{"podcast":{"title":"The Montclair Pod","slug":"the-montclair-pod-7145507","podcast_index_feed_id":7145507,"rss_url":"https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/6753786ea8461f164e67bf3a","website_url":"http://montclairpod.com","image_url":"https://assets.pippa.io/shows/cover/1733523283425-1bc2fce8-9722-407f-a136-49207b766599.jpeg","author":"Montclair Pod LLC","episode_count":81,"summary":"The Montclair Pod is an award-winning podcast that offers a deep dive into the stories, issues, and buzz shaping Montclair, NJ. Hosted by local friends—journalist and financial expert Farnoosh Torabi and MediaFeed co-founder Michael Schreiber—we’re here to explore the heart of our vibrant community with curiosity and a dose of neighborly chatter. From the latest drama in Montclair schools to the tangled web of local politics and even the mysteries of our rollercoaster real estate market, we cover the topics you’re already chatting about at the bus stop, the farmer’s market, or over a drink at Tierney’s. Each episode features thought-provoking conversations and special guests, from community leaders to movers and shakers making waves in town. This is your show, too! Share your questions, opinions, critiques, and compliments at MontclairPod.com; you might hear them on an upcoming episode. Subscribe now to The Montclair Pod and join us in spotlighting the culture, stories, and spirited debates that make Montclair more than just a town—it’s home. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.","last_synced_at":"2026-07-02T18:19:54.567698+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-montclair-pod-7145507"},"episode":{"title":"Slushiegate, Hackensack's Bailout & The NJ-11 Political Pileup","slug":"slushiegate-hackensack-s-bailout-the-nj-11-political-pileup","published_at":"2026-01-29T10:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-montclair-pod-7145507/slushiegate-hackensack-s-bailout-the-nj-11-political-pileup","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-montclair-pod-7145507","url":"https://shows.acast.com/the-montclair-pod/episodes/slushiegate-hackensacks-bail-out-the-nj-11-political-pileup","audio_url":"https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/6753786ea8461f164e67bf3a/e/697accb63718a16ceb0d1f28/media.mp3","summary":"Watch the show on YouTube This week on the Montclair Pod, Mike and Farnoosh are back to tackle the snowy aftermath and a whirlwind of local news. From the high stakes of the NJ-11 Special Primary—where a crowded field of 12 candidates is vying for your vote—to the sugar-fueled controversy of \"Slushiegate\" in our school cafeterias, we’re covering the stories that have the town talking. Grab your coffee (or a Walking Taco) and settle in for a jam-packed episode on everything happening in Montclair right now. The Special Election Breakdown First up, we get serious about the upcoming Special Primary Election. Terrence McDonald of the New Jersey Monitor returns to help us navigate the incredibly crowded field of 11 Democrats and 1 Republican vying for the NJ-11 congressional seat. We discuss why this seat matters, who is actually running, and what to expect on Thursday. Slushiegate & \"Walking Tacos\" Is \"Slushiegate\" the distraction we didn't know we needed? Mike and Farnoosh dig into the latest school cafeteria controversy—from slushies in the lunch line to the \"Walking Taco\" phenomenon. We break down the new Sodexo menu and the parents' reactions to the sugar rush. Local Beat: Budgets, Buses & Bans We check in on the school budget (spoiler: we aren't the only ones with a deficit). We compare notes with Perth Amboy and the breaking news out of Hackensack, where the school district revealed a shocking $17 million deficit. Specifically, we discuss the major development that the town is stepping in with $6.5 million in emergency funds to help stop immediate layoffs—a move that has sparked conversation about how municipalities support their schools. We also touch on the latest Board of Education friction points: the debate over the upcoming school calendar and the contr…","meta_description":"Watch the show on YouTube This week on the Montclair Pod, Mike and Farnoosh are back to tackle the snowy aftermath and a whirlwind of local news. From the…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":3047,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-montclair-pod-7145507/episodes/slushiegate-hackensack-s-bailout-the-nj-11-political-pileup/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-montclair-pod-7145507/slushiegate-hackensack-s-bailout-the-nj-11-political-pileup.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}