Maine Calling

This show is being broadcast live at 1 p.m. from the Camden Conference; we welcome the public to join us there. David Brancaccio and Nicco Mele join us to discuss the theme of this year’s Camden Conference — how technology is shaping the flow of information and how it is used. We’ll examine whether and how traditional media might survive and, if so, in what form.

Pulitzer-Prize-winning journalists Kristof and WuDunn join us to discuss their new book , which examines what they call the crisis of the middle class in America and how to "mend a half century of malign neglect." Guests: Sheryl WuDunn has coauthored several books with her husband, Nicholas D. Kristof, including Half the Sky and A Path Appears . Together they were awarded a Pulitzer Prize in 1990 for their coverage of China. WuDunn worked at The New York Times as a business editor and foreign

We continue our bicentennial coverage of Maine history, spanning the road to statehood to the current day. In this segment, our panel of historians explains how Maine evolved in the pivotal years between becoming a state in 1820 through Maine's involvement in the Civil War. We'll learn about the pivotal figures of the day, and how Maine's cultural, economic and political landscape evolved during the 19th century.

Maine Secretary of State Matt Dunlap joins us to discuss the March primary election, up coming ballot referendum, ranked choice and other voting issues, what people need to know about the up coming census, Real ID and more.

This is a rebroadcast of an earlier show (original air date January 21, 2020); no calls will be ta ken. In 1820, the U.S. passed an act that made participation on the slave trade an act of piracy. Yet, dozens of Maine vessels engaged in the slave trade illegally during this period. Thousands of enslaved people were transported and traded, leading to huge profits for slave traders--some of whom were Maine sea captains who are remembered as leading citizens of the day. Much of the millions of

On this Valentine’s Day, we discuss what makes a relationship successful — how do couples forge strong bonds, what is the difference between love and romance, and how important are issues like trust, compassion and communication? We will also talk about how dating has changed in today’s world, and how that can contribute to the quality of relationships that are formed.

Overdose deaths in Maine from substance use rose in 2019, and 84 percent of those involved opioid use. A recent spate of deaths in Portland are a reminder that opioid use continues to be a pressing crisis. We will hear from Gordon Smith, the state's director of opioid response, about the state’s latest plans to address the opioid crisis, and we’ll talk about what recovery experts and law enforcement believe can help stem the epidemic.

The votes are in and the New Hampshire Presidential Primary is now history. Our panel discusses who did well and who failed to live up to expectations. They'll also discuss the next phase in the race for the White House 2020.

Carolyn Chute joins us on the day her new novel, "The Recipe for Revolution," is published. Chute is the author of "The Beans of Egypt, Maine," "Letourneau’s Used Auto Parts," "Snow Man," "Merry Men" and "The School on Heart’s Content Road," a New York Times Notable Book of the Year. Chute has been awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Thornton Wilder Fellowship and is the winner of the PEN New England Award for Literary Excellence in Fiction.

T he rapid outbreak of coronavirus is causing serious illness and death in China and is spreading worldwide, including here in the U.S. We'll discuss the nature of this disease, why it is spreading so quickly, and what people in Maine can do to protect themselves. We will also talk about how this year's flu virus is a more immediate concern for Maine — how bad it is, why this year's cases have surged, and what is being done to address it.