Cidiot

“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,” 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.J.’s brand of writing and teaching is “History Made Seamless,” which means making history accessible. We talk about how he got into writing about history, Eleanor wanting a place of her own away from mother-in-law, witness trees, stories from the FDR National Historic Site, elk, and  A.J.’s new illustrated book: “Franklin’s Trees.”  “A good book will transform you through time,” he promises so excited to share this conversation and a slew of stories about FDR, Eleanor, trees, and more.  Links to highlights from this episode: Franklin’s Trees, by A.J. Schenkman (Muddy Boots publishing) A.J. Schenkman's blog “History Made Seamless” Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site Val-Kill, Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site Historic Huguenot Street (New Paltz) A.J. on Literary Hudson Valley (YouTube) Cidiot Episode 29: Eleanor Was Right Thanks to the Valley Girls Podcast and their new show, Literary Hudson Valley. Cidiot® is the award-winning podcast about moving to the Hudson Valley, produced and hosted by Mat Zucker. This episode was brilliantly edited by Isaac Rostan. Please rate & review the show at Cidiot.com, join the mailing list, and get in touch about what you like—and what you’d like to hear about. And come visit. Cidiot® 2024. All Rights Reserved. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cidiot/support

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 and 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 provocative and is generous and hilarious sharing what he sees.  We talk about Hudson’s culture, about video, dinner parties, the waves of gays, advice for cidiots—and of course the back alleys of Hudson. Links highlighted in episode: About Mark Allen Mark Allen’s YouTube channel “Are Hudson’s Sidewalks Safe for NYC Tourists” (Youtube): Time & Space Limited, Hudson: Wax museum, Lake George Cidiot® is the award-winning podcast about moving to the Hudson Valley. Please rate & review the show at Cidiot.com, join the mailing list, and get in touch about what you like—and what you’d like to hear about. And come visit. Cidiot® 2024. All Rights Reserved. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cidiot/support

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 newspapers & blogs (pls send in more!): A Little Beacon Blog (Beacon) Croton History & Mysteries (Croton) The Daily Catch (Red Hook and Rhinebeck) Daily Freeman (Ulster, Green & No. Dutchess Counties) The Gardiner Gazette (Gardiner): The Gossips of Rivertown (Hudson) The Highlands Current (Philipstown, Cold Spring, Garrison) The Hudson Valley Pilot (Rhinebeck) Hudson Valley One (Ulster County) Hudson Valley Post IMBY (several counties) Kingston Wire (Kingston)  Mid-Hudson News Ossining History on the Run (Ossining) Tgazette (Taghkanic) Plus, Mat is recently interviewed on the Rhinebeck Scoop podcast about Cidiot. There also are many good visitor and travel blogs to the Hudson Valley but that’s a separate list. Let me know if I should put one together.  Cidiot® is the award-winning podcast about moving to the Hudson Valley. Please rate & review the show at Cidiot.com, join the mailing list, and get in touch about what you like—and what you’d like to hear about. And come visit. Cidiot® 2024. All Rights Reserved. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cidiot/support

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 moving to the Hudson Valley. Please rate & review the show at Cidiot.com, join the mailing list, and get in touch about what you like—and what you’d like to hear about. And come visit. Cidiot® 2024. All Rights Reserved. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cidiot/support

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 the Hudson” (Poem) Friends of Clermont Historical Site The Effects of Water on Mental Well-Being (Espyr) Episode 50 - Hudson River Lighthouses Cidiot® is the award-winning podcast about moving to the Hudson Valley. Please rate & review the show at Cidiot.com, join the mailing list, and get in touch about what you like—and what you’d like to hear about. And come visit. Cidiot® 2024. All Rights Reserved. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cidiot/support

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 yourself. Visit: https://barnfox.com/cidiot-day-pass/ https://barnfox.com/cidiot-day-pass/  Other Links Barnfox: https://barnfox.com/ Co. in Rhinebeck: https://www.coworkwith.co Freddy’s book Back to the Land on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/FARM-LANDS-Back-Land-Outdoor/dp/1452173338) or via Chronicle Books: (https://www.chroniclebooks.com/products/farm-land-s-back-to-the-land) Music credits:  "Ebbs and Flows" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ "Wholesome" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Cidiot® is the award-winning podcast about moving to the Hudson Valley. Please rate & review the show at Cidiot.com, join the mailing list, and get in touch about what you like—and what you’d like to hear about. And come visit. Cidiot® 2024. All Rights Reserved. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cidiot/support

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: https://www.townofgreenport.com/fire-department.html Cidiot Episode 9: "Red All Over" https://www.cidiot.com/9-red-all-over/ Get a 911 Sign for your home: Next Generation Signs - Ghent, NY : https://www.nextgensignsinc.com/ Matthew Signs - Stockport, NY: https://www.facebook.com/matthewsignsllc Cidiot® is the award-winning podcast about moving to the Hudson Valley. Please rate & review the show at Cidiot.com, join the mailing list, and get in touch about what you like—and what you’d like to hear about. And come visit. Cidiot® 2024. All Rights Reserved. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cidiot/support

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 the hilarious Hudson Valley geography game, and we end with their go-to-spots, which include Mills Mansion and swimming holes. Good timing for that. Links mentioned on this episode: Listen to the Valley Girls Podcast:  valleygirlspodcast.com  Follow them on Instagram: @ValleyGirlsPodNY Mat’s Rural & Country Podcast list on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/curated-lists/podcasts-for-rural-and-country-living Episode 77: The (Other) Best Regional Podcast:  https://www.cidiot.com/77-the-other-best-regional-podcast/ Vanderbilt National Historic Site (Hyde Park, NY): https://www.nps.gov/vama/index.htm Cidiot® is the award-winning podcast about moving to the Hudson Valley. Please rate & review the show at Cidiot.com, join the mailing list, and get in touch about what you like—and what you’d like to hear about. And come visit. Cidiot® 2024. All Rights Reserved --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cidiot/support

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 listeners a 10% discount now through July 31, 2024 at their store. Just use CIDIOT2024 at checkout (Certain limitations may apply.) Cidiot® is the award-winning podcast about moving to the Hudson Valley. Please rate & review the show at Cidiot.com, join the mailing list, and get in touch about what you like—and what you’d like to hear about. And come visit. Photos provided by Kyle & Amanda. ©2024 Cidiot® is a registered trademark. All rights reserved.  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cidiot/support

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 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 coffee brand, Tiny Dog Coffee, bagged and packaged here in Saugerties. Join Ulster Eateries Unfiltered for free on Facebook. Get the VIP Foodies Card for discounts to more than 70 businesses and support local. Buy online at Ulster Eateries Unfiltered website: ($20) or available in person for $15 at: Kingston Candy Bar (Uptown Kingston) Twin Ravens Coffee Company (Ellenville) Village Pizza (New Paltz)  Some of Jason’s picks: Urban Fork, Kingston Mexico Lindo, Kingston El Mercadito, Kingston Salt and Fire, Kingston Kingston Standard, Kingston Dallas Hot Wieners Half Moon Rondout Cafe Supernatural, Hudson Moto, Hudson Lagousta’s Lucious, New Paltz More Jason Bover links: Wedding photography: Above Weddings Tiny Dog Coffee As featured in HudsonValleyOne: Follow the Foodies Kitchen Nightmares Ep 6 - Gordon Ramsey special guest "Love Bites" Hudson Valley Garlic Festival - 9/28—9/29/24 Cidiot is the award-winning podcast about the Hudson Valley. Host and executive producer Mat Zucker and editor Isaac Rostan. 2024 Cidiot® is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cidiot/support

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 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 show to date. This includes Kallie at Sawkill Farm, Kate Steward at Shion Studio, Dairo Chamorro of the Empire Regulars, Allison Chawla at Radio Free Rhinecliff, and my brother-in-law’s brother-in-law Irwin Levy at Our Hamptons podcast. Cidiot is the award-winning podcast about moving to the Hudson Valley. Thank you so much editor Isaac Rostan for your artful blending and music again this episode. This very special episode was recorded in my hometown in the Hudson Valley and in my original hometown of Springfield, NJ. We’re all from somewhere.  Come visit. Visit ⁠Cidiot.com⁠ for links to listen and more information. Music: "Ebbs and Flows" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License. Cidiot® 2024. All Rights Reserved --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cidiot/support

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. So lucky to have you all season. Episode 100 is coming up so be sure to send in ideas or a voicemail message wishing the show something good! Links: Episodes for Season 6 on Cidiot.com Cidiot Bookstore on Bookshop dot org Join ConnectHV (free) The Brothers That Just Do Gutters Dutchess Tourism Co. coworking on Instagram Thank you for listening to Cidiot, the award-winning podcast about learning to live and love life in the Hudson Valley. Visit ⁠⁠Cidiot.com⁠⁠ for more information, itineraries on the blog and to join the free Cidiot newsletter. ⁠Follow Cidiot on Instagram at ⁠Cidiot.hv⁠.⁠  Copyright 2023. Cidiot® is a registered trademark. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cidiot/support

“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 to buy some weights for winter.  Links for this episode: RozeFit Coaching: ⁠https://rozefit.com/⁠ ⁠How to Stay Motivated to Workout During the Winter⁠ (RozeFit blog) Wildflower Farms, Gardiner, NY Sam’s Point at Minnewaska State Preserve, Cragsmore, NY  Book: The Comfort Crisis, Michael Easter (available via Cidiot bookstore) Thank you for listening to Cidiot, the award-winning podcast about learning to live and love life in the Hudson Valley. Visit ⁠Cidiot.com⁠ for more information, itineraries on the blog and to join the free Cidiot newsletter. Follow Cidiot on Instagram at ⁠Cidiot.hv.⁠  Copyright 2023. Cidiot® is a registered trademark. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cidiot/support

Where should we grow old? Is the Hudson Valley a good place for aging? More and more people think so. And when you find your place, how should we plan for it? How can we stay in our home? How can we get around? What kind of resources are available?  Choosing to move from the city to upstate and now past 50, yeah, Cidiot® wants to know all this and more. So Mat talks to Brian Jones of the Dutchess County Office for the Aging who debunks myths about the department (no, they don’t just send people to retirement homes) and shares info about the great resources and programs that offices like ours in Dutchess County offers. Brian has tips for successful aging and how to "stay on the upside of dirt." It’s really fun conversation, plus Brian has an awesome voice - no wonder he’ll soon be an announcer for local college sports teams.  Dutchess Office for the Aging (dutchessny.gov/aging) Tel: 845-486-2555 Links of things mentioned in the episodes: Go Go Grandparents Meals on Wheels Help at Home Rhinebeck at Home (aging in place group) Silver Sneakers Falls Prevention Checklist County Calendar Pickleball Courts (Quiet Cove) Overmountain Conservation Area Friendship Centers in Dutchess County Sunwise Aging Services & Care Management Thank you for listening to Cidiot, the award-winning podcast about learning to live and love life in the Hudson Valley. Visit ⁠Cidiot.com⁠ for more information, itineraries on the blog and to join the free Cidiot newsletter. Follow Cidiot on Instagram at ⁠Cidiot.hv.⁠ Copyright 2023. Cidiot® is a registered trademark. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cidiot/support

In a special spontaneous episode, Cidiot takes you live to the New York Sheep & Wool Festival at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds (October 21-22, 2023). Mat has no idea what he's looking at but luckily Rachel Zive and her partner Sam Barnett are there to guide us all through the fabric and the animals. We learn so much including advice for beginners, celebrity knitwear designers, and terms from the fiber folk community. Links mentioned in the episode: New York State Sheep & Wool Festival Andrea Mowry Andrew Mowry on YouTube Tessellated Vest pattern on Ravelry Bleu Belle Bijoux Copyright 2023. Cidiot® is a registered trademark. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cidiot/support

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 long time. Tune in.  And if you’re a creative in the Hudson valley — designer, podcaster, coder, food & bev, business, anything — Jordan has a very broad definition of creative “If you’re not actively destroying thing, you’re a creative” — be sure to go to ConnectHV.com and sign up for free. Plus we hear his favorite two places — natural and human — places in the Hudson Valley. Links to what's mentioned in the episode: Connect HV Hudsy Hudson Community Incubator River Valley Guild The Cabincast Podcast Lake Minnewaska State Park --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cidiot/support

Mat gives an update on the gardening project, including flowers vs. vegetables competition. Though his voice notes, you probably get too close to the amateur he is and the struggles he faces — not to mention the neglect he embodies. Links to what’s mentioned in the episode: Sam’s video on how to properly weed (YouTube) Stark Blooms (Instagram) Photos of before and after weeding (Instagram) Thank you for listening to Cidiot, the award-winning podcast about learning to live and love life in the Hudson Valley. Visit ⁠Cidiot.com⁠ for more information, itineraries on the blog and to join the free Cidiot newsletter. Follow Cidiot on Instagram at ⁠Cidiot.hv.⁠ Copyright 2023. Cidiot® is a registered trademark. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cidiot/support

Upstate, living in a small town, I pop into all my favorite spots all the time. I try to always buy something but I’m also a bit of a gossip and always want to know what’s new. People ask about the show, and several people have been on it as you know.  This episode of Cidiot®, you’ll meet a favorite store-owner-new friend Marie of Red Hook Stationery Co. in the Village of Red Hook, NY. Her store is my new favorite place to get gifts, paper or cards and you’ll know why when you tune into this episode and get to know her and her story. Plus, you’ll hear how she and her husband finally bought their house.  And for Cidiot listeners, Marie has a special discount of 15% of any one item at Red Hook Stationery Co. through October 2023. Certain exclusions may apply. Links mentioned in this episode: Red Hook Stationery Co., Red Hook, NY The Ozone, Red Hook, NY Ulster County Small Business Resources Olana Historic Site, Hudson, NY Greig Farm, Red Hook, NY Poet's Walk Park, Red Hook, NY Scenic Hudson Thank you for listening to Cidiot, the award-winning podcast about learning to live and love life in the Hudson Valley. Visit Cidiot.com for more information, itineraries on the blog and to join the free Cidiot newsletter. Follow Cidiot on Instagram at Cidiot.hv. Photo: Red Hook Stationery Co. Copyright 2023. Cidiot® is a registered trademark. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cidiot/support

Do you love where you live? Mat sure does. Already a champion, advocate, even a shill for people moving to the Hudson Valley, Mat takes it to the next level by becoming a Certified Tourist Ambassador in Dutchess County. In this Cidiot® episode, you'll hear about the experience as well as advice for visiting from two other 'graduates.' Plus, there's a un/related story about a spider! Beacon (from Nicole) City of Beacon Bank Sq. Coffehouse Long Dock Park Dia: Beacon Dover Plains (from Dawn) Dover Stone Church Lucky Orphan's Horse Rescue Kelly's Creamery and Kelly's Husband's Truck Dutchess Tourism (from Melaine) Dutchess Tourism Discover Dutchess Destination Guide Dutchess Tourism Certified Tourist Ambassador Program Thank you for listening to Cidiot, the award-winning podcast about learning to live and love life in the Hudson Valley. Visit Cidiot.com for more information, itineraries on the blog and to join the free Cidiot newsletter. Follow Cidiot on Instagram at Cidiot.hv. 2023. Cidiot is a registered trademark. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cidiot/support

After missing it last year, Mat explores the big annual event that is Upstate Art Weekend. More than 130 artists participate across the Hudson Valley, including Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties. Mat shares the differences between culture in the city versus the country and talks to a New York-based artist, Lauren Cohen at “Brian’s Yard Sale.” It’s hilarious. Artists and galleries mentioned in this episode: Upstate Art Weekend website Judith Pfaff Foundation in Tivoli, NY “Stories of the Post-Natural” curated by Art Works of Change (Randy Jayne Rosenberg, Bonny Lebowitz and Belén Millan) Available Items in Tivoli, NY “Shelf Life”  (artist Laurene Leon Boym) Mother-in-Laws gallery in Germantown, NY “Brian’s Yard Sale” by Lauren Cohen “Darkening Skies” curated by Front Room Gallery (artists Pamela Longobardi and Susan Knipperberg) More recommended art galleries in the area: Pinkwater Gallery, Kingston NY (as featured in Episode 78) Equis Art Gallery, Red Hook NY Verse Workshop, Red Hook NY Tivoli Artists Gallery, Tivoli NY Front Room Gallery, Hudson NY Cidiot® is the award-winning Hudson Valley podcast. Sign up for the newsletter and subscribe to episodes on your favorite platform via Cidiot.com. Come visit. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cidiot/support