A Conversation with Mike Koplinka-Loehr

A Conversation with Mike Koplinka-Loehr

Author: WVBR-FM Podcasts January 27, 2026 Duration: 24:48

WVBR News Correspondent Jessica Bristol sits down with dedicated Tompkins County community leader and mental health advocate Mike Koplinka-Loehr to discuss the issue of men's mental health and the barriers that often prevent people from seeking support. Mike reflects on his time in public service and his creation of an ongoing survivor's support group for the male victims of childhood sexual abuse. Together, they examine the importance of making mental health services more supportive and accessible while highlighting a meaningful new public resource.

 

To register for the support group discussed: contact Mike Koplinka-Loehr at mak11@cornell.edu or 607-592-8437. Ground rules and self-care techniques will be sent to participants upon registration.

The group will meet every Monday, 5:30-7PM, starting Mon., Jan. 26, 2026, through May 4th, EXCEPT the first Monday of each month: (2/2/26, 3/2/26, and 4/6/26.)

So the list of Mondays is:

  1. Jan. 26, 2026
  2. Feb. 9, 2026
  3. Feb. 16, 2026
  4. Feb. 23, 2026
  5. Mar. 9, 2026
  6. Mar. 16, 2026
  7. Mar. 23, 2026
  8. Mar. 30, 2026
  9. April 13, 2026
  10. April 20, 2026
  11. April 27, 2026
  12. May 4, 2026, final session

You're tuning into the extended, unfiltered conversation that happens once the microphones on the main broadcast are switched off. Talk of the Town: After Hours takes the core reporting from WVBR-FM's flagship news show-the local and national stories that directly shape life in Ithaca and Tompkins County-and digs deeper. This podcast, presented by WVBR-FM Podcasts, is where the journalists and producers unpack the week's headlines, share the context that didn't make the original Saturday airing, and explore the cultural and societal nuances behind the news. It’s a candid space for follow-up questions, behind-the-scenes details, and longer interviews with the people driving conversations in our community and beyond. While the initial reports set the stage, this audio companion offers the reflective analysis and broader discussion that happens after hours. You’ll hear the same commitment to covering politics and community issues, but with the relaxed pace and expanded depth that only a podcast format can allow. Think of it as the post-show debrief, where the stories you caught on 93.5FM get the additional room they need to breathe, connecting the dots between news, culture, and daily life in our corner of New York.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 27

Talk of the Town: After Hours
Podcast Episodes
Ep 25: Coolest American Stories with Mark Wish [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:54
WVBR News Director Jack Donnellan sat down for a second time with author, editor, and publisher Mark Wish. Mark and his wife founded an annual short story anthology, Coolest American Stories, which pushes its contributor…
Ep 24: The Election and the Market [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:41
In this special episode, recorded ahead of the 2024 Presidential Election, WVBR’s News Department sits down with former CNBC Senior Producer Peter Schacknow to discuss how the economy might have an effect on the election…
Ep 23: "Beyond Borders" Recounts Cornell's Global Impact [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:39
WVBR News Director Jack Donnellan sat down with Royal D. Colle and Heike Michelsen for an hour-long interview about Beyond Borders: Exploring the History of Cornell's Global Dimensions (Cornell University Press, 2024). C…
Ep 22: Authors on Air with Tim Johnston [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:20
WVBR News Director Jack Donnellan recently sat down with New York Times Bestselling Author Tim Johnston for the latest episode of our “Authors on Air” series. Tim is the author of the novels DISTANT SONS, DESCENT, THE CU…
Ep 21: Authors on Air with Mark Wish [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:23
WVBR News Director Jack Donnellan sat down with author, editor, and publisher Mark Wish. Mark and his wife recently founded an annual short story anthology, Coolest American Stories, which pushes its contributors to make…
Ep 20: Authors on Air with Ralph White [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:04
WVBR News Director Jack Donnellan sits down with Ralph White alongside DZ Stone, a writer, journalist, and former WVBR staffer, for WVBR News’ newest series, Authors on Air. Ralph’s book, Getting Out of Saigon, is a poli…
Ep 19: Life and Localization with Activist Helena Norberg-Hodge [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:27
WVBR News Directors Andrew Modrowsky and Jack Donnellan interview environmental activist and a pioneer of the “new economy movement", Helena Norberg-Hodge. Norberg-Hodge is the founder and director of Local Futures, a no…
Ep 17: NY Politics, Stock Market Woes & Your Daily Aspirin Regimen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:16
Andrew Modrowsky discusses the resignation of U.S. Representative Tom Reed (NY-23), Grace Fairchild investigates why the markets are down, and Jack Donnellan breaks down why you might want to reconsider your daily aspiri…