Cidiot

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 matters, plus who their clinic serves. Short answer: everybody. We also chat  about being a new homeowner, bartering labor, talking to people, being nice, painting a subfloor (which is a thing) and what a carpet knife is. Yes, I am still learning new things.Ice cream comes up and we trade notes about our favorite spots across the Valley, plus an upcoming visit to a corn maize. Tune in for a great, timely conversation, and if you are looking for a medical provider, check out James practice called Westside Family Medicine in Hudson, NY.  Links to places mentioned in this episode:James Lauren’s web site with appt schedulingWestside Family Medicine, Greenport/Hudson Tommy B’s Pizza, Craryville Random Harvest market, Craryville Zinnia’s Dinette, Craryville https://www.zinniasdinette.com/Sideshow Vintage, Craryville Samascott’s Orchards, Kinderhook https://www.samascottorchards.com/Stewart’s (multiple locations)Fortune’s ice cream, Tivoli Holy Cow, Red HookDel’s Dairy Farm, Rhinebeck and Hudson  Story Screen Cinema, Hudson Plaza Diner Hudson, Greenport Grandma’s Hands Bakery Thanks for listening to Cidiot, the award-winning podcast about moving to the Hudson Valley. Sign up for the newsletter at Cidiot.com and please rate and review the show at the site or in the Apple Podcasts store.  Come visit.©2025 Mat Zucker Communications. Cidiot® is a Registered Trademark.

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 as a part of the community and building financial literacy in the rest of us. She hosts panels and speakeasies about money, and even does stand up storytelling. Lena was named 2023 Chronogrammies Best Financial Planner of The Hudson Valley, and she was on a great episode of another regional podcast, “Beaconites.” Tune in, and you’ll know why.Links to places, stores and restaurants mentioned:Lena Rizkallah (website)Beaconites! PodcastPoor George, Cold Spring  (store)Madam Brett Park, Beacon Long Dock Park, Beacon Lyonshare Public House, Beacon (bistro)Beacon Bread Company (breakfast) Moreish, Beacon (English-style breakfast) Oda Wine Garden, Margaretville Brushland Eating House, Bovina  Events: Lena has an upcoming Women in Business panel at Hudson Yards in NYC Tuesday September 30, 2025.  Please email her at LRizkallah@contewealth.com.Money Speakeasy happens the 2nd Tuesday of every month in Cold Spring. Email her LRizkallah@contewealth.com to be added to the mailing list.Thank you for listening to Cidiot® , the award-winning podcast about living the Hudson Valley. Sign up for the Cidiot listener newsletter and review/rate the shot at Cidiot.com.©2025 Mat Zucker Communications. Cidiot® is a Registered Trademark. 

“Libraries are rooms of requirement.” — Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, Executive Director, Mid-Hudson Library SystemThis 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 Aldrich, executive director of the Mid-Hudson Library System (MHLS), which spans 66 libraries across 70 locations in five Hudson Valley counties.We cover everything from the history and future of libraries to banned books, digital access, and how libraries are stepping up as civic centers. Plus, we dive into one of the coolest things happening right now: the Mid-Hudson Library Road Trip. It’s a self-paced adventure through October where you can visit as many libraries as you like — no library card required. Just pick up a map, hit the road, and explore some of the region’s most charming buildings. Perfect for a sunny Saturday or a rainy day wander.And if you love libraries like I do, we talk about how you can support — whether that’s downloading Libby to read more or signing up to be a library advocate through the New York Library Association.Links mentioned in the episode:LOCAL BOOKS & AUTHORSPerfectly Broken*, Robert Burke Warren History of the Hudson River Valley, Vernon BenjaminThe Forest Euphoria*, Patricia Kasian ( *Available in the Cidiot bookstore on Bookshop.org)PLACESInnisfree Garden (Millbrook) Find your local library⁠ACTIVITIES MHLS Road Trip (web); @midhudsonlibsys (Insta) Tag your photos with #MHLibraryRoadTripSign up to be a Library Advocate Unite Against Book BansPhotos: Courtesy of the Mid-Hudson Library System

“This area attracts talented creative people seeking opportunities to play out, all seeking opportunities to play with each other.” — MK ScullyJoin 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? Where would you go to see them? We talk about both as well as about songs about the area. Genre wise, it’s everything. Singer-songwriter-folk to rock and roll to metal to funk bands to (great) cover bands.Link to resources mentioned on the episode:MK on Instagram: @mk.ultramaticWKZE 98.1 FMRadio WoodstockRadio KingstonMat’s audiobook produced at WKZE (via Amazon and Audible)Home from Here with John Burton ShowDIY Kingston - @diykingston Utopia Studios (Bearsville Studios), Woodstock Reddit/Hudson Valley: https://www.reddit.com/r/hudsonvalleyLocal bands you should know:The Felice BrothersThe BandThe Big TakeoverWhat?SchmaveSeymourWestern SkiesSchwizzBluestone QuarryMatt DuncanMiles Taylour Leo LovechildLocal venues with music:Unicorn Bar, Kingston Snug Harbor, New Paltz The Lemon Squeeze, New Paltz The Park Theatre, Hudson Bearsville Theatre, WoodstockTubbys, KingstonAvalon Lounge, Catskill Songs about the area:“The Catskills Stole My Heart,” Burnell Pines “County Road 14,” Dante De Felice“Story of Fred Short,” Marco Benevento“My Enemies”, James Felice (2025)Thank you for listening to Cidiot® , the award-winning podcast about living the Hudson Valley. Sign up for the newsletter and review/rate the shot at Cidiot.com.©2025 Mat Zucker Communications. Cidiot® is a Registered Trademark

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 with a focus on sustainability, community, and a deep love for the Hudson Valley.Christy discusses her philosophy behind the Neverstill label, including her commitment to minimal intervention winemaking and supporting local farmers. She also talks about the inspiration behind the name "Neverstill"—a nod to the ever-changing nature of wine, the landscape, and life itself. The episode delves into the distinct character of Hudson as a destination for wine enthusiasts, artists, and urban transplants, and how Neverstill Wines is designed to be a gathering spot for locals and visitors. Christy and Mat discuss the importance of fostering community through wine and the growing New York State wine economy. Terms to know for this episode:Minimal intervention: A winemaking approach that limits additives and manipulation, letting the grapes and terroir shine.Tasting room: A dedicated space where visitors can sample and purchase wines directly from the producer.Flight: Curated selection of wines, usually 3 to 6, often presented for tasting comparison and explorationLinks from the episode:Visit Neverstill Wines, 739 Warren St., Hudson, NY Follow Neverstill on Instagram for updates on new releases and events: @neverstillwinesFeast & Floret 13 South 3rd St., Hudson (Restaurant - dinner or weekend brunch pick)The Quiet Botanist, 426 Warren St., Hudson (Shop)Talbott & Arding, 202 Allen Street, Hudson (Cheese & Provisions Market)Quinnies, 834 Route 66, Hudson (Restaurant - lunch pick)Other Regional Wine & Bev Links:Dutchess County Wine Trail (Dutchess County Tourism)"Hudson Valley Wineries" (recent feature in HV Magazine)"Artisanal Beverage Makers in Columbia County" map (Columbia County Tourism)Shawangunk Wine Trail (13 wineries across the region)Thank you for listening to Cidiot®, the award-winning podcast about living the Hudson Valley. Tune in and raise a glass with us!Special promotion from Neverstill: Drop by Neverstill Tasting Room on Warren Street and mention "Cidiot," and you’ll get a complimentary wine tasting. Certain restrictions apply. For a limited time.  Thanks, Christy!©2025 Mat Zucker Communications. Cidiot® is a Registered Trademark.

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 newsletter at Cidiot.com.Links to places and resources mentioned in the episode:Moto Coffee, Hudson, NY (https://www.motocoffeemachine.com/)Walkway Over the Hudson, Poughkeepsie, NY (https://walkway.org/)Innisfree Garden, Millerton, NY (https://www.innisfreegarden.org/)Hudson Food Festival, June 7, 12-6 pm, Henry Hudson Riverfront Park, Hudson, NYThe Workshop Experience, May 10 and 11, Hillsdale, NY area (https://www.theworkshopexperience.org/)Hudson Valley Food Truck Festival, June 21, Barton Orchards in Poughquag, NYUpstate Art Weekend, July 17-21 https://www.upstateartweekend.org/aboutDestination Dutchess Calendar https://destinationdutchess.com/calendarTrixie’s List (Hudson, NY) https://www.trixieslist.com/©2025 Mat Zucker Communications. Cidiot® is a Registered Trademark.

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 to understand the money you’re saving, and the second part is to help you optimize and save. Their average customer, as you’ll hear, is saving $10,000.00. That’s real money.  “It seems like it all should be knowable,” says Madeline.Terms you should know for this episode:DIY - Do it yourselfSEDI - Someone else does itLinks:Head over to www.getcastle.com to sign up for your two-week free trial of the Castle mobile app today. Vote for Cidiot® for Regional Podcast in the Chronogram Readers Choice Awards through May 15, 2025.Thanks for tuning in this season. Please send in feedback and rate and review the show at Cidiot.com. Most of all, come visit. ©2025 Mat Zucker Communications. Cidiot® is a Registered Trademark.

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 people. The people of the Hudson Valley are “Sophisticated and simple at the same time, smart and funny at the same time.” John puts it all out there. We talk about his wife’s incredible cancer journey, his own challenges with mental health, music in the Hudson Valley, and the Lifted Project - coming up Sunday, April 6, at the Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck. It’s a unique one-day musical experience bringing together a huge group of musicians to perform original music to support and provide visibility for four amazing nonprofits. Tickets are just $25. Towards the end, we also discussed our idea for a ‘Cidiot Immersion Class,’ which I really want to do, and we even started to program its curriculum. Let me know if you’re game to help. Meanwhile, act quickly for tickets for Sunday, April 6:The Lifted Project: https://liftedproject.org/ Venues mentioned:Paula’s Runway Cafe Airport (Beacon) The Rhine Cellar (Rhinebeck)Barton Orchards (Pougquague) Joseph’s Italian Steakhouse, Hyde ParkHudson Valley Musicians Facebook Group  Also:Mat on Home from Here show - episode 217 (MixCloud) or More Links (the show's website)Valley Girls Podcast (thank you for introducing us)Thanks for listening to Cidiot, the award-winning podcast about moving from the city to the Hudson Valley.  Come visit.©2025 Mat Zucker Communications. Cidiot® is a Registered Trademark. 

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 be loving, nature can be harsh. The answers we’re looking for are sometimes right in front of us. And at the end, bonus: you’ll hear the real difference between turtles and tortoises. Links: "Resilience Gone Wild" podcast links to listen Mat on Episode 20 of "Resilience Gone Wild" The Biggest Little Farm (film) What the Chicken Knows by Sy Montgomery (book) Thanks for tuning in. Come visit.Cidiot® 2025. All Rights Reserved

“We're trying to create the best version of a night out” — Mike Burdge of Story Screen CinemaThe 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 his partner Diana DiMuro’s story, from working in hospitality and hosting after-hours movie pop-ups to owning their own unique cinemas—first in Beacon now in Hudson. Mike also shares how they decide what to show for so many different audiences on just three screens and gives a candid explanation of ticket prices, concessions and permission to sneak stuff in. Mat loves this cinema—there’s a table at your seat plus a bar and movie-themed food and drinks. Better yet, Mike may have agreed to help Mat achieve one of his major bucket list items to do an ensemble sing-along of a movie musical. Mike and Diana also helped Cidiot create a big list of movies and TV shot in the Hudson Valley that you might want to watch. See the list on the Cidiot blog. Maybe we’ll create a Cidiot film festival!Links for mentions in the episode: Story Screen (Hudson) Upstate Films (Rhinebeck, Saugerties, Woodstock) The Movie House (Millerton) Poughkeepsie Underwear Factory Mike writing about film in ChronogramThanks for tuning in. Come visit. Cidiot® 2025. All Rights Reserved