Intrinsic intern Charlie Peterson conceived and produced this episode focused on musicians and how they survived the pandemic. It was not all bad—many received unemployment and used the time to write new music or explored new ways to reach out to their fans. But nothing replaces the experience of playing in front of the live audience. Take a listen and find out how they are gearing up for the summer of post-pandemic.

In this special and personal episode, executive film producer William Horberg shares his stories behind the films he produced, and how his wide range of interests in art and music have shaped his career. He and host Keiko Sono share the many intersections of their lives, from his neurodivergent son to a rock concert 4 decades ago, shining the light on how strangely interconnected we are.

This episode was edited from the recording of a panel discussion hosted by the Intrinsic host Keiko Sono, on the two Universal Basic Income (UBI) pilots being conducted in the Hudson Valley, New York, and how a true UBI would impact the society.

Chris Silva (Executive Director, Bardavon Presents), John Barry (former Poughkeepsie Journal music reporter), and Brian Mahoney (Editorial Director, Chronogram) share their thoughts on how the performing arts and cultural scenes are, as we slowly emerge out of the pandemic.

Guests: Christine Hein and Michael Berg

Christine is the Executive Director at People’s Place in Kingston, a not-for-profit organization feeding, clothing and responding to the needs of the people in Ulster County with kindness, compassion and the preservation of human dignity since 1972. She is one of the busiest people I know, as the needs for their services never let up. But she handles everything with grace and warmth that make you feel hopeful.

Michael is the executive director of Family of Woodstock, serving the various needs that include intervention, prevention, food insecurity, and more, in the Hudson Valley. He is truly the face of the organization and of the true spirit of Woodstock. His compassion for humanity and justice is exemplary of the peace movement that began in the 60s and still lives on in the backstreets of Woodstock.

In this episode, we dive deep into the issues of affordable housing, homelessness, and how UBI could impact them. Scott Santens is one of the leading advocates for UBI on social media. March Gallagher is the Comptroller of Ulster County, where a UBI pilot was just announced a week after this episode was recorded. Kevin O'Connor is a CEO of RUPCO, a nonprofit that builds quality affordable housing in the Hudson Valley region of New York State.

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Is it possible for a local business to scale up and stay sustainable, both socially and environmentally? For Hudson Valley's Bread Alone, it is. In this episode, Nels Leader and Jen Metzger dive deep into how local businesses could lead the way to a sustainable and equitable future and how the State government could and should help them.

Nels Leader is CEO of Bread Alone Bakery and a trained Climate Leader for Al Gore's Climate Reality Project. At Bread Alone, Nels’ work has focused on expanding and professionalizing a 2nd generation family business, and creating lasting competitive advantage through commitment to people and the planet.

Jen Metzger served in the New York State Senate from 2019 to 20, representing the 42nd District, a largely rural district in the Hudson Valley and the Catskills. Among many of her progressive achievements, she was an active member of the Senate's workgroup on the nation-leading Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), which was signed into law in July 2019.

She introduced the Comprehensive Broadband Connectivity Act, which recognizes access to high-speed internet as a right of all New Yorkers. She also served as Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, focusing on programs and legislation to support family farms, expand New York markets for locally-produced farm products, reduce barriers to new and young farmers, and strengthen agriculture's role as part of the solution to fighting climate change.

Our first guests of 2021 are Lagusta Yearwood and Ken Greene. They are both small businesses owners  based in the Hudson Valley, New York.

Lagusta started as a catering service but now owns a small vegan chocolate company called Lagusta’s Luscious, a cafe in New Paltz, and co-owns a retail shop in New York City. She also recently authored a cookbook titled Sweet and Salty. And she does all these with high ethical standards and a fashion style I can only dream of. From her company’s website, her life’s work is to prove that a business doesn’t have to lose its heart to thrive.

Her good friend Ken Greene started Hudson Valley Seed Library where people could obtain and exchange open-pollinated seeds. In time he and his partner Doug grew the library to the Hudson Valley Seed Company and the not-for-profit Seedshed. All of their seeds are heirloom or open-pollinated, and gardeners are encouraged to save their own seeds. They host an open call every year where artists submit designs for their seed packs, creating a vibrant intersection between art and gardening.

Host: Keiko Sono

Producer: Olivia Meynadasy

Theme Music: Jon Notar