Nell Yeah!

In this episode, we meet Ernesto Ornelas, founder of Ernesto’s Boxing Gym in Portland, Maine. Originally from Santa Ana, California, Ernesto brought his passion for boxing and community to Maine, opening a gym that welcomes everyone, from beginners to experienced boxers. With classes for all ages, including dedicated programs for youth and women, the gym is about more than learning to box. It’s about building confidence, staying active, developing discipline, and creating a supportive community. Hear Ernesto share his journey to Maine, what inspired him to open the gym, and his vision for making boxing accessible to everyone.

First broadcast on Nov 11th on the Morning Beat on WMPG 90.9FM. Hosted by Annella.

Boxing classes/ Gym training Youth/Adult @girlieboxing @mister_broadus

Annella sat down with Joey Brunelle, a candidate for Portland City Council at-large, for a conversation about Portland, activism, advocacy, and music. It was a chance to get to know Joey a little better through conversation and his musical picks.One fun fact: Joey has a playlist for every interstate road trip. So they dug into some of his musical choices and what makes the perfect road-trip soundtrack.And after realizing she’d forgotten to ask one listener question during the interview, Annella caught Joey off-air:If you could pick anyone as your ultimate road-trip companion, who would it be? His answer: John Craigie.

Learn more about Joey Brunelle >>

Annella sits down with Maine author Nick Fuller Googins to talk about his new book, The Frequency of Living Things. They chat about the writing process, the music that shaped and inspired the book, illicit roller skating, and Nick’s life as an elementary school teacher in Saco. A wide-ranging conversation about books, music, creativity, and the things that inspire us.

Annella sits down with April Fournier for a fun and personal conversation about her life, her work, and the things she loves. April is a member of the Navajo Nation, a mom of four grown kids and two fur babies, and is wrapping up her second term as an at-large Portland city councilor. She’s also running for the State House this fall. They talk about growing up between Maine and the Southwest, her Navajo heritage, running for office, life as a city councilor, music, karaoke, art, and her love of both spicy Mexican food and seafood.

Annella sits down with oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Killian MacCarthy to explore the soundtrack to his life and career. Music is part of every day in the operating room, where every procedure has its own playlist and even patients get to choose what they hear as they drift off to sleep. Along the way, they discuss his journey into surgery, advances in facial surgery and technology, and how music, medicine, and creativity have shaped his life both inside and outside the OR.
Broadcast on WMPG.

Annella sits down with Dave Register to talk about this year's Portland Theater Festival, returning this September with three compelling productions that explore family, truth, technology, and the complexities of human connection.They discuss The Monsters by Ngozi Anyanwu, Octet by Dave Malloy, and An Enemy of the People, Henrik Ibsen's enduring classic in Amy Herzog's acclaimed contemporary adaptation. Dave shares what makes this season so timely, how the festival continues to bring bold, thought-provoking theatre to Portland, and why these stories resonate so strongly with audiences today.The conversation also ventures beyond the stage, as Dave reflects on his acting career, balancing life as both an artist and artistic director, and his role in the hit television series Fallout (based on the video game)

Ahead of their show at SPACE in Portland, Annella Linton catches up with Welsh garage-punk duo The Bug Club. Sam Willmett and Tilly Harris chat about life on the road after relentless touring across the UK and North America, their brilliantly offbeat songwriting, and their new album Every Single Muscle,an 18-track blast of razor-sharp riffs, surreal humour, and songs that rarely stick around for more than two minutes.

On this episode of The Morning Beat on WMPG, Annella sits down with Bill and Aaron from 13 Scotland Road to talk about their upcoming concert at PHOME on Friday, June 19.

The Maine-based group recently returned from a memorable trip to Ireland and Bill and Aaron share stories from their travels, reflect on the connections between heritage, community, and music, and discuss how the experience is shaping the band's future. They also offer a preview of what audiences can expect at their upcoming PHOME performance. Tune in for an engaging conversation about music, travel and storytelling.

Kathryn Taylor, owner of Portland's iconic Geno’s Rock Club and the Downtown Lounge joined Annella on the Morning Beat. Kathryn shared her journey from Maine to San Francisco, Philadelphia, and New York before finding her way back home, as well as the experiences that shaped her as a business owner, music fan, and champion of Portland’s live music scene. Her love of punk and metal was on full display through the songs she selected for the show. 

T.S.O.L. / Flowers By The Door
Germs /Land Of Treason
D.R.I. / You Say I'm Scum
Siouxsie And The Banshees / Spellbound
Nubs / Little Billy's Burning
Clockcleaner / Frogrammer
Discharge/Fight Back
The Adicts / Viva La Revolution