Episodes

Is it a chore or a passion? This episode of Cidiot we go through seasonal to-do lists, from Mat, from listeners—and from a special guest Robinson Greig of Greig Farm . No one has a longer—or more daunting list—than a farmer. ...

Some of the most important news is local. Mat interviews Emily Sachar, publisher and editor of The Daily Catch. She shares her journey from a newspaper reporter (including an internship under Bob Woodward at The Washington Po...

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 ...

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 Co...

This episode of Cidiot is about managing stress and the proven science of the great outdoors being good for you. I talk to Allison Chawla, host of Talk to Allison on Radio Free Rhinecliff as well as a psychotherapist, healer,...

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 observa...

Andrew & Clark of Hamilton & Adams. Photo: James J. Reddington Maybe you’ve seen the t-shirt. Maybe you own one. I sure do. “Upstate & Chill” is a trademark saying from Hamilton & Adams , a cool and beloved retailer for men a...

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 startin...

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 in upstate New York near Albany as well the Troy Beer Garden, the Berlin Lounge, ...

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...

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,...

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 the Catskills, Hudson Highlands, Adirondacks and beyond. ...

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...

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 elect...

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 th...

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 a...

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 ...

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 ...

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...

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. p...

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 ...

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 a...

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. Thank...

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 homes...