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Glisten Up...

Do you ever walk into a workout class and immediately think, Do I even belong here? 😬

That’s exactly what Meghan McFerran, founder of Glisten Studio in Saratoga Springs, wanted to change.

On this episode of Off-Track Saratoga, Noel and Zac head to Glisten for a conversation about making fitness feel less intimidating, more inclusive—and a whole lot more fun. Meghan shares how she went from professional dancer to personal trainer, entrepreneur and founder of Glisten, blending dance, music and fitness into workouts designed to leave you feeling stronger, happier and maybe even looking forward to your next class.

And yes… Noel and Zac actually do the workout. Things get sweaty, Britney Spears-inspired arms make an appearance, and the three attempt to conduct a conversation while simultaneously squatting, pulsing and trying not to lose their breath.

Meghan also talks about building a business while raising a family, giving yourself grace when you can't do it all, her experience working on In the Heights with Lin-Manuel Miranda, her time as a fitness trainer on the TODAY Show, and what could be next for Glisten.

Plus, Noel, Zac and Meghan get into some very important hot takes: Crocs, airplane outfits, workout trends, and the ultimate post-workout treat.

Whether you're a dedicated fitness person, someone who would rather do literally anything else than work out, or you're just looking for a welcoming local community in Saratoga, this episode might convince you to get your Glisten on.

Off-Track Saratoga is your guide to the people, places, businesses and conversations making Saratoga Springs and the Capital Region worth talking about.

Sometimes we're on track. Sometimes we're a little off. But it's always worth the listen.

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What do you get when you mix a beautiful Saratoga farm, wine, whiskey, flowers, horses, fall vibes… and two podcast hosts attempting to stomp grapes? A riveting episode of Off Track Saratoga Podcast!

This week, Noel and Zac head to Old Tavern Farm in Stillwater for a behind-the-scenes look at one of the Capital Region’s most unique destinations. We talk with Nicole Borisenok about her family farm's evolution from a thoroughbred breeding operation into an agricultural village featuring a flower farm, Tea House Flower Café, distillery, vineyards and more — plus what’s coming this fall and beyond. 

We also get into our Fall Overrated or Underrated debate: pumpkin spice, Uggs, Halloween decorations, apple cider donuts, apple picking, pumpkin picking and the return of the classic pillowcase trick-or-treat bag. And because this is Off Track, Zac considers a seasonal wig.

Then, Zac and Noel become your local Lucy and Ethel, while stomping grapes with questionable technique but plenty of laughs.

If you're looking for things to do in Saratoga this fall, love discovering local farms, food, drinks and hidden gems, or just want to hear what Noel and Zac are getting themselves into next, this episode is for you.

Off Track Saratoga is your local podcast for Saratoga Springs, Saratoga County and the Capital Region — covering the people, places, businesses, events and conversations that make the area worth talking about.

Come for the local scoop. Stay for the grape-stomping.

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Saratoga County Animal Shelter is at capacity, and they need some help from the 518!

Noel and Zac sit down with Carly from the Saratoga County Animal Shelter to talk about what’s behind the backlog, and—most importantly—how the community can help.

We’re talking fostering, volunteering, adopting, and the surprisingly adorable program where kids can read to shelter cats. We also learn about the Senior to Senior adoption program, how the shelter helps families keep their pets during tough financial times, and why fostering may be much easier and more flexible than you think.

And then things get a little… Off Track (per usual). 

Because the shelter doesn’t just see cats and dogs. They’ve also welcomed rabbits, guinea pigs, turtles, bearded dragons—and yes, tarantulas. 🕷️

Plus, Noel and Zac get a tour of the shelter and meet some of the animals currently looking for their forever homes.

It’s an important conversation about a real need in our area, but as always, we have a few laughs along the way.

Come for the animal shelter. Stay for the tarantulas.

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Noel and Zac take Off Track on Track...but do they ever really stay on task? 

This week the duo welcomes Jene Sena of WNYT's Capital Region Lifestyle after appearing on her show. They talk the Spa Summer's grand finale, Track Fashion, and once again, Zac's issue with Crocs. Did he find a better alternative?

Plus, a special track edition of Off Track's favorite Summer Game, Local or Tourist! 

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What happens when you go back through the archives and pull together some of the best, funniest, most unexpected moments from Off Track Saratoga?

You get this episode. 

This week, Noel McLaren and Zac Denham are doing things a little differently and taking a trip through some of their favorite moments from the first two seasons of the podcast — from Saratoga stories and local history to parenting, summer fatigue, pop culture, strong opinions and conversations that went completely off the rails.

Hear the story behind Saratoga's legendary buglers Tony and Carson Gambaro, discover the surprising history behind a Saratoga home that refused to disappear, get a behind-the-scenes look at SPAC, revisit the origins of The Pearl, and relive some of the conversations that made Noel and Zac laugh the hardest.

There's also a spray-tan question that went very wrong, a passionate Crocs debate, a few questionable musical choices, and a surprisingly meaningful conversation about confidence.

It's funny. It's nostalgic. It's very Saratoga. And, as always, it goes a little Off Track.

If you're new to the podcast, this is a great place to start. If you've been listening since Season 1, consider it a highlight reel of some of the moments that made us love doing this show.

New episodes every week.

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Summer is winding down in Saratoga, and Noel and Zac are feeling all the feelings.

From celebrating Standard Fare’s first birthday and trying to embrace a little summer whimsy to the return of puzzles, bedazzling, family computers and other ways to escape the doom scroll, this episode is all about slowing down and enjoying what’s right in front of us.

Then things take an Off Track turn with a D23-inspired game of “Remake It, Reboot It, or Leave It Alone?” as Noel and Zac debate which movies and shows deserve a second life—and which ones should be left alone.

Plus: SPAC, back-to-school, emotional support water bottles, the great Crocs debate, and a revealing round of Inside the Actors Studio-style questions that gets surprisingly personal.

It’s summer in Saratoga, it’s a little chaotic, and it’s very much Off Track.

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What happens to journalism when AI can create convincing images, videos and even “evidence”? And in a world where social media algorithms increasingly decide what we see, how do we know what’s actually real?

This week on Off Track Saratoga, Noel and Zac sit down with journalist and Saratoga Dispatch founder and editor Abby Tegnelia for a fascinating conversation about the changing world of news—and what it means for local journalism in Saratoga.

Abby shares why she launched Saratoga Dispatch, how journalism has changed since her days in traditional newsrooms, and why she believes newsletters may be one of the ways local news can survive in an increasingly fragmented media landscape. 

Subscribe to Saratoga Dispatch: saratogadispatch.com

The show is hosted from Stirrup Saratoga, a brand-new curated vintage destination, where owner Matt Acevedo explains why a Ralph Lauren-focused shop makes almost too much sense in a horse town like Saratoga. We talk vintage, sustainability, and why the in-person shopping experience still matters.

Plus, we debate “grandma hobbies,” talk dream celebrity guests for Saratoga, and get some very strong opinions on AI.

It’s a conversation about the future of news, the return of real-world connection, and two very different ways of keeping Saratoga connected—all from inside one very cool new shop.

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This week on Off Track Saratoga, Noel and Zac sit down with Kristen, owner of Afterglow Sunless Tan, for one of the funniest and most surprisingly heartfelt conversations of the season.

Kristen shares what it's like to have one of the most unique jobs in Saratoga—including why she jokes she's seen half the town naked. But beyond the laughs, she opens up about the trust her clients place in her, the confidence a great spray tan can bring, and the journey of building a thriving local business from the ground up.

Along the way, you'll hear:
• The funniest (and most awkward) moments from inside the spray tan room
• Why clients often treat their spray tan appointment like a therapy session
• The challenges of opening a business in Saratoga—and the community that helped it grow
• Expert tips for getting the perfect spray tan that actually lasts
• Rapid-fire "Hot Takes" featuring wild client stories, bridal drama, and unexpected questions

Whether you're a longtime Afterglow client, curious about spray tanning, or simply love hearing the stories behind Saratoga's local businesses, this episode is packed with laughs, heart, and plenty of behind-the-scenes moments.

If you're enjoying Off Track Saratoga, be sure to follow the show, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with someone who loves discovering the people and places that make Saratoga Springs so special.

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What does it take to bring one of the country's most iconic performing arts venues to life?

In this episode of Off Track Saratoga, Noel and Zac get an exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) as it celebrates its 60th anniversary.

Joined by SPAC President Chris Shiley, we go backstage to explore the remarkable history, traditions, and future of one of Saratoga Springs' most beloved landmarks.

You'll get an inside look at:

🎭 The massive three-day New York City Ballet load-in

🎼 How SPAC transforms from ballet to rock concerts and back again

🎻 The original 1966 dressing rooms, orchestra pit, and backstage spaces

🌲 Why performing in the heart of Saratoga Spa State Park makes SPAC unlike any other venue

🎆 Family-friendly summer traditions, from the Philadelphia Orchestra's Tchaikovsky Spectacular to live orchestra movie nights

🎤 What it takes to preserve SPAC's rich history while preparing for the next 60 years

Whether you've spent countless summer nights on the lawn or have always wondered what happens behind the curtain, this episode offers a rare look at the people, planning, and passion that make SPAC one of Saratoga's most treasured institutions.

Plus, Noel steps onto the legendary stage and takes listeners into areas that few members of the public ever get to see.

New episodes of Off Track Saratoga drop every Tuesday.

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Is the "90s Summer" making a comeback?

In this episode of Off Track Saratoga, Noel and Zac talk about slowing life down, letting kids be kids, and why an unstructured summer might be exactly what families/ all people need.

Noel shares stories from the Jersey Shore, a commercial-grade waterslide that almost took over her front porch, and the joys (and occasional hornet stings) of raising two adventurous boys. Zac reflects on finding balance, rediscovering free time, and why adults might need a little "90s Summer" too.

Then it's time for the debut of a brand-new Off Track Saratoga game:

🎙️ Local or Tourist?

We hit the streets of downtown Saratoga Springs during racing season to see if we can tell who's local and who's just visiting. Some guesses are spot-on... others are hilariously wrong.

In this episode:

☀️ Why the "90s Summer" trend is taking off

🌊 The great waterslide debate

🐝 Surviving a hornet sting

🛶 Summer in Saratoga, Lake George, and the Jersey Shore

🎠 Saratoga Race Course tips—including why breakfast at the track is underrated

🎤 The very first edition of Local or Tourist

If you've ever spent a summer in Saratoga—or just miss the carefree summers of childhood—this one's for you.

New episodes every Tuesday.

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