Local Podcasts Ramp Up Production
SARATOGA SPRINGS — A pair of podcasts—one freshly launched and the other returning for a second season—announced their future plans last Friday, signaling a podcast production boom in the Spa City.
Saratoga Arts revealed that it’s partnering with Bright Sighted Media on “The Good Stuff,” a locally-produced podcast and video series dedicated to “uplifting the artists, organizations, and community leaders who make New York’s Capital Region thrive.”
The show will be hosted by producer and Bright Sighted Media Founder Christine O’Donnell, and guest hosted by Saratoga Arts’ Spencer Sherry.
“The Good Stuff” will share weekly, family-friendly stories rooted in creativity, kindness, and connection. The series aims to offer a “refreshing counterbalance to negative news cycles by highlighting the positive cultural and civic contributions happening right here in the 518.
O’Donnell, a 2004 graduate of Saratoga Springs High School, said the idea for “The Good Stuff” came to her while she was watching her husband Steve Kuzj anchoring the News Channel 13 broadcast. O’Donnell and Kuzj have two young kids.
“I often want to turn on the news so the kids can see him; but almost every time I turn it on, I have to turn it off because there’s a lot on there that I don’t always want my kids to see,” O’Donnell said. “Still, I do want them to know what’s going on in their community, and I thought a community-based news show that incorporated students ‘doing good stuff’ would help me keep my kids informed and hopefully help them feel inspired.”
The show’s guest list includes the young men who made the viral “Take Me Down to Stewy’s” rap anthem; an interview with now-retired Saratoga Springs Police Department Mounted Officer Glenn Barret; and Saratoga Arts grant recipient and playwright Mary Jane Hansen. All guests will be nominated by members of the community, and episodes will be released every Tuesday starting Jan. 20.
In 2025, Bright Sighted Media reached 2.3 million impressions, the company stated. Its Q2 numbers showed 10,087 podcast downloads and 46,771 YouTube views.
In other podcasting news, Discover Saratoga announced the launch of Season 2 of its podcast, “Destination Saratoga: All Access,” which premiered on Jan. 16. New episodes will drop every Friday through April 24, continuing the show’s mission of “spotlighting the people, places, and stories that define Saratoga County as a vibrant, year-round destination.”
Hosted by Discover Saratoga’s MacKenzie Zarzycki, the podcast offers listeners a behind-the-scenes look at local businesses, cultural institutions, community leaders, and seasonal happenings throughout the county.
“Season 1 showed us how much people enjoy hearing authentic, long-form stories about Saratoga County,” Zarzycki said. “With Season 2, we’re building on that momentum by introducing even more voices, experiences, and perspectives that truly capture what makes our region so special.”
Last season featured conversations with notable guests, including Julie Bonacio, Alane Ball Chinian, Maddy Zanetti, Tom Durkin, and Ramon Dominguez. The show also featured an “After Hours with Saratoga Living” segment featuring magazine editor Natalie Moore. Discover Saratoga said it will continue its partnership with Saratoga Living in 2026.
“This season, we’ll be broadcasting our ‘After Hours with Saratoga Living’ episodes straight from two of our favorite after-hours hangouts: Henry Street Taproom and Kindred,” Moore said.
Season 2’s lineup of guests will include Amy Bloom of Saratoga Arts, Ryan McMahon from the Saratoga Springs City Center, Tracy Passaro of Ladylily’s Place, Allison D’Antonio from the Saratoga Regional YMCA, and Teddy Foster from the Universal Preservation Hall.