What does it take to bring a mountain back to life — and turn it into the #1 ski resort in the East?

In this episode, we sit down with Saddleback CEO Matt Dieterich and GM Jim Quimby to talk about the mountain’s remarkable comeback, what it means to operate a ski area with a soul, and how a community rallied behind a place they refused to lose.

We get into the years-long closure, the investment required to rebuild everything from lifts to snowmaking, and the culture shift that’s putting Saddleback on the map for families, beginners, and lifelong skiers alike. And yes — we talk about being named the top ski resort in the East by Ski Magazine and what’s coming next for 2026 and beyond.

Available to stream now

What happens when two kids from Missouri chase small towns across the country, land in Maine, and end up buying the neighborhood bar?

In this episode of the Maine Famous podcast, we sit down with Mitch Slattery and Ivory Farrel of The Rhinestone Room in Bridgton. They talk about leaving Oregon for a winter rental on Brandy Pond, falling hard for Bridgton, and eventually taking over the tiny lounge where Mitch once tended bar on Monday nights.

“We think of the bar as our living room,” Ivory says – a pink-and-gold space where lighting and music matter, regulars become friends, and seasonal rhythms shape the year from busy summer nights to slow, snowy evenings when everyone knows each other’s name.

Available to December 19th

Western Maine is known for its ski culture, but just beyond the slopes is a thriving food world shaped by farmers, foragers, and one woman determined to connect them all. In this episode, we sit down with Meryl Kelly, founder of A Longer Table Homestead in Bethel, to talk about how a kid from Oxford Hills became one of the region’s most trusted food connectors.

Meryl traces her path from culinary school in San Francisco to sourcing ingredients for restaurants across Western Maine, building relationships with farmers, and eventually stewarding one of Bethel’s most beloved properties. Today, A Longer Table Homestead is part market, part community hub, and the home base for her celebrated farm-to-table dinners.

If you want a glimpse into the real flavor of Western Maine, this conversation delivers.

Available to stream on January 6th

What keeps a bar at the center of a small mountain town for twenty five years? In Rangeley, the answer is Sarge’s.

In this episode of the Maine Famous podcast, Crystal Sargent shares the real story behind the place people treat like a second home. She talks about joining the family business, surviving a full gut renovation, reopening right before COVID, and watching Rangeley shift from a seasonal town to a year round destination almost overnight.

Crystal also explains why consistency matters more than anything, how her staff has become a multigenerational crew, and what it feels like to watch kids who came in for pizza grow into adults who now bring their own families. And of course, we get into nightlife, late nights, the famous bird’s eye maple bar, and the town traditions that define Sarge’s.

Available to stream on January 2nd

Carter’s Cross Country Ski in Bethel is the kind of place where true beginners, longtime skiers, and their dogs all end up on the same happy trail. In this episode, April and Vanessa sit down with owner Anne Carter and her son-in-law Jesse Hill to talk about what makes Carter’s so approachable: wide, gentle fields for first-timers, rolling riverside loops, and clear guidance on how to dress, rent gear, and get started without feeling intimidated.

They also dig into the dog side of things: from dog season passes to wide open stretches where pups can run alongside you – plus fat biking, snowshoeing, and ski-in, ski-out off-grid cabins. Anne and Jesse share why Bethel is such a special winter town, how Carter’s has grown over decades, and why cross country skiing is still one of the most affordable, low-pressure ways to enjoy winter in Maine.

Available to stream on January 9th

In this episode, April and Vanessa sit down with Mike Rosa, former psychologist turned chef-owner of Pondicherry House in Bridgton. Mike shares how he went from the Pacific Northwest to a small Maine town, and why managing personalities is just as important as perfecting pasta.

They talk about the reality behind a polished dining room: ordering food without overbuying, equipment failures at the worst possible moment, and “champagne problems” like comping entire meals when things go sideways. Mike also explains why he believes guests come back for hospitality more than hype, and how Bridgton’s restaurant owners quietly have each other’s backs.

If you’ve ever wondered what really happens behind the line on a busy Saturday night, or why small-town restaurants feel so personal, you’ll love tuning in.

Available to stream on January 16th

Rangeley is full of people who choose to be here,  and Virginia Patnode MacFawn is one of them.

She grew up next to the family lumber yard, left for New York and Charleston, and eventually drove back over Height of Land and knew she was home for good. Today she co-owns Rangeley Lakes Builder Supply and Welcome Home, helping people build and shape the places they love.

In this episode, Virginia talks about what makes Rangeley unlike anywhere else, why her parents’ “this will never work” business has lasted more than 40 years, and how to embrace change without losing the character that makes this town special.

A grounded, thoughtful conversation with someone who understands Rangeley from the inside out.

Available to stream January 23rd

Mountain Social didn’t happen by accident. It grew from years of hospitality experience in Bar Harbor, a leap of faith in Bethel, and a team that genuinely loves what they do.

In this episode, I talk with owner Cody Gordon and Chef Brian Weber about running three restaurants across two regions, how their menu translates from the coast to the mountains, and why Bethel’s village center deserves just as much attention as the ski slopes.

We also get into hospitality myths, staff culture, local community ties, and the dishes that guests refuse to let them retire.

A great listen if you love food, mountains, or stories about what it really takes to build something lasting in Maine.

Available on January 30th

For more than 30 years, Justin Ward has been the quiet anchor of downtown Bridgton. He and his wife Pam opened Bridgton Books in 1993, back when the mill had just closed, storefronts were boarded up, and everyone warned him a small-town bookstore would never survive the rise of big box stores — or, later, the Kindle.

In this episode, Justin shares what convinced him to choose Bridgton over Fryeburg, how the town has transformed around him, and what keeps independent bookstores thriving even in a digital world. We talk about locals vs. summer visitors, the surprising rise of “romantasy,” the magic of staff picks, and the deep, personal relationship between a bookseller and their community.

If you love books, small towns, or stories of resilience, this one’s a must-listen.

Available to stream February 6th

Meet Alex Poland: Registered Maine Guide, artist, fly-fishing instructor, land steward, and owner of Western Maine Yurts. Alex grew up in the foothills, worked side-by-side with his grandfather in excavation, earned a graduate degree he never used, and built a life that blends creativity, outdoor adventure, and deep Maine roots.

He shares how fly fishing became the passion that changed everything, why Maine holds over 90% of the Lower 48’s wild brook trout, and what really happens during a full day guiding clients on the Androscoggin. We talk yurts, guests roasting their first-ever marshmallow, wildlife encounters, and the old-timer dialects he worries we’re losing.

If you love Maine, wild places, or stories about carving your own path, this episode will be a favorite.

Available on February 13th