PODCAST · society
Cidiot
by Mat Zucker - Living in the Hudson Valley
Learning to live and love life in the Hudson Valley. Hosted by Mat Zucker. Have you fantasized about living in the country? Curious what the transition is like? Or are you a local and want to see a different side of the folks who've invaded your land? The award-winning podcast Cidiot® has been featured in The Albany Times-Union, Chronogram, Country Living, Hudson Valley Magazine, The Poughkeepsie Journal, NBC's Today.com, and more. For updates visit cidiot.com and follow @cidiot.hv on Instagram. Email: [email protected]© MCZ Media LLC 2018-2026. Cidiot is a ® trademark.
Episodes
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139. Fall Foliage Guide: Hudson Valley Edition
It's peak leaf-peeping season, and Cidiot® and Kaatscast have teamed up to release foliage episodes the same week. Kaatscast covers the west side of the Hudson; Cidiot's got the east. In this episode, Mat Zucker sits down with Amy Zanne, senior scientist at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies...
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138. FINCH: How a Bird's Nest Named a Hudson Icon
Cidiot® sits down with Andrew and Michael, the duo behind FINCH, the Hudson lifestyle store that mixes vintage furniture and art with new design. Mat gets into how FINCH actually started — the leap from Andrew's career building luxury fashion stores and Michael's background in finance to opening…
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137. Empire Rye: New York's Own Whiskey
Head north to Old Chatham in the Hudson Valley with us for another walk-and-talk adventure — this time at Silver Brothers Distillery, set on a beautiful former sheep farm with rolling hills, open vistas, and serious "old money" energy. Host Mat Zucker sits down (and walks around) with founder…
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136. Moving and Storage in the Hudson Valley
Whether you are packing up a one-bedroom apartment or hauling a heavy, beloved upright piano between boroughs, moving is a massive, stressful milestone. In this episode of Cidiot, we are pulling back the curtain on the moving industry to unpack the mysteries of proper packing, budgeting, and...
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135. Navigating the Hudson with Freedom Boat Club
Ah, there is nothing quite like being out on the water—especially on our beloved Hudson River! 🌊 In this episode of Cidiot®, we are diving headfirst into the boating lifestyle. I’m joined by Josh Rosella of Freedom Boat Club to talk about how they are making waves right here in the region. As…
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134. Summer Like A Local: Visit Columbia County
New York City has the energy, but Columbia County has the air. Two years moving here from just 20 minutes south in the Hudson Valley, host Mat Zucker still feels like a bit of a "cidiot" sometimes—always eager to explore more of the incredible 635 square miles of valley, hills, farms, and…
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133. Walking Olana: Exploring the Iconic Hudson Valley Landmark
Just in time for Frederic Church’s 200th birthday, we’re taking you along for a "boots on" tour of the moving landscape he spent decades designing here in the Hudson Valley. I’m walking the carriage roads of the Olana Historic Site with Annik LaFarge, author of the new book Composing Olana: A...
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132. Chocolate is a Fruit? Bryan Graham of Fruition Chocolate Works
Let's go bean-to-bar. In this episode of Cidiot,® Mat Zucker dives into the world of world-class indulgence right here in the Hudson Valley. Joining the show is Bryan Graham, the award-winning chocolatier and co-founder of Fruition Chocolate Works. From his roots in the Catskills to the kitchens…
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131. Bridges of the Hudson Valley
In this episode of Cidiot®, we explore the literal "connective tissue" of our region: the bridges. Host Mat Zucker is joined by Chris Steber, Public Information Officer for the New York State Bridge Authority, to discuss the five major vehicular crossings—from the "grand-daddy" Bear Mountain…
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129. Columbia County Morning News - Start Your Day with Yeh
Who do you trust for the "real" news? In a landscape of paywalls and strictly managed county reporting, Mat sits down with Jeff Yeh, the man behind the largest social media news source in Hudson Valley's Columbia County. From tracking DUI arrests to questioning local political transparency…
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128. Slow Food Hudson Valley
This episode is hilarious—and delicious. Host Mat Zucker dives into the magical world of local farming and the global Slow Food movement with Pierre Fredrichs, co-chair of Slow Food Hudson Valley and owner of Overlook Farms in East Chatham. Recorded at the Creative Legion in Hudson, we discuss:...
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127. Magic in the Hudson Valley (Season 9 Premiere)
“One is fooling the mind. The other is fooling the eyes.” —Thomas Baker on the difference between a magician and an illusionist Season 9 is out! With Cidiot®, I’ve been trying for more than 125 episodes to open your eyes to new things. This season will be all about wonder. We need to look into…
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126. Winter Thrive Guide (Season 8 Finale)
Winter in the Hudson Valley is not a metaphor. It’s a physical, emotional, and occasionally muddy reality—one that arrives early, lingers late, and demands respect (and better boots). In the Season 8 finale of Cidiot, Mat wraps up a year-long exploration of the “Creative Human” with a…
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125. No Set Path
What does it look like to build a creative life without a ladder, a map, or a five-year plan? In this crossover episode, I sit down with Kingston-based cinematographer, podcaster, and all-around creative human Drew English, host of the podcast No Set Path. We interviewed each other for our...
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124. The Duffles
Live from Hudson, NY, it’s an author Q&A with Brian Shaefer and his debut novel Town & Country. Recorded in front of a live audience at Spark of Hudson, Mat moderates a conversation about character, plot, and the worlds of weekender and local coming together. The story follows a congressional…
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123. Dog City
Meet Patrick, owner of Lily’s Natural Pet Store, which just opened its second location after Poughkeepsie in Hudson. We talk dogs—a favorite subject—and why he chose Hudson, why not on Warren Street for his second location, why it’s not your average pet store, about running a pet business (I was...
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122. Yoga in the Valley
Meet Amy and Joyce, owners of The Yoga House, now with three locations in the Hudson Valley — Kingston, Highland and Poughkeepsie. One grew up in the HV; one is a transplant from Queens—what a great fit for coming on Cidiot. We talk about yoga, the different types, and poke a bit of fun (well, I...
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121. Health Care
James Lauren is a board certified nurse practitioner who recently opened up a primary care clinic in Hudson. James is also a new homeowner and bravely let me try in-person recording at his adorable farmhouse with my miniature new recording system. We talk about primary care—what it is and why it...
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120. Money Talks in Beacon
Let’s talk about money and about Beacon. This episode, Mat chats with Lena Rizkallah of Conte Wealth Advisors, who is a Chelsea-turned-Beaconite financial advisor. Through Lena, we’ll get to know Beacon better, including lots of great places to eat. We’ll also hear Lena’s story and all she does…
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119. The Mid-Hudson Libraries
“Libraries are rooms of requirement.” — Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, Executive Director, Mid-Hudson Library System This week on Cidiot®, we’re talking libraries — not just the quiet, book-filled havens you remember, but vibrant community hubs evolving with the times. I’m joined by Rebekkah Smith...
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118. Music in the HV
“This area attracts talented creative people seeking opportunities to play out, all seeking opportunities to play with each other.” — MK Scully Join MK Scully, afternoon host and promotions director at WKZE in Red Hook, as Cidiot® digs deeper into the local music scene. Who are the local bands?...
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117. Neverstill
In Episode 117 of Cidiot®, host Mat Zucker sits down with Christy Counts, the president and founder of Neverstill Wines, a New York State-based winery with a tasting room right in Hudson, NY. Christy shares her journey from wine enthusiast to entrepreneur, detailing how she built Neverstill Wines...
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116. Cidiot, Come Hither
This episode was inspired by a spontaneous poetry commission on the street in Hudson, NY. A poet named Jacqueline crafts “Cidiot, Come Hither,” and Mat takes stock of escaping bubbles and breaking routines. Thanks so much for listening. Please rate and review Cidiot® and sign up for the show’s...
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115. Your Home is Your Castle
Meet Madeline Hung of Castle, a finance app that helps homeowners save time and money managing their homes. Madeline says she’s a San Francisco cidiot trying to recreate her Bay Area lifestyle here in the Hudson Volley. She and her husband Hugo have created a service that does two things: One is…
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114. Home From Here
Ready for something different? On this episode of Cidiot®, you’ll hear from John Burton, host of the popular podcast “Home From Here.” Hear John’s history from Rhinebeck to New York City to Westchester—and his plans to get back up here to the HV. As John explains, he wants to get back to his...
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113. Resilience
What can we learn from the nature—and animals—around us? Meet Jessica Morgenthal, host of the new, already award-winning “Resilience Gone Wild” podcast. Mat’s been a guest, and now Jessica is one on Cidiot®. Tons of talk about donkeys, goats, chickens, sea turtles, beehives, and more. Nature can…
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112. Story Screen
“We're trying to create the best version of a night out” — Mike Burdge of Story Screen Cinema The arts are huge in the Hudson Valley, including film and cinema. In this episode, Mat talks to Mike Burdge of Story Screen Cinema about independent film and theatres in the Hudson Valley. Hear Mike and...
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111. Reveries (Season 8 Premiere)
Welcome to Season 8 of Cidiot®! Mat kicks off by re-grounding us in what partly makes the Hudson Valley so special—the space. Inspired by local young writer Will Forge and his new book “Hudson Valley Reveries,” Mat helps us lose ourselves among an iconic Shawongunk tree. Will writes, “Patricia...
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110. Light at the End of Warren Street
This little light of mine…. For the Season 7 finale of Cidiot, and just in time for Winter Solstice, Mat explores the idea and need for light in the darkness. There are three themes of light: the light that guides you; the light that cheers you; and the light that helps you believe. Thank you to...
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109. Franklin's Trees
“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…
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108. Go-Go Hudson with Mark Allen
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...
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107. Gossips of Rivertown
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...
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106. Town
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…
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105. The River
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…
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104. Barnfox
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…
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103. Firefighting
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…
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102. Valley Girls
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…
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101. Herd It Here
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…
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99. Ulster Eateries Unfiltered
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...
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100. Here's to 100
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...
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98. Cidiot Unwrapped (Season 6 Finale)
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...
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97. Getting Fit in the HV
“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…
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96. Aging in the HV
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…
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95. Bleats from Sheep & Wool
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...
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94. Creative in the HV
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...
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93. The Reluctant Gardener - Part 2
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...
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92. Stationery
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…
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91. Ambassador Cidiot
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…
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90. Upstate Art Weekend
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...
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89. Bimi's Canteen in Chatham
Why do we move here? To either open—or eat at—restaurants like Bimi's. And live in—or visit—towns like Chatham. This episode is about Bimi's Canteen and Bar, about Ellen & Chris, about a deliciously quaint village called Chatham, NY. Cidiot visits Bimi's, hears the story, the backstory and visits...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Learning to live and love life in the Hudson Valley. Hosted by Mat Zucker. Have you fantasized about living in the country? Curious what the transition is like? Or are you a local and want to see a different side of the folks who've invaded your land? The award-winning podcast Cidiot® has been featured in The Albany Times-Union, Chronogram, Country Living, Hudson Valley Magazine, The Poughkeepsie Journal, NBC's Today.com, and more. For updates visit cidiot.com and follow @cidiot.hv on Instagram. Email: [email protected]© MCZ Media LLC 2018-2026. Cidiot is a ® trademark.
HOSTED BY
Mat Zucker - Living in the Hudson Valley
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Cidiot have?
Cidiot currently has 140 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Cidiot about?
Learning to live and love life in the Hudson Valley. Hosted by Mat Zucker. Have you fantasized about living in the country? Curious what the transition is like? Or are you a local and want to see a different side of the folks who've invaded your land? The award-winning podcast Cidiot® has been...
How often does Cidiot release new episodes?
Cidiot publishes regularly with 140 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Cidiot?
You can listen to Cidiot on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Cidiot?
Cidiot is created and hosted by Mat Zucker - Living in the Hudson Valley.
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