Best Light’s Monarch Podcasts (2025)

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Nonsensical Inspiration 30:23

Play Pause

5d ago30:23

30:23

Welcome back to Melodic Memories of Light's Monarch where I talk about moving, guess it made me "inspirational" or whatever. "Your future hasn’t been written yet. No one’s has. Your future is whatever you make it. So make it a good one” For 10% off Curst Kosmetics products use the code LIGHTSMONARCH at checkout. https://curstkosmetics.com/r?id=2m4e…

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Plattsburgh Air Force Base decay, Glens Falls mayoral race, Gillibrand on Iran, Smullen for NY-21, Indian Lake Monarch Festival, Outlaw band preview 33:15

15d ago33:15

33:15

(Jun 20, 2025) Plattsburgh officials are again calling on the federal government to address failing infrastructure at the former Air Force Base; Glens Falls’ mayoral race will be decided on the June 24 primaries; NY Senator Kirsten Gillibrand says President Trump should pursue diplomacy, not war, in the Israel and Iran conflict; Assemblyman Robert …

1
Clinton Community redevelopment, Willard Hanmer race, ADK-based novel 29:47

2d ago29:47

29:47

(Jul 3, 2025) Local officials are weighing the future of Clinton Community College's current campus as the institution prepares to move to SUNY Plattsburgh next month; ahead of this Sunday's Willard Hanmer paddling race in Saranac Lake, we listen back to last year's contest; and North Words host Mitch Teich sits down with Canadian rocker, Rob Benvi…

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Surfing The Waves Of The American Culture War, with David Litt 59:22

3d ago59:22

59:22

In 2020, David Litt, former senior speech writer to President Obama, moved from Washington DC to the Jersey Shore, and felt the need for a jolt of life amidst the pandemic. So he did what anyone would do: David decided he needed to learn to surf. As a sensible Yale-educated, New York Times best selling author, David knew he needed help. And that’s …

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Chazy fishing day, Potsdam literacy volunteers, Chef Curtiss 29:10

3d ago29:10

29:10

(Jul 2, 2025) As part of our volunteerism series, we visit a fishing day for middle schoolers organized by the Chazy Rod & Gun Club; the Potsdam Public Library has a volunteer program that offers free literacy tutoring; and Chef Curtiss Hemm shares a recipe for mushroom fricassée.By NCPR News

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Alma #10: Messages and Visions 1:50:53

4d ago1:50:53

1:50:53

At the cenote, our party sifts truth from confounding visions. And at the Rio Cristal they find laughter and joy.By Sonoro

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Report clears APA director, Plattsburgh lawsuits, beach reads set in the North Country 29:43

4d ago29:43

29:43

(Jul 1, 2025)By NCPR News

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Hochul in the ADKs, Lake Placid Sanctuary Church, new Tracey Lange book highlights Potsdam 29:59

5d ago29:59

29:59

(Jun 30, 2025)By NCPR News

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Prison security after Dannemora, Hochul on Trump policies, Lewis County detainment, Jefferson County primary votes, this weekend in the Adirondacks 33:22

8d ago33:22

33:22

(Jun 27, 2025) What’s changed after the 2015 Dannemora prison escape revealed security cracks; Governor Hochul talks about Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ and immigration crackdown; Lewis County Sheriff's Office has arrested a man it says was deported last year; the Jefferson County Board of Elections says it has identified and remedied a discrepancy …

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Heastie in Plattsburgh, volunteer for the loon census, new home for ADK arts org 29:11

10d ago29:11

29:11

(Jun 26, 2025) Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie was in Plattsburgh yesterday to announce new funding for a local nonprofit; registration to be a volunteer observer for New York's annual loon census is open; and a conversation about how the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts transitioned to a new home in Blue Mountain Lake this summer.…

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How To Walk Through—And Away From—A Digital World, with Craig Mod 51:23

10d ago51:23

51:23

Craig Mod may think in binary code, but he does so from the perspective of a visual artist. Mod is…well, a lot of things. He’s a writer, a photographer, and a digital media designer. And he’s likely influenced your life, even if you have never heard his name. Craig worked on massive digital platforms, like Medium and Flipboard, and has spent two de…

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Jay Cook on Dannemora manhunt, Potsdam birthdays project, Pendragon summer season 29:42

10d ago29:42

29:42

(Jun 25, 2025) Retired State Police Sgt. Jay Cook recounts the day he spotted, shot and recaptured Clinton Correctional escapee David Sweat in a field in Constable, ending the weekslong Dannemora manhunt; a project by the Potsdam Rotary Club gifts families with their own birthday celebration kit; and North Words host Mitch Teich sits down with Mich…

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Alma #9: At First Light 1:40:05

11d ago1:40:05

1:40:05

Following a wail, a mysterious letter, and a path of light, our party makes its way towards the cenote, hoping to find answers in the past.By Sonoro

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Primary voting, legislative session wrap-up, Repair Fair, this month's night sky 31:10

12d ago31:10

31:10

(Jun 24, 2025) New York primaries are today; our Albany reporters break down this year's legislative session now that state lawmakers are on summer break; an event in Canton wants to show people how to fix their broken belongings; and astronomer Aileen O'Donoghue is in the studio to guide us through this month's night sky.…

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A Disappointing Week... 33:18

12d ago33:18

33:18

Welcome back to Melodic Memories of Light's Monarch where I talk about how I'm gearing up for a move, the major disappointment of the Oilers Stanley Cup run & the non-stop ignorance from the Panthers, the Breach tour resale fiasco, How to Train Your Dragon, Divergent, Black Veil Brides turning 16, & some new releases! "We tried our best, turn out t…

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Delgado and Hochul spar, Lake George tourism slump, Triple Green Jade Farm, Wear Art Thou show 31:19

12d ago31:19

31:19

(Jun 23, 2025)By NCPR News

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Watertown council race, NYS lawmakers wrap up session, Ottawa Jazz Festival 29:43

16d ago29:43

29:43

(Jun 19, 2025) Eight candidates are vying for two spots on Watertown's city council, and many say they're running because they're tired of infighting within local government there; state lawmakers have left Albany after shelving environmental bills that faced pushback from big corporations and watering down consumer protection legislation; and we p…

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LIVE! Matt Lyons, Katie Burrell, and Eeland Stribling Don’t Take This Seriously (From the Outside Festival) 57:10

17d ago57:10

57:10

Three comedians walk into a festival…no, this isn’t a joke set up. This is exactly what happened in Denver, Colorado, at the second Outside Festival. Professional giggle-makers Matt Lyons, Katie Burrell, and Eeland Stribling joined host PaddyO on stage to discuss how the outdoors are really just one big punchline. After all, we spend our hard-earne…

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ADK solar project, Juneteenth tour preview, Kitty O'Neil 30:31

17d ago30:31

30:31

(Jun 18, 2025) The state has found a developer for a new solar project at the Benson Mines site in the Adirondack Park; a North Country organization is planning a tour of the region's Underground Railroad sites this weekend in honor of Juneteenth; and Kitty O'Neil from the Cornell Cooperative Extension stops by to talk about how humid and wet weath…

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Alma #8: A Choice 1:32:24

18d ago1:32:24

1:32:24

Catalina hears a Call, and Leo, Neza, and Quolla face their most formidable foes yet -- butterflies.By Sonoro

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Life during Dannemora escape, Gillibrand in Saranac Lake, Lonely Girl Comix 29:32

18d ago29:32

29:32

(Jun 17, 2025) We hear what the three-week Dannemora prison escape manhunt was like for the people nearby; Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand visited a hospital in Saranac Lake yesterday to bring more attention to potential cuts to Medicaid included in Trump’s proposed federal budget; and we meet a social worker in the southern Adirondacks who created a comic…

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Going "Manic" while "Still Counting" on a "Riot" in Edmonton 1:07:03

19d ago1:07:03

1:07:03

Welcome back to Melodic Memories of Light's Monarch where I go over my most recent concert trip to Edmonton to see Three Days Grace, Volbeat, & Wage War. Also, I go over the newest single, "The Contract" from Twenty Øne Piløts along with all the buzz surrounding it, the upcoming Steven Universe spinoff, the Oilers current Stanley Cup run, & some cu…

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No Kings protest in Canton, Watertown ICE incident, end of session issues, Planned Parenthood 31:02

20d ago31:02

31:02

(Jun 16, 2025)By NCPR News

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Hochul in Washington, Stefanik and the northern border, SLC government opens its doors, Wellesley Island jog, Potsdam Pride, the sax and clarinet in Elizabethtown 31:20

23d ago31:20

31:20

(Jun 13, 2025) NY’s Governor testified in front of Congress about immigration policies; NY-21’s Stefanik is supporting a northern border bill; St. Lawrence County hosted an open house to show the community all the ways the government serves them this spring, with few attendees; Emily Russell takes us on a trail run on Wellesley Island; Elizabethtow…

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Father’s Day Special: Dad-Level Adventuring in the 70s, With PaddyO’s Dad 27:41

24d ago27:41

27:41

If your father is like PaddyO’s dad, he probably likes to spin a yarn about his wild youth. Hearing about a father’s daring, scruffy, comedy-of-errors adventures is hilarious, but it also gives you a glimpse into how your old man became a man. And also old. And that winds up being a kind of crystal ball into your own past, present, and future, too.…

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St. Lawrence County ICE raids, Dannemora prison break report, Three O'Clock Special preview 33:43

25d ago33:43

33:43

(Jun 11, 2025)By NCPR News

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Alma #7: The Monarch Meadow 1:26:21

25d ago1:26:21

1:26:21

Our party battles against the forces of nature itself - or perhaps something far more sinister.By Sonoro

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Whitney sale proceeds to Long Lake, Seneca Nation elder, hockey foundation 31:16

26d ago31:16

31:16

(Jun 10, 2025) Locals and town leaders weigh in on how Long Lake plans to manage the proceeds from the sale of the $125 million Whitney estate; survivors of a residential school in western New York are telling their stories of abuse and the efforts to destroy their Native American culture and identity; and a conversation with a St. Lawrence Univers…

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The Summer of Gaming! 54:04

26d ago54:04

54:04

Welcome back to Melodic Memories of Light's Monarch where I go over the most recent games shown at the State of Play, Summer Games Fest, & Xbox Showcase, the Nintendo Switch 2 launch, my next incoming concert adventure, Twenty Øne Piløts, the Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final, & some new releases! "Sahlo Folina" |-/ For 10% off Curst Kosmetics produc…

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Glens Falls ICE protest, ADK Black birders week, Lake Placid poet 29:27

27d ago29:27

29:27

(Jun 9, 2025)By NCPR News

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Remembering Dannemora escape years later, Aid in dying bill, Ticonderoga mural festival 33:11

30d ago33:11

33:11

(Jun 6, 2025) NPR's Brian Mann covered the Dannemora escape manhunt for North Country Public Radio and shares his memories and takeaways; Legislation legalizing physician-assisted suicide is one step closer to becoming law in New York; Ticonderoga is celebrating six new murals by artists from all over the world this weekend; and, Watertown students…

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Childcare funds running out, Revolutionary boat, sound quiz 29:25

1M ago29:25

29:25

(Jun 5, 2025) The number of families using childcare assistance in New York has nearly tripled in just three years. But money for the program is running out, and families are now losing the childcare they’ve come to rely on; Fifteen years ago, workers at the World Trade Center site made the discovery of a lifetime: a ship, deep in the muck, that d…

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How Music Responds to the Place Where You Make It, With Goth Babe 45:16

1M ago45:16

45:16

Griff Wasburn, better known to the world as musical act Goth Babe, had a drive to create since he was a child. He grew up in Tennessee running wild in the woods, skateboarding, and riding bikes on self-built tracks in his backyard. He filmed and scored short films of his adventures, and transformed old cardboard boxes into whatever he dreamt up. At…

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New York deportations, climate change on the Tug Hill, fried onion burgers 30:49

1M ago30:49

30:49

(Jun 4, 2025) As New York is at the center of President Donald Trump's plan to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, we have a conversation with one of the state's largest immigrant advocacy groups; a new report finds winters on the Tug Hill Plateau are getting warmer and snowfall is getting more unpredictable; and Chef Curtiss of the Carriag…

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Alma #6: Jaguar, Eagle, Viper, Rabbit 1:12:18

1M ago1:12:18

1:12:18

Catalina, Quolla, Leo, and Neza start to face the consequences of their choices, and realize they can't save everyone.By Sonoro

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Delgado challenges Hochul, Whitney estate sale, Burlington jazz festival 29:49

1M ago29:49

29:49

(Jun 3, 2025) Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado announced on Monday he plans to challenge his boss, Gov. Kathy Hochul for the state’s top job; a developer from Texas is set to purchase a 36,000-acre estate in the heart of the Adirondacks near Long Lake; and we preview the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival, which kicks off tomorrow and runs through the weeke…

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The 2025 AMAs, Taylor's BIG Win, & "stay quiet." |-/ 53:48

1M ago53:48

53:48

Welcome back to Melodic Memories of Light's Monarch where I go over the 2025 AMAs, the big Taylor Swift news, & Twenty Øne Piløts being cryptic once again, before their coming single release; The Contract coming June 12th. "stay quiet" |-/ For 10% off Curst Kosmetics products use the code LIGHTSMONARCH at checkout. https://curstkosmetics.com/r?id=2…

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Final NYS legislature bills, Accessible ADK parks, Plattsburgh Renaissance Faire 29:12

1M ago29:12

29:12

(Jun 2, 2025)By NCPR News

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New York Democrats on GOP House spending bill, NY Parole Board findings, Schroon Lake Library Bookstore, Parishville Arts in the Park 28:42

1M ago28:42

28:42

(May 30, 2025) Democrats in New York continue to criticize the House-passed bill that slashes funding for social services; a recent study of New York's parole board found that it is about a third less likely to release a person of color on parole than a white person; Last weekend, the volunteer-run 'Friends of the Schroon Lake Library' Bookstore op…

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Ogdensburg child care center, Dana Fast remembrance, North Country at Work 29:14

1M ago29:14

29:14

(May 29, 2025) The Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority has rejected all the construction bids for its child care center, which has been in development since 2021; we remember Dana Fast, a Holocaust survivor who lived in the Adirondacks until her death earlier this month; and in today's North Country at Work story, we speak with the only tattoo art…

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Climbing Everest is Easy Compared to Surviving an Abusive Parent, With Melissa Arnot Reid 45:43

1M ago45:43

45:43

Melissa Arnot Reid’s mountaineering resume is a jaw dropping list of accomplishments; hundreds of summits of the world’s tallest, most dangerous peaks, including becoming the first American woman to summit Everest without supplemental oxygen. Melissa has an uncommon athletic prowess, but what truly fueled her mountain pursuits was a long held and l…

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Rural airport funding, Clinton County housing, book review with Betsy Kepes 34:16

1M ago34:16

34:16

(May 28, 2025) President Trump wants to cut funding for rural airports, like those in the North Country, by 50%; new initiatives in Clinton County want to make it easier to develop more housing; and NCPR book reviewer Betsy Kepes reviews a book from an Adirondack naturalist.By NCPR News

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Alma #5: The Next Remembering 2:05:03

1M ago2:05:03

2:05:03

A new day? The morning after a devastating Festival, our party plays with fire.By Sonoro

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SNAP cuts, North Country spellers at national bee, this month's night sky 33:28

1M ago33:28

33:28

(May 27, 2025) New York food banks say more people are looking for food assistance, and that cuts to SNAP, included in the recently passed House budget, would make things a lot worse; two North Country students will compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which kicks off today; and astronomer Aileen O'Donoghue is in the studio to share what's…

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"BREACH The Contract" 23:58

1M ago23:58

23:58

Welcome back to Melodic Memories of Light's Monarch where I talk about Breach, the upcoming Twenty Øne Piløts album, my little sisters graduation, the Oilers in the NHL playoffs, & some things that have transpired throughout the past week! "let's finish this" |-/ For 10% off Curst Kosmetics products use the code LIGHTSMONARCH at checkout. https://c…

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More ProcellaCOR in the Adirondacks, NYS hit hard by 'big beautiful bill'; record-breaking catfish, Akwesasne dirt track racing is back 29:08

1M ago29:08

29:08

(May 23, 2025) Two more Adirondack lakes will be treated with an herbicide to kill an invasive plant this summer; New York officials say the state is disproportionately affected by President Trump’s “big beautiful bill” that House GOP members passed on Thursday; a Jefferson County man caught a state record-breaking catfish earlier this month; and, …

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New Plattsburgh police chief, Glens Falls revitalization, Farmer mental health 29:26

1M ago29:26

29:26

(May 22, 2025) The Plattsburgh city council installed Jarrod Trombley as its new police chief last week, and some residents expressed concern over past workplace misconduct allegations against him; locals in Glens Falls hope the opening of a new event and market center called The Ed signals a fresh start for the city; and for Mental Health Month, w…

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Bouncing Back From Heart Attacks, With Chef and Angler Ranga Perera 43:01

2M ago43:01

43:01

In and around his home of Bozeman, Montana, Ranga Perera is highly sought after as a fly fishing pal and even more highly sought after as a personal chef. There’s nothing unusual about that combination, until you learn that his family came to the States in 1991 from Sri Lanka after a happy childhood was disrupted by a violent civil war. Less than a…

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ADK hill renamed, Hochul apologizes to Seneca Nation, Cold War spy novel 31:02

2M ago31:02

31:02

(May 21, 2025) A hill in the Adirondacks has been renamed to honor a family of 19th-century Black settlers; Gov. Kathy Hochul called the residential boarding school system "sanctioned ethnic cleansing" when she apologized to the Seneca Nation yesterday; and North Words host Mitch Teich speaks with former Adirondack Life Magazine editor Chris Shaw a…

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Alma #4: The Fourth Remembering 1:24:14

2M ago1:24:14

1:24:14

Memories, emotions, and destinies start to come together and call our party towards a bigger mystery.By Sonoro