Radio Maine with Dr. Lisa Belisle

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.

Finding Art in the Sound of Maine: Dianne Ballon

Dianne Ballon is a sound artist. A graduate of the Massachusetts College of Art in Boston, Dianne originally worked with visual mediums, but became intrigued by the creative possibilities of audio elements, and soon changed her focus to sound. Her current exhibit at the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath, titled Lost and Found: Sounds of the Maine Coast by Dianne Ballon, features local soundscape essentials such as buoys and  foghorns.  Previously a member of the teaching and production staff at the University of Maine in Augusta, Dianne looks for the right locale, and the perfect circumstances, to record audio of the highest possible quality. She has a particular love for the sounds of nature, which intersects with another of her favorite pastimes: birding. Join our conversation with Dianne Ballon today on Radio Maine.

Leadership Has Evolved. Have You? Alex Sydnor

An experienced leader across various industries, Alex Sydnor brings a unique perspective to the healthcare sector, where he has served as a Chief Strategy Officer for more than a decade. With a background in education and the arts, Alex recognizes the pivotal role creativity plays in problem-solving. Alex emphasizes the value of cross-disciplinary ideas, and encourages a culture that embraces diverse viewpoints. He champions and practices effective group facilitation as a means of fostering communication and visioning within teams. True to his creative roots, Alex believes in the power of narrative and storytelling to enable a deeper understanding of patient experiences and drive positive change in healthcare. Join our conversation with Alex Sydnor today on Radio Maine.

Maine Fintech and Forging New Paths: George Matelich

When George Matelich began his career, he intentionally moved to the West Coast to be in the center of tech entrepreneurship. He understood the importance of spending time with others who were on the cutting edge. Drawing on this exposure, and experience as a software engineer, this former self-described “pizza-influencer,” developed invaluable insights and skills. George has used these to cultivate a tech community, Nexus Maine, that he envisions as a place for like-minded entrepreneurs to find support, collaboration, and camaraderie. George also continues to work in fintech (financial technology) and proptech (property–real estate–technology) from his new home on the coast of Maine. The story of George’s Maine adventure includes a marriage proposal to his now-wife Ann, which involved a special painting by Portland Art Gallery artist Jack Gable.  Join our conversation with George Matelich today on Radio Maine.