Radio Maine with Dr. Lisa Belisle

Yarmouth Clam Festival: Chelsie DiConzo, Director

Chelsie DiConzo is the Community Events Director for the Yarmouth Clam Festival. Originally from Rumford, a riverfront mill town located in the foothills of western Maine, Chelsie has dedicated herself to showcasing Maine’s cultural landscape. Chelsie drew upon her well-honed skills as a seasoned event organizer when reviving Yarmouth’s beloved tradition after a two-year Covid-imposed hiatus. She and her team successfully overcame many challenges in 2022 as they reinstated Maine’s largest free-admission festival, which welcomes more than 100,000 guests each July. Join our conversation with Chelsie DiConzo today on Radio Maine.

Liminal Space Artist: Helen Lewis

Living Maine: Heather Shields

Heather Shields is a self-made individual who is a Senior Vice President and Broker with Legacy Properties Sotheby's International Realty. Growing up on the island of North Haven in Maine’s Penobscot Bay, Heather spent many years working with fellow island resident, and U.S. Congresswoman, Chellie Pingree. Heather's journey from island life to mainland real estate showcases her commitment to learning, resilience and adaptability. She has many important insights on Maine’s unique community dynamics and the importance of connections. Join our conversation with Heather Shields today on Radio Maine.

Arts and Humanities Make the Difference: Kristin Eckhardt

Kristin Eckhardt is a co-founder of Notice, a boutique consulting agency that specializes in educational startups and other entrepreneurial ventures. A graduate of Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, Kristin's education and professional background encompass diverse realms from visual art and architecture to technology and small business ownership. Kristin believes in balancing tech with tangible experiences, and the importance of nurturing enriching environments, both physical and virtual. Hailing from the woods of Southern Maine, Kristin attributes her eclectic pursuits to a Mainer's ethos of embracing challenges and seeking growth. Join our conversation with Kristin Eckhardt today on Radio Maine.

The Tech Margin: Sonia Cook-Broen

Sonia Cook-Broen is a trailblazing innovator whose focus is the intersection of technology and art. A former software engineer and longtime Maine resident, Sonia is the founder of TheTechMargin, which embraces “coloring outside of the lines, creativity, mindfulness, and allyship,” through its online classes and other content. Sonia advocates for diversity in the tech industry, emphasizing the value of varied perspectives in problem-solving. Sonia also transforms artwork into wearable pieces, as a means of making art more accessible, and providing financial sustainability for artists like Christopher O’Connor (who also happens to be her husband).  Join our conversation with Sonia Cook-Broen today on Radio Maine.

What Was Your Creative Lightning Bolt? Page Eastburn O'Rourke and the Artistic Process

Page Eastburn O’Rourke spent decades developing a successful career based on a creative style she called “Pop Folk Art,” that became beloved by loyal collectors of her work. She hopes that her new work will be even more appealing to those who have come to love and appreciate her approach. Page recalls a “lightning bolt” moment while exploring the Left Bank in Paris that convinced her of the clear immediate need to shift her painting to a more abstract form. Although this change represents a potential risk to her current success, Page has no regrets about her decision to embrace her truth and take hold of her future, as she fully pursues significant artistic growth. Join our conversation with Page Eastburn O’Rourke today on Radio Maine.

Addiction Doc: Dr. Nick Gallagher

Raised in Winslow, Maine, Addiction Medicine specialist Dr. Nick Gallagher is the latest in a long line of family members to provide care for his community. He began his employment with the local hospital when he was a teenager, scrubbing floors and emptying trash cans, as a member of the environmental services team. After working his way through the University of Maine at Augusta, Nick went on to the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in Biddeford, Maine. During his emergency medicine training, Nick saw firsthand the devastating impact of substance use disorder (SUD). This prompted Nick to pursue a fellowship in Addiction Medicine at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, before returning to practice in his home state. Now a medical director for the same hospital system in which he “grew up”--and where his mother worked for four decades– Nick stresses the importance of a compassionate, comprehensive, community-oriented approach to SUD. Join our conversation with Dr. Nick Gallagher today on Radio Maine.

Life By Design: Mary Allen Lindemann and the Future of Coffee

Coffee by Design owner and co-founder Mary Allen Lindemann is a pioneering force in the coffee industry, and a longstanding supporter of arts and community in Maine.  Her deep connection to the state dates back to 1971, when her family first began summering on Chebeague Island in Casco Bay. Mary Allen would go on to pursue fashion marketing and advertising, before a chance intersection with Seattle’s specialty coffee scene seeded her desire to focus on what would become her life’s work. Portland-based Coffee By Design has flourished for three decades, and her leadership has shaped not only local culture, but also the global coffee landscape. As an advocate for sustainable sourcing, Mary Allen maintains direct connections with coffee farmers worldwide. Join our conversation with Mary Allen Lindemann today on Radio Maine.

Starting a Family and an Art Practice: Miriam Webber

Emerging artist Miriam Webber found her way back to art as a means to rediscover herself after becoming a mother. Miriam has long enjoyed painting and drawing. A friend who featured Miriam’s work at her local business catalyzed Miriam’s shift toward sharing her art publicly, and the subsequent sell-out show affirmed Miriam’s artistic path. Currently balancing her role as a mother and work as a hairstylist with her artistic pursuits, Miriam actively involves her son in her creative process. This collaboration has influenced her artwork, yielding imaginative pieces such as "Fruit Solar System.” Miriam draws on her knowledge of color theory to bring beauty to all aspects of her life: from people and painting, to interior spaces. Join our conversation with Miriam Webber today on Radio Maine with Dr. Lisa Belisle.

Exploring the Human Side of Healthcare with Dr. David Salko

Dr. David Salko is a family physician and medical leader dedicated to community health. A graduate of Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and the Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Dave completed his family medicine residency at Maine Medical Center in Portland. He and his wife, Jen, have four active children, whose interests range from ice hockey to art. Passionate about teaching, Dave mentors the next generation of health practitioners at the Topsham practice where he has worked since 2007. Dave is also a member of Central Maine Healthcare’s Board of Directors.  An avid runner and cyclist, Dave is a regular participant in the The Dempsey Challenge, a yearly run/walk/cycle event that raises money for the Dempsey Center, founded by actor Patrick Dempsey to help cancer patients and their families.  Join our conversation with Dr. David Salko today on Radio Maine.