Radio Maine with Dr. Lisa Belisle

Inside Canopy Portland: Ginny Hussey on Travel, Community, and Local Flavor

Ginny Hussey, General Manager of Canopy Portland Waterfront, brings a deep passion for hospitality and an abiding love for Maine to her leadership role in one of Portland’s most dynamic hotels. Raised in Colorado Springs but with early connections to Biddeford Pool, Ginny moved to Maine with her family when she was in high school. After returning to Colorado for college, and gaining experience in the hospitality industry, Ginny returned to the Pine Tree state and enjoyed being part of the team that launched Portland’s Press Hotel. Her deep local knowledge, commitment to authentic guest experiences, and dedication to showcasing Maine’s food, art, and people make her a true ambassador for the region.

Ginny thoughtfully guides visitors through Portland’s vibrant culinary and cultural scene, reveals her favorite hidden gems, and discusses her work championing local art through initiatives like Canopy’s Epic Grant for Maine College of Art & Design students. Whether it’s welcoming guests at the front desk or connecting them to Maine’s unique spirit, Ginny is shaping what it means to experience hospitality with heart.

Join our conversation with Ginny Hussey today on Radio Maine—and don’t forget to subscribe to the channel!

Unearthing Maine's Past with Historian Dr. Gerard Gawalt

Dr. Gerard Gawalt, esteemed historian and author, joins us from New Harbor, Maine to share his deep knowledge of the state’s often-overlooked past. With a career rooted in archival work and a passion sparked by his wife’s Maine lineage, Dr. Gawalt has spent decades uncovering the complex layers of our history—from intertribal conflicts among the Abenaki to the turbulent land disputes involving Henry and Lucy Knox. Dr. Gawalt also explores how a longstanding mistrust of outsiders and a fierce sense of independence helped shape Maine’s identity. Our conversation offers a compelling look into the events and people that helped define the state. Join our conversation with Dr. Gerard Gawalt today on Radio Maine—and don’t forget to subscribe to the channel!

How Place Shapes Health: Dr. Rebecca Boulos on Optimism, Stress & the Power of Small Shifts

Dr. Rebecca Boulos, Executive Director of the Maine Public Health Association, brings an extraordinary blend of academic insight, personal experience, and deep-rooted commitment to her home state. With a PhD in Food Policy and Applied Nutrition from Tufts, along with degrees from Yale and George Washington University, Rebecca has spent years exploring how our environment, mindset, and stress shape health outcomes. A Cape Elizabeth native, Rebecca shares how growing up in Maine—and eventually returning to it—shaped her belief in both self-sufficiency and community care. From her early days volunteering in local schools to groundbreaking research on optimism and public health policy, Rebecca offers a compelling perspective on how small shifts can lead to big health improvements. Her work is a powerful reminder that place, purpose, and people all matter. Join our conversation with Dr. Rebecca Boulos today on Radio Maine—and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel!

How We Find Ourselves Again

Dr. Lisa Belisle—physician, writer, and host of Radio Maine—returns for a solo episode that resonates with emotional depth and quiet strength. In this intimate reflection, she explores the art of wayfinding: how we move through uncertainty, loss, and transformation with grace and authenticity.

Drawing on recent experiences, Lisa speaks candidly about the death of a cherished patient, the evolving role of caregiving, and the one-year anniversary of her father's passing. Her words are grounded in the perspective of a healer and shaped by a lifelong connection to Maine’s rugged, contemplative landscape.

Rather than offering tidy answers, Lisa invites listeners into the messy, beautiful process of becoming. She reflects on how moments of grief can sharpen our insight, loosen our grip on old narratives, and open the way for something more honest and alive.

With lyrical clarity and emotional steadiness, this episode holds space for anyone navigating change. It’s a reminder that, sometimes, the surest direction comes not from knowing where we’re going—but from paying attention to what calls us forward.

The Story Behind Sur Lie & Gather: Krista Cole’s Path to Culinary Impact

Krista Cole, owner and Director of Operations for Sur Lie in Portland and Gather in Yarmouth, brings Northern Maine grit and hospitality to the heart of the restaurant world. A two-time James Beard semifinalist, Krista’s journey began in healthcare management, where she built a foundation in operations and strategy before stepping full-force into entrepreneurship. Her story is one of dual passions—caring for people and creating meaningful food experiences. From her humble roots in Houlton to balancing two full-time careers, she’s stayed true to her small-town values: honesty, hard work, and community. At Sur Lie, she redefines upscale casual dining, while Gather feels like a welcoming neighborhood table—complete with a team that shares her passion for service. Krista’s love of systems, branding, and culture-building has made her a force in Maine’s culinary scene and a role model for women entrepreneurs. Join our conversation with Krista Cole today on Radio Maine—and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel.

Storytelling, Teamwork, and the Art of Creative Connection: Chip Brewer

Chip Brewer, founder of Growth Story LLC and a Bowdoin College alum, joins Dr. Lisa Belisle on Radio Maine for a dynamic conversation about storytelling, community, and the power of collaboration. A longtime resident of Cape Elizabeth, Chip blends decades of corporate consulting with his passion for improv, screenwriting, and novel writing—crafts he uses to explore themes of teamwork and empathy. From teaching improv to the Bowdoin Alumni Council to co-authoring a screenplay inspired by his over-40 hockey team, Chip infuses every project with insight and humor. He shares stories of unexpected connections, lessons from summer camp, and the value of "sneaky bonding" to bridge generational or ideological divides. Rooted in the belief that creativity flourishes in collaboration, Chip's work reflects a deep commitment to kindness and shared purpose. Join our conversation with Chip Brewer today on Radio Maine—and don’t forget to subscribe to the channel!

The Creators of Final First Edition: Rich Horn & the Ninja Turtles

Christoph Gelfand, Wes Sterrs, and Jeff Griecci—filmmakers behind the dynamic short documentary Final First Edition—join us for a lively and insightful conversation about collaboration, creativity, and a deep dive into pop culture history. This trio, each with impressive individual credentials in Maine’s tight-knit film community, came together to chronicle a fascinating project: collector Rich Horn’s mission to recreate the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic, using the same techniques and even the original negatives—first printed in Biddeford, Maine nearly 40 years ago. Christoph, founder of True Life Media, Jeff, a Biddeford-based cinematographer with a passion for indie films, and Wes, the film’s director and a Belfast native, reveal how Final First Edition became a joyful exploration of fandom, nostalgia, and artistic obsession. Their camaraderie shines throughout—whether joking about their own Ninja Turtle alter egos or reflecting on the powerful lessons learned from documenting Rich’s meticulous archive. Beyond the humor and energy, this conversation highlights the unique spirit of Maine’s creative scene, where small communities foster big projects—and where teamwork transforms vision into reality. It’s a testament to friendship, shared passion, and the magic that happens when artists unite behind a common goal. Join our conversation with Christoph, Wes, and Jeff today on Radio Maine—and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel for more inspiring stories!

Portland Art Gallery Artist: Ryan Kohler

Ryan Kohler is a Portland Art Gallery artist known for his vibrant mixed-media paintings that blend acrylic and collage into energetic “parties on canvas.” Based in Skowhegan, Ryan’s journey to full-time art began with a brief stint in architecture, followed by years immersed in music—writing, performing, and producing—before a major life shift brought him fully into the studio. His process is intuitive and tactile, often sparked by color, texture, and rhythm, with unexpected elements like fragments of album covers adding layers of meaning. A self-taught builder, Ryan even renovated his own studio above a garage, embracing the physicality of creativity in all forms. Inspired early by Picasso and Dalí, he sees each canvas as a self-portrait in energy, offering viewers a dynamic and personal visual experience rooted in Maine’s landscape and artistic community. Join our conversation with Ryan Kohler today on Radio Maine. Don’t forget to subscribe to the channel for more inspiring artist stories.

From Tax Forms to Fresh Starts: Karla Brannen’s Financial (and Creative) Journey

Karla Brannen, principal at Brannen CPA Services, shows that accounting is as much about insight and problem-solving as it is about numbers. A native of Maine's Aroostook County and graduate of Thomas College, Karla has built a thriving firm grounded in expertise and a deep understanding of her clients’ unique situations. In this Radio Maine interview, she shares how no two tax returns are ever quite the same, and how careful interpretation, judgment, and experience are essential to finding the best path forward for each client. Karla also reflects on her bold decision to leave a traditional firm and launch her own practice—bringing fresh ideas and a personal touch to every aspect of her work, from welcoming office design to her strong ties with the Portland Art Gallery. It’s a thoughtful look at how accounting can be both precise and personal. Join our conversation with Karla Brannen today on Radio Maine—and don’t forget to subscribe to the channel.

Capturing Portland’s Truth: A Conversation with Photographer Nick Gervin

Documentary photographer Nick Gervin has spent the last decade capturing the soul of Portland, Maine—its beauty, its struggles, and its untold stories. In this inspiring Radio Maine interview, Nick shares how photography became a lifeline in his recovery from traumatic brain injury and substance use disorder, guiding him from solitary nighttime shoots to a vibrant artistic community at the Bakery Photo Collective. His work, including the acclaimed book Portlanders, blurs the line between documentary and fine art, inviting viewers to see the city’s complexities: its flaws, its resilience, its humanity. With powerful images of everyday life and a deep commitment to truth-telling, Nick shows how photography can both witness and heal. Join our conversation with Nick Gervin today on Radio Maine—and don’t forget to subscribe to the channel.