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…
Let’s talk about money and about Beacon. This episode, Mat chats with Lena Rizkallah of Conte Wealth Advisors, who is a Brooklynite-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…
“Libraries are rooms of requirement.” — Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, Executive Director, Mid-Hudson Library System This week on Cidiot®, we’re talking libraries — not just the quiet, book-filled havens you remember, but vibrant community hubs evolving with the times. I’m joined by Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, executive director of the Mid-Hudson Library…
“This area attracts talented creative people seeking opportunities to play out, all seeking opportunities to play with each other.” — MK Scully Join MK Scully, afternoon host and promotions director at WKZE in Red Hook, as Cidiot® digs deeper into the local music scene. Who are the local bands? Where…
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…
This episode was inspired by a spontaneous poetry commission on the street in Hudson, NY. A poet named Jacqueline crafts “Cidiot, Come Hither,” and Mat takes stock of escaping bubbles and breaking routines. Thanks so much for listening. Please rate and review Cidiot® and sign up for the show’s newsletter…
Ready for something different? On this episode of Cidiot®, you’ll hear from John Burton, host of the popular podcast “Home From Here.” Hear John’s history from Rhinebeck to New York City to Westchester—and his plans to get back up here to the HV. As John explains, he wants to get…
What can we learn from the nature—and animals—around us? Meet Jessica Morgenthal, host of the new, already award-winning “Resilience Gone Wild (https://pod.link/J4yd77) ” podcast. Mat’s been a guest, and now Jessica is one on Cidiot®. Tons of talk about donkeys, goats, chickens, sea turtles, beehives, and more. Nature can be…
“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…
Welcome to Season 8 of Cidiot®! Mat kicks off by re-grounding us in what partly makes the Hudson Valley so special—the space. Inspired by local young writer Will Forge and his new book “Hudson Valley Reveries,” Mat helps us lose ourselves among an iconic Shawongunk tree. Will writes, “Patricia herself…
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…
“Stories tell you what’s important to people.” - AJ 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. Schenkman. He writes a lot about area history and has published multiple books including “Patriots and Spies,”…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 (valleygirlspodcast.com ) . Jenny…
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 (https://www.guldenfarm.com/) . Kyle and Amanda grew up in the area and join us for a special episode about farming. We talk about Kyle’s journey to…
Cidiot®'s back! Jason Bover, photographer, foodie and founder of Ulster Eateries Unfiltered, joins to kick off 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…
90% of podcasts don’t publish more than three episodes. And of the 200,000 shows that do go beyond three, 90% 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…
It's holiday time and this episode is coming to you live from Hudson Winter Walk and a live performance. Mat closes out this amazing season of Cidiot® by sharing what he got from Spotify Unwrapped about the show as well as his own lessons and moments of which he’s proud.…
“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…