PODCAST · news
Let's Connect
by WMPG
Let's Connect is a weekly podcast focused on how cities and towns in Greater Portland are overcoming challenges in their communities. Hosted by Kristina Egan, Executive Director of the Greater Portland Council of Governments, the show focuses on a range of issues, including housing, transportation, climate change, and economic development.
Episodes
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Casco Bay’s Algal Bloom: What Happened? What Comes Next?
Host Kristina Egan explores the algal bloom affecting Casco Bay and what it means for marine life, shellfish harvesters, and Maine’s working waterfront. Joining her are Casco Baykeeper Ivy Frignoca of Friends of Casco Bay, Brunswick Coastal Resource Manager Dan Devereaux, and Harpswell…
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When an Open Shelter Bed Isn’t Enough: Understanding Homelessness in Portland
Why do some people continue to sleep outside even when shelter beds are available—and what does it take to help someone find a lasting home? Host Tom Bell welcomes Maggie McLoughlin, director of Portland’s Health and Human Services Department, and Aaron Geyer, the city’s director of Social...
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Building a Transportation System that Works for Everyone
What would a safer, more affordable, and accessible transportation system look like for Maine? On this episode of Let’s Connect Greater Portland, host Kristina Egan welcomes Josh Caldwell and Zoe Miller, co-facilitators of Transportation for Maine, and Andrew Clark of the Greater Portland Council...
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Bringing AI to the Office: From Resistance to Results
How is artificial intelligence changing the workplace—and what does it take to introduce it thoughtfully? Host Kristina Egan welcomes Dr. Gleb Tsipursky, a behavioral scientist and author of “The Psychology of AI Adoption at Work: From Resistance to Results,” and Kyle Hadyniak, Director of...
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Beyond the Public Hearing: Hearing More Community Voices
How can local leaders gauge public opinion so they can make decisions that reflect the community’s wishes? Host Tom Bell talks with municipal communications officials Andrew Dickinson of Saco, Shara Dee of South Portland and Roger Cropley of Windham, along with FlashVote co-founder and chief...
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A conversation with U.S. Senate Candidate Troy Jackson
Troy Jackson, Maine’s Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate, joins host Kristina Egan to discuss the challenges facing Greater Portland and communities across Maine. Their conversation explores housing affordability, property taxes, health care, federal funding, transportation, climate…
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Bobby Charles on His Vision for Maine
Bobby Charles, the Republican nominee for governor of Maine, joins host Kristina Egan to discuss his vision for the state and his approach to some of Maine’s biggest challenges. Their conversation covers his thoughts on property taxes, unfunded mandates, housing, transportation funding, and…
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Keeping Maine’s Pick-Your-Own Tradition Alive
Pick-your-own farms are a beloved Maine tradition, but behind every family outing is a seasonal business shaped by unpredictable weather, rising costs and development pressure. Host Tom Bell explores the economics and future of pick-your-own farming with Penny Jordan of Jordan’s Farm in Cape...
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What Adults Don’t Get About Young People Today
Guest host Craig Freshley sits down with Portland-area teenagers Wyatt Clegg, Dylan Ginn, and Nika Norris for a candid conversation about communication, gender identity, climate change, trust in government, and the world their generation is inheriting. Rather than asking them to speak for an…
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What Maine’s Mountain Lakes Are Telling Us
Host Kristina Egan explores how Maine’s changing climate is affecting the lakes and ponds found high in the state’s mountains. Simon Rucker, executive director of the Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust, and aquatic ecologist Amanda Gavin explain why these high-elevation bodies of water are...
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Could Social Housing Help Portland’s Housing Crisis?
Host Belinda Ray explores the concept of social housing and what it could mean for Portland. Jay Waterman, Director of Real Estate Development for the Portland Housing Authority, and Portland City Councilors Kate Sykes and Sarah Michniewicz discuss how social housing works, examples from other...
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Returning home to China After Four Years in America
Host Tom Bell talks with Hazel Zhang, a mapping & data analyst at the Greater Portland Council of Governments, about her recent journey back to China for the first time after living four years in the United Sates. Hazel reflects on returning to her hometown, reconnecting with family, and seeing…
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Keeping Portland Harbor Moving
Portland Harbor’s working waterfront is one of the region’s most important economic and cultural assets—but much of the work that keeps it operating happens out of public view. Host Belinda Ray speaks with Captain Calvin Klopp, president of Portland Pilots; Chelsea Pettengill, Executive Director…
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Letting Maine’s Rivers Run Again
After centuries of disruption caused by dams, migratory fish are returning to their historic habitats as river restoration efforts in Maine gain momentum. Host Tom Bell speaks with Landis Hudson, executive director of Maine Rivers; fish passage advocate Ahna Knudsen; and Matt Streeter, an avid…
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Freshwater Invaders: Protecting Maine’s Lakes and Rivers
Freshwater Invaders: Protecting Maine’s Lakes and Rivers. Freshwater invasive species can threaten Maine’s lakes and rivers, disrupt native ecosystems, and affect recreation, fishing, and local economies. Host Kristina Egan speaks with Dakota Stankowski of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries...
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Can you live car-free in Greater Portland?
What does it take to live car-free in Greater Portland — and is that really possible? Host Tom Bell talks with Portland Press Herald writer Leslie Bridgers, car-free Portland resident Isabel Vivanco, public transportation advocate Katherine Charbonneau, and Andrew Clark, Transit Program Manager…
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Rick Bennett’s vision for Maine
Host Kristina Egan speaks with Rick Bennett, an independent candidate for governor, about his vision for Maine. Bennett discusses his goal of reducing political polarization by encouraging compromise and consensus-building. He takes calls from listeners and shares his views on housing, public...
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Maine’s Energy Future: Opportunities and Challenges
Host Kristina Egan explores energy policy in Maine with Celina Cunningham, Acting Commissioner of the Maine Department of Energy Resources, and Ethan Tremblay of the Department’s Planning and Policy Division. They discuss Maine’s over-reliance on fossil fuels and efforts reduce Maine’s dependence...
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Vision Zero in Action: How Demonstration Projects Are Making Greater Portland's Streets Safer
How can temporary street projects help create safer roads and save lives? Host Belinda Ray talks with Cashel Stewart of the Greater Portland Council of Governments and Ainsley Judge of Neighborways Design about the demonstration projects coming to Portland, Scarborough, and Saco this summer. They...
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Casco Bay Lines charts a new course with hybrid-electric Ferry
Host Kristina Egan talks with Ben Dinsmore, General Manager of Casco Bay Lines, about the anticipated arrival of the Battery Steele — the most innovative passenger vessel ever built for Maine island service. They discuss how hybrid-electric propulsion works in a demanding marine environment and…
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Meet the candidates running for Cumberland County Commissioner
Host Kristina Egan interviews candidates running seats on the Cumberland County Board of County Commissioners. This is a 30-minute highlight of a one-hour televised forum produced by the Portland Media Center in conjunction with the Greater Portland Council of Governments. The primary election is...
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Why Historic Preservation Still Matters
Host Tom Bell speaks with Kate Lemos McHale, the Executive Director of Greater Portland Landmarks about why historic preservation still matters in a time shaped by housing shortages, political division, and rapid change. The conversation explores the role preservation plays in strengthening...
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The vanishing meadows beneath Casco Bay
Host Tom Bell explores the alarming decline of eelgrass in Casco Bay with Ivy Frignoca, Casco Baykeeper with Friends of Casco Bay, and Janelle Goeke, Staff Scientist for Casco Bay Estuary Partnership, who coordinates eelgrass restoration projects in Casco Bay. Often overlooked beneath the water’s...
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Tight budgets. Tough choices.
Regional mayors come together to talk through the financial challenges facing their communities. Host Kristina Egan speaks with Portland Mayor Mark Dion, South Portland Mayor Elyse Tipton, Saco Mayor Jodie MacPhail, and Biddeford’s newly elected mayor, Liam LaFountain.
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Is an ADU right for you?
Are you thinking about building an accessory dwelling unit in your backyard? Host Tom Bell talks with some experts: Matt Grooms, deputy planning director of the Planning & Economic Urban Development Dept. for the City of Portland, Portland Press Herald reporter Hannah LaClaire, who has been doing...
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Bridging the Digital Divide in Maine
Host Tom Bell sits down with Kayla Lewis to explore the real-world impacts of the digital divide and the ongoing effort to expand broadband access across southern Maine. Kayla shares what it means to be on the front lines of digital equity—helping people navigate essential tasks like applying for...
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Turning Empty Buildings into Homes
Host Kristina Egan brings together two leaders at the forefront of Maine’s housing solutions—Tuck O’Brien with Maine Redevelopment and Jennifer Hawkins with Avesta Housing—for a timely conversation on how the state can address its housing shortage. The episode explores innovative policy ideas,...
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Can building upward reduce sprawl?
Host Belinda Ray sits down with Kevin Kraft, Director of Planning and Urban Development for the City of Portland, to explore the relationship between tall buildings and sustainability. As Portland considers a proposed 30-story tower in the Old Port, the conversation dives into public reaction,...
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Taking the lead on climate
At the ClimateWork Maine Summit in Portland on March 19, 2026 host Kristina Egan sits down with Bob Keefe, a national climate advocate and Executive Director of E2—a nonpartisan network of business leaders, investors, and professionals working across sectors to advance policies that strengthen…
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Let’s Talk Housing: What’s Happening in Greater Portland’s real estate market?
Host Kristina Egan is joined by Aaron Chadbourne of Demetria Real Estate for a wide-ranging conversation on the state of the region’s housing market. Together, they explore the factors driving up the cost of housing and the policy changes that could make housing affordable for more families....
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The impact of recent immigration enforcement on our communities
Host Kristina Egan speaks with Nathan Davis, Executive Director of Gateway Community Services Maine, and Cary Tyson, Executive Director of Portland Downtown, about how federal immigration enforcement activity is affecting businesses, workers, and families across the Greater Portland region.…
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Digging into Portland Harbor’s $25 Million Investment
Host Tom Bell digs into the $25 million Portland Harbor dredging project now underway—why it matters for the working waterfront, what’s being done about contaminated sediments, and how the project is being managed and funded. Joining the conversation are Heather Moretti, the City of Portland’s…
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Better Together: State + Regional Partnerships That Work
Host Kristina Egan sits down with Samantha Horn, Director of the Maine Office of Community Affairs —a new state office created to help communities access coordinated planning support, technical assistance, and resources. Together, they unpack what how the agency can help local leaders and...
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Metro’s big plans for South Portland and Scarborough
Host Andrew Clark sits down with Mike Tremblay, Director of Transit Development at Greater Portland Metro, for a wide-ranging update on what’s new—and what’s next—for public transportation in the region. They dig into the impact of the South Portland–Metro merger one year in. The conversation…
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How Portland saved its working waterfront
Host Kristina Egan sits down with Bill Needelman, the former Waterfront Coordinator for the City of Portland, Maine, for a big-picture conversation about how Portland’s working waterfront has evolved over the past 25 years — and what it’s taken to protect one of the region’s most vital economic…
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Unless Something Goes Terribly Wrong
Host Tom Bell talks with Portland Water District General Manager Scott Firmin and filmmakers Alexander Wolf Lewis and Kaitlyn Schwalje. Alex and Kaitlyn are the creators of the feature-length documentary Unless Something Goes Terribly Wrong—an informative, funny, and surprisingly heart-warming…
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Infrastructure: The Hidden Barrier to Housing in Greater Portland
Across Greater Portland, the push to build more housing often runs into a less visible but critical challenge: infrastructure. In this episodehost Kristina Egan is joined by Emily Cole-Prescott, Assistant City Administrator for the City of Saco, and Jennie Franceschi, Director of Planning & Code...
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A conversation with House Speaker Ryan Fecteau
Host Kristina Egan sits down with House Speaker Ryan Fecteau to explore legislative priorities in an election year, including efforts to lower the property tax burden and address the loss of federal funding for programs that help Mainers pay for food, childcare, and health care. They discuss the...
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Unpacking how communities prepare for winter storms
Host Kristina Egan is joined by Brett Frank, Deputy Director of Public Works in Scarborough; Mike Murray, Director of Public Works for the City of Portland; and Caity Hager, Portland’s Emergency Management Coordinator to unpack how plowing decisions are made, why parking bans matter, how roads…
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Creating a home with an ADU
Host Tom Bell explores how Accessory Dwelling Units are helping Maine homeowners navigate the state’s housing affordability crisis. He talks with two local residents—Mark Baker of Portland and Keri Ouellette of South Portland—who have each built an ADU for different reasons. Mark Baker and his...
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How Maine Schools Are Going Green
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...
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Keeping our unhoused neighbors safe
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...
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Electrifying Maine’s Working Waterfront
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...
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From beer to scallops — local industries going green
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...
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Run for local office!
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...
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Saco & Biddeford’s Shared Future
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...
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Saving Maine’s Marshes
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...
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Driving Maine forward: Andre Briere on the future of the Maine Turnpike and sustainable transportation
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…
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Yarmouth voters face critical decision about the town's future
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…
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Making the switch to electric trucks
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...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Let's Connect is a weekly podcast focused on how cities and towns in Greater Portland are overcoming challenges in their communities. Hosted by Kristina Egan, Executive Director of the Greater Portland Council of Governments, the show focuses on a range of issues, including housing, transportation, climate change, and economic development.
HOSTED BY
WMPG
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Let's Connect have?
Let's Connect currently has 176 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Let's Connect about?
Let's Connect is a weekly podcast focused on how cities and towns in Greater Portland are overcoming challenges in their communities. Hosted by Kristina Egan, Executive Director of the Greater Portland Council of Governments, the show focuses on a range of issues, including housing, transportation,...
How often does Let's Connect release new episodes?
Let's Connect publishes regularly with 176 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Let's Connect?
You can listen to Let's Connect on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Let's Connect?
Let's Connect is created and hosted by WMPG.
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