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…
The feeling of attending a live event. Mat, Brian, and cousin Lisa experience Patti Smith at Kaatsbaan Cultural Park (https://kaatsbaan.org/) and Cidiot recounts some of the many things he's grateful for, especially during Memorial Day weekend. This episode is sponsored by Ledgewood Kennel (http://ledgewoodkennel.com/index.php) in Millerton, NY, where you can…
We've talked animals, we've double-clucked into chickens. Now let's talk domesticated pets. And to help us do it, welcome new sponsor Ledgewood Kennels (http://ledgewoodkennel.com/index.php) in Millerton, NY, where you can board and groom your pets. This episode also include dog treat ideas from Chicken Librarian (https://chickenlibrarian.com/dog-treats/) and my college friend…
Cidiot turns the microphone on the editors and owners of IMBY.com (https://imby.com/) (In My Back Yard), a network of local newspapers to hear their story and about the importance of a local press and citizen journalism in our communities. Thanks to new sponsor Ledgewood Kennels in Millerton, NY (http://ledgewoodkennel.com/) and…
Season 4 was promised to be a new level. In this episode, Mat investigates the popularity of chickens. He talks first to a colleague Ryan Detwiler, who raises chickens, and then to Kristin White of Chicken Librarian (https://chickenlibrarian.com/) , a homesteading service and new content partner. Why do people own…
Welcome back to Season 4 of Cidiot: Learning to Live and Love Life in the Hudson Valley. Join Mat Zucker as we start off at the historic Elmendorph Inn, our town's original welcome center. We'll also stop by Sawkill Farm where Gordon and Rex welcome us, especially Gordon who pees…
Wanted to say hi and share the news that Cidiot has been nominated for a Chronogrammy (https://www.chronogram.com/hudsonvalley/Chronogrammies/) for Best Regional Podcast! You can still vote for the nomination, other categories, and get on the list for April 1 voting. Also other musings because, well, we're bored. Aren't you? Visit Cidiot.com…
Nowhere is the contrast of light and dark more discernible than in the countryside. In the Season Three finale of Cidiot, Mat explores the idea of light at holiday time and the renewed optimism he's so grateful for. Special shout out to Suzy and her Advent Calendar and to everyone…
Mat interviews Kallie, one of the owners of Sawkill Farm (https://sawkillfarm.com) in Red Hook, NY, home of his favorite eggs, bacon, and pork chops. Hear about what it's like to run a farm and the secret of why things taste so good. Thanks for listening to Cidiot. Chronogram listed us…
Community is crucial wherever you live. In this episode, Mat explores the five types of community: Interest, Action, Place, Practice, and Circumstance. He also shares his dream bucket-list community event. Special shoutouts to Tricia Reed, Giobatta Alimentari (https://www.giobatta.com/) in Tivoli, and all the others who make others feel at home.…
For the last 45 years, our village annually celebrates its scrappy roots. Come hear from Historic Red Hook executive director Elisabeth Harmor about the day, local history, and, yes, horse thieves. Be sure to join Historic Red Hook at historicredhook.org (https://www.historicredhook.org/) . Thank you Prime Print Shop (https://www.primeprintshop.com/) in Poughkeepsie…
In this new episode, Mat talks to local business owner Daniel Clark of Prime Print Shop in Poughkeepsie. Daniel also grew up in the Hudson Valley so he'll share a more local view on the area, residents, CSAs, geography and stuff to do. Special thanks to Prime Print Shop for…
In this new episode, Mat explores the different adjustments from Coronavirus, including his new hobby of run-walking and the verb knowns as bunkering. Thanks for listening to Cidiot. Chronogram listed us as one of "Six Hudson Valley Podcasts You Should Be Listening To." Find Cidiot trucker caps and the new…
You might believe you are the first at something, but, of course, there have been others before you. In this special episode, Mat interviews Dairo, an accomplished, established Cidiot and an Empire Regular from the train. Mat learns learn about how Dairo and his family made the switch from city…
Ducks. Sheep. Goats. Coyotes. You can't live up here and not love animals. Well, most of them. In this episode of Cidiot, Mat share some highlights. Shout outs to Tivoli General (http://www.tivoli-general.com/) , Winn's Tivoli (https://www.winnstivoli.com/) , and Doorstep Market (https://www.doorstep.market/) . Thanks for listening. Cidiot has been featured on…
When you ask, Mat answers. In this episode, we answer a question from listener Keith Stoeckeler about the future of our towns during this unusual, stressful and dangerous time of Coranoravirus. Mat investigates with conversations with deputy mayor Brent Kovalchik and director of the Red Hook Area Chamber of Commerce…
From bucolic to bubonic, join Mat as he talks about what it’s like in the Hudson Valley during this unusual, stressful and dangerous time of Coranoravirus. Special shout outs to Giabotta Alimentari (https://www.giobatta.com/) in Tivoli, Equis Art Gallery (https://www.equisart.com/) in Red Hook, The Other Hudson Valley (https://theotherhudsonvalley.com/) , and the…
In this new episode of Cidiot, Mat grapples with the realities of living two planes, a train and sometimes a bus from home. Plus he's excited about Cidiot's mention on the Spotify podcasters blog (https://podcasters.spotify.com/blog/cidiot-and-the-appeal-of-hyper-local-podcasting) , recent Apple podcast store ratings and fan mail. Thanks for listening. Cidiot has been…
Welcome to Season 3 of Cidiot - Learning to Live and Love Life in the Hudson Valley. This first episode starts far from Dutchess Country - 5,600 miles in Tel Aviv, Israel. Food. Diversity. Safety. Religion. Join Mat as he continues to explore what it means to transition from city…
At the end of season two, Mat gets way more local about the holidays — fundraising door-to-door for the fire department at his village’s WinterFest and finally joining the underground Festivus Train. Thanks for listening. Cidiot has been featured on Hudson Valley Magazine's "8 Hudson Valley Podcasts for All-Day Listening"…