Healthy Maine Talks

In this "in the field" episode of Healthy Maine Talks Matt heads up to the City of Bangor to explore the connection between public health and economic development. Spoiler alert: They're inextricably connected.  Here's a rundown of the folks Matt spoke to for this episode: Anne Krieg, Director of Community and Economic Development for the City of Bangor  Matt Dexter, Executive...

In the latest installment of our series looking at federal policy decisions that will impact Maine, Matt speaks with Jolene Luce, BSHA, Program Director for Western Area Health Education Center (AHEC). Jolene shares details about the critical shortage of health care workers in rural Maine, and how AHEC, a federally funded program through HRSA, is working to recruit and retain more medical professi...

This episode is the first in a special series here at Healthy Maine Talks where we'll dig into upcoming policy decisions in D.C. that will impact communities in Maine.  For this episode we cover SNAP and SNAP-Ed. There's a lot of unknowns right now about what's happening in D.C, but what we do know is SNAP and SNAP-Ed are potentially on the chopping block as Congress considers the r...

We're kicking off this summer's "Healthy Maine Talks" tour across Maine with Matt's visit to Skowhegan, lovingly referred to by some locals as "Skowvegas." Over the last several years, Skowhegan has undergone a major transformation, with a booming local economy, and an increasingly tight connection to the beautiful natural resources that surround it, particularly...

This special episode of Healthy Maine Talks covers the second event in our "Pollinator Series"--events that brings folks together across the state around issues related to health and wellness that matter in their communities. The theme for this event, "Rewilding Your Yard", covers practical tips for how you can bring biodiversity back to your home environment. Big thank you to...

To mark Mental Health Awareness Month, Matt sat down with Dr. Delvina Miremadi-Baldino, the new Executive Director of Maine Youth Thriving . Dr. Miremadi-Baldino is a psychologist who specializes in fostering resilience in both adults and children. In this episode of Healthy Maine Talks she shares the work MYT is doing to encourage positive environments, experiences and relationships for young peo...

For this episode of Healthy Maine Talks Matt sits down with Noël Bonam, AARP Maine's State Director, to discuss "Vital Voices" , the group's new survey that highlights issues that impact adults age 45 and older in Maine.  *This Healthy Maine Talks episode is supported by the New England Public Health Training Center*

In honor of National Public Health Week 2025, please check out this special episode of Healthy Maine Talks featuring a real example of public health in action in Maine's communities.  Jennifer Gunderman, MPH,  Director of Public Health & Community Services for the City of Bangor, joins us to share her team's response to the ongoing HIV outbreak in the Bangor area. We cover evidence-b...

In this "in the field" episode of Healthy Maine Talks, Barrett Takesian, Executive Director of Portland Community Squash , shows Matt around the PCS facilities and shares the inside scoop on how his team is building community in a meaningful, and sustainable way.   *This Healthy Maine Talks episode is supported by the New England Public Health Training Center*

Welcome to the first installment of our new Pollinator Series on Healthy Maine Talks! We're taking HMT on the road across Maine to meet people and talk about what public health means to them in their communities.  This episode covers our first event, "Nature & Health", that we held at Penobscot River Trails in Grindstone, ME, co-sponsored by Teens to Trails . Tune in to hear fro...

Dr. Dora Mills, Chief Health Improvement Officer at MaineHealth, joins Healthy Maine Talks for this month's episode. Dr. Mills, a longtime champion for health and former Maine CDC Director, shares some history about Maine's public health system, reflects on the current moment, and gives tips on how we can communicate to people that public health has their backs. *This Healthy Maine Talks...

Tune in for this special episode featuring Nafeesha Mitchell, Program Leader with the Groundwater Institute and the Principal of B² Consulting. Matt and Nafeesha dig into the dynamics of power, and the current moment.

Dr. Amy Mayhew, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, joins Healthy Maine Talks to discuss the impact of high potency cannabis use among young people in Maine. According to Dr. Mayhew, high potency cannabis use can alter a young person's brain development and increase their risk for anxiety, depression, and more severe mental illness. If you're interested in helping MPHA advocate for respon...

Check out this year-end episode of Healthy Maine Talks, featuring reflections on MPHA's 40th annual conference from some of the attendees, as well as an interview with Ed Miller--longtime board member and one of the signers of the MPHA's articles of incorporation in 1984. Ed shares how MPHA has helped shape public health in Maine over the last 40 years.  Wishing you a happy, healthy New...

Neil Kiely, CEO of Androscoggin Bank, joins Healthy Maine Talks to share how the bank, a Certified B Corporation , leverages its networks and resources to drive community benefit across Maine.  Tune in to hear Matt and Neil dig into the ways our financial institutions can strengthen economic prosperity and community health at the same time! *This Healthy Maine Talks episode is supported by the New...

Don Hoppert, Director of Government Relations for the American Public Health Association, joins Matt for this special post-election episode of Healthy Maine Talks. Don gives his perspective on the potential implications the election results will have for public health across the country and shares ways that people can engage with APHA to protect public health funding and more. 

For this month's episode Kara Kaikini, MS, IBCLC, Executive Director of the Maine State Breastfeeding Coalition, joins Healthy Maine Talks. Kara digs into the wide range of benefits that breastfeeding has for parent and child, and describes the work she and her team are doing to ensure breastfeeding people have the support they need to be successful. Check out a ton of great resources below a...

We're excited to welcome back our first ever returning guest to Healthy Maine Talks, Ambassador Maulian Bryant! This episode was recorded before the news officially broke that Ambassador Bryant has been tapped to lead the Wabanaki Alliance as the organization's next Executive Director.  Ambassador Bryant joins us to reflect on five years of celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Maine an...

Evan Murray, Civic Engagement Director of the League of Women Voters of Maine , joins Matt for this bonus episode of Healthy Maine Talks to share tips and tools for non-partisan GOTV. You can check out the League of Women Voters of Maine's voter guide here for information about candidates and voter registration: https://www.vote411.org/ . Check out APHA's Vote for Health campaign here. N...

In this month's episode, Jennifer Hutchins, Executive Director of the Maine Association of Nonprofits , shares MANP's vision for how we can support nonprofit organizations that play an essential role in our economy and quality of life.  *This Healthy Maine Talks episode is supported by the New England Public Health Training Center*

Welcome to our second special episode of Healthy Maine Talks focused on PFAS (recorded Friday, August 23rd).   Background: On Monday, August 19th, more than a thousand gallons of AFFF fire fighting foam containing high concentrations of PFAS-- a class of "forever chemicals" associated with significant health concerns --was accidentally discharged at the Brunswick Executive Airport due to...

On Monday, August 19th, more than a thousand gallons of AFFF fire fighting foam containing high concentrations of PFAS-- a class of "forever chemicals" associated with significant health concerns --was accidentally discharged at the Brunswick Executive Airport due to a malfunctioning fire suppression system. Craig W. Douglas, PE, General Manager of the Brunswick & Topsham Water Distr...

In this episode Matt speaks with Gabriela Alcalde MPH, DrPH, Executive Director of the Sewall Foundation . Gabriela shares Sewall's theory of change and how the foundation went through a radical re-thinking of its mission and strategy to center equity, community, and trust in all its work.  *This Healthy Maine Talks episode is supported by the New England Public Health Training Center*

For this bonus episode of the podcast, Matt sits down with Anna Krueger, MS, an epidemiologist at the Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention, to discuss H5N1, otherwise known as avian flu.  *This Healthy Maine Talks episode is supported by the New England Public Health Training Center*

Rose Lundy, a public health reporter at the Maine Monitor , walks Matt through her groundbreaking series that investigated Maine's long-term care facilities.  Tune in to hear about the problems that Rose uncovered, and how we can potentially move forward to improve long-term care for people in Maine.   *This Healthy Maine Talks episode is supported by the New England Public Health Training Ce...