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 deodorant line.
Esi, a Nicaraguan Chinese Immigrant is a proponent of diversity, equity and inclusion and passionate about community-building; She is currently on the board of the United Way of Southern Maine.
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 now lives in Brunswick with his wife, Susan. They have three children: Taylor, Alysha, and Brianna. Arnold grew up in Maine and Minnesota prior to attending Bowdoin College. His son, Taylor Arnold, is a professor at the University of Richmond.
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 that he would begin working on a music video. Although he didn’t end up releasing music with Universal, Spose has released a total of 10 albums since 2008, including his most recent Get Rich or Die Ryan in October of 2021.
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 Mitchell about his longtime mentor and former U.S. Secretary of State Ed Muskie.
Copy this link into your podcast aggregator to subscribe to "In the Arena"
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.
Portland Press Herald staff writer Ray Routhier sat down with Pat Callaghan and Cindy Williams to chat about their careers during a live event on Tuesday, August 22 at One Longfellow Square.
About our guests
Pat Callaghan began his broadcast journalism career in 1978 at New Hampshire Public Television.
Beginning in 1979, he spent 43 years as a news anchor and reporter for NEWS CENTER Maine (WCSH6 in Portland and WLBZ2 in Bangor). Notable stories along the way included being on the air live when the Challenger space shuttle exploded in 1986, and reporting from Belfast, Northern Ireland when former Maine Sen. George Mitchell chaired the talks that culminated in the Good Friday Agreement.
Pat spent much of his time covering politics and government, with extensive reporting from Washington, DC and Augusta, as well as covering Maine’s delegations at numerous national political conventions. He produced documentaries on notable Maine figures including Ed Muskie, Bill Cohen, Olympia Snowe and George Mitchell.
Pat holds a BA in History from the University of New Hampshire. He is a member of the Maine Broadcasting Hall of Fame and the New England Emmy Awards “Silver Circle.”
He and his wife Karen are the parents of two grown children.
Cindy Williams is a former news anchor for WCSH 6 News Center Maine where she worked for 32 years from 1989 until 2021. Williams has won several awards from the Associated Press and the Maine Association of Broadcasters for her anchoring and reporting. She graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1985 with a degree in Radio, Television and Film. Cindy was also the anchor of News Seven and the 10 o’clock news on the NBC affiliate in Laurel and Hattiesburg, Mississippi of WDAM-TV.
Portland Press Herald Food and Books Editor Peggy Grodinsky sat down with Chelsea Conaboy to chat about her newest book, that draws on the latest neuroscience and social psychology and weaves it together with new reporting to tell a powerful new narrative of parenthood. Conaboy talks about the myth of maternal instinct, how parenthood changes the brain for the long haul, and what it all means for our social policies, our understanding of caregiving broadly and our sense of ourselves during a live "Maine Voices Live" at the Portland Museum of Art.
Chelsea Conaboy is a health and science journalist. She was part of the Boston Globe’s Pulitzer Prize–winning team for coverage of the Boston Marathon bombing, and she was features editor at the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram for three years. Her work has been published by The New York Times, The Guardian, Mother Jones, Politico, the Boston Globe Magazine, WBUR, The Philadelphia Inquirer and others. Her first book, Mother Brain: How Neuroscience Is Rewriting the Story of Parenthood, has been called “a game-changer” and is set to be published in 20 countries.
Rachel Ohm, the lead reporter covering Portland’s influx of asylum seekers for the Press Herald, led this Newsroom Live virtual event on Tuesday, May 30.
Read the Press Herald series “Long Way Home” at pressherald.com/longwayhome.
On the panel:
Mufalo Chitam, Executive Director, Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition
Kristen Dow, Director of Health & Human Services, City of Portland
Ninette Irabaruta, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, United Way of Southern Maine
Many Maine-based companies have footprints beyond the state border, even when “the Maine brand” is a big part of their corporate identities. How do these companies keep their cultural or physical roots in the state, especially if they’re adding locations outside of it? What tools and strategies are they using to elevate their brand and leverage their Maine ties? Join our panel conversation to start thinking of affinities that go beyond traditional markets.
Business Editor Will Hall sat down with Scott MacLeod from The VIA Agency, Jenny Kordick from Maine Outdoor Brands and Colleen Croteau from Maine Beer Company to discuss their strategies on Thursday, April 20 for a panel discussion at University of New England’s Innovation Hall on Stevens Avenue in Portland.
President of The Boulos Company, Jessica Estes sat down with Portland Press Herald CEO Lisa DeSisto for a conversation at The Roux Institute at Northeastern University on Tuesday, April 4.
More information at pressherald.com
President and CEO of Central Maine Power, Joe Purington sat down with Portland Press Herald CEO Lisa DeSisto for a conversation at The Roux Institute on Wednesday, March 1.
About Joe Purington
Joe Purington was appointed President and CEO of Central Maine Power (CMP) in September 2021. CMP serves approximately 646,000 electricity customers in an 11,000 square-mile service area in central and southern Maine. The appointment brings Purington home to Maine and to CMP where he began his career in utility operations.
Ryan Adams is a Portland Maine artist, born and raised, where he lives with his artist and designer wife and their two daughters. His background in traditional graffiti led him to creating large-scale mural work as well as hand lettered design and signage. His signature ‘gem’ style of work is a geometric breakdown of letterforms with shadows and highlights incorporated in order to create depth and movement. His work often including statements within them that addresses introspective or cultural issues. Currently, Ryan owns and operates a mural and signage company along with exploring and exhibiting his ‘gem’ style work in exterior and interior spaces.
More information (and video) at https://www.pressherald.com/2022/12/07/maine-voices-live-with-ryan-adams/
A panel of journalists from The Portland Press Herald, the Sun Journal, the Kennebec Journal and the Morning Sentinel share memories of covering the epic Ice Storm of 1998, of the people they met and stories they found. Panelists include Judy Meyer, executive editor of the Sun Journal, Kennebec Journal and the Morning Sentinel, retired Press Herald columnist Bill Nemitz, Morning Sentinel reporter and columnist Amy Calder and Press Herald photographer Greg Rec. Press Herald staff writer Kelley Bouchard moderates the discussion.
Portland Press Herald staff writer Eric Russell talks with Morgan Talty about his new book, Night of the Living Rez during a virtual conversation on Tuesday, December 6.
Morgan Talty is a citizen of the Penobscot Indian Nation where he grew up. He is the author of the story collection Night of the Living Rez from Tin House Books, and his work has appeared in Granta, The Georgia Review, Shenandoah, TriQuarterly, Narrative Magazine, LitHub, and elsewhere.
Should social media even be in your advertising budget in 2023? From navigating targeting capabilities to tracking brand safety on turbulent platforms, it takes insight to design an effective strategy.
Join moderator Carol Coultas and social media experts Dan Reed of SCORE, Izzy Siedman of flyte new media and Nathan O’Leary of Mainely SEO to learn how to create a successful campaign that’s worth your time.
Portland Press Herald food writer Peggy Grodinsky talks with Tara Jensen about her new book, Flour Power.
About Tara
Tara Jensen is the author of A Baker’s Year and the just published Flour Power. She grew up in Naples, Maine, attended Lake Region High School and graduated from College of the Atlantic. Jensen has baked professionally for over 20 years, including at Red Hen Baking in Vermont; and Farm & Sparrow and Carolina Ground, both in North Carolina. She also ran her own tiny, wood-fired bakery, Smoke Signals in North Carolina. Her gorgeous breads and pies have been featured in publications such as Food & Wine and Bon Appétit and her beautiful Instagram account, @bakerhands, has more than 100,000 followers. Today, Jensen teaches baking workshops in Virginia, where she lives with her husband and toddler daughter. Her approach to baking marries the technical with the intuitive.