This week we give thanks for our communities. Whether we are born into a family or create connections where we work, live, love and play, we benefit from the web of relationships that enrich our lives. Join this week’s conversations with Jaed Coffin, Maine Magazine writer and author of “A Chant to Soothe Wild Elephants,” Craig Lapine, Executive Director of Cultivating Community & Julie Jordan Marchese, founder of Tri for a Cure and Andrea Brown of SheJams.
Guests
Jaed Coffin
Jaed Coffin, is an author and writer for Maine Magazine. Jaed Coffin is author of the memoir “A Chant to Soothe Wild Elephants” which chronicles the summer he spent as a Buddhist monk in the local temple in his mother’s village in Thailand. His forthcoming “Roughhouse Friday” tells the story of the year he won the middleweight title of a barroom boxing show in Juneau, Alaska. Jaed writes regularly for Maine Magazine, and lives with his wife and daughter in his hometown of Brunswick.
Craig Lapine
Craig Lapine has been engaged in food system reform and agriculture-based community empowerment work for more than a decade. Under his leadership, Cultivating Community has developed leading edge youth empowerment programs, a nationally recognized refugee farmer training program, and an innovative network of SNAP accepting farm stands and farmers’ markets. In addition to being the founder of Cultivating Community, Craig served for five years on the board of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, two as president, and he currently chairs Maine’s Eat Local Foods Coalition. Trained as a teacher, Craig holds an A.B. from Princeton University and an Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Julie Jordan Marchese
Julie Marchese had a long career in her family business at Jordan’s Meats. After the sale of the family business both her and her mom endured the diagnosis of breast cancer. Through this journey she found her real passion: Triathlons and raising money to find a cure for cancer. Julie completed her first triathlon just one year after her cancer diagnosis and was hooked! Julie is the founder of Tri for a Cure, which is an all women’s sprint triathlon that raises money for the Maine Cancer Foundation. Julie has recently formed an events planning company called Inspired Events.
Andrea Brown
Andrea Brown lives in South Portland with her family and works in Portland as the Director of Recruiting Services at Pro Search, Inc. She started doing triathlons 6 years ago and was immediately hooked. Andrea got her USATLevel 1 Coaches certification in 2009. Andrea wants to share her enthusiasm and love for the training that goes in to completing (notice completing rather than just competing in) a triathlon.
“I’ve found that my body responds much better to doing a variety of activity rather than the same thing day after day. Training with a group of women friends is not only fun and encouraging, but a great connection! I am constantly astounded by the power and strength of women!
More from the Show
Our financial wellness tip of the week is brought to you by Tom Shepard of Shepard Financial. While Dr. Lisa Radio Hour business advisor, Marci Booth of BOOTH Maine, offers better business tips, Ted Carter of Ted Carter Inspired Landscapes shares important talking points, and Black Bear Medical covers health and fitness updates.