Correct me if I'm Norm

By Radio Free RhinecliffSociety & Culture

Correct me if I'm Norm episodes

March 14 Rhinebeck’s own Charles Derbyshire Traces a Life from Theater to Television to Town
Norm sits down with Charles Derbyshire, who shares the story behind pronouncing his surname, his upbringing in Huntington, West Virginia, and reflections on the region’s hardship, opioids, and shifting economy centered on education and healthcare. He talks about Marshall University family ties, Appalachian identity, Hatfield lineage, and how his accent changed after years of acting training. The conversation ranges from Cajun martinis and Charles’s love of cooking—especially his gumbo—to high school basketball, his sons’ paths (one teaching at a refugee center in Cairo and one pursuing a PhD in astrophysics), and a beloved local tennis community. Charles also recounts his 15-year acting career, standout experimental theater work, world travel with Orbis International, television executive roles at Bravo/NBC and the BBC, and selling his Rhinebeck spirits shop after 20 years.
Produced by Norm Magnusson, Jennifer Hammoud, and Matty Rosenberg @ radiofreerhinecliff.org
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1 hr 1 min
March 07 Mezcal, Watersheds, and Trust: Bard professor Monique Segarra on Oaxaca, the Catskills, and Community-Led Sustainability
Norm welcomes back Monique Segarra, a Bard Center for Environmental Policy professor just returned from Oaxaca, to share a mezcal from a small-batch palenque as they dig into agave's long growth cycles, industrial production, and what sustainability actually means for Oaxacan producers. Segarra, who has spent a decade doing field-based work with graduate students in the region, discusses water management, payments for ecosystem services, and community-run conservation businesses that support local livelihoods. She describes Zapotec communal land governance and one northern mountain community's collectively owned enterprises, including sustainable logging, a sawmill, furniture factory, community bank, and social programs. The conversation connects to New York's Catskills watershed agreement, WAC's voluntary whole-farm planning, and trust-building organizations, alongside personal family stories.
Produced by Norm Magnusson, Jennifer Hammoud, and Matty Rosenberg @ radiofreerhinecliff.org
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1 hr 1 min
March 07 Dr. Amy Novatt and Marybeth Cale on Menopause, Midlife, and the Whole-Person Approach to Women's Health
Norm welcomes Dr. Amy Novatt, OB-GYN, and Marybeth Cale, a national board certified health and wellness coach, to discuss integrative approaches to midlife health, with a focus on perimenopause and menopause. They explore how coaching complements conventional medicine by addressing whole-person wellbeing across life domains, using tools like a "wellness wheel" to support self-discovery and actionable next steps. Novatt explains why clinicians are increasingly open to nutrition, acupuncture, and lifestyle medicine, and clarifies key points and cautions around hormone therapy, including how interpretations of the 2002 Women's Health Initiative have evolved.
Produced by Norm Magnusson, Jennifer Hammoud, and Matty Rosenberg @ radiofreerhinecliff.org
Send comments to [email protected]
1 hr
March 07 Rhinebeck's own Jaime Ransome on Feminism, Afrofuturism, and Curating ‘Weird Sisters’ in the Hudson Valley
Norm sits down with Rhinebeck's own Jaime Ransome, an educator, former adjunct professor, gallery manager, and one of the most compelling curators working in the Hudson Valley today. They talk family, feminism, and a life in the art world. Jaime explains her middle name (Ernestina), shares stories about her grandparents, and traces the through-line connecting spirituality, the moon, and feminist thinking, including what her mother taught her about consent and sex ed. She talks about her parents, author Lesa Cline-Ransome and James E. Ransome, and makes the case for fiction as a vehicle for deeper truth. Jaime defines Afrofuturism, recommends Octavia Butler's Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents, and reflects on curating an Afrofuturism show in Newburgh. She discusses her exhibition "Weird Sisters" at Dutchess Community College's Mildred Washington Gallery, and points listeners to "Crazy" at Bow Gallery in Beacon.
Produced by Norm Magnusson, Jennifer Hammoud, and Matty Rosenberg @ radiofreerhinecliff.org
Send comments to [email protected]
1 hr 1 min
March 03 From Kindergarten to Candy Store: Ally and John Traver's Rhinebeck Love Story
This Valentine's Day, Norm welcomed the cutest couple in Rhinebeck to "Correct Me If I'm Norm": Ally and John Traver, who've been part of each other's lives since kindergarten. They dated in middle and high school, lost touch for years, then found each other again on Facebook in college. Married now for 16 years, they have two sons, Charlie (6) and Dave (2.5).
They chat about growing up in Rhinebeck, their studies (Ally in history with a passion for archiving; John in economics and English), and their careers — including Ally's work in logistics and truck brokerage and John's long tenure at Samuel's Sweet Shop, where he's worked since age 15. John talks about what makes Samuel's special: its intimate footprint, nostalgic and international candy selection, the famous foil-wrapped Samuel's bars with golden ticket prizes, and the shop's deep commitment to community and ambiance. John also shares memories of Ira, the shop's founder.
Produced by Norm Magnusson, Jennifer Hammoud, and Matty Rosenberg @ radiofreerhinecliff.org
Send comments to [email protected]
1 hr
March 02 An In-Depth Chat with Author Emma Tourtelot on 'No One, You Know'
In this episode of 'Correct Me If I'm Norm,' host Norm sits down with author Emma Tourtelot to discuss her latest book, 'No One, You Know.' They delve into Emma's book tour experiences, the inspiration behind her mother-daughter narrative, her creative process, and the role of grief and consciousness explored in her novel. Emma also shares stories from her past as a sex and relationship columnist and her current role as a middle school librarian. Tune in for an engaging conversation full of insights into writing, family dynamics, and personal anecdotes.
Produced by Norm Magnusson, Jennifer Hammoud, and Matty Rosenberg @ radiofreerhinecliff.org
Send comments to [email protected]
1 hr
March 02 A Conversation with Victor Britton: From Engineering to Teaching and Life After Retirement
n this episode of 'Correct Me If I'm Norm,' host Norm sits down with Victor Britton, a retired teacher with a fascinating journey from engineering to teaching physics. They discuss Victor's early career, his transition into education, and life growing up. Victor shares personal stories, including his struggles and triumphs, and the support from his wife Diane that helped him find his passion for teaching. The conversation also touches on his recent retirement, volunteer work with Meals on Wheels, and his newfound hobby of bird watching. Throughout, they reminisce about the changes in their town of Rhinebeck, New York. Tune in for a heartfelt and informative discussion.
Produced by Norm Magnusson, Jennifer Hammoud, and Matty Rosenberg @ radiofreerhinecliff.org
Send comments to [email protected]
1 hr
February 10 From Math Major to Mainframe Sith: Misty Decker on COBOL, Cocktails, and Keeping the Mainframe Alive
Norm sits down with the one and only Misty Decker - singer, mother of two, tireless booster of Rhinebeck schools, beer aficionado, COBOL evangelist, and mainframe modernization expert known as "Darth Misty the Mainframe Sith." They kick things off with a cocktail recipe from Cooper's Daughter distillery, then dive into Misty's journey from math major to her current role at Kyndryl, where she consults on mainframe modernization. The conversation covers the complexities and human dynamics of the field, why mainframe systems still matter across industries, and how AI is changing the modernization game. Misty also shares her passion for singing with the Capella Festiva Chamber Choir.
Produced by Norm Magnusson, Jennifer Hammoud, and Matty Rosenberg @ radiofreerhinecliff.org
Send comments to [email protected]
1 hr 1 min
January 19 Rhinebeck's Joan Berland on Education, Spirituality, and Creativity
Join Norm in conversation with Joan Berland, a former teacher with over three decades of experience, including at CLS in Rhinebeck. Together with her husband Warren, they discuss Joan's unique teaching methods, her work inspired by the book 'Brain Gym,' and a transformational classroom experience that reached global recognition. Joan also shares stories from her varied teaching career—from Charlottesville to St. Martin and the profound impact of her spiritual journey. Closing the chapter on her teaching career, Joan delves into her newfound loves of quilting and cooking.
Produced by Norm Magnusson, Jennifer Hammoud, and Matty Rosenberg @ radiofreerhinecliff.org
Send comments to [email protected]
1 hr 1 min
January 02 Dave Leonard: Music, Miles, and Community
Norm talks with Dave Leonard, Rhinebeck-based podcast host of 'Hudson Valley Unleashed,' DJ, business owner, dedicated family man, and truly amazing friend who just ran his first NYC Marathon. Dave traces his path from college radio at Denison through creating the 'Unleashed' format and building his own DJ business. The conversation gets personal as Dave opens up about surviving a near-fatal car accident, his path to sobriety, and what keeps him passionate about music after all these years. He also shares what he's working on now with his podcast and the community events he's committed to supporting.
Produced by Norm Magnusson, Jennifer Hammoud, and Matty Rosenberg @ radiofreerhinecliff.org
Send comments to [email protected]
1 hr 1 min

About Correct me if I'm Norm

From the publisher's feed

“Correct Me if I’m Norm” is a good-natured, Rhinebeck (New York) focused, one-on-one (mostly) free-formish interview-format program, covering all topics from the personal to the universal. It’s hosted by Norm Magnusson, who is an artist and father of three and an active member of his community in the small town of Rhinebeck, NY. Every week, he interviews folks who live and/or work in Rhinebeck about who they are and how they got here and what they’re up to. “I’m very interested in collecting the stories of the people who made this town what it is and those who are continuing to do so”, he explains, adding that he’s deeply appreciative for all the people who come to the Nook @ The Epicurean to talk with him and thanks the Epicurean and RadioFreeRhinecliff.org for making it all possible.