Cidiot

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 his top picks including Adams Fairacre Farms, Ashoka...

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 talk about their connection to the Hudson Valley, visiting Grammy Joy in Rhinebeck (they called it “Regular Town”), living on...

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 as well as a psychotherapist, healer, and coach. We talk about change, giving up what is comfortable, about the artistic hamlet of Rhinecliff, parenting, moving up here from the city, newfound diversity, foraging—and...

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 Valley, including a guest voice: his brother-in-law's brother-in-law Irwin Levy, who is active in the East Hampton Trails...

Maybe you’ve seen the t-shirt. Maybe you own it. I do. “Upstate & Chill” is a trademark saying from Hamilton & Adams , 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 so that it’s a lyric in our Cidiot anthem. In this second episode of Season 5, I interview Andrew Addotta of Hamilton & Adams...

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, produced with El Sueco and The Don at Space Studios here in Red Hook. The photo is by Tasha Hurley and we were g...

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 near Albany as well as the Troy Beer Garden, the Berlin Lounge, the Olde English Pub, and Wolf’s Biergarten in Syracuse. We talk about his story, being an entrepreneur, how he started June Farms, about the animals—how pigs are smarter than cows—an...

Sometimes life comes full circle. This episode, Mat interviews Lori Greenberg and Sarah Goldberg from The Container House in Tivoli, NY , 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 model for sustainable living and where Greenberg is building a community for creative people.  T...

Meet Kimberlie Dykeman, a Rhinebeck native, who runs Wingman , 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 favorite spots, and some unique requests she's gotten over the years. Thanks for helping making Cidiot winner of...

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 , 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, a warning about radios, how to be a good citizen on a mountain, and why Reese’s Pieces shoul...

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 for listening to Cidiot, the award-winning podcast about moving from the city to the Hudson Valley. Visit Cidiot.com to joi...

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 in nearby counties, the role of committees, what’s on...

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 shared word, his story as a double outsider, about his business, and how you can get a taste of strop...

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 made me want to talk to him more about it all. We even debut a new game on the show called "Hudson Valley Geography." Th...

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 . Thanks for listening to Cidiot, a podcast by Mat Zucker. Winner of Chronogram 's 2021 Chronogrammie for best reg...

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 special events and meetings both inside and out...

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 some other great regional podcasts across the country so check that out. Thanks again for listening to Cidiot. Please rate and review Cidiot on the Apple podcast store, subscribe/follow on your favorite podcas...

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 handy. Thanks to new sponsor BANGALLWORKS in Stanfordville, NY, and to Chicken Librarian for...

The feeling of attending a live event. Mat, Brian, and cousin Lisa experience Patti Smith at Kaatsbaan Cultural Park and Cidiot recounts some of the many things he's grateful for, especially during Memorial Day weekend. This episode is sponsored by Ledgewood Kennel in Millerton, NY, where you can board and groom your pets. Thanks for listening to Cidiot. Proud to be have been listed among &quo...

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 in Millerton, NY, where you can board and groom your pets. This episode also includes dog treat ideas from Chicken Librarian and my college friend Janelle's de-skunking recipe. Thanks for listening to Cidiot. Proud to be have been n...

Cidiot turns the microphone on the editors and owners of 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 our new sponsor Ledgewood Kennels in Millerton, NY , and for all of you listening and subscribing to Cidiot. Be sure to subscribe to Cidiot so you don't miss an episo...

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 , a homesteading service and new content partner. Why do people own chickens? Which should you pick? Can you do it in the city? And why does the word "chicken" mean coward? O...

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 on my back tire. I'll also take Nora for a walk at Greig Farm and talk about our new content relationship w...

Wanted to say hi and share the news that Cidiot has been nominated for a Chronogrammy 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 for more and follow us on instagram at @Cidiot.hv .

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 celebrating their holidays in their own way. As her mom's iconic message says, "Let others see the light...