Episodes

🎙️ Neighbors on the Front Lines: Margaretville FD and the Spirit of Catskills Volunteerism Episode Description: In this episode of Kaatscast , we head to Margaretville, New York, where volunteer firefighters train for blitz a...

In 1985, Bob Steuding published The Last of the Handmade Dams: The Story of the Ashokan Reservoir , a historically rich account of the building of the Ashokan Reservoir—and the lives displaced in its wake. Forty years later, ...

Ken Posner is an ultrarunner, barefoot hiker, and challenge-seeker whose latest book, Chasing the Grid , chronicles his quest to summit 35 Catskill high peaks in every month—a challenge known as “The Grid.” That’s 420 climbs,...

In this episode, Brett hits the trail with longtime Catskill 3500 Club member (and current president) Michael Bongar for a hike to Southwest Hunter Mountain—one of the club’s required peaks and a rite of passage for aspiring ...

🎙 Platte Clove Preserve: A Small Parcel with Big Impact Presented by Kaatscast: The Catskills Podcast Host Brett Barry visits the Platte Clove Preserve with Jeff Senterman and Kali Bird of the Catskill Center to explore the s...

Adjacent to the Willowemoc Wild Forest, in the Sullivan Catskills, a 3100-acre parcel once eyed for development is now safeguarded for future generations. In this episode, we chronicle the Open Space Institute’s landmark deal...

How does the botanical elegance of a 19th-century artist find new life in contemporary design? In this episode of Kaatscast: The Catskills Podcast , host Brett Barry follows the enduring influence of Emily Cole—daughter of Hu...

Is leaving the woods alone really the best way to preserve them? According to forester Ryan Trapani of the Catskill Forest Association , “doing nothing” comes with hidden costs—and a whole lot of shade-loving trees. In this i...

Sure, you can drive from NYC to the Catskills in just under 3 hours. But as "Doobby," the taxi driver in Planes, Trains and Automobiles says, "You don't see nothing on the interstate but interstate." In this episode, host Bre...

Exploring Howes Cave: History, Tragedy, and Tourism Historian and author Dana Cudmore, a former tour guide and current chronicler of Howes Cave, Howe Caverns , and Schoharie County's "Cave Country," gives us a lay of the land...

This episode of Kaatscast features an interview with Don Dales, a key figure in transforming Hobart, New York, into Hobart Book Village . The journey began with a single bookstore in a declining village and expanded into a bo...

In this episode, Captain Drewski of the Delhi Polecats , formerly known as the Delhi Vintage Baseball Club, joins us to discuss the revival of vintage baseball in Delaware County, New York. Drewski shares the historical signi...

This episode explores an overnight camping trip led by Melissa Goodwin, a licensed guide and founder of ' Girl Gotta Hike ,' aimed at encouraging women to connect with the outdoors. Olivia Sippel, our production intern, share...

Kaatscast spoke with Cornell University researchers about their latest investigations into New York State bobcat population abundance and the discovery of avian influenza (bird flu) in these wild felines . Featuring Jenny Blo...

Exploring the Magical World of Mushrooms with Catskill Fungi's John Michelotti In this episode of Kaatscast , host Brett Barry interviews John Michelotti, mushroom maven and founder of Catskill Fungi . John draws listeners in...

Newly appointed Ulster County historian Eddie Moran discusses the role of a municipal historian and emphasizes the importance of presenting a complete and accurate history that includes all groups, with one such focus on the ...

The Overlook , a new nonprofit newspaper, describes itself as "community journalism serving Hunter, Hurley, Olive, Saugerties, Shandaken and Woodstock." At a time when newspapers in America are disappearing at a rate of about...

In a new effort to enhance communications in the Catskills, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is partnering with New York's ConnectALL initiative to expand wireless and broadband access throughout...

Exploring the Legacy of Clayton 'Peg Leg' Bates: The One-Legged Dancing Legend In this live episode of Kaatscast, recorded at the Emerson Resort & Spa on November 8, 2024, host Brett Barry engages in a detailed discussion wit...

Justin Kolb is an accomplished pianist who began playing at the age of four. Now 82, Justin continues to practice almost daily and performs intimate house concerts called "From the Bench," showcasing music "by living American...

Grilled Cheese with a Twist: Lunch and Jam with New York First Lady Silda Wall Spitzer Join us for a delightful culinary and conversational journey with Silda Wall Spitzer in her Hudson Valley home. In this episode, we explor...

The episode explores a long-standing tradition of square dancing at the Chase (now Sparer) family home and barn, in Ashokan. Host Brett Barry and production intern Olivia Sippel put on their dancing shoes and joined the fun, ...

Unveiling the Mysteries of the North American Porcupine In this episode of 'Kaatscast,' host Brett Barry delves into the fascinating world of the North American porcupine with Uldis Roze, the world's foremost expert on this m...

This episode of "Katz"cast delves into the fascinating life and career of Morris Katz, a Polish-born Holocaust survivor and acclaimed painter known for his lightning-fast painting technique using a palette knife and toilet pa...