Local Businesses Episodes

Cidiot® sits down with Andrew and Michael, the duo behind FINCH, the Hudson lifestyle store that mixes vintage furniture and art with new design. Mat gets into how FINCH actually started — the leap from Andrew's career building luxury fashion stores and Michael's background in finance to opening a shop in Hudson. Plus, the genuinely sweet story of how a bird's nest (and a very confused house painter) gave the store its name. They also talk about growing a home and lifestyle brand beyond one s...

Head north to Old Chatham in the Hudson Valley with us for another walk-and-talk adventure — this time at Silver Brothers Distillery, set on a beautiful former sheep farm with rolling hills, open vistas, and serious "old money" energy. Host Mat Zucker sits down (and walks around) with founder Matt Greitzer — yes, two Matts for the price of one — who traded 25 years of NYC marketing and advertising for full-time farm life and a whiskey business named after his twin sons. Matt G. gives us th...

Whether you are packing up a one-bedroom apartment or hauling a heavy, beloved upright piano between boroughs, moving is a massive, stressful milestone. In this episode of Cidiot, we are pulling back the curtain on the moving industry to unpack the mysteries of proper packing, budgeting, and storage. Mat sits down with Ryan Hart from Mabey’s Moving & Storage—Columbia County's newly crowned best moving company by the Register Star—to deliver the ultimate guide for cidiots on the move. Fun f...

Ah, there is nothing quite like being out on the water—especially on our beloved Hudson River! 🌊 In this episode of Cidiot®, we are diving headfirst into the boating lifestyle. I’m joined by Josh Rosella of Freedom Boat Club to talk about how they are making waves right here in the region. As the world’s largest boat club, they are opening up the water to everyone with three fantastic Hudson Valley locations spanning both sides of the river—Ossining, Haverstraw, and Piermont—plus a spot at Li...

New York City has the energy, but Columbia County has the air. Two years moving here from just 20 minutes south in the Hudson Valley, host Mat Zucker still feels like a bit of a "cidiot" sometimes—always eager to explore more of the incredible 635 square miles of valley, hills, farms, and villages right in his backyard. In this special episode, produced in collaboration with Columbia County Tourism, Mat serves up a very personal seasonal guide. Whether you're a foodie chasing the ultima...

Let's go bean-to-bar. In this episode of Cidiot,® Mat Zucker dives into the world of world-class indulgence right here in the Hudson Valley. Joining the show is Bryan Graham, the award-winning chocolatier and co-founder of Fruition Chocolate Works. From his roots in the Catskills to the kitchens of the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), Bryan shares his journey of building a bean-to-bar empire. We talk about the "American craft chocolate movement," why milk chocolate is making a massi...

Who do you trust for the "real" news? In a landscape of paywalls and strictly managed county reporting, Mat sits down with Jeff Yeh, the man behind the largest social media news source in Columbia County. From tracking DUI arrests to questioning local political transparency, Jeff’s unconventional approach has earned him millions of views—and a fair share of controversy. In this episode of Cidiot®, Mat and Jeff discuss the "wild west" feel of Columbia County, the delicate balance of being a...

This episode is hilarious—and delicious. Host Mat Zucker dives into the magical world of local farming and the global Slow Food movement with Pierre Fredrichs, co-chair of Slow Food Hudson Valley and owner of Overlook Farms in East Chatham. Recorded at the Creative Legion in Hudson, we discuss: The Movement: How a McDonald’s in Rome sparked a global mission for "good, clean, fair food for all." Life on the Farm: Pierre’s journey from private chef to tending 120 acres of pigs (includ...

“One is fooling the mind. The other is fooling the eyes.” —Thomas Baker on the difference between a magician and an illusionist Season 9 is out! With Cidiot®, I’ve been trying for more than 125 episodes to open your eyes to new things. This season will be all about wonder. We need to look into the wonder to see what’s possible. So this season starts with magic. Thomas Baker is an illusionist based in Saugerties, New York, known for creating moments that defy explanation. He has sold out th...

What does it look like to build a creative life without a ladder, a map, or a five-year plan? In this crossover episode, I sit down with Kingston-based cinematographer, podcaster, and all-around creative human Drew English, host of the podcast No Set Path. We interviewed each other for our respective shows, and this is the Cidiot cut—rooted in the Hudson Valley, flavored with dirt, neighbors, and the reality of figuring it out as you go. Drew shares his journey from years in the NYC film w...

Meet Patrick, owner of Lily’s Natural Pet Store, which just opened its second location after Poughkeepsie in Hudson. We talk dogs—a favorite subject—and why he chose Hudson, why not on Warren Street for his second location, why it’s not your average pet store, about running a pet business (I was thinking of doing one!), and tackle my burning questions such as the smell of bully sticks and what’s so great about raw. And like on many other Cidiot® episodes, we end with favorite places in the Hu...

Meet Amy and Joyce, owners of The Yoga House, now with three locations in the Hudson Valley — Kingston, Highland and Poughkeepsie. One grew up in the HV; one is a transplant from Queens—what a great fit for coming on Cidiot. We talk about yoga, the different types, and poke a bit of fun (well, I do, and they’re good sports about it). They share how they got into yoga, which you won’t believe has quite a bit to do with roller derby. They also share some travel advice for cidiot bodies in th...

James Lauren is a board certified nurse practitioner who recently opened up a primary care clinic in Hudson. James is also a new homeowner and bravely let me try in-person recording at his adorable farmhouse with my miniature new recording system. We talk about primary care—what it is and why it matters, plus who their clinic serves. Short answer: everybody. We also chat about being a new homeowner, bartering labor, talking to people, being nice, painting a subfloor (which is a thing) and ...

Let’s talk about money and about Beacon. This episode, Mat chats with Lena Rizkallah of Conte Wealth Advisors, who is a Chelsea-turned-Beaconite financial advisor. Through Lena, we’ll get to know Beacon better, including lots of great places to eat. We’ll also hear Lena’s story and all she does as a part of the community and building financial literacy in the rest of us. She hosts panels and speakeasies about money, and even does stand up storytelling. Lena was named 2023 Chronogrammies Best ...

In Episode 117 of Cidiot® , host Mat Zucker sits down with Christy Counts, the president and founder of Neverstill Wines, a New York State-based winery with a tasting room right in Hudson, NY. Christy shares her journey from wine enthusiast to entrepreneur, detailing how she built Neverstill Wines with a focus on sustainability, community, and a deep love for the Hudson Valley. Christy discusses her philosophy behind the Neverstill label, including her commitment to minimal intervention winem...

Meet Madeline Hung of Castle, a finance app that helps homeowners save time and money managing their homes. Madeline says she’s a San Francisco cidiot trying to recreate her Bay Area lifestyle here in the Hudson Volley. She and her husband Hugo have created a service that does two things: One is to understand the money you’re saving, and the second part is to help you optimize and save. Their average customer, as you’ll hear, is saving $10,000.00. That’s real money. “It seems like it all should ...

“We're trying to create the best version of a night out” — Mike Burdge of Story Screen Cinema The arts are huge in the Hudson Valley, including film and cinema. In this episode, Mat talks to Mike Burdge of Story Screen Cinema about independent film and theatres in the Hudson Valley. Hear Mike and his partner Diana DiMuro’s story, from working in hospitality and hosting after-hours movie pop-ups to owning their own unique cinemas—first in Beacon now in Hudson. Mike also shares how they d...

Carole Osterink writes The Gossips of Rivertown, a blog that is news and commentary (and takes its name from a novel by a Hudson writer). It’s a must-read for all of us who live here. This episode tune into Carole’s story, how she chooses what to cover, if she considers herself a journalist andtr advise if you want to start a hyperlocal news sources like it in your town. I hope you have something like it where you live. And I hope it’s written by someone like Carole. Hyperlocal newspape...

This episode, Mat talks to Freddy Pikovsky, co-founder of Barnfox. Barnfox is a co-working community across the Hudson Valley, with locations in Hudson, Kingston, Livingston Manor, and Poughkeepsie. Freddy shares how early experiences in the outdoors inspired him, moving from the city to the Hudson Valley, the original intent for Barnfox, and what it is today. Don't miss this: Freddy also has a special offer for Cidiot® listeners — a free day pass at any Barnfox location to experience it your...

Cidiot’s last crossover event was Episode 77 with Brett Barry of Kaatscast: The Catskills Podcast. Well, I just discovered the new Valley Girls podcast, so synchronized to release at the same time, here I interview them about their show, and they interview me on their pod. Jenny Leifer and Jennifer Santiago are hosts of the Valley Girls Podcast. We talk about why they started their show, telling the Hudson Valley story one character at a time. They give a bit of advice for cidiots, we play th...

You know I love chickens, but my biggest curiosity is with cows. So was very excited to talk to Kyle and Amanda from Gulden Farm. Kyle and Amanda grew up in the area and join us for a special episode about farming. We talk about Kyle’s journey to Montana and back, the story of Gulden Farm, what it means to farm sustainably, my cidiot questions about cows, and even about that great logo I love. Plus, to tempt you to try their amazing grass-fed meats and products, they’re offering Cidiot listen...

Cidiot®'s back! Jason Bover, photographer, foodie and founder of Ulster Eateries Unfiltered, joins to kick of Season 7. He shares with Mat his relationship to the Hudson Valley, growing up in the food and bev business and local ingredients. We talk about the Ulster Eateries Unfiltered Facebook group as well as the gatherings and its VIP discount card supporting local restaurants, not to mention his appearance on "Kitchen Nightmares" and meeting Gordon Ramsey. Jason also just started his own c...

“Pick one exercise in every plane of motion” — Jakob Roze Jakob is this episode’s special guest. Originally from the Catskills, schooled in Saratoga, started a business in New York, and now back upstate, we talk about moving his work here, the relationships between newcomers and locals, and play a round of the Cidiot geography game. And with winter coming on, in part three, Jakob also gives me a recommended plan, there’s mention of bone mineral density, I clarify I am not 80 but I think I have t...

What makes the Hudson Valley special for creative people? This episode, Cidiot talks to Jordan Koschei about building ConnectHV, a creative “network of networks” for creative people in the Hudson Valley and Jordan’s idea of “digital terroir.” It’s about having a sense of place even for a digital network. And just as we’re building on the soil of Hudson Valley’s past, maybe the future will build on this. I think it’s the most thoughtful conversation about living in the Hudson Valley I’ve had in a...