Love Maine Radio With Dr. Lisa Belisle

How do we convert obstacles into opportunities? For each of us, the answer is different—but some basic principles, such as hard-work, persistence and ingenuity, seem to be universal themes. Today we speak with two individuals who describe their process of reclaiming personal power. Angela Coulombe survived the debilitating effects of Lyme Disease to run marathons internationally, while raising awareness of Lyme. Lael Couper Jepson, author of Unscripted: A Woman’s Living Prayer, founded the organization SheChanges to help women make important shifts in their lives. https://www.themainemag.com/radio/2016/06/reclaiming-personal-power/

Gone are the days when we can toss our unwanted items in a landfill or burn them in the backyard. We have come to realize that we live on a planet that has finite space—a space that we want to keep clean for our children, and the generations beyond theirs. Today we seek to look at trash as a resource, rather than refuse, with our guests Tyler Frank, founder of the curbside composting program, Garbage to Garden, and Kevin Roche, CEO of ecomaine. Photo by Nicole Wolf https://www.themainemag.com/radio/2016/06/treasuring-trash-247/

What is it like to understand life in a way that doesn’t always match up with others around you? Children and adults on the autism spectrum live this reality every day. Today we speak with Derek, Amy & Dylan Volk, whose experience is detailed in Derek Volk’s well-regarded book, Chasing the Rabbit: A Dad’s Life Raising a Son on the Spectrum.   https://www.themainemag.com/radio/2016/06/life-on-the-spectrum/

We meet many talented photographers through the work we do with Maine Magazine, Maine Home & Design and Old Port Magazine. Today we speak with two who have had distinctly different career paths. Jeff Roberts began his love of international photography with a high school adventure. Trent Bell trained in and practiced architecture before finding his vocation as a photographer.   Each has a true passion for his work. https://www.themainemag.com/radio/2016/05/maine-photographers/

There is no easy way to discuss the problem of sexual abuse and trafficking. Yet these problems do exist within the state of Maine. Today we speak with Melissa Bednarowski of  Stand Up 4 ME and Catherine Mossman of Stop Trafficking ME—both of whom have personal experience with these devastating situations, and have chosen to go beyond their pain and become advocates, so that others will not have suffer as they have. DISCLAIMER: This is a sensitive topic, so younger people may not want to listen. If you are a parent please be aware. https://www.themainemag.com/radio/2016/05/stopping-sexual-abuse-244/

Photo by Production Manager Joel Kuschke In Maine we are highly aware that what we do with our little corner of the planet has a direct impact on the greater world around us.  Today we explore the topic of healthy lawns, and their relationship with local waters and the ecosystem at large. Our guests include Amy Witt & Frank Wertheim of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, and Mary Cerullo & Ivy Frignoca of Friends of Casco Bay https://www.themainemag.com/radio/2016/05/happy-lawns-healthy-waters-243/

How do we protect  our communities—from issues related to addiction? Prescription and non-prescription drugs have a complicated history in our society. Health care providers and community members alike are seeking ways to deal with addiction—both through primary prevention and through treatment. Today we speak with Central Maine Medical Center chief family medicine physician Dr. Dave Salko and Jim Godbout , co-chair of the Red Ribbon Committee of the Biddeford Saco Rotary, about their efforts in this area. https://www.themainemag.com/radio/2016/05/pain-addiction-prevention-242/

How can we promote understanding between cultural groups in Maine? Whether our family has been here for generations, or whether we have just arrived, it is incumbent upon us to learn how to get along—and celebrate—people of all backgrounds. Today we speak with Pious Ali, founder of the Maine Interfaith Youth Alliance, and Gerard & Annie Kiladjian, founders of the Armenian Cultural Association of Maine. https://www.themainemag.com/radio/2016/04/intercultural-understanding-241/

This year marks one hundred years of Acadia, Maine’s only national park. Born ‘officially’ on July 8, 1916, Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island has brought joy to generations of people the world over. Today we speak with David MacDonald, president and CEO of Friends of Acadia, Cookie Horner, co-chair of the Acadia Centennial Task Force, and her husband, Bill Horner, president of the MDI Historical Society. https://www.themainemag.com/radio/2016/04/acadia-centennial-240/

Maine is not just a place to live—it is a place to make a life. Today we speak with four people who are creating successful businesses that feature the tastes of Maine. Our first guest is chef and restauranteur Harding Lee Smith, owner of The Rooms in Portland, who is expanding his presences to one of Maine’s favorite ski mountains this year. Our other guests--Chris Avantaggio, John Turner and Nate O’Leary—are co-founders of Cratefull of Maine, a company that is sending the taste of Maine around the world. https://www.themainemag.com/radio/2016/04/taste-of-maine/

The Wayfinder Schools have been helping at-risk Maine students for decades.  In 2011, Maine’s first alternative high school, The Community School, merged with century-old organization Opportunity Farm to form the Wayfinder Schools. Today we speak with Wayfinder board member, Barbara Russo and her husband, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Richard Russo, about their work with the school, their life as a couple for the past 43 years and his newest novel, “Everybody’s Fool.”   Photo by Emma Wilson https://www.themainemag.com/radio/2016/04/wayfinding/

Life informs art—and vice versa. As human creatures, we benefit from experiencing art as a way of helping us explore some of the larger questions we may find ourselves pondering. Today, we speak with internationally known Maine-based artist, Eric Hopkins, about how his art has been shaped by his interaction with the world. We also speak with Emma Wilson, managing director of Art Collector Maine and the Portland Art Gallery, about an innovative project focusing on the body as a work of art. https://www.themainemag.com/radio/2016/03/life-art-237/

Where do you find your adventures? Maine offers something for everyone in the realm of adventure. Today we speak with Holly Twining, founder of Maine Yoga Adventures, and Tino Fuimara & Taki Miyamoto of Salt Pump Climbing, about the ways they are helping people get up and out in search of adventure. https://www.themainemag.com/radio/2016/03/adventuring-outdoors-236/

Maine appeals to a broad range of people in part because of its beautiful coast. More than simply coming here for recreation, many people find creative ways to make a living with the water as inspiration. Today we speak with entrepreneurs Ben Davis, founder of True Course Yachting, and Shana Ready, designer and founder of The Ropes. https://www.themainemag.com/radio/2016/03/coastal-creativity-235/

Mary Herman is a woman of many talents. She has intersected with and supported Mainers in countless areas, including education, health, and the non-profit world. Today we speak with Maine’s former 'First Lady' about her experiences as advocate, and how she hopes to continue her good work in the years to come. https://www.themainemag.com/radio/2016/03/first-lady/

Food is one our favorite subjects: we love the nourishment that it provides, on so many levels. Not only does it provide our bodies with fuel, but it also brings us together with family and friends—both in the kitchen and around the table. Today we discuss these ideas with Justin and Danielle Walker, the husband and wife team who run the restaurant Earth at Hidden Pond, and with Old Port and Maine magazine food editor, Karen Watterson.   Photo by Greta Rybus https://www.themainemag.com/radio/2016/03/233/

Maine has been ‘growing goodwill’ in its communities for decades.  Today we speak with Julia Sleeper, Founder and Executive Director of Tree Street Youth Center in Lewiston, which has been supporting area children through academics, the arts and athletics for the past ten years. We also speak with Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, President and CEO of Goodwill Northern New England, a one-hundred-year old organization that helps families find stability through work, and letting nothing go to waste. https://www.themainemag.com/radio/2016/02/growing-goodwill-232/

The spaces in which we dwell, work and recreate have an undeniable impact on our well-being. Who are the people that design our spaces—and why have they chosen this profession? Today we speak with architects Caleb Johnson and Kevin Browne about their love of space, and how this has translated into interactions with the community at large. https://www.themainemag.com/radio/2016/02/community-architects-231/

Tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world. We Mainers love our tea—and have many ways in which to enjoy this healthful and nourishing drink. Today we speak with Ray Marcotte and Ellen Kanner of Dobrá Tea, and with Sarah Richards of Homegrown Herb and Tea, about types of tea, how tea is best enjoyed, and what specific benefits we may derive from drinking tea. You will love this informative episode. https://www.themainemag.com/radio/2016/02/tea-time-230/

Mythologist and philosopher Joseph Campbell is perhaps best known for his suggestion that we "follow our bliss." Today we speak with two individuals who—separately and without prompting—referenced this quote in their interviews, and described the ways in which they have attempted to do just that.  Our guests are Deirdre Nice, executive director of St. Lawrence Arts, and landscape artist Jane Dahmen. We hope they inspire you to find ways to follow your own bliss. https://www.themainemag.com/radio/2016/02/following-bliss-229/