Correct me if i'm Norm
New episodes stream live every Friday from 5pm to 6pm EST

Norm Magnusson is an artist and father of three who thinks he’s right more often than he actually is but figures: “that’s where the learning is . . . when you’re wrong.” He loves to talk with people and ask a million questions and tries his best to keep his yapper shut long enough for his guests to say something fun, funny, or informative. He’s deeply appreciative for all the people who come to the Nook @ The Epicurean to do just that and thanks to Radio Free Rhinecliff and the Epicurean for making it all possible.
“Correct Me if I’m Norm” is a good natured one-on-one (mostly) free-formish interview-format program, covering all topics from the personal to the universal. Adult themes, childish banter, strong language, and a lot of levity. 60 minutes.

Produced by Matty Rosenberg @ radiofreerhinecliff.org
Associate producer Jennifer Hammoud​

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Click HERE to contact Norm.

Episode 57 - ​Norm has Mark VanDeCarr on to take all your car questions.

Episode 56 - Norm talks with ​father, husband, entrepreneur, musician’ and local host of some upcoming Porchfest concerts, Rhinebeck’s own Johnny LeHane.

Episode 55 - Norm interview ​with writer, creative director, husband, photographer, dad, and founder of the first ever kids operated farmer’s market, Mr. Scott Michael Davis.

Episode 54 - ​Norm interviews Christopher Dorsey - The proprietor of the soon-to-open Kips Tavern in Rhinecliff.

Episode 53 - Norm interviews ​Dana Colleen Peterson. Wife, lawyer and co-host of Hot Nineties at Nine! (at eight!)

Episode 52 - Norm interviews Matty Rosenberg, the founder of Radio Free Rhinecliff to celebrate the first anniversary of Radio Free Rhinecliff and Norm's first anniversary at RFR.

Episode 51 - Bubbly woman-about-town, tireless booster of the local arts scene and head of ArtstudioViews.com, the inimitable Joanna Hess.

Episode 50 - Guest ​Dan Goldman, father,  fine art photographer, teacher, and man-about-town.

Episode 49 - Guest Jillian Hanlon is running for Dutchess County Sheriff. She would be the first openly trans sheriff in the U.S.

Episode 48 - ​Correct me if I’m Norm’s LIVE guest is his youngest to date- 19 year old wunderkind, smart aleck, and all-around fun punk, Harris Burkhart.

Episode 47 - Father, husband, journalist, author, storyteller,  and an ex-pat starting a fresh adventure in Mexico, Paul Smart.

Episode 46 - Proprietor of the famous Rhinebeck Bagel Shop, a purveyor of super cool drone photography, and much, much more: Jeremy Monaco

Episode 45 - A​n expert on the “Brooklynization of the Hudson Valley. A father of two teenagers aficionado, and Vassar professor, Leonard Nevarez.

Episode 44 - Mark Fuerst - A veteran of public broadcasting who has spent decades working to solve the business challenges of local journalism. Currently he’s spearheading an effort to create a local news organization for the Hudson Valley community.

Episode 43 - ​NYU sociology professor Lynne Haney: A sociologist, feminist scholar, and ethnographer of the state. Her research examines how state policies and practices shape gender relations and identities, often in unintended and unexpected ways.

Episode 42 - Special guest Chris Wells - Award winning writer, performer, and actor; he is a teacher and the founding creative director of The Secret City.

Episode 41 - ​Special guest Mark Van De Car. He races cars, fixes cars, and he is named after cars.

Episode 40 - ​Special guest and Rhinecliff super mom Avery Gilbert - Civil rights lawyer, community activist, uncertified hamlet wildlife rescue specialist and so much more.

Episode 39 - Multi-lingual mom, teacher, docent, and famous spelunker Laura Selicaro.

Episode 38 - Special guest and author of “Beyond Hellenistic Epistemology”; Professor, neighbor, new dad: Charles E Snyder.

Episode 37 - ​The inimitable, indomitable, amazing local do-gooder, political activist, therapist, mom, wife, and happy soul Sarah “Rosie” Rosenthal brings in a “Paper Plane” cocktail and we have a lively conversation about growing up one way and turning out another way and her life as a therapist and president of local org. CultureConnect.

Episode 36 - ​Mary-Kay Lombino, Deputy Director of the Lehman Loeb museum at Vassar, mom, and candidate for Rhinebeck School Board brings in a delicious version of the French 75, a Fresh 55, with Myer lemons, gin and champagne. We had a great talk about the Rhinebeck school board elections and about her life in the arts.

Episode 35 -  Longtime resident and diva of the Rhinebeck real estate scene, the ever out-spoken opinionator on all topics Ms. Julie Donbroski comes in and talks about everything under the sun while we sip her delightful cocktails: a “I hope it won’t kill you” made from Lillet, blood orange juice, rosemary and gin and a Moscow Mule.

Episode 34 - Writer, speaker, political strategist, media mastermind, and all around amazing guy Michael Slaby talks about political campaigns, politics in general and how important stories are to our lives.

Episode 33 - Claudia Anderson Cooley, long-time Rhinebeck booster, local intelligence source, accomplished April Fooler, and gingham aficionado brings in a yummy Harvey Wallbanger cocktail and talks about the futility of attempting to live a sin-less life, the joy of listening, Swedish traditions, and lots of other fun topics.

Episode 32 - Spike Vrusho,  writer, raconteur, taxi driver, “underground sports journalist,” and escaped Ohioan comes in and talks about taxi passengers, taxi confessions, the Kingston Stockade soccer team and his incredible life and career. We share some yummy proseco.

Episode 31 - Lydia Slaby. Rhinebeck resident, village trustee, and author of the really lovely memoir Wait, It Gets Worse… talks about moving to Rhinebeck, surviving cancer, her marriage surviving cancer, Rhinebeck’s new comprehensive plan and so much other stuff.

Episode 30 - Director Andy Ostroy has made a documentary about his late wife Adrienne Shelly. It’s called “Adrienne”; it's available on HBO plus and is, equal parts family story, true crime story and love story. He came in to talk about losing his wife and raising their child without a mom, making this moving documentary and carrying his grief with grace and service.

Episode 29 - Rhinebeck residents, author Lesa Cline Ransome and author/illustrator James Ransome brought a Gold Rush cocktail (bourbon, lemon juice and honey simple syrup) and talk about their 32 year old marriage and partnership creating some of the most beautiful children’s books you’d ever want to see. We chat about James’ new career as a studio artist and how that’s going (great!!), inspiration, research, collage and many other topics.

Episode 28 - ​The amazing Barry Berman joined me to play “name that tune” with my opening credits song. He makes up a 100% fictional answer on the spot, which is a good talent to have if, like him, you’re a screen writer (Benny and Joon, etc.) , a graduate of the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Clown College and the founder of the most amazing school that serves students from the townships of Cape Town, South Africa. We share a delicious martini by Matt while we speak

​Episode 27 - Jen Hammoud, hard working, community-serving friend to many, mother of two, founder of the Rhinebeck Science Foundation and director of community outreach for Radio Free Rhinecliff came in to talk about her past, her old life and about building a new life for herself. She shares her favorite drink of all time: Kettel One vodka with lime.

Episode 26 - Longtime Rhinebeck resident and 5th grade teacher extraordinaire Chantal Collins serves us an espresso martini (vodka, kahlua, and espresso) as we talk about her long career as a teacher, political correctness and awareness in the classroom, what retirement might look like for her, and what kind of a hairdresser she’d be if she were one!

Episode 25 - Rhinecliff resident Betsy Jacaruso talks about translating trauma into art, moving from oil paint into watercolor, and running a gallery, amongst other subjects. She shares a yummy cosmopolitan made with vodka, fresh lime and fresh pomegranate juice and graces us with some of her beautiful harmonica playing!

Episode 24 - Jake Euell, winery manager by day and firefighter by night, came on to discuss two of the most fascinating topics: wine and fighting fires. We had a wonderful chat about being the youngest Fire Chief in New York state and the hospitality business and growing up in Rhinecliff (not Rhinebeck) while enjoying a Millbrook Vineyard’s Cabernet Franc.

Episode 23 - Chris Gilbert talks about his work as a General Contractor and a Sinterklass Grumpus, his starring stage roles (he’s a triple threat!), and what happens to people who don’t get enough love as children! We chew that fat over his “Little Deep” cocktail of vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice and fresh squeeze lemon and lime.

Episode 22 - Dedicated family man, Fire Commissioner, and the guy who keeps Rhinebeck shining so brightly, Bobby Fitzpatrick comes to the mike to share some stories about growing up in Rhinebeck and working for the town for most of his life. He brought a bottle of Jack for us to enjoy along with his words.

Episode 21 - Mother, wife and Rhinebeck’s own gift to WCBS New Radio, Debbie Rodriguez brings her perfect diction, lovely voice, bubbly disposition and good champagne to the Nook@The Epicurean to share some stories about growing up in Rhinebeck and the path to becoming a national radio personality.

Episode 20 - Guests KT and Marco Benevento talk about leaving Brooklyn, New Jersey and Michigan, raising a musical family, writing and performing music, touring and making veggie burgers. We share a delicious bottle of bubbly wine and talk about their menagerie of peacocks, chickens, goats, etc. We listen to the title track off of Marco’s fab recent album “Let it Slide” and “Gaffiano #3”.

Episode 19 - This weeks guest is a father, husband, singer/songwriter, guitarist, filmmaker, mid-westerner, world traveler, local resident, and all-around great guy - Marshall Crenshaw. We talk about his life and career and creative habits, hear one of his new songs, “Sante Fe”, which is included as a bonus track on a special reissue of his 1999 album "#447", which is set to hit stores on February 4, 2022. ​

Episode 18 - Celebrating New Year’s Eve with Amy and Richard Hutchings, a seriously dynamic duo, married 54 years and just about the sassiest people I know. We speak about their many lives, their work on the early days of Sesame Street, their amazing 3 sons and her work casting just about every movie that shoots in the Hudson Valley. We share a delicious bottle of prosecco.

Episode 17 - This week’s guest is Allison Crosby Chawla, host of “Talk to Allison” on RadioFreeRhinecliff.org. She’s also a reiki healer, all-around multi-modality MVP, mother and wife. We talk about her history as a healer and the many techniques she uses to help her patients. She enlisted station manager/owner/engineer/bartender Matt Rosenberg to provide the adult libation, a delicious martini made with Cotswolds dry gin, dry vermouth, orange bitters, and Austrian pine liqueur. 

Episode 16 - A last minute cancellation brings Jonathan Burkhart back to the Nook@TheEpicurean to talk about his youthful adventures and a remarkable road trip with roommate Jonathan Larson. Larson was the writer and composer of the hit musical “Rent” and the writer/subject of “tick, tick . . . BOOM!”, a new movie by Lin-Manuel Miranda that’s out now on Netflix. We share a delicious Sazerac cocktail.

Episode 15 - This week’s guest is filmmaker, journalist, author, radio personality, husband, father, and guy who moved from Madrid to Rhinebeck for love: ​Guillermo Fesser. He makes us a delicious mojito and we discuss his current project, “The Invisible Monster” a powerful film about hunger that he made with his brother Javier Fesser.

Episode 14 – This week’s guest is John Halpern who’s had an amazing life as a commercial photographer. We talk about shooting CEO’s and Van Halen and the Eagles and getting a shout out on Jay Leno, and those moments when his early creative passion led him to a life of breaking and entering. He shares a delightful cocktail of Campari and sweet vermouth and prosecco and a story about his G.I. dad’s history with this very drink.

Episode  13 – This week’s guests are the multi-talented Dixon sisters: Sharon Dixon Coughlan and Dana Dixon Cho Page. The ebullient duo mix up a batch of “Stunt Doubles” (with bourbon, hickory smoked white peach puree, sour mix, lime, and absinthe) and talk about family and holidays and living their lives as creative professionals.

Episode 12 – This week’s guest is Dawn Hopper, a globe-trotting ambassador of tourism to New York’s Dutchess County. We talk about her life as an actress and a funny moment with Dick Van Dyke and share a delicious apple cider from the Epicurean corner store.

Episode 11 – This week’s guest is Jonathan Burkhart, one of my favorite people in the world to talk with; he’s a happy soul with amazing stories and mediocre bartending skills. We talk about his youth on Nantucket and his life as a movie producer as he muddles through the creation of a tequila drink supposedly called a “Manhattan goes to Hollywood.”

Episode 10 - This week’s guest is restauranteur extraordinaire, dad, sportsman, and all-around good sport, Joe Dalu, who brought a bottle of yummy Mescal for us to enjoy while we chit chatted about his upbringing and life and learning to love to cook.

Episode 9 - This week's guests are my old friends Casey Grady, Steve Miller, & Claire Marziotti. We talk about our youthful times in the advertising business, Halloween costumes, and share a whisky sour!

Episode 8 - This week's guests are Jenni Ruiz and Leon Michels. The multi tasking, multi instrumentalist, multi national, multi children rock stars share a “Shirley Temple Margarita” and talk about getting a phd in Anthropology, making music, and all kinds of collaboration.​

Episode 7 - This week's guest is the dedicated, insightful, often charming, never ornery Rhinebeck Town Supervisor Elizabeth Spinzia who talks kittens and other cuddly stuff like local politics while serving up a cocktail of her own invention, the Rhinebecois, containing rye whiskey, maple syrup, apple cider, lemon juice, and egg white.

Episode 6 - This week's guest is inveterate do-gooder. eternally generous soul, and delightfully bubbly wit, Gina Walker Fox, who shakes us up a coupla Moscow Mules (Vodka, lime, ginger beer, and seltzer) and spins yarns about her life, hitchhiking away from Keokuk, Iowa, up the river to Chiropractic school and Minneapolis and, eventually New York City and Rhinebeck.​

Episode 5 - This week's guest is the creative dynamo, local shopkeeper, and national TV personality, Jean David Michel, who mixes us up a Rum Punch and talks about comics, running a comic book store, being a dad, and raising kids in Rhinebeck, as well as blaming himself for his baldness.

Episode 4 - The preternaturally positive promoter of Dewey's Decimals, the wonderful Sandy Bartlett. She’s prepared her version of a “Japanese Fizz”, which is  bourbon, tawny port, lemon juice and some sugar, shaken and topped with club soda.

Episode 3 - One of the loveliest linchpins of Rhinecliff, Leslie Hill, talks about her art, her work, and her life here in the hamlet. She serves up a “Green River” cocktail, which is vodka, chartreuse, lime juice, grapefruit, simple syrup, and basil.

 Episode 2 - ​Steam god, musician and all-around inspiring human being Steve Mosto talks about the music biz, sobriety and lots of other stuff. ​He brought a crappy can of lychee soda from the Valero station to share with everyone.

Episode 1 - Norm talks with Artist and raconteur Grace Gunning talks about her 30 years in Rhinecliff and her artistic practice. ​She’s brought tequila and tonic with lime to share.