Conversations From the Pointed Firs

Oct 09 2024 36 ep. 57 mins 1

Conversations From the Pointed Firs Podcast artwork

Conversations from the Pointed Firs is a monthly series of discussions between host Peter Neill and Maine-connected authors and artists about new books and creative projects that invoke the spirit of Maine, its history, its ecology, its culture, and its contribution to community and quality of life. Authors and artists interviewed live in Maine, work in Maine, or otherwise derive their creativity from its essence.

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Ian Ludders

Oct 09 2024 59 mins

This month on Conversations from the Pointed Firs, host Peter Neill engages in a fascinating conversation with Ian Ludders, author of "Didn't Do Much but a Little of Everything", a micro-history of Dalton Raynes who's workday diary from his 19th year, in 1897, serves as the book's center, and of Bob Quinn who worked the land up into the 2000s. Ian Ludders, who annotated the text, w

Peter Ralston

Sep 12 2024 53 mins

This month on Conversations from the Pointed Firs host Peter Neill sits down with Peter Ralston. Peter is a marine photographer, photographing the coast of Maine since 1978, drawn especially to the working communities that define the coast’s enduring character. Instrumental in forming the Island Institute in 1983, Peter Ralston served as its executive vice-president until 2010, a

Lucas St. Clair

Jul 08 2024 59 mins

This month on Conversations from the Pointed Firs host Peter Neill sits down with Lucas St. Clair. Lucas was born in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine and spent his childhood in a hand-built log cabin with few amenities and a focus on living in harmony with nature. After graduating from high school Lucas immersed himself in outdoor wilderness adventures: hiking the Appalachian Trail, paddling

Siri Beckman

Apr 11 2024 57 mins

This month on Conversations from the Pointed Firs, host Peter Neill sits down with Siri Beckman, visual artist, wood engraver, print maker, and co-author of the new book "The Prints of Siri Beckman: Engraving a Sense of Place." Beckman, born in Chicago, Illinois, moved to Maine in 1975, and was called to wood engraving quite by accident, and has been practicing the art form for mor

Kristie Billings

Mar 04 2024 55 mins

This month on Conversations from the Pointed Firs host Peter Neill sits down with Kristie Billings. A wearer of many hats, Kristie is a long-time DJ for ‘Daydream Nation’ on the WERU Community Radio in Orland, Maine. From small-town grocery clerk to working in a fish market, owning her own shoe store, being an Arts Educator at a local theater, a lobster fisher, and an antiques

Gary Lawless

Feb 14 2024 58 mins

This month on Conversations from the Pointed Firs, host Peter Neill sits down with Gary Lawless, poet, bookstore owner, book editor, publisher, and educator. He has published many books of poetry and co-owns Gulf of Maine Books in Brunswick and owns Blackberry Books Publishing in Nobleboro. He has run writing residencies in Newfoundland, Alaska, Italy, and Maine, and community writ

Laureen LaBar

Jan 15 2024 57 mins

Our guest this first month of 2024 on Conversations from the Pointed Firs is LAUREEN LABAR, recently retired curator at the Maine State Museum and author of "Maine Quilts: 250 Years of Comfort and Community", published in 2021 by Down East Books. She and Peter discuss quilts and quilting in Maine, as an example of unique craft, history, and social engagement invoking the spirit of

Sarah Alexander, MOFGA

Dec 05 2023 57 mins

This month on Conversations from the Pointed Firs host Peter Neill sits down with Sarah Alexander, Executive Director of MOFGA (the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association.) Sarah has been in her position since, 2018, and has over 20 years of experience advocating for sustainable, local and fair food systems. This year MOFGA is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its foundi

Jo Radner

Nov 08 2023 58 mins

This month on Conversations from the Pointed Firs, host Peter Neill sits down with Joan (Jo) Radner, of Lovell, Maine, professor emerita of literature at American University, holds a Ph.D. from Harvard University, and is enjoying a second career as an oral historian, writer, and professional storyteller in her family’s home region of western Maine. Jo has been studying, teaching,

Steve Tatko

Oct 12 2023 56 mins

This month on Conversations from the Pointed Firs host Peter Neill sits down with Steve Tatko, Vice President of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Steve is a lifelong Mainer, born in Monson, graduate of Colby College, shaped by the Maine woods, and now dedicated to its preservation for all of us to use and enjoy. In the past years, Steve and his colleagues have increased the AMC’s M