Sarah Alexander from the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) joins Matt to discuss how we can incentivize local, organic food production that supports and nourishes communities.    To learn more check out MOFGA's website.  ..read more

For this month's episode, Heather Paquette, new President of Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine, and Laura Vinal, Senior Manager of Community Initiatives, join Matt to discuss food insecurity, an issue that intersects health, nutrition and community well-being.  Heather and Laura share how the organization is working alongside partners and community members to implement Maine’s Roadmap to End Hunger by 2030. To learn how you can donate, volunteer, and advocate to end hunger in our communities, visit www.feedingmaine.org ..read more

Adam Nordell, Campaign Manager at Defend Our Health and previous owner of Songbird Farm in Unity, Maine, joins the podcast to share his experience with severe PFAS contamination on his farm and how it's impacted his family and livelihood. Adam's story is deeply personal and we're grateful to him for sharing it with us and for the work he is doing with Defend Our Health to combat PFAS contamination in Maine. Check out their website for more information: https://defendourhealth.org/.  ..read more

Joe Lawlor from the Portland Press Herald joined Matt for this special episode of Healthy Maine Talks to discuss the intersection of gun safety and access to health care services in light of the tragic shootings in Lewiston.  Check out Joe's recent stories that we reference in this episode:  "Maine’s gun laws rated as among the most lax in the nation"--November 5th, 2023 "Having a harder time accessing health care? You’re not alone – and it’s making us sicker"--Oct 22nd, 2023 ..read more

"Dental disease is the most common chronic disease among children and it can have whole body effects."--Kalie Hess, MPH, Children's Oral Health Network of Maine "Sometimes we tend to separate oral health from overall health but they are one in the same."--Courtney Vannah, MS, MPH, MCD Global Health Tune into this week's episode to hear about barriers to oral healthcare and ways COHN is working to make preventative dental care more accessible for all children in Maine.  Check out https://www.dentalstepsforme.org/ and https://www.mainecohn.org/ for more info and resources ..read more

“It is my belief based on the research I've done that in America and in Maine the reason for zoning restrictions at its root is because of race and racism.”--Deb Ibonwa, Esq. Deb Ibonwa, Esq, Legal Advocate with Maine Equal Justice, joins Matt this month to discuss the housing crisis in Maine. Deb makes clear that while there are many facets to the housing crisis, we can pass policies that encourage developers to build truly affordable housing.  ..read more

In this month's episode, Penobscot Nation Tribal Ambassador Maulian Bryant shares her personal story, as well as the background and history behind the Wabanaki Alliance and the push to recognize the sovereignty and self-determination of the tribes in Maine. Visit wabanakialliance.com to learn more.  ..read more

As of now, cancer is the leading cause of death in Maine, and 1 in 3 people in the state will eventually receive a cancer diagnosis. In this month's episode, Matt sits down with Ray Ruby, Executive Director of Maine Cancer Foundation, to discuss their community led approach to combating cancer in Maine. Tune in to hear more about how you can help advance MCF's mission, including through the upcoming Tri for a Cure event on July 16th and throughout the rest of this month.  ..read more

“It is my belief based on the research I've done that in America and in Maine the reason for zoning restrictions at its root is because of race and racism.”--Deb Ibonwa, Esq. Deb Ibonwa, Esq, Legal Advocate with Maine Equal Justice, joins Matt this month to discuss the housing crisis in Maine. Deb makes clear that while there are many facets to the housing crisis, we can pass policies that encourage developers to build truly affordable housing.  ..read more