

Cidiot
Mat Zucker
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: goats@cidiot.com
© Mat Zucker 2018-2025. Cidiot is a ® trademark.
© Mat Zucker 2018-2025. Cidiot is a ® trademark.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 15, 2024 • 9min
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, who knows where you will go. Tune in and come visit.
Links highlighted:
The Hudson River Maritime Museum
Riverkeeper
William Cullen Bryant via Academy of American Poets
“A Scene on the Banks of the Hudson” (Poem)
Friends of Clermont Historical Site
The Effects of Water on Mental Well-Being (Espyr)
Episode 50 - Hudson River Lighthouses
Cidiot® is the award-winning podcast about moving to the Hudson Valley. Please rate & review the show at Cidiot.com, join the mailing list, and get in touch about what you like—and what you’d like to hear about. And come visit.
Cidiot® 2024. All Rights Reserved.

Jul 18, 2024 • 23min
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 Hudson Valley, the original intent for Barnfox, and what it is today.
Don't miss this: Freddy also has a special offer for Cidiot® listeners — a free day pass at any Barnfox location to experience it yourself.
Visit: https://barnfox.com/cidiot-day-pass/ https://barnfox.com/cidiot-day-pass/
Other Links
Barnfox: https://barnfox.com/
Co. in Rhinebeck: https://www.coworkwith.co
Freddy’s book Back to the Land on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/FARM-LANDS-Back-Land-Outdoor/dp/1452173338) or via Chronicle Books: (https://www.chroniclebooks.com/products/farm-land-s-back-to-the-land)
Music credits:
"Ebbs and Flows" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
"Wholesome" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Cidiot® is the award-winning podcast about moving to the Hudson Valley. Please rate & review the show at Cidiot.com, join the mailing list, and get in touch about what you like—and what you’d like to hear about. And come visit.
Cidiot® 2024. All Rights Reserved.

Jun 27, 2024 • 31min
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 at night, where animals fall in the rescue cue, when “the tones” hit, and more.
Links mentioned:
FASNY Museum of Firefighting - Hudson NY: https://fasnyfiremuseum.com/
Greenport Fire Department: https://www.townofgreenport.com/fire-department.html
Cidiot Episode 9: "Red All Over" https://www.cidiot.com/9-red-all-over/
Get a 911 Sign for your home:
Next Generation Signs - Ghent, NY : https://www.nextgensignsinc.com/
Matthew Signs - Stockport, NY: https://www.facebook.com/matthewsignsllc
Cidiot® is the award-winning podcast about moving to the Hudson Valley. Please rate & review the show at Cidiot.com, join the mailing list, and get in touch about what you like—and what you’d like to hear about. And come visit.
Cidiot® 2024. All Rights Reserved.

Jun 6, 2024 • 26min
102. Valley Girls
The Valley Girls Podcast hosts, Jenny Leifer and Jennifer Santiago, share the Hudson Valley story one character at a time. They discuss why they started the show, offer advice for cidiots, play a hilarious geography game, and reveal their go-to spots like Mills Mansion and swimming holes.

May 16, 2024 • 40min
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 it means to farm sustainably, my cidiot questions about cows, and even about that great logo I love.
Plus, to tempt you to try their amazing grass-fed meats and products, they’re offering Cidiot listeners a 10% discount now through July 31, 2024 at their store. Just use CIDIOT2024 at checkout (Certain limitations may apply.)
Cidiot® is the award-winning podcast about moving to the Hudson Valley. Please rate & review the show at Cidiot.com, join the mailing list, and get in touch about what you like—and what you’d like to hear about. And come visit.
Photos provided by Kyle & Amanda.
©2024 Cidiot® is a registered trademark. All rights reserved.

Apr 26, 2024 • 32min
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 group as well as the gatherings and its VIP discount card supporting local restaurants, not to mention his appearance on "Kitchen Nightmares" and meeting Gordon Ramsey. Jason also just started his own coffee brand, Tiny Dog Coffee, bagged and packaged here in Saugerties.
Join Ulster Eateries Unfiltered for free on Facebook. Get the VIP Foodies Card for discounts to more than 70 businesses and support local. Buy online at Ulster Eateries Unfiltered website: ($20) or available in person for $15 at:
Kingston Candy Bar (Uptown Kingston)
Twin Ravens Coffee Company (Ellenville)
Village Pizza (New Paltz)
Some of Jason’s picks:
Urban Fork, Kingston
Mexico Lindo, Kingston
El Mercadito, Kingston
Salt and Fire, Kingston
Kingston Standard, Kingston
Dallas Hot Wieners
Half Moon Rondout Cafe
Supernatural, Hudson
Moto, Hudson
Lagousta’s Lucious, New Paltz
More Jason Bover links:
Wedding photography: Above Weddings
Tiny Dog Coffee
As featured in HudsonValleyOne: Follow the Foodies
Kitchen Nightmares Ep 6 - Gordon Ramsey special guest "Love Bites"
Hudson Valley Garlic Festival - 9/28—9/29/24
Cidiot is the award-winning podcast about the Hudson Valley. Host and executive producer Mat Zucker and editor Isaac Rostan.
2024 Cidiot® is a registered trademark. All rights reserved.

Apr 25, 2024 • 18min
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 history, Mat brings back some favorite moments and favorite voices to punctuate the journey from city to country. 🐓🐐🐔
Thank you to everyone who’s listened so far, and been a part of the show to date. This includes Kallie at Sawkill Farm, Kate Steward at Shion Studio, Dairo Chamorro of the Empire Regulars, Allison Chawla at Radio Free Rhinecliff, and my brother-in-law’s brother-in-law Irwin Levy at Our Hamptons podcast.
Cidiot is the award-winning podcast about moving to the Hudson Valley. Thank you so much editor Isaac Rostan for your artful blending and music again this episode. This very special episode was recorded in my hometown in the Hudson Valley and in my original hometown of Springfield, NJ. We’re all from somewhere. Come visit.
Visit Cidiot.com for links to listen and more information.
Music: "Ebbs and Flows" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License.
Cidiot® 2024. All Rights Reserved

Dec 21, 2023 • 12min
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 season. Episode 100 is coming up so be sure to send in ideas or a voicemail message wishing the show something good!
Links:
Episodes for Season 6 on Cidiot.com
Cidiot Bookstore on Bookshop dot org
Join ConnectHV (free)
The Brothers That Just Do Gutters
Dutchess Tourism
Co. coworking on Instagram
Thank you for listening to Cidiot, the award-winning podcast about learning to live and love life in the Hudson Valley.
Visit Cidiot.com for more information, itineraries on the blog and to join the free Cidiot newsletter. Follow Cidiot on Instagram at Cidiot.hv.
Copyright 2023. Cidiot® is a registered trademark.

Nov 16, 2023 • 26min
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 a round of the Cidiot geography game. And with winter coming on, in part three, Jakob also gives me a recommended plan, there’s mention of bone mineral density, I clarify I am not 80 but I think I have to buy some weights for winter.
Links for this episode:
RozeFit Coaching: https://rozefit.com/
How to Stay Motivated to Workout During the Winter (RozeFit blog)
Wildflower Farms, Gardiner, NY
Sam’s Point at Minnewaska State Preserve, Cragsmore, NY
Book: The Comfort Crisis, Michael Easter (available via Cidiot bookstore)
Thank you for listening to Cidiot, the award-winning podcast about learning to live and love life in the Hudson Valley.
Visit Cidiot.com for more information, itineraries on the blog and to join the free Cidiot newsletter. Follow Cidiot on Instagram at Cidiot.hv.
Copyright 2023. Cidiot® is a registered trademark.

Oct 26, 2023 • 32min
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 now past 50, yeah, Cidiot® wants to know all this and more.
So Mat talks to Brian Jones of the Dutchess County Office for the Aging who debunks myths about the department (no, they don’t just send people to retirement homes) and shares info about the great resources and programs that offices like ours in Dutchess County offers. Brian has tips for successful aging and how to "stay on the upside of dirt." It’s really fun conversation, plus Brian has an awesome voice - no wonder he’ll soon be an announcer for local college sports teams.
Dutchess Office for the Aging (dutchessny.gov/aging)
Tel: 845-486-2555
Links of things mentioned in the episodes:
Go Go Grandparents
Meals on Wheels
Help at Home
Rhinebeck at Home (aging in place group)
Silver Sneakers
Falls Prevention Checklist
County Calendar
Pickleball Courts (Quiet Cove)
Overmountain Conservation Area
Friendship Centers in Dutchess County
Sunwise Aging Services & Care Management
Thank you for listening to Cidiot, the award-winning podcast about learning to live and love life in the Hudson Valley.
Visit Cidiot.com for more information, itineraries on the blog and to join the free Cidiot newsletter. Follow Cidiot on Instagram at Cidiot.hv.
Copyright 2023. Cidiot® is a registered trademark.


