Radio Maine with Dr. Lisa Belisle

From Peaks Island to Patients: Dr. Chuck Radis on His New Book

In this episode of Radio Maine, Dr. Lisa Belisle welcomes back Dr. Chuck Radis—rheumatologist, author, and storyteller—to discuss his newest book, Mystery in the Room (RHEUM): A Physician’s Journey Treating Patients with Rare Diseases. Drawing inspiration from Oliver Sacks and John McPhee, Dr. Radis blends medical insight with personal reflection, exploring the art of diagnosis, the humanity behind clinical encounters, and the balance between science and empathy.

Together, they discuss how technology, including AI, might paradoxically help physicians reconnect with patients, why listening remains medicine’s most powerful diagnostic tool, and how life on Peaks Island continues to shape Dr. Radis’s perspective as both a doctor and a writer.

Radio Maine is proudly sponsored by the Portland Art Gallery, where we explore and celebrate creativity and the human spirit.

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Building Community and Creativity at the Portland Art Gallery

In this special episode of Radio Maine, Dr. Lisa Belisle sits down with her husband, Kevin Thomas—owner of the Portland Art Gallery—for a candid conversation about his unlikely path from a farming family in northern Maine, to foodservice distribution CEO, to gallery owner in Portland Maine’s Old Port. Kevin shares how his lifelong appreciation for creativity began with high school sketches and Friday night gallery visits in Northampton, Massachusetts—long before he could afford original art. He reflects on lessons in business and branding learned on the job, the leap from an early online art venture to a physical gallery, and why creating a welcoming, approachable space matters to both artists and collectors. Together, Kevin and Lisa explore the Portland Art Gallery’s monthly First Thursday openings, the importance of community, the joy of connecting collectors with meaningful work, and the ways art inspires families across generations—including their own children and grandchildren. This conversation highlights the intersection of creativity, entrepreneurship, and family—revealing why art is more than something you hang on a wall. It’s a way of life.

How Tech and Creativity Are Shaping Maine’s Future: William Sullivan

In this episode of Radio Maine, Dr. Lisa Belisle sits down with William Sullivan, co-organizer of Maine Tech Week and founder of From Away Games. A Maine native who began his career at Microsoft, William shares his journey from deep tech and engineering to gaming, VR/AR, and creative entrepreneurship. They explore how technology and creativity overlap—whether through video game design, immersive VR storytelling, or using AR to improve healthcare training and patient care. William also discusses the vision behind Maine Tech Week, his work with the Silicon Lobster network, and the importance of building lasting connections between Maine’s creative and tech communities. From Robin Williams filming Jumanji in Maine to startups using VR for empathy training, this conversation highlights the innovation, resilience, and community spirit shaping Maine’s future. ✨ Sponsored by the Portland Art Gallery in Portland, Maine.

The Universe Loves Me: Billy Jack Goodwin’s Journey of Service

In this episode of Radio Maine, Dr. Lisa Belisle sits down with Billy Jack Goodwin—program leader at Port Resources’ Achieving Independence in Maine (AIM). Billy Jack shares his remarkable journey from growing up in Lewiston, to decades of nonprofit work supporting vulnerable populations, to creating innovative programs that help young adults with autism and individuals with disabilities live independent, fulfilling lives.

He also opens up about the influence of his mother, an ER nurse who modeled compassion and service; how art and creativity sustain him; and why comedy, yoga, and storytelling have all become vital outlets in his life. Along the way, he reflects on the challenges of working with traumatized youth, the evolution of care for people with disabilities, and his belief that “the universe loves me” has guided his purpose.

Sponsored by the Portland Art Gallery, Radio Maine celebrates creativity and the human spirit.

Inside the National Gallery of Art: Tosca Ruggieri on Art, History, and Hidden Stories

Tosca Ruggieri is an independent art historian and the founder of Art with Tosca. She brings museum collections to life through storytelling, guided tours, and lectures. Based just outside of Washington, D.C., Tosca began her career in the London art market before shifting her focus to education and engagement both online and in-person. Since moving to the U.S. in 2021, she has created and led intimate, research-driven tours at the National Gallery of Art, helping audiences connect deeply with individual works while exploring themes such as women artists, symbolism, and the history of color.

Her approach blends scholarship with improvisation, encouraging conversation and sparking curiosity that extends far beyond the museum walls. Tosca’s passion for art has roots in her French and Italian upbringing: her early exposure to the museums of Paris, Florence, and Tuscany inspired a lifelong fascination with art history and collecting.

Join our conversation with Tosca Ruggieri today on Radio Maine. Don’t forget to subscribe to the channel for more episodes!

 

Maine Artist Joan Fischer on Color, Rhythm, and Joy

Joan Fischer is both an artist and a retired attorney, a life path that has taken her from courtroom arguments to colorful canvases. Though she practiced law for decades, art was always her release—first through textiles learned from her immigrant grandmothers, later through bold paintings inspired by color, rhythm, and joy. Today, Fischer brings that sensibility to the Portland Art Gallery, where her vibrant fish paintings and playful compositions invite viewers to smile and linger. Raised by a sculptor mother who once greeted Joan’s high school dates with a blowtorch in hand, Fischer grew up surrounded by creativity. Now living and working between Portland and East Boothbay, she finds inspiration in Maine’s ever-shifting light and coastal landscapes. Her story is one of resilience, reinvention, and a deep belief that beauty belongs in the everyday. Join our conversation with Joan Fischer today on Radio Maine—and don’t forget to subscribe to the channel.

The Stories Within Art: Ann Trainor Domingue on Connection an d Place

Ann Trainor Domingue is a Portland Art Gallery artist whose work beautifully explores the intersections of landscape, seascape, and human connection. With a background in graphic design, Ann brings a distinct visual language to her paintings, blending sharp composition with emotional storytelling. Her creative journey includes decades of sketchbook explorations, moments of experimentation with abstraction, and the incorporation of figures that embody strength, relationship, and care.

Ann’s pieces often capture life at the edge—where sea meets land, or where individuals meet one another—inviting viewers to bring their own stories into her art. Influenced by time spent along Maine’s coast, as well as formative travels in the Southwest, Ann has developed a style that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. Her career reflects persistence, playfulness, and a willingness to reimagine her own process.

Join our conversation with Ann Trainor Domingue today on Radio Maine. Don’t forget to subscribe for more stories of creativity and the human spirit.

Rooted in Nature: Sarah Giffen Carr on Conservation, Maine, and Meaning

Sarah Giffen Carr is a conservation leader whose lifelong connection to Maine’s landscapes has shaped both her personal journey and professional career. Raised in Hallowell, she spent summers with her family in a rustic cabin built by her father. As a result of that yearly re-immersion into the natural world, Sarah developed a deep love for the outdoors that guided her toward studying geography and environmental science at McGill University. She went on to work with organizations including the U.S. Geological Survey and Maine’s Land Use Planning Commission, before serving as co-executive director of conservation at the Midcoast Conservancy. In this conversation, Sarah shares how her upbringing, family influences, and the writings of Aldo Leopold shaped her conservation ethic. She reflects on balancing land use with preservation, the unique ecological treasures of Maine—from intact northern forests to Atlantic salmon populations—and the personal meaning she draws from place, loss, and legacy. Join our conversation with Sarah Giffen Carr today on Radio Maine. Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel for more inspiring stories!

Painting Her Own Path: Maine Artist Sam Chappell

Contemporary landscape artist Sam Chappell brings a compelling blend of intuition, emotion, and resilience to her creative journey. With a background in art history, focused on the Renaissance, Sam never imagined she’d return to art through painting—especially not in the loose, expressive style she now embraces.

After years in nonprofit fundraising and the corporate world, she rediscovered painting during the isolation of the pandemic, finding the process both meditative and transformative. Motherhood, and a move to Maine in 2023, gave her the clarity and courage to pursue art full-time.

Beginning with vibrant red underpaintings, she recreates fleeting moments from her travels and memories, creating works that resonate far beyond the canvas. Her story of vulnerability, persistence, and reinvention will inspire anyone seeking creative fulfillment.

Join our conversation with Portland Art Gallery artist Sam Chappell today on Radio Maine—and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel!

Creative Burnout? Here’s How to Begin Again

Dr. Lisa Belisle, physician, writer, and host of Radio Maine, returns with a deeply personal solo episode exploring the rhythms that shape our inner and creative lives. Drawing on her experience in medicine, motherhood, and writing, Dr. Belisle reflects on the power of slowing down, honoring transitions, and reconnecting with the quiet wisdom within us. She weaves insights from traditional Chinese medicine with her own stories of long runs through the woods, tea-filled mornings, and the cyclical nature of creativity. Inspired by artist Emma Ballou and conversations with others in the Portland Art Gallery community, she invites us to reimagine rest not as retreat—but as return. Whether you're navigating change or simply feeling out of step, this episode offers a gentle and grounding reminder: you're not falling behind, you're coming home. Join our conversation with Dr. Lisa Belisle today on Radio Maine—and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel!