Ron Klopfanstein

🌎 "A lot of countries aren't seen." Scholarship winner Thomas Roy talks about his dream of becoming a U.S. ambassador and why he wants underrepresented communities to have a voice. On this week's Hot Seat: Media Monday on 95.5 FM The Heat. Watch: youtu.be/nUqZXYvcA5s?... #MediaMonday #UticaNY

Tonight on Hot Seat: Media Monday 🔥 Roosevelt Patterson previews 3rd Annual Stop the Violence James St. Festival, we meet Oneida-Madison Electric Cooperative scholarship winner Thomas Roy, & Lily Christopher & I visit the Utica Masjid Eid Al Adha Carnival. 5 PM on 95.5 FM The Heat 955TheHeat.com

Are robots still catching up to us — or have they already passed us? James Nason, a “Scientist of Life,” talks AI, androids, the singularity, jobs, medicine & the future on Hot Seat: Media Monday 🔥 Watch: youtu.be/o3OVMLZ-TqE

BONUS FEATURE 🎥 Boots, cameras, history, and adventure journalism. Quick Hot Seat: Media Monday on 95.5 FM bonus scene with Brian Lazore of Lazore Photography from our Spring Woods shoot. Woods. Water. Mystery. Local history. Good stuff. Full story: youtu.be/OlnUT1TPp6w?...

📻 Tune in at 5 PM for Hot Seat: Media Monday on 95.5 FM The Heat 🔥 Ukulele player Millie Szmurlo joins us, along w/ James Nason, a “Scientist of Life” ready to talk AI, robotics, STEAM, & the future. Plus: we search Spring Woods for a hidden spring. Stream: 955TheHeat.com or my FB page.

Cool video from the feature story we're producing for tomorrow's Hot Seat: Media Monday on 95.5 FM The Heat 🔥 #MeetMeInTheHotSeat #MediaMonday

“I feel like our country is pretty divided right now…” Michelle Batson and Theresa McFadden explain why Westmoreland’s Hometown Heroes banners matter. Hot Seat: Media Monday with Ron Klopfanstein on 95.5 FM The Heat 🔥 #BeMoreWestmo youtu.be/3GwgQTaqE8I

The trial ended. But for one juror, the case did not. On Hot Seat: Media Monday with Ron Klopfanstein on 95.5 FM The Heat 🔥, Shaun Parese opens up about serving on the Jonah Levi jury in the Messiah Nantwi case — and the hidden trauma of jury duty. youtu.be/TyjqnJTNxyU

This week on Hot Seat: Media Monday 🔥 An exclusive interview with a juror from one of the Mid-State Correctional beating death cases. Plus: Sandy Silvers of Real People Real Lives, Mike Eramo’s online JavaScript Game Development Camps, & Westmoreland’s Hometown Heroes. 95.5 FM/ 955TheHeat.com

Artists need to support artists. Pete Colter joined me on Hot Seat: Media Monday on 95.5 FM The Heat and talked about why helping other creators get seen matters. Full episode: youtu.be/gGDDIFctYLk

Horror is having a moment. On Hot Seat: Media Monday, Nabil Khan, Pete Colter and I talked about why horror films are getting more respect, more attention, and more serious backing from studios. Full episode: youtu.be/gGDDIFctYLk

Is this the summer Hollywood throws every franchise at the wall? 95.5 FM Entertainment Correspondent Nabil Khan joined me on 95.5 FM's Hot Seat: Media Monday to talk summer movies, big releases, horror, nostalgia, and what still feels like a blockbuster. Full episode: youtu.be/gGDDIFctYLk

“Honor our past while also forging a better future for the future generations.” Midtown Utica Community Center’s AAPI Heritage Month kickoff was filled w/ food, music, dance, family, culture, & powerful stories. Full video for Hot Seat: Media Monday on 95.5 FM The Heat 🔥: youtu.be/UN8WdBo-T0I?...

🎥 ICYMI: CFLR Open Mic Turns One “It’s helped me heal.” Volunteer Pat Delaney’s words show why this story matters: music, recovery, grief, courage, and community in one safe space. On Hot Seat: Media Monday with Ron Klopfanstein on 95.5 FM The Heat. #Recovery ▶️ Watch: youtu.be/eXs6OkEIA_Q?...

🦸‍♂️ Free Comic Book Day was about more than free comics. Photojournalist & AI Content Producer Jim Hale & I were there for Hot Seat: Media Monday on 95.5 FM to capture the story — from kids discovering reading to fans talking Mega Man, X-Men, Spawn, Venom, & Garfield. 🦸‍♀️ ▶️ youtu.be/M12IoIMu-ng?...

Monday at 5 PM on Hot Seat: Media Monday on 95.5 FM The Heat This week: pop culture superfans Josh & Angela Marrcchion, author/multimedia creator Pete Colter, & 95.5 FM entertainment correspondent Nabil Khan. Plus: Free Comic Book Day + AAPI Heritage Month Celebration. Stream: 955TheHeat.com

🏍️ Biker Brotherhood, Wind Therapy & Life on Two Wheels In this clip from Hot Seat: Media Monday on 95.5 FM. I talk with John Bourbon & Dave Paul about the freedom of riding and the deeper brotherhood that brings bikers together around service, loyalty, & community. 🎥 YouTube: youtu.be/2xuypWbh4vg

Incredibly grateful to receive the Communications and Community Awareness Impact Award from the United Way of the Mohawk Valley. I feel massively lucky to do work that lets me meet people, hear their stories, and help share them with our community. That’s where impact starts. ❤️

🔥 Tomorrow at 5 on Hot Seat: Media Monday with Ron Klopfanstein on 95.5 FM The Heat 🔥 Motorcycles, music, recovery, protest, and community. Guests include John “Cowboy” Bourbon, Dave Paul, and John Chesebro previewing Catstock 6. 📻 95.5 FM Utica, NY 💻 955TheHeat.com 📺 Facebook Live

“The world is full of interesting stuff to learn more about.” Moe & Sarah Lalonde joined me on Hot Seat: Media Monday to talk children’s science books, teaching, art, retirement, and keeping a sense of wonder alive. 👍😎 #MeetMeInTheHotSeat #MediaMonday #Science Full episode: youtu.be/ewPADMDNPTA

“I don’t like the phrase moving on, because that sounds like we’re somehow leaving him in the past.” Colleen Campbell joined me on Hot Seat: Media Monday for an honest conversation about grief, love, memory, & learning how to keep going without leaving someone behind. 🖥 youtu.be/ewPADMDNPTA

“#BrettStrong means Brett is strong enough to make it through — and our village is strong for him.” Becky Nemo joined me on Hot Seat: Media Monday to talk about her son Brett Sutton, the serious illness he’s facing, and how the community is showing up to support. youtu.be/ewPADMDNPTA #BrettStrong

Tonight on Hot Seat: Media Monday on 95.5 FM The Heat 🔥 — resilience, grief, survival, creativity, and community. Guests: Becky Nemo from #BrettStrong, Colleen Campbell, & authors Moe & Sarah Lalonde. Grace Church’s historic stained glass windows. 5 PM on 95.5 FM The Heat / 955TheHeat.com/FB Live

Tonight’s clip from 95.5 FM's Hot Seat: Media Monday is from my conversation with Dan Clark. He talks about stepping away from suicide, what ayahuasca is, & why he was searching for something that could change his thought process. Full episode: 🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFd3... #ayahuasca #trauma

This week on Hot Seat: Media Monday: Dan Clark on survival, healing, and changing toxic culture; A.S. Galbraith on myth, fairy tale, identity, & writing from the margins; plus Cassandra & me at 4/20 Day. Live Monday at 5pm: 95.5 FM The Heat | 955TheHeat.com | Facebook Live #MeetMeInTheHotSeat 👍😎

Fun moment from this week’s Hot Seat: Media Monday on 95.5 FM The Heat 🔥 Glo talks about how he got the name “Glo” — one of those stories that starts with friends and just sticks. #podcasting #podcasters #podcast 🎥 youtu.be/WMsI-pzD1rQ

Authenticity matters. A strong moment from this week’s Hot Seat: Media Monday with Kassandra Garcia of United Way of the Mohawk Valley talking about leadership, service, and real impact. I’m also Kassandra’s guest on the current episode of Inside the Impact: www.unitedwaymv.org/podcast

A favorite moment from this week’s Hot Seat: Media Monday 🔥 Nick Phillips was a student in my English 101 & 102 classes at Utica University. Now he’s a senior, an intern, and an Associate Producer on the show. We talked about the difference between writing and broadcasting. 🎥 youtu.be/WMsI-pzD1rQ

youtu.be/liAmOlcdT14 “I’m not going backwards, so I’m going forward.” In case you missed it: last week on Hot Seat: Media Monday with Ron Klopfanstein on 95.5 FM The Heat 🔥, we shared the story of a woman experiencing homelessness who is receiving services and working to rebuild her life.

Tonight on Hot Seat: Media Monday on 95.5 FM: Kassandra Garcia of United Way, Magikvisions on his creative work, a shoutout to Nick Phillips for his RSI award, and our feature story on Armada at Utica University. Live at 5 PM on 95.5 FM The Heat and 955TheHeat.com #MeetMeInTheHotSeat #MediaMonday

youtu.be/liAmOlcdT14 “If people hear the right information, they’ll do the right thing.” This week on 95.5 FM's Hot Seat: Media Monday, Cassandra Harris Lockwood breaks down why media matters, what happens when communities are denied a voice, and why independent journalism still has real power.

At the annual Raymond Simon Institute Award Brunch, my intern and former English 101/102 student Nick Phillips received the Eleanor and Matty Sokolow/RSI Writing Award. We’ll have the full story on the next Hot Seat: Media Monday on 95.5 FM. Big congratulations to Nick on his well-earned honor! 👍😎

“They need to look not at what we’ve done, but at what we can do.” On 95.5 FM Hot Seat: Media Monday a resident at the Morrow Warming Center responded to the stigma and criticism that people experiencing homelessness often face online and in the community. 🎥 YouTube: youtu.be/liAmOlcdT14

“You have to be strong.” One of the most powerful moments from this week’s Hot Seat: Media Monday came when Cassandra Harris Lockwood shared real advice for young people about strength, education, and knowing what you’re talking about. youtu.be/liAmOlcdT14 #MeetMeInTheHotSeat #MediaMonday

ICYMI: Last week’s Hot Seat: Media Monday w/ Kristie Russitano of Finding The Next Step Together Inc: “Life is made up of two days and a dash — live your dash.” A moving conversation about pain, purpose, and helping other families. 🎥 YouTube: shorturl.at/3bovp 🎧 Spotify: shorturl.at/Gnhev

Happy Easter from my husband, Jim Hale, & me. 🐣 Jim created this original animation based on a folk tale told by Anita Welych of the Kirkland Art Center, drawn from a feature story we produced last month. He spent weeks crafting it, and I’m proud to share his work with you today. Link in comments.

“You prepare yourself thousands of hours over for that five minutes of chaos…” — Dave Paul on this week’s Hot Seat: Media Monday with Ron Klopfanstein on 95.5 FM The Heat 🔥 Full show: 🖥 shorturl.at/3bovp 🎧 shorturl.at/Gnhev

Kristy Russitano shares the pain and purpose behind Finding the Next Step Together in this powerful clip from Hot Seat: Media Monday with Ron Klopfanstein on 95.5 FM The Heat 🔥 🖥 shorturl.at/3bovp 🎧 shorturl.at/Gnhev

Dave Paul talks about using his motorcycle rides to support causes that matter — and why he wants to “be what light I can be.” A heartfelt moment from this week’s Hot Seat: Media Monday on 95.5 FM The Heat 🔥 Watch/listen: 🖥 shorturl.at/3bovp 🎧 shorturl.at/Gnhev #MeetMeInTheHotSeat #MediaMonday

Tomorrow at 5 PM on Hot Seat: Media Monday with Ron Klopfanstein on 95.5 FM The Heat: Finding the Next Step Together, biker Dave Paul, No Kings Day III protests in Utica & Rome, & Nick Phillips at Utica Royalties’ Eid Celebration. Listen live: 95.5 FM, 955TheHeat.com, or my FB page 👍😎 #MediaMonday

Powerful moments from today’s No Kings III protests in Rome and Utica. This promo was created by Photojournalist and AI Content Producer Jim Hale using video he captured on the ground and his original AI-generated score. Full story Monday at 5 PM on Hot Seat: Media Monday on 95.5 FM The Heat 🔥.

What if being a clown isn’t really about getting big laughs — but helping people feel comfortable? Cotton Candy the Clown shared a thoughtful perspective on this week's show. 95.5 FM The Heat's Hot Seat: Media Monday now streaming! 😎👍 YouTube: shorturl.at/rW1dX Spotify: shorturl.at/gCcze

📚 Dawn Laguerre and Nancy Ketz from the Mohawk Valley Institute for Learning in Retirement (MVILR) talk about their spring semester. 95.5 FM's Hot Seat: Media Monday is streaming now! 👍😎 🖥 YouTube: youtu.be/l5jkceqTDbY 🎧 Spotify: shorturl.at/8R2cn 💻 Website: UticaPhoenix.net/HSMM3-16-26

Friendship is an important theme in The Four Horsemen: A Bond That Could Never be Broken by Bruce Martin. Associate Producer Nick Phillips and I spoke with him on this week's 95.5 FM's Hot Seat: Media Monday with Ron Klopfanstein! 👍😎 🖥 YouTube: youtu.be/l5jkceqTDbY 🎧 Spotify: shorturl.at/8R2cn

This is the kind of event we love helping promote on Hot Seat: Media Monda on 95.5 FM The Heat 🔥—bringing local stories, events, and businesses directly to our audience. Got something coming up? Let’s talk about how we can help get the word out. 📩 Message me for details on advertising & promotion.

Cleo Qupid invites you to The Electric Garden: Dance Party. A live DJ and dance party with a neon glow atmosphere on Saturday, March 21st, at 8 pm at the 16 Stone Brewpub. 95.5 FM's Hot Seat: Media Monday with Ron Klopfanstein streaming! 🖥 YouTube: youtu.be/l5jkceqTDbY 🎧 Spotify: shorturl.at/8R2cn

Tomorrow on Hot Seat: Media Monday on 95.5 FM The Heat 🔥 🏈 Moon Martin on his football novel The Four Horsemen 💡 Cleo Qupid previews the Electric Garden Dance Party 🎬 Nabil Khan with his Academy Awards recap 🥚 + Ukrainian pysanky egg art from the Kirkland Art Center 📻 95.5 FM | 💻 955TheHeat.com

“We don’t get through grief by forgetting. We get through grief by remembering.” — Dave Roberts, author and Teaching Journeys Podcast host on surviving grief. This week's Hot Seat: Media Monday on 95.5 FM is now streaming! 👍😎 🖥 YouTube: youtu.be/3v_2jwYeH5E 🎧 Spotify: shorturl.at/BmWDj

At an International Women’s Day rally at Fort Stanwix in Rome, NY speakers shared personal stories about sexism in the workplace—from the construction trades. This week's Hot Seat: Media Monday on 95.5 FM now streaming! 👍😎 🖥 YouTube: youtu.be/3v_2jwYeH5E 🎧 Spotify: shorturl.at/BmWDj

“After my daughter died, my midlife crisis became figuring out who I was and what kind of world I was going to live in without her physically present.” — Dave Roberts This week's Hot Seat: Media Monday on 95.5 FM is now streaming! 🖥 YouTube: youtu.be/3v_2jwYeH5E 🎧 Spotify: shorturl.at/BmWDj

A student once told a Proctor teacher she had never worn a dress because her father said she was “too ugly.” What happened next is why Cinderella’s/Prince Charming's Closet exist. So everyone can attend prom. 👗🤵 📍 Proctor HS, Utica 🕙 Sat 10–2 🖥 youtu.be/qE3a4lFnp5A%... 🎧 shorturl.at/OMHWZ%E2%81%A0

Cinderella’s Closet and Prince Charming’s Closet, are providing free dresses, suits, and tuxedos so anyone can show up feeling confident and included. 👗🤵 📍 Proctor High School – 1203 Hilton Ave., Utica 🚪 Enter through the Arcuri entrance 🕙 Saturday, 10 AM – 2 PM YouTube: youtu.be/qE3a4lFnp5A

Monday at 5 PM on Hot Seat: Media Monday (95.5 FM): Christine Golden on Proctor’s Cinderella/Prince Charming Closets helping students get to prom w/ style Ace Morreale on Social Workers for Justice; & origin story of Two Cousins Pinball. 📻 95.5 FM | 💻 955TheHeat.com | 🤳 facebook.com/RonKlopfanstein

This didn’t make tomorrow’s broadcast, but it was too good to leave on the cutting room floor. In this bonus scene from Hot Seat: Media Monday, Roger Rebisz shares some information about the upcoming Central New York Role Playing Convention, June 12–14 at the Burrstone Inn. Tune in tomoorow 95.5 FM.

Jai Cady reads a powerful original poem and shares how she turned survival into purpose. See her at Women’s Month Open Mic, Sunday, March 1st at 7PM, at Morrow Warming Center. If you’re struggling, call or text 988. 🖥 YouTube: youtu.be/LF48yijc2t4%... 🎧 Spotify: shorturl.at/t8ZTE%E2%81%A0

After surviving a suicide attempt, Jai Cady turned her pain into poetry — and now uses her voice to help others find hope. Performing at Women’s Month Open Mic, March 1, 7PM in Utica. 95.5 FM Hot Seat: Media Monday streaming! 🖥 YouTube: youtu.be/LF48yijc2t4%... 🎧 Spotify: shorturl.at/t8ZTE%E2%81%A0

The 98th annual Academy Awards are March 15th on ABC. Associate Producer Nabil Khan discussed this year's Oscar race on this week's 95.5 FM Hot Seat: Media Monday, now streaming! 👍😎 🖥 YouTube: youtu.be/LF48yijc2t4 🎧 Spotify: shorturl.at/t8ZTE 💻 Website: UticaPhoenix.net/HSMM2-23-26

Jermiko Thomas, author of The Adventures of Walter book series on the meaning and motivation behind his work. This week's 95.5 FM Hot Seat: Media Monday now streaming! 👍😎 🖥 YouTube: youtu.be/LF48yijc2t4 🎧 Spotify: shorturl.at/t8ZTE 🎧 Apple: shorturl.at/acfLI 💻 Website: UticaPhoenix.net/HSMM2-23-26

On the next Hot Seat: Media Monday (95.5 FM): Jermiko Thomas launches Train Daily Fitness, comedian J-Watch hosts a Women’s Month Open Mic w/poet Jai Cady, & how Purrs and Whiskers is helping homeless cats survive the cold. 📻 95.5 FM 📺 facebook.com/RonKlopfanstein 👍😎 #MeetMeInTheHotSeat #MediaMonday

Shawnda McDowell on how SistasNMotion keeps her motivated! This week’s 95.5 FM Hot Seat: Media Monday is streaming! 👍😎 🖥 YouTube: shorturl.at/NeFrJ 🎧 Spotify: shorturl.at/C1APp 🎧 Apple: shorturl.at/dzHsd 🎧 iHeart: shorturl.at/pWg8t 🤳 TikTok: shorturl.at/RtTPg 💻 Website: UticaPhoenix.net/HSMM2-16-26

Pete Colter will be signing books Saturday 4-7pm at Barnes & Noble in Consumer Square. He had some other exciting news to share. This week’s all new 95.5 FM Hot Seat: Media Monday is now streaming! 👍😎 🖥 YouTube: shorturl.at/NeFrJ 🎧 Spotify: shorturl.at/C1APp 💻 Website: UticaPhoenix.net/HSMM2-16-26

"We care, we listen to people," Brother Kaseem on how his faith informs his work w/ Brothas N Motion. This week’s all new 95.5 FM Hot Seat: Media Monday is now streaming! 👍😎 🖥 YouTube: shorturl.at/NeFrJ 🎧 Spotify: shorturl.at/C1APp 🤳 TikTok: shorturl.at/RtTPg 💻 Website: UticaPhoenix.net/HSMM2-16-26

💪🏾 Movement. Mental Health. Momentum on 95.5 FM’s Hot Seat: Media Monday SistasNMotion/BrothasNMotion on fitness, empowerment, & safe spaces for women & men to grow. Plus: Pete Colter & a Galentine’s Day feature celebrating women supporting women. YouTube: shorturl.at/NeFrJ Spotify: shorturl.at/C1APp

"I'm proud to be autistic." @jenxofficial.bsky.social, creator of YouTube series "Curious About Welsh?" on the way being on the spectrum helps her learn new languages. Last week's 95.5 FM Hot Seat: Media Monday is streaming! 👍😎 #Welsh 🖥 YouTube: youtu.be/_xJD6bzY6ZA 🎧 Spotify: shorturl.at/wHvhC

ICYMI: 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of #BlackHistoryMonth. This year’s Black History Month events reflect on 100 years of resilience, progress, & the enduring impact of Black culture. I had this report for 95.5 FM's Hot Seat: Media Monday. 👍😎 #MeetMeInTheHotSeat 🖥 YouTube: shorturl.at/sfWKR

On Hot Seat: Media Monday tomorrow at 5 PM on 95.5 FM The Heat, we’re hanging out with Sistas & Brothas N Motion. We'll also be joined by author Peter A Colter who will tell us about the projects he's working on. & we'll go to Galentine's Night at 16 Brewpub. Stream: Facebook.com/RonKlopfanstein

@jenxofficial.bsky.social, creator of "Curious About Welsh?" on having the courage to try new things. This week's 95.5 FM Hot Seat: Media Monday is now streaming! 👍😎 #Welsh #Wales 🖥 YouTube: youtu.be/_xJD6bzY6ZA 🎧 Spotify: shorturl.at/wHvhC 🎧 Apple: shorturl.at/L7Bla 🎧 iHeart: shorturl.at/x3tbI

Emily Hansen, The Quilty Witch on quilts as a medium of communication. This week's all-new 95.5 FM Hot Seat: Media Monday is now streaming! 👍😎 🖥 YouTube: youtu.be/_xJD6bzY6ZA 🎧 Spotify: shorturl.at/wHvhC 🎧 Apple: shorturl.at/L7Bla 🎧 iHeart: shorturl.at/x3tbI

@jenxofficial.bsky.social, creator of Curious About Welsh? on how her immersion into the language and culture improves her mental, physical, & emotional health. This week's all-new 95.5 FM Hot Seat: Media Monday is now streaming! 👍😎 🖥 YouTube: youtu.be/_xJD6bzY6ZA 🎧 Spotify: shorturl.at/wHvhC

🎶🎵Shelly Harris from Soul Mine on the way #BetteMidler inspired her. Last week's Hot Seat: Media Monday on 95.5 FM is streaming! 👍😎 #LiveMusic #UticaNY #UpstateNY #Singing #Divas YouTube: youtu.be/A0SuFb-0a2g Spotify: shorturl.at/HfRaW Apple Podcasts: shorturl.at/GqUDh TikTok: shorturl.at/6R9VY

Tomorrow at 5 PM on Hot Seat: Media Monday (95.5 FM), I’m joined by Jen X (Curious About Welsh?), Emily Hansen, plus a feature on local youth voices from the Oneida County NAACP Black History Month Celebration. 📻 95.5 FM | 💻 955TheHeat.com | 📺 facebook.com/RonKlopfanstein 👍😎 #MeetMeInTheHotSeat

🎶🎵Jenn Klemenz from Soul Mine on her musical influences.This week's Hot Seat: Media Monday on 95.5 FM is now streaming! 👍😎 YouTube: youtu.be/A0SuFb-0a2g Spotify: shorturl.at/HfRaW Apple Podcasts: shorturl.at/GqUDh iHeart: shorturl.at/L1DsQ TikTok: shorturl.at/6R9VY

This week on 95.5 FM Hot Seat: Media Monday, Kassandra Garcia from United Way of the Mohawk Valley previews their new podcast, Inside the Impact! 🎧 This week’s Hot Seat: Media Monday on 95.5 FM is now streaming: ▶️ YouTube: youtu.be/A0SuFb-0a2g 🎙 Spotify: shorturl.at/HfRaW

🎹 Why the Hammond organ still rocks This week on Hot Seat: Media Monday, I chat with Fred Shattell of Soul Mine about how the Hammond shaped classic pop & rock hits of the ’60s and ’70s — and why it’s still his favorite instrument today. 🎥 Watch: youtu.be/A0SuFb-0a2g 🎧 Stream: shorturl.at/HfRaW