Sponsored by The Mountain Air | Sponsored by Benny’s Pizza | SLOFreeParking
Michael Chiklis has played some of television’s most unforgettable characters, from Vic Mackey on The Shield to Tony Scali on The Commish and Ben Grimm in Fantastic Four. But this conversation with Adam Montiel goes somewhere deeper than Hollywood.
In this episode of Up+Adam, Michael Chiklis opens up about the very real moment that changed the course of his life: a regional theater in Massachusetts, a National Endowment for the Arts grant, and a 14-year-old kid discovering storytelling for the first time. What followed became a moving conversation about why arts funding matters, how creativity shapes young minds, and why Chiklis is now advocating alongside The Creative Coalition to protect artistic expression and opportunities for future generations.
There’s also a hilarious detour involving his dog “Tom Brady,” reflections on The Shield and The Commish, and one of those rare interview moments where a guest stops sounding like a celebrity and starts sounding deeply human.
This one’s about storytelling, advocacy, creativity, and the life-changing power of being given a chance.
• Learn more about The Creative Coalition:The Creative Coalition
********
*PORTABIDET: UP+ADAM IS AN OFFICIAL SPOKESPERSON FOR PORTABIDET - USE THIS LINK FOR UP+ADAM LISTENERS TO LEARN MORE AND GET YOURS!
*Timbre Event with Cal Poly EIM Students Info HERE
Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:- Official Website:adammontiel.com
- Apple Podcasts:Up+Adam on Apple Podcasts
- Spotify:Up+Adam on Spotify
- iHeartRadio:Up+Adam on iHeartRadio
- YouTube Music:Up+Adam on YouTube Music
********
CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK!
********
********
*********
Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them!
Life Elements
City of SLO
Original Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner Collective
Moonshiner on Spotify HERE
Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com
©2026 Up+Adam with Adam Montiel / LoBro Studios, All Rights Reserved.
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Hey Jonas!
Hey Jonas! The official Jonas Brothers podcast. Hosted by Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas. It’s the Jonas Brothers you know... musicians, actors, and well, yes, brothers. Now, they’re sharing another side of themselves in the playful, intimate, and irreverent way only they can. Spend time with the Jonas Brothers here and stay a little bit longer for deep conversations like never before.
Betrayal Weekly
Betrayal Weekly is back for a new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. If you would like to share your story, you can reach out to the Betrayal Team by emailing them at betrayalpod@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram at @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.