The Maine Conversation
Vignettes of Life in Maine
One of my favorite discoveries in 2023 so far is the podcast The Maine Conversation. It follows host Emily as she explores her new home state of Maine through interviews with its locals. Her style is a breath of fresh air—she presents each person with so much joy and interest, and her format is far more like a piece of creative nonfiction than a series of interviews. The episodes are easily accessible at only 30 minutes each, and, since it is a relatively new podcast, it is easy to quickly catch up and listen along as each new episode premieres.
Have you ever wondered about the puffin population on the coast of Maine? Do you know how to cut down pine trees and build a home from their wood? What ideas have you dreamed up with your best friend, and how have they manifested (or changed) as the years go by? Each interview is a carefully crafted glimpse into the beauty of life in Maine. We started Mirabile Dictu to take a break from the weight of the world and to instead search for and cling to the miraculous and beautiful in life. This podcast is just that—a glimpse into the wonder of Maine and the passion of its citizens.
If you’re looking for a place to start, I would recommend any of the interviews with Barnaby Porter, an author and artist in Maine. His latest interview is the story of his house, Crow Point, which he and his wife designed and built together thirty years ago. It is recorded in the kitchen at Crow Point, and allows you to escape and sit at the table with him as he tells the story of how his home came to be. His other interviews explore his work as a woodworker and his vivid memories of life in Maine.
I highly encourage you to subscribe and listen to The Maine Conversation, and I would love to hear your thoughts—have you been to Maine? Do these stories make you want to visit? Are there any people in your community you would love to share with others like Emily does?
This sounds so beautiful. What a lovely idea for a podcast or any form of journaling.