Episodes

This little light of mine…. For the Season 7 finale of Cidiot, and just in time for Winter Solstice, Mat explores the idea and need for light in the darkness. There are three themes of light: the light that guides you; the light that cheers you; and the light that helps you believe. Thank you to everyone who participated this season. Special shout-outs to editor Isaac Rostan and my husband Brian Fuhr. Join the Cidiot newsletter at Cidiot.com to be ready for next season. Quote: “Li...

“Stories tell you what’s important to people.” - A.J. Schenkman Thanks to Jennifer Santiago and Jenny Leifer of The Valley Girls podcast, I was introduced to a writer and public school teacher A.J. Schenckman. He writes a lot about area history and has published multiple books including “Patriots and Spies,” Wicked Ulster County,” “Washington’s Headquarters in Newburgh” and most recently the beautiful illustrated children’s book “Franklin’s Trees.” As you’ll hear on this episode of Cidiot®, A...

Hudson, New York is still a new place for me, so this episode Cidiot tries to take a short cut to getting to know why the way things are. I find the best way to do this is through people who’ve been here for years and who reflect the way things are annd maybe even shape them. Meet Mark Allen, a film-maker, a writer, a radio host, and yes, a former go-go boy. Mark and I both grew up in the 70s and 80s, though I was not a go-go boy nor featured in Paper Magazine. He is prolific and provocati...

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 shares the news of moving—still within the Hudson Valley of course. Some thoughts on change and new opportunities. Some questions too. Are you still a cidiot if you move back to a city? Links to what’s mentioned: The Corner Counter, Red Hook Red Hook Stationery Co., Red Hook Taste Budd’s, Red Hook Pause Dog Boutique, Rhinebeck Trixie’s List Story of Hudson Wylde, Hudson Little Rico Cafe, Hudson Cidiot® is the award-winning podcast about movi...

What is it about water? The Hudson River is the central fixture of the Hudson Valley, so Mat honors it as the muse and focus of this episode. He shares a poem by William Cullen Bryant about the Hudson, “A Scene on the Banks of the Hudson” which will take you from the shores of Beacon to, well, who knows where you will go. Tune in and come visit. Links highlighted: The Hudson River Maritime Museum Riverkeeper William Cullen Bryant via Academy of American Poets “A Scene on the Banks of t...

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...

Join Cidiot® for a conversation with Ryan Wexler, a local volunteer fire captain to hear about what it’s like to be a firefighter. Mat learns about ways to volunteer and support local fire departments, why you should buy a 911 sign for outside your home, why the best time to have an emergency is at night, where animals fall in the rescue cue, when “the tones” hit, and more. Links mentioned: FASNY Museum of Firefighting - Hudson NY: https://fasnyfiremuseum.com/ Greenport Fire Department...

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...

90 percent of podcasts don’t publish more than three episodes. And of the 200,000 shows that do go beyond three, 90 percent will quit after 20 episodes. So hitting 100 episodes like Cidiot® does this month is a rare bird. Or, well, maybe a rare goat. For Episode 100 and this milestone in regional podcasting history, Mat brings back some favorite moments and favorite voices to punctuate the journey from city to country. Thank you to everyone who’s listened so far, and been a part of the sho...

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...