Cidiot

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 Preservation Society. Tune in for some laughs and, of course, warmth. Be sure to stream the new Cidiot anthem on Spotify, Apple Music and more. Hamilton & Adams is offering 15% off at their new online store for fans of the show. Just use the code: CIDIOT. And sign up for the Cidiot mailing list and get more info about the show, becoming a sponsor, and the Hudson Valley, Catskill Mountains, Berkshires and rural living at Cidiot.com

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 it’s a lyric in our Cidiot anthem. This second episode of Season 5, I interview Andrew Adotta of Hamilton & Adams about his path up here, opening a business, and more. We play Hudson Valley geography and he also shares his favorite spot not to mention a cidiot hiking story. Special treat for Cidiot listeners: Get 15% off at Hamilton & Adams new web site. Use code CIDIOT. https://hamiltonandadams.com/discount/CIDIOT Also, be sure to download the Cidiot anthem, created with El Seuco and The Don of Space Studios in Red Hook on Spotify, Apple Music, Soundcloud, and more. Links available through the music page at Cidiot.com. Photo: James J. Reddington

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 generously outfitted by Hamilton & Adams in Kingston, NY who thought we did justice to their "Upstate & Chill" aesthetic.  Listen up for a full-play of the song and the backstory in our interview with Ben Senterfit and Paul Rivers Bailey. You'll hear their backstory, how they met through Community Music Space in Red Hook, their favorite places in the Hudson Valley, the process of creating the song, what we each hope to achieve it, and of course, why the two of them are called El Sueco and The Don. Find links to the Cidiot Anthem at the music page on Cidiot.com and more about El Sueco and The Don at their site.

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 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—and you’ll even learn the funny story behind the farm's name. Thanks for tuning into Cidiot this season, for helping it grow even more, including the win as best regional podcast in the 2021 Chronogrammies. In the mean time, please visit the new Cidiot.com, where you can subscribe to the Cidiot email list for news about the song release in late January, shop, read the blog, rate the show, and, yes, Season 5 planning is already underway. Be sure to also follow the show on Instagram, Twitter, and/or Facebook.

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.  Thanks for listening to Cidiot, the award-winning podcast about moving from the city to the Hudson Valley. Visit the all-new Cidiot.com to join the mailing list, rate and review the show, shop the Cidiot store, follow us on Instagram. And please send your questions about being a Cidiot to goats@cidiot.com. They might make my new advice column in The Red Hook Daily Catch on Fridays: “Ask a Cidiot.”

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 the 2021 Chronogrammies for best regional podcast. Visit Cidiot.com for more info and to shop the store, follow the show on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, read the "Ask a Cidiot" column in The Red Hook Daily Catch. Now you can also sign up on the Cidiot mailing list and get show perks including Kimberlie's house manual template when it's ready. 

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 should sponsor him.  Thanks for listening to Cidiot, the award-winning podcast about moving from the city to the Hudson Valley. Visit Cidiot.com to join the mailing list, rate and review the show, shop the Cidiot store, follow us on Instagram. And please send your questions about being a Cidiot to goats@cidiot.com. They might make my new advice column in The Red Hook Daily Catch on Fridays: “Ask a Cidiot.”

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 join the mailing list, rate and review the show, shop the Cidiot store, follow us on Instagram and more. And please send your questions about being a Cidiot to goats@cidiot.com. They might make my new advice column in The Red Hook Daily Catch on Fridays: “Ask a Cidiot.”

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 the ballot this fall, how to stay current with what's happening—and her favorite spots. Here's also some additional links for: absentee voting and how to apply for an absentee ballot; info from the Dutchess County Board of Elections; and how Dutchess County residents can find who represents them. Thanks or listening. Cidiot is 2021 Chronogrammie winner for best regional podcast and the 2021 Award of Excellence for Podcasting - Society & Culture in the Communicator Awards. You can still rate and review Cidiot for your chance at a free trucker cap and tune in for more this season.

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 stropwafel. Plus I've started a new idea from my brother-in-law Adam: asking guests their favorite (secret) places in the Hudson Valley.  Thanks for listening. Cidiot was voted best regional podcast in the 2021 Chronogrammies and is a go-to source by national and regional press. You can still buy a Cidiot trucker cap with the iconic baby goat logo. Visit cidiot.com for links as well as info on sponsorships and partnerships. Come visit.