Norm welcomes author, illustrator, teacher, and all-around artistic badass, Peter McCarty. He's written and/or illustrated dozens of books and won all the awards. They discuss his latest graphic novel and magnum opus, 'The Five Wolves.' They explore Peter's creative journey from children's picture books to complex graphic novels, discussing artistic inspiration, the decades-long process behind his work, and what it means to chase the muse. Peter shares insights on why publication dates matter, how he crafted this ambitious work over many years, and what exciting projects are coming next. Produced by Norm Magnusson, Jennifer Hammoud, and Matty Rosenberg @ radiofreerhinecliff.org Send comments to comments@radiofreerhinecliff.org
Norm welcomes dancer and choreographer Kati Garcia-Renart for an conversation about flamenco, family heritage, and the transformative power of dance. Kati opens up about her formative years training in Spain, her work as a dance instructor at Simons Rock, and the rich historical legacy that shapes her artistic practice. Kati and Norm explore flamenco's cultural roots and evolution, touching on themes of intergenerational trauma, resilience, and creative innovation. Kati discusses her bold experiments fusing traditional flamenco with unexpected musical genres, pushing the boundaries of this storied art form. They wrap up chatting about Kati's upcoming dance-theater production celebrating poet Federico Garcia Lorca, which she has choreographed for an intimate performance at Morton Library. Produced by Norm Magnusson, Jennifer Hammoud, and Matty Rosenberg @ radiofreerhinecliff.org Send comments to comments@radiofreerhinecliff.org
Norm sits down with Robert Kirwood, a Rhinebeck native and seasoned bartender who's served everyone from local regulars to celebrities. Growing up in Rhinebeck and now tending bar at Rhinecellar, Kirwood shares stories from his 40-year career, from making his first cocktails to crafting classics like 'The Last Word.' The conversation covers the Beatles, booze trivia, bartending through the pandemic, innovative drink recipes, and the art of handling troublemakers with grace. Packed with humor, anecdotes, and infectious enthusiasm, they celebrate a shared passion for mixology and bar culture. Produced by Norm Magnusson, Jennifer Hammoud, and Matty Rosenberg @ radiofreerhinecliff.org Send comments to comments@radiofreerhinecliff.org
Norm chats with Michele Montalbano, the Director of Programming and Outreach at the Starr Library in Rhinebeck. Michele shares insights on her Sicilian heritage, her journey into library sciences (which has included work as a teacher, archivist, literary agent, writing tutor, and crossword aficionado), and the rewarding human-centered aspects of her work. Discover her innovative programming, from writing workshops with local authors to her excitement about the upcoming Mad Hatter Ball fundraiser. Michele also dives into her personal experiences with literature, music, and the importance of play and creativity in her life. Special mentions include Jennifer Breslin, Lesa Cline-Ransome, and the unique challenges and rewards of working in libraries today. It's a tribute to the vital role of libraries in fostering community and preserving freedom to read."Read a book!" Produced by Norm Magnusson, Jennifer Hammoud, and Matty Rosenberg @ radiofreerhinecliff.org Send comments to comments@radiofreerhinecliff.org
Norm chats with Rhinecliff’s own Donald Corren about his incredible life in theater. They kick things off with some talk about gardening before jumping into Donald's acting journey. Donald opens up about his work in regional theaters and his current project—the new Dolly Parton musical, 'Dolly, a True Original Musical.' He shares some great behind-the-scenes stories about Dolly herself and what it was like developing the show through rehearsals and performances in Nashville. The conversation takes us back to Donald's roots in Stockton, California, where his love for theater first bloomed, and he remembers mentors like Tom McKenzie who shaped his path. He talks about his time at Juilliard, his early professional gigs in Chicago, and eventually making it to Broadway. One role that really stands out for him is 'Souvenir,' a play about Florence Foster Jenkins that he'd love to do again someday. He also jokes about the roles that got away—like Tevye in 'Fiddler on the Roof' and Willy Loman in 'Death of a Salesman.' On a more personal note, Donald shares the beautiful story of his relationship with Richard Prouse, whom he met at the Goodspeed Opera House. Decades later, they got married at that very same spot. He gets real about coming to terms with his identity, navigating early career hurdles like the draft, and settling into life in Rhinebeck, NY. Donald also talks about his time away from theater when he wrote for industrial shows (which seriously helped pay the bills) and even his work with Martha Stewart, showing just how versatile he is beyond the stage. Produced by Norm Magnusson, Jennifer Hammoud, and Matty Rosenberg @ radiofreerhinecliff.org Send comments to comments@radiofreerhinecliff.org
Norm is joined by actress and writer Cecile Callan. Callen discusses her career journey from New York theater, including work at Cafe Central and the Public Theater, to television roles in Los Angeles on shows like "Hill Street Blues" and “ER.” She shares insights on entertainment industry challenges, her creative writing work and her upcoming psychological thriller film "Angels Twice Descending." Produced by Norm Magnusson, Jennifer Hammoud, and Matty Rosenberg @ radiofreerhinecliff.org Send comments to comments@radiofreerhinecliff.org
Join Norm as he sits down with community organizer Nancy McKay to discuss the upcoming Rhinebeck Porch Fest, happening this Saturday, September 13th. Nancy walks us through the details of this popular local event, which features 44 bands performing on porches along Chestnut and Livingston streets. The day-long festival offers a variety of musical styles, from indie folk to jazz, with food trucks stationed throughout the neighborhood to keep attendees fed. Nancy also shares stories from her diverse career background, including her years in the beauty industry working with brands like Estee Lauder and Tom Ford Beauty, and her unexpected connection to the Kentucky Derby winner's circle. These days, she's focused on organizing community events that bring neighbors together in Rhinebeck. Produced by Norm Magnusson, Jennifer Hammoud, and Matty Rosenberg @ radiofreerhinecliff.org Send comments to comments@radiofreerhinecliff.org
Norm sits down with Rhinecliff resident Karen Sullivan, the Irma Brandeis Professor of Romance Literature and Culture at Bard College, for a conversation that spans centuries and continents. Karen specializes in medieval studies and is acclaimed for her research on historical and literary truths in medieval French and Occitan literature. She discusses her various interests, from her academic work in medieval and Renaissance studies to learning the cello and conducting bear research in the Arctic Circle for her newest book on the medieval bear. What ties her scholarship together is her exploration of how we know what we know, and the search for truth across history, literature, and personal experience. Follow Karen's academic journey as she reflects on staying humble, embracing the beginner's experience, and finding meaningful connections between literature, history, and culture. 01:00 – Introduction 03:00 – Karen’s academic background and interests 11:00 – The adventure of learning cello 16:00 – Bears in history, literature, and the wild 31:00 – Teaching, research, and the value of humility 46:00 – Irish literature, hidden histories, and poetry 1:11:00 – Why medieval literature matters today Produced by Norm Magnusson, Jennifer Hammoud, and Matty Rosenberg @ radiofreerhinecliff.org Send comments to comments@radiofreerhinecliff.org
Norm sits down with guest O.K. (Oskar) Fox, for an in-depth conversation. Oskar is a multifaceted artist who grew up near Rhinebeck and discusses the experience of returning to the area as an adult. The discussion covers Oskar's transition journey, his artistic influences, and the challenges of being an artist in a neighborhood undergoing gentrification. Oskar, who identifies as he/him and also performs under the drag name Sexual Gumby, shares perspectives on his creative process, community organizing work, and his commitment to collaborative artistic practice. He explores themes around gender expression and the intersection of art and activism. The episode concludes with Oskar reading from his recent poetry and reflecting on how his family background has shaped his approach to social change. Oskar's website Produced by Norm Magnusson, Jennifer Hammoud, and Matty Rosenberg @ radiofreerhinecliff.org Send comments to comments@radiofreerhinecliff.org
Join guest host Kimmi Berlin and Norm Magnusson for this special celebration of Correct me If I'm Norm's 200th episode and four-year milestone on Radio Free Rhinecliff. Past guests share moving reflections on what makes Norm's interviews special—his genuine curiosity and unique conversational gifts. The episode traces Norm's path as both dedicated listener and accomplished artist, covering everything from his solo art shows and the FISM movement he created, to his journey as a father and his deep commitment to serving others. It's a heartfelt exploration of how creativity, community, and authentic connection shape a life and a show. Produced by Norm Magnusson, Jennifer Hammoud, and Matty Rosenberg @ radiofreerhinecliff.org Send comments to comments@radiofreerhinecliff.org
Norm sits down with Cali Alpert, a professional interviewer with years of experience across television, podcasts, and radio. Cali shares insights into her journey, from her early interest in Barbara Walters to creating her website theinnerviewer.net, where she offers one-on-one coaching on interviewing skills and personal development. Norm goes into Cali's life story, her spiritual journey, and her thoughts on modern relationship dynamics. Produced by Norm Magnusson, Jennifer Hammoud, and Matty Rosenberg @ radiofreerhinecliff.org Send comments to comments@radiofreerhinecliff.org
Norm chats with Djan Paunovic, whose remarkable career spans continents and decades in the hospitality industry. Born in Brooklyn and raised in Switzerland, Djan now serves as a cornerstone of Rhinebeck's dining scene at Terrapin Restaurant. Djan shares his stories from his early career in Switzerland, working at prestigious establishments like the Robinson Club and ski resort bars. Most remarkably, as a teenager navigating his parents' divorce, he traveled solo across Europe to reconnect with family, demonstrating the independence that would serve him throughout his career. Returning to the United States, Djan played a key role in opening the Emerson Resort and Spa with Dean Gida. Though he briefly considered relocating to Colorado, a conversation with Terrapin Restaurant owner Josh Kroner led to what became his professional home for the past 17 years, where he serves as lead manager and beverage director. Djan discusses his personal life, including his pride in his children, who occasionally help at the restaurant but wisely chose different career paths. He candidly addresses industry challenges from COVID-19 impacts to staffing difficulties, while sharing entertaining celebrity encounters. His philosophy remains consistent: every guest deserves exceptional treatment regardless of their status. They explore Djan's Yugoslav heritage, including traditional foods and the craft of making slivovitz, a plum brandy that connects him to his cultural roots. These discussions reveal how his diverse background enriches his approach to hospitality. Produced by Norm Magnusson, Jennifer Hammoud, and Matty Rosenberg @ radiofreerhinecliff.org Send comments to comments@radiofreerhinecliff.org
Norm sits down with Lillian Lin for an intimate and wide-ranging discussion, exploring the extraordinary tapestry of her life experiences. Lillian discusses her medical odyssey, beginning with a stage four neuroblastoma diagnosis as an infant that recently led to kidney transplant surgery. She reflects on how her health journey has shaped her relationship with her teenage son, whose interest in pursuing medicine stems partly from witnessing his mother's medical experiences. Norm and Lillian explore the complexities of organ donation, including the emotional challenges that accompany the process. Shifting to lighter territory, Lillian recounts how a chance job as a cocktail waitress became the gateway to her finance career, leading her through the high-pressure worlds of Kidder Peabody and Goldman Sachs trading floors, as well as her professional time in London. Personal milestones weave throughout their conversation, from meeting her former husband through work to navigating the complex journey of surrogacy, complete with its legal and financial complexities. Lillian's worldview comes into sharp focus as she describes her volunteer work at orphanages across Africa, Guatemala, and Vietnam, experiences that provided profound contrast to her finance career's intensity. She talks about her transition into real estate, her move to Pine Plains attracted by a property with prohibition-era history, and her current pursuits including piano and pickleball. Through it all, Lillian's story is one of resilience, the importance of maintaining perspective, and how life's unexpected turns can lead to meaningful discoveries about ourselves and our capacity for growth. Produced by Norm Magnusson, Jennifer Hammoud, and Matty Rosenberg @ radiofreerhinecliff.org Send comments to comments@radiofreerhinecliff.org
Norm sits down with graphic designer extraordinaire and jetsetter; Dairo Chamorro “Mayor of Amtrak.” They share Japanese vodka cocktails while exploring Dairo's colorful journey from Reuters journalist to scotch whiskey entrepreneur, discussing his global travels, family stories, business challenges including tariffs and logistics, his talent for befriending strangers from Amtrak trains to international destinations, and his surprising passion for Watford football and Kingston Stockade soccer. Produced by Norm Magnusson, Jennifer Hammoud, and Matty Rosenberg @ radiofreerhinecliff.org Send comments to comments@radiofreerhinecliff.org
Norm chats with artist Nadine Robbins about her French-American upbringing and artistic journey. Nadine shares memories of childhood in southern France and growing up bilingual. The conversation covers Nadine's artistic evolution from painting oysters inspired by her Charleston coastal roots to her career breakthrough when an unsolicited gallery submission launched her professional success. She discusses how an eye injury transformed her painting technique, pushing her work toward hyperrealism with enhanced texture. Nadine explains her transition from gallery exhibitions to commissioned portraits, drawing on her graphic design background to create pieces that blend realistic detail with bold colors and rebellious elements. She shares her creative influences and approach to capturing familiar subjects with unexpected twists. They wrap up with Nadine discussing her latest politically-charged series inspired by music and her upcoming participation in the Upstate Art Weekend open studio event. Throughout, Norm and Nadine explore how heritage, artistic vision, and creative process shape her evolving work. Produced by Norm Magnusson, Jennifer Hammoud, and Matty Rosenberg @ radiofreerhinecliff.org Send comments to comments@radiofreerhinecliff.org
From Brooklyn to global stages and now Milan, NY-he's a former globe-trotting DJ, a community events organizer and a brand-new dad: please welcome the always charming Zev Le Wolfe. Produced by Norm Magnusson, Jennifer Hammoud, and Matty Rosenberg @ radiofreerhinecliff.org Send comments to comments@radiofreerhinecliff.org
Norm sits down with Tanvir Alam to explore an extraordinary immigrant story that spans continents and cultures. Tanvir opens up about his path from Bangladesh to America, beginning with his family's early days in tight quarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and his formative years in a multicultural community. Their conversation weaves through the challenges of finding one's place between worlds—the push and pull of maintaining heritage while embracing new opportunities. As both an engineer and attorney, Tanvir reflects on the unexpected turns his professional life has taken, while also sharing deeply personal moments, including his cross-cultural marriage to a Hindu woman that challenged traditional expectations on both sides. The discussion ventures into philosophical territory as Tanvir discusses how Albert Camus' philosophy of absurdism and the Stoic principle of 'Amor Fati'—embracing one's destiny—have shaped his perspective on navigating life's complexities and uncertainties. Produced by Norm Magnusson, Jennifer Hammoud, and Matty Rosenberg @ radiofreerhinecliff.org Send comments to comments@radiofreerhinecliff.org
Norm chats with Bebe Ochs Miscedra about her distinctive name and life in Rhinebeck. Bebe reflects on her childhood, early political influences from Bobby Kennedy, and her strong opinions about Nixon and Trump. They explore how Rhinebeck evolved from a working-class town to a commercial hub, sharing local history and personal memories. Bebe discusses her educational path, career working with people with developmental disabilities, and a brief stint in California that didn't suit her. The wide-ranging conversation covers personal beliefs, family relationships, and concludes with heartfelt appreciation between them. Produced by Norm Magnusson, Jennifer Hammoud, and Matty Rosenberg @ radiofreerhinecliff.org Send comments to comments@radiofreerhinecliff.org
Norm chat with Susan Ray. They discuss her time as an ordained monk at a California monastery, her husband Nicholas Ray's acclaimed but controversial film career, and their collaboration on the experimental film 'We Can't Go Home Again.' Susan opens up about navigating grief, her husband's alcoholism and AA recovery, and her spiritual exploration after his death. She also shares her current projects: writing an autobiographical novel, running a cleanse business, and preserving Nicholas Ray's legacy through their foundation Produced by Norm Magnusson, Jennifer Hammoud, and Matty Rosenberg @ radiofreerhinecliff.org Send comments to comments@radiofreerhinecliff.org
Norm welcomes Robert Donaldson, a retired educator and local historian who dedicated decades to teaching at Rhinebeck High School, where he specialized in Law and European History. As a distinguished expert on the region's bluestone industry history, Bob takes listeners through his remarkable journey from his early days serving in the Coast Guard Reserve to his fulfilling career as an educator beloved by students and colleagues alike. During their conversation, Bob discusses his deep involvement with the mock trial program and his genuine passion for legal education. He shares insights from his extensive research documenting Ulster County's bluestone industry, work that has contributed significantly to preserving the region's industrial heritage. The discussion also touches on personal aspects of his life, including his family's rich history, his connection to the Marist Brothers, and memories of growing up in the Bronx. Produced by Norm Magnusson, Jennifer Hammoud, and Matty Rosenberg @ radiofreerhinecliff.org Send comments to comments@radiofreerhinecliff.org