I asked our new sponsors at Taconic Toastmasters Club to help me be a better presenter on air for you. They went through a few of my episodes and tell me what I'm doing right—and maybe could be better. I'm a believer in self-improvement and I'll take a few tips…
Let's go further north. Health. History. Horses. And culture. Cidiot has a one-on-one conversation with Elizabeth Sobol, President and CEO of Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC). You’ll hear about Elizabeth’s journey to leading SPAC, her discovery and full on love of Saratoga, what’s on this season, from jazz to the…
It's strawberry season! Yes, I can't eat them sadly, but you probably can happily. In this special episode breaking from our usual schedule, hear directly from Robinson Greig at Greig Farm (https://www.greigfarm.com/) on best practices of what to look for and how to pick them. Thanks for listening to Cidiot,…
Pride starts early in June across the Hudson Valley, Catskills and Berkshires. This episode I talk to Osun Zotique, executive director of OutHudson (https://outhudsonny.wordpress.com/) and the co-grand marshal of Hudson Pride. If you’re following the news, you may have also seen that Osun just announced a historic run for congress…
Is it a chore or a passion? This episode of Cidiot we go through seasonal to-do lists, from Mat, from listeners—and from a special guest Robinson Greig of Greig Farm (https://www.greigfarm.com/) . No one has a longer—or more daunting list—than a farmer. If updating your kitchen, bathrooms and pantry is…
Some of the most important news is local. Mat interviews Emily Sachar, publisher and editor of The Daily Catch. She shares her journey from a newspaper reporter (including an internship under Bob Woodward at The Washington Post), to an art historian and then starting The Daily Catch (https://www.thedailycatch.org/) in Red…
The Chronogrammies weren't always reader's choice, but luckily they are now. This episode, Mat reviews Chronogram magazine's 3rd Annual Chronogrammies finalists category by category with his picks for your vote—and why. From Arts & Entertainment and Retail to Nature & Outdoors, Shelter, Health & Wellness, and even People. You'll hear…
Whether you consider cottage core a movement or a stylish trend, it’s a connection to the past. I talk about what it means to me, including its form in Jello-molds. I also talk to Jeremy Franson and Sandra Franson, who run Comfort & Joy - Family Heritage for Today. We…
This episode is about managing stress and the proven science of the great outdoors being good for you. I also talk to Allison Chawla, host of Talk to Allison on Radio Free Rhinecliff (https://www.radiofreerhinecliff.org/) as well as a psychotherapist, healer, and coach. We talk about change, giving up what is…
Cidiot is about being new in and acclimating to country life. So what happens if you, say, move to south Florida for a few months and try to fit in there. In this special episode, you'll find out. Mat shares his eight observations comparing life in Florida to the Hudson…
Maybe you’ve seen the t-shirt. Maybe you own it. I do. “Upstate & Chill” is a trademark saying from Hamilton & Adams, (https://hamiltonandadams.com/) a cool and beloved retailer for men and women in Kingston, NY. For me, it perfectly captures the spirit of moving to the Hudson Valley so much…
Cidiot is back, turning up the volume with a bigger-than-ever Season Five. Four years and 58 episodes have taught Mat a thing or two, plus the listener survey piled up the advice to make this season five-u-lous. We're starting off big, with the a full-play of the new Cidiot Anthem,…
I don't think we've talked this season enough about cows. So to close out the year and season four, meet Matt Baumgartner. Matt owns June Farms (https://junefarms.com/) near Albany as well the Troy Beer Garden, the Berlin Lounge, the Olde English Pub, and Wolf’s Biergarten in Syracuse. We talk about…
Sometimes life comes full circle. This episode, Mat interviews Lori Greenberg and Sarah Goldberg from The Container House in Tivoli, NY (https://www.instagram.com/thecontainerhouse.tivoli/) , coincidentally (or is it?) owned by a recruiter and business owner from Mat's past. The Container House is an awesome structure designed by Arnaud Cornillon as a…
Meet Kimberlie Dykeman, a Rhinebeck native, who runs Wingman (https://kimberliedykeman.com/) , a personal concierge and estate management business in the Hudson Valley. She and I cover what’s changed, why she started her business, advice for new homeowners, how to treat vendors that come in and out of your house, her…
What’s the rush with hiking? What's the difference between a walk and a hike? This episode Mat talks to Sean O’Dwyer, who runs Mountain-Hiking.com (https://mountain-hiking.com/) , a popular blog for Catskills, Hudson Highlands, Adirondacks and beyond. You’ll hear what Sean loves about mountain hiking, where to go, advice for bears,…
Fall is a season of things dying to be reborn. In the thick of Fall and facing the reality of Winter, Mat makes an argument for planting seeds now that you want to bloom later. Special shoutout to the new podcast from Lindsay Shute and Michelle Hughes called KOLRHABI. Thanks…
The county is the “arms” of the state government, notes Rebecca Edwards, Dutchess County legislator (Town of Poughkeepsie) and Democratic minority leader. In this special episode, Edwards talks to Cidiot about why local elections matter, what our county government tackles, Dutches County as a microcosm of America, some trend-setting activities…
That's not a typo. That's the other spelling of Cidiot. Join me for this three-year birthday episode as I share Cidiot's early brand foundation, the story behind the logo, and an interview with Pim Zeegers, who just opened the fabulous Citiot store in Catskill, NY. Hear his take on our…
Meet Josh Santonja, who helped run Pugsly's Hudson location and has become both a barber and friend to me, my husband, father-in-law, and several friends. He's kind of a cult favorite. Josh also grew up in the Hudson Valley and has lived in multiple towns in the areas which only…
There are seven remaining lighthouses on the Hudson River. Come with me as we learn about them, their purpose, their vocabulary, and a few stories. We're very lucky to also get some background and history directly from Sarah Wassberg Johnson of the Hudson River Maritime Museum (https://www.hrmm.org/) . Thanks for…
As more and more people consider working remote, let's talk to Steve and Tom, who have created a business in Stanfordville that gives people comfortably-designed spaces and also builds unique community. Nestled in a historic hamlet, Bangallworks Coworking and Community Building offers memberships for open plan workspaces, private workstations and…
Cidiot just won first place for regional podcast in Chronogram magazine's annual Chronogrammies. Thanks to you. Well, those of you who voted! To celebrate, I'm also posting on my Medium blog (https://matzucker.medium.com/the-best-rural-regional-podcasts-e32bb993fec4?sk=24210a696968c4a3c5657184ff4f2683) some other great regional podcasts across the country so check that out. Thanks again for listening to Cidiot.…
When you need to do seasonal things but you are the one who gets in the way, that's what we call a P.B.C.C. — "Problem Between City and Country." Inspired by a term I learned doing customer service in technology, a P.B.C.C. plays out cleaning, fixing, installing, hammering, basically anything…