Hot Seat: Media Monday Stars & Director of New Hartford Central School District’s Beetlejuice, Happy Haggs Dance Troupe of Central New York, and 95.5 FM AI Content Producer Jim Hale 10-27-25 S2:E8
This week’s Hot Seat: Media Monday brings together three stories that celebrate creativity, community, and civic courage. The show begins in New Hartford, where twin sisters Ella and Reagan Sullivan take on the contrasting lead roles of Beetlejuice and Lydia in their junior high production of Beetlejuice Jr. Director Susan Nackley Mojave shares how nearly 100 students collaborated onstage and behind the scenes to bring the Halloween-themed musical to life, showing how youth theater builds confidence, teamwork, and lasting skills. Next, the spotlight turns to the Happy Haggs Dance Troop of Central New York, a grassroots women’s group inspired by Germany’s Wolfshäger Hexenbrut, who spread joy and empowerment through dance while donating their proceeds to local women’s charities such as the YWCA of the Mohawk Valley. The episode concludes with photojournalist Jim Hale’s report from the No Kings rally in Greensboro, North Carolina, where thousands of peaceful protesters voiced concerns about democracy, justice, and healthcare. His coverage explores the “3.5% rule,” the idea that when a small but determined portion of the population engages in sustained nonviolent protest, meaningful change can follow. Together, these stories highlight how art, compassion, and activism intertwine to strengthen community and inspire hope.
Also on Apple Podcasts and iHeart Media.
Jonathan Brooks/ DJ J-Easy is the sound engineer. He is online at Facebook.com/easyatm315, Instagram.com/j_easy315/, and https://on.soundcloud.com/XGKd3e4AZeNtrD2X9
Jim Hale is the AI Content Producer and photojournalist. He is online at Jim Hale (@instanteon) • Instagram photos and videos
Nabil Khan is the entertainment correspondent for Hot Seat: Media Monday. Nabil is online at Letterboxd.com/1andonlynabk/and Instagram.com/instanab.k/.
Ron Klopfanstein is an award-winning multimedia investigative journalist, news and producer for 95.5 FM “The Heat” broadcast and streaming. He hosts Hot Seat: Media Monday every Monday at 5 pm, broadcast on 95.5 FM and streaming at 955TheHeat.com. Podcasts at: https://open.spotify.com/show/4nbrIF49K56OxbPljuw1Lv?si=7e000e7279f54c2a Like him at Facebook.com/ReadRonKlopfanstein, Follow him at Bsky.app/profile/ronklopfanstein.bsky.social, Threads.net/@RonKlopfanstein, Instagram.com/RonKlopfanstein, Tiktok.com/@ronklopfanstein, and subscribe to his channel at YouTube.com/@RonKlopfanstein. Read all his work at Muckrack.com/ron-klopfanstein.
