Placemaking, Preservation, Community Narratives and Local History with Hudson Valley’s Catherine Mikic

Supporting Neurodiverse Individuals and Families in the Hudson Valley Community with SarahRose Hogan

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  [https://www.givingtreecounseling.info/](Located in Kingston, NY) * Dr. Ross Greene [https://drrossgreene.com/] (Collaborative & Proactive Solutions) * Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Framework [https://www.cast.org/what-we-do/universal-design-for-learning/] Thank you for tuning in! If you know someone doing good, important work in the HV, please reach out to us at HudsonValleyStorycatcher@gmail.com 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.

Placemaking, Preservation, Community Narratives and Local History with Hudson Valley’s Catherine Mikic

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 [https://www.arcadianalliance.org/] to protect the area's protected watershed, historic properties, and heritage tourism economy. About the Guest Catherine Mikic [https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-mikic-04041a28/?skipRedirect=true] 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 [https://www.copakeconnect.com/].

Building Community in the Hudson Valley and the Importance of Community Storytelling with Frank Pepe

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 [https://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/charlesjohnson/], 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 [https://stanfordcaring.org/]–sign up for the event newsletter by emailing Info@StanfordCaring.org * Dutchess County Interfaith Council  [https://www.dutchesscountyinterfaith.org/] * Stanford Free Library [https://stanfordlibrary.org/] (Event partner)  * The Grange [https://www.nationalgrange.org/] (Community partner)  * Arlington High School  [https://www.arlingtonschools.org/o/ahs] Find more episodes, show notes and transcripts at hudsonvalleystorycatcher.com [https://hudsonvalleystorycatcher.com]. Support the show by leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hudson-valley-storycatcher/id1868096348?uo=4], or wherever you listen. To recommend a future guest on the show, email: hudsonvalleystorycatcher@gmail.com.

The Judicial System and the Courts Closest to the People with Hudson Valley Judge Jonah Triebwasser

"I had a case... where a person was picked up for drunk driving... [he] asked for a hardship privilege... and the very next week, he gets picked up again for drunk driving on the hardship privilege."  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 [https://www.redhookrotaryclub.org/] and their local initiatives like Apple Blossom Day. * Support the Show: Subscribe to Hudson Valley Storycatcher [https://hudsonvalleystorycatcher.com/] and leave us a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hudson-valley-storycatcher/id1868096348?uo=4]. * Nominate a Neighbor: Do you know someone who would be a great guest on the show? Email us at: hudsonvalleystorycatcher@gmail.com

Community Engagement and Community as a Calling with Kingston's Erica Brown

"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 [https://radiokingston.org/]. Erica also serves as a board member for TMI Project [https://tmiproject.org/] (community storytelling) and Good Work Institute [https://goodworkinstitute.org/]. 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 [https://radiokingston.org/]: Erica’s professional home in Kingston, NY. * Thompson Memorial Church [https://www.nps.gov/places/thompsonamez.htm]: The historic church in Auburn, NY, where Erica’s ancestors attended with Harriet Tubman. * Kingston Resilience & Mutual Aid [https://www.kingstonmutualaid.org/]: Grassroots groups Erica worked with to provide food and resources during the pandemic. Connect with Hudson Valley Storycatcher: * Host: Jen Lee * Website: HudsonValleyStorycatcher.com [https://hudsonvalleystorycatcher.com/] * Recommendations: Have a neighbor with a story? Email us at HudsonValleyStorycatcher@gmail.com