Maine Calling

This is a rebroadcast of any earlier show (original air date Feb 14, 2019; no calls will be taken. Fermentation is trendy now (think kombucha), but it’s also a time-honored Maine tradition, driven by the need to preserve food and beverages over the long winter season. We’ll learn about different fermenting methods and products, and what health benefits they are said to bring.

This is a rebroadcast of an earlier show (original air date April 15, 2019); no calls will be taken . The latest Kids Count Data Book reports that Maine children have the highest rate of diagnosed anxiety in the country, as well as high rates of depression and suicide. We learn what causes, signs and treatments are for anxiety in young people, as well as resources available to children and families.

Scholar Marie Griffith joins us to discuss the origins and growth of the religious right as a political force, and how it has transformed America's broader culture and public life. Griffith investigates the pervasive fears driving our sex-obsessed politics, especially when it comes to issues such as birth control, obscenity, interracial relationships, female chastity, sex education, abortion, sexual harassment, and LGBTQ rights. Griffith is in town as part of the University of New England

Current trends in mentally aided healing include what is known as the Law of Attraction — the idea that you can make good things happen in your life through positive thoughts. This popular belief traces back to Phineas Quimby, a spiritual teacher known as the father of the New Thought movement who lived in Maine in the 1800s. We’ll learn about Quimby’s belief system and how it manifests itself in some of today’s popular approaches to wellness.

Getting help for aging family members or friends can be confusing, stressful and overwhelming. We’ll hear from experts on some of the biggest challenges facing older people – from mobility to memory to medications – and ways to care for aging family members and friends. We’ll also get advice on where caregivers can turn to get help and support.

This is a rebroadcast of an earlier show (original air date May 3, 2019); no calls will be taken. Granges have been integral to the history of rural Maine , serving not only as places for farmers to organize and advocate for themselves, but as educational sites, social hubs, and community centers. We learn about how some Granges have car ried on the traditions of the past, while others have evolved to serve new purposes in their communities, bringing new vitality to rural Maine .

Farming in Maine is in transition. According to the most recent Census of Agriculture, in the five years from 2012-2017, Maine lost 10 percent of its farmland and 573 farms. On the other hand, Maine has more young farmers per capita than just about any other state. Agriculture Commissioner Amanda Beal is responsible for helping grow and promote agriculture in Maine. Beal has recently been in the news pushing to extend federal aid to members of Maine’s wild blueberry industry. She’s also

Our panel discusses the value of seaweed to Maine’s economy, some potential ways to grow Maine’s seaweed industry, and the questions associated with seaweed harvesting in Maine. Fishermen and others are turning to growing or harvesting kelp and other seaweeds as demand grows for use in foods, medicine, fertilizer and more. It is also seen as a way for fishermen to augment their livelihoods.

Time for Three describes their music as standing “at the busy intersection of Americana, modern pop and classical music. To experience TF3 live is to hear the various eras, styles and traditions of Western music fold in on themselves and emerge anew.” Members of the group join Portland Chamber Music Festival Artistic Director Melissa Reardon to talk about their stories, what distinguishes their approach, growing worldwide interest in the old art of chamber music and to preview up coming music

Maine is home to many Newbery and other award-winning children’s book authors and illustrators. Two beloved authors and illustrators join us to talk about their craft and what effects quality children’s books can have on readers young and old. One of the panelists, Chris Van Dusen, has a new book coming out the day of the show.