Beacon Podcast

This week on the podcast, Nora sits down with Maine Center for Economic Policy President and CEO Garrett Martin to talk about why tax fairness has become one of the biggest economic issues in Maine and across the country. Nora and Garrett talk about major tax fairness victories in the last legislative session, look at… The post How taxing the rich helps everyone, and how we can do it more fi...

This week on the podcast, we’re bringing you a special broadcast. Beacon host Cate Blackford sat down with author and advocate Heather McGhee as part of the Authors Guild Foundation’s Pascal Hall Author Series for a conversation about McGhee’s book The Sum of Us and what it can teach us about building solidarity in a… The post What Heather McGhee says we lose when communiti...

This week on the podcast, we are sharing the full recording of gubernatorial candidate Shenna Bellows and U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner at a town hall in Old Town hosted by the Maine People’s Alliance (of which Beacon is a project) on May 3, 2026. The two share more on their policy platforms and backgrounds,… The post Who holds politicians accountable? Bellows and Platner point...

This week on the podcast, Cate is joined by guest host and legislative strategist Gus Dunn-Hindle to break down the latest in Maine politics and local organizing, from Sanford’s new mobile home park rent cap ordinance to growing rent stabilization efforts across the state. They also discuss MPA’s member-led endorsement process, key endorsed candidates, and… The post Maine voters head into hi...

This week on the podcast Esther is joined by Andrea Paluso, Director of The Child Care for Every Family Network, and Charlotte Jacobs, community organizer and former program director of a childcare center. They share how both their experience as experts in the field and as parents has shaped their worldview on why free universal child care is crucial — and how we can… The post What it would...

This week on the podcast, Esther is joined by union members and leaders from across Maine for a conversation about why organizing still matters and why more workers are getting involved. Jessie Hargrove, Maine Education Association president; Matthew McDonald, Maine Medical Center nurse and member of the Maine State Nurses Association; and Ally Loukas, pre-K… The post From hospitals to class...

This week on the podcast, Cate and Esther unpack the political and human consequences of Pres. Donald Trump’s threats of war crimes and the fragile ceasefire that followed, examining what it means for global alliances, moral leadership, and the growing financial burden on taxpayers. Closer to home, they break down key parts of Maine’s supplemental… The post What’s at stake with Trump’s...

Maine’s housing crisis is hitting some of the state’s most overlooked communities: mobile home parks. In this episode, Cate and Esther take a closer look at how corporate ownership is negatively reshaping these parks, where more than one in five are now owned by out-of-state investors. Residents Juliette St. Amand and Marieke Giasson share what… The post The cost of staying: Maine mobile hom...

Ads in the U.S. Senate race are heating up! This week on the podcast, Esther and Cate break down Gov. Janet Mills’ newest attack ad on fellow Democratic candidate Graham Platner, and how words don’t always align with actions. The also take a look at the text messages between the Portland and South Portland police… The post How Janet Mills’ old-school ad attack missed the mark fir...

Dr. Nirav Shah joins our host Cate Blackford on the podcast to discuss his run for Maine governor and how his background in public health as the former director of the Maine CDC shapes his approach to leadership. He talks about the importance of competent state governance, clear communication and rebuilding public trust. Shah outlines his plans… The post Nirav Shah on public health, housing...

On our latest podcast episode, Esther and Cate look at what has been happening with ICE in Maine and how Mainers have been responding. Beth Weisberger, the owner of Gneiss Spice in Bethel, joins to share why she decided to close her business at the end of January for an anti-ICE strike. They also discuss… The post Why business is political and what to look out for in Maine’s budget hearings...

 On the podcast, Senior Organizing Director Esther Pew interviews Anat Shenker-Osorio, a linguistics and cognition expert, about how movements can more effectively mobilize folks to fight against fascism. Anat explains why simply debunking lies isn’t enough — and why replacing false narratives with truthful, values-driven stories is essential to activating people. She emphasizes the power… T...

For the first podcast of the new year, Esther is joined by former podcast host Sen. Mike Tipping to preview the legislative session and talk about some priorities, including health care access, taxing the richest Mainers more fairly, and combating ICE’s terrifying tactics closer to home. They also talk about what’s been happening in Minnesota… The post ICE’s unpopularity, taxing...

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner joins our host Cate Blackford this week on the podcast to chat about why he’s jumping into politics and what a true populist agenda looks like to him. Platner shares how his campaign defies the status quo with movement-driven organizing and economic justice at the center. Platner also explains… The post Podcast: Graham Platner on building a mov...

This week on the podcast, Cate and Channa break down Maine’s big Election Day results — from voters rejecting a restrictive voter suppression law to passing new gun safety measures and a $19 minimum wage in Portland. The two discuss Democratic wins across the country, the strength of grassroots organizing, and voters’ desire for bold… The post Podcast: What Maine’s Election Day says ab...

Election Day is just around the corner, and Esther and Ben are back to remind Mainers to protect absentee voting by casting a “no” vote on Question 1. On the other statewide referendum, Question 2, they are voting “yes” to make it easier for law enforcement to remove firearms from people who pose a danger… The post Podcast: Absentee voting, gun safety and why mutual a...

This week on the podcast, Cate and Ben break down how the federal shutdown is hitting Maine — from potential SNAP cuts to thousands of state workers facing layoffs — and how a tax conformity issue could leave a $245 million hole in the state budget. They also dig into the latest political shakeups, including… The post Podcast: Federal shutdown, SNAP concerns and Graham Platner make headlines...

Maine Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate Shenna Bellows joins our host Esther to talk about her vision for a more transparent, community-driven government. She shares ideas for tackling Maine’s toughest challenges — from housing to healthcare — and lays out her plans for universal healthcare, fair taxation, and stronger support for tribal sovereignty. “No… The post Podcast:...

This week on the podcast, we are breaking down the two statewide referendum questions on every Mainer’s ballot. Our hosts, Esther and Ben, explain why voters should vote no on Question 1, as it would make it harder for Mainers to vote by adding numerous restrictions to absentee voting.   On the flip side, they are… The post Podcast: A voter guide to Maine’s 2025 statewide referendums first a...

Gubernatorial candidate Angus King III shares why he is pivoting from business to politics in our latest podcast episode. The founder and former president of Peaks Renewables chats with our host Cate Blackford on how he plans to solve some of the biggest problems Mainers are facing today, such as the cost of living, housing… The post Podcast: Angus King III brings a business mindset to the g...

This week on the podcast, gubernatorial candidate Hannah Pingree discusses her political journey, starting from her early involvement in Maine’s small communities and her recruitment to the state legislature. The former Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives tells our host Ben Chin about her efforts on the Kids Safe Products Act, marriage equality, healthcare… The post Podcast:...

In an off-kilter move for someone who is reportedly gearing up to challenge Sen. Susan Collins for her seat, Governor Janet Mills on Monday offered universal praise for Collins’ actions in office. “She’s in a tough position,” said Mills. “I appreciate everything she is doing.” Collins, who has long been personally friendly with Mills, said… The post Podcas...

This week on the podcast, Ben Chin sits down with Rep. Rafael Macias (D-Topsham), a retired naval officer and first-time legislator. Rafael reflects on the past session including a landmark bill ensuring farmworkers receive minimum wage, the hurdles of budget negotiations, and frustrations with the lack of progressive action despite a Democratic majority. Rafael also… The post Podcast: Rafae...

This week on the podcast, we are revisiting Ben’s conversation with grassroots organizing expert Marshall Ganz for a special encore episode. The two discussed how to strengthen organizing skills, effectively build a movement, and create lasting change. Ganz is a senior lecturer in leadership, organization and civil society at Harvard University and the author of… The post Podcast: Mars...

This week on the podcast, Ben, Cate and Channa dig into Sen. Susan Collins’ latest string of controversial votes — from confirming far-right conspiracy theorist Joe Kent and former Fox News host Jeanine Pirro, to approving funding for a $1 billion jet for Trump on the back of taxpayers. Also, health insurance rates are proposed… The post Podcast: The battles over health insurance and v...