Hot Seat: Media Monday “All Things Oz,” “Pride in Oneida County 2025,” & “Broadway Bared!” 6-2-25
In this episode of Hot Seat: Media Monday, I’m talking to Marc Baum and Monica Kinner from the All Things Oz Museum about the significance of The Wizard of Oz in contemporary culture, especially during Pride Month. The guests explore the themes of inclusion, self-discovery, and empowerment within the Oz universe and their relevance in today’s world.
We’re also joined by Ace Morreale from the Oneida County Pride Alliance with an overview of all the LGBTQIA+ Pride events taking place this month in the Mohawk Valley. This episode also features my report on “Broadway Bared!,” which was presented by Candy Cult Burlesque.
The Wizard of Oz is celebrated for its themes of inclusion and self-discovery, resonating strongly during Pride Month. Guests discuss how characters in Oz represent marginalized communities and the stories that transcend generations, highlighting their enduring impact. Marc Baum is the seventh cousin, twice removed, of L. Frank Baum, the author of the 14 original Oz novels.
Marc discusses his connection to the Baum family and shares his journey in the All Things Oz Museum, while Monica Kenner relates her experiences growing up with the Oz narrative, highlighting its impact on personal and collective identity. The characters in Oz, such as Dorothy and the Wicked Witch, reflect various aspects of the human experience, with discussions on how these themes resonate differently at different life stages.
There are several LGBTQIA+ Pride events taking place in the Mohawk Valley in the month of June. Ace Morreale of the Oneida County Pride Alliance stops by to tell us about them, and I have my report on Broadway Bares, which Candy Cult Burlesque presented on Saturday, May 31st at Sharky’s Bar in Liverpool.
The All Things Oz Museum is online at AllThingsOz.org, Facebook.com/AllThingsOz/, Instagram.com/allthingsoz, and YouTube.com/@allthingsozmuseum. This weekend is the 2025 Oz-stravaganza.com/!
The Oneida County Pride Alliance is online at Facebook.com/OneidaCountyPride and Instagram.com/oneidacountypride.
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 photographer and records the show for video and podcast streaming. 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/.
Brian Lazore and Lazore Photography are online at lazorephotography.smugmug.com, Facebook.com/LazorePhotography, https://www.threads.net/@lazorephotography and YouTube.com/@LazorePhotography. The Off The Record with Lazore Photography podcast is online at Spotify and Amazon Music
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.
