pop-up since 2015 and recently relocated and reopened Montclair's South End after recovering from the business closures during COVID.

AIR DATE: 12/06/2020

 

Montclair Pet Girl

In this week's episode, our 90th!, we're talking to a business that focuses on taking care of our pets for us when we're too busy to walk, feed or pamper them ourselves. We're talking to Janine Ruela of Montclair Pet Girl about her love of animals and how she made a quick pivot from being a teacher to pet walking and cat tending. She speaks about how her business, opened in 2011, expanded as her reputation grew and also leaves us with some advice from what she's learned over the years.

AIR DATE: 11/22/2020

 
 

Sharron Miller’s Academy for the Performing Arts (SMAPA)

In this week's episode we speak with someone who has been, almost, an institution in Montclair for more than 25 years.  Sharron Miller is the Founder/Director of Sharron Miller’s Academy for the Performing Arts (SMAPA) located on Park Street.  Sharron was always passionate about dance from a young age and attended The Juilliard School and soon after, found a position with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater as a soloist. She is also the veteran of seven Broadway shows and has appeared on television, film, and hundreds of radio and television commercials.

As she settled into family life here in Montclair, she found commuting to be a burden and looked to practice her art closer to home. Sharron became committed to enriching the lives of young people, through teaching dance and performance arts right here in Montclair.  SMAPA’s holistic philosophy inspires students to believe they can achieve, nurturing the potential within each student by encouraging creativity, building skills, fostering self-discipline, and bolstering self-esteem

She previously served on the faculty of Renaissance Middle School for 13 years where SMAPA provided the dance and drama program for 6th, 7th and 8th grade students during the school day. Ms. Miller has also served on the faculty of Montclair Kimberley Academy, Far Brook School, and has been affiliated with the New Jersey Performing Arts Center as an arts-in-education consultant/partner. At SMAPA, she not only continues to train hundreds of students yearly, but also continues to develop her arts enrichment programs and community outreach. Ms. Miller resides in Montclair, New Jersey with her daughter, Jaimie.

AIR DATE: 11/8/2020

 
 

Paper Plane Coffee Co.

In this week's episode we speak with Jonathan Escheverry of Paper Plane Coffee Co. Jonathan spent his summers as a boy in his grandfather's coffee fields in Colombia where he learned how coffee's grown and processed but he was raised in the US the rest of the year. He had an early interest in food and cuisine and went for culinary training, but found himself looking for another outlet for his passion for taste. He decided to learn more formally about producing and roasting excellent gourmet coffee and opened a coffee outlet in Brooklyn. After meeting and marrying a native Montclarion, he tired of the daily commute to his shop in Brooklyn and shifted his store to Montclair. We learn of his journey from Brooklyn, back to Colombia for training and eventually here to Montclair where he offers the very best in South American blended coffee.

AIR DATE: 10/25/2020

BONUS: Paper Plane Coffee Co. Additional Interview in Spanish

We couldn't get enough of Jonathan Escheverry, much as we can't get enough of his coffee. Joanna, our interviewer, is married to Uber, a native Spanish speaker, who had a few more questions to ask so we kept recording as they talked and tapped his talents to get an additional interview in Spanish. Have a listen...

 

Janice Gobert & Inq-ITS

In today's show, I'm speaking with a local Montclair resident, Janice Gobert. She is an entrepreneur and Rutgers’ Graduate School of Education professor and she has earned a PhD in Cognitive Science. She's a leader in her field and has studied with some of the top experts in Cognitive Science.  Since 2012, she has also been CEO of a company she developed called Apprendis and their flagship product, Inq-ITS, a science platform that has been a growing resource for middle schoolers, high school students, and their teachers. The platform incorporates virtual science labs that assess and support students while they work using AI. I've known Janice for a few years here in our community and have been fascinated with her creation of this learning program.

AIR DATE: 7/26/2020

 

North Essex Chamber of Commerce

In this episode, we're talking with two of the leaders of the North Essex Chamber of Commerce. Amiee Idan is its executive director and Denny Klein is a long time member who has years of experience supporting and helping to lead local businesses in successful business networking and partnerships.

As the threat of COVID, hopefully, recedes, our stores and businesses are beginning the process of rebuilding and reaching out to their customers to welcome them back.

Our town and it's hard-working business owners need all the help they can get. Have a listen to our speakers as they talk about the wealth of knowledge and ideas that their organization has for those in need of community and guidance while reopening and repositioning their businesses to succeed as we all move forward to re-establish our vibrant downtown areas here in Essex County.

And they talk about their upcoming event on July 15th - Meet the Mayors, which they have sponsored every year to let the public hear from the leaders of their towns and get to hear directly from them. This year it's online and we're giving you links to join the event here:
https://business.northessexchamber.com/events/details/2020-meet-the-mayors-virtual-event-3161

And we also want to thank the corporate supporters of the Chamber of Commerce for supporting this important local organization:
BCB Bank
RWJ Barnabas
PSE&G
Astorino Financial Group
Jordan Baris
Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis
Rand, Fewer & Kline
Smolin Accounting
Windmill Products

AIR DATE: 07/12/2020

 

Montclair’s Community Response to School’s Out! Businesses for our Youth

In this episode, we're talking with Jessica Kline of Macaroni Kid. Jess is an experienced marketing professional and a seriously busy Mom. She has three kids of her own and through that experience, she developed an appreciation for the value of local connections and information for creating a holistic and social community for raising your kids in.

She found the Macaroni Kid website which brings you news and info that's great for moms and families featuring advice, entertainment, product reviews, holiday fun, and parenting tips and she decided to sign on as a local publisher for our area. She launched in December, before the quarantine, and has realized that her company has new-found relevance in our new locked-down world. 

If you're a Mom or Dad and have busy kids who need to GET OUT, you'll love her story.

AIR DATE: 6/28/20

Montclair’s Community Response to Business Re-Openings & Black Lives Matter

In this episode, we speak with a wide range of people who own businesses here in town supporting their efforts to open successfully.  We talk with many business owners to see what their thoughts are as we move into this phase and how they plan to manage the re-openings, or in a few cases, delaying or not re-opening, just yet.

We begin with introducing you to some of our area's black owned businesses and encourage you  to frequent their shops and services as well. These businesses are just a small sampling of the inclusive culture Montclair has to offer and how we value everyone as great citizens. Please join us in helping them all thrive and grow in this difficult time.  Black Lives Matter --- Now, more than ever...

Light of Gold PR

Artisan Gallery

Cafe Moso

Velvet Lush Boutique

Johari Montclair

We also hear from some other Montclair businesses that are eager and ready to reopen and looking forward to your business once again. We'll speak to some who feel they need to reorganize online first to rebuild their brand before reopening in brick and mortar. We encourage you to give these and all Montclair businesses your support in whatever way you can.

DeNovo

Gelati by Mike

Powerhouse Tattoo

Fleet Feet

AIR DATE: 6/14/20

 

Montclair's Community Response to Corona - Graduation Season & Youth Impact

In this episode, we take a look at the effect that the shutdown has had on our teens, graduation celebrations and how it will alter the way seniors and their families are making college decisions for the fall. We'll get some guidance on the outlook for making preparations for college this year from College Admissions Consultant and Counselor Scott White. He has counseled and led teams at various schools in the New York and New Jersey area and was the former Montclair High School Director of Guidance. We'll also talk to Erika Insana and Shannon Gibson, who are leading the volunteer team for the yearly Project Graduation festivities for Montclair High School. Plus we'll have an added mini-segment on what seniors are thinking of distance learning and the disruption to their college plans.

AIR DATE: 5/31/2020

 

Montclair's Community Response to Corona - Marketing Strategies for Business in Recovery

In this episode, we'll be looking at the strategies and marketing ideas for reopening our local businesses as we continue to recover from COVID19. We'll talk with two of our local business people who are known for their marketing expertise and creativity.

Barbara Lemley is the principal at the Montclair-based branding studio, Identity In Design in Upper Montclair. She's also the founder of Montclair Design Perspectives and has been an active member of the Montclair community for over 15 years. Her experience has been proved in sales and marketing programs at places like Estee Lauder, Donna Karan Beauty and Bloomingdales. Barbara has used her strategic voice in both the retail and wholesale sectors and has developed customer engagement through shop design, digital content, and social platforms. She's been involved with many Montclair-area organizations such as the Montclair Center BID, the Upper Montclair Business Association, and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs. She's currently a member of the Board of Management at The Van Vleck House & Gardens.

We'll also be speaking with Paul Giordano. He is the owner of White Rabbit, Black Heart. His first store, Paul Michael Designs, was in Randolph, NJ and had a greater focus on floral arrangements and event preparations. But he discovered Montclair and decided to open Sweet Home Montclair on Valley Road. It carried homemade sweets, cards and stationary as well as unique, thoughtful gifts. He rebranded as White Rabbit, Black Heart about a year ago and he now carries all sorts of beautiful, snarky, spunky, and lovely gifts for all occasions and he still sells those candies he's made famous. We talk with him about these challenging times along with how he has been using his store windows to communicate with his customers through posting sentiments there.

AIR DATE: 5/16/2020

 

Montclair’s Community Response to Corona - Montclair Center BID, Feliciano Center at Montclair State University, Ani Ramen’s #BeAwesomeFeedSomebody

In this episode of Podclair, we're focusing on the business aspect of our town's recovery.  Today we'll talk with three people who are deeply involved with this question.

Part 1: First, we'll be talking to Carley Graham Garcia. Carley became executive director of the Feliciano Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Montclair State University in September 2019. Previously, she served as Head of External Affairs at Google where she was responsible for public policy, government relations and community engagement for the New York City region. Carley lives with her husband, son, and daughter in Montclair. She's working with Jason Gleason of the Montclair BID and Petia Morozov owner of DesignShed and founder of Montclair Design Week to direct attention at recovery strategies through an online group of local business owners.

Part 2: We'll also speak with Jason Gleason, a long-time resident of Montclair, NJ, formerly associated with The Pig & Prince Restaurant, who has served on the board at the Montclair BID and has recently taken the helm as Executive Director.

And lastly, we'll wrap up this episode with a short interview with Luk Sarabhayavanija of Ani Ramen. Luk closed his business due to the Covid19 emergency but opened up again recently with a revamped business plan that includes making his business a non-profit, #BeAwesomeFeedSomebody, that provides support and food for first responders and victims of Covid19 using a new restaurant,  Rock City Pizza and Bam Bam Chicken where they'll offer take-out for our residents and raise funds for those in need. He's on the leading edge of figuring out how businesses can survive in the new economic and social reality.

Show Notes:

AIR DATE: 5/3/2020

 

Montclair's Community Response to Corona - Distance Learning, Daycare, Working from Home

We speak with three local professionals whose businesses are part of a support system for Montclair families. They help manage our households full of busy, active teens, toddlers, and their overworked parents. In America today, in 2020, an average of 57% of households have two working parents. That means this pandemic has severely complicated the lives of most of our residents here in Montclair.

In Part 1, we'll speak with Paula Ochs from the Family Service League. They provide support and strengthen families in need in Essex County through counseling, education, and social services.

In Part 2, we speak with Howard Weinrib who handles the Education Technology for Montclair School System and who also owns an educational company called TEKI that provides experiences that build self-confidence and leadership qualities in young people while integrating 21st-century technology into learning. And finally, we'll talk with Jay Shah who owns The Education Station Day Care Center in Bloomfield. We'll hear about the problems that arise for the families who have had to forego daycare while still working from home and we'll hear about the daunting position our local businesses are facing as they look forward to the end of the quarantine.

Show Notes:

Financing website resources for small businesses:

AIR DATE: 4/19/2020

 

Montclair’s Community Response to Corona, Part 2

In this episode, we’ll continue to showcase some of the people and organizations that are helping our community get through this terrible time. stay home so we all need the patience to get through this.

We’ll talk to some of the people and organizations in our community that are helping those who need it most, victims of the pandemic. John Fromhold, Tim O’Brien and Valerie Allusson of Mountainside Hospital spoke with me about what we should know about their program to help us get through this, what we can do to help our health workers and how they’re doing at the hospital.

Then we’ll take a look at the efforts of the Office of Emergency Management here in town. This is a job that most of us never think of or may not know we have here in town. We don’t think of it until we need it. Chief John Herrmann leads this team and speaks with us about what they’re doing behind the scenes, working to protect our citizens.

We’ll also speak with Buddy Evans who heads up the YMCA’s here in town. He’ll tell us about services and programs they have to help health workers and our community.

And we’ll speak with the Mary Murdoch, owner of Murdoch’s Shoes, a long-standing business in Bloomfield that is pitching in to help the tireless workers at the hospital be a little more comfortable on the job.

Show Notes:

AIR DATE: 4/5/2020

 

Montclair’s Community Response to the Corona Virus

Right now, we're all living through a remarkable time in the history of our world---and of our country. We're a diverse and social community that thrives on the day-to-day flow of business and social relationships. They're the bedrock of our love for Montclair. But that flow of energy has slowed considerably and we are struggling to find a path through all this while still taking care of each other.

Today's episode is about just that---finding a path through hard times to a sunnier day. We'll be talking with members of our community who are striving to help others and find a way to stay positive while keeping in touch with each other and with the values we all cherish.

We'll talk with people stepping up to help our health community like Alan Schatzberg of Schatzberg Drapery, Anne Mernin of Toni's Kitchen about the help they and others are providing for food-insecure households, Peter Coyl from Montclair Public Library about how they can help your boredom, and we'll feature a few people who are relying on self-help to survive this pandemic as well. We'll also give you a go-to list for local help and charitable causes.

Show Notes:

 

Pee-kaboo Potty Stickers

We speak with Nina Snilo Swai creator of the potty training solution Pee-kaboo Potty Stickers.  As a young woman, Nina Nsilo Swai had plans to follow her diplomat father into a job focused on international business in some way or another. But life has a way of taking you in directions you never planned! She grew up between Tanzania, the United Kingdom, and New York City. But after earning her degree in urban planning, the first place she found a need for her talents was in the local New York area, working with some of the poorest of the cities inhabitants. Soon, she met and married her husband and they became a multicultural family with a special needs child.

Eventually, they moved to New Jersey to access special schooling for their, now, two children and Nina began to plan for a different kind of personal success.

She tells us the story of her journey to integrate her ambitions for herself with the needs of her children and family. She tells us of waiting in a coffee shop in Verona while they were in school, researching how to start her own business and creating some ideas. Fast forward - today she has a flourishing company that markets her product all over the US.

AIR DATE: 3/15/2020

 

Bangz Salon

We speak with Andy, one of the stylists at Bangz Salon here in town. You probably noticed the award-winning renovation of the former 19th Century Masonic Temple on Fullerton Street several years ago that transformed that building into a world-class salon that offers hair color and cut as well as salon services like hair treatments, balayage, and extensions. They have a full range of other treatments like nail, skin and spa services, as well. And best of all, this takes place inside a truly breathtaking building that streams with sun and color through the stained glass windows.

Andy tells us the story of how he found his way to this career and we speak about the important emphasis that Bangz puts on using sustainable, earth-friendly dyes, treatments and chemicals so that customers not only look fabulous but the process is environmentally safer, to help keep our environment healthy as well.

 

Entwined Studio Photography

We speak with Angie McCaffrey and discuss her life and career in film making and media. She tells us about the rewards of a creative lifestyle on film and video production, and also about the life challenges and personal uncertainties that life can bring. We talk about what she's learned and finally about her decision to open a photography studio, Entwined Studio, with her husband, Matt's help and support.

AIR DATE: 2/16/2020

 

When I Grow Up Coach

We speak with Michelle Ward, PCC, the When I Grow Up Coach, guiding creative women to bridge the gap between an unfulfilling career and their dream business since 2008.  If you're finally ready to listen to the quiet voice in the back of your head that says "I want to be a successful entrepreneur," Michelle Ward is the person to talk to...and we did.  Michelle has an online news list about creating the work-life you dream of and has blogged about careers "for wherever you are at in your dream business timeline".  She has been interviewed by leading news sources like Newsweek, NY Magazine, Huffington Post, USA Today and Forbes Top 100.

If you need the energy to restart your career, Michelle has more than needed to share that Ooomph! to get you going!

AIR DATE: 2/9/2020

 

Tostchu

We speak with Gokhan Bars, the owner of the new eatery Tostchu (toast-chew) on North Willow.  Gohkan grew up in Istanbul, went to college, and then went into the textile business, manufacturing high quality fabrics for the garment industry. He made a great success of his business in Turkey and Europe, but after many years of hard work and wise investing, he found himself living a life that left him no time for anything but work. His inspiring story it reminds us that though we think we're in charge, sometimes life has other plans for us. We talk to Gokhan about what it's taken for him and his family to build a life on two continents, through resilience, paying attention to what's important in life and remembering to listen to the call of destiny.

AIR DATE: 1/19/2020

 

Amy Owens /Keller Williams NJ Metro Group

We speak with Amy Owens of The Amy Owens Team at Keller Williams NJ Metro Group. Since 2005, Amy has been the local go-to for all things real estate, specializing in NJ commuter towns. Formerly a Garment Center Executive and Upper West Side Resident.  There, she learned how to be a meticulous facilitator and negotiator, which translated well to her thriving career in real estate. Amy and her family moved to Glen Ridge in 2002 and is now the team leader of The Amy Owens Team at Keller Williams NJ Metro Group. 

Her team of 6, includes Buyers’ Agents, Staging and Administrative Staff who service transactions from contract to closing ensuring that her clients receive the utmost care.  Building a sense of community for her clients is something Amy and her team is highly passionate about.   Amy is the recipient of the Circle of Excellence Platinum Level Award, the top honor presented to agents based on their production. In her career, she has closed 400+ transactions totaling over $200 million in sales.  

AIR DATE: 12/29/19

 

Heratij

We speak with Christopher Francois and Alexander Aronoff of Heratij, an apparel business in Montclair known for being all about Slope Street Style.  When Christopher and Alex worked together over a decade ago in a small ski/snowboard shop, they never imagined they would eventually end up as business partners. Through many commonalities, they took a chance on a venture they felt so strongly about. They started dreaming about a shop that reflected their passion for skateboarding and snowboarding. That dream would blossom into a lifestyle store on Fullerton Avenue featuring products that reflect their passion and also, a line of denim with their own brand.

AIR DATE: 12/15/19

 

Wyanoke Builders

We speak with longtime Montclair residents, Daren and Brandon Rogers, who along with their father Glenn, founded Wyanoke Builders in 2009.  The Rogers Men, as they are affectionately known, were able to create a successful business together despite their extremely diverse backgrounds.  Together they have had the unique responsibility of restoring and renovating the town they’ve called home for over 30 years.

As their business approaches its 10-year anniversary, we laugh about the slippery slope that is working with family, we discuss what it takes to make and keep clients happy, and we chat about the demands and thrills of staking your lawn sign throughout our town. 

AIR DATE: 12/1/19

 

Allegory at the MC Hotel

We speak with Lou Narvaez, the Beverage Supervisor and Head Bartender at the new MC Hotel. Guest Producer Rashaun Hall discusses with Lou his role as manager of the Allegory Restaurant and Bar and his overseeing the Alto Rooftop Lounge for the hotel. Lou has managed bars and created imaginative and elegant cocktails for many premier lounges in our area. He has also worked throughout the region in some of the most exciting and noted restaurants in northern Jersey including The Ashford in Jersey City and Montclair's own Social Club. And now he's excited to bring top-notch service to the two great "libation stations" at the MC!

AIR DATE: 11/17/19

 

Marie Fromage

We speak with Montclair native, Mary Connolly who has several ongoing creative passions in her life. She has made a busy but rewarding lifestyle of song, cheese, and travel that any of us would be jealous of. Also, she has brought her alter ego, Marie Fromage, the expert cheese master, affineur and turophile with her to share her vast knowledge of cheese and taste pairings. We'll also hear her story about her other love, the Sausage Kings.

AIR DATE: 11/3/19

 

Moline Kronberg Cleaners

We speak with Marcello and Patricia Rodio, owners of Moline Kronberg Drycleaners of Distinction. If you have treasured keepsakes or vintage clothes and costumes Moline Kronberg is the place to bring them. Something special is always going on at their shop. They run one of the most exacting and meticulous cleaning services available. Marcello Rodio was born into the business as a boy on Staten Island, and Patricia's family was also involved in the biz and then she married into it as well! They're originally from South America but they've been here for quite a few decades. Their business is a treasured institution in town.

AIR DATE: 10/20/19

 

Montclair Brewery

We speak with Denise Ford Sawadogo and her husband Leo Sawadogo. In the last year, they launched Montclair Brewery on Walnut Street here in Montclair. Leo has a lifetime of experience brewing beer with his family in his home in the West of Africa. Leo’s background also includes being a creator and owner of a small, trendy bar and restaurant for 8 years, in his hometown of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso in West Africa. Leo’s background also includes being a radio personality and journalist at one of the first FM stations in his hometown.

His wife, Denise, has degrees in fashion, merchandising and marketing so she keeps busy in both her day job as a marketing pro and then gets out the word on brewing and runs the business side of the brewery on nights and weekends and every other moment that she isn't mothering her active, sports-loving son. Their business on Walnut Street has quickly become a sort of living room to many Montclairons, who bring their laptop and a sandwich to eat while sipping a brew, working remotely or just talking to neighbors.

AIR DATE: 10/6/19

 

Montclair Jazz Festival & Jazz House Kids

We speak with Jazz House Kids board member Susan Gifford and her husband Chris.  These Montclair residents have been extremely active with Jazz House Kids and the Montclair Jazz Festival,  which is celebrating 10 years this year! The Festival runs through August 10th featuring over 250 incredible musicians like the six-time Grammy Award winner Christian McBride, the spouse of Melissa Walker who founded Jazz House Kids. Together they’ve built the Montclair Jazz Festival which this year will feature artists like Bettye Lavette, Eddie Palmieri, Mark Whitfield and Quincy Phillips, and of course, the amazing Jazz House Kids, just to name a few.  The festival is being held in venues throughout the town - with the grand finale concert happening on Sunday August 10th from noon until 9pm at Nishuane Park.

AIR DATE: 7/28/19

 

Gelati by Mike (renamed to Guerriero’s in 2020)

We speak with Mike Guerriero of Gelati by Mike, formerly Gelotti on Bloomfield Avenue, who tells us how he came to build several gelato shops in our area. He takes us through the dramatic story of his highs and lows as he navigated his way from an arrogant kid working a summer job to a seasoned shop manager and finally, to a successful partnership in a thriving chain of local businesses centered around the delicious award-winning gelato that he has learned to craft.

AIR DATE: 7/21/19

 

Wombkeepers

We speak with Dr. Michelle Aristizabal, an obstetrician and gynecologist who founded Wombkeepers, a maternity wellness center on Valley Road. She shares why she wanted to build her own OB-GYN practice, how she ended up working alongside her mother, the role your partner plays in your health, and how centering a women's autonomy in her birth choices has resulted in her c-section rate being 20% below the national average. As a solo practitioner, she has single-handedly delivered 2,000 of our local babies!

Show Notes:

AIR DATE: 7/14/19

 

MisMish, Marcel & Luisa

We speak with Meny Vaknin, chef and owner of MishMish on Glenridge Ave, Marcel on Valley Rd, and Luisa on Walnut St (opening this summer). He shares how his love of food was inspired by growing up in a small, Israeli desert town and how his wife introduced him to the Montclair area. He discusses his role on Food Network's Chopped, his chance to work alongside famed chef Daniel Boulud, and what inspired each of his Montclair cafes and restaurants.

Show Notes:

AIR DATE: 7/7/19

 

COPE Center

We speak with Sue Seidenfeld of COPE Center, Inc. COPE Center is a non-profit agency that strengthens communities by helping people overcome challenges with drugs, alcohol, family issues, and HIV/AIDS. Its four tenets — Counseling, Outreach, Prevention, and Education — spell out COPE.

Since 1971, they have provided adolescent counseling, alcohol & substance abuse counseling and programs for adolescents and adults as well as family counseling and parenting workshops and many other services for people with HIV/AIDS, mental health issues and Veterans. They serve all sectors of the Montclair population from youth at risk & the working poor to families dealing with stress, loss of a family member or mental issues that call for outside help or resources.

AIR DATE: 6/30/19

 

Cool Cat Music Company

We speak with Ken DePoto of Cool Cat Music Company, a business in town that is all about making music every day. As we celebrate Make Music Day here in Montclair, we talk with Ken about opening his new shop and how he and his Dad came to the business. We'll also drop into the music sessions going on at the store on Make Music Day to talk with a few of the talented folks and their listeners who are making music all over town.

AIR DATE: 6/23/19

 

HELLO Toothpaste & Oral Care Products

We speak with Craig Dubitsky, the founder of the fastest growing oral care brand, Hello, born right here in town. In this deep dive interview, Craig shares how a string of coincidences inspired him and his family to move to Montclair and how saying yes to meeting new people led to his involvement with industry-changing companies Method and EOS. Craig drops many colorful puns as he explains his plans to nudge the toothpaste and oral care industry towards a friendlier future.

Show Notes:

  • The cautionary tale of Juicero was mentioned in the interview.

    AIR DATE: 6/16/19

 

Montclair Farmers Market

We speak with Andrew Myszkowski, the market manager of the Montclair Farmers' Market, as well as tours the tents, speaking with some of the farmers and artisans who supply our town with their delicious food.

In 1993, there were only three farmers’ markets in all of northern New Jersey. But that year, Montclair resident Grey Russell organized a support coalition and a committed group of residents got together and founded the Montclair Farmers’ Market, which is now in its 27th season. 

Today, there are over one hundred farmer's markets around the state but the Montclair Farmers’ Market is one of the busiest, most exciting, and most successful markets in the state. Most all of the familiar farmers have returned again this season, with produce usually picked within 24 hours; most of which are grown or prepared right here in the Garden State.

This year’s market boasts more than a dozen delicious food artisans as well. 

AIR DATE: 6/9/19

 

Family Jam Montclair (With Dirt & Noise And Little Nest Portraits)

We speak with Melissa Adler (owner of Dirt & Noise) and Brittany DeMaio (owner of Little Nest), the co-founders of the Family Jam festival, previously known as Kidchella. They share how they became friends inspired to create a local festival, what's behind their festival's name change, and what they have both learned as downtown business owners.

 

Saveur Creole

We speak with Saveur Creole restaurant owner Ron Mompoint. Ron emigrated to this country from Haiti with his parents when he was young. He found a good life in America, going to college and finding a great job, having children and settling in New Jersey.  But he always had a passion for the food of his homeland and longed for a place to show off Haitian hospitality and give New Jersey residents a taste of Haitian cuisine. So 14 years ago he opened Saveur Creole, which celebrates the vibrant Creole cooking of his homeland. His restaurant has been an elegant outpost of Creole cooking ever since.

AIR DATE: 6/2/19

 

Montclair African American Heritage Foundation and Parade

We speak with Bonni Taylor, Co-Committee Chair with Al Pelham of the Montclair African American Heritage Foundation Parade and Festival. This event is the highlight of the foundation's year and contributes to its mission of sharing black culture for others to experience and learn. Not just people outside black culture, but the black community as well. We talk with Bonnie about the organization and their annual festival that happens the first weekend of every June. The foundation of this event and of the MAAHPF as a whole is not just to celebrate but to educate Montclair about African American culture. It's a fun event that delivers a great time for everyone!

AIR DATE: 5/29/19

 

Halcyon

We speak with restaurant owners Marshall Diebold and Iliana Parvizi. of restaurant  Halcyon. Originally opened with Egan & Sons by local couple Sharon and Chris Eagan, we'll hear how Marshall and Ileana went from being close friends who bartended and managed the restaurant, to a romantic couple who now own the restaurant and have made it a mainstay on Walnut Street.

AIR DATE: 5/26/19

 

Montclair Bounce

We speak with Ann Mernin and Elly Meeks, co-founders of Montclair Bounce, a new festival of optimism and resilience, about what sparked their idea, how the community has been involved, and what to expect from this inaugural festival.

Show Notes:

  • Community guide developed with Held Grief Massage (on Church St) for resources on coping, grief, suicide, and mental health

  • Elly mentioned the art projects of JR and David Byrne

AIR DATE: 5/22/19

 

Doddle & Co

We speak with Nicki Radzely of Doddle & Co on how many prototypes it finally took to create a pacifier that popped when it dropped, how she landed on SharkTank, and what she really thinks about the label mompreneur. She also shares how to sign up to be a product tester to test the new ideas Doddle & Co are bringing to life.

Show Notes:

AIR DATE: 5/20/19

 

The Little Daisy Bake Shop

We speak with Jen Snyder, owner of The Little Daisy Bake Shop in Upper Montclair. Jen opened the doors to her Valley Road bake shop 8 years ago and started filling the streets with the scent of cinnamon and sweet treats.  We celebrate Mother’s Day with the story of Jen, who is a wife and mom of two.  Find out how she decided to take her passion for baking and turn it into a business.

The bakery which happens to be peanut and nut free, is known for its daily fresh baked goodness and its creative special orders.  You’ll hear how Jen, an Oregon native, left behind her career to raise her kids and realize her dream.  And you’ll also hear about the treat you can’t leave the shop without!

* Jen Attended COOKIECON and writes about it on her blog 

AIR DATE: 5/12/19

 

Dolce Federica

We speak with Federica Heiman, owner of Dolce Federica. We hear about her journey from amateur pastry novice to chocolate expert, sourcing her ingredients internationally and putting her own unique combinations of flavours into making her signature bon bons and chocolate candies. 

AIR DATE: 5/5/19

 

Montclair Film (Part 3): Education

1We speak with the educators behind those beautiful glass doors on Bloomfield Avenue.  In the conclusion to our special series on Montclair Film, Jo speaks with Sue Hollenberg, Montclair Film's Education Director, the woman who brings us all of those great classes for kids and adults.  Find out what Sue has on the schedule plus the very special campaign Montclair Film has launched that'll have you doing something kind for a stranger today. You'll also hear from writer and director Gary Rudoren, Montclair Film's Improv class instructor, and from one of his students who happens to be a familiar voice around town - Ruthie Perretti of Montclair's famous Ruthie's BBQ.  And for all those voiceover wannnabe's - get the inside track from another Montclair Film instructor, the Emmy award winning actress and voice over artist Claudine Ohayon whose commercials you will most likely recognize.  

Montclair Film Festival 2019 kicks off this Friday!

AIR DATE 5/1/19

 

Montclair Film (Part 2): Local Filmmakers

We speak with three of this year's Montclair Film Festival filmmakers, all residents of Montclair. 

First up, we talk to new Montclairian Maureen Towey - about making a film inspired by one of her radical community-based theater projects She has directed live theater and many interactive live performances with Arcade Fire, Ray LaMontagne, and Esperanza Spaulding. Then we speak with Susan Skoog, who has had several of her moving narrative films presented in the festival over the years.  A mentor to many young filmmakers, Susan also teaches at Montclair State University. Finally, we'll speak with Emmy Award winner Steve McCarthy, a veteran journalist, and filmmaker who has pursued impactful stories for over 30 years through television and documentary film.

AIR DATE: 4/24/19

 

Montclair Film (Part 1): Executive Director Tom Hall

We speak with with Tom Hall, Executive Director at Montclair Film.  The Film Festival which is in its 8th year, debuts May 3rd.  Tom arrived to Montclair Film almost 5 years ago, via Nantucket, Newport, Sarasota and the Hamptons Film Festivals.  Now he and his team have sifted through 1000 films to create a collection that he knows will be well-received in Montclair.  Find out what special events and celebrities you can look forward to this year as well as why Tom decided to open the festival with “Wild Rose” starring Jessie Buckley.

AIR DATE: 4/21/19

Show Notes:

 

Amie Blumberg Coaching

We speak with Montclair resident Amie Blumberg, a Senior Executive and Leadership Coach, of Amie Blumberg Coaching.  For 30 years. Amie worked in the fashion and retail industries where she held executive level positions at luxury brands like Ralph Lauren, Liz Claiborne and Bloomingdales. Amie began to learn skills that without knowing it, would create a very different future.  A victim of downsizing, she took those skills to set off in an entirely different direction. Now Amie uses her experience to help clients realize their dreams and achieve their fullest potential.

AIR DATE: 4/14/19

 

Culture Artisan Clothing

We speak with Kent Daniel as he launches his new line of clothing, Culture Artisan Clothing, and about his journey in the world of fashion design.  This episode is an inspiration for all creatives and fashionistas looking to find their way in their business. There will be ups and downs but throughout, a positive message about how to stay on track when life throws you for a loop. 

AIR DATE: 4/7/19

 

Sigrid Nunez

We bring you Part 3 of our Montclair Literary Festival Panel Series with Sigrid Nunez:

In this episode, we listen to an interview with author Sigrid Nunez and her editor Sarah McGrath as they discuss her new book, The Friend at Montclair's Literature Festival during this past month. It is a National Book Award-winning novel, a moving story of love, friendship, grief, healing, and the magical bond between a woman and her dog.

Sigrid Nunez has published seven novels. Sigrid’s honors and awards include a Whiting Writer’s Award, a Berlin Prize Fellowship, and two awards from the American Academy of Arts and Letters: the Rosenthal Foundation Award and the Rome Prize in Literature. The Friend won the 2018 National Book Award. She has taught at Columbia, Princeton, Boston University, and the New School, and has been a visiting writer or writer in residence at Amherst, Smith, Baruch, Vassar, and the University of California, Irvine, among others.

AIR DATE: 3/31/19

 

Nathan Englander

We bring you Part 2 of our Montclair Literary Festival Panel Series with Nathan Englander:

Fiction writer Julie Orringer talks with Nathan Englander at last month's Montclair Literary Festival about his latest book, kaddish.com. Nathan Englander is the author of the novels Dinner at the Center of the Earth and The Ministry of Special Cases. He was the 2012 recipient of the Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award and a finalist for the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for What We Talk About.  

Translated into twenty languages, Englander was selected as one of “20 Writers for the 21st Century” by The New Yorker, received a Guggenheim Fellowship, a PEN/Malamud Award, the Bard Fiction Prize, and the Sue Kaufman Prize from the American Academy of Arts & Letters.  He is Distinguished Writer-in-Residence at New York University and lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his wife and daughter.

AIR DATE: 3/31/19

 

Joyce Carol Oates

We were there at the Montclair Literary Festival this past week and were lucky enough to be in the room for Jonathan Santlofer's interview with Joyce Carol Oates. 

Joyce Carol Oates is a recipient of the National Medal of Humanities, the National Book Critics Circle Ivan Sandrof Lifetime Achievement Award, the National Book Award, and the PEN/Malamud Award for Excellence in Short Fiction, and has been several times nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. She has written some of the most enduring fiction of our time, including the national bestsellers We Were the Mulvaneys, Blonde, which was nominated for the National Book Award, and the New York Times bestseller The Falls, which won the 2005 Prix Femina. Her most recent novel is The Hazards of Time Travel. She is the Roger S. Berlind Distinguished Professor of the Humanities at Princeton University.

Jonathan Santlofer is an author and noted artist. He is the author of five best-selling novels. The latest is The Widowers Notebook.

AIR DATE: 3/31/19

 

The Book Doctors

We speak with Arielle Eckstut and David Henry Sterry otherwise known as The Book Doctors.  The Montclair couple pooled their talents to start a company in an industry they know a lot about - publishing.  Between them, Eckstut, a former literary agent and Sterry, an actor, comic and author, have written more than two dozen books.  So it was only natural the two start a company that provides workshops to help others take their stories from a blank piece of paper to a published book.  Find out why The Book Doctors chose to settle in Montclair and what you need to know if you think you have a book in you.

AIR DATE: 3/24/19

Show Notes:

  • David Henry Sterry: Writer — Book Doctor — Activist — International Man of Mystery

  • David is the best-selling author of 16 books.  

  • Arielle Eckstut: Writer - Book Doctor - Co-Founder of http://littlemissmatched.com

  • Arielle has been a literary agent for over 25 years at The Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency.

  • Holding a Master Class on getting published, Sunday, March 24th 10a-1p at 11 Pine Street

  • David's one man show was based off his memoir Chicken: was the number one show in the United Kingdom for its entire run at the Edinburgh Theatre Festival, Fringe by The Independent.

  • Arielle and David are co-authors of  The Essential Guide to Getting Your Book Published: “A must-have for every aspiring writer.” – Khaled Hosseini, and The Kite Runner

  • The Book Doctors have a YouTube channel where they post a video every week about the ins and outs and nuts and bolts of getting successfully published.  And they have fun doing it!

  • They can be found on Instagram   Facebook  Twitter

  • Bonus Time by James LaMarca

 

Christina Baker Kline

We speak with writer Christina Baker Kline. She will be one of the featured authors in this week’s Montclair Literary Festival discussing her new novel,  a piece of the world. Christina has also written five non-fiction books and seven novels including the NY Times best-selling Orphan Train. 

A former citizen of Montclair, Christina has often written on the feminist perspective and on women’s issues. Her essays, articles, and reviews have appeared in The New York Times Book Review, and The Yale Review, among other places.

AIR DATE: 3/20/19

 

Richard Thompson

We speak with legendary folk-rock guitarist, singer and songwriter Richard Thompson. He’s a brilliant guitarist, a witty and articulate lyricist and storyteller, and a frequent innovator. His career started with the folk-rock band Fairport Convention in 1967 and he has toured, recorded and headlined with Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris, Robert Plant, Don Henly, David Byrne, and Elvis Costello. We talk with him about his career and about his upcoming book Beeswing: Britain, Folk Rock and the End of the 60's.

AIR DATE: 3/17/19

 

Zara Phillips

We speak with Zara Phillips who will be a featured guest at this years Montclair Literary Festival. She talks with Margo about her career as a young woman as a backing singer with many musical acts, including Bob Geldof, Matt Bianco, Nick Kamen, David Essex and John Illsley. 

She talks about her work speaking about adoption and her new book “Somebody’s Daughter--- A moving journey of discovery, recovery and adoption.” in which she shares her journey of being an adopted child in search of her birth mother and a young performer fighting addiction.

AIR DATE: 3/13/19

 

Montclair Literary Festival

We speak with Jacqueline Mroz and Catherine Platt of the Montclair Literary Festival.  We have an amazingly vibrant arts and culture scene in our town and three years ago, Jacqueline and Catherine created the Montclair Literary Festival to celebrate the love of reading and raise funds for Succeed2gether's academic programs. They tell the story of how they came to create the festival, share with us which famous authors they have on deck for this year's event and what it took to bring this world-class cultural event to our town.

AIR DATED: 3/10/19

 

Watchung Booksellers

We speak with Margot Sage-El of Watchung Booksellers, famously, the independent bookstore for Montclair that supports and contributes to a thriving literary community, including over 60 published local authors, and uncountable publishing and media professionals. They are fierce supporters of the community, contributing to and working with local schools serving our children, the Montclair Public Library, the Montclair Fund for Eductional Excellence and the Adult School of Montclair.

AIR DATE: 3/3/19

 

Jacklyn Kling Distinctive Framework

We speak with Jacklyn Kling of Jacklyn Kling Distinctive Framework & Gallery  located in Montclair for over 30 years. She and her husband, Roger, are both devoted to fine art and trained in the best conservation techniques and methods.  When visiting their shop, you are surrounded by high quality art and framing craftsmanship.  We get some insights on her family’s craft and learn some tips and secrets for perfect framing!

AIR DATE: 2/24/19

 

Well Made Nutrition

We speak with Montclair State Universtiy alum Chelsea Caravella, owner of Well Made Nutrition. She shares what inspired her to create a plant-based nutrition practice designed to teach individuals to "love the food that loves them back," and how even vegans can find places to eat with their carnivore boyfriends in the restaurants around Montclair.

Show Notes:

AIR DATE: 2/17/19

 

Vanillamore

We sit down with Vanillamore’s chef and owner, Risa Magid Boyer. Risa grew up in Northern New Jersey thinking she would be a graphic artist one day.  But while a student at Northeastern University in Boston, something made Risa completely change her path.  Now Risa shares the story of why she created Vanillamore and what’s behind the design. 

Show Notes:

  • Risa Magid Boyer is a New Jersey native who originally went to Northeastern University for graphic design.

  • A part time job led Risa to the Culinary Institute of America.

  • Vanillamore is a family affair.  Her parents and husband can often be found lending a helping hand.

  • On Thursday, January 17th they’ll hold a 5 course chef’s tasting menu.  Reservations required.

  • Every Tuesday 5% of Vanillamore’s sales are donated to the MFEE (Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence)!

    AIR DATE: 2/10/19

 

Oscar Shorts

We speak with Oscar Shorts Film Festival founders producers, Corinna Sager and Jeanne Reilly about what inspired them to bring awareness to short films.This year's festival, called Celebrate the Underdog, starts at 10 am on Saturday, February 16th at The Buzz Aldrin School.

AIR DATE: 2/3/19

 

Tracey Diamond Designs

We speak with Tracey Diamond of Tracey Diamond Designs.  Tracey has run her own business in graphic design, branding and social media here in Montclair for the last ten years, helping others in this town and beyond. To us she is our co-worker and friend who has contributed so much to the success of Podclair by shaping our brand that we thought we'd have her share her knowledge with you, our viewers, as we discuss the fast changing business environment of today's retail and marketing world. 

She also let's us in on what the future holds as she pursues her artistic aspirations!

Show Notes:

 

Kika Stretch Studios - Montclair

We speak with Kika Wise of Kika’s Stretch Studios.  Kika talks about how her dancing career and a little over $300 led her to become the franchise queen of stretch.  All it took was a dream, determination and a lot of moxie.  Now the mother of one - with another one on the way - runs two of her own studios and has franchised a handful of others around New Jersey as well as other states around the country.

Show Notes:

 

Jonathan’s Balloons at The Light Closet

We speak with Montclair native Jonathan Lindener, aka Jonathan the Balloon Man and owner of The Light Closet in Upper Montclair.  It’s called the Light Closet because Jonathan can repair almost any light fixture, but he's probably most famous for his balloons for children’s birthday parties, backyard bashes, and school events.  When we were in his shop talking with him, Jonathan was getting ready to provide the Wellmont with more than 700 balloons for their New Year’s Eve balloon drop!

Show Notes:

  • Grew up in Montclair

  • Rides his bike to work, rain, sleet, sun or snow

  • Fixes all kinds of lamps and light fixtures

  • Supplied the Wellmont with their New Year’s Eve Balloon drop

  • Can help with onsite set-ups

  • View Jonathan’s creations on his website plus follow on Facebook and Instagram

    AIR DATE: 1/13/19

 

The Unique Canvas

We speak with Ariana Hoffman and Linda Kessler of The Unique Canvas, a local collective formed between interior design and abstract modern art. They speak about their previous careers and how they found fulfillment with their current creative business endeavor

Show Notes:

  • Coming Soon

    AIR DATE: 1/6/19

 

Izabelle The Amazing

We speak with Izabelle the Amazing, the self-described "sonic surfer and human light show." As Montclair's own professional hoola hooper, you may have seen her throughout the year performing in local festivals and parades around town. She shares what led her into both hoola and fire hooping and the invaluable lessons she's learned about the risky business of being a small business owner.

Show Notes:

 

Modclair

We speak with Ramel Ramnarine and Anthony Corona of Modclair, now in its second location on Valley Road. The duo discusses how they decided to open their showroom in Montclair, how they work to take their client's creativity to the max, and share some of their own favorite spots in town.

Show Notes:

  • Coming Soon

    AIR DATE: 12/23/18

 

Johari

We speak with Deborah Furr of Johari on Church St. In three different locations and almost twenty years in Montclair, she shares her experience of working in swimwear, lingerie, and intimates, and why men should be informed about breast cancer as well as women.

Show Notes:

 

Le Souk

We speak with Jumana Jaber, who in 2013, packed up her family, locked up her house, handed a neighbor the key ... and became one of the millions of families to escape Syria. Thanks to the Institute of International Education’s Scholar Rescue Fund, Jumana found work in art and design to Montclair State University. She opened the doors to Watchung Plaza's Le Souk which in the middle east is an outdoor marketplace. She invites guests to gather, sip tea, and enjoy authentic middle eastern treats. She also fills the shop with beautiful imported gifts from Syria, Turkey and Morocco.

Show Notes:

  • Click here to help Bloom Childcare and Coworking expand to more locations

    AIR DATE: 12/9/18

 

Sofistafunk & Coco

We speak with Arlinda McIntosh owner and designer of Sofistafunk, a local, zero-waste skirt and clothing company currently at the Hampton House pop-up shop through the holidays and Roz Connolly, owner of CoCo: An Experience, a clothing store on Bellevue Ave now in its twentieth year who was the first store to purchase Arlinda's designs 17 years ago. 

Check out this episode's show notes (coming soon) for more on these creative women.

Show Notes:

 

Toni’s Kitchen

We speak with Ann Mernin of Toni's Kitchen, which operates out of St. Luke's Episcopal Church 364 days a year. Ann shares how she got involved with the kitchen, what it takes to meet the needs of our local food insecure residents - and who Toni was in the first place.

Show Notes:

  • Consider a donation to Toni's before 12/31/18 as all donations will be doubled!

  • Donate backpack food here

  • Use this flyer to hold a food drive 

  • To volunteer click here

    AIR DATE: 11/24/18

 

Bark & Truffle

We speak with Judith Antelman founder of Bark and Truffle, a local, small-batch, organic specialty truffle and chocolate bark company inspired by her travels to France. This Montclair resident told us all about her adventures in chocolates, traveling, and how she came to Montclair "for a year" and, twenty years later, hasn't left.

Show Notes:

 

Ray’s Luncheonette

We speak with Angelica Flores, owner of Ray's Luncheonette on the corner of North Willow and Walnut St. Serving Montclair for over 40 years, Angelica shares how she bought the cafe from her uncle, finished her college degree, and passionately contributes to humanitarian hurricane relief. 

Show Notes:

 

Fleet Feet Sports

We speak with Dawn and John Fabbro, owners of Fleet Feet Sports on Bloomfield and Midland Avenues. They share how they met and turned their love of fitness and movement into a thirty year-old business along our main drag. Best of luck to our Montclair marathoners today!

AIR DATE: 11/4/18

 

Designing Buzz Panel - Montclair Design Week

In our final episode of our design week series, we offer a live recording of the Designing Buzz panel. Moderated by Montclair resident and CBS News anchor Jim Axelrod on October 21st, 2018, the panelists include all of the founders of our local festivals to share behind-the-scenes of how their festivals got off the ground and what inspires them to keep going.

Show Notes:

 

Joyist - Montclair Design Week

In our eighth episode of our Montclair Design Week series, we speak with Kacy Erdelyi owner of Joyist an organic functional foods cafe on Valley Road. She discusses her experience from her career in marketing to owning a small business. During design week she is co-sponsoring the Living You Workshop with Chelsea Square and hosted by Blanche Garcia of B. Garcia Designs and author of Empowered Design. 

Show Notes:

 

Qwell & Wellness for Makers - Montclair Design Week

In our seventh episode of our design week series, we speak with two co-founders of Qwell Meditation and Wellness Center and Missy Graff Ballone owner of Wellness for Makers about their upcoming workshop on Creating Consistent Wellness.

AIR DATE: 10/23/18

 

Fellsbridge Guided Tour (Pt 2) - Montclair Design Week

Welcome to Podclair’s first podcast -guided tour of buildings and homes around Montclair Center hosted by Frank Gerard Godlewski of Fellsbridge Studios. In today’s show we start at Van Vleck, pass The George, the art museum, Crane House, Gates Mansion, down Llewelyn, along Elm, and conclude up at Lackawanna Plaza. For those attending our live event on October 21, 2018, be sure to meet Frank in person for a Q & A at the Glenridge Parklet starting at 9 am. For more about our town’s hidden history, check out our Part 1 episode that is a companion to this tour.

AIR DATE: 10/21/18

 

Fellsbridge Studio LLC (pt 1) - Montclair Design Seek

In our sixth episode of our Montclair Design Week series, we speak with Frank Gerard Godlweski, Montclair native and owner of Fellsbridge Studio, whose services include design, architecture, fine art production, event and cultural planning, and restoration. This episode serves as Part 1 to our subsequent podcast-guided walking tour around Montclair Center and includes incredible, and sometimes little known, history about what has become Montclair as we know it today. 

Show Notes:

 

The Village & Everyday Order - Montclair Design Week

In our fifth episode of our design week series, we speak with Alex Pavel, owner of The Village, and Laura Bostrom, owner of Everyday Order who are collaborating on a A Playroom Theory, a free workshop on 10/23 to show ways of designing a creative yet organized play space for kids. Alex discusses being raised in Montclair, finding an interest in family-based design, closing Apple Village and re-opening as The Village in a new location. Laura talks about her route from dental hygienist to professional organizer and how her clients fare on their own after she’s helped them organize.

Show Notes:

 

Java Love, Riverbend Coaching & Content Matters -Montclair Design Week

In our fourth episode of our design week series, we delve into the AC2 Awards. After an open call for nominations last month, we reveal the complete list of nominees and discuss with the co-chairs, Julie Harris* and Jennifer Rittner, how they came up with a new twist on an awards ceremony. We also speak with Kristine Ellis-Pitrik co-owner of Java Love who will be moderating the 'Designing Spark' panel where select recognized nominees will be revealed at the event on 10/21 during design week.

(*Note: Julie's segment was pre-recorded a few months ago as one of our very first recordings and focuses on the evolution of her consulting company. Excuse interruptions from a certain nearby toddler!)

Show Notes:

AIR DATE: 10/17/18

 

Yoga Mechanics & Mr. and Mrs. Kitts

In this third episode of our Montclair Design Week series, we speak with Daryl Ferrara and Omni Kitts Ferrara, owners of Yoga Mechanics, Montclair's longest-standing yoga studio. Cameo by Omni's parents, Rick Kitts and Whitney Rau Kitts, recently retired from nearly 30 years teaching dance and performing arts in Glenfield Middle School and MKA, and who were an early influence for Omni's eventual career.

Show Notes:

 

Local Coffee & Pico Design

In this second episode of our Montclair Design Week series, we uncover what Design Dens are, where they take place, and who is behind them. We speak with Andrea Panico, the design den coordinator and owner of Pico Designs, a modern architectural jewelry company based in Montclair. We also speak with Robert Genovese, one of the den facilitators, about his ten-year journey to open Local Coffee Shop in Watchung Plaza.

Show Notes:

AIR DATE: 10/11/18

 

Montclair Design Week Team

In our first episode of our Montclair Design Week series, we speak with some of the designers, makers, and shakers behind the inaugural team. We find out who are they, what makes them so passionate about the role of design in our town, and which events they look forward to attending.

Show Notes:

 

Madlab

We speak with Petia Morozov of MADLAB architecture and design. After co-owning her business for the last 15 years, this Montclair native began dreaming of a Montclair Design Week and we speak with her about how she's gotten the idea off the ground.

Show Notes:

  • Below are some of MADLAB’s local projects:

  • Click here to learn more about the inaugural Design Week

    AIR DATE: 10/7/18

 

Succeed2gether

We speak with Marcia Marley, executive director and president of Succeed2gether. Succeed2gether addresses the educational achievement gap by providing free enrichment and academic programs from their offices on 11 Pine St and the main branch library. A non-profit that's been in Montclair for a decade, Succeed2gether also founded the annual Montclair Literary Festival, now in its third year.

Show Notes:

  • On October 23rd, 2018 Succeed2gether is hosting a fundraiser (tickets are $40) with New York Times columnist, bestselling author and three-time Pulitzer Prize winner Thomas Friedman

  • Book Buddies help middle schoolers find ways to enjoy reading

  • Succeed2gether serves over 240 local students. To volunteer as a tutor, click here

  • Writers, editors, publishers, anyone with a passion for books: submit your event proposal for Succeed2gether’s Montclair Literary Festival, March 21-24, 2019! The event can be a panel discussion, solo book talk, reading, masterclass etc. aimed at adults, children, or YA audiences.

    AIR DATE: 9/30/18

 

College Application Camp

We speak with Pat Berry, a college essay coach and founder of College Application Camp, on how she counsels students on applying to college. Her own interest in writing took root in Montclair, where she partly grew up, and after a career in publishing, she settled back here to raise her family and begin a new career as a writing coach.

Show Notes

Pat’s personal recommendations for college application / essay resources:

 

Fractal Science & Math Academy

We speak with Kevin Anderson, founder of Fractal Science and Math Academy. Kevin shares with us the career journey he took from sports to science to teaching, the real hours needed to be a small business owner, and the most rewarding part about being able to help bring students closer to where they want to go.

Show Notes:

The following are personal recommendations from Kevin:

  • MIT News page to keeps Kevin current with innovations in science

AIR DATE: 9/16/18

 

Sew Montclair

We speak with Chelsea Harriman, owner of Sew Montclair on 41 Glenridge Ave, by Bay Street Station.  Chelsea discusses how she started out to become a doctor, but ended up with a long career in fashion and costume design after graduating with a MFA from Rutgers. She raised both her children and her business in Montclair, where she and her husband have decided to stay as empty-nesters.  

Show Notes

AIR DATE: 9/9/18

 

Chelsea Square & Freespace Dance

We speak with two local entrepreneurs with different kinds of businesses, but are both in the midst of re-branding and shifting direction. Both women are graduates of Montclair State University and they found themselves returning to Montclair to raise their daughters.

KaraLynne Wolf, who grew up here, now owns Chelsea Square and speaks about entering local retail after a career in finance in Miami.  Donna Scro Samori, artistic director of Freespace Dance and head trainer and yoga teacher at Yoga Mechanics, discusses how she started her 14-year old dance company and what she is planning next.

Show Notes 

 

Piccola Cucina 98

We speak with Lisa Marie Suriano, owner of Piccola Cucina 98. She shares how her mother-in-law's ravioli inspired her to start the shop in extra kitchen space off of her husband, Elio's, restuarant Corso 98. She reveals how she uses her merchandising background to optimize her cozy space, how she sources and re-creates her authentic Italian recipes, and how she's seen Walnut Street transform over the twenty years she and her husband have been on the block.

Show Notes:

AIR DATE: 8/26/18

 

Angelbeck’s & Watchung Deli

We speak with Peter Von Hoffman, third generation Montclarion, and owner of Angelbeck's (est 1933) and Watchung Deli (est 1926). He discusses how 9/11 brought him from a career in banking back to his first love of teaching math, which Montclair park he proposed to his high school sweetheart in, and how his son inspired his move into local retail.  

Show Notes:

AIR DATE: 8/19/18

 

Blooms in Hand

We speak with Anna Coy, owner of Blooms in Hand, a bouquet subscription delivery serving local restaurants, retail, and residents. Anna discusses how her business began, what drew her to working with flowers, and what keeps her going when life, business, and parenting feel overwhelming.

Show Notes:

AIR DATE: 8/12/18

 

Dem Two Hands

We speak with Marion Lake, owner of Dem Two Hands, self described as a boutique "for your eyes to smile." Marion discusses moving here from Brooklyn over twenty-five years ago, how her business almost burned down (literally) before it opened, and how she stays true to her vision of what she wants her store to be.

Show Notes:

AIR DATE: 8/5/18

 

Bivio Pizza Napolentana

We speak with the owner of Bivio Pizza Napoletana about how his musicianship and neapolitan roots inform his craft of making legendary and authentic wood oven pizza napoletana.

Show Notes:

AIR DATE: 7/29/18

 

Held Massage Therapy

We speak with the owner of Held Massage Therapy about her inspiration to create a space that supports those experiencing grief, loss, or life transitions. Learn more about grief massage or V-Day, the organization Jess discusses on the show.   

Show Notes:

  • Sign up here for Death Cafe Aug 9, 2018 7 - 8:30 pm hosted by Jess, location TBD.

  • Print designed by Stella, our first episode guest, that was inspired by Jess' interview. All proceeds go toward the Terry Demming Memorial Fund

  • Guide curated by Jess that includes free, local resources, article links, books, podcasts, phone numbers to know, and more.

  • How to help a grieving friend

  • Early grief: simple acts for an unbearable time

AIR DATE: 7/22/18

 

Stellabird Creative & Montclair Riding Co.

In our first episode, we speak with a creative solopreneur and Montclair State alum whose work is widely known around town, but you may not yet know her, or the story behind how her artwork appears unexpectedly in familiar places. As a bonus, we also speak with the owner of Motorcyle Riding Co before he closes shop and heads to the West Coast. Sponsored by: Amy Owens Realtor

Show Notes:

 

Podclair Trailer

We bravely enter the recording studio to reveal the why behind Podclair!  Conversations happen every day, all over town, that create moments of feeling closer and more connected to our community.  Our podcast is a way to share these collective stories, through the tales of individuals bringing talent and life to Montclair, NJ.  

Every podcast starts somewhere, so in leading up to our first episode, we created a mini-guide to notable first episodes of shows by both national and local podcasters (local shows denoted with *).

First Episode Podcast Mini-Guide: