Living Your mainelove

He's a beloved commercial fisherman, author, husband, father, and Downeast Cowboy! Our mainelove CEO, Jen Millard, sat down with Kelly Hinkle for his very first podcast interview. 

Kelly shares what it was like growing up on a blueberry farm in Maine, his favorite memories as a kid, and what it's like doing business with his energetic father. 

How did he become the "Downeast Cowboy" with over 200,000 followers? It all happened organically as he started sharing favorite spots in Maine on YouTube. 

If you're ready for authentic stories from Maine from one of the state's best-known influencers, then "get at it" and listen to this amazing interview with the Downeast Cowboy. 

This month on Living Your mainelove, we’re turning the camera around on someone who’s usually behind it: JoJo Deschenes.

JoJo has been part of the mainelove story from the beginning, capturing the people, moments, games, and stories that bring our brand to life. But his own story is just as inspiring.

JoJo started creating and editing content at an age when most kids were just consuming it. From filming YouTube videos with his brothers to shooting high school sports, he turned a childhood passion for creating into a career—and ultimately chose to bet on himself and build his own path rather than follow the traditional college route.

In this episode, we talk about growing up as an “iPad kid,” learning by doing, building a creative career from the ground up, his love of sports, and what he’s learned from spending so much time behind the lens. 

What does it mean to lead with purpose, positivity, and heart?

In this inspiring episode of the Living Your mainelove podcast, host Jeannie Assimos sits down with beloved Maine soccer coach PJ Singh to talk about the journey that shaped him—from growing up in Ghana, where soccer was played with stones in the street, to building a life and coaching career in Maine that has impacted countless young athletes.

PJ shares the lessons he's learned about leadership, resilience, teamwork, and choosing optimism, even when life isn't easy. He opens up about moving to Maine at 18, overcoming homesickness, embracing new cultures, and why the greatest victories aren't individual awards—they're the moments when an entire team succeeds together.

In this episode of the Living Your mainelove Podcast, Jeannie sits down with Kristan Vermeulen, Miss Maine 2025, entrepreneur, PR professional, community advocate, podcaster, and passionate supporter of local creators.

From rapid-fire favorites (lobster rolls, fashion, and travel) to meaningful conversations about purpose, leadership, and creating a life you love, Kristan shares her inspiring journey and the lessons she's learned along the way. She opens up about supporting Maine's creative community, balancing ambition with authenticity, and what it means to follow what truly lights you up.

Whether you're looking for inspiration, motivation, or simply a deeper connection to the people making a difference in Maine and beyond, this conversation is full of heart, wisdom, and encouragement.

In this episode:
• Kristan's journey to becoming Miss Maine 2025
• Supporting local fashion designers and entrepreneurs
• Finding purpose through community impact
• Balancing career, creativity, and personal growth
• Advice for anyone striving to live a fuller, more meaningful life

In this episode of Living Your mainelove, CEO Jen Millard sits down with Maggie Knowles, co-founder and editor of MyMaine Magazine, for an inspiring conversation about entrepreneurship, creativity, and redefining what modern Maine looks like. Maggie shares the story behind launching a print publication in a digital-first world, the vision for a magazine that speaks authentically to people who live in Maine—not just visit—and why she was determined to move beyond clichés like lobsters, lighthouses, and flannel.

Together, Jen and Maggie explore the challenges and rewards of building mission-driven brands in Maine, the importance of supporting local creators and journalism, and what it means to create meaningful content that is educational, inspirational, useful, or simply beautiful. The conversation also dives into female leadership, entrepreneurship, and the realities of starting a business in Maine, while celebrating the growing influence of women-led creative spaces across the state.

Thoughtful, candid, and full of heart, this episode is a celebration of modern Maine storytelling, community, and the courage it takes to build something original.

In this episode of Living Your mainelove, Jen Millard sits down with Gabe Hoffman-Johnson, founder of Portland’s Hearts of Pine, to explore how a soccer club can become so much more than a team. From its grassroots beginnings to a sold-out first season, Gabe shares the story behind building a values-driven organization rooted in community, purpose, and place.

Together, they dive into the power of sport as a catalyst for connection—touching on everything from Maine’s unique sense of identity and “provenance of place,” to the club’s explosive growth, community-first philosophy, and plans for a women’s team. The conversation also highlights the shared ethos between Hearts of Pine and Mainelove: sustainability, authenticity, and creating something that truly gives back.

This episode is about more than soccer—it’s about building something meaningful, fostering belonging, and proving that when you lead with heart, people show up. 

Ollie Wright, attacking midfielder for Portland Hearts of Pine, joins Jeannie on the Living Your mainelove podcast for a fun and candid conversation about soccer, music, and life growing up in the UK. The episode kicks off with a rapid-fire round covering everything from Messi vs. Ronaldo to lobster rolls vs. traditional English fish and chips, revealing Ollie’s personality and sense of humor. From there, Ollie shares how soccer became a lifelong passion, growing up immersed in the sport with a father who played and coached. The conversation highlights his journey from kicking a ball around as a kid in England to becoming a standout player in the U.S., while also touching on cultural differences, favorite music discoveries, and the lighter side of life as a professional athlete. 

In this episode of Living Your mainelove, we sit down with Chelsea Roy — Maine-based real estate agent, content creator, former Bachelor contestant, and full-scope creative spirit — for an honest, inspiring conversation about taking risks, redefining success, and living life without regret.

Chelsea opens up about growing up oceanside in South Portland, chasing curiosity instead of a fixed dream, and saying “yes” to bold opportunities — from moving to New York City at 19 to model, to going on The Bachelor during a pivotal season of her life. 

She shares what reality TV really taught her about resilience, confidence, and staying grounded when the world thinks it knows your story.

The conversation dives deep into failure, people-pleasing, self-love, and why success today means waking up with clarity, peace, and confidence -- even when life is hard.

This episode is for anyone craving permission to pivot, dream bigger, tune out the noise, and live fully -- on your own terms.

How did the idea for mainelove come to fruition? What is the source of their incredible canned water? What's the vision for the sustainable water brand? 

Everything you ever wanted to know about mainelove is answered in the latest Living Your mainelove podcast episode, with the brilliant CEO and co-founder of the business, Jen Millard.

Jen shares the journey from ideation to product creation with mainelove's Head of Content, Jeannie Assimos. 

mainelove CEO Jen Millard chats with the dynamic Ginny Hussey, General Manager of Canopy Portland Waterfront, about their sustainable and successful partnership.

The two share stories about leaving Maine and then returning to the place that has really captured their hearts.

Jen and Ginny both feel they are ambassadors for Maine through their work, so they share what it feels like to represent in the best ways possible, whether it's through mainelove water or a beautiful stay at Canopy Hotel in Portland, Maine.