Maine Policy Matters
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MPM is available on all major streaming platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Soundcloud, YouTube, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio.
Episodes
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S9E1 The Nuclear Frontier: When Maine Was the Frontline of the Cold War
In this episode, we interview Chris O’Brien on Maine’s strategic role as a nuclear frontier during the Cold War, highlighting how bases like Loring became central to national defense. We examine the legacy of Senator Margaret Chase Smith, balancing her famous stand against McCarthyism with her firm support for nuclear military readiness. Transcript Coming Soon
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S8E3 Maine Healthcare: What Reduced Health Insurance Subsidies Could Mean in Maine
In this episode, we discuss the high-stakes expiration of the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits (ePTCs)—a pandemic-era policy that is set to sunset at the end of 2025 with Hilary Schneider, Jordan Rhodes, and Hilary Schneider, Jordan Rhodes, and Meg Garrat-Reed. While the Affordable Care Act (ACA) laid the groundwork for subsidized health insurance in 2010, […]
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S8E2 The Future of Whales in Maine: Science, Policy, and People
In this episode, we explore the critical role whales play in the marine ecosystem and how advances in research technology have transformed our ability to study and protect them. Our guest, Toby Stephenson, shares inspiring moments from the field, insights from recent population studies, and the challenges posed by a changing climate. We also discuss […]
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S8E1 The Evolving Role of Maine’s Libraries: Funding, Freedom, and Community
In this episode, library leaders from across Maine share how their roles reflect the modern mission of public libraries and why these institutions remain vital to their communities. Listeners will learn how Maine libraries are adapting to meet today’s needs, the impact of federal funding cuts, and the strategies librarians employ to defend intellectual freedom […]
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S7E3 Food Equity in Education: Where Maine Stands and Where It’s Headed
In this episode, we interview Shannon Coffin, Lynne Holland, Lisa Morin, and Amanda Levesque on food insecurity in Maine’s higher and lower education systems. This episode is part 2 of our series on food insecurity in Maine. If you haven’t listened yet, please check out Part 1, where we discuss the statewide prevalence of food […]
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S7E2 Feeding Maine: The Fight Against Hunger in Urban and Rural Communities
In this episode, we interview Heather Paquette, Kelly Sirimoglu, and Justin Strasburger on the prevalence of food insecurity in Maine. Resources Transcript [00:00:00] Kelly Sirimoglu: Food insecurity in this region is really interwoven with poverty, transportation security, lack of state resources, high levels of poor health, and high levels of disability. So it’s really intertwined. […]
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S7E1 Climate Resilience in Maine: Protecting Communities and Infrastructure
In this episode, we feature a special host, Nicole Leblanc, who is a writer for our podcast. This episode focuses on climate resilience, Maine’s efforts toward clean energy and transportation, and Maine’s climate change infrastructure and will have two segments. The first will feature a one-on-one interview with Chief Engineer for the Maine Department of […]
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S6E3 Harm Reduction: Compassionate Solutions to Maine’s Opioid Epidemic
In this episode, we interview Gordon Smith, Alex Rezk, Dr. Rachel Solotaroff, and Glenn Gordon on the opioid epidemic in Maine. Resources: Transcript [00:00:00] Dr. Rachel Solotaroff: As we have advanced our definitions of a substance use disorder, it’s an understanding that it’s a spectrum disease, right? It’s not black or white, it’s not good […]
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S6E2 Behind the Ballot: Voting Integrity in Maine with Shenna Bellows
In this episode, we interview Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows on election processes, election security, the importance of local municipal elections, and semi-open primaries. This episode explores the extensive systems Maine employs to protect the democratic process. Secretary Bellows provides an in-depth look at how the state ensures every vote is counted accurately, discussing […]
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S6E1 Maine Broadband Access Part 2: Digital Equity, Attitudes, and Access
This episode is part 2 of a two-part series on the status of broadband in Maine, with today’s topic focusing on digital equity, attitudes, and access. As we discussed in part one, Maine is uniquely situated for addressing the challenge of getting broadband access to every person, from urban to rural towns, both having their […]
Meet the Team
Jonathan Rubin, Podcast Publisher
Barbara Harrity, Maine Policy Review Coeditor
Joyce Rumery, Maine Policy Review Coeditor
Eric Miller, Podcast Host
Jayson Heim, Podcast Producer, Writer
Kathryn Swacha, Writing Consultant
Nicole LeBlanc, Podcast Intern
Nathanael Batson, Music Composer
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The information provided in this podcast by the University of Maine System, acting through the University of Maine, (the University) is for general educational and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the author(s) and speaker(s) and do not represent the official policy or position of the University. Assumptions made in the analysis are not reflective of the position of any entity other than the author(s) and speaker(s). All information in the podcast is provided in good faith, however the University makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information in the podcast and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in the information in this podcast or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its broadcast or use. It is the listener’s responsibility to verify their own facts. Your use of the podcast and your reliance on any information in the podcast is solely at your own risk. The podcast does not contain nor is it intended to contain any legal advice. Any legal information provided is only for general informational and educational purposes, and is not a substitute for legal advice. Accordingly, before taking any actions based upon such information, the University encourages you to consult with an appropriate legal professional or licensed attorney.