Let's Connect

Host Kristia Egan explores how schools across Maine are going greener—cutting energy use, improving air quality, and giving students hands-on lessons in sustainability. Dr. Glenn Cummings, Director of Green Schools for the Maine Department of Education , shares how the state’s new initiative is transforming everything from leadership practices to building systems, highlighting innovative projects...

Host Kristina Egan explores the growing urgency of keeping our unhoused neighbors safe as winter approaches.   Joined by Portland Mayor Mark Dion, Portland Downtown Executive Director Cary Tyson, and Westbrook Housing Director John Concannon, the conversation explores the pressure on Portland’s shelter system, the need for more day space resources, and the financial strains municipalities face in...

Host Tom Bell heads out on Casco Bay—at least in spirit—to explore the Heron , the largest electric aquaculture workboat in Maine and maybe the nation. Built through a multi-year collaboration among local innovators, Heron is transforming oyster farming with cleaner, quieter, zero-emission technology that offers a glimpse into the future of Maine’s working waterfront. Tom is joined by Nick Planson...

Host Tom Bell talks with leaders from two Maine industries about how they’re turning sustainability into opportunity. Jason Perkins, Brewmaster at Allagash Brewing Company , explains how the brewery’s B Corp values drive efficiency and partnerships with local farmers. And Briana Warner, Vice President of Marketing and Strategy at Mark Foods —the new owner of Bristol Seafood —describes how Maine’s...

Host Kristina Egan talks with Phil Devlin, Vice Chair of the Harrison Selectboard, and South Portland City Councilor Linda Cohen and about why more people should consider running for local office. They discuss what motivates people to step into public service, the challenges and rewards of local leadership, and how ordinary residents can make a meaningful difference in their communities. 

Host Kristina Egan speaks with Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail and Biddeford City Administrator Truc Dever about how their neighboring cities are growing, investing in infrastructure, and strengthening regional collaboration. They discuss the essential role of roads, stormwater systems, broadband, and public facilities in shaping the future, and the opportunities that come from sharing services and worki...

Host Tom Bell explores one of Maine’s most vital yet often overlooked landscapes—its salt marshes.  Guests Jeremy Gabrielson from the Maine Coast Heritage Trust and landscape architect Mitchell Rasor talk about why marshes matter, the risks they face from rising seas, and what ’s being done to restore them.

Host Kristina Egan talks with Andre Briere, the new executive director of the Maine Turnpike Authority. A Seattle native and Air Force veteran, Briere brings nearly three decades of leadership experience, including his time as New Hampshire’s deputy transportation commissioner, to guide the future of Maine’s busiest highway. The conversation explores his vision for the turnpike—centered on transpa...

In Yarmouth, a single pump station near the Royal River moves about two-thirds of the town’s wastewater — and it’s now running close to capacity. Town officials say that unless it’s upgraded, future housing and commercial projects could stall, and the town could risk another overflow event like the one that happened in early 2024. Critics are concerned about the costs to taxpayers and wonder why t...

On this episode of Let’s Connect Greater Portland , we look beyond electric cars to the future of clean transportation in Maine’s trucking sector. Host Kristina Egan talks with Hogan Dwyer from Efficiency Maine and Jon Gagne from the Greater Portland Council of Governments about the state’s goals for transportation electrification, the importance of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles in cutting emiss...

Host Kristina Egan  sits down with Nate Wildes , Executive Director of Live and Work in Maine, to explore how Maine can attract, retain, and welcome the workforce it needs. They dig into what employers are saying, why attracting talent is a community-wide challenge, and how storytelling and branding help Maine stand out.  The conversation tackles real barriers like housing, transportation, and chi...

Host  Kristina Egan talks with Stacy Brenner —farmer and the new President & CEO of Maine Farmland Trust—about farming, food, and the future of Maine’s working landscapes. They dig into why farmland needs protection, how the Trust helps keep land in production, and the biggest challenges farmers face today—from economics and tariffs to workforce and immigration. Stacy shares how young farmers...

Host Kristina Egan  sits down with Lisa Jones , founder of Black Travel Maine, a new initiative that is reshaping the way Maine tells its story. Lisa shares her vision for a more inclusive and equitable tourism landscape that reflects the diversity of our world.

Host Andrew Clark talks with Leigh Arsenault (John T. Gorman Foundation) and Kate Reilly (Maine Applied Research) about a new report that examines the transportation challenges of Maine families.  They unpack how these burdens fall on working families, rural residents, and young and older Mainers. They detail the economic benefits of a better-funded transit system and urge policy makers to reimagi...

Host Kristina Egan speaks with Dr. Nirav Shah as he reflects on the state of public health, the risks of future pandemics, and the importance of clear, compassionate communication during times of crisis. He also discusses the connection between public health and Maine’s economic vitality. Note: This interview was recorded before Dr. Shah announced he is considering a run for governor .

Host Jamie Garvin explores how artificial intelligence is transforming municipal government in Maine. From chatbots that answer resident questions at all hours, to predictive systems that help towns anticipate road repairs, to automated permitting that cuts weeks off waiting times, technology is reshaping how communities connect with local services. Guests Kyle Hadyniak, Director of Communications...

Host Cashel Stewart explores how communities in across southern Maine are working to make streets safer for everyone. With a sharp rise in traffic-related deaths and injuries, cities like Saco are launching quick-build safety projects backed by regional and federal funding. Cashel is joined by Travis Moore, Saco’s Public Works Director; Emily Cole-Prescott, Saco’s Deputy City Administrator; and An...

Host Maggie Johnson talks with community leaders Guy Mpoyi and Katherine Charbonneau about the intersection of mobility, equity, and access to essential services. Together, they explore the barriers many people face when it comes to transportation in Greater Portland, and how improving transit can foster a stronger sense of belonging. Through personal stories and practical insights, Guy and Kather...

On this episode of Let’s Connect Greater Portland , host Kristina Egan sits down with two influential leaders in Maine’s immigrant community: Mufalo Chitam, Executive Director of the Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition, and Marpheen Chann, author and founder of Khmer Maine. Together, they unpack how new federal immigration policies are impacting lives here in southern Maine—from legal hurdles and w...

Host Kristina Egan explores how Accessory Dwelling Units—or ADUs—can help address the region’s housing shortage while offering financial benefits to owners and occupants. Whether you’re curious about the cost, permitting process or return on investment, this episode offers practical insights from Nell Donaldson, Director of Special Projects for the City of Portland, Austin Gregory, Chief of Operat...

Host Kristina Egan sits down with Marty Grohman, Mayor of Biddeford, to talk about one of Maine’s fastest-growing and most talked-about cities. From revitalization efforts and economic development to housing, community life, and what’s next for Biddeford, Mayor Grohman shares insights on the challenges and opportunities shaping Biddeford’s future. Produced by Tom Bell Edited by Caroline Parker Pho...

Maine Trust for Local News Managing Director Stefanie Manning, Executive Editor Carolyn Fox, and Advisory Board Chair Mark Stodder join host Tom Bell to talk about Maine’s changing media landscape. Learn why printed weeklies are disappearing, how digital newsletters are gaining ground, and what’s at stake for democracy when trusted journalism fades. From subscription models to AI tools and combati...

Host Belinda Ray sits down with Craig Freshley, a professional facilitator and author of Together We Decide, to explore one of the most pressing issues of our time: political polarization. From the U.S. Congress to local town halls, divisions are running deep. What’s fueling this polarization? And more importantly, how do we find our way back to trust and dialogue? Craig shares practical advice an...

On this episode of Let’s Connect Greater Portland , host Annella Linton explores how Portland’s new professional soccer team, the Portland Hearts of Pine , is doing more than winning games. Soccer is building community, bridging cultures, and redefining what it means to belong. Joining us from the City of Portland are Ethan Hipple, Director of Parks, Recreation & Facilities, and Greg Watson fr...

Andrew Clark, Transit Program Manager at the Greater Portland Council of Governments , speaks with Chad Heid, Chief Transportation Officer at the Greater Portland Metro and Josh Caldwell, Climate and Clean Energy Policy Advocate and Outreach Manager at the Natural Resource Council of Maine , about the financial challenges facing Maine’s public transportation operators and the need for the state to...