Hudson Valley Storycatcher with Jen Lee: a Podcast for New York's Hudson Valley Community

Welcome to Hudson Valley Storycatcher with Jen Lee, a podcast promoting human connection through sharing neighbor stories and local voices across our region.

In this episode, Jen speaks with Hélène Lesterlin—facilitator, artist, and worker trustee at the Good Work Institute—for a conversation about building a regenerative, cooperative, and just local economy. They discuss how our current economic system flattens humanity, why digital isolation leaves us wanting real presence, and how building community through embodied, local action and events is an important step toward our shared future.

Highlights Include:

• Democratic Community Design in Kingston: How 18 local residents co-designed the Kingston Common Futures grant fund from the ground up alongside the Good Work Institute.

• Creativity, Startups, and Ecological Metaphors: Lessons from performance art and mission-led businesses, drawing on Wendell Berry's idea that systemic change happens through many small, diverse experiments.

• Participation, Belonging, and Resilience: Three core pillars to build durable, countercultural systems that survive conflict and stress.

• Why the Hudson Valley Community is Fertile Ground: Exploring how the region’s unique scale, industrial past, proximity to NYC, and active volunteer spirit create an ideal environment for new economic models.

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• Good Work Institute: Visit GoodWorkInstitute.org to explore upcoming workshops, events, and community calendar listings.
• Watch here for the online release of the films Hélène mentioned: https://goodworkinstitute.org/events/behind-the-scenes-making-a-kingston-community-fund/
• Find out more about Hélène here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hlesterlin/

Hudson Valley Storycatcher: Catch transcripts, show notes, and additional episodes at https://HudsonValleyStorycatcher.com/

Jen sits down with career coach, author, and consultant Lauree Ostrofsky to discuss how Hudson Valley business owners can overcome fear, navigate transitions, and build supportive, compassionate professional networks.

Through engaging interviews with locals, this human connection podcast highlights the inspiring personal journeys of regional leaders who shape our towns. Celebrating her 20th year as a coach, Lauree reflects on her experience as an introverted leader, the life-changing health event at age 28 that reshaped her mindset, and her core mantra: "I'm scared and I'm doing it anyway.”

Jen and Lauree also explore the founding of Hudson Valley Women in Business—a network that expanded to over 3,000 leaders—and how she cultivated an authentic space where Hudson Valley business owners could drop their professional shields and foster true connection over competition. Today, through her coaching business Simply Leap, partnerships with the New York Council of Nonprofits (NYCON), and a local Kingston consulting initiative with Rondout Savings Bank, she continues empowering Hudson Valley business owners to grow with confidence and care.

Key Takeaways & Highlights

• Leading as an Introvert: How to stay authentic to your energy levels while stepping confidently into leadership roles.
• Navigating Fear with Kindness: Why approaching vulnerability without self-judgment is the essential first step before taking a big leap.
• Concrete Acts of Self-Care: How simple, intentional acts of kindness build resilience during high-pressure times.
• Collaborative Networking: How community storytelling and mutual support replace transactional small talk and "performing Girl Boss-iness".
• Local Resources & Support: Leveraging local bank initiatives, nonprofit consulting, and peer networks to help entrepreneurs thrive within the Hudson Valley community.

Resources & Links

• Lauree’s Website: LaureeOstrofsky.com
• Lauree’s Books:  https://laureeostrofsky.com/books
• Her mailing list includes a free five-day audio series for gaining more clarity around what’s next for you: https://simplyleap.myflodesk.com/nurture
• She has a virtual membership for business owners and entrepreneurial women across the country called Advisory Alliance: https://simplyleap.myflodesk.com/alliance

Organizations Mentioned: 

• Hudson Valley Women in Business (HVWiB) https://www.hudsonvalleywomeninbusiness.org/
• New York Council of Nonprofits (NYCON) https://www.nycon.org/ 
• Rondout Savings Bank: https://www.rondoutbank.com/

Click here to view the episode transcript.’

Welcome to Hudson Valley Storycatcher with Jen Lee, a storytelling podcast focused on exploring the unique perspectives, deep experiences, and personal journeys of people living and working in our region. In this episode, we sit down with SarahRose Hogan, a Registered Play Therapist and the founder of Giving Tree Counseling in Kingston, New York, to discuss a paradigm shift that is fundamentally changing how families navigate mental health, development, and community accessibility.

As a human connection podcast, we love diving into conversations that strip away social shame and bring people closer together. SarahRose shares how discovering the neurodiversity paradigm completely transformed her own life and clinical practice in the Hudson Valley, moving away from a restrictive "medical model" of pathology and toward a framework rooted in natural human biodiversity. Through our interviews with locals who are making a tangible difference, we hope to spark ideas on how we can collectively build a more supportive and accessible Hudson Valley community.

Key Topics & Takeaways Covered:

• What is the Neurodiversity Paradigm? SarahRose explains that just like ecological biodiversity strengthens a natural environment, a wide variety of human brain traits and types benefits society as a whole. Rather than viewing neurological differences as individual or moral failures, this paradigm rejects a rigid hierarchy of "better or worse" minds.
• Moving Beyond Traditional Talk Therapy: Traditional psychotherapy often relies entirely on sitting still and talking, which can inadvertently exclude non-speaking individuals or those with higher support needs. SarahRose highlights the necessity of dynamic, creative modalities—such as play therapy, sand tray work, and parent-child relational therapy—to meet clients where they are.
• Demystifying EMDR: The conversation provides an inside look at Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). By utilizing bilateral stimulation (like eye movements, tapping, or audio tones), EMDR acts as a gentle, evidence-based "fast track" to help the brain safely process and file away traumatic or painful memories that have become functionally "stuck".
• Sensory Friendly vs. Sensory Flexible: Because different individuals frequently have completely conflicting sensory profiles (e.g., one person needing bright light to focus while another needs dim lighting), a space cannot simply check a single box. True inclusion requires building sensory flexible environments that can actively adapt to changing human needs.
• The Principles of Universal Design: Accessibility shouldn't be a secondary afterthought—like clumsily retrofitting a ramp to the back door of a building. Using the framework of Universal Design and Universal Design for Learning (UDL), physical spaces and educational expectations are built from the ground up to offer flexible goals and multiple pathways for participation.
• The Hidden Cost of Neuronormalizing: SarahRose cautions against traditional behavioral strategies aimed at neuronormalizing children. While masking differences might yield short-term success, it frequently comes at a long-term psychological cost, including heightened risks of anxiety, trauma, and depression. 

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• Giving Tree Counseling (Located in Kingston, NY)
• Dr. Ross Greene (Collaborative & Proactive Solutions)
• Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Framework

Thank you for tuning in! If you know someone doing good, important work in the HV, please reach out to us at [email protected] to recommend them for a future episode. Don't forget to leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your shows.

In our latest neighbor stories, Jen sits down with guest Catherine Mikic to explore the profound relationships between community narratives, local history, and local landscapes. Catherine is a trained architect with decades of experience in New York City who shifted her focus to rural placemaking after relocating to the Hudson Valley community in 2018. She discusses her hands-on work restoring the landmark Sweet Sherman Homestead, uncovering thousands of years of Indigenous Mohican local history, and helping transform a busy traffic circle into a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly civic space. Catherine also shares the urgent efforts behind her nonprofit advocacy work to protect Copake’s growing agritourism economy and historical assets from a massive, large-scale industrial development proposal overriding local zoning laws. Community storytelling has been an important part of this work.

Highlights Include:

• The Sweet Sherman Homestead Restoration: Catherine recounts purchasing a historic family farm on Center Hill Road outside of Copake town center during the pandemic. Her research into the site's local history ultimately led to an 18-acre National Register Historic District designation.

• Reimagining the Heart of the Community: Catherine details her community engagement with town officials to leverage a roadway infrastructure project to build a new 21st-century civic park. The project will re-establish a historical town square centered around Copake's historic town clock.

• Defending a Rural Landscape Against Shepherd's Run: Catherine outlines her advocacy work against an out-of-state developer's proposal to place 220 acres of industrial solar panels in a historic farming hamlet. Alongside local leaders, she founded the nonprofit advocacy group Arcadian Alliance to protect the area's protected watershed, historic properties, and heritage tourism economy.

About the Guest

Catherine Mikic is an architect, placemaker, and cultural landscape advocate based in the Hudson Valley. After studying and building a career in architecture and historic preservation in New York City, she moved to Hudson in 2018. She currently serves as the Chair of the Copake Historic Preservation Committee.

Recorded at Copake Connect.

In this episode of Hudson Valley Storycatcher, host Jen Lee sits down with Frank Pepe, a retired school superintendent and community leader from Stanford, New York. Frank shares his lifelong journey of finding where he fits in and his commitment to fostering a caring community amidst modern political and social turmoil through community storytelling, gathering, and community engagement.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

The Heroic Legacy of Charlie Johnson

Frank discusses the importance of community storytelling, and specifically his commitment to share the story of Charles Johnson, an Arlington High School graduate (Class of 1951). 

• Breaking Barriers: Johnson was the only African-American male in his school but was so beloved he was elected class Vice President within weeks. 
• Battlefield Heroism: During the Korean War at "Outpost Harry," Johnson saved nine of his fellow soldiers—including a friend from his high school—before being killed in action. 
• A Living Lesson: Frank highlights the way this story illustrates some of the great values found in all religions: compassion, selflessness, and the breaking of social barriers. 

Stanford: a Caring Community

Born out of the unrest following the murder of George Floyd, this organization seeks to provide “a view of community and unity for all people." 

• Mission: Standing in solidarity with those whose identities—racial, religious, or LGBTQ—have been attacked by hatred or violence. 
• Building Bridges: Since Stanford is a small town with limited diversity, the group partners with more diverse organizations across Dutchess County to foster dialogue and share community narratives.

The Art of Connection
Frank shares his "nitty-gritty" tools for strengthening community bonds:

• Active Listening: Learning to listen without ego or the need to have an immediate answer. 
• Humanity First: Finding common ground with neighbors despite oppositional political views.
• Presence: Creating safe spaces for others to speak of their pain or life experiences through personal storytelling. 

About Our Guest: Frank Pepe

• Professional Background: Retired Superintendent of Schools with a lifetime vocation in education. 
• Public Service: Former member of the Stanford Town Board in the Hudson Valley community.
• Human Rights: Served three years on the Dutchess County Human Rights Commission and currently serves on the board of the Dutchess County Interfaith Council. 
• Community Building: Founder of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Stanford: a Caring Community. 

Resources Mentioned:

• Stanford: a Caring Community–sign up for the event newsletter by emailing [email protected]
• Dutchess County Interfaith Council 
• Stanford Free Library (Event partner) 
• The Grange (Community partner) 
• Arlington High School 

Find more episodes, show notes and transcripts at hudsonvalleystorycatcher.com. Support the show by leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. To recommend a future guest on the show, email: [email protected].

In the latest of our interviews with locals, Jen sits down with Judge Jonah Triebwasser to peel back the curtain on the local judicial system and how it works in the Hudson Valley. Moving beyond the "whooping and hollering" of television courtrooms, the Judge shares what it really looks like to serve the community of Red Hook from behind the bench.

Inside the Episode:

• TV vs. Reality: The Judge clarifies that real courtrooms prioritize dignity and civility over the dramatics seen on shows like Judge Judy.
• The Philosophy of Fairness: He describes local courts as "the courts closest to the people," where the goal is to ensure every individual feels heard and treated fairly, even if they don't agree with the final decision.
• Essential Qualities of a Judge: Patience is the most vital trait, guided by the principle of treating everyone as you would want to be treated.
• The Challenges of Human Nature: Judge Triebwasser discusses "frequent fliers" (recidivists) and the difficulty of balancing compassion with the law in sensitive cases like landlord-tenant disputes.
• A Call to Service: Beyond the bench, the Judge emphasizes the "crying need" for volunteers in organizations like the Fire Department and local service clubs to keep the Hudson Valley community thriving, as well as a great way of discovering neighbors.

About the Guest:

Judge Jonah Triebwasser has been a resident of Red Hook, NY since 1979 and has spent over 50 years in various facets of the legal system. His diverse career path includes:

• Starting as a police officer in New York City.
• Working as an investigator for the Attorney General's office.
• Serving as a prosecutor for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
• Serving as both a Town and Village Judge in the Hudson Valley's Red Hook.
• Hosting the long-running radio program At Your Service, highlighting community narratives of public service.

Connect with the Community

• Listen to Judge Triebwasser: Tune into his radio show, At Your Service, on WGHQ and WBPM, or wherever you get your podcasts.
• Get Involved: Learn more about the Red Hook Rotary Club and their local initiatives like Apple Blossom Day.
• Support the Show: Subscribe to Hudson Valley Storycatcher and leave us a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts.
• Nominate a Neighbor: Do you know someone who would be a great guest on the show? Email us at: [email protected]

"Right now is the one time that we are all here together. And if we can figure out how to make that better, let's figure it out.”  – Erica Brown

In our latest neighbor stories, host Jen Lee sits down with Erica Brown, the Community Engagement Coordinator at Radio Kingston. Erica also serves as a board member for TMI Project (community storytelling) and Good Work Institute. Through her Hudson Valley stories, Erica shares her personal philosophy of community as a lifelong calling, a thread that runs through so many of her life’s spaces and seasons.

Key Highlights from this Episode:

• Community as a Calling: Erica discusses how her roots in community engagement began at age seven, volunteering at Thompson Memorial Church in Auburn, NY—the final hometown church of Harriet Tubman—and how that experience, along with her upbringing, planted the seeds of volunteering and showing up for others.
• The Reality of 2020: Erica speaks candidly about the "nakedness" she felt as a Black person following the murder of George Floyd, and her journey through the feelings and experiences that followed.
• Fasting from Urgency: Erica shares her personal journeys, including the practice of “fasting from urgency" to allow herself to be more present and to sit with decisions rather than rushing through them.
• Language Justice: Why true inclusivity requires more than just a translated flyer. Erica explains how the Hudson Valley Language Justice group is working to make spaces and programs truly accessible through interpretation and translation. She also shares how asking, “What about…?” can widen who is at the table for (or considered during) discussions impacting wider communities.
• Universal Love: A closing thought on the attempt to love everyone and anyone, and why connecting with one another through community engagement matters.

Resources Mentioned:

• Radio Kingston: Erica’s professional home in Kingston, NY.
• Thompson Memorial Church: The historic church in Auburn, NY, where Erica’s ancestors attended with Harriet Tubman.
• Kingston Resilience & Mutual Aid: Grassroots groups Erica worked with to provide food and resources during the pandemic.

Connect with Hudson Valley Storycatcher:

• Host: Jen Lee
• Website: HudsonValleyStorycatcher.com
• Recommendations: Have a neighbor with a story? Email us at [email protected]

"When that pager goes off, the adrenaline goes up ... you see people on their worst day and you try to make it better.” – Todd VanBuskirk, Sr.

In this episode of Hudson Valley Storycatcher, we go behind the scenes of the local emergency services that keep our community safe. Host Jen Lee sits down with Todd VanBuskirk, Senior, a fourth-generation firefighter and veteran EMT with over 40 years of service in the Hudson Valley community.

Todd doesn't just hold a job; he holds a legacy. From rushing down the street to save a choking child to deep familiarity with the high-pressure environment of a volunteer fire department, Todd shares what it really means to be "of service" in a small town. He shares how local firehouses are a central place for building community and connecting with neighbors, both for those who serve and those they protect.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Family Legacy: What it’s like to grow up in a "firefighting family" and why he feels his calling is "in the blood."
• The Weekend Warriors (and Weekday Heroes): How local plumbers, electricians, and many others form the backbone of our regional 911 response.
• The Reality of the Call: Through his personal storytelling, Todd recounts saving a neighbor’s child and the way responding to emergencies also involves caring for others who are present, like family members.
• Perfectly Broken: A deep dive into the mental health challenges facing first responders and the local Hudson Valley program building community among first responders and helping them process the "things they can't unsee."
• The "Dark Roast" Fuel: A lighthearted look at the coffee-driven shifts of EMS and how responders "recharge" between calls.

About Todd VanBuskirk, Senior:

Todd is a lifelong Hudson Valley resident and a supervisor with the Town of Clinton EMS. He has spent four decades volunteering and working in emergency services, specializing in training the next generation of responders, building community, and advocating for mental health support within the ranks.

Resources Mentioned:

• Perfectly Broken: A support program for first responders (founded by Rhinebeck Fire Chief Brian Knapp).
• Local Volunteering: Interested in helping? Visit your local firehouse on a Monday night or check out your town's emergency services page.

Connect with Hudson Valley Storycatcher:

• Website: hudsonvalleystorycatcher.com
• Support the Show: Share this episode with a neighbor or leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!
• Nominate a Neighbor: Recommend someone to be featured on the show by emailing: [email protected]

Listen now to hear why Todd believes the heart of a volunteer is the strongest thing in the world.

"I think when you can relax a bit and reflect on things that you might want improvement on, you might want to grow in... it gives you some time instead of always being on the go." — Nancy Lee

In the first episode of this local voices podcast, host Jen Lee visits Petals and Moss Floral Design in Red Hook, NY, to sit down with owner Nancy Lee (no relation). Nancy is a Hudson Valley floral designer whose work ranges from intimate local bouquets to the massive, flower-covered floats of the Pasadena Rose Bowl Parade. She’s also worked as a designer with the Schaffer Design Team for the last five years at the Philadelphia Flower Show, alongside some incredible internationally accredited designers––an inspiring experience learning from them while collaborating on the show.

We explore Nancy’s journey from a 30-year career with children’s clothing to finding her next calling in the soil of her Hudson Valley garden and the artistry of floral design. This authentic conversation is an invitation to slow down, look at nature with renewed attention, and find wonder in the simplest elements—like a birch branch in the snow or a seed pod used as a drumstick.

Key Highlights from the Conversation:

• The Rose Bowl Experience: Nancy shares her experience working on the "Star Trek" float in Pasadena, where she helped manage 4,000 roses on just the deck alone.
• The Mid-Life Pivot: After 30 years as a single mother running a hand-painted clothing line, Nancy describes the "crisis" that led her to journal her passions and study at the New York Botanical Gardens.
• Serving the Community: From delivering flowers to the Hudson Valley community during the isolation of COVID-19 to helping a nervous first-time father pick out roses while he and his wife await the arrival of their first child, Nancy shares good neighbor stories and discusses the unique way florists intersect with life’s biggest moments.
• The Philosophy of "Wildness": Why Nancy embraces a natural, un-planned aesthetic in both her shop and her private garden to create a sense of freedom.
• Tending vs. Working: A look at the restorative power of "tending" a garden as a form of presence and mental challenge.
• Passing on the Wonder: How Nancy uses nature to connect with her grandchildren, sharing her joy in the natural world around them. 

About the Guest:

Nancy Lee is the Hudson Valley business owner of Petals and Moss Floral Design in Red Hook, New York. After a career as a clothing designer, she transitioned into professional floral design in 2015. She is a mother, grandmother, and passionate gardener who is inspired by nature every day.

Resources:

• Petals and Moss Floral Design: Located in Red Hook, NY.
• Learn from Nancy at one of her Workshops
• New York Botanical Garden (Bronx): Where Nancy took her initial floral design classes.
• Star Trek Rose Bowl Parade Float: The story behind the 2026 float Nancy worked on as a floral designer.

Connect with Hudson Valley Storycatcher:

• Website: HudsonValleyStorycatcher.com
• Nominate at neighbor to appear on the show by email: [email protected]

"Just be very observant of nature... go outside and look what's around you." — Nancy Lee 

Welcome to Hudson Valley Storycatcher with Jen Lee, a conversational storytelling podcast dedicated to uncovering the vibrant heart of our region. Every week, we plunge into the authentic local stories Hudson Valley residents carry with them, exploring the rich tapestry of community narratives that define our towns.

From adventures into local history to the deeply moving personal journeys of everyday people, this show is all about fostering community engagement and discovering neighbors you pass by every day.

What to expect: Candid moments, good work being done around us, and a celebration of the extraordinary lives living right next door.

The Mission Behind the Microphone

Behind every historic storefront, winding country road, and bustling farmers market in our region is a person with a story worth telling. Hudson Valley Storycatcher was born out of a simple realization: we are surrounded by living history and unspoken wisdom that rarely makes the evening news. This isn't just about recording conversations; it’s a dedicated effort toward intentional community storytelling that preserves our shared regional heritage.

Through thoughtful, unhurried interviews with locals, we pull back the curtain on the triumphs, struggles, and quiet moments that shape life along the river. Whether you are a lifelong resident who can trace your family lineage back generations, or a weekend commuter who recently decided to make this beautiful area your permanent home, these episodes offer a welcoming space to reflect, learn, and feel a little more rooted.

What You'll Discover in Each Episode

Our episodes function much like an audio personal journals podcast, capturing unscripted snapshots of real life in real time. We explore the fascinating intersections of past and present, highlighting everything from the preserved historical milestones of the region to the modern agricultural and artistic movements transforming our local economy.

You'll hear from the bakers, artists, activists, farmers, and educators who make our towns thrive. By focusing heavily on these intimate neighbor stories, we aim to cultivate a stronger, more resilient, and tightly-knit Hudson Valley community. Each episode is a gentle reminder that we have far more in common than what divides us, serving as a vital bridge for regional connection.

Why Tune In?

• Deep Roots: Uncover the unique historical milestones and Hudson Valley stories that shaped our towns.
• True Connection: Move beyond small talk with a human connection podcast approach that bridges generational and cultural divides.
• Local Voices: Enjoy authentic conversations that highlight the diverse, brilliant faces of our neighborhood.

Join the Movement: Pull up a chair, pour a mug of local cider, and join us on this journey of exploration. Subscribe today and start listening to the voices that make the Hudson Valley feel like home.

• Explore the stories: hudsonvalleystorycatcher.com
• Nominate a neighbor: [email protected]