x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Let"s Connect

Let"s Connect is a weekly podcast focused on how cities and towns in Greater Portland are overcoming challenges in their communities. Hosted by Kristina Egan, Executive Director of the Greater Portland Council of Governments, the show focuses on a range of issues, including housing, transportation, climate change, and economic development.

news politics

All Episodes

29:55

Better Together: State + Regional Partnerships That Work

Let"s Connect ·

2026/02/13

Host Kristina Egan sits down with Samantha Horn, Director of the Maine Office of Community Affairs —a new state office created to help communities access coordinated planning support, technical assistance, and resources. Together, they unpack what how the agency can help local leaders and volunteers tackle real-world challenges, from capacity constraints in small towns to building strong partnerships with regional councils. The conversation connects the dots between comprehensive planning and

en

29:00

Metro’s big plans for South Portland and Scarborough

Let"s Connect ·

2026/02/13

Host Andrew Clark sits down with Mike Tremblay, Director of Transit Development at Greater Portland Metro, for a wide-ranging update on what’s new—and what’s next—for public transportation in the region. They dig into the impact of the South Portland–Metro merger one year in. The conversation then turns to Metro’s plans to expand service in Scarborough, including plans for both fixed-route and microtransit service (building on the successful Falmouth pilot.) They discuss long-term plans to introduce

en

28:45

How Portland saved its working waterfront

Let"s Connect ·

2026/02/11

Host Kristina Egan sits down with Bill Needelman, the former Waterfront Coordinator for the City of Portland, Maine, for a big-picture conversation about how Portland’s working waterfront has evolved over the past 25 years — and what it’s taken to protect one of the region’s most vital economic and cultural assets. From innovative zoning policies and mixed-use piers to global trade connections, fishing industry changes, and major infrastructure investments,. Bill shares behind-the-scenes insights

en

27:37

Unless Something Goes Terribly Wrong

Let"s Connect ·

2026/02/04

Host Tom Bell talks with Portland Water District General Manager Scott Firmin and filmmakers Alexander Wolf Lewis and Kaitlyn Schwalje. Alex and Kaitlyn are the creators of the feature-length documentary Unless Something Goes Terribly Wrong—an informative, funny, and surprisingly heart-warming look inside Portland’s wastewater treatment plant.The film follows a ragtag crew of engineers, mechanics, and scientists as they navigate the often-invisible work of keeping our water clean, while grappling

en

30:39

Infrastructure: The Hidden Barrier to Housing in...

Let"s Connect ·

2026/02/02

Across Greater Portland, the push to build more housing often runs into a less visible but critical challenge: infrastructure. In this episodehost Kristina Egan is joined by Emily Cole-Prescott, Assistant City Administrator for the City of Saco, and Jennie Franceschi, Director of Planning & Code Enforcement for the City of Westbrook, for a practical, on-the-ground conversation about what it really takes to turn housing policy into housing that gets built. From sewer and water capacity to

en

29:35

A conversation with House Speaker Ryan Fecteau

Let"s Connect ·

2026/01/28

Host Kristina Egan sits down with House Speaker Ryan Fecteau to explore legislative priorities in an election year, including efforts to lower the property tax burden and address the loss of federal funding for programs that help Mainers pay for food, childcare, and health care. They discuss the realities of bipartisan governing — all with a focus on what these decisions mean for everyday Mainers.

en

29:23

Unpacking how communities prepare for winter storms

Let"s Connect ·

2025/12/28

Host Kristina Egan is joined by Brett Frank, Deputy Director of Public Works in Scarborough; Mike Murray, Director of Public Works for the City of Portland; and Caity Hager, Portland’s Emergency Management Coordinator to unpack how plowing decisions are made, why parking bans matter, how roads are treated, what causes delays, and how communities plan for emergencies before a storm even hits.

en

27:23

Creating a home with an ADU

Let"s Connect ·

2025/12/16

Host Tom Bell explores how Accessory Dwelling Units are helping Maine homeowners navigate the state’s housing affordability crisis. He talks with two local residents—Mark Baker of Portland and Keri Ouellette of South Portland—who have each built an ADU for different reasons.Mark Baker and his wife, Lynn, recently retired and wanted to move from Fresno, California, to Portland, Maine, to be closer to their daughter, her husband, and their two young grandchildren. But with housing costs in Portland

en

29:05

How Maine Schools Are Going Green

Let"s Connect ·

2025/11/24

Host Kristia Egan explores how schools across Maine are going greener—cutting energy use, improving air quality, and giving students hands-on lessons in sustainability. Dr. Glenn Cummings, Director of Green Schools for the Maine Department of Education, shares how the state’s new initiative is transforming everything from leadership practices to building systems, highlighting innovative projects already underway. Superintendent Christopher Howell of RSU 14 (Raymond and WIndham) discussa Windham

en

29:44

Keeping our unhoused neighbors safe

Let"s Connect ·

2025/11/24

Host Kristina Egan explores the growing urgency of keeping our unhoused neighbors safe as winter approaches. Joined by Portland Mayor Mark Dion, Portland Downtown Executive Director Cary Tyson, and Westbrook Housing Director John Concannon, the conversation explores the pressure on Portland’s shelter system, the need for more day space resources, and the financial strains municipalities face in addressing homelessness. The panel also highlights ongoing regional efforts, including proposed day space

en

30:03

Electrifying Maine’s Working Waterfront

Let"s Connect ·

2025/11/13

Host Tom Bell heads out on Casco Bay—at least in spirit—to explore the Heron, the largest electric aquaculture workboat in Maine and maybe the nation. Built through a multi-year collaboration among local innovators, Heron is transforming oyster farming with cleaner, quieter, zero-emission technology that offers a glimpse into the future of Maine’s working waterfront. Tom is joined by Nick Planson of Shred Electric, Willy Leathers of Maine Ocean Farms, and Lia Morris of the Island Institute, to talk

en

29:23

From beer to scallops — local industries going green

Let"s Connect ·

2025/11/03

Host Tom Bell talks with leaders from two Maine industries about how they’re turning sustainability into opportunity. Jason Perkins, Brewmaster at Allagash Brewing Company, explains how the brewery’s B Corp values drive efficiency and partnerships with local farmers. And Briana Warner, Vice President of Marketing and Strategy at Mark Foods—the new owner of Bristol Seafood—describes how Maine’s seafood industry is advancing traceability and ocean stewardship. Sophie Piette of ClimateWork Maine

en

29:08

Run for local office!

Let"s Connect ·

2025/11/01

Host Kristina Egan talks with Phil Devlin, Vice Chair of the Harrison Selectboard, and South Portland City Councilor Linda Cohen and about why more people should consider running for local office. They discuss what motivates people to step into public service, the challenges and rewards of local leadership, and how ordinary residents can make a meaningful difference in their communities.

en

29:07

Saco & Biddeford’s Shared Future

Let"s Connect ·

2025/10/31

Host Kristina Egan speaks with Saco Mayor Jodi McPhail and Biddeford City Administrator Truc Dever about how their neighboring cities are growing, investing in infrastructure, and strengthening regional collaboration. They discuss the essential role of roads, stormwater systems, broadband, and public facilities in shaping the future, and the opportunities that come from sharing services and working together across the Saco River.

en

29:20

Saving Maine’s Marshes

Let"s Connect ·

2025/10/21

Host Tom Bell explores one of Maine’s most vital yet often overlooked landscapes—its salt marshes. Guests Jeremy Gabrielson from the Maine Coast Heritage Trust and landscape architect Mitchell Rasor talk about why marshes matter, the risks they face from rising seas, and what ’s being done to restore them.

en

29:23

Driving Maine forward: Andre Briere on the future of...

Let"s Connect ·

2025/10/20

Host Kristina Egan talks with Andre Briere, the new executive director of the Maine Turnpike Authority. A Seattle native and Air Force veteran, Briere brings nearly three decades of leadership experience, including his time as New Hampshire’s deputy transportation commissioner, to guide the future of Maine’s busiest highway. The conversation explores his vision for the turnpike—centered on transparency, technology and modernizing service plazas—along with the agency’s role in the region’s growth,

en

30:38

Yarmouth voters face critical decision about the...

Let"s Connect ·

2025/10/17

In Yarmouth, a single pump station near the Royal River moves about two-thirds of the town’s wastewater — and it’s now running close to capacity. Town officials say that unless it’s upgraded, future housing and commercial projects could stall, and the town could risk another overflow event like the one that happened in early 2024. Critics are concerned about the costs to taxpayers and wonder why the town was not prepared for this crisis. To help us understand what’s at stake and how the town plans

en

30:12

Making the switch to electric trucks

Let"s Connect ·

2025/09/30

On this episode of Let’s Connect Greater Portland, we look beyond electric cars to the future of clean transportation in Maine’s trucking sector. Host Kristina Egan talks with Hogan Dwyer from Efficiency Maine and Jon Gagne from the Greater Portland Council of Governments about the state’s goals for transportation electrification, the importance of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles in cutting emissions, and the businesses already making the switch to electric trucks. From pilot programs and tax

en

30:30

Growing Maine’s workforce

Let"s Connect ·

2025/09/22

Host Kristina Egan sits down with Nate Wildes, Executive Director of Live and Work in Maine, to explore how Maine can attract, retain, and welcome the workforce it needs. They dig into what employers are saying, why attracting talent is a community-wide challenge, and how storytelling and branding help Maine stand out. The conversation tackles real barriers like housing, transportation, and childcare, the rise of remote workers and what it means for communities.

en

29:58

Dig into why Maine’s farmland needs protection

Let"s Connect ·

2025/09/22

Host Kristina Egan talks with Stacy Brenner—farmer and the new President & CEO of Maine Farmland Trust—about farming, food, and the future of Maine’s working landscapes. They dig into why farmland needs protection, how the Trust helps keep land in production, and the biggest challenges farmers face today—from economics and tariffs to workforce and immigration. Stacy shares how young farmers are getting on the land, climate-smart practices and innovations that build resilience, and stories of

en

145 results

Similar Podcasts

Expres Ráno

Expres FM

PBS News Hour - Full Show

PBS News

CD Voice

China Daily

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report

Noa Levi

Jeffrey Epstein: The Coverup Chronicles

Bobby Capucci