Best Radio Book Passage Podcasts (2025)

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Talk of the Towns 7/9/25: A River Story: Cherryfield and fish passage on the Narraguagus River 58:44

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Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Production support from Joel Mann and from College of the Atlantic Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: What is Cherryfield’s historical and current relationshi…

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Talk of the Towns 5/14/25: Artificial Intelligence in Maine Schools 58:44

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Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Production support from Joel Mann and from College of the Atlantic Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: How did the group working on AI in the MDI School System…

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Talk of the Towns 4/12/25: The Promise of Libraries: their role in communities and democracy 58:02

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Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Production support from Joel Mann and from College of the Atlantic Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: Profiles of four community libraries in Northeast Harbor…

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Talk of the Towns 3/12/25: Maine’s Rural Aspirations Project 58:25

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Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: –What experiences led to the creation of the Rural Aspirations Project –The Rural Aspirations Project has developed a “theo…

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Talk of the Towns 2/12/25: Tackling Homelessness in Maine 58:44

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Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: What are some of the ways that people end up without homes? What are their stories? We know that solving the problem requir…

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Talk of the Towns 1/8/25: Helping Maine Downtowns Thrive 58:40

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Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: What is the mission of the Maine Downtown Center? What led leaders in Ellsworth and Belfast to work with the Maine Downtown…

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Talk of the Towns 12/11/24: Alive To This… exploring a new book of essays by Maine writers 58:42

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Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: As co-editor, Kara Douglas shares what led to this collaboration and publication of Alive to This–Essays on Living Fully by…

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Talk of the Towns 11/13/24: Zero Energy Homes for Maine 58:42

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Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: What is the housing situation here in Maine? What are the key pillars for Zero Energy Homes: Zero energy, Affordability, Mo…

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Talk of the Towns 10/10/24: Housing Authorities in Maine 58:04

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Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: – A bit of history of public housing in the US. – Recent trends that led to Maine’s current picture. – Review of available …

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Talk of the Towns 9/11/24: Early Childhood Programs and Policy 58:19

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Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: – What are the options for early childhood education in eastern Maine? – Is there an overall philosophy or approach to earl…

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Talk of the Towns 8/14/24: Maine’s Bed and Breakfasts 59:05

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Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: – What do B&Bs uniquely contribute to the mix of options for visitor accommodations in Maine? – How do innkeepers serve as …

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Talk of the Towns 7/10/24: A Conversation About Artificial Intelligence in Our Lives 1:00:00

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Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: – What do you understand the term artificial intelligence (AI) to mean? – How do you understand AI already in use? How do y…

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Talk of the Towns 5/8/24: Getting Outdoors to Learn: Maine Outdoor School for All 58:37

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Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: – What is the history, mission and current picture of Maine Outdoor School for All? – What are the benefits of learning out…

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Talk of the Towns 4/10/24: Celebrating Maine’s Sauna Culture 58:45

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Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: – What are the elements of the sauna experience and culture? – What are the traditions in sauna and what are the growing ed…

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Talk of the Towns 3/13/24: Revitalizing Maine’s Civic Halls 58:56

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Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: – What is the history of civic halls in Maine? – What role did the Grange play in rural America in the 19th and early 20th …

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Talk of the Towns 2/14/24: Roxana Robinson, author of Leaving 55:00

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Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: Interview with Roxana Robinson author of Leaving, published by W.W. Norton and Company, 2024 – What is the context and overall plot for Le…

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Talk of the Towns 1/10/24: Town Planning for Climate Resilience 58:49

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Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: – Many towns, business owners and home owners think about and plan for the future in some way… how has the issue of climate…

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Talk of the Towns 12/13/23: Making Music, Making Community in Maine 58:23

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Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme music for Talk of the Towns is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: Profiles of three community music organizations: Bagaduce Music, Ellsworth Community Music Inst…

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Talk of the Towns 11/8/23: Elected: What Is It Like to Serve as a Member of Local Town Government 58:48

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Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme music for Talk of the Towns is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: – What are some of the differences and commonalities of these forms of governing: selectboards,…

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Talk of the Towns 10/11/23: Hometown Careers and Apprenticeships Linking Mainers with Jobs in Public Service 58:48

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Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme music for Talk of the Towns is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: – Background on the work of Maine Municipal Association and the apprenticeship program of Maine…

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Talk of the Towns 9/13/23: Island Readers and Writers and the Dear Teacher Conference in October 2023 59:00

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Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme music for Talk of the Towns is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: What is the history and mission of Island Readers and Writers (IRW)? Offer some examples of how…

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Talk of the Towns 8/9/23: Writing and Landscape 58:30

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Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme music for Talk of the Towns is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: What are the ways in which landscape inspires these writers.. one often starts with an experien…

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Talk of the Towns 7/12/23: Preview of Reimaging Exploration, College of the Atlantic’s Summer Institute July 31-August 4 2023 57:51

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Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme music for Talk of the Towns is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: Overview of College of the Atlantic’s Summer Institute, in collaboration with the National Geog…

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Talk of the Towns 5/10/23: Take it Outside: Maine educators teaching out of doors 58:10

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Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme music for Talk of the Towns is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: What happens to students when they are engaged to learn out of doors? (Tell some stories!) Do you incorporate …

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Talk of the Towns 4/12/23: Local Community Concerns and Opportunities 59:12

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Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme music for Talk of the Towns is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: Advocacy and Non-violent Direct Action: A conversation with George Lakey and Sue Inches. How do…

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Talk of the Towns 3/8/23: Cultural Alliance of Maine & Cultural Heritage Week 58:07

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Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme music for Talk of the Towns is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: While many individual organizations have cultural heritage as part of their mission, the new Cu…

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Talk of the Towns 2/8/23: The Importance of Comprehensive Planning 57:42

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Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme music for Talk of the Towns is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: Using current examples from Jonesport, Blue Hill and Bar Harbor, our guests discuss the importa…

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Talk of the Towns 1/11/23: “Forever Wild” Conservation Easement Downeast 58:36

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Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme music for Talk of the Towns is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: We look at the recent “forever wild” protection of 3200 acres of land near the Whalesback, alon…

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Talk of the Towns 12/14/22: Teaching History 58:06

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Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme music for Talk of the Towns is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: We ask two experienced teachers about their experience of teaching history and what they want s…

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Talk of the Towns 11/9/22: Breaking Bread 57:50

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Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme music for Talk of the Towns is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: A conversation about Breaking Bread, Essays from New England about Food, Hunger and Family, pub…

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Talk of the Towns 10/12/22: Childcare 58:59

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Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme music for Talk of the Towns is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: We talk with child care providers, and the leader of a program to support new child care busine…

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Talk of the Towns 9/14/22: A Conversation with Esperanza Stancioff 57:22

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Producer/Host: Ron Beard Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme music for Talk of the Towns is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: We profile Esperanza Stancioff, Emeritus Professor, University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Sea Grant, ab…

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Talk of the Towns 8/10/22: Property Assessment & Taxes in Maine Towns 58:38

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Producer/Host: Ron Beard Theme music for Talk of the Towns is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: We talk with town representatives from Camden, Orono and Lamoine about how they assess the value of property and how towns arrive at the bill that property owners pay each…

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Talk of the Towns 7/13/22: How Municipalities Maintain Roads 58:09

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Producer/Host: Ron Beard Theme music for Talk of the Towns is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities For the most part, you can get there from here, thanks to the dedication of those who take care of our road systems. At the town level, that might be a whole public works department o…

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Talk of the Towns 6/8/22: An Interview with Paul Anderson 55:52

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Producer/Host: Ron Beard Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities Over the last 40 years, Paul Anderson has had a key role in understanding and communicating marine science in Maine. As a micro-biologist for the Department of Marine Resources, he helped establish protocols so citizen-scientists could contribute data helping ass…

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Talk of the Towns 5/11/22: The Changing Media Landscape in Maine and Elsewhere 58:34

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Producer/Host: Ron Beard Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities We know the media landscape is changing, here in Maine, as elsewhere. Where do we get? our? news and information, and how do we test it for accuracy? And how does today’s media intersect with making decisions in a democracy? Ron Beard, host of Talk of the Towns, …

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Talk of the Towns 4/13/22: Maine Climate Action Groups 58:08

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Producer/Host: Ron Beard Local groups throughout Maine are bringing climate work from individual to local action. A Climate to Thrive, based on Mount Desert Island, Maine has recently convened community-based climate groups across the state to learn from one another, focusing on strategic planning and how to engage local citizens, young and old, an…

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Talk of the Towns 3/9/22: Town Clerks—an Essential Role in Maine Communities 56:32

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Producer/Host: Ron Beard Town clerks play an important role in local communities, often behind the scenes. They provide direct day-to-day contact with citizens, play critical support roles to other town departments, and oversee town meetings as well as local, state, and federal elections. And they take great satisfaction in doing their jobs well an…

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Talk of the Towns 1/12/22: College of the Atlantic in its 50th Year—a conversation with Darron Collins, President 57:53

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Producer/Host: Ron Beard College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine, welcomed its first class 50 years ago, offering a many paths to a degree in human ecology. In a conversation with Darron Collins, President of the college and himself a graduate, we explore the origins and history of College of the Atlantic, the ways in which students learn and …

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Talk of the Towns 12/8/21: Working Toward Universal Health Care in Maine 57:15

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Producer/Host: Ron Beard What are Maine voters being asked to consider… what does the referendum question intend to change/create? Outline the concept of health insurance… how is health care paid for in Maine ( private pay and insurance: private, employer-based, publicly supported (Medicare, Medicaid/Maine Care) What would Universal Health Care do …

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Talk of the Towns 11/10/21: Recruiting the next generation of volunteer firefighters 58:31

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Producer/Host: Ron Beard Community concerns and opportunities: Recruiting the next generation of volunteer firefighters -What led to your involvement in your town fire department? Who invited you to get involved? Is this a family tradition for you? Why is the role volunteer fire fighter important to you and your community? -How are changes in your …

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Talk of the Towns 10/13/21: How Maine Land Trusts are building on the legacy of land protection 1:00:48

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Producer/Host: Ron Beard -How do land trusts, including Blue Hill Heritage Trust, carry out the work of private land protection in Maine? -In addition to protecting land by owning it or by permanently restricting some forms of development, how else do your organizations work with landowners and other partners to promote conservation values through …

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Talk of the Towns 9/8/21: Reflections on Retirement 59:50

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Producer/Host: Ron Beard How did you come to contemplate retirement for yourself… what were the clues that you might be ready to consider retiring (tipping points)? What questions did it raise for you? What did you learn about yourself in this time of contemplating retirement? What is some of the new research into older people and creativity? How d…

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Talk of the Towns 7/14/21: The Challenge of Workforce Housing 58:33

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Producer/Host: Ron Beard What is the brief history of your organization’s work on affordable workforce housing in your community? What led to its creation? How did you decide to frame the issue for your situation? Where did you find inspiration, including other community examples (Martha’s Vineyard, elsewhere?) What approaches have most resonated w…

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Talk of the Towns 6/9/21: Pine Tree Power—the rationale for a consumer-owned electric utility for Maine 59:30

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Producer/Host: Ron Beard Pine Tree Power—the rationale for a consumer-owned electric utility for Maine ] -What led to consideration of a consumer- owned non-profit electric utility for the State of Maine? What is the history of this approach? -What are the main advantages to this approach? -What would have to change to make a consumer-owned electri…

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Talk of the Towns 5/12/21: “Landscape of Change” 56:48

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Producer/Host: Ron Beard Landscape of Change (a collaboration between MDI Historical Society, Schoodic Institute, Acadia National Park, MDI Biological Laboratory, College of the Atlantic and A Climate to Thrive) -What are we up against in terms of climate change? What are impacts we are already seeing here in Maine? What are the long-term trends? -…

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Talk of the Towns 4/14/21: Reimagining Indigenous-Settler Relations 58:46

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Producer/Host: Ron Beard Reimagining Indigenous-Settler Relations through the lens of The Gatherings, published by University of Toronto Press in 2021 What were the intentions for The Gatherings…what difference has participation in The Gatherings made in your life? What did you learn about how to develop honest, respectful relationships among Nativ…

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Talk of the Towns 3/10/21: Climate Change at the Local Level 56:44

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Producer/Host: Ron Beard In the face of a changing climate, Maine communities are working to help families, businesses and local governments take steps, both to reduce green-house gasses and to adapt to the consequences. Citizens are listening to one another, devising plans and enacting policies that are grounded locally, but connected across the s…

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Talk of the Towns 2/10/21: A Valentine to Ruth Moore and her writing 57:26

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Producer/Host: Ron Beard Who was Ruth Moore? -Upbringing and family life on Gotts Island -Her work, including with Reader’s Digest -Her novels -Later life in Bass Harbor -What contributions did Ruth Moore make to American literature… why does her writing resonate? Attending to Ruth Moore’s legacy and body of work -Gary Lawless on his role at Blackb…

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Talk of the Towns 1/13/21: Celebrating 30 years of the Waldo County Fund & Maine Community Foundation 58:54

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Producer/Host: Ron Beard What were the origins of Maine Community Foundation, its mission and areas of focus What led to creation of County Funds as a strategy to engage local people both as donors and, with county fund support, as community builders. How does the county committee concept work in your case… your role with encouraging donors and wit…