Radio Maine with Dr. Lisa Belisle

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!

From Combat to Calm: Mike Keighley's Journey Through Trauma-Informed Yoga

Michael Keighley, Chief Yoga Officer of Archangel Yoga and former Army helicopter pilot, shares a powerful and deeply personal journey from war zones to wellness. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Michael found his way to Maine through the University of Maine ROTC program. He served more than eight years in the military, including deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait. Struggling with PTSD and disconnection after his military service, Michael discovered yoga as a lifeline—eventually dedicating his life to teaching trauma-informed yoga to veterans, first responders, and underserved communities. Now based in Augusta, Maine, Michael’s work centers on restoring connection, identity, and purpose through movement, breath, and self-compassion. His yoga teaching experiences—from the Kennebec County Jail to the Travis Mills Foundation—highlight the healing power of choice and community. Join our conversation with Michael Keighley today on Radio Maine—and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel for more stories that celebrate creativity and the human spirit!

How One Woman Is Transforming Rural Healthcare Access in Maine: Anni Pat McKenney

Anni Pat McKenney, Director of MaineHealth’s Coulombe Center for Health Improvement, joins us on Radio Maine to share her inspiring journey from occupational therapy to pioneering community-based youth health programs. Raised in Newcastle, Maine, Anni Pat brings a deep personal connection to the communities she now serves. With past experience in the mental health field and a passion for service, she has helped transform school-based health centers into trusted spaces where students receive vital medical and behavioral care—right where they learn.

Her work addresses rural healthcare gaps, early childhood trauma, and the importance of trusted relationships in healing. Anni Pat’s story—from growing up in a home her father built to returning and leading community health efforts—reflects a powerful cycle of care, purpose, and local impact.

Join our conversation with Anni Pat McKenney today on Radio Maine, and don’t forget to subscribe to the channel!