Grounded in Maine

I loved this conversation with Janet Irizzary - she has tons of experience in the food business to base her upcoming course, My Mindful Kitchen (MMK) to reduce food waste for families.

in her bio: "The MMK Method offers a solution to household food waste, addressing a critical environmental issue that contributes to climate change. Wasting food also wastes valuable water and energy, while releasing harmful greenhouse gases like methane and carbon dioxide, which account for 11% of global emissions.

 MMK Method empowers families to unite in reducing food waste and creating a more sustainable future. By fostering awareness, streamlining routines, and sharing meaningful moments, it helps families build lasting habits that benefit both the environment and their family’s well-being." Who doesn't want that? That's a win-win situation!

Janet has run several restaurants, and has seen a lot of food waste, but says the highest amount of food waste is in the home, so she's using the skills she's learned to help families work together to cut that back, and build stronger family ties in the meantime. She also is an instructor at the Culinary Institute of America, and has a degree in Education, so she's very qualified to put this program out to make a difference in home kitchens!

The MMK Method helps families create lasting, positive change—building a legacy of sustainability.

Here's Janet's website link: https://www.mmkmethod.com/
She's also writing a lot on Substack here: https://janetirizarry.substack.com/
And on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetirizarry/

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How Do I Get There From Here by Jane Bolduc - hear more at https://www.janebolduc.com/

Podcast cover by Becca Kofron- follow her on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/skate_cute_but_loud/ and check out her awesome art projects.

Grounded in Maine Podcast is hosted by Buzzsprout, the easiest podcast hosting platform with the best customer service! Learn more here

You can support this podcast one time (or many) with the Buy me a coffee/Hot Chocolate link here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/groundedinmaine

Grounded in Maine Podcast is sponsored by ESG Review. Learn more about the good they're doing at https://esgreview.net/

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I'm so thrilled to have Carol Connare back on the pod again, just about 2 years later - I'm a big fan of Carol, and The Old Farmer's Almanac. The team at The Old Farmer's Almanac recently started their own podcast, AND the 2027 Almanac just came out in September, so I'm excited to hear all about what to be looking for. 2027 is the 235th anniversary of the Almanac, so there's a LOT to catch up on! I think I was too starstruck 2 years ago to ask about weather and climate change, but I did this time - phew!

I was thinking that the title of this episode should be "How on Earth did Amy score The Old Farmer's Almanac on the Podcast?? But it was too many characters... Shall we make it the UNofficial title? (I copied this from my notes 2 years ago because it's so clever - and even better that I got Carol TWICE!)

Carol Connare is only the 14th editor of The Old Farmer's Almanac, and only the 2nd woman Editor - since 1792! She talks about the beginnings of the Almanac, and about the great topics discussed (besides the weather), like recipes, fun animal stories, lifestyle trends, and so on. She and her team collect a pool of topics and articles, then pick the best of all of those - and they also respond to emails, phone calls and snail mail! Sometimes they have to do research before responding, but they ALWAYS do! Millions of readers, and anyone who writes in gets a response, which seems unheard of, but so very cool.

Are you an Almanac loyalist? It covers so many articles and topics about gardening and paying attention to Earth's weather patterns, because nature can help provide a fulfilling, healthy lifestyle. And we all want that, right?

The official Almanac website is here: https://www.almanac.com/ (there are cool tools, articles, recipes, etc here!)

You can follow The Old Farmer's Almanac on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/theoldfarmersalmanac

Or on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/theoldfarmersalmanac/

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Like this episode? Send me a message!

Please follow the podcast on Instagram here
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Amy's Garden Jam site (podcast has its own tab on this site!)

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How Do I Get There From Here by Jane Bolduc - hear more at https://www.janebolduc.com/

Podcast cover by Becca Kofron- follow her on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/skate_cute_but_loud/ and check out her awesome art projects.

Grounded in Maine Podcast is hosted by Buzzsprout, the easiest podcast hosting platform with the best customer service! Learn more here

You can support this podcast one time (or many) with the Buy me a coffee/Hot Chocolate link here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/groundedinmaine

Grounded in Maine Podcast is sponsored by ESG Review. Learn more about the good they're doing at https://esgreview.net/

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I'm bringing back this episode from 2023 with my friend Jenny, who is such a wealth of knowledge and life experience; I'm currently bending her ear about house sale and buying, because she also worked for a real estate office... I loved this episode, going over this list of frugal tips from the depression - I love hearing about what earlier generations did, because it feels like things are just more reliable when you do it yourself, and I want to learn them all! The list link is at the end here - please check it out and let me know which one(s) you're itching to try!

Since this initially aired, I've actually stayed in Jenny's tiny home, and it is SO special. It's very comfy and she leaves home baked treats, and you feel super pampered. You haven't seen high quality home decor until you've seen Jenny's decor!

It's been 6 months coming, since Jenny Boghun was my podcast guest and I said she would come back to go over this list 23 Frugal Living Tips from the Great Depression You Need to Know to Save a Ton of Money that she learned from her parents, and I've realized that I  have lost all concept of time... But here she is - better late than never, right? If you remember, Jenny's previous episode was called Big Living on a Tiny Homestead, and she talked about her tiny house, and her composting toilet, and she lives on Out of My Gourd Farm and grows gourds ...

Here's the 23 Frugal Living Tips list: https://www.littlehouseliving.com/23-frugal-tips-from-the-great-depression-you-need-to-know.html

Jenny's Tiny Home Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/207tinyhouse/

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Like this episode? Send me a message!

Please follow the podcast on Instagram here
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Email me at [email protected]
Amy's Garden Jam site (podcast has its own tab on this site!)

Amy's email newsletter: 

How Do I Get There From Here by Jane Bolduc - hear more at https://www.janebolduc.com/

Podcast cover by Becca Kofron- follow her on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/skate_cute_but_loud/ and check out her awesome art projects.

Grounded in Maine Podcast is hosted by Buzzsprout, the easiest podcast hosting platform with the best customer service! Learn more here

You can support this podcast one time (or many) with the Buy me a coffee/Hot Chocolate link here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/groundedinmaine

Grounded in Maine Podcast is sponsored by ESG Review. Learn more about the good they're doing at https://esgreview.net/

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Rachel Marcus reached out to me on Linkedin with something I wasn't aware existed - except for solar panels. Rachel is the Head of Platform Operations for Flip Energy - they manufacture low cost, whole home batteries and create the technology to operate it as well. I only knew about batteries to capture excess solar power, but anyone can use these! Flip is not new, but they are working on building up a client base, starting in Maine. 

These batteries are a cleaner, more affordable alternative to a fossil fuel operated generator. These batteries are $995 down and $49/month, with an expected savings of at least $50/month, meaning you basically get the battery for $1000 - how much does a good generator cost? And the fuel? These batteries can power your whole house - and automatically - no fuel, no switches.

We learn how the electric grid works, virtual power plants, time of use rate, and energy arbitraging - and Rachel also tips us off to be able to SHARE stored energy!

Learn more about Flip at https://flip.energy/

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Support the show

Like this episode? Send me a message!

Please follow the podcast on Instagram here
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Email me at [email protected]
Amy's Garden Jam site (podcast has its own tab on this site!)

Amy's email newsletter: 

How Do I Get There From Here by Jane Bolduc - hear more at https://www.janebolduc.com/

Podcast cover by Becca Kofron- follow her on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/skate_cute_but_loud/ and check out her awesome art projects.

Grounded in Maine Podcast is hosted by Buzzsprout, the easiest podcast hosting platform with the best customer service! Learn more here

You can support this podcast one time (or many) with the Buy me a coffee/Hot Chocolate link here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/groundedinmaine

Grounded in Maine Podcast is sponsored by ESG Review. Learn more about the good they're doing at https://esgreview.net/

Grounded in Maine is curr...

Hannah Foster is my cousin's daughter (my 2nd cousin?), and I happened to see a post on Instagram where she was an intern this summer, and I felt first, SO proud, and also like we could all learn something from this. I haven't seen Hannah or my cousin in a few years, since before she graduated high school, so I missed what she was focusing on - and totally missed what an avid learner she has become, and also that she was doing an internship! It was so fun catching up with her, and hearing about her being nominated for the internship - also that she's never grown food before, which makes the internship all the more important and exciting for her. 

Hannah just started her Junior year at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU), and is majoring in Secondary Education, with an English focus. One of her advisors suggested her for this 10 week summer Outreach Ed internship with Northwest Conservation District (NWCD). She learned a ton, as well as refreshing on some things. She was learning about water conservancy, forestry and environmental education outreach, as well as leading others in the group - she was also working on some social media content that would also be used as a blog. She learned about the importance of soil health and about community gardens, how and when to prune trees, and which to prune.

She also works for the school radio station and hosts a live show on Tuesday evenings called Hanging with Hannah - and she's taken on training new folks (I'm seeing a leadership trend) Check out her radio feed on Instagram here: @hanginwifhannah

Personally, I"m so glad Hannah said yes to this internship, because this excitement she has for caring for the earth is so necessary! I'm grateful she had this experience and education, and I'm so glad she came here to share with us!

Northwest Conservation District's website, for resources: https://nwcd.org/

Hannah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hann.fos/

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Support the show

Like this episode? Send me a message!

Please follow the podcast on Instagram here
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Email me at [email protected]
Amy's Garden Jam site (podcast has its own tab on this site!)

Amy's email newsletter: 

How Do I Get There From Here by Jane Bolduc - hear more at https://www.janebolduc.com/

Podcast cover by Becca Kofron- follow her on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/skate_cute_but_loud/ and check out her awesome art projects.

Grounded in Maine Podcast is hosted by Buzzsprout, the easiest podcast hosting platform with the best customer service! Learn more here

You can support this podcast one time (or many) with the Buy me a coffee/Hot Chocolate link here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/groundedinmaine

Grounded in Maine Podcast is sponsored by ESG Review. Learn more about the good they're doing at https://esgreview.net/

Grounded in Maine is curr...

I'm re-posting this episode with Laura because I need to hear it - I hope it touches you, too. She inspired me so much, and made me feel like progress is still possible.

This conversation with Laura Hartley was like medicine for my soul - I hope this helps you to feel seen, too, because it was a message that I didn't expect or know that I needed to hear! I told Laura that I've felt a call to be more involved in what's happening in the world, but I lack the confidence to stand up when the time comes, and she actually has a course/program coming up in January to help people like me to steward our power and find empowerment and passion and education!

Laura Hartley of Scintilla Centr, is an Activist, writer and a coach, helping changemakers unlearn and dismantle systems that inhibit our thriving, while visioning and seeing a more just, regenerative and loving world. Laura has a podcast called Public Love Project, which touches on a lot of topics she's passionate about, and is a great resource as well.

Her course, also called Scintilla Centr, creates a community of like-minded people, and says (and I totally agree!) community gives acknowledgement and confidence, and that's so helpful!

Learn more by listening to this full episode here!

You can also learn more about Laura at her website here:  https://www.laurahartley.com

She's on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/laura.h.hartley/

You can follow Laura on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-hartley-/

Or on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/laurahartleypubliclove

Send me a message!

Support the show

Like this episode? Send me a message!

Please follow the podcast on Instagram here
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Email me at [email protected]
Amy's Garden Jam site (podcast has its own tab on this site!)

Amy's email newsletter: 

How Do I Get There From Here by Jane Bolduc - hear more at https://www.janebolduc.com/

Podcast cover by Becca Kofron- follow her on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/skate_cute_but_loud/ and check out her awesome art projects.

Grounded in Maine Podcast is hosted by Buzzsprout, the easiest podcast hosting platform with the best customer service! Learn more here

You can support this podcast one time (or many) with the Buy me a coffee/Hot Chocolate link here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/groundedinmaine

Grounded in Maine Podcast is sponsored by ESG Review. Learn more about the good they're doing at https://esgreview.net/

Grounded in Maine is curr...

Tessa Terry is another guest that I've been obsessed with following - when I was moving, I almost considered buying her parents' house in SC so we could have tea together in the mornings, but I wouldn't be able to keep my job, so.... But if you watch her Instagram reels, you will see why I'm just in awe of what she does. The fact that she keeps outdated RVs and trailers from being junked is heroic in my eyes! The way she makes an RV look luxurious and spacious is pure magic. I talked to Tessa initially in 2024, but we've talked many times since. She and her family toured the US in 2025, doing RV design consults and a couple of small renovations and some hotel rooms - an exception being a HUMONGOUS 45' RV just completed in March 2026 called The Editorial Retreat. Jaw drop stunning! Tessa has been featured in too many publications to keep track of, but she's been featured in Apartment Therapy and House Beautiful and many others. Hope you enjoy this replay - I know I did!

Here are the 2024 show notes:

I approached Tessa Terry on Facebook when I saw her post about her RV renovation business Alchemy RV Renovations because I was so intrigued - then I followed her on Instagram - oh my gosh, if you're on Instagram, you need to follow her! These RVs are 100% renovated and made brand new on the inside, and she shines them up on the outside, too! They go from basic , and possibly used and run down, to roomy and luxurious when Tessa is done with them!

Tessa has been in this business for about 2 years - TWO YEARS. She is booked up this year already! She has had several requests to renovate RVs in Australia! She just has a real gift for small space design that is unmatched. Wait til you hear her tell her story - if you're listening only, I bet you can imagine my face in your head when she talks about her HS graduation...

Tessa is married, is a mom of 2, and grew up in a family that bought 'fixer-upper'  houses, and her parents have had a lampshade business for about 30 years, so she totally gets the value of working with your hands. A quote from her website: "When I was little, I used to say “If men could go to the moon, this stuff on earth is cake” - Nothing is impossible, sometimes it just needs a new floor plan."
She has designed her own life, and she's giving RVs and other rigs a new life, which is so cool.

Here's Tessa's instagram to follow: https://www.instagram.com/alchemyrvrenovations/

And her website: https://www.alchemyrvrenovations.com/

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Support the show

Like this episode? Send me a message!

Please follow the podcast on Instagram here
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Email me at [email protected]
Amy's Garden Jam site (podcast has its own tab on this site!)

Amy's email newsletter: 

How Do I Get There From Here by Jane Bolduc - hear more at https://www.janebolduc.com/

Podcast cover by Becca Kofron- follow her on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/skate_cute_but_loud/ and check out her awesome art projects.

Grounded in Maine Podcast is hosted by Buzzsprout, the easiest podcast hosting platform with the best customer service! Learn more here

You can support this podcast one time (or many) with the Buy me a coffee/Hot Chocolate link here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/groundedinmaine

Grounded in Maine Podcast is sponsored by ESG Review. Learn more about the good they're doing at https://esgreview.net/

Grounded in Maine is curr...

I'm taking a week-ish away from podcasting, but wanted to share an episode or 2 that I love. One of my fave experiences was "meeting" Amy Dolan. We talked back in 2024, and her message has cemented a lot of my thoughts about feeding people as truth, and also the way she walks in the world is just so inspiring to me. I love that we are still connected, and that, even though her podcast is on hold, she still holds the grace and love she shares here. 

I used this from Amy Dolan's website: "Amy Dolan is the host of The Feeding People Podcast, Founder of Sunday Supper Church, Strategic Consultant for the Chicagoland Good Food in Healthcare Initiative, and a Board Member for Pathways to Global Literacy. Amy believes that when people gather around tables to listen, understand, learn and connect—solutions emerge and beauty unfolds." 

Amy has such a beautiful, curious soul and is so so kind. She is a former Pastor who took her job very seriously, and has continued caring for her community in her Wider Tables business and Sunday Supper Church. 

Here's a favorite quote from Amy from our conversation: "the goodness of this world to me, exists around us, mutually caring for and loving each other, and figuring out how to do that day to day." And I just say to that AMEN. 

Amy's Website is here: https://www.feedingpeoplepodcast.com/ 

You can find Amy at: https://www.instagram.com/_adolan/ 

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Support the show

Like this episode? Send me a message!

Please follow the podcast on Instagram here
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Email me at [email protected]
Amy's Garden Jam site (podcast has its own tab on this site!)

Amy's email newsletter: 

How Do I Get There From Here by Jane Bolduc - hear more at https://www.janebolduc.com/

Podcast cover by Becca Kofron- follow her on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/skate_cute_but_loud/ and check out her awesome art projects.

Grounded in Maine Podcast is hosted by Buzzsprout, the easiest podcast hosting platform with the best customer service! Learn more here

You can support this podcast one time (or many) with the Buy me a coffee/Hot Chocolate link here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/groundedinmaine

Grounded in Maine Podcast is sponsored by ESG Review. Learn more about the good they're doing at https://esgreview.net/

Grounded in Maine is curr...

I was an easy sell, being offered a conversation with a Funeral Director. I'm unsure if it's morbid that I am so interested in the death process, or if it's part of the healing grief  journey, but Timothy Schramm was exactly who I needed to talk to.

Tim has been with Howe-Peterson Funeral Homes and Cremation Services for 38 years, and that funeral home has existed since 1873; there's a LONG history being part of the dying process. The family basically passed the funeral home onto Tim, knowing that it was in the best possible hands. He has a degree in Mortuary Science, and has been on the Green Burial Council for about 20 years, as well as being the Spokesperson for the national Association of Funeral Directors. 

I talked to Melissa Meadows in March 2025 about green burial, and that was eye opening to learn about green burial options. I also learned about NOR (natural organic reduction) in a workshop with Holly Berry. One of the things I think is great about this conversation with Tim is the option of shades of green burial offered... Like, if you want to be buried whole, but don't want to soil contaminating formaldehyde, there's an alcohol based embalming fluid available. Tim talks about other shades in the episode if you're curious about what other options there are...

A quote from Tim: "Show me a. society who does not care for their dead, I will see a society that will no longer exist." After this conversation, I'm having serious thoughts about a potential side gig/career shift.... Super grateful for Tim's generosity, sharing his knowledge with us.

I mentioned this at the end of the conversation, but I don't think it's morbid to think about the end - like making plans for after, not necessarily HOW life ends. To me, I think it would be a gift to not have to manage so many details while grieving. As Alua Arthur the Death Doula says, "Thank you for sharing one moment with me to think about the end of yours."

You can find all things Howe Peterson here: https://www.howepeterson.com/

They can be found on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1968171187870411&set=a.732040944816781

Tim mentioned a documentary called The Body Farm in TN, which is very interesting - here's the link: https://share.google/9zOxwdZ0FS3hC5wCJ

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Support the show

Like this episode? Send me a message!

Please follow the podcast on Instagram here
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Email me at [email protected]
Amy's Garden Jam site (podcast has its own tab on this site!)

Amy's email newsletter: 

How Do I Get There From Here by Jane Bolduc - hear more at https://www.janebolduc.com/

Podcast cover by Becca Kofron- follow her on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/skate_cute_but_loud/ and check out her awesome art projects.

Grounded in Maine Podcast is hosted by Buzzsprout, the easiest podcast hosting platform with the best customer service! Learn more here

You can support this podcast one time (or many) with the Buy me a coffee/Hot Chocolate link here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/groundedinmaine

Grounded in Maine Podcast is sponsored by ESG Review. Learn more about the good they're doing at https://esgreview.net/

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I was really excited to talk with Kim Lundgren, Founder and CEO of Kim Lundgren Associates, or KLA, when I was pitched that she worked with cities and regions to help them put together a sustainability plan. Kim is a dynamic entrepreneur with a deep rooted passion for helping others see patterns and small shifts that can create big changes - her story is exciting! 

When Kim said they go by KLA, my 80s younger self took no time recalling the song The KLF - 3am Eternal, and Kim humored me in remeniscing for a moment (in case you don't know it or want to go back in time, I'm linking it here: https://youtu.be/qw-LgDdkxyM?si=RewiBvjctPafK5mz - I know it's from 1991...)

I'm so impressed with all that KLA has accomplished as a smaller business, but because they're a small group, they're able to be flexible to hustle and spread out nationwide to help others. One great suggestion she gives us is to not try to do ALL the things; pick 1 big move, then work toward that. Sounds easy, right? It's a big goal, but the action is small...

These below are straight quoted from Kim's website because I couldn't improve on it:

"Since KLA was founded as a woman-owned benefit corporation in 2014, our team has partnered with more than 75 local governments to build their capacity to design and implement aggressive, equitable solutions to climate change. We do this by delivering affordable tools and services to assess, plan, implement, evaluate, and communicate climate and sustainability goals and programs. 

Recently named to the 2025 list of America’s fastest growing Private Companies, KLA works specifically with local governments because they can be true catalysts for change.

KLA’s Vision: To elevate action to match the urgency of the climate crisis. Our current priority is to drive achievement of the 2030 greenhouse gas emission reduction targets necessary to avoid catastrophic climate change.

Our Mission: To build capacity for local governments to implement aggressive, equitable solutions to climate change."

You can find Kim Lundgren Associates here: 

https://www.kimlundgrenassociates.com/

They're on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/theklateam

They have a YouTube channel here: 

https://www.youtube.com/@kimlundgrenassociates

Send me a message!

Support the show

Like this episode? Send me a message!

Please follow the podcast on Instagram here
YouTube channel
Email me at [email protected]
Amy's Garden Jam site (podcast has its own tab on this site!)

Amy's email newsletter: 

How Do I Get There From Here by Jane Bolduc - hear more at https://www.janebolduc.com/

Podcast cover by Becca Kofron- follow her on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/skate_cute_but_loud/ and check out her awesome art projects.

Grounded in Maine Podcast is hosted by Buzzsprout, the easiest podcast hosting platform with the best customer service! Learn more here

You can support this podcast one time (or many) with the Buy me a coffee/Hot Chocolate link here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/groundedinmaine

Grounded in Maine Podcast is sponsored by ESG Review. Learn more about the good they're doing at https://esgreview.net/

Grounded in Maine is curr...