Let's Connect

Host, Kristina Egan speaks with Hannah Pingree, the Democratic nominee for Governor of Maine, about her priorities for the state and the challenges and opportunities facing Maine communities. A former speaker of the Maine House of Representatives and former Director of the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, Pingree has worked on issues including housing and climate resilience....

How is Maine’s tourism industry doing, and what does it take to keep it thriving year-round? Host Jamie Garvin welcomes Lynn Tillotson of Visit Portland and Kathleen Pierce of HospitalityMaine for a conversation about changing visitor spending and the challenges facing hotels and restaurants. They explore workforce housing, seasonal workers, tourism marketing, and efforts to bring customers throug...

Host Kristina Egan explores the algal bloom affecting Casco Bay and what it means for marine life, shellfish harvesters, and Maine’s working waterfront. Joining her are Casco Baykeeper Ivy Frignoca of Friends of Casco Bay, Brunswick Coastal Resource Manager Dan Devereaux, and Harpswell Harbormaster and Marine Resources Administrator Darcie Couture. Together, they discuss losses on local clam flats...

Why do some people continue to sleep outside even when shelter beds are available—and what does it take to help someone find a lasting home? Host Tom Bell welcomes Maggie McLoughlin, director of Portland’s Health and Human Services Department , and Aaron Geyer, the city’s director of Social Services, to explore Portland’s response to homelessness. The conversation examines barriers to using shelte...

What would a safer, more affordable, and accessible transportation system look like for Maine? On this episode of Let’s Connect Greater Portland, host Kristina Egan welcomes Josh Caldwell and Zoe Miller, co-facilitators of Transportation for Maine, and Andrew Clark of the Greater Portland Council of Governments to explore how a statewide coalition is working to improve the way we get around. From...

How is artificial intelligence changing the workplace—and what does it take to introduce it thoughtfully? Host Kristina Egan welcomes Dr. Gleb Tsipursky, a behavioral scientist and author of “ The Psychology of AI Adoption at Work: From Resistance to Results ,” and Kyle Hadyniak, Director of Communications and IT for the Town of Gray, to explore the opportunities and challenges of AI adoption. The...

How can local leaders gauge public opinion so they can make decisions that reflect the community’s wishes? Host Tom Bell talks with municipal communications officials Andrew Dickinson of Saco, Shara Dee of South Portland and Roger Cropley of Windham, along with FlashVote co-founder and chief scientist Kevin Lyons. They discuss how short, statistically reliable community surveys can broaden partici...

Troy Jackson, Maine’s Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate, joins host Kristina Egan to discuss the challenges facing Greater Portland and communities across Maine. Their conversation explores housing affordability, property taxes, health care, federal funding, transportation, climate resilience, school nutrition, and the importance of engaging young people in government. Jackson also answers qu...

Bobby Charles, the Republican nominee for governor of Maine, joins host Kristina Egan to discuss his vision for the state and his approach to some of Maine’s biggest challenges. Their conversation covers his thoughts on property taxes, unfunded mandates, housing, transportation funding, and climate resilience. He also answers questions from WMPG listeners.  

Pick-your-own farms are a beloved Maine tradition, but behind every family outing is a seasonal business shaped by unpredictable weather, rising costs and development pressure. Host Tom Bell explores the economics and future of pick-your-own farming with Penny Jordan of Jordan’s Farm in Cape Elizabeth, Brian Skoczenski of Libby’s U-Pick in Limerick, Scott Miller of Randall Orchards in Standish, an...

Guest host Craig Freshley sits down with Portland-area teenagers Wyatt Clegg, Dylan Ginn, and Nika Norris for a candid conversation about communication, gender identity, climate change, trust in government, and the world their generation is inheriting. Rather than asking them to speak for an entire generation, Craig invites each guest to share their own experiences, concerns, and hopes, while enco...

Host Kristina Egan explores how Maine’s changing climate is affecting the lakes and ponds found high in the state’s mountains. Simon Rucker, executive director of the Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust, and aquatic ecologist Amanda Gavin explain why these high-elevation bodies of water are important habitat for native brook trout and other species, how they serve as “sentinels of change,” and what...

Host Belinda Ray explores the concept of social housing and what it could mean for Portland. Jay Waterman, Director of Real Estate Development for the Portland Housing Authority,  and Portland City Councilors Kate Sykes and Sarah Michniewicz discuss how social housing works, examples from other communities, how it differs from traditional public and affordable housing, potential funding and manage...

Host Tom Bell talks with Hazel Zhang, a mapping &  data analyst at the Greater Portland Council of Governments, about her recent journey back to China for the first time after living four years in the United Sates. Hazel reflects on returning to her hometown, reconnecting with family, and seeing her country through new eyes. The conversation explores China's rapid advances in technology, trans...

Portland Harbor’s working waterfront is one of the region’s most important economic and cultural assets—but much of the work that keeps it operating happens out of public view. Host Belinda Ray speaks with Captain Calvin Klopp, president of Portland Pilots; Chelsea Pettengill, Executive Director of the Maine Port Authority ; and Heather Moretti, Waterfront Coordinator for the City of Portland. The...

After centuries of disruption caused by dams, migratory fish are returning to their historic habitats as river restoration efforts in Maine gain momentum. Host Tom Bell speaks with Landis Hudson, executive director of Maine Rivers ; fish passage advocate Ahna Knudsen; and Matt Streeter, an avid fly fisherman and project manager of Maine Rivers’ Alewife Restoration Initiative. They discuss why heal...

Freshwater Invaders: Protecting Maine’s Lakes and Rivers . Freshwater invasive species can threaten Maine’s lakes and rivers, disrupt native ecosystems, and affect recreation, fishing, and local economies. Host Kristina Egan speaks with Dakota Stankowski of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Toni Pied of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, and Pam Wilkinson of the...

What does it take to live car-free in Greater Portland — and is that really possible? Host Tom Bell talks with Portland Press Herald writer Leslie Bridgers, car-free Portland resident Isabel Vivanco, public transportation advocate Katherine Charbonneau, and Andrew Clark, Transit Program Manager at the Greater Portland Council of Governments, about the benefits, challenges, and realities of getting...

Host Kristina Egan speaks with Rick Bennett, an independent candidate for governor, about his vision for Maine. Bennett discusses his goal of reducing political polarization by encouraging compromise and consensus-building. He takes calls from listeners and shares his views on housing, public transportation, the Gorham Connector, property tax relief, regional collaboration, and transportation fund...

Host Kristina Egan explores energy policy in Maine with Celina Cunningham, Acting Commissioner of the Maine Department of Energy Resources, and Ethan Tremblay of the Department’s Planning and Policy Division. They discuss Maine’s over-reliance on fossil fuels and efforts reduce Maine’s dependence of heating oil, the benefits of heat pumps, and the state of solar development and its impact on ratep...

How can temporary street projects help create safer roads and save lives?  Host Belinda Ray talks with Cashel Stewart of the Greater Portland Council of Governments and Ainsley Judge of Neighborways Design about the demonstration projects coming to Portland, Scarborough, and Saco this summer. They discuss the region's Vision Zero goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries. how dem...

Host Kristina Egan talks with Ben Dinsmore, General Manager of Casco Bay Lines, about the anticipated arrival of the Battery Steele — the most innovative passenger vessel ever built for Maine island service. They discuss how hybrid-electric propulsion works in a demanding marine environment and the infrastructure needed to support ferry electrification. The conversation explores the opportunities...

Host Kristina Egan interviews candidates running seats on the Cumberland County Board of County Commissioners.  This is a 30-minute highlight of a one-hour televised  forum produced by the Portland Media Center in conjunction with the Greater Portland Council of Governments. The primary election is June 9. The candidates are the forum were: Amy Leshure , Joel Vincent Mahaffey , Sigrid A. Olson , P...

Host Tom Bell speaks with Kate Lemos McHale, the Executive Director of Greater Portland Landmarks about why historic preservation still matters in a time shaped by housing shortages, political division, and rapid change. The conversation explores the role preservation plays in strengthening communities, supporting local economies, and shaping Portland’s identity, while also tackling difficult ques...

Host Tom Bell explores the alarming decline of eelgrass in Casco Bay with Ivy Frignoca, Casco Baykeeper with Friends of Casco Bay , and Janelle Goeke, Staff Scientist for Casco Bay Estuary Partnership, who coordinates eelgrass restoration projects in Casco Bay. Often overlooked beneath the water’s surface, eelgrass is a critical foundation species that supports fisheries, improves water quality, s...