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Island Renaissance human Susan Hanley met me at the Fifth Maine with Museum Curator Holly Hurd-Forsyth to talk about Sue's guest exhibit "Abandon Ship!" featuring shipwrecks on Peaks Island and around Casco Bay. Sue showed me around the exhibit, discussed some standout history she learned, and talked about her process creating the exhibit. Listen for the history and for tips on how you can be involved in capturing and sharing Peaks history as well. Sue and Holly also pointed out that the visuals of the exhibit would not have come out so well without the expert help of Eric Eaton. The exhibit is truly something to behold. It is open to the public for the 2026 and 2027 season. Sue is also giving a presentation on Casco Bay shipwrecks August 13, 2026 at 7pm at the Fifth Maine Museum. For more on the museum, visit https://www.fifthmainemuseum.org/

Luke Bulla joins me to talk about growing up in a musical family, a musical career, and his upcoming concert at New Brackett Church, May 1st at 7:00 pm. He's played with many bands and musicians, from Bela Fleck to a long-running tour with Lyle Lovett. Luke also is a songwriter in his own right and will be performing original music as well as covers at New Brackett. For more on Luke, check out his website: lukebulla.com You can support him directly through his website, or check out his music on streaming platforms. I particularly like Temperance Reel, but there are tons of great tracks to choose from. Support Peaks Island Radio

Shannon Heaton, her husband Matt Heaton, and the Tokyo-based Irish musicians O'Jizo come out to Peaks on March 14th to perform at the New Brackett Church at 7pm. In this conversation, Shannon and I talk about the upcoming performance, but also the worldwide nature of traditional Irish music along with her upbringing in Thailand and Nigeria, and her podcast Irish Music Stories. At the end, you can hear two pieces - on by the Heatons and one by O'Jizo - for a taste of what's in store on the 14th. Shannon Heaton's website O'Jizo's Website Irish Music Stories Podcast Support Peaks Island Radio Listen to Peaks Island Radio

Dr. Chuck Radis sat down with me to discuss his latest book The Mystery in the Room - a memoir of his 40+ years in medicine. The book is more than that, though, including his reflections on doctor-patient relationships, his childhood, and more. This conversation covers it all, and then some. I hope you enjoy! If you want to pick up Chuck's book, it's available locally at Print and other bookstores, as well as digitally for the e-readers in your life. Chuck also hosts a book release party at Print coming up January 20th at 7pm. Find the details at Print's website here: https://printbookstore.com/event/2026-01-20/dr-chuck-radis-presents-mystery-room Listen to Peaks Island Radio Support Peaks Island Radio

I spoke with Liz Knowles, who has performed on Peaks a few times, including a great St Patrick's Day show with her trio Open the Door for Three, and she returns with her husband Kieran O'Hare and Portland's own string quartet Palaver Strings on December 20, 2025 at New Brackett Church. The performance is at 7:00 pm. Liz talked with me about creating the "mood" for the holiday show, how she approaches songwriting and arranging, how teaching plays a role in her life as a musician, and more. Well worth a listen as we approach the show and the holidays. Enjoy! For more info: https://www.peaksislandconcerts.com/whats-on Liz Knowles: https://www.lizknowles.com/

Andrea and I discuss the youth musical she's directing Malice in the Palace, featuring over 20 island youth. The performance will be held at the Guild Hall at the Cathedral on Congress St in Portland, November 22, 2025 at 6:00 pm. In our conversation, Andrea talks about the story of Esther, the music in the play, and why it's important for kids to engage in live performance in an increasingly digital and curated world. Support Peaks Island Radio Listen to Peaks Island Radio

National politics has made food security a big issue, and I know islanders are looking for ways to "act locally" on this topic as well. I talked with Libra Cusack about the Peaks Island Food Pantry, operated out of New Brackett Church, about the Pantry's mission, the goods and services it provides, and ways we all can help. In the episode, Libra mentions several ways to get donations to the Food Pantry. You can reach out to Libra directly (listen for how), donate through Zelle using this email address: [email protected], make out a check to the Peaks Island Food Pantry, drop it off to Libra, or reach out to the New Brackett Church with your donation. Listen to Peaks Island Radio

Chris talks with Bill Anton, new principal of Peaks Island Elementary School about his background, path to education, observations about Peaks and PIES, and his goals for the coming year. This is the edited version of our conversation starting with Bill's decision to become a teacher. If you would like to hear the full episode, please check out our BONUS full version. Listen to Peaks Island Radio Support Peaks Island Radio

Chris talks with Bill Anton, new principal of Peaks Island Elementary School about his background, path to education, observations about Peaks and PIES, and his goals for the coming year. Listen to Peaks Island Radio Support Peaks Island Radio

This week, Chris talks with Louise Bichan about "Louise Bichan and Friends All Hallows Eve" at One Longfellow Square on Halloween Night! The event is a mix of Gaelic music and storytelling with Louise and her fellow performers' own spins. Louise's extensive research and passion for the show really shines through in the conversation - it is set to be a great show. For more information and to purchase tickets: https://www.louisebichan.co.uk/ahe Next Week: Bill Anton discusses his first two months as principal of Peaks Island Elementary School.

Chris talks with playwright Jo Israelson, director Lisa Huston, and actor Wiley Davi about their roles in the upcoming production of 'A Reason to Dance' - a play about Peaks Island with, in Jo's words, "a little bit of history and a little bit of mystery." The play is performed for one night only at the Greenwood Gardens, August 14th at 6:30 pm.

Nancy 3. met up with me bright and early at the Peaks Island Library to talk about the Umbrella Cover Museum, the Tummlers' new album, and PeaksFest.

Welcome to the Peaks Island Radio podcast, where I talk with islanders and people of interest to the island about arts, culture, current events, and more. In this episode, I speak with Adrian Sutherland, an Indigenous Roots Rocker from Attawapiskat. I discovered Adrian's latest album, Precious Diamonds, on Bandcamp and was immediately captivated by its freshness and depth of feeling. As his website says: "One listen to Adrian Sutherland and you’ll know he’s unlike anyone else...he melds rock, roots, folk and blues, drawing inspiration from his life, the land, and his language and culture. Adrian’s sophomore solo album Precious Diamonds was recorded in Nashville with former GRAMMY winner Colin Linden, and released in 2024. It won Best Americana Album from the 2025 World Entertainment Awards in Los Angeles, is nominated at the 2025 JUNO Awards, and was selected one of the “Top 100 Albums of 2024” by CKUA Radio. It features two songs in Cree, making the first time Adrian is making music in his first language. Lead single Notawe (Father) reached #1 on the internationally recognized Indigenous Music Countdown, and was named one of the “Top 100 Songs of 2023” by CBC Music. Adrian is presently writing a book for Penguin Random House Canada about his extraordinary life in the North. One of the only professional recording artists who lives in a remote fly-in First Nation, he carries authentic and insightful first-hand perspective on many important issues. During this time of reconciliation, Adrian is hopeful for Canadians to walk together in love and respect. Adrian and I cover a lot of ground in this conversation, touching on his rise in music along with the challenges he faced, what it is like to live on his ancestral lands while also having a recording career, and the many social issues Adrian is passionate about. For more on Adrian Sutherland and to support his work, please check out the links below: Adrian SutherlandTrack Premiere: Adrian Sutherland “My Rebel Spirit” – Americana UKAdrian Sutherland: Precious Diamonds, Cree Confessions - SOCAN Words and Music You can also follow Adrian Sutherland on social media at @attaboyadrian on all platforms. Thanks for listening to Peaks Island Radio. For more conversations like this, please click here: Listen to Peaks Island Radio To support the podcast, click here: Support Peaks Island Radio

In this episode, I speak with Hanneke Cassel who is returning to Peaks Island for the Long Winter's Night Concert Series with Keith Murphy. Hanneke talks about what you can expect to hear at the concert, how she got into fiddle music, and how people looking to add playing an instrument into their lives can get started. With a career spanning over two decades, Hanneke Cassel has helped redefine what it means to be a modern fiddler. A driving force in the ever-changing landscape of acoustic music stylings, the Port Orford, Oregon native has established herself as a prolific composer, producer and fixture of the international music community...Described by the Boston Globe as “exuberant and rhythmic, somehow wild and innocent, [music] delivered with captivating melodic clarity and an irresistible playfulness,” it is Hanneke’s hugely generous presence and personality that round out her magnetism as a performer beyond the strings of her fiddle. Hanneke's Website Hanneke on YouTube Hanneke's Facebook page @hannekejewel on Instagram Please consider supporting the show! Support Peaks Island Radio

In this conversation, Rick shares where his passion for music comes from, what it's been like to make 100 episodes, and some tips for folks who may dream about doing a show but are nervous to try. Congrats on 100 episodes, Rick, and here's to many more! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/peaksislandradio/support