It's peak leaf-peeping season, and Cidiot® and Kaatscast have teamed up to release foliage episodes the same week. Kaatscast covers the west side of the Hudson; Cidiot's got the east. In this episode, Mat Zucker sits down with Amy Zanne, senior scientist at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies (https://www.caryinstitute.org/)…
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…
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…
Head north to Old Chatham in the Hudson Valley with us for another walk-and-talk adventure — this time at Silver Brothers Distillery (https://silverbrothers.com/) , 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…
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…
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 (https://www.freedomboatclub.com/franchises/liberty-adventures) to talk about how they are making waves right here…
Mat performs in 2019 a very cidiot story about neighbors at The Porch in Tivoli, NY
Just in time for Frederic Church’s 200th birthday, we’re taking you along for a "boots on" tour of the moving landscape he spent decades designing here in the Hudson Valley. I’m walking the carriage roads of the Olana Historic Site (https://www.olana.org/) with Annik LaFarge, author of the new book Composing…
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…
In this episode of Cidiot®, we explore the literal "connective tissue" of our region: the bridges. Host Mat Zucker is joined by Chris Steber, Public Information Officer for the New York State Bridge Authority, to discuss the five major vehicular crossings—from the "grand-daddy" Bear Mountain Bridge to the Rip Van…
After a brutal winter, spring in the Hudson Valley isn't just a temperature change—it’s a shift in soul. In this episode, Cidiot® explores the "palpable optimism" of the season, from the practical (and messy) realities of country living to the psychological power of starting fresh. Mat shares his 7-step guide…
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 Hudson Valley's Columbia County. From tracking DUI arrests to questioning local political transparency, Jeff’s unconventional approach…
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 (https://www.slowfoodhudsonvalley.org/) and owner of Overlook Farms in East Chatham. Recorded at the Creative Legion (https://www.creativelegion.com/) in Hudson, we discuss:…
“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.…
Winter in the Hudson Valley is not a metaphor. It’s a physical, emotional, and occasionally muddy reality—one that arrives early, lingers late, and demands respect (and better boots). In the Season 8 finale of Cidiot, Mat wraps up a year-long exploration of the “Creative Human” with a practical—and lightly self-deprecating—survival…
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…
What does it look like to build a creative life without a ladder, a map, or a five-year plan? In this crossover episode, Mat Zucker of the Cidiot® podcast sits down with Kingston-based cinematographer, podcaster, and all-around creative human Drew English, host of the podcast "No Set Path." We interviewed…
Meet Amy and Joyce, owners of The Yoga House (https://www.theyogahouseny.com/) , 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,…
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…