Addiction, to both recreational and prescribed substances, has become an epidemic in our state. We are all impacted. Today we speak with family physician Dr.Mary Dowd, the medical director of the Detoxification Program at Milestone Foundation in Portland, about her experience treating addiction. We also speak with Kate Bowley, whose former husband died of an overdose after a work-related injury began his three-year struggle with addiction.

There is great value in building things that give pleasure to others. For the past five years, Patrick Guerette has been the tournament director of the Maine Pond Hockey Classic, bringing players like South Portland firefighter Joshua Perry to central Maine. Portland restaurateur and artist Jay Villani opened his first eatery, Local 188, 18 years ago, and now has three more. Maine is a happier place as a result of their efforts.

What do we do when we find a need, whether in our own communities or in other parts of the world? Today we speak with Katie Wallace and Katie Brown, who are helping ease the hunger of Maine schoolchildren through their work with The Locker Project. We also discuss the coffee community and the positive impact of fair trade and organic practices with Bard Coffee co-founder Bob Garver.

Do you need to bring your body into balance? We ask a lot of our physical selves, through our work and play. Today we speak with two healing practitioners who help their clients find balance through modalities such as massage, energy work, and dietary change. Julie Wright is the owner and director of Soma Massage and Wellness in South Portland; Carrie Levine is a certified nurse midwife, functional medicine specialist, and the founder of Whole Woman Health in Newcastle.

Mainers care about where their food comes from. We are known for supporting local farmers and the businesses that sell our farmers’ produce and goods. Today we speak with Nate Drummond and Gabrielle Gosselin of Six River Farm in Bowdoinham, and Tina Wilcoxson, who sells Six River Farm’s organic vegetables at Royal River Natural Foods, the store she owns in Freeport.

This month we inaugurate a new president of the United States, which is certain to create change in both the nation and our state. Today we speak with two attorneys who have long had a passion for politics, and have contributed greatly to our government. Harold Pachios is one of the founding partners of law firm Preti Flaherty, whose prior career in politics dates back to the Kennedy administration. Also a Preti Flaherty founding partner, Severin Beliveau directs the firm’s government affairs practice in Augusta and Washington, D.C.

We depend upon people we trust to give us the news of the day. Today we speak with two beloved broadcasters who keep us up to speed on what has happened, and what is yet to come. Pat Callaghan started working at WCSH-6 News Center in December 1979; meteorologist Keith Carson recently returned to WCSH-6 after taking a coveted position with the Weather Channel.

Maine is home to myriad successful businesses. Today we speak with two entrepreneurs who are creating high-quality products and contributing to community well-being. Fred Forsley is the founder and president of Shipyard Brewing Company, an business that supports many local road races. Cyndi Prince is the founder of LooHoo, LLC, a Maine-based company that makes and sells reusable, energy-saving wool dryer balls.