LGBTQ+ History Month with Jack Cooper, author of Pain Before the Rainbow, Pete Colter, author of The Endless Fall, and the 20th Anniversary of Uticon 10-06-25 S2:E5

Hot Seat: Media Monday Jack Cooper, author of Pain Before the Rainbow, Pete Colter, author of The Endless Fall, and the 20th Anniversary of Uticon 10-06-25 S2:E5by Ron KlopfansteinIn this episode of “Hot Seat: Media Monday,” we present a powerful mix of storytelling, art, and community engagement. The show begins with author Jack Cooper, who discusses his autobiographical anthology Pain Before the Rainbow and reflects on growing up gay in the 1970s and ’80s amid social and political oppression. Through his unique “biomythographical” approach—blending biography, mythology, and autobiography—Cooper explores grief, resilience, and the ongoing struggle against hate, urging compassion and protection for LGBTQ+ youth. The broadcast then spotlights the 20th anniversary of Uticon, the popular Utica comic convention benefiting the American Cancer Society, where Marvel artist Cory Smith and other creators share insights into the art and community of comics. Finally, author Pete Colter joins to discuss his novel Abused, a haunting yet hopeful story about mental illness, trauma, and forgiveness. This week’s Hot Seat: Media Monday illuminates the healing power of storytelling and showcases how creativity and kindness continue to bring people together in the fight against pain, prejudice, and despair.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/XGKd3e4AZeNtrD2X9Jim 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/.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. #MeetMeInTheHotSeat#HotSeatMediaMonday#StorytellingHeals#ArtAgainstHate#ProtectLGBTQYouth#ComicsForACause#MentalHealthAwareness