Podcast appearances and mentions of Hudson Valley

The award-winning documentary “Locker Room Talk” from Kingston's TMI Project was produced in partnership with the nationally acclaimed organization A Call to Men.On November 9, they will be hosting their first Hudson Valley screening at the Kingston High School, where the film began.

Can Zohran Mamdani actually freeze the rent and make buses free? A Hudson Valley man wishes he had never gone on to Facebook. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The filmmaker Heidi Levitt returns to the podcast for her 2nd visit. She was on last October when her documentary "Walk With Me" was about to have its Hudson Valley premiere at the 2024 Woodstock Film Festival. Over four years of filming with Heidi as director and care partner, they crisscross the country, redefining how life will be lived to its fullest. Charlie's charm, warmth, and appeal take center stage, illuminating a story of love and a reminder that life is really about our relationships. "Walk With Me" is currently enjoying a theatrical run at the Laemmle Monica Film Center in Los Angeles. It will also be having a theatrical at the Cinema Village in NYC beginning November 20th.

In this special presentation of Hudson Mohawk Magazine, Blaise Bryant brings us a two-part conversation about accessible voting for people with disabilities. First Cliff Perez from the Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley in Troy discusses the history behind the Help America Vote Act, his experiences as a disabled voter, and what he sees for the future. Then we hear from Keith Gurgui with the Resource Center for Accessible Living in Kingston who shares his voting experiences and his perspectives on the future of accessible voting.

It's day 34 of the government shutdown which is posed to be the longest ever as Republicans and Democrats appear to be at an impasse. President Trump has called for the "nuclear option," ending the filibuster which requires 60 votes to reopen the government. On the eve of the 2025 elections, Jim McLaughlin is here to give expert insight into tomorrow's elections. In Virginia, Abigail Spanberger is leading Winsome Earle-Sears for the Governor's race, even getting an endorsement from the NAACP. Jason Miyares has had the lead for Attorney General against Jay Jones since early October. Jay Jones is still in the race even after text messages revealed a dark, demented fantasy about him wanting to kill his political opponents and their family. In New Jersey, Jack Ciattarelli is in a neck and neck race with Mikie Sherrill, McLaughlin says New Jersey is ready for change and most people are worried about affordability. Ciattarelli has picked up support in counties President Trump did well, as well as seeing support from black voters. In New York City, while Zohran Mamdani shows a significant lead in polling, the candidates are so untraditional this race is much closer than people think. New Yorkers have to choose between a radical Socialist Zohran Mamdani and a scandal plagued independent Andrew Cuomo. Curtis Sliwa does not have the support of Trump voters which has really hindered his campaign. McLaughlin thinks this race will be close as Mamdani has a 67% unfavorability rating in Long Island and the Hudson Valley. Featuring: Jim McLaughlin President & Partner | McLaughlin & Associates https://mclaughlinonline.com/ Today's show is sponsored by: Boll & Branch The key to wellness starts with a good night's sleep. Making your night's sleep better starts with quality sheets. Boll & Branch sheets start unbelievably soft and get softer over time. Boll & Branch sheets are made with the finest 100% organic cotton in a soft, breathable, durable weave. If you're looking for sheets that last, feel amazing, and help you sleep better, Boll & Branch is where it's at. Feel the difference an extraordinary night's sleep can make with Boll & Branch. Just head to https://www.bollandbranch.com/SPICER for 25% OFF and FREE SHIPPING. Delta Rescue Delta Rescue is one the largest no-kill animal sanctuaries. Leo Grillo is on a mission to help all abandoned, malnourished, hurt or suffering animals. He relies solely on contributions from people like you and me. If you want to help Leo to continue his mission of running one of the best care-for-life animal sanctuaries in the country please visit Delta Rescue at: https://deltarescue.org/ ------------------------------------------------------------- 1️⃣ Subscribe and ring the bell for new videos: https://youtube.com/seanmspicer?sub_confirmation=1 2️⃣ Become a part of The Sean Spicer Show community: https://www.seanspicer.com/ 3️⃣ Listen to the full audio show on all platforms: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sean-spicer-show/id1701280578 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/32od2cKHBAjhMBd9XntcUd iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-sean-spicer-show-120471641/ 4️⃣ Stay in touch with Sean on social media: Facebook: https://facebook.com/seanmspicer Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanspicer Instagram: https://instagram.com/seanmspicer/ 5️⃣ Follow The Sean Spicer Show on social media: Facebook: https://facebook.com/seanspicershow Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanspicershow Instagram: https://instagram.com/seanspicershow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Food critic Nora Warren returns to her family's failing Hudson Valley inn and discovers she's not alone in her ability to taste emotions in food. James Brennan, the inn's sincere chef, shares her gift and offers genuine connection through simple, honest cooking. But when Adrian Blackwood arrives with soup that makes her taste manufactured desire, Nora finds herself choosing intoxicating manipulation over quiet truth. As she agrees to dinner at Adrian's restaurant despite James's warnings, she doesn't realize she's being seasoned like a dish for something ancient that feeds on emotion every Thanksgiving.Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!Subscribe now for exclusive shows like 'Palace Intrigue,' and get bonus content from Deep Crown (our exclusive Palace Insider!) Or get 'Daily Comedy News,' and '5 Good News Stories' with no commercials! Plans start at $4.99 per month, or save 20% with a yearly plan at $49.99. Join today and help support the show!We now have Merch!  FREE SHIPPING! Check out all the products like T-shirts, mugs, bags, jackets and more with logos and slogans from your favorite shows! Did we mention there's free shipping? Get 10% off with code NewMerch10 Go to Caloroga.comGet more info from Caloroga Shark Media and if you have any comments, suggestions, or just want to get in touch our email is info@caloroga.com

Today, we're doing the second episode in our new series: How to Disagree.A reminder: these episodes feature coaching sessions and real-life disagreements. Our goal is to equip everyone with the skills (and some inspiration) to more productively disagree. On to the episode…You know that feeling when you walk into a room and realize someone's talking about you? Imagine that on steroids: you tune into a Substack Live to learn your friend is talking about your disagreement in front of an audience! That's exactly the set up for today's episode, a follow-up to How to Disagree about Gender with a Close Friend (Part I). In Part II, we get to hear from Larissa Phillips' friend, “Jane,” and see them bring Bob Bordone's coaching to life as they navigate their disagreement and a new chapter in their friendship.The Questions:Is it possible to remain close friends after growing apart ideologically?How can you remain curious when you strongly disagree?Are there some topics we should avoid entirely as friends? Is gender one of them? And how did it get this way?The GuestsLarissa Phillips is a columnist for The Free Press whose work focuses on finding community and fostering relationships as a Democrat living in the rural Hudson Valley. She is also the Director and Founder of the Volunteer Literacy Project, teaching basic literacy to adults. Christina Thyssen is a writer, story coach, and professor of writing and literature at the University at Albany. She is the co-founder of Hudson Valley Story Workshops and runs a story slam in Catskill, NY. Christina also teaches writing and storytelling to prisoners. A special thank you to Larissa and Christina for going on this journey with us. It took a tremendous amount of courage. And if you haven't already, check out Larissa's excellent article on her experience with us in The Free Press. Questions or comments about this episode? Email us at podcast@thedisagreement.com or find us on X and Instagram @thedisagreementhq. Subscribe to our newsletter: https://thedisagreement.substack.com/

This episode of “Nature Calls, Conversations from the Hudson Valley” is a retrospective look at one of the early radio interviews from our precursor show, “Digging in With Master Gardeners,” aired on WGXC, 90.7 FM. Teresa and Jean interviewed Master Gardener Volunteer Kathryn Schneider about birds. Kathryn was introduced to the joys of birding by her mother who was a birdwatcher. She took it about as far as you can, since she now has a PhD in Ornithology and has written a guidebook called “Birding the Hudson Valley.” The purpose of the book was to allow people to understand their area and go birding. She started by covering the basics on bird identification and the recording of observations, where to find particular birds, and the importance of knowing the bird's biology. Learning about how birds feed and what they do helps guide successful birders. The second half of the book is a list of sites in the Hudson Valley where birdwatching is rewarding. Actually feeding birds is the second biggest hobby in the country. But we don't feed birds for ecology and the good of nature. We tend to feed them to amuse ourselves watching them. We can prevent getting bored by providing the correct food for the birds we want to watch, so a little research can improve the view. Planting your garden to draw birds is another way to enhance your enjoyment. In a nutshell, native plants are best, and the careful choice of trees can be helpful. Birds don't just eat seeds. They eat bugs, worms, caterpillars, berries and even nectar. Bird feeders are best used when the flowers are not blooming because birds will ignore feeders if they have more interesting things to eat. Winter is prime time because they can use the extra nutrition to keep warm. Late November to early April are safer months to put out feeders, especially if you have bears for neighbors. But keep in mind that they're not always sleeping when you think they should be in these times of climate change so adjust based on the weather. Bears don't tend to hibernate until they can no longer find food. After the first significant snowfall might be the safer bet to put out your feeders. Going down the list of pesky critters, we also have: squirrels. Baffles above and below the feeder can help to keep them away. Grackles, cowbirds and starlings usually travel around in flocks. Hawks and cats can also be problematic. Kathy says cats shouldn't be outside because they are killing millions of birds and have even made some of them extinct, while it should be remembered that hawks need to feed their babies, too. It's best to give blue jays their own feeder with peanuts in the shell to keep them distracted and away from your other feeders. Kathy then reviews the best ways to observe birds and how to identify them. Sibley and Peterson Guides are her favorite, and the Merlin phone app is an excellent resource. She also suggests you research the type of binoculars to use. Many will work fine, but many are just wrong. Once you've outgrown watching your feeder visitors, it's time to go to them. She suggests that you look for a local bird club and ask to go along on a walk. Figure what birds to expect there and look for them specifically. Bird clubs are relatively easy to find, including the Audubon Society, so join groups in your area. Guided bird walks are everywhere, including Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) sponsored ones, often led by Kathy herself. The conversation concludes with specific topics including the population biology for birds, the Christmas Bird Count, and specific discussions about robins, bluebirds, ravens and vultures. Hosts: Teresa Golden and Jean Thomas Guest: Kathryn Schneider, PhD. Photo: Jean Thomas Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Deven Connelly, Teresa Golden, Xandra Powers, Annie Scibienski, Jean Thomas Resources

The Valley Girls chat with Mark Gerlach, a Certified Hypnotherapist (CHt), about what hypnotherapy can and cannot do, (spoiler alert: it won't make you quack like a duck); whether we can hypnotize ourselves; and the possibilities of astral travel and past-life regression. A huge thank you to our Season 4 sponsor, ⁠⁠⁠Bryant Home Improvement⁠⁠⁠! With over 20 years of experience in luxury home building, Bryant Home Improvement is dedicated to ensuring quality and efficiency in every project and bringing value to your home - right here in the Hudson Valley.Thanks for listening! To help support the Valley Girls, please follow our podcast from our show page, leave a rating and review, and please spread the word and share our podcast with others. We really appreciate your support!To stay up to date and for more content you can find us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠valleygirlspodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/ValleyGirlsPodNY⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube.com/@ValleyGirlsPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and also check out the Newsletter and Pod Squad tab on our website to sign up for our e-mail newsletter and join ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠our Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠so you never miss a thing! All links can also be found in our Instagram bio.Episode music by Robert Burke Warren entitled Painting a Vast Blue Sky can be found at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠robertburkewarren.bandcamp.com/track/painting-a-vast-blue-sky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Unraveling the Legend: Rocky Mountain UFO Podcast Explores the Haunting Truth of Sleepy Hollow. In a special Halloween treat, the **Rocky Mountain UFO Podcast** (Episode 140) takes a thrilling detour into one of America's first and most enduring ghost stories: **Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow."** This episode isn't just a reading of the classic tale; it's a deep dive into the eerie folklore of the Hudson Valley, exploring why this story of a headless specter continues to haunt our collective imagination. The discussion positions the legend not as a mere campfire story, but as a foundational piece of American supernatural lore. **Key Discussion Points from this Halloween Special:** * **The Haunted Ground of Sleepy Hollow:** The episode sets the scene, describing the "legend-haunted valley" as a character in itself—a place shrouded in mist and mystery, where superstition thrives and the line between reality and the supernatural is dangerously thin. * **Ichabod Crane: The Superstitious Scholar:** A thorough analysis of the lanky, greedy, and intensely superstitious schoolmaster, **Ichabod Crane**. The podcast explores his motivations, particularly his quest to win the heart (and fortune) of the wealthy heiress, **Katrina Van Tassel**. * **The Rivalry with Brom Bones:** The discussion highlights Ichabod's formidable rival, the charismatic local bully **Brom Bones**. The episode dissects their conflict over Katrina and how Brom's knowledge of local legend sets the stage for the terrifying climax. * **The Headless Horseman Encounter:** The podcast breaks down the iconic, chilling scene—Ichabod's fateful ride home from the Van Tassel party and his legendary confrontation with the galloping **Headless Horseman**. Was it a genuine phantom or something more earthly? * **The Mystery of the Disappearance:** Finally, the show delves into the aftermath: Ichabod Crane's mysterious disappearance from Sleepy Hollow, the discovery of his shattered belongings, and the "popular theory" that he was **"spirited away" by the supernatural rider.** **Listen to Rocky Mountain UFO Podcast Episode 141 to explore:** * The historical context of this 1906 edition and its significance. * Why "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is a perfect Halloween story. * Analysis of the Headless Horseman as one of literature's most iconic ghosts. * The enduring mystery: was Ichabod Crane a victim of a ghost or a prank? **Perfect for fans of:** Halloween podcasts, American folklore, classic horror stories, ghost stories, supernatural mysteries, and Washington Irving. **Keywords:** Rocky Mountain UFO Podcast, Episode 140, Halloween Special, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Washington Irving, Headless Horseman, Ichabod Crane, Brom Bones, Katrina Van Tassel, American folklore, ghost stories, supernatural podcast, Halloween podcast, classic horror.

This week we have Comedian, Professional fighter and Politician Eddy Rolon (@eddyrolon73) on the podcast. He talks about New Jersey Politics, Classic fight stories, his medical journey and comedy. Catch Eddy at a show by following him on instagram.Upcoming Shows11.15.25 | Montclair, NJ | Junk Mail Improv at The Montclair Comedy Festival | https://www.eventbrite.com/e/montclair-comedy-festival-bits-pieces-improv-showcase-tickets-181117418373912.5.25 | Carlstadt, NJ | Junk Mail Improv at Bolero Snort | Details to come12.6.25 | Port Jervis, NY | Jordan Fried in Port Jervis | https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/6731703Sessions With Mary Jane is a Cannabis infused podcast hosted by stoner comedian and filmmaker, Jordan Fried.  It features interviews from musicians, filmmakers, comedians, politicians, writers and business owners along with solo concept episodes.  While all guests do not necessarily partake, the one requirement is that they are pretty chill, man.  Listen for untold stories, how to guides, deeper dives and expanded curiosities. Your source for all things New Jersey, Hudson Valley and NYC.  New Episodes every Wednesday with exclusive bonus content. An LNH Studios podcast on the Gotham Network. Produced by the Gotham Network.LNH Studios is a comedy and video production company based out of Rutherford, New Jersey. It is comprised of the comedy trio Late Night Hump, consisting of Reena Ezra, Jordan Fried, and Brendan O'Brien.LNH Studios focuses on producing: • Podcasts • Films • Comedy shows and series (including sketch comedy, improv, stand-up, musical improv, and variety shows)They also offer classes and workshops related to comedy and production, and their services extend to recording audio and video, and scriptwriting. You can find more information and contact them through their website, lnhstudios.com, or by phone at +1 845-545-0284.⁠Jordan Fried⁠ (⁠https://jordanfried.myportfolio.com/⁠) is a SAG AFTRA comedian and filmmaker from Warwick, NY currently based in Rutherford, NJ. His debut comedy special and album, When The Edible Hits, is out on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, X, Facebook and Vinyl.  He is the co-director, co-writer and star of Beware The Horn, a film about a film school graduate that stumbles upon an improv troupe that he thinks is a cult.  He also appeared as the Young Peter Madoff in Madoff : Monster of Wall Street. He studied Digital Media Production and English at Tulane University, where he was a member of Cat Mafia Comedy. He's performed at Rhino Comedy, Eastville Comedy Club, Hell Yes Fest, Binghamton Comedy and Arts Festival, New Orleans Comedy and Arts Festival and Northern Virginia Comedy Festival. He produced the comedy variety show, Circuit Break; Late Night Hump at NJ Weedman's Joint; and he is a founding member of the improv troupes, Duly Noted and The Mutts.  He taught media, podcasting and comedy classes for Montclair Film, Blue Sky Kids and Educate The Block.  He recently worked as the operations manager at The Williams Center in Rutherford, NJ.

Carl Panzram traveled all around the world racking up a very impressive criminal history. He even spent a good amount of time right here in the Hudson Valley.

On this episode of the Council of Industry Podcast, we sit down with Jim Ferraro, Vice President of Elna Magnetics, a long-standing Hudson Valley company with deep roots in advanced manufacturing. Jim shares Elna's fascinating history—from its beginnings in Woodstock in 1955 to its current operations in Saugerties and expansion into California. He explains how the company evolved from a prototype manufacturer into one of the world's largest distributors of ferrite, a vital ceramic material used in everything from smartphones to renewable energy systems.Jim offers an inside look at Elna's unique role in the electronics supply chain, the wide range of industries they serve, and the highly skilled workforce that makes it all possible. He also discusses his own journey in the family business, the company's commitment to succession planning, and the value of building a diverse team with opportunities for machinists, engineers, and office professionals alike.Beyond manufacturing, Jim is a strong advocate for workforce development and education partnerships. He talks about his leadership role with Ulster BOCES and the Hudson Valley Pathways Academy, how industry can play a vital role in shaping career pathways for students, and why breaking the stigma around vocational education benefits everyone.From business growth to community engagement, this conversation highlights how manufacturers like Elna Magnetics are innovating while staying deeply connected to their roots.For more information about Elna Magnetics visit https://elnamagnetics.com/--The Council of Industry has been the manufacturer's association of the Hudson Valley since 1910. We are a privately funded not-for-profit organization, whose mission is to promote the success of our member firms and their employees, and through them contribute to the success of the Hudson Valley Community. For more information about the Council of Industry visit our website at councilofindustry.org.

Muck, glorious muck!  Sounds funny, but it's true.  The “muck” found north of NYC and south of the capital city may look like black dirt to some, but it's more like black gold to those who know – and that's not a Clampett reference.  The agricultural region known as the Hudson Valley grows almost everything like nowhere else, due to this phenomenal resource.Join us today as we speak with Michael Risario and Jeff Scales.  They took a moment from their busy duties at the Rhinebeck Farmers Market to talk about the incredible bounty that can be found in the Hudson Valley – but especially can be found every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Rhinebeck.  Rain, shine…or muck.  Just how we like it. Links:http://www.rhinebeckfarmersmarket.com/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hudson_Riverhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheephttps://www.ediblehudsonvalley.com/2022/black-magic-hudson-valleys-special-soil/https://www.rhinebeckreformed.org/historyhttps://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/genusSupport the show

Today, we're introducing the first episode in a new series: How to Disagree. As we expand our work to model and enable productive disagreement across lines of difference, we are trying something new with “How To Disagree.” Instead of bringing together experts to have a productive disagreement on social or political issues, we're delving into interpersonal disagreements.Episodes will feature coaching sessions with an individual struggling with a real-life disagreement (with a friend, family member or colleague) working with a world-class conflict resolution expert. Through these sessions, our guests will learn how to approach their particular rift, as well as more general skills and tools on how to more productively disagree. The first in this series is How to Disagree About Gender with a Close Friend, featuring Larissa Phillips. We actually recorded this session with Larissa live on Substack, and are very excited to share a produced version with you. Also, check out Larissa's excellent article on her experience with us in The Free Press.The Questions:How do we discuss politics with our friends when we don't see eye to eye?How do we engage one another without trying to persuade?How do we prepare for disagreements on hot button topics like gender?The GuestsLarissa Phillips is a columnist for The Free Press whose work focuses on finding community and fostering relationships as a Democrat living in the rural Hudson Valley. She is also the Director and Founder of the Volunteer Literacy Project, teaching basic literacy to adults. Bob Bordone is a senior fellow at Harvard Law School who has spent the last 25 years teaching negotiation and conflict resolution. He teaches negotiation to individuals and teams with a particular interest in addressing the United States' polarized climate. Bob recently wrote a book with a neuroscientist called Conflict Resilience: Negotiating Disagreement Without Giving Up or Giving In. Questions or comments about this episode? Email us at podcast@thedisagreement.com or find us on X and Instagram @thedisagreementhq. Subscribe to our newsletter: https://thedisagreement.substack.com/

Send us a textOpera Tenor Nicholas Hudak stopped by to describe his journey from a small Pennsylvania town to New York.Nick has performed in opera and musical theater productions for many years and is on a new mission to bring musical theater to his local community in the Hudson Valley, New York area. With his new Perenne Theater Company, Nick wants to provide a performance outlet for local artists and musicians. To learn more about Nick Hudak and to help support his mission, please visit www.PerenneTheaterCompany.com Check our other links:TwitterRumbleInstagramYouTube

October 22, 2025- The largest algal bloom recorded in the Hudson Valley over the last four decades appeared this summer in the Hudson River, so we explore how to prevent these environmental risks in the future with Shannon Roback, science director for Riverkeeper.

This episode of Across The Margin : The Podcast features an interview with singer-songwriter Jenna Nicholls. Hailing from the small town of Irwin, PA near Pittsburgh, after college Jenna set her sights east to test her wings as a songwriter and performer. Initially trying Boston, she ultimately gravitated to the creative hotbed of Manhattan's Lower East Side forging lasting friendships with other like-minded artists and musicians. Jenna made three albums on her own dime: Curled Up Toes in Red Mary Janes, The Blooming Hour, and Radio Parade. The albums revealed a restless muse and a theme that would be a constant for Nicholls: a love of vintage music – anything from classic music films like “Singin' in the Rain” to Bessie Smith. Her latest album — The Commuter — is the focus of this episode. The title of Jenna Nicholls' new album The Commuter is fitting in every sense — the story of a journey both musical and personal. The recording signals a departure and new beginnings: a new producer (multiple Grammy winner Larry Campbell), a new record label (Hudson Valley based Royal Potato Family), a lusher sound with inventive, fleshed-out arrangements, and an astoundingly wide-ranging collection of original songs. The constant: Jenna's unique ability to transport the listener to a different place and time with her writing and inspired singing. The Commuter displays Jenna's melodic and lyrical gifts in full flower. It's a cinematic trip that takes the listener to 1930's Parisian cafés, New Orleans juke joints, and beyond. It is an album that communicates the excitement of venturing forth and the reassurance of returning home to an abiding love. Learn all about it and more in this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jordan Fried goes through the horror movies on his letterboxd ( ⁨@jfreeeze⁩  ) giving recommendations and tips for stoners this halloween season. Films referenced in the podcast : The Long Walk, Weapons, 28 Days Later, Sinners, The Monkey, Opus, Companion, Nosferatu, Smile 2, Heretic, Night Bitch, Piano Lesson, Long Legs, Maxxxine, The Substance, Y2K, Lisa Frankenstein, I Saw The TV Glow, Late Night With The Devil, Infinity Pool, Smile, The Menu, Pearl, Nope, Who Invited Them, Men, Bodies Bodies Bodies, X, Studio 666, Black Phone, Last Night In Soho, Invisible Man, Relic, The Lighthouse, Us, Velvet Buzzsaw, Wounds, Hole In The Ground, The Lodge, Koko Di Koko Da, Bird Box, Unsane, Annihilation, Hereditary, Mother!, It comes at Night, Get Out, The Neon Demon, Train To Busan, Hell House LLC., Green Room, The Witch, Tusk, What We Do In The Shadows, John Dies at The End, Trash Humpers, Cropsey, 28 Weeks Later, Inland Empire, The Host, The Descent, Shaun Of The Dead, 28 Days Later, American Psycho, Funny Games, CopyCat, Single White Female, Twin Peaks Fire Walk With Me, Silence of the Lambs, Videodrome, Dressed to Kill, The Shining, Alien, Rabid, Eraserhead, Black Christmas, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Sisters, Night of the Living Dead, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.Upcoming Shows10.25.25 | Rutherford, NJ | Jordan Fried at The Williams Center opening for Divorce Diaries | 7 PM | ⁠https://www.ticketweb.com/event/divorce-diaries-with-michele-traina-williams-center-spring-tickets/1452262311.15.25 | Montclair, NJ | Junk Mail Improv at The Montclair Comedy Festival | https://www.eventbrite.com/e/montclair-comedy-festival-bits-pieces-improv-showcase-tickets-181117418373912.6.25 | Port Jervis, NY | Jordan Fried in Port Jervis | https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/6731703Sessions With Mary Jane is a Cannabis infused podcast hosted by stoner comedian and filmmaker, Jordan Fried.  It features interviews from musicians, filmmakers, comedians, politicians, writers and business owners along with solo concept episodes.  While all guests do not necessarily partake, the one requirement is that they are pretty chill, man.  Listen for untold stories, how to guides, deeper dives and expanded curiosities. Your source for all things New Jersey, Hudson Valley and NYC.  New Episodes every Wednesday with exclusive bonus content. An LNH Studios podcast on the Gotham Network. Produced by the Gotham Network.LNH Studios is a comedy and video production company based out of Rutherford, New Jersey. It is comprised of the comedy trio Late Night Hump, consisting of Reena Ezra, Jordan Fried, and Brendan O'Brien.LNH Studios focuses on producing: • Podcasts • Films • Comedy shows and series (including sketch comedy, improv, stand-up, musical improv, and variety shows)They also offer classes and workshops related to comedy and production, and their services extend to recording audio and video, and scriptwriting. You can find more information and contact them through their website, lnhstudios.com, or by phone at +1 845-545-0284.⁠

Notes and Links to Erin Somers' Work       Erin Somers is a writer, reporter, and book critic based in the Hudson Valley. Her fiction, essays, and criticism have appeared in The New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, The Paris Review, Esquire, GQ, The Nation, The New Republic, Best American Short Stories, and elsewhere. Her first novel, Stay Up With Hugo Best (2019), was a Vogue Magazine Best Book of the Year.      Her second novel, The Ten Year Affair, was named a most anticipated book by The New York Times, The Washington Post, Vulture, Bustle, LitHub, W Magazine, The Millions, Orion, and Our Culture, and a best book of the month by Apple Books and People Magazine. It is published by Simon & Schuster as of today, October 21. Buy The Ten Year Affair   Erin's Website   Erin on NPR All Things Considered New York Times Review of The Ten Year Affair   Erin's Book Tour/Events   At about 1:25, Erin talks about her mindset as Pub Day approaches on October 21 At about 3:20, Pete asks Erin about her relationship with reading and the written word At about 8:00, Erin discusses pivotal text and writers that cemented her love for reading and writing, including some GGMarquez classics read in a beautiful "ceremony" with her father  At about 9:50, Erin gives background on her foray into screenwriting and how her father encouraged her writing At about 11:15, Erin highlights “funny” writers like George Saunders, Lorrie Moore, and Sam Lipsyte as “approachable” in style and subject matter At about 12:40, Erin responds to Pete's question about “exercising different parts of the brain” in writing fiction and nonfiction At about 13:15, Erin shouts out places to buy her book and outlines her book tour At about 15:25, Erin discusses the book's seeds and the title's provenance, and references how the book started out as a successful short story At about 17:30, The two discuss the book's opening and the two main characters' early alliance  At about 23:25, Erin describes how she worked to draw Elliott, Cora's husband, as against archetype At about 25:00, Erin responds to Pete's question about posing four main characters-two couples-so close to each other  At about 26:50,  At about 27:50, Pete and Erin stumble through some possible casting moves for a possible future movies At about 28:50, The two discuss the differing roles of the men and pregnant women, and the two fanboy/girl over Rachel Yoder's Nightbitch At about 30:20, Pete wonders about Sam parrying the advances of Cora At about 31:30, Pete skirts plot spoilers in discussing the book's parallel plotline and compliments the fact that the st At about 33:00, Erin discusses how the contrast between “banal reality” and the parallel world allowed her to have “fun” and “experiment with techniques” At about 34:00, Erin responds to Pete's question about standing in judgment of Cora's behaviors, and Erin brings up interesting points about professional and class mobility and dissatisfaction  At about 36:25, Elliott and Cora's relationship is analyzed, with particular attention to Cora's anxieties and Elliott's loss that continues his depression At about 39:00, Pete asks Erin how she was able to “delicately” write about the Covid era  At about 41:35, Erin analyzes a telling quote by Jules, Sam's wife, with regard to ideas of unhappiness, and the two discuss the physical proximity of the couples At about 43:00, Erin gives insight on an interesting dialogue full of lies at a joint 40th birthday party At about 44:10, Erin responds to Pete's question about the families of Sam and Cora as “collateral damage” At about 46:40, Erin responds to Pete's question about aging, with regard to Cora's anxieties At about 48:30, The two discuss a meaningful dream sequence and ideas of freedom post-parenthood At about 51:10, Pete highlights some funny and resonant lines in the book, including a podcast about rope      You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you're checking out this episode.       Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Hannah Pittard, a recent guest, is up at Chicago Review.     Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl      Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete's one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content! This month's Patreon bonus episode features an exploration of flawed characters, protagonists who are too real in their actions, and horror and noir as being where so much good and realistic writing takes place. Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.     This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he's convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.    The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.     Please tune in for Episode 305 with THE Myriam Gurba, a writer and activist. O, the Oprah Magazine ranked her true-crime memoir Mean as one of the “Best LGBTQ Books of All Time.” Her recent essay collection Creep: Accusations and Confessions was a finalist for a National Book Critics Circle award for Criticism, and won the Lambda Literary Award for Bisexual Nonfiction.    This episode airs today, October 21, Pub Day for her newest book, Poppy State: A Labyrinth of Plants and a Story of Beginnings.     Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.

Anne Ganguzza sits down with Billy Collura, a powerhouse agent with over 30 years at CESD New York. Billy shares his unique perspective on the dramatic evolution of the voice acting industry, from the early days of union-only radio spots to the current market dominated by non-union and digital opportunities. This conversation provides essential insight into the biggest voice acting trends that have shaped the industry and reveals the simple, authentic quality that makes a voice actor successful today. 00:03 - Anne (Host) Hey guys, it's Anne from VO Boss here.  00:06 - Speaker 2 (Announcement) And it's George the Tech. We're excited to tell you about the VO Boss. Vip membership, now with even more benefits.  00:12 - Anne (Host) So not only do you get access to exclusive workshops and industry insights, but with our VIP plus tech tier, you'll enjoy specialized tech support from none other than George himself.  00:23 - Speaker 2 (Announcement) You got it. I'll help you tackle all those tricky tech issues so you can focus on what you do best Voice acting. It's tech support tailored for voiceover professionals like you.  00:34 - Anne (Host) Join us guys at VO Boss and let's make your voiceover career soar. Visit vobosscom slash VIP-membership to sign up today.  00:43 - Speaker 3 (Announcement) Slash VIP-membership to sign up today. It's time to take your business to the next level, the boss level. These are the premier business owner strategies and successes being utilized by the industry's top talent today. Rock your business like a boss, a VO boss. Now let's welcome your host, Anne Ganguzza.  01:08 - Anne (Host) Hey everyone, Welcome to the VO Boss Podcast. I'm your host, Anne Ganguzza, and today I am thrilled to welcome someone who truly defines what it means to be a powerhouse in the voiceover industry. With more than 30 years at CESD New York, Billy Collura has been at the forefront of commercials and beyond, representing talent with a direct and grounded approach that has earned him the trust of clients and voice actors alike. I think it's fair to say that he doesn't just follow the changes in the business. He really helps to shape them. So, Billy, I am so excited to have you here on the podcast.  01:44 - Billy (Host) Thank you for asking me. Yeah, this is so nice, yeah.  01:47 - Anne (Host) Yeah, I love it, and of course we're like on opposite coasts here, so you're on my home coast and so I do miss New York quite a bit and we did have a little.  01:58 - Speaker 2 (Announcement) How often do you get out here, pardon me, do you get out here often?  02:00 - Billy (Host) Do you ever get out. You know what?  02:01 - Anne (Host) Not as often as I should. I really have now started to say I'm only coming out during the warm season because I'm done with the snow. Yeah, I hear you. But I would imagine like do you travel like elsewhere in the wintertime in New York, Because I know I stay here.  02:22 - Billy (Host) I travel a lot in general um during the course of the year, but um you know, I right now I'm upstate in well. I'm up in the Hudson Valley and in the city of Hudson, which is two hours North of Manhattan, so I go back and forth Um in the winter time. No, I'm usually, I don't know, I'm usually in the Northeast sometimes.  02:43 - Anne (Host) Okay, Are you a skier? Are you a skier? No, absolutely not, Absolutely not. That was, that was what a lot. What kept a lot of people on the East coast? Um, in my area anyways, they're like oh no, I have to be able to ski in the winter.  02:56 - Billy (Host) No, I don't like the cold.  02:57 - Anne (Host) Well, I have a. I have a mountaineer in California, Uh huh.  03:00 - Billy (Host) Uh-huh.  03:02 - Anne (Host) Oh my gosh. Well, anyways, it's so nice to see you again. It's been a while. I saw you at VO Atlanta and I'm just really thrilled that I have the opportunity to talk to you. I know how busy you are, but I'm just so excited that the bosses are going to get this opportunity to really benefit from your wisdom. And so, benefiting from the wisdom speaking of that, you've been at CESD for over three decades. Um, that's, that's amazing. So how would you say that your role as an agent has evolved during that time?  03:37 - Billy (Host) Well, you know like it started when I started. Um, it'll be. Um, it'll be 32 years in May. Oh my gosh, when I started, voiceover was a smaller industry and I dabbled in a little bit of everything, okay.  03:55 - Speaker 2 (Announcement) I did commercials.  03:57 - Billy (Host) There really wasn't. There was no internet back then. So we did radio and TV commercials and industrials and I'm not even sure cable was around when.  04:08 - Anne (Host) I started. I hear you. You know we didn't have computers, any of that.  04:13 - Billy (Host) So we did a little bit of everything. And then, you know, and promos, promos were a thing, and narration and trailers, and so, you know, we did a little bit of all of that. And then, as the industry kept getting bigger and bigger, we started specializing. And all of a sudden, in animation, I dabbled in gaming, but I also, you know, but pretty much my focus was commercials, because that's where the money is, you know, and that was the day where it was just, you know, it was just TV and radio, and you made the actors made a lot of money. Yeah, it was only union, we only worked on union jobs. And now fast forward to now, where 60% to 70% of my desk is non-union. We started doing non-union in 2019. Okay, the union opportunities have pretty much dried up, and I say that, but it's ebb and flow.  05:22 I mean right now this year it was a slow summer for some reason. It was like the old days, it was really slow and I mean that union and non-union. And then I go away on vacation and it just like exploded while I was away and I've been and since then I've been playing catch up and it's been so busy with union, lots of union stuff with non union. Yeah, so it's been great there.  05:49 Yeah. So I mean that's changed and I guess for me what's changed for me is because now I specialize much more on commercials. I do have a few non-union accounts, but I have my large union study accounts, steady accounts. Um, so most of my work, uh is you know, is in the commercial world. I also happen to handle the audio books, but I always say I'm not an audio book agent. I'm the agent at CESD that handles the audio books.  06:18 - Speaker 2 (Announcement) So it's a little difference.  06:20 - Billy (Host) Um so, but the audio book, what I do love about it. You know an an an agent who left um cause she was having. She got married and had babies and she said, take the audio books. They're the nicest people in the world. And I got to say they really are, and so I've kept it.  06:36 I love it. The people are so nice. Um, I really, really enjoy it. So that you know, so I I've been doing that. I also do ADR and loop group stuff, again very specialized, and there really aren't a lot of industrials. Now I know some of the other. I'm one of five, six agents in the department and then there's another two agents that work with agencies that cater to medical industrials.  07:04 - Speaker 2 (Announcement) So they're doing I don't do personally.  07:05 - Billy (Host) I don't do a lot of industrials. I think a lot of the industrials have gone to the pay-to-play sites, so but the union stuff, the medical ones, they are still at the big agencies. I just personally don't happen to have those. I would say maybe the commercial aspect of right Healthcare like pharmaceuticals and that sort of thing is huge and more and more of those blue chip companies are going non-union and those rates are you know.  07:34 - Anne (Host) Sure. What do you attribute that? Why is that happening? What do?  07:39 - Billy (Host) you attribute it to is when it started, when digital work started happening, and these great companies, the Droga5s and there was so many, that's just the first one they were doing great work with the digital work. You know, they were just with stuff before even streaming, when they were just doing they were making commercials for digital work and they were doing fine work. They were doing really good work and these companies, these blue chip companies, were saying, hey, you did that for this much money, why don't you just take all of our network stuff? And that's how I remember, like 10, 12 years ago, a large fast food chain started going, you know, went totally non-union. And then the large fast food chain started going, went totally non-union.  08:25 Then there would be some that because they had a celebrity voice on certain spots, and then they would get a third party and more and more I feel like these agencies, these digital agencies, just kept getting better and better at it and the actors were getting better and better at it. And it's not like the cable stations that you see up here that you know these infomercial things that you know that you can tell it's non-union. You know I've fallen and I can't get up kind of stuff. These. They're doing great work.  08:56 - Anne (Host) I can't tell, are they doing great work because they have great actors or are they doing great work because the entire production value of it?  09:05 - Billy (Host) Yes.  09:06 - Anne (Host) Yes, yes, you know, people are getting better at it.  09:09 - Billy (Host) The voiceover people certainly, and it's not even I mean the voiceover so many people. Covid just changed the game and everybody you know voiceover was the one business in town that didn't shut down during.  09:23 - Speaker 2 (Announcement) COVID.  09:24 - Anne (Host) And every I always say every jaboni with a mic, you know, just set up a studio at home and said I'm going to do voiceover, and not only you know they were well-established Broadway and TV and film you know everybody was doing it and that's and that's so interesting because I would say the majority of people that you know cause I was I was super busy coaching during COVID and I just had so many people that just wanted to like make the demos and get into the industry. But I had a lot more of the talent that were more beginner right to intermediate. But I would imagine that with COVID, with celebrities right them wanting to get into voiceover because what else was there? Because they weren't able to go into a studio, and so I would say that a good portion of that, I would say a good portion of people that were getting those jobs, were probably the celebrities right.  10:27 - Billy (Host) Absolutely coaching. You know they just kept getting better and better at it. And you know, and, and we're willing to work for low wages, I mean that's the other thing. And you know we always say somebody takes a job for $100. You know it's just a race to the bottom. Yeah, you know, if you're gonna add, because you know we don't work on the non union stuff, we don't work on the non-union stuff, we don't work on certain things. I won't work on stuff just because it's not worth my time.  10:48 - Anne (Host) Sure.  10:49 - Billy (Host) And I don't mean to be like, oh, but $250 is a lot to some people. Oh yeah, for all the work that I have to go into it, for me to do it and have my assistant do it and doing the editing to maybe get it, it's just not worth it. But I do. I mean that's usually. My threshold is 250.  11:10 - Anne (Host) And I understand that because I always tell people, because I do a lot of non-broadcast narration, coaching and demos, and I'm always telling people they're like, well, I want an agent. I'm like, well, an agent doesn't get excited about non-broadcast stuff because it's a one and done thing. You don't make your money on that, and so typically you want to have a tip top commercial demo because that's where they're going to be making their money with the residuals and and that sort of a thing. So would you do? You think it has to do with the sheer volume of people that got into voiceover as well. If you've got enough, you know, if you throw spaghetti against the wall right there, some of them will stick. And so then I started to drive down. I'm going to say it started to drive down maybe the prices, uh, or people willing to do the work for less, because it just got to be competitive.  11:56 - Billy (Host) It did.  11:57 There's so many people doing it now, so many people, and especially in the non-union world, there's so many opportunities out there and you know, with the pay to plays and I've kind of changed my tune a little on the pay to plays and I kind of see they're there for a reason. They're a great, you know, tool for learning, for getting the experience, for the auditioning. And I and I learned recently when I was at a conference in Holland and met the CEO from Voices 123. And I learned that they love to put people together and to put the actor and the company together. Take it off the platform and do your thing.  12:41 They don't want to micromanage, like there are other pay-to-plays that micromanage everything.  12:45 But I really found that you know, oh, that's really nice, and then people can make money that way. They're not interested, they're just interested in making the match. So, but, that being said, there are so many people that are doing this now and, yeah, driving down the prices because you know, they may be this may not be their full-time gig, it just may be a side hustle for them. So, yeah, sure, an extra $200, an extra $100, an extra $350. That can accumulate. But unfortunately then they're like well, you did it last time for $100. Why can't you? So it's hard, it's hard.  13:21 - Anne (Host) It is, but would you say that the amount of jobs is diminishing or no, it's just as volume you know, I don't see volume as normal.  13:33 - Billy (Host) I'm busy, you know, but I don't know, like, like I said, this summer was slow with the opportunities, with the, with the auditions. I find that my casting directors, my union casting, just my casting directors in general, um, they, you know, I have some that are busier than others, some I will hear from, you know, once every other month, and then some I will hear from three or four times a week. You know, um, so it's and it's all you know. There's no logic to it.  14:03 - Anne (Host) And then on the um isn't that the truth. Yeah, and then um after all these years, wouldn't you think like you could? You could predict, you know.  14:14 - Billy (Host) I would say to actors you know, I'm not booking, it's just one phone call, it's one job, don't forget. They're only picking one person, but yeah, yeah, picking one person. You, yeah, you know, only picking one person you know and you don't know.  14:25 - Anne (Host) That's a way to put it in perspective. Actually, if you think about it, but in 400,.  14:30 - Billy (Host) You know how many people are auditioning.  14:31 That's why with select VO. You know that only allows you X amount of people to submit. So if they, if the agency says, if they invite you and they say you can only submit three people per role, they won't let you submit a fourth person. So you really have to be smart and we're not the type of agency that will send you know to ten people and then, sophie's Choice, the three that I want. You know, I don't believe in that. I don't. I feel it's a waste of time of the actor. It's certainly a waste of time for my assistant and for me to have to listen to, then you have to listen to them Exactly.  15:10 - Anne (Host) What's the point, you know, and so that translates to me to a good relationship with everybody that's on your roster, absolutely, that that knowledge of their capabilities and you can communicate, uh, back and forth to make sure that the two of you are are, you know, keeping up with one another, and you would be the one that say, okay, I'm going to handpick this audition and send this to this many people, because you're the one that has to do the work right To send it the top three, to the. So the client.  15:43 - Billy (Host) Yeah, absolutely so. It's my reputation and there are some casting directors that you know they will.  15:48 I will submit a list and they will pick who they want to hear you know, back up, if I lose, or if we lose somebody, who else would you like? Or, you know, sometimes they'll say these are the three I want to hear. Send me one of your choice that maybe I, somebody, I don't know, um, and then there are certain casting directors that will micromanage and they have to. They, you know they will only see these people and they're, you know, not flexible. But it just kind of makes me a better agent.  16:14 - Anne (Host) That's why we're.  16:15 - Billy (Host) Cesd is an exclusive agency. We don't oversign in the union or non-union world. We're still building up our non-union roster. You know we're still doing that, but that's where we have the most amount of opportunities. You know, in the non-union world, Sure, Plain and simple.  16:34 - Anne (Host) Absolutely, absolutely. So what would you say after all these years? What's kept you loving your job?  16:42 - Billy (Host) Because it's different every day. You know, that's the— that's the thing. I never know what's ahead of me. So I, you know, I just love. Every day there's some, there's a new challenge, there's something new. Also, recently I have a new assistant who I adore and I love teaching him. He's a little sponge and he wants to learn.  17:09 And so that kind of inspires me to want to teach him, and you know so that that is. I guess that's the difference, and also being able to, because the business has changed. Remotely, you know, I can start earlier, I'm not in the office, I I can work later, you know. It just kind of like the whole. It's such I don't want to say a relaxed, but I feel I feel more relaxed Now. It could be because I've been doing this for a hundred years, but I just feel relaxed, I enjoy what I do. I don't feel the pressure. I don't feel like there's no such thing as a voiceover emergency If somebody screws up or, you know, if I've given you know there's no such thing.  17:51 - Anne (Host) Bravo to that. I always say there's never a VO emergency.  17:54 - Billy (Host) No, there's never a first you know, if something went wrong, don't freak out. How?  17:59 - Anne (Host) do we fix it? How do we?  18:00 - Billy (Host) fix it, that's all you know.  18:02 - Anne (Host) Now, that's from your perspective. What about your client, your casting director? Your client's perspective? Are there VO emergencies? Yeah, there could be, that's on them, not on me. Yeah, okay, I love that.  18:13 - Billy (Host) I don't, you know, I wanna help fix the problem, you know, sure so. And I mean, yeah, you know, it's always something. Fortunately I haven't had any of those emergencies in a while. But you know, the other night I was it was nine o'clock my time and an LA. It was an LA agency booking a client. She happened to be on the West coast, so it worked out okay, but it was nine 30. And I was like you know, I'm old, I can't stay up. And then I thought, and I got a text from the casting director she goes we want to book so-and-so. I left all the information on the email. So I was like, oh well, I have to finish Gilded Age, this episode, and then, as soon as I'm done, I will get on my computer.  18:56 - Anne (Host) I love it, that's great?  18:59 - Billy (Host) I guess yeah. So that's what keeps me going. The relationship with my clients, I don't. It's different because back in the day, actors used to come into the office to audition. West Coast was different because you guys were MP3ing long before, because you all wouldn't get in a car and drive a half hour to the studio.  19:20 - Anne (Host) But in New York, well, because of the traffic.  19:24 - Billy (Host) Yeah, yeah, and that's why you couldn't get to three auditions back in the day, but it was our job in New York to get you, you know, to get you from the Upper West Side down to Wall.  19:34 - Anne (Host) Street over to Midtown yeah, I know so many voice actors who still um go into studios to audition in New York. I mean, I almost don't hear about it anymore, except for well, I'm sorry, excuse me to go into the go on for booking.  19:48 - Billy (Host) No for bookings, they will.  19:49 - Anne (Host) They encourage that now but I have heard people in the last couple of years. I mean it's not every day, but sometimes they are going in. I don't know if it's to audition or if it's to actually do the job it's usually you know there's one or two the studios.  20:03 - Billy (Host) You know a couple of the studios that do auditioning, because that's what changed? Oh, okay, that makes sense, like all the advertising agencies that were in-house casting directors and those casting directors ended up going to the studios in New York and they have in-house casting directors, so they will encourage the Sonic Unions. The. Headrooms the Sound Lounges they will encourage hey, if the client is local to New York, boom, have them come in. Oh, that makes sense. And it kind of opened up because not everybody got SourceConnect especially our older clients.  20:40 It wasn't cost effective for them for that one audition every other month. It wasn't so the foreign language people, they weren't getting it because there weren't enough opportunities. But especially I I want to say the older clients they really weren't getting so this kind of opened up. If you lived in New York you could still send an MP3 and you're able to go to Sound Lounge for the booking that was always that's always a nice caveat.  21:06 - Anne (Host) So I'm sure people ask you this all the time. Commercial voiceover has changed, evolved over the years. Advertisers have changed how they buy and consumers have changed, I think, how they listen. What would you say is what sort of things have changed in terms of trends for commercial VO? What are you looking for now that maybe is different than what was relevant maybe five, even five or 10 years ago, Because I know probably you're going to say like 30 years ago it was more of that announcer sort of style, it was promo. But you know, maybe five, 10 years ago, what has changed?  21:43 - Billy (Host) You know, it was the, you know, when I first started. It was the time, when, you know, Demi Moore started with Keds and there was that raspy, damaged sound that has kind of you know, demi Moore started with kids and she there was that raspy damage sound that has, kind of you know, was such a thing for so long and our and I know our women back then, you know, were the most successful.  22:04 - Anne (Host) I coveted that which is not a part of my genetic makeup at all. I'm like I can't, I can't get a raspy.  22:11 - Billy (Host) No, if you don't, you know you can't put oh, I woke up with a, you know, with a sore throat today. I sound great I should audition. No, you shouldn't. Exactly. So that was. You know, that was always the thing and yeah, it was the rough and tough announcers and you know all those, all those guys, and then that kind of went away and it was the John Corbett kind of sound and he was you.  22:31 he stuck around for a long time as a prototype and now it's Paul Rudd and Rashida Jones and then. So those trends kind of changed. But then about 10 years ago, everything you know really were, it was people of color. You know they wanted voices for actors and that really opened up a wide, you know a wider net. There was no general market anymore because they used to say, you know, they were very specific, we want a Caucasian voice. But now you only see that if you're doing a demo for the on-camera and the on-camera actor happens to be a certain color. But they want authenticity. I remember you know getting. Now, everybody, especially in the union world, they want authenticity. I remember you know getting. You know everybody, especially in the union world, they all want to check boxes. You know, yeah, yeah, they, yeah, so they, you know it's all ethnicities. You know we want non-binary people and I'm like what does a non-binary person sound?  23:27 - Speaker 2 (Announcement) like I don't, it took me you know.  23:29 - Billy (Host) Then I realized oh, they don't really, they're just checking off boxes, but for the, you know, for the African-American community, they were in vogue. They were, you know, I would get breakdowns, all ethnicities, and the prototypes would be Viola Davis, Tiffany Haddish and Angela.  23:49 Bassett, Do the math you know, so that was a thing. And Angela Bassett do the math. You know, so that was a thing. And I think you know, I still think that that is happening. But I'm finding a trend like that is kind of changing, where general market is truly general market. Now they want, you know, it's everybody, it's everything.  24:09 - Anne (Host) That's great. Yes, I love to hear that.  24:12 - Billy (Host) That's the way it should have been, but unfortunately it was so the other way for so long and then it shifted and now it's kind of evening out.  24:21 - Anne (Host) Sure.  24:21 - Billy (Host) Sure, I don't know.  24:23 - Anne (Host) Well, I mean, that's what I was thinking would happen at some point. Right, it would even out and it's kind of nice to hear that that's happening.  24:31 I mean, I wouldn't want it to go another extreme you know, at all, you know, and especially because the world's a little chaotic right now and I know that it's affecting companies and their advertising, and so that to me says gosh, I hope that there's still as much opportunity for everybody as there ever was. And so that's just one of those things where I think if there was a slow part of the season, maybe it's people, you know. I think there's companies trying to gauge like what's happening and what's going to be what's going to work for them in terms of advertising.  25:08 And it's not so much the voice, but the whole, the whole thing, yeah, the whole, all of it On camera, all of it, all of it. How are they going to advertise it to be effective?  25:18 - Billy (Host) And I think you know, and I think that and this is just me I feel like voice wise, I feel that the union world is more tries to check the boxes, much more than the non-union world.  25:32 - Speaker 3 (Announcement) I truly than the non-union world.  25:33 - Billy (Host) I truly believe the non-union world they're gonna pick the best voice for the job, no matter what ethnicity you are.  25:41 I find, and I just because of the actors that I speak with, not only because I speak with my non-union actors in general so much more, just simply because there's so much opportunity there. But I notice, with my union actors I just don't A I don't really have that many opportunities for them. But you know it is. I speak to certain ones more, a lot more than the others. But I don't find that, I find it much broader in the non-union world. I mean it's a different and I've learned so much about the non-union world. I mean it's a different and I've learned so much about the, the non-union community and how. You know how different it is. I feel that it is much more I don't know how to say it. It's much more of a community, I feel.  26:27 I feel that they, they really are supportive of each other, they help each other. It's not as competitive or as petty competitive as it can sometimes be in the union world, it's just, and I think it's fabulous that they really everybody's out to help each other much more in that community.  26:52 - Anne (Host) Well, that's refreshing to hear. I like that from you, Absolutely. So then for you, for talent on your roster. What sort of qualities are you looking for in any talent that might appear on your roster? You know what's funny.  27:06 - Billy (Host) When I first started, you know, when COVID happened first thing, when I and I did a lot of these classes, first thing I was like, obviously the first thing was do you have SourceConnect? You know if?  27:17 - Speaker 2 (Announcement) you have SourceConnect, because so few?  27:18 - Billy (Host) people did.  27:19 - Anne (Host) You went right to the top of my list.  27:22 - Billy (Host) Yeah, if you had SourceConnect, and then it's, you know, and then it's just about reading the copy, and that's the same basic thing is, how do you read copy? Some of my most successful people, my white actors over 40, I have a couple of them and they just read copy. So well, I don't know what it is, they just they're just, they're just great they were. And so, yeah, there's. You can't teach it, it's, you know, it's just natural. This one particular guy, yeah, does he have that Paul Rudd feel to him? Just that guy next door, just that real comfortable, relaxed, nothing pushed, that's how he is in life and that's how it comes across Right, right. Oh, there was something else.  28:06 Oh, I did this one class and there was this woman, you know, like late 20s white woman, and there was just something. I was on a panel, I was one of three people and, oh my God, she was. There was just something about her read that made me crazy and like the next day I was like I have, you know, I want to set you up. I love you, you know, I love you the best. And now, here we are. I love you, know, I love you the best, and now here we are, fast forward to probably a little more than a year. She is one of my most successful actresses on my roster. And what is it about her? I don't know. She's just fabulous. You know, she just, she just reads. It's just, it's honest.  28:50 - Anne (Host) So I'm always looking for that honest. I like that honest, yeah, authentic, yeah. And I like, with that honest, I like that honest, yeah, authentic, yeah. And I like how you know we've heard for for so long right, bring you to the party, bring you to the party, it's that. I think that's so important. And and we throw it around like, oh yeah, okay, I can bring me, but and yet so many people still try to perform, uh and and if they really can just stop in their own head and and just bring themselves to the party because, like you and I like talk like there's something about like I really like Billy, and it's, it's, it's like an intangible thing and it's your personality, right, it's, it's how we connect.  29:23 - Billy (Host) And I think that's what's so right away. The first time we met, we would just like exactly.  29:30 - Anne (Host) I think that's the same thing for voice actors. If you can, you know, if, if you've got a great personality and you're like one of those people that you can connect with right away, I mean that's what I think we're looking for, that authenticity it's you're not trying to, you know, push anything and and this is who you are and I love to hear that, because I keep telling people gosh, you are enough. I mean it really is. Please don't try to be anything other than yourself, because I really like you.  29:55 - Billy (Host) Yes, and so many voice actors. They forget that.  30:00 - Speaker 2 (Announcement) you know this is acting and I said you know you got to get out of your head into your gut.  30:05 - Billy (Host) Whether you're selling peas for 99 cents, it doesn't matter. You have to be, you know, honest and authentic with it, so important. Now I have to ask the question authentic with it, so important?  30:14 - Anne (Host) Now I have to ask the question because you know probably everybody does. And what do you think about the threat of AI in the industry, and especially now that there's? It's not even just voice, it's on camera too.  30:27 - Billy (Host) Yeah, yeah. So I mean, we keep our eye on it. We read every contract, we read every contract, we read every breakdown. You know SAG is doing their best. Bless their hearts.  30:42 You know, nava is you know, above and beyond, what they're doing with the rules and the legislation and what they're doing. You know it's coming, it's not going away and it's going to get better and better. So we just try to keep our eyes and ears on everything and try to follow the rules and say, nope, large deal right now. And there was a huge component with um. They wanted an AI replica and fortunately, the person um doing it was like no, I've heard replicas of my voice and they're not, and they never sound as good as the real thing.  31:27 - Anne (Host) Um, so that's a really interesting point because I know for a fact that that's true, because I, you know back in the day. Well, back a few years ago, I started really delving deep into that and researching companies and how they made voices, and I've heard a lot of voices and there are some people who are amazing actors but yet their voice doesn't translate. Well, either it's the AI technology that has not given, it's just it's not doing the right thing for them and, yeah, it doesn't translate.  31:56 - Billy (Host) Yeah, and he said no, I, I will not. It's my, it's my voice, it's my reputation, and I will be available whenever they need me. They were like well, what in case he's what? You know? What if he's away on vacation?  32:08 - Anne (Host) Yeah, he said there are no VO emergencies. No, there are no VO emergencies, Right, there's no VO emergencies.  32:15 - Billy (Host) So yeah, so are we concerned about it? Yeah, am I concerned, absolutely, but you know I can't lose sleep over it.  32:23 - Speaker 3 (Announcement) It's coming.  32:24 - Billy (Host) You know, it's coming, and so we just have to manage it and make it work to our advantage.  32:30 - Anne (Host) Yes, I agree, I agree, I and make it work to our advantage. Yes, I agree, I agree, I love that. So I'm very excited because you're going to be doing a class for us, a VO Boss workshop, in November. As a matter of fact, it's going to be November 12th. Can you tell us a little bit about what we're going to be doing in that class?  32:48 - Billy (Host) Well, what I usually do is I like to just kind of give my spiel about what I've been doing and I guess the do's and don'ts of the proper way to get in touch with an agent, what to expect, what not to expect from you know. Once you're submitting to an agent, I just try to, I try to just say the things you know, kind of give the tips that actors need to know. You know what's proper, what's not, what's gonna get you. You know what's gonna get you seen, what's gonna get you heard. You know what makes it easy for me, the agent.  33:24 And I've come to also realize that it works differently from agency to agency. So I can only speak to what works for me, um, at CESD, um, but we'll, you know, I'll talk about that and I'll just talk about my feelings on on what it takes, what tools you're going to need and I mean like literal tools, what kind of demos you're going to need, that sort of stuff. Do a little Q and a and then read some copy, you know and anybody that does come to the class.  33:54 um, it's gotta be commercial copy, because that's that's what I do, you know um. I, I'm, I'm not going to be able to judge you on your animation copy or you know that kind of stuff. That's not really what I do. So we'll, you know, we'll do that and we'll tear it apart and hopefully get to two pieces within the class.  34:14 - Anne (Host) Yeah, I love that. We'll see. Yay, well, I'm very excited for that and, bosses, I'll be putting a link so that you can sign up for it, because I'm quite sure it's going to go quickly. Now my last question is because you said you're in upstate New York and I, you know, I have my own, like my own, nostalgic memories of upstate New York, and so, for me, I'd be riding a horse, you know, in in the countryside. So if you weren't an agent, philly, what would you be doing right now? Oh God, would you have a different career? Would you be retired and riding horses, or?  34:49 - Billy (Host) Yeah, well, you know, I've only had three different jobs in my life, okay, well, you know, other than high school jobs. I was an actor slash waiter, and then I became an agent. You know Like I've been it's you know. So I moved to New York to be an actor and that didn't happen, but I always kind of I was. I had a friend who was a commercial casting director and so I used to go in and help him out at the casting calls.  35:20 That was back in the days of Polaroids and signing up and I really was fascinated by it. And he would you know. And he kept saying there's an opening at this agency. Do you want to go? And I would go and audition, you know, to be an assistant. Sure, and then boom, boom, boom.  35:35 And then, it just so happens, he said CED, because we weren't CESD at that point it was looking to expand the voiceover department and was I interested, and my partner at the time said go and audition. I mean go and audition, apply for the job, cause one of these days you will make more money than me. And so you know. And um and so um, and now, every year, every year. I'm still in touch with him and I call him and I say thank you, greggy, for allowing me to have this job.  36:08 - Anne (Host) Here's my annual income report allowing me to have this job.  36:11 - Billy (Host) Here's my annual income report yes, so anyway, yeah. So I've thought about this. What do I do? I'm too old to be a waiter.  36:23 - Anne (Host) I'm not going to go back, though I think I would be really good at it.  36:25 - Billy (Host) I have these- I agree, actually, you've got the social I think I could do. Yeah, so do I go. But when I retire, whenever that is, I want to social. I think I could do. Yeah, you know, so do I go. But you know, when I retire, you know, whenever that is, I'm on a travel. I just love to travel, that's, that's my thing. So you know. You know, I feel like when this is behind me, that I will, you know, I'll just travel. I'm not going to be on a horse up here, but I always had.  36:50 You know, sometimes I've had, you know, I don't know if I even want another. You know job and I'm at that point now where you know, I'm old and I don't want another career. It's not like I'm. You know, I'm going to be an artist, or you know, I once thought I thought well, maybe I'll just go do community theater somewhere.  37:07 - Speaker 2 (Announcement) I have a friend.  37:08 - Billy (Host) I have a friend, interestingly enough, a little older than I am, lives in Chicago and he started taking an acting class just for the hell of it.  37:16 - Anne (Host) For the hell of it.  37:17 - Billy (Host) And he said, the others they love it because they have somebody to play the old man in all those scenes. And I thought, oh my God, that's great, I could do that. Yeah, I love that. I thought yeah, why not community theater you? Know, if that was it. Now there's no community theater in New York City, so if that's where I retire, you know. But if I was to retire up here, you know that would interest me, and you know because I am a lover of theater, so I do.  37:46 - Anne (Host) Yeah, Well, I feel like you kept yourself in the acting world, you know by being an agent I mean in that you know, it's still like a. It's still you're very much immersed in it, and so I feel like, if that was your one love, you came to New York, by the way. Where did you come from?  38:02 - Billy (Host) I grew up in Waltham Massachusetts, oh okay. Okay yeah, just a little outside of. Boston.  38:07 - Anne (Host) Yeah, very familiar with it. I went.  38:09 - Billy (Host) Yeah, I grew up in Waltham and then I went to UMass, Amherst and then to New York.  38:14 - Anne (Host) That was my. Oh, fantastic, yeah, there you go. Well, my gosh, it has been such a pleasure chatting with you today. I mean, I could go on. I feel like we could go on, but at some point, I do have to quit at some point.  38:32 But yeah, thank you so so much for sharing your wisdom. It's been really a joy talking with you. I'm so excited for November. Guys, bosses, remember November 12th. Get yourself to vobosscom and sign up to work with this gentleman. He's amazing, and I'm going to give a great big shout out to our sponsor, ipdtl. You, too, can connect and network like bosses like Billy and myself, and find out more at IPDTLcom. Guys, have an amazing week and I'll see you next week. Bye, bye.  39:05 - Speaker 3 (Announcement) Join us next week for another edition of VO Boss with your host, Anne Ganguzza, and take your business to the next level. Sign up for our mailing list at vobosscom and receive exclusive content, industry revolutionizing tips and strategies and new ways to rock your business like a boss. Redistribution with permission. Coast to coast connectivity via IPDTL.   

Today on the show, I get to chat with Marielena Ferrer and Viktorsha Uliyanova, a multidisciplinary artist and educator working with alternative photography, installation, video, and fiber art. Her work explores impermanence, the notions of home, and cultural identity narrated through the prism of memory. Her practice is informed by her upbringing in the Soviet Union, political repression, and the immigrant experience. In her research, Uliyanova explores neglected and overlooked histories, often using archives as a catalyst for her work. She received her BA in English Literature, Language, and Criticism from Hunter College and an MFA in Photography and Related Media at State University of New York at New Paltz. Her work has been exhibited at Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art, Baxter St., MOMA PS1, Participant Inc, Collarworks, among others. She is the recipient of New York State Council on the Arts Grant, Arts Mid-Hudson Culture Grant, Traverso Photography Award, Women's Studio Workshop SAI Grant, Sojourner Truth Diversity Fellowship, and Research for Creative Projects Grant. Recently, she completed a residency at Vermont Studio Center. She lives in the Hudson Valley and teaches photography at SUNY New Paltz.Viktorsha's upcoming solo exhibit “Quieter than Water, Lower than Grass” is a multimedia installation that examines the fragility of memory and its impact on history, immigrant narratives ,and cultural identity. This work explores themes of migration, belonging, and domesticity. The opening is November 8 at Roundabouts Now Gallery in Kingston, with a panel discussion on November 16 featuring Marielena, Viktorsha, and two additional women artists whose work addresses these same themes.Today, we talk about the meaning of the show title, and how this Russian idiom permeated culture and played a role in repression and control. Viktorsha shares about the layers of her creative process and how this show came to be. We discuss some of the pieces, their meaning, the process in creating them, and the meaning behind that process. One of the main pieces in the exhibition is an installation of suspended large scale cyanotypes of "Brezhnevka"s, prefabricated  panel buildings that were built in the Soviet Union from 1964-1980. They were built fast and cheap and can still be found and seen throughout former Soviet states. Our conversation weaves through themes of assimilation, (uniform)ity, culture, healing, memory, domestication, femininity, the multidimensionality of softness, and belonging.Viktorsha's Project Statement: “Quieter Than Water, Lower than Grass'” is a multimedia project that explores the intersection between history, memory, and photographic evidence. The work employs analogue photographic processes , fabric, and video to explore remembrance, storytelling, and ancestral healing. Drawing from family albums, oral histories, and archival images, I construct narrativesthat have been hidden by the Soviet regime and are often invisible within the dominant historical discourse. The project takes its name from an old Soviet proverb which instills a behavior of keeping a low profile, avoiding any attention from the self, and acting in a way that does notgenerate conflict. The phrase has been used as a deliberate linguistic tool to disseminate imperialist ideologies, generate fear, and maintain repressive socio-political tactics throughout the USSR. This project outlines the importance of critically engaging with mainstream narrativesin order to unlearn them and see their limitations and biases.Quilts are powerful conveyors of the human experience. They are valuable historical documents and memory transmitters that honor storytelling and intergenerational knowledge. Using bed sheets , I hand-sew patchwork of imagery into quilt forms preserving not only my personal memories but also those obscured within the larger cultural and geo-political discourse.Each fabric piece will source from historical documents, family albums, and collected objects to explore, visualize, and underscore the complexity of post-Soviet trauma and immigrant experience. Blue is a color of peace, a color found in our dreams, our hopes, and our memories. It is the color of the sky, water, and our planet, Earth. The cyanotype process uses the natural elements of sun and water to register a photograph. While it is stable, the final result is prone to changing over time. Using this photographic technique allows me to address all of the themes that show up in my work such as identity, history, and memory, all of which are fragmented, mutating, and ever-changing.The project combines a collection of materials and techniques that reference matrilineage, ancestry, and transgenerational trauma. Through layering of fabrics and utilizing the deep blue hues of the cyanotype process, the work visualizes histories that have been hidden, obscured, and lost. The project examines the selective nature of memory, challenging historical biases and emphasizing the importance of community knowledge and healing. The final project will be presented to the public in an exhibition fostering cultural exchange, community dialogue, andbridging the gap between the personal and collective memories.Here's your New Moon Astrology!Today's show was engineered by Ian Seda from Radiokingston.org.Our show music is from Shana Falana!Feel free to email me, say hello: she@iwantwhatshehas.org** Please: SUBSCRIBE to the pod and leave a REVIEW wherever you are listening, it helps other users FIND IThttp://iwantwhatshehas.org/podcastITUNES | SPOTIFYITUNES: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/i-want-what-she-has/id1451648361?mt=2SPOTIFY:https://open.spotify.com/show/77pmJwS2q9vTywz7Uhiyff?si=G2eYCjLjT3KltgdfA6XXCAFollow:INSTAGRAM * https://www.instagram.com/iwantwhatshehaspodcast/FACEBOOK * https://www.facebook.com/iwantwhatshehaspodcast

This week I speak with Sarah Krizek who is the author of Beyond the Surface, published in August 2024. She was born and raised in the Hudson Valley, New York. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Mount Saint Mary College. When she is not writing or reading, Sarah enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and their two children. We look at her childhood up to the present to fond the beautiful thread of Jesus in her life. You won't want to miss this amazing episode! www.sarahkrizek.com*Theme Music “Blessed Time” by Ketsa

Get in touch with Coach Sher! Hey Running Friends! I recap a very rocky 20-mile Mammoth March in Hudson Valley and address how it affected marathon training. Mammoth March: Check out all the places this hike takes placeAll Trails: If you do a lot of hiking, this is a great resource for different hikes you can do near you, and the paid version will let you download a hike and be able to find your way even if there is no cell serviceThings I used on the Hike (I earn from qualifying purchases)Saloman Speedcross 6 GTX: These are the shoes I used, they are a trail running shoe, but they were EXCELLENT for the hike. Day Pack: Make sure your pack has adjustable waist and chest straps Wool Hiking Socks: No cotton! These Smartwool socks feel great, no itching!Tick Prevention Spray: We sprayed this on gear and clothing before the hikeTick Remover "Key": We did not need to use this, but we carried these lightweight tick remover tools just in case! If you are looking for a coach to help you reach your running goals, even if it's just to start to run, take a look at my Coaching Services page on the website. I do virtual, in-person (Buffalo, NY area) and also offer single zoom sessions for those would just like to chat with a coach one time.I am also a Personal Trainer, and offer virtual training as well, in addition to Nutrition Coaching. Find my additional outlets over at the YouTube channel and at wrinkledrunner.com. Sign up over on the blog for the once-a-month newsletter! If you would like information on utilizing a running coach, check out what I can do for you here.If you have any running-related questions, please send an email to sherry@wrinkledrunner.com…I answer every one. 

I always try and bring the sunshine and some good energy and often I like to bring some good bagels. Today if you use your 'smellavision' link ( only kidding there is none - yet lol ) it smells like fresh bagels! I want you to meet Beth George, former attorney turned bagel whisperer and owner of Bagel-ish in Beacon, NY, and wow… this woman is rising dough and raising entrepreneurs. Beth's origin story is pure heart: in 2006 she started baking to help her son manage health and behavioral issues—researching the gut–brain connection long before it was trendy. That journey led her to develop healthier, more digestible bagels (tip: freeze, then toast—the “resistant starch” effect can lower the glycemic impact, and pairing with protein helps even more). But Beth didn't stop at a great bagel. Through Bagel-ish and her consulting/training work, she now teaches entrepreneurs how to open thriving bagel shops—in the U.S. and 12 countries (from Ethiopia to Sweden to Taiwan!). Clients range from one-store startups to multi-location operators. One early client even made it to Shark Tank and later exited big. Want in on the bagel business? Startup ballpark: ~$450K on the lean end; many projects land $450K–$800K (retrofits can be closer to ~$200K). Revenue targets: to make the math work, plan for roughly $1.0M–$1.8M in annual sales and aim to keep about 25% by managing labor, food, and occupancy with discipline. Pro move: repurpose a former food location to save big on buildout. Why her bagels stand out Focus on healthier wheat formulas (tastier + more gut-friendly) Real-world training on formulas, equipment, SOPs, and projections A founder who blends legal rigor, R&D, and insane passion (her BYOB—Bake Your Own Bagels—shirt says it all: Passion Makes Perfect). If you're heading to the Hudson Valley, pop into Bagel-ish, 226 Main St, Beacon, NY. If you're dreaming of opening your own shop, Beth's training center and consulting might be your best first step. Listen to my full conversation with Beth George on The Debbie Nigro Show and get inspired to turn that bagel dream into a blueprint. Learn more: bagel-ish.com

In this fun and feel-good episode, Shawna and LaLa chat with the legendary Macy Gray, who's celebrating 25 amazing years in the music industry!  Macy opens up about her journey, her upcoming tour stop at Bethel Woods on November 8th, and gives fans a sneak peek at her new album that's currently in the works. The episode takes a nostalgic turn as Shawna and LaLa travel back to the 90's, reliving the music, memories, and moments that defined a generation. Meanwhile, Shawna admits she's not thrilled that it's getting cold out—and that Christmas is only 71 days away! She's been keeping warm (and healthy) thanks to her new Clearlight Sauna, which she says has made a huge difference in her migraines, muscles, and sleep.And of course, LaLa brings the laughs with her outrageous story about an Amazon delivery driver who “Free Willy'd” it through his truck window after spotting her dog, Cayman. 

In this fun and feel-good episode, Shawna and LaLa chat with the legendary Macy Gray, who's celebrating 25 amazing years in the music industry!  Macy opens up about her journey, her upcoming tour stop at Bethel Woods on November 8th, and gives fans a sneak peek at her new album that's currently in the works. The episode takes a nostalgic turn as Shawna and LaLa travel back to the 90's, reliving the music, memories, and moments that defined a generation. Meanwhile, Shawna admits she's not thrilled that it's getting cold out—and that Christmas is only 71 days away! She's been keeping warm (and healthy) thanks to her new Clearlight Sauna, which she says has made a huge difference in her migraines, muscles, and sleep.And of course, LaLa brings the laughs with her outrageous story about an Amazon delivery driver who “Free Willy'd” it through his truck window after spotting her dog, Cayman. 

Tracey Testo-Smith returns to Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley to share her knowledge and experience about foraging. In this episode, Tim and Jean sit down with Tracey Testo-Smith, Agroforestry and Natural Resources Program Manager at Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Columbia and Greene Counties, to discuss the practice of foraging. This interview was originally recorded as part of the Digging In With Master Gardeners radio show on WGXC 90.7FM and now repurposed for a podcast format. Tracey reviews some of the misconceptions about what foraging actually is. Foraging doesn't need a vast array of information about everything in the forest. The main thing to know is whether a plant is useful, either for food or medicinal purposes. Tracey leads foraging walks in the spring at the Hudson CCE campus and in the fall at the Acra campus. Her classes before the walks teach folks how to identify individual plants before they even step into the woods. She often brings in co-presenters to expand their access to expertise. The public can enroll online and sign up for quarterly newsletters at http://ccecolumbiagreene.org. There are always common sense caveats: know the history of the site you're collecting from... for example, a former farm may have residual pesticide contamination. don't forage along a roadside where contamination happens daily from passing cars. Another factor to be aware of is the name of the plant. Often a common name will be misleading. Hemlock, for instance, can be a benign evergreen tree or a poisonous weed. Knowing the botanical name avoids any such confusion and danger. To start as a forager on your own, Tracey suggests that you really get to know a plant, even for as long as a year. Familiarity with the plant's different stages lets you know the most useful times to “harvest”, She cites the dandelion as an example, whose different parts are useful in different seasons. Then leaves can be harvested first in early spring, then the flower buds, then petals, and finally the roots. Their values range from food to dying tints to medicinal, all varying according to part and season.Some plants, like pokeberry and elderberry, have certain parts that are edible while the rest of the plant is poisonous. Tracey finds salad greens in chickweed and blue violets, and bittercress. While these can be eaten raw, always stay aware of the possibility of pollutants when using plants near water. Ramps are famously a popular dish in restaurants, in season. These are wild leeks, and very specific as to their growing conditions. They are very slow growers, taking up to a decade to reach maturity. Tracey advises that you be exceptionally thoughtful if collecting in the wild. The leaves and bulbs are both edible. Don't try to take them home to grow because they will not survive the removal. There are now growers who can sell you bulbs to start at home without disrupting fragile populations. Teas are another way to use foraged plants. Most mints are amenable to teas, as are clovers and yarrow. These are all amenable to drying as well, so can be stockpiled for winter use. Plants are not the only target of foragers. Tracey covers the practice of mushroom hunting. Different seasons produce wild crops of different varieties of mushrooms. Early spring is for Morels, midsummer for Chanterelles, and autumn for Chicken (or hen) of the woods. Tracey reviews what the warning signs are of poison mushrooms, and reviews the possibility of growing your own, with CCE classes available. Every mushroom, by the way, is safe to handle, even if toxic.Going deeper into the subject of what's poisonous, the environment can alter the nature of a plant. Stinging nettle can absorb heavy metals from a polluted site. Know your location's history if possible. There are plants that are a contact risk, like poison ivy or water hemlock. It's wise to know the plants that grow around your foraging target plants.  Tracey advises to harvest moderately, so as to insure the future of the plant. The exception to this practice is invasives. If a plant is invasive... eat it all. The example she uses is Japanese knotweed. Sprouts taste like asparagus blended with rhubarb, it's full of antioxidants. The leaves can even be utilized in a paper making process. Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas Guest: Tracey Testo-Smith Photo by: Jean Thomas Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Deven Connelly, Teresa Golden, Tim Kennelty, Xandra Powers, Annie Scibienski, Jean Thomas Resources

RGB is joined by Evan owner operator of Hudson Valley indoor golf. We discussed his facility what they offer everything from club repairs lessons fittings you name it they do it go check them out at Hudson Valley indoor golf located in Alysia check them out of Hudson Hudson Valleyindoorgolf.com And stay tuned for some Collabs featuring the pitch puff Hudson Valley indoor make sure you subscribe share YouTube TikTok Facebook leave a five star review on Apple to have it read live on podcast #Golf #518 #UpstateNY #Trending #NewYork #HudsonValley #TikTok

Margie in Hudson Valley, NY, called Mark to mention how trade school is the ultimate answer to a great-paying job. Ken in Brooklyn, NY, has a branding idea if VP JD Vance decides to run for president in 2028. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Margie in Hudson Valley, NY, called Mark to mention how trade school is the ultimate answer to a great-paying job. Ken in Brooklyn, NY, has a branding idea if VP JD Vance decides to run for president in 2028.

Ira Glass, the creator, producer and host of "This American Life," will share lessons from his life and career in storytelling at Paramount Hudson Valley Theater on 10/25.

Jordan has on the Senior Advisor to the NJ Motion Picture and Television Commission, David Schoner, to talk about all of the exciting things going on in production in the Garden State. They talk about his film origins, growing up in Jersey, love outside of film and where to get a bite to eat.Upcoming Shows10.25.25 | Rutherford, NJ | Jordan Fried at The Williams Center opening for Divorce Diaries | 7 PM | ⁠Tickets Here⁠11.15.25 | Montclair, NJ | Junk Mail Improv at The Montclair Comedy Festival12.6.25 | Port Jervis, NY | Jordan Fried in Port JervisSessions With Mary Jane is a Cannabis infused podcast hosted by stoner comedian and filmmaker, Jordan Fried.  It features interviews from musicians, filmmakers, comedians, politicians, writers and business owners along with solo concept episodes.  While all guests do not necessarily partake, the one requirement is that they are pretty chill, man.  Listen for untold stories, how to guides, deeper dives and expanded curiosities. Your source for all things New Jersey, Hudson Valley and NYC.  New Episodes every Wednesday with exclusive bonus content. An LNH Studios podcast on the Gotham Network. Produced by the Gotham Network.LNH Studios is a comedy and video production company based out of Rutherford, New Jersey. It is comprised of the comedy trio Late Night Hump, consisting of Reena Ezra, Jordan Fried, and Brendan O'Brien.LNH Studios focuses on producing: • Podcasts • Films • Comedy shows and series (including sketch comedy, improv, stand-up, musical improv, and variety shows)They also offer classes and workshops related to comedy and production, and their services extend to recording audio and video, and scriptwriting. You can find more information and contact them through their website, lnhstudios.com, or by phone at +1 845-545-0284.⁠Jordan Fried⁠ (⁠https://jordanfried.myportfolio.com/⁠) is a SAG AFTRA comedian and filmmaker from Warwick, NY currently based in Rutherford, NJ. His debut comedy special and album, When The Edible Hits, is out on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, X, Facebook and Vinyl.  He is the co-director, co-writer and star of Beware The Horn, a film about a film school graduate that stumbles upon an improv troupe that he thinks is a cult.  He also appeared as the Young Peter Madoff in Madoff : Monster of Wall Street. He studied Digital Media Production and English at Tulane University, where he was a member of Cat Mafia Comedy. He's performed at Rhino Comedy, Eastville Comedy Club, Hell Yes Fest, Binghamton Comedy and Arts Festival, New Orleans Comedy and Arts Festival and Northern Virginia Comedy Festival. He produced the comedy variety show, Circuit Break; Late Night Hump at NJ Weedman's Joint; and he is a founding member of the improv troupes, Duly Noted and The Mutts.  He taught media, podcasting and comedy classes for Montclair Film, Blue Sky Kids and Educate The Block.  He recently worked as the operations manager at The Williams Center in Rutherford, NJ.

Notes and Links to Anthony Gedell's Work       ANTHONY GEDELL writes from New Jersey publishing in Hobart, Poverty House, Variant, Revolution John, Punk Noir Magazine, and Bull. His debut novel, Love Lies in the Throes of Rhetoric, was released in October 2024. Buy Love Lies in the Throes of Rhetoric   Anthony's Instagram   Anthony's Writing for Hobart Pulp   Video Review for Love Lies in the Throes of Rhetoric   At about 1:40, Pete and Anthony talk about inspirations for the podcast At about 3:00, Anthony talks about how teaching informs his writing, and vice versa, with observations on  At about 5:20, Anthony talks about being a concerted listener and always being cognizant of “getting into the room” of wonderful writers and writing conversations At about Anthony talks about the ways in which he and the book's significance have evolved in the year since publication   At about 8:40, Anthony talks about ideas of “writing from comfortability" and  At about 9:40, Anthony responds to Pete's question about what texts have resonated with his students, which includes a major shout out for Eli Cranor At about 13:00, Anthony highlights Of Mice and Men as one example of “high intensity emotion” that moves/interests readers  At about 14:50, Anthony cites Marlon James saying that “the new American novel is the crime novel” and talks about the “writer as journalist” in discussing ideas of writing dystopian in a dystopian world and “writing towards genre”  At about 20:10, Pete and Anthony discuss ideas of the continuity of writers and writing over the centuries  At about 25:00, Anthony expands on ideas of nihilism in contemporary society  At about 31:00, Pete reads the Ecclesiastes, Ch 9, Verse 4, the introduction for Love Lies in the Throes of Rhetoric At about 32:20, Anthony responds to Pete's questions about the book's opening and significance for the rest of the book At about 35:00, Anthony talks about lessons and questions brought out in Biblical passages At about 36:00, Pete responds to Anthony's questions about how Anthony's novel is evocative of Catholic/catholic themes At about 39:30, Anthony shares moving connections in real-life and in the novel and ideas of misery and tragedy and compassion  At about 43:40, the two discuss the “snare” trope and how Eudora has been seen in two ways by a lot of readers, and Anthony shouts out Light Years by James Salter-its beautiful sentences and the possibility of Nedra in Salter's book as a “snare character” At about 48:50, The two connect meaningful scenes and quotes from the novel to memorable Scripture At about 49:50, Anthony responds to Pete's musings about the interesting “too young to feel this old” after Pete rambles about a writing project that “got away” At about 52:40, Anthony references Conrad in talking about nihilism and hopelessness, particularly with regard to Trasc and Eudora, the book's protagonists  At about 55:25, Pete compliments Anthony's use of “snappy dialogue” and asks Anthony about ideas of impotence, especially as seen with Trasc and Eudora At about 1:00:15, Anthony details particular scenes and reflects on some meanings that come from the portraits of masculinity  At about 1:04:30, Trasc and his sensitive nature is discussed, and Anthony talks about   At about 1:06:30, Anthony talks cryptically and profoundly on the writing process for his novel and quotes a memorable line from Salter's Light Years At about 1:09:30, Pete and Anthony stan Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolff? and talk about the play's “dialectical violence”   At about 1:12:00, Anthony reflects on his writing style and the place from which he writes and how boredom and “soccer dad” literature enervates  At about 1:14:50, a quote from the novel leads to the two dissecting David Foster Wallace's work and its significance, and some texts that are thought to be overly celebrated   At about 1:18:00, Anthony reflects on dystopia, worldbuilding, and “collective human behaviors” and how the physical atmosphere he creates can shadow feelings and characters' characteristics  At about 1:23:00, Anthony emphasizes the intentionality of the writing in the novel,  while at the same time allowing for the speculation that comes with the uncertain world and readers' experiences At about 1:24:40, the two reflect on Biblical connections to revelation and Revelation and dystopia and apocalypse  At about 1:26:40, Anthony responds to Pete's question about “The Court” and connection the Greek Chorus      You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you're checking out this episode.       Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Hannah Pittard, a recent guest, is up at Chicago Review.     Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl      Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete's one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!    This month's Patreon bonus episode features an exploration of flawed characters, protagonists who are too real in their actions, and horror and noir as being where so much good and realistic writing takes place.    Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.     This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he's convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.    The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.     Please tune in for Episode 304 with Erin Somers, a writer, reporter, and book critic based in the Hudson Valley. Her fiction, essays, and criticism have appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Esquire, Best American Short Stories, and elsewhere.      Her second novel, The Ten Year Affair, was named a most anticipated book by The New York Times, The Washington Post, Vulture, Bustle, LitHub, W Magazine, Orion, and Our Culture, and it will be published by Simon & Schuster on October 21, the date the episode airs.    Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.

The 26th Woodstock Film Festival returns October 15–19, 2025, with a vibrant celebration of independent film, activism, and storytelling across the Hudson Valley. With 39 narrative features and 27 documentaries, this year's edition showcases visionary work from acclaimed auteurs and bold new voices, premiering across venues in Woodstock, Rosendale, Kingston, and Saugerties.

In this episode of Manufacturing Matters, we sit down with Vincenzo Bonomo, Senior Program Manager and Adjunct Faculty at Rochester Institute of Technology's Center for Quality and Applied Statistics. With over 25 years of experience partnering with community colleges and industry groups like the Council of Industry, Vincenzo brings a deep perspective on process improvement, workforce development, and building stronger organizations through Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.Vincenzo shares how he got started working with manufacturers and educators across New York State and why these collaborations are so critical to workforce success. He explains the value of cohort-based training, the power of learning from peers across industries, and the growing relevance of Lean Six Sigma across sectors—from aerospace to healthcare to education.Whether you're a manufacturer looking to boost operational efficiency or a professional seeking to understand the systems behind everyday challenges, this conversation offers practical insights into how process-centered thinking can drive meaningful change—at work and at home.For more information about RIT's Center for Quality and Applied Statistics, visit https://www.rit.edu/processimprovement/about--The Council of Industry has been the manufacturer's association of the Hudson Valley since 1910. We are a privately funded not-for-profit organization, whose mission is to promote the success of our member firms and their employees, and through them contribute to the success of the Hudson Valley Community. For more information about the Council of Industry visit our website at councilofindustry.org.

Victoria Astuto is a musician, composer, videographer, and educator based in the Hudson Valley. Her debut EP, The Place features clarinet, saxophone, flute, bass clarinet, synthesizers, and vocals to create dreamy, lush, and atmospheric textures. The album is inspired by a cross country trip she took which influenced many of the themes ranging from loneliness to finding a place in the world to escaping a place you're already in. Additionally, Victoria scores films for indie filmmakers in NYC, utilizing her large palette of instruments to create dense orchestration inspired by the works of Johnny Greenwood, Gerald Busby, and Bernard Herrmann. You can find her album and music videos on YouTube, Tidal, Apple Music, Spotify, and Band Camp.Band CampSpotifyTidalApple MusicYouTubeSRTN Podcast

Matthew Carnicelli is the president of Carnicelli Literary Management, located in New York City and the Hudson Valley. He represents bestselling and award-winning authors publishing books in the areas of history, current events, sports, business, memoir, biography, health, literary fiction, and graphic novels. Since becoming an agent in 2004, he has focused on helping leading thinkers, journalists, academics, and others with exceptional stories or messages develop clear and original book ideas and partnering them with the best editors and publishers for their books. Matthew is a graduate of Washington University, with a B.A. in English literature and political science, and received an M.A. from the University of Toronto in English literature. He has taught college-level nonfiction writing and is a frequent guest on various writing and publishing-industry panels. I've known Matthew for a long time, he's articulate and funny, and I simply like him. I'd recommend him in a minute to anyone who writes the kind of nonfiction he handles. On the show we talked about what he's looking for, comps, the author bio, ageism, interpreting rejection, referrals. and much more. For more information on Writers on Writing and to become a supporter, visit our Patreon page. For a one-time donation, visit Ko-fi. You can find hundreds of past interviews on our website. You can help out the show and indie bookstores by buying books at our bookstore on bookshop.org. It's stocked with titles by our guest authors, as well as our personal favorites. And on Spotify, you'll find an album's worth of typewriter music like what you hear on the show. It's perfect for writing. Look for the artist, Just My Type. Email the show at writersonwritingpodcast@gmail.com. We love to hear from our listeners! (Recorded on December 1, 2023)  Host: Barbara DeMarco-BarrettHost: Marrie StoneMusic: Travis Barrett (Stream his music on Spotify, Apple Music, Etc.)

As the only candidate running for city council representing Ward 4, Carolyn Glauda is pretty much a shoe-in for the seat, but she still wants to earn your vote. In this interview, she shares her vision for a safer, more affordable and more sustainable Beacon.  Carolyn has been a member of the traffic safety committee since 2020, an experience that got her hooked on civic engagement. In this interview, she shares her point of view on Beacon's affordability crisis, sustainability initiatives, transit and other topics. She also indulges her interviewer in a detour on the failures of Democrats nationally and what, if anything, we can learn from our current debacle.  In her day job, Carrolyn works for the New York Library Resource Council, managing the Digital Navigators of the Hudson Valley. This is a program that provides community members with tech support in a world where digital access and fluency is increasingly a prerequisite for participation in society.

Imagine that! WAMC's October 2026 ended so fast (shout out to our members) that your Food Friday host/producer didn't have a show booked. Retired CIA prof John Fischer was quickly called into service. He may have been feverish, or maybe he had just awakened from his afternoon nap. Whatever the reason, the esteemed food, wine, mixology and cheese expert ranted about doing a Food Friday concerning "Hudson Valley beers and gas station convenience food." What the blue blazes?

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 do, and they're good sports about it).  They share how they got into yoga, which you won't believe has quite a bit to do with roller derby. They also share some travel advice for cidiot bodies in the car or on the train coming upstate.  They helped even helped me turn it into a blog post you'll find on Cidiot.com with photos as well. Special Offer for Cidiot® Listeners: Mention "Cidiot" and get a FREE CLASS  and receive access to a special 15% off discount on regularly priced class passes and memberships.  Notes: Limited time, one per person, first time customers only. Thanks, Joyce and Amy.Learn more at The Yoga House: https://www.theyogahouseny.com/Timestamps to segments:01:25 Mat's history with yoga02:50 Their connections to the Hudson Valley06:32 How and why they started The Yoga House07:40 Types of yoga, including for people like Mat13:37 Guide to yoga for cidiot travelers on train and car (see blog post)17:20 More on practice types and defining them22:02 Cidiot geography game, this time with stereotypes for how they practice yoga (hilarious)29:40 Favorite place in the Hudson ValleyQuotes from the episode:“Yoga House is founded on a basic principle that yoga should be accessible, enjoyable and affordable for every body”— Amy“We teach more to energies — are you looking to chill out, do you want something more energetic?” — JoyceThanks 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.

The Valley Girls chat with author Gail Straub about her newest book, Home Inside the Globe, about what she's learned on her journeys from Paraguay to Paris, from the Sahara to the Himalayas, solo travel for women, and the indomitable human spirit that connects us all. A huge thank you to our Season 4 sponsor, ⁠⁠Bryant Home Improvement⁠⁠! With over 20 years of experience in luxury home building, Bryant Home Improvement is dedicated to ensuring quality and efficiency in every project and bringing value to your home - right here in the Hudson Valley.Thanks for listening! To help support the Valley Girls, please follow our podcast from our show page, leave a rating and review, and please spread the word and share our podcast with others. We really appreciate your support!To stay up to date and for more content you can find us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠valleygirlspodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/ValleyGirlsPodNY⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube.com/@ValleyGirlsPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and also check out the Newsletter and Pod Squad tab on our website to sign up for our e-mail newsletter and join ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠our Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠so you never miss a thing! All links can also be found in our Instagram bio.Episode music by Robert Burke Warren entitled Painting a Vast Blue Sky can be found at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠robertburkewarren.bandcamp.com/track/painting-a-vast-blue-sky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!A single question on a cold Hudson Valley walk: What if there's a body in that hunter's tent? sparked the debut thriller The Gallagher Place by Julie Doar. In this episode, we chat about how she wrote the first draft by instinct, then shifted gears into precision: charting dates, timelines, and cause-and-effect until every twist landed in a way that made sense. When the manuscript worked its way to 100K+ words, cutting became an act of getting clarity on what stays, what goes, and how much weight the opening chapter really has to carry.As it turns out, her years working at Starbucks trained the same muscles that make a thriller work: anticipating and executing under pressure. We talk about turning that fast-twitch instinct into a writing rhythm, plus the art of finishing one idea before chasing the next.We also chat about how querying parallels sales strategy: staggering submissions, treating rejections as market data, and refining pages until they convert. The mindset shift from “why not me?” to “what did I learn?” keeps momentum alive until the right agent says yes. ✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.

Drew sits down with Blake Pfeil & Jeremiah Wenutu on Cinema Kingston! to explore his winding path from music production to becoming a sought-after director of photography, podcast studio owner, and host of No Set Path. They unpack the reality of being a multidisciplinary creative, building community in the Hudson Valley, and why storytelling matters more than the tech behind it.Key Topics & Timestamps00:00 – Drew's introduction and impressive client roster (Adobe, Netflix, HBO, Disney+)02:00 – How Upstate Podcast Studio evolved from a basement setup to a professional Kingston space06:00 – The challenge of being spread thin across multiple creative ventures09:00 – Feeling like an outsider in the film industry while pursuing diverse interests14:00 – The frustration with editing other people's work vs. creating your own passion projects16:00 – The Hudson Valley creative community: talent is everywhere, but connection is key19:00 – Two years of HBO production boom post-COVID, then the 2024-2025 slowdown22:00 – Plans for No Set Path: building in-person community events and brand expansion24:00 – From UMass Lowell recording school to New York City music production27:00 – The pivot moment: buying a Canon 7D at B&H and teaching himself cinematography30:00 – Starting No Set Path during COVID as a vehicle for meaningful conversations33:00 – The unexpected impact: random emails from people inspired by the show37:00 – Why Drew asks "how did you get here?" instead of "what camera did you use?"40:00 – The realization: storytelling is the thread connecting everything44:00 – Storytelling as a buzzword in tech startups and why humans gravitate to narrative45:00 – The Goonies, Spielberg, Lucas, and movies that shaped a generation50:00 – Easter eggs, film scores, and the magic of eighties adventure filmsTakeawayBeing multidisciplinary isn't a weakness. It's your unique advantage in a changing creative economy.Community over hustle: the Hudson Valley has incredible talent, but genuine connection matters more than networking.Storytelling transcends medium. Whether it's cinematography, podcasting, or coaching, story is what connects with people.Most successful people don't actually know what they're doing. They're "failing upwards" and figuring it out as they go.Name things well: Upstate Podcast Studio succeeds organically because of smart, searchable naming.Your creative path will look like a lot of different things. Let it evolve naturally instead of forcing a single direction.The tech doesn't matter. People care about the emotion and story, not your gear list.Resources & LinksCinema Kingston!: https://radiokingston.org/en/broadcast/cinema-kingstonDrew's Website: www.drewenglish.comLights and Years Media: www.lightsandyears.comUpstate Podcast Studio: www.upstatepodcaststudio.comNo Set Path Podcast: Search "No Set Path: Creative Entrepreneurship Stories" on your podcast appNo Set Path Newsletter: https://thedrewenglish.substack.com/Drew's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drewenglishh/Drew's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewenglish/

Debra Bruno: A Hudson Valley Reckoning Discovering the Forgotten History of Slaveholding in my Dutch American Family St. John's, Lafayette Square Washington, DC Release date: 6 October 2025

Jordan Has on filmmaker and artist Matthew Zeitoun on the podcast to talk about The Patersonian, Open Film Screenings, Prototype and much more.Follow him instagram.com/matthewzeitounOpen Film Screeningshttps://www.instagram.com/openfilmscreenings/?hl=enhttps://thepatersonian.substack.com/aboutUpcoming Shows10.25.25 | Rutherford, NJ | Jordan Fried at The Williams Center opening for Divorce Diaries | 7 PM | ⁠Tickets Here⁠11.15.25 | Montclair, NJ | Junk Mail Improv at The Montclair Comedy Festival12.6.25 | Port Jervis, NY | Jordan Fried in Port JervisSessions With Mary Jane is a Cannabis infused podcast hosted by stoner comedian and filmmaker, Jordan Fried.  It features interviews from musicians, filmmakers, comedians, politicians, writers and business owners along with solo concept episodes.  While all guests do not necessarily partake, the one requirement is that they are pretty chill, man.  Listen for untold stories, how to guides, deeper dives and expanded curiosities. Your source for all things New Jersey, Hudson Valley and NYC.  New Episodes every Wednesday with exclusive bonus content. An LNH Studios podcast on the Gotham Network. Produced by the Gotham Network.LNH Studios is a comedy and video production company based out of Rutherford, New Jersey. It is comprised of the comedy trio Late Night Hump, consisting of Reena Ezra, Jordan Fried, and Brendan O'Brien.LNH Studios focuses on producing: • Podcasts • Films • Comedy shows and series (including sketch comedy, improv, stand-up, musical improv, and variety shows)They also offer classes and workshops related to comedy and production, and their services extend to recording audio and video, and scriptwriting. You can find more information and contact them through their website, lnhstudios.com, or by phone at +1 845-545-0284.⁠Jordan Fried⁠ (⁠https://jordanfried.myportfolio.com/⁠) is a SAG AFTRA comedian and filmmaker from Warwick, NY currently based in Rutherford, NJ. His debut comedy special and album, When The Edible Hits, is out on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, X, Facebook and Vinyl.  He is the co-director, co-writer and star of Beware The Horn, a film about a film school graduate that stumbles upon an improv troupe that he thinks is a cult.  He also appeared as the Young Peter Madoff in Madoff : Monster of Wall Street. He studied Digital Media Production and English at Tulane University, where he was a member of Cat Mafia Comedy. He's performed at Rhino Comedy, Eastville Comedy Club, Hell Yes Fest, Binghamton Comedy and Arts Festival, New Orleans Comedy and Arts Festival and Northern Virginia Comedy Festival. He produced the comedy variety show, Circuit Break; Late Night Hump at NJ Weedman's Joint; and he is a founding member of the improv troupes, Duly Noted and The Mutts.  He taught media, podcasting and comedy classes for Montclair Film, Blue Sky Kids and Educate The Block.  He recently worked as the operations manager at The Williams Center in Rutherford, NJ.

The Drunk Guys universally like beer this week when they read Universality by Natasha Brown. Their gold is to drink: A Lot of Round Objects, None of Which are Perfectly Round by Other Half and Hudson Valley, Seaworthy by Oxbow, and Ghost Ship by South Shore Craft Brewery. Join the

It's only human to project the notions we already hold onto the world around us. We want to feel connected, and we start from what we know – categories, similarities, rules, expectations. But nature is endlessly expansive, at once wildly different from the societies we are used to and yet surprisingly similar to the nuances we hold as individuals. In her debut book Forest Euphoria: The Abounding Queerness of Nature, author Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian invites readers to wander off the prescribed trails and embrace the full range of what we can take away from unexpected corners of the natural world. Growing up, Kaishian felt most at home in some of these less-traveled pockets – namely, the swamps and culverts near her house in the Hudson Valley, studded with wildlife and odd creatures. As a child who frequently felt out of place – too much of one thing or not enough of another – she found acceptance in these settings, mainly among amphibious beings. In snakes, snails, and especially fungi, she saw her own developing identities as a queer, neurodivergent person reflected back at her – and a personal path to a life of science. Equal parts lyrical memoir, academic exploration, and a love letter to the vastness of identity, Forest Euphoria introduces readers to the queerness, literal and otherwise, of all the life around us. In this richly observant and insightful study, Kaishian presents myriad examples of nature defying human dichotomies. Fungi, we learn, commonly have more than two biological sexes, and some as many as twenty-three thousand. Some intersex slugs mutually fire calcium carbonate “love darts” at each other during courtship. Glass eels are sexually undetermined until their last year of life, which stumped scientists once dubbed “the eel question.” Forest Euphoria aims to illuminate that nature is filled with lessons stemming from the unusual, the overlooked, and the marginalized, so long as we have the curiosity to learn. Dr. Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian is a research scientist, author, speaker, and educator who specializes in the biodiversity of fungi, ecology, and exploring how scientific disciplines are informed by our sociopolitical landscape. She is the Curator of Mycology at the New York State Museum, as well as teaching faculty with the Bard Prison Initiative. She is a co-founder of the International Congress of Armenian Mycologists. She has been featured in the documentary Queer Planet and her publication, The science underground: mycology as a queer discipline, appears in the journal Catalyst: Feminism, Theory & Technoscience. Taha Ebrahimi is the author and illustrator of Street Trees of Seattle: An Illustrated Walking Guide (Sasquatch Books, 2024). She serves as a member of the council for Historic Seattle and has been named “Seattle's Coolest Street Tree Expert” by The Stranger. Buy the Book Forest Euphoria: The Abounding Queerness of Nature Elliott Bay Book Company

Writing can be a struggle between joy and pain, but Jennifer Probst seems to have figured out how to pivot during the less enjoyable times. Jennifer is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of over fifty books in contemporary romance fiction. Her work has been translated in over a dozen countries, sold over 2 million copies, and was dubbed a "romance phenom" by Kirkus Reviews. Her passions include reading, horse racing, Scrabble, Italian wine and food, shameful reality television, and rescue dogs. Like some of her characters, Probst, along with her husband and two sons, calls New York's Hudson Valley home. She released THE RELUCTANT FLIRT this summer and will release COVET in September. Learn more at Jenniferprobst.com Jennifer's Write Naked Programming can be found here. Special thanks to Net Galley for early previews. Intro reel, Writing Table Podcast 2024 Outro RecordingFollow the Writing Table:On Twitter/X: @writingtablepcEverywhere else: @writingtablepodcastEmail questions or tell us who you'd like us to invite to the Writing Table: writingtablepodcast@gmail.com.

Autumn's otherworldly gold light illuminates this sleepy journey to the historic Hudson Valley as fall foliage peaks. Visit charming stone cottages from the 1700s along the enchanting Orchard Lane, a picturesque landscape of rolling hills and vibrant apple orchards. This serene, timeless escape offers the perfect getaway to unwind and get cozy as you settle into a bed and breakfast just as a rainstorm arrives. Fall asleep with ease in the soothing embrace of autumn. It's time to dream away.Original Script, Narration, Music, Sound Design, and Production by Michelle Hotaling, Dreamaway Visions LLC 2025 All Rights ReservedMentions: Storms, Nostalgia, Food, History, PetsYOUTUBE: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/michellessanctuary/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠INSTAGRAM: ⁠https://instagram.com/michellessanctuary/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FACEBOOK:⁠https://www.facebook.com/michellessanctuary/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email Michelle: ⁠michellessanctuary@gmail.com⁠If you would like to support this channel:⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/michsanctuary⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.paypal.me/michellessanctuary⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.venmo.com/michellehotaling⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out my new podcast, Meditation Tides, for guided meditations and let the tides of your breath bring the tranquility you deserve. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/meditationtides/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Michelle's Sanctuary is a place where you may enjoy high quality relaxing stories for sleep and guided sleep meditations completely FREE with a focus on mental vacations, sleep hypnosis, manifestations, and using your imagination to enjoy relaxing adventures before bedtime. Grown-ups deserve bedtime stories too!Having firsthand experience with anxiety, insomnia, and a strong desire to connect with my higher self and live my best life, I have tailored these recordings in ways that I have personally found helpful. This channel is not a replacement for consultations with a doctor or medical professional but can help you find more balance and a healing night's sleep. I always welcome comments, feedback & suggestions.