Healthy Maine Talks

Tune into Matt's conversation with Protect Democracy, a group working to ensure free and fair elections across the country. And check out the links below for voting information, resources, and volunteer opportunities.  https://justvoteme.org/ https://protectdemocracy.org/how-you-can-protect-democracy/ https://866ourvote.org/ https://protectdemocracy.org/executive-override/

Matt checks in with two members of the Children's Oral Health Network to learn more about Spruce the Dental Health Moose. Tune in to hear more!

Join Matt at the Maine Public Health Association conference as he touches base with three leaders at MCD Global Health to celebrate and reflect on the group's 60 year anniversary. For six decades, MCD has been working to improve health for people around the corner here in Maine, around the country, and around the globe. Big thanks to MCD Global Health for being our inaugural Gold Supporter fo...

Matt heads back to Skowhegan for this episode of Healthy Maine Talks for a tour of Maine Grains, an organic and heritage grain mill. Maine Grains describes itself as an "engine of transformation", and Matt sees firsthand how Amber Lambke, Co-founder and CEO, turned a former jailhouse into a food systems influencer, thriving small business, community space, and more. 

During the month of August 2026, Maine's gubernatorial candidates joined Maine Public Health Association's podcast, Healthy Maine Talks, to discuss challenges facing Maine in healthcare, economic opportunity, and housing.  Matt Wellington, MPHA's Associate Director, interviewed each candidate individually, and asked each of them the same set of questions. As a non-partisan organizat...

During the month of August 2026, Maine's gubernatorial candidates joined Maine Public Health Association's podcast, Healthy Maine Talks, to discuss challenges facing Maine in healthcare, economic opportunity, and housing.  Matt Wellington, MPHA's Associate Director, interviewed each candidate individually, and asked each of them the same set of questions. As a non-partisan organizat...

During the month of August 2026, Maine's gubernatorial candidates joined Maine Public Health Association's podcast, Healthy Maine Talks, to discuss challenges facing Maine in healthcare, economic opportunity, and housing.  Matt Wellington, MPHA's Associate Director, interviewed each candidate individually, and asked each of them the same set of questions. As a non-partisan organizat...

Join Matt as he speaks with Cynthia Cushing, co-coordinator of the new Maine Coalition for Social Connection, and Kyle Warnock, Executive Director of Queerly ME and steering committee of the coalition. We talk about the importance of deliberate actions to increase social connection and not leave anyone behind in the process.

Join Matt Wellington, MPHA's Associate Director, as he chats with stakeholders at the 8th annual Opioid Summit, including Gordon Smith, Director of Opioid Response in Maine. Check out the Our Voice of ME podcast referenced in this episode, which is hosted by the Consumer Council System of Maine. This episode of Healthy Maine Talks is produced and narrated by MPHA's summer intern, Caris W...

For this episode of HMT Matt interviews Justin Strasburger, the new Executive Director of the Natural Resources Council of Maine on how he plans to build a stronger movement to protect Maine’s environment and improve people’s lives. One big takeaway Justin shared: it’s about partnership.

Jamie Dorr founded the Midcoast Youth Center in 2016 after a community tragedy. It's mission: unlock the inherent potential of every young person, while empowering them to thrive. In the last ten years, the center and adjoining skate park have become a safe haven for young people where they can be themselves, have fun, and ask for help if they need it. Jamie and her team embody what it means...

This episode was recorded in late January at the Maine Outdoor Economy Summit. Tune in to hear more about how access to outdoor recreation is one of the top reasons that people move to Maine, and how spending time outdoors is critical to improving overall health and well-being.  *This Healthy Maine Talks episode is supported by the New England Public Health Training Center*

Last month MPHA and AARP co-hosted another “Community Conversation on Health, Aging, and Resilience in Rural Maine” at the Aroostook Area Agency On Aging in Presque Isle. Folks shared what is top of mind for them when it comes to their health, their families and their communities.  *This Healthy Maine Talks episode is supported by the New England Public Health Training Center* This episode was edi...

Can you have a community center, cutting edge research institute, and working waterfront in the same area? The Quahog Bay Conservancy says yes, you can. The Harpswell Marine Institute will be a place where community, education, science and industry intersect. Check it out in 2027! This episode was edited by MPHA intern Caris Welsh.  *This Healthy Maine Talks episode is supported by the New England...

For this episode Matt interviews Adina Bercowicz, MPH, Founder and Executive Director of LymeTV. Matt and Adina discuss the surge in Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses in Maine, what folks can do to enjoy the outdoors safely this season, and policy solutions that would increase funding for research into tests and treatments for tick-borne illness. 

For this episode we dig into the concept of leadership with Leo Waterston, an Executive and Career Coach at Waterston Coaching & Coaching, LLC . Leo is also Board President of the Maine Public Health Association and has a wealth of experience leading and engaging in public health efforts in Maine. After the interview with Leo stay tuned for a quick conversation with one of the editors of the n...

Happy Earth Day!  For this episode of HMT Matt speaks with Keith Carson, former meteorologist turned Director of Environment and Science Communications at Maine Conservation Voters. Matt and Keith talk about how to effectively communicate about issues like climate change. As Keith says in the interview, it's important to meet folks where they're at, and sometimes that means the first goa...

On 4/30 MPHA and AARP co-hosted a “Community Conversation on Health, Aging, and Resilience in Rural Maine” at the Cobscook Institute in the Township of Trescott. About 15 folks showed up from the surrounding towns to share what’s top of mind for them when it comes to their own health and the well-being of their communities. Hear what some of them had to say in this episode of Healthy Maine Talks. ...

Happy National Public Health Week!  For this episode Matt speaks with University of New England Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs Gwendolyn Mahon, M.Sc., Ph. D. about UNE's new Institute of Public and Planetary Health. We dig into the Institute's mission and how it's aiming to support students and have a positive impact in Maine and across the world.  We're...

For this episode of Healthy Maine Talks Matt interviews Carey S. Cadieux, PhD, RN, AHN-BC, RYT, FAAN. Dr. Cadieux is a subject matter expert in medical cannabis, an Associate Professor of Nursing at Binghamton University, and Past President of the American Cannabis Nurses Association.  Matt and Dr. Cadieux discuss pending legislation in Maine, LD 1847, that would implement contaminant testing and...

For this episode Matt takes you around the Maine State House during the Conservation + Wabanaki Alliance + Youth Lobby Day--a collective effort to show lawmakers that Mainers across generations and communities care deeply about climate action, land and water protection, and Wabanaki sovereignty. Here's more info about each of the groups Matt interviews in the episode: - Maine Farmland Trust ...

Recorded on Jan 7, this in person event featured four panelists who are working across the state to strengthen Maine's downtowns. Co-hosted and moderated by the Maine Development Foundation's Maine Downtown Center & MPHA, this discussion digs deep into the importance of social connection, and how to foster it through smart design, programming, and plain old scrappiness. Speakers: Lis...

For this episode, Matt speaks with Melanie Ferris, President-elect of the Board at the Minnesota Public Health Association about the public health repercussions of ICE operations in Minnesota, and our very own backyard here in Maine. 

Originally recorded in August 2025, this episode of Healthy Maine Talks features Henry Frank and Ethan Baker of LifeFlight of Maine , a nonprofit committed to ensuring that every person, in every community in Maine, has access to critical care and medical transport. Big thank you to MPHA's summer intern, Tara Sangal, for hosting and producing this episode! *This Healthy Maine Talks episode is...

For this episode Matt interviews Bruce King, Executive Director of Maine Boys to Men , an organization that works to empower boys and men to embrace and reimagine their own masculinity and build safer, stronger communities.  *This Healthy Maine Talks episode is supported by the New England Public Health Training Center*