Beacon Podcast

This week on the podcast, Ben, Cate and Esther breakdown the final state budget, including wins like the new mansion tax, boosted child tax credit, and more support for General Assistance. Cate also dives into what didn't make the cut, such as necessary funding for Maine's family planning network. Esther shares an overview of recent… The post Podcast: Inside Maine's part 2 budget deal first appeared on Maine Beacon.

This week on the podcast, Lisa Margulies from Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund joins Cate to break down the serious threats in Pres. Donald Trump’s federal budget reconciliation bill. The proposal would block Planned Parenthood from participating in Medicaid (MaineCare), cutting off care for more than 1.1 million people. This could mean closing nearly 200… The post Podcast: How the federal budget threatens reproductive healthcare and Mainers first appeared on Maine Beacon.

This week on the podcast, Cate and Ben share with our listeners how everyday Mainers can take action to protect essential programs and urge lawmakers like Sen. Susan Collins to stand up against federal budget cuts that would slash health care and food assistance while handing a $1.5 trillion tax break to the rich. Plus,… The post Podcast: Trump's budget is a disaster. Here's what you can do about it. first appeared on Maine Beacon.

This week on the podcast, Esther, Cate and Ben are together to discuss the Maine state budget, as well as the federal budget proposal from the Trump administration. In Maine, lawmakers are considering a tax on income over a million dollars (which is supported by a majority of Mainers). On the federal level, the budget… The post Podcast: How Trump's budget cuts would hurt Mainers first appeared on Maine Beacon.

This week on the podcast, Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey breaks down how his office is standing up to President Donald Trump’s executive orders, holding Big Tech and Big Oil accountable, and defending immigrant and LGBTQ+ rights. With an 80% success rate in federal legal challenges, Frey shares why the rule of law still matters… The post Podcast: AG Aaron Frey on defending Maine from Trump administration policies first appeared on Maine Beacon.

This week on the podcast, Cate connects with Charlotte Jacobs — a parent and  childcare provider at Seedlings to Sunflowers Nonprofit Childcare and Family Center in Gorham — and Hazel Willow, a Maine parent who has utilized Head Start and now advocates for protecting childcare services and workers. “My child’s last day living in the… The post Podcast: ‘A Day Without Childcare' and the real cost of care gaps first appeared on Maine Beacon.

This week on the podcast, Ben interviews award-winning author Ron Currie on his latest novel “The Savage, Noble Death of Babs Dionne”. Currie’s new book takes place in his hometown of Waterville, ME, and explores Franco-American cultural and economic struggles. Even through fiction writing, Currie draws from personal experiences and dives into intimate themes of… The post Podcast: Ron Currie explores Franco-American culture through fiction writing first appeared on Maine Beacon.

This week on the podcast, we are bringing back an episode from May 2024 with Luc Kuanzambi, who immigrated to Maine from the Congo. Although this episode was recorded a year ago, Kuanzambi’s message could not be more important: Americans need to be listening to immigrants’ stories firsthand. “The American public is not familiar with… The post Podcast: What the media gets wrong about the Maine immigrant experience first appeared on Maine Beacon.

This week on the podcast, Cate brings listeners to the State House, where she momentarily steps out of a public hearing regarding Maine’s paid family and medical leave (PFML). She is joined by Maine People Alliance members’ Cassie Nedwell and Amy Jane Larkin, who share their personal stories that highlight the need for PFML. “With… The post Podcast: Protecting paid family and medical leave for Mainers first appeared on Maine Beacon.

Esther, Cate and Ben are back together to discuss why tax fairness is a crucial part of building a more equitable future for Maine. They touch on how Mainers are putting the pressure on Sen. Susan Collins, delivering a letter signed by 1,300+ Mainers urging her to oppose new tax cuts for the ultra wealthy… The post Podcast: Why Trump's tax plan would leave everyday Mainers ‘paying more, getting less' first appeared on Maine Beacon.

This week on the podcast, Esther is joined by Jan Collins, the assistant director of Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition (MPAC). After Jan’s son was incarcerated in 2012, she became intimately aware of the horrors happening within Maine’s prison system and began fighting to break down harmful stereotypes and inhumane practices. Esther and Jan discuss the… The post Podcast: Building a more humane justice system in Maine with Jan Collins first appeared on Maine Beacon.

This week on the podcast, Cate and Ben dive into the real-life impact of national immigration policies right here in Maine. They break down some recent high-profile ICE arrests, including a viral TikTok video out of Waldo County and the troubling case of a truck driver detained in Lewiston. They also take a hard look… The post Podcast: Trump administration targets immigration (again) first appeared on Maine Beacon.

This week on the podcast, Ben sits down with artists Natasha Mayers and Anita Clearfield to discuss the intersection between art and activism. They share the role art has in shaping political movements, and how they’ve seen their work make an impact in the past. In 2012, Natasha founded the Artist Rapid Response Team (ARRT!),… The post Podcast: How art fuels activism with Natasha Mayers and Anita Clearfield first appeared on Maine Beacon.

This week on the podcast, Cate and Esther do a deep dive on what is happening with health care at the state and federal level. They break down three bills that would help reform Maine’s health care system by: preventing medical debt from affecting consumer reports, preventing AI from denying health insurance claims, and addressing… The post Podcast: How you can fight for fairer health care at the State House first appeared on Maine Beacon.

On this episode of the podcast, Ben, Cate and Esther provide an overview on what’s happened at the federal level this past week — from Pres. Donald Trump’s unconstitutional threat to deport a Palestinian activist with a green card, to how the potential Canadian boycott of Maine would impact the state’s local businesses and overall… The post Podcast: What Trump's trade war means for Maine and more budget threats first appeared on Maine Beacon.

This week on the podcast, Ben and Cate cover Trump’s State of the Union exploring its nationalist tone, economic impacts, and the need for fact-checking. They also break down national deportation trends and the legal hurdles of immigration policy. On the state level, Cate discusses budget negotiations, Republican-driven funding roadblocks, and the powerful child care… The post Podcast: Navigating Trump's policies and Maine's continuous budget battles first appeared on Maine Beacon.

This week on the podcast, Ben breaks down Trump's plan to slash taxes for the rich and gut Medicaid — moves that could hit Maine hard. Esther and Cate dig into the real-life impacts, from delayed meds for MaineCare patients to USAID job losses. But it's not all doom and gloom: they also explore the… The post Podcast: Cracks in Trump's power and the push for Maine budget solutions first appeared on Maine Beacon.

This week on the podcast, Channa interviews Rep. Gary Friedmann (D-Bar Harbor), who is currently serving his first term in the Maine House of Representatives. Friedmann shares why he decided to run for office; his frustrations with the lack of bipartisanship when it comes to the supplemental budget; two bills he is sponsoring surrounding affordable… The post Podcast: Rep. Gary Friedmann on Maine's budget deadlock and the fight for affordable housing first appeared on Maine Beacon.

In this week’s episode, Ben, Cate and Esther come together to explain the flurry of political developments coming out of the White House and what federal news is actually impacting Mainers. They revisit the role of protesting and its importance in building community and momentum. Cate unpacks the partisan deadlock in the Maine legislature over… The post Podcast: Clarifying what's happening federally and Maine's budget standoff first appeared on Maine Beacon.

This week on the podcast, Ben, Cate and Channa discuss how Mainers and people across the U.S. have been responding to the first few weeks of the Trump administration. On Wednesday, a “50 protests in 50 states” rally was held in Augusta as part of a larger movement of organizers in each of the 50… The post Podcast: The future of strategic protesting in Maine and resisting Trump's immigration agenda first appeared on Maine Beacon.

Editor’s Note: This podcast was recorded Wednesday morning, before the White House Office of Management and Budget rescinded a memo that froze federal grants and loans.  This week on the podcast, Esther and Ben unpack some of the chaos the White House caused when it issued a since-rescinded directive that ordered a spending “pause” on… The post Podcast: Responding to Trump's chaos, Mills' State of the Budget and ICE raids first appeared on Maine Beacon.

This week on the podcast, Ben, Cate and Esther dive into the harmful and alarming blitz of executive orders Pres. Donald Trump released as he kicked off his second presidential term. We’ll also talk about how people can care for themselves and support their communities (or find support in them!) as Mainers work to push… The post Borders, birthrights and resistance: The impacts of Trump's executive orders first appeared on Maine Beacon.

Public policy director Cate Blackford joins Senior Organizer Esther Pew to chat about paid family medical leave in Maine, as well as the positive and negative aspects of Gov. Janet Mills’ recently proposed budget. And with the inauguration of Donald Trump’s second term coming up on Monday, the two highlight the Portland People’s March happening… The post Podcast: Dissecting Mills' budget proposal and fighting against fascism first appeared on Maine Beacon.

Ben Chin and Esther Pew are back for the first podcast episode of 2025! The hosts discuss two petitions — regarding voting rights and a red flag law — that will potentially be on the 2025 ballot. “ I’ve talked to people who are responsible gun owners and want to make sure that people using a… The post Podcast: Two ballot proposals unveil barriers to voting and paths to gun safety first appeared on Maine Beacon.

This week on the podcast, we are revisiting Deputy Director Ben Chin’s interview with author and community organizer George Goehl. The two discusses Goehl’s book “The Fundamentals of Community Organizing”, which looks at how to bring people together and win structural change. Goehl lays out the core practices that organizers shouldn’t leave behind, even as… The post ‘Never be cynical again': A conversation with George Goehl first appeared on Maine Beacon.

This week on the podcast, Cate Blackford connects with Organizing Director of Maine People’s Alliance Genevieve Lysen to discuss MPA’s annual member retreat that took place at the beginning of December. Pulling over 100 members from across the state of Maine, the purpose of the retreat is to focus on cultivating community, relationship-building skills and… The post How embracing community builds collective power first appeared on Maine Beacon.

This week on the podcast, guest host Nora Flaherty-Stanford discusses the intersection of labor and climate action in Maine with Frances Eanes from the Maine Labor Climate Council. Eanes highlights the importance of labor in social change and the need for practical, worker-friendly climate solutions like offshore wind and energy efficiency upgrades. It is urgent… The post Frances Eanes on building a worker-led climate future in Maine first appeared on Maine Beacon.

This week on the podcast, we are sharing an encore episode of Ben Chin’s interview with author and journalist Vincent Bevins. The duo discusses the common belief that large protests and social movements can lead to significant change and how these beliefs were challenged in the 2010s, with many protests leading to unintended consequences or… The post How to make real change when mass protests fail first appeared on Maine Beacon.

This week on the podcast, Cate is joined by Lisa Margulies, the vice president of Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund. Lisa discusses the potential impacts of a Trump presidency and Republican Congress on reproductive health, as well as how state funding for family planning providers can mitigate this impact. The need for… The post How Maine can safeguard reproductive health care under Trump first appeared on Maine Beacon.

This week on the podcast, Esther sits down with Rev. Dr. Jodi Cohen Hayashida and Rev. Jane Field to talk about Christian Nationalism and how it played out in this election. They explain that Christian Nationalism is not a Christian movement, but a political one that co-opts Christian language for legitimacy, and our guests highlight… The post How faith leaders in Maine are fighting Christian Nationalism first appeared on Maine Beacon.

We’re discussing the aftermath, and pending results, of the yesterday’s elections. Our hosts Esther, Ben and Cat share their thoughts on why Donald Trump won the presidency, despite his recent controversies. And despite a red wave year, Maine has seemed to maintain Democratic control of the House and Senate. Key local results included Angus King’s… The post Reflections of the 2024 election season first appeared on Maine Beacon.

For our last podcast episode before the election, we are sharing our interview with Rep. Chellie Pingree. The congresswoman touches on the contentious nature of the current election year and the stakes involved, as well as the growing issue of housing in Maine, the expiring Trump tax cuts, the state's efforts to expand food nutrition… The post Rep. Pingree on Election Day, housing, tax cuts and more first appeared on Maine Beacon.

A year ago today, a shooter killed 18 people and wounded another 13 in Lewiston. On this week's podcast, Ben, Cate and Esther talk about what's happened since then to get justice for the people who were hurt or killed, and their families. They also dive into a Maine law that could have stopped the… The post One year after the Lewiston mass shooting first appeared on Maine Beacon.

Election season is just around the corner, and our host and public policy director Cate Blackford connected with Maine’s Secretary of State Shenna Bellows to help educate folks on their voting rights. Bellows also offers an inside look of the electoral security process that ensures all votes are counted accurately. Listeners can ask a question… The post Podcast: Exclusive interview with Secretary Shenna Bellows on voting rights, election protections first appeared on Maine Beacon.

Ben, Cate and Esther are all back together for this week’s podcast episode. Our hosts discuss the major talking (and fashion) points of Monday’s debate between Rep. Jared Golden and state Rep. Austin Theriault in Maine's 2nd Congressional District. Also, early voting is now available to Mainers; Esther shares how to get an early ballot.… The post Golden wins the debate, early voting and rent stabilization in mobile home parks first appeared on Maine Beacon.

On the podcast this week, Ben and Esther discuss the Vice-Presidential debate and the rhetoric candidates use and issues they co-opt when they attempt to appeal across party lines. Ask a question or leave a comment for a future show at (207) 619-3182. Subscribe to the podcast feed using any podcasting app or subscribe on… The post How Vance, Walz, Golden and Theriault speak across party lines first appeared on Maine Beacon.

This week on the podcast, Ben and Cate discuss the new Pan Atlantic poll showing some interesting results across the state. They also dig into expenditure reports and online ad archives to give a sense of the hard-fought battle for control of Maine’s state legislature. Ask a question or leave a comment for a future… The post The under-the-radar ad war in the districts that will decide Maine's legislature first appeared on Maine Beacon.

Marshall Ganz, America’s pre-emeninent expert on grassroots organizing, sits down with Ben Chin on the podcast this week to discuss how to build organizing skills, build a movement, and create lasting change. Ask a question or leave a comment for a future show at (207) 619-3182. Subscribe to the podcast feed using any podcasting app… The post Heads without bodies: Marshall Ganz on the problems of modern organizing first appeared on Maine Beacon.

On the podcast this week, Cate and Esther discuss the presidential debate and its aftermath, Maine’s new online voter registration system and increased rates of Mainers registering to vote. They also discuss Maine’s housing crunch and how it’s affecting college students and some possible solutions seen in Connecticut. Plus rays of hope. You can submit… The post Voter registration in Maine and the Taylor Swift effect first appeared on Maine Beacon.

On the podcast this week, Cate interviews Miles Rapoport, Executive Director of 100% Democracy, an initiative to advance voting as both a fundamental right and a civic responsibility. Ask a question or leave a comment for a future show at (207) 619-3182. Subscribe to the podcast feed using any podcasting app or subscribe on Apple… The post 100% Democracy: Miles Rapoport makes the case for making sure everyone votes first appeared on Maine Beacon.

This week on the podcast, Ben interviews Vincent Bevins, journalist and author of the new book If We Burn: The Mass Protest Decade and the Missing Revolution. Bevins discusses the mass movements of the 2010s across the world, where they failed and how change can be made. Ask a question or leave a comment for… The post Vincent Bevins on why mass protests have failed, how to make real change first appeared on Maine Beacon.

This week on the podcast, Ben interviews Deepak Bhargava, a longtime social justice leader and organizing luminary on his new book, Practical Radicals: Seven Strategies to Change the World. Cate and Ben also discuss Kamala Harris’ economic agenda and their shared love of Robert Caro. Ask a question or leave a comment for a future… The post Deepak Bhargava on how to be a practical radical first appeared on Maine Beacon.

This week on the podcast, Esther Pew is joined by an impressive array of Maine LGBTQ and reproductive rights experts to discuss the implementation of the state’s new shield law, protecting health care providers and patients from investigation and prosecution by authorities in other states. The panel includes Mary Bonauto with GLBTQ Legal Advocates &… The post Maine's shield goes up – stopping out-of-state attacks on reproductive and trans health care first appeared on Maine Beacon.

On the Beacon Podcast this week, Esther Pew interviews Tess Parks, a policy organizer with Maine Recovery Advocacy Project, on drug policy and recovery. Esther and Ben also discuss the pick of Gov. Tim Walz as the Democrat for VP and how his record in Minnesota compares to Maine. Ask a question or leave a… The post Under Walz, Minnesota did what Maine did, but faster first appeared on Maine Beacon.

Esther and Ben discuss the big changes in the presidential race and the effects on enthusiasm and turnout in Maine. They also recap some findings from investigations of the Lewiston mass shooting and talk about how local housing regulations have worked in Portland. Ask a question or leave a comment for a future show at… The post Podcast: Maine's elections just got a lot more interesting first appeared on Maine Beacon.

You heard us right! This week, Ben and Cate talk about Pres. Joe Biden’s proposal on Tuesday to cap rent increases at 5% for large corporate landlords. The proposal is a huge win for tenant advocates and would impact 20 million homes around the country. And that’s not all — around Maine this week, we’ve… The post Good news for tenants (really!) first appeared on Maine Beacon.

Arthur Philips of the Maine Center for Economic Policy joins Cate Blackford to discuss the results of their report on Maine’s direct care workforce. It’s not good. Ask a question or leave a comment for a future show at (207) 619-3182. Subscribe to the podcast feed using any podcasting app or subscribe on Apple Podcasts. The post Podcast: The ongoing abandonment of older Mainers first appeared on Maine Beacon.

This week on the podcast, Esther, Cate and Ben discuss some of the testimony before the Independent Commission on the mass shooting in Lewiston, a new proposed anti-panhandling ordinance in Bangor, and some structural problems with how Maine addresses mental health, homelessness and policing. Plus: Learn how to support a strong paid family leave program… The post Podcast: Prosecuting panhandlers and missing mass shooters first appeared on Maine Beacon.

Guests Andy O’Brien of the Maine AFL-CIO and Lisa Margulies of Planned Parenthood join guest-host Mike Tipping to discuss the results of this week’s primary and municipal elections. From the flipping of an anti-trans school board to the ousting of Democratic incumbent Bruce White in Waterville by Cassie Julia, progressive candidates had a good election.… The post Podcast: Why anti-choice and anti-trans incumbents lost their seats in Maine this week first appeared on Maine Beacon.

Guest Mike Tipping joins Esther on the podcast this week to talk polling results, the Republican Primary race in CD2, health care, housing and Aztec history. Ask a question or leave a comment for a future show at (207) 619-3182. Subscribe to the podcast feed using any podcasting app or subscribe on Apple Podcasts. The post Podcast: How much do Mainers hate insurance companies (and other poll results) first appeared on Maine Beacon.

On the podcast this week, Cate Blackford and Ben Chin are joined by Maine People’s Alliance board member Jim Parakilas to discuss some legislative primaries, MPA’s endorsements, and an important zoning conversation in Portland. Ask a question or leave a comment for a future show at (207) 619-3182. Subscribe to the podcast feed using any… The post Podcast: Conservative Democrats face progressive challengers in Maine legislative primaries first appeared on Maine Beacon.