Grab a bushel and barrel on over to Endicott to learn all about the Triple City institution that is The Cider Mill. We'll learn all about the origins of this 100 year old mill, its fiery demise, and its glorious rise from ashes.
Get your hands on the NEW Understanding Upstate March: https://understandingupstate.printful.me
Check out Rob's brand new EP: Cyber Punish
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Learn all about the behind-the-scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
Happy holidays to all the Spiedie Freaks and Rattle Snake Petes out there! We're rewinding the tape back to our 2023 Holiday Episode where we experienced the delights of smashing open a peppermint pig. As an extra treat, you can WATCH this full episode and delight in us smashing a weird little candy pig on YouTube.
If you've ever left a holiday celebration wanting to smash something, well then we have got the perfect Upstate tradition for you: peppermint pigs. Jim and Rob grab their tiny hammers and smash open this sweet swine from Saratoga to figure out why no one has ever seen hide nor hair of this holiday hog.
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Get your hands on the NEW Understanding Upstate March: https://understandingupstate.printful.me
Check out Rob's brand new EP: Cyber Punish
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Learn all about the behind-the-scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
This week we're taking a look at a whole host of Upstate Holiday traditions. And chief among them were kicking things off with the Genesse Keg Tree in Rochester, NY. But don't worry, thats not the only giant metal object you can gather around this winter, we've got plenty to dig into, so let's get to it!
Get your hands on the NEW Understanding Upstate March: https://understandingupstate.printful.me
Check out Rob's brand new EP: Cyber Punish
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Learn all about the behind-the-scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
Whisk yourself away to to a cozy tavern and pour yourself a beverage so dense, thick, and chock full of alcohol, that it could only call Buffalo, NY home. That's right, we're taking a look at the origins and history of Buffalo's beloved holiday beverage, the Tom and Jerry!
Get your hands on the NEW Understanding Upstate March: https://understandingupstate.printful.me
Check out Rob's brand new EP: Cyber Punish
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Learn all about the behind-the-scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
It's a holly jolly episode this week as we hitch up our one horse open sleigh and head for North Pole, NY to learn about one of the first theme parks in the U.S., and discover the history behind the Walt Disney of the Adirondack's: Arto Monaco!
Get your hands on the NEW Understanding Upstate March: https://understandingupstate.printful.me
Check out Rob's brand new EP: Cyber Punish
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Learn all about the behind-the-scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
Portage on over because today we are getting into another listener requested topic, the thrilling canoe race that takes off from Cooperstown and glides its way down the Susquehanna River to Bainbridge. We'll tackle the complicated history of the race's namesake, learn about the origins of the event in 1963, and talk about what it has become today. All the while eating fists full of chocolate chips and praying our arms don't give out. So come on in, the water is fine!
Get your hands on the NEW Understanding Upstate March: https://understandingupstate.printful.me
Check out Rob's brand new EP: Cyber Punish
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Watch the brand new comedy special: The Bad Rufat (sound by Rob)
Learn all about the behind-the-scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
This week we return for another listener requested topic and dive into the history of North America's oldest organized team sport: Lacrosse! We'll learn about the sport's origins with the Haudenosaunee people, and how they sport has evolved over the years, all the while Jim relives his glory days as a middle school lacrosse player.
Get your hands on the NEW Understanding Upstate March: https://understandingupstate.printful.me
Check out Rob's brand new EP: Cyber Punish
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Learn all about the behind-the-scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
This week we head to the county seat, to TAKE a seat at the Broome County Forum Theatre in none other than, Binghamton, NY. We'll learn all about the faces behind this venerable institution and talk all about the local, national, and international stars who have trodded across its boards!
Check out Rob's brand new EP: Cyber Punish
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Learn all about the behind-the-scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
Get in loser, we're heading to Upstate NY's Capital District to learn a little bit more about the oldest city in the entire state: Albany, NY. You might not be able to still get a 25 cent slice of pizza there, but there's still plenty to learn about, so join us as we crack open The Egg that is Albany!
Check out Rob's brand new EP: Cyber Punish
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Learn all about the behind-the-scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
To bring another month of all things Upstate and spooky, we're taking a look the influence Upstate NY has had on horror films over the decades. It's often used as a location in movies (horror and otherwise), but we wanted to dig into how Upstate NY has been used as a source. What major film studio got its start Upstate with a slasher flick? Who is the Horror Laureate of Upstate NY? (It ain't Arch Merrill!) What famous director was inspired by his time Upstate to change careers and pivoted into creating horror movies? Start listening to find out!
Check out Rob's brand new EP: Cyber Punish
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Learn all about the behind-the-scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
Our spooky marathon of episodes continues as we take a look at some of the Urban (and rural) legends of Upstate NY, and in one particular case, we examine a legend's origins and the ramifications it has on a small town. We'll also learn that much like their corporal counterparts, not even Binghamton ghosts are to be trifled with!
Check out Rob's brand new EP: Cyber Punish
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Learn all about the behind-the-scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
This week we are serving up five different true tales from Upstate New York that will have you quaking in your boots, shaking in your shoes, shivering in your slippers, cowering in your clogs, shrieking in your sneakers... I think you get the idea. From unsanctioned (and VERY unethical) medical experiments, to cursed manors, and more, there's more than enough real horror in this week's episode to leave you shuddering in your sandals (couldn't resist one more).
Check out Rob's brand new EP: Cyber Punish
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Learn all about the behind-the-scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
On this week's episode Jim and Rob take a look at the skeletons in the closet (and basement) of the clairvoyant, toe tapping, and knee cracking, Fox Sisters, and learn about the Upstate origins of modern day Spiritualism. We dive into the Fox Sister's history of being some of the first clairvoyants to give public performances, and look into the MANY failed performances by their piers from Buffalo, the Davenport Brothers.
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Also check out Rob's album: NY Sticky
Learn all about the behind-the-scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
Pull up a chair and pop a squat as Jim regales us with his experience covering SerlingFest 2025 in Binghamton, NY. Sit back, relax, and smoke if you got 'em, cause Rod certainly would of. Enjoy!
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Also check out Rob's album: NY Sticky
Learn all about the behind-the-scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
The big 100th episode is here! Come take a guided tour with the fellas as they take a stroll through the Upstate institution Wegmans in Brooklyn. There's so much excitement awaiting...enjoy it!
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Also check out Rob's album: NY Sticky
Learn all about the behind-the-scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
That's right folks...we are taking a step back in time to one of our classic episodes. We are revisiting the Upstate grocery store institution, Wegmans. Grab your coupons and come enjoy it!
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Also check out Rob's album: NY Sticky
Learn all about the behind-the-scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
This week, we had the honor and privilege to sit down (virtually) and talk with Nick Parisi, the president of the Rod Serling Foundation. Learn all about Rod's legacy, the Twilight Zone, the statue in Rec Park and of course, why you should DEFINITELY be in attendance for SerlingFest 2025!
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Also check out Rob's album: NY Sticky
Learn all about the behind-the-scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
Buy tickets for SerlingFest 2025: https://rodserling.com/serlingfest-2025-tickets-on-sale-now/
Check out the Rod Serling Memorial Foundaiton: https://www.rodserling.com/
Get your barrels ready to head over the Niagara Falls with this one Spiedie Freaks and Rattlesnake Pete's! We've got a scientific and cultural breakdown of one of Upstate New York's most majestic landmarks!
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Also check out Rob's album: NY Sticky
Learn all about the behind-the-scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
This week we take a look at a pivotal time leading up to the Civil Rights Movement in America, the Niagara Movement. Get out your notebooks, folks, we've got a lot of gems here for you!
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Also check out Rob's album: NY Sticky
Learn all about the behind-the-scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
This week we take a dip in the refreshing waters of Saratoga Springs and tap into what makes this city great. From bottled water to a bounty of horse racing and botched runaway attempts we'll satiate your thirst for all things Saratoga Springs!
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Also check out Rob's album: NY Sticky
Learn all about the behind the scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate