Portland Press Herald Podcast

If you enjoyed our Like a Boss series, please join us for Open Door. Open Door features personal reflections from local leaders about their careers, management styles and lessons they’ve learned along the way. Steve Mills, CEO of Maine Beer Company sat down with Maine Trust for Local News Managing Director Stefanie Manning for a conversation at the Roux Institute at Northeastern University on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. About Steve: Steve Mills has taken on many leadership roles throughout his over thirty years in the craft beer industry. As CEO of Maine Beer Company, Mills expands on the company’s purpose of “doing good through great beer” which the company was founded on in 2009. His priorities are to take care of the company’s employees, give to environmental and local nonprofits, and make exceptional beer. Under his leadership, Maine Beer Company has outpaced most peers as far as growth. It is now in the top 100 of the more than 9,500 US breweries. Mills is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps where he spent

The city says it can't pick up the slack if an executive order slashes federal funding for refugee services and the state follows through with plans to cut back its share of General Assistance. by Grace Benninghoff Portland Press Herald Story: https://www.pressherald.com/2025/02/18/portland-leaders-frustrated-over-potential-funding-changes-for-immigrants/

During the Jim Crow era, Black tourists to Maine found recreational spaces where they were welcomed, not shunned. by Gillian GrahamPortland Press Herald Megan GrayPortland Press Herald Story: https://www.pressherald.com/2025/02/15/for-generations-black-mainers-made-sure-vacationland-was-open-to-all/ Press Herald News Stories podcasts feed: https://podcasts.apple.com/ru/podcast/portland-press-herald-news-stories/id1734255268?l=en-GB

By Rachel Ohm, Portland Press Herald Rep. Randall Hall, R-Wilton, was indicted by an Oxford County grand jury on 12 charges Wednesday. Story: https://www.pressherald.com/2025/02/13/maine-lawmaker-accused-of-forging-signatures-on-campaign-finance-forms/ Stories Audio Feed: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/portland-press-herald-news-stories/id1734255268

Watch: Maine Voices Live with Craig Grossi, author and Marine Corps veteran Portland Press Herald staff writer Ray Routhier sat down with author and Marine Corps veteran Craig Grossi for a conversation and book signing during a live event in Portland.  About Craig Craig and Fred Raised in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, DC, Craig Grossi is a Marine Corps veteran, author and recipient of the Purple Heart. After getting out of the Marines in 2011, Grossi worked for the federal Defense Intelligence Agency, enrolled at Georgetown University and got a degree in international affairs. Grossi is the author of “Craig & Fred: A Marine, a Stray Dog and How They Rescued Each Other,” an uplifting true story about the stray dog he met on an Afghan battlefield, and how they saved each other and traveled America together, and “Second Chances,” which details his experience working closely with prison inmates in Maine who raise and train puppies to become service dogs. Learn more about Craig’s story and his books in

Talking media startups, news deserts and the future of the Fourth Estate This conversation took place on Tuesday, October 15 at the Roux Institute at Northeastern University. Authors Dan Kennedy and Ellen Clegg sat down for a conversation about their book What Works in Community News: Media Startups, News Deserts, and the Future of the Fourth Estate (Beacon Press) at the Roux Institute at Northeastern University on Tuesday, October 15. Local news is essential to democracy. Meaningful participation in civic life is impossible without it. However, local news is in crisis. According to one widely cited study, some 2,500 newspapers have closed over the last generation. And it is often marginalized communities of color who have been left without the day-to-day journalism they need to govern themselves in a democracy. In this book, journalists Ellen Clegg and Dan Kennedy cut through the pessimism surrounding this issue, showing readers that new, innovative journalism models are popping up across the country to

About Safa Zaki Copyright Jessica Scranton Safa R. Zaki is the sixteenth president of Bowdoin College, a renowned psychologist and cognitive scientist, and the first woman to lead the College since its founding in 1794. Safa’s research focuses on how people divide the world into categories, using computational approaches to model cognitive processes in order to enrich our understanding of the human mind.

In preparation for the November election, Press Herald reporters Rachel Ohm and Randy Billings discuss the referendum questions on the ballot, what a yes or no vote will mean, before diving into an in-depth discussion about the updated design for the Maine state flag with vexillologist David Martucci.

Portland Press Herald staff writer Ray Routhier sat down with actor and author John Hodgman for a conversation during a live event at One Longfellow Square on Tuesday, September 17. About John John Hodgman is a writer, comedian, and actor. He is the author of The Areas of My Expertise, More Information Than You Require, That Is All, and Vacationland. His writing has also appeared in The Paris Review, This American Life, The New Yorker, and Mad Magazine. After an appearance to promote his books on “The Daily Show,” he was invited to return as a contributor, serving as the show’s Resident Expert. This led to a career before the camera, becoming the “Personal Computer” in a series of commercials for Apple, and more recently playing recurring roles in FX’s Married, HBO’s Bored to Death, Cinemax’s The Knick. His comedy special Ragnarok premiered in 2013 on Netflix. He is the host of the popular Judge John Hodgman podcast and also contributes a weekly column under the same name for The New York Times Magazine.

Portland Press Herald staff writer Ray Routhier sat down with author Jonathan Lethem for a conversation during a live event at One Longfellow Square on Tuesday, August 13. Jonathan Lethem is the author of thirteen novels including The Arrest and Brooklyn Crime Novel. His stories and essay have been collected in seven volumes, and his writing has been translated into over thirty languages. He lives in Los Angeles and Maine. His novel Motherless Brooklyn was named Novel of the Year by Esquire magazine and won the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Salon Book Award, as well as the Crime Writers Association Gold Dagger. Lethem received a MacArthur Fellowship in 2005. He teaches classes in creative writing and contemporary fiction at Pomona College in Claremont, California.

Ever wonder where reporters get their ideas? Press Herald Managing Editor Nita Lelyveld sat down with Press Herald reporter Eric Russell, Morning Sentinel reporter Dylan Tusinski and Sun Journal photojournalist Andree Kehn for a conversation on Zoom to discuss how journalists find their stories. This event took place on Thursday, June 27.

In 2023, Marilou Ranta, of The Quarry Restaurant in remote Monson, Maine, bested thousands of restaurants across America to win an award for Outstanding Hospitality from the prestigious New-York-based James Beard Foundation. Ranta grew up as the youngest of 12 children in an impoverished family on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. She finished school at 16 and spent time as a maid, a factory worker and a home health aide before graduating from culinary school at age 50 and fulfilling a long-time dream to run her own fine-dining restaurant. Her delicious food and warm hospitality at The Quarry have brought her much praise and many fans. Read more about Marilou in this article by Peggy Grodinsky.

On Wednesday, March 6, Portland Press Herald CEO and Publisher Lisa DeSisto interviewed Tate’s Bakeshop CEO, Esi Seng at The Roux Institute at Northeastern University. About Esi Seng Esi Seng is a proven, inspirational global leader with more than two decades of accelerating business growth and building high-performing CPG businesses and teams across the globe including Switzerland, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brazil and the United States. Currently she is the Chief Executive Officer of Tate’s Bakeshop, the iconic cookie brand that disrupted the category and continues to be one of the fastest growing cookies in the aisle. Before taking on the cookie kingdom, Esi was all about toothpaste as the General Manager for Tom’s of Maine. Here she focused on elevating the Purpose to Purchase model. Under her leadership, Tom’s of Maine, a BCorp, developed the first-of-its-kind recyclable tube toothpaste, which was recognized as one of The Best Inventions of 2020 by TIME Magazine and launched a 100% plastic free deod

Portland Press Herald food editor Peggy Grodinsky sat down for a conversation with chef Sam Hayward about his career during a live event on Tuesday, Feb. 27. Award-winning chef Sam Hayward co-founded Fore Street restaurant in Portland in 1996, making fresh produce and farmer relationships his top priority. Hayward previously served on MOFGA’s board of directors for over a decade and has worked closely with Maine farmers, foragers and fisherpeople for over 30 years. As many more restaurateurs and farmers forge relationships, Hayward’s knowledge of both worlds is of great value to chefs, producers and food lovers.

Dale Everett Arnold was a New England sportscaster who hosted the Boston Bruins broadcasts on NESN and co-hosted talk radio shows on WEEI until his retirement from radio in March of 2021. He was the Bruins’ play-by-play announcer on NESN and has called Boston College Eagles football. He is the only person to have done play-by-play broadcasts for all five of the Boston area’s major professional sports franchises. A Bowdoin College alumnus, Arnold began calling games for the school teams while a student there in the mid-1970s. In 1979, he succeeded Mike Emrick as the voice of the Maine Mariners. He joined the New Jersey Devils with Doc Emrick as their radio announcer in 1986, before returning to New England two years later. Arnold called New England Patriots games from 1988–90 and provided play-by-play coverage for Bruins home games from 1995–2007. In July 2007, he was replaced by former ESPN sportscaster Jack Edwards as the Bruins’ play-by-play telecaster. Arnold is formerly of Bellingham, Massachusetts and no

Paul Doiron is the best-selling author of the Mike Bowditch series of crime novels set in the Maine woods. His first book, The Poacher’s Son, won the Barry Award and the Strand Critics Award and was nominated for an Edgar for Best First Novel. His second, Trespasser, won the 2012 Maine Literary Award. His novelette “Rabid” was a finalist for the 2019 Edgar in the Best Short Story category. Paul’s twelfth book, Dead by Dawn won the New England Society’s 2022 Book Award for Fiction, as well as his second Maine Literary Award. It was also a finalist for the Barry Award. His books have been translated into 11 languages. Paul is the former chair of the Maine Humanities Council, Editor Emeritus of Down East: The Magazine of Maine, and a Registered Maine Guide specializing in fly fishing.

Matthew grew up in the rural lakes region of Western Maine and now resides in Bridgton with his wife Emily and two young kiddos, daughter Rowan (6) and son Leo (3).  Matt has played many roles in his life, Banker, Actor, Photographer and his recent favorite- Dad. Matthew’s film credits include the George Clooney-directed drama “The Tender Bar,” the comedy “Daddy’s Home 2” starring Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg and the Maine-made movies “Hangdog” and “Downeast.” He was also in the Maine-set romantic comedy “Tumbledown,” starring Jason Sudeikis.  On TV he’s appeared in episodes of “Chicago P.D.” on NBC, “Castle Rock” on Hulu and he will be featured on season 2 of “Julia” on Max. Video of this event is available on youTube or at pressherald.com

Portland Press Herald staff writer Aimsel Ponti sat down with Spose to chat about his career during a live event on Tuesday, October 17 at One Longfellow Square. Ryan Peters was born in Portland and grew up in Wells, Maine. He began rapping in eighth grade. Peters graduated from Wells High School in 2004 then attended University of New Hampshire as an English major and later transferred to Suffolk University. By then his music career was taking off and he was offered a record deal when he was two classes away from graduating. Adopting the moniker Spose, he self-released his first album, Preposterously Dank in 2007 while continuing to work selling lobster at the Barnacle Billy’s restaurant in Ogunquit. Spose released the We Smoked It All mixtape with rapper Cam Groves in 2009 and in January 2010, the single, “I’m Awesome” received airplay on several Maine radio stations. A month later, after the song caught on in other parts of the US, Spose signed a record deal with Universal Republic Records and announced t

Welcome to the first episode of "In the Arena." "In the Arena" is a podcast for Mainers interested in a deeper understanding of the political issues facing our state. Featuring former TV anchor/reporter Pat Callaghan, former Republican state Senator Phil Harriman and former Democratic Portland mayor Ethan Strimling This week, on the first episode of “In The Arena," Pat, Phil and Ethan discuss Maine Rep. Jared Golden’s Republican opponent Austin Theriault, the political implications of Hamas’ attack on Israel and the Portland mayoral race. In their lightning round, the three debate what's 'newsworthy' and 'snooze worthy,' including Republicans filing an ethics complaint against Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, Gov. Mills' opposition to the Pine Tree Power referendum, opponents of CMP being paid to campaign for the company, Mills' puzzling social media post and whether former Gov. Paul LePage might be gunning for Maine Sen. Angus King's seat. Finally, Pat recounts a fun story from former Sen. George Mitch

Portland mayoral hopefuls debate homelessness, climate change Much of the debate between Pious Ali, Justin Costa, Mark Dion, Dylan Pugh and Andrew Zarro focused on the homeless encampments that the city has struggled to manage. Five candidates vying to become Portland’s next mayor sparred Tuesday, October 3 over the city’s top challenges, including homeless encampments, housing, immigration and climate change, during a 90-minute debated hosted by the Portland Press Herald and the University of New England. Much of the focus on the debate, which drew about 260 people to UNE’s Innovation Hall, was on the efforts to deal with homeless encampments throughout the city. The debate was moderated by Press Herald reporters Grace Benninghoff and Rachel Ohm.