Let's Connect

Andrew Butcher, President of the Maine Connectivity Authority, talks about the challenges and joys of expanding high-speed Internet access in Maine and the impact of federal upheavals and executive orders.

The City of Portland wants to transform Franklin Street from an auto-centric arterial into a vibrant urban corridor, balancing transportation needs for all people while opening land for much-needed housing. Host Kristina Egan speaks with Kevin Kraft , the city’s director of planning and urban development; Jeremiah Bartlett , the city’s transportation systems engineer; Eugenia Di Girolamo , a consu...

South Portland Mayor Richard Matthews speaks with host Kristina Egan about some of the city’s big issues, including the high cost of housing, the recently defeated ban on leaf blowers, a proposal to consolidate municipal departments on the Mahoney Middle School property, and the challenge of  providing property tax relief to residents. 

Every year, too many lives are lost due to crashes on our roadways. But there’s a growing movement working to change that—it's called Vision Zero.  Host Kristina Egan talks with Paul Drinan from the Bicycle Coalition of Maine , Deborah Smith , a community advocate from New Gloucester and Rick Harbison and Lucy Sinclair from the Greater Portland Council of Governments about efforts to reduce crashe...

Host Kristina Egan talks with John Warnock, the new General Manager at Casco Bay Lines , and Operations Manager Nick Mavodones Jr. , about new developments at the ferry service, including the benefits and challenges of fleet electrification. A new battery-operated ferry, the “Battery Steele,” will go into service this September,  replacing the “Machigonne II.” The new ferry will have significantly...

People have a lot of misconceptions about electric vehicles. Laura Qualey, regional transportation planner at the Greater Portland Council of Governments , and Jon Gagne, the agency’s sustainability program coordinator, address some of the misconceptions about EVs circulating on social media. 

Westbrook Mayor  David Morse  and City Council President  Claude Rwaganje  talk about the confusion and fear caused by President Trump’s executive orders and deportation policies. 

Rodrigue Mahoua, Director of Program Development at the Quality Housing Coalition and Sarah Gauvin,  Manager of Educational Programming at Hope Acts, speak with host Clara McCool about efforts to ensure that everyone has access to digital technology, like the Internet, video conferencing apps and email. They discuss why lowering barriers to the internet is so important.

Danielle Moriarty,  Program Director at the Maine Arts Commission,  Mollie Cashwell , Director of the Cultural Alliance of Maine, and  Dinah Minot , Executive Director of Creative Portland, talk with host Kristina Egan about the role of the creative arts in building thriving communities.

South Portland City Manager Scott Morelli and Greater Portland Metro Executive Director Glenn Fenton discuss how the merger of Greater Portland Metro and the South Portland Bus Service will save taxpayer dollars and improve service for riders.

In this heartfelt and insightful podcast,  Gretchen Johnson , Executive Director of the Center for Grieving Children, and  Jennifer Thompson , Executive Director of the Maine chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, explore the growing issue of loneliness and isolation in our society. They delve into the profound impact these feelings have on mental health, relationships, and communitie...

Hannah Pingree, Director of the Governor's Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, talks with host Kristina Egan about the state’s efforts to slow climate change and how our communities are preparing to deal with the reality of extreme weather.   

Spencer Thibodeau, U.S. Department of Energy Deputy Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs and former Portland City Councilor talks with host Andrew Zarro about the historic investments in renewable energy made by the Biden-Harris administration and what he hopes the next administration will carry forward.

Anne Ball, Program Director of Main Street Maine, and Teresa Valliere, President of Friends of Woodfords Corner, talk with host Andrew Zarro about transforming historic hubs here in Maine and why these areas are so critical to the identity, economy and future of our communities

Cass Newell , Town Manager of Harrison, Josh Reny, Assistant City Manager for South Portland, and Scott LaFlamme, Town Manager of Yarmouth, talk with host Kristina Egan about the variety of careers available in municipal government, the meaningful and challenging work, and the opportunities for making a difference in our communities.

Ecomaine CEO Kevin Roche and Communications and Public Affairs Director, Jamie Garvin, talk about changes in the global market for recycled materials and ecomaine’s efforts to boost recycling rates and keep waste out of landfills.

Portland Mayor Mark Dion and Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman discuss the highs and lows for the past year and their vision for the year ahead. 

Host Kristina Egan speaks with Kate Cough, editor at The Maine Monitor , and Steve Pinette, a retired geologist and a leader in efforts to protect Scarborough Marsh,about the impact of climate change on Maine’s marshes. 

Placemaking is more than just improving the look of an area; it’s about fostering connections, creating opportunities for community engagement, and driving both social and economic vitality.   Host Kristina Egan talks with two guests deeply involved in this work: CJ Opperthauser, Executive Director of Friends of Congress Square Park , and Annie Leahy, Executive Director of The Maine Mechanics Hall...

Portland Press Herald reporter Hannah LaClaire speaks with host Tom Bell about her research showing that building new luxury housing can help solve the region’s housing shortage by increasing housing supply. Link to the Portland Press Herald article.

Host Kristina Egan talks with the three candidates running for mayor Westbrook: Acting Mayor David Morse , who is being challenged by Lynda Adams and Larry McWilliams .

Senate Candidates Roundtable  Kristina Egan from the Greater Portland Council of Governments hosts a roundtable discussion with Maine Senate candidates Sen. Anne Carney , Democratic candidate in District 29 (South Portland, Cape Elizabeth and part of Scarborough), Sen. Stacey Brenner , Democratic candidate in District 30 (Gorham and Scarborough), Sen. Tim Nangle , Democratic candidate in District...

Portland Press Herald reporter Eric Russell talks with host Kristina Egan about the driving forces behind Maine’s housing crisis. He said zoning restrictions and local opposition to development have limited supply.

Kevin Kraft, the Director of Planning and Urban Development for the City of Portland, speaks with GPCOG Transit Program Manager Andrew Clark about major upcoming transportation investment in Portland's East Deering neighborhood.

Gray Town Council Vice-chair Krista Chappell and Gray Town Manager Michael Foley talk with host Kristina Egan about challenges and opportunities in Gray, including an ambitious project to redesign the village area.