Just in time for Valentine's day, it's the true story of a chocolatier. Ten years ago Kate Shaffer left the West Coast and headed East for a simpler life. Today, she and her husband operate Black Dinah Chocolatiers on Isle au Haut. She'll share her favorite chocolate recipes and tales from life on the island.

You may know it best as a place to drop off old clothes and no longer needed household items, but Goodwill is much more than a thrift store. The new CEO of Goodwill Industries of Northern New England discussed the challenges facing her organization, and the community support services it provides to tens of thousands of individuals.

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Learn which make and model of automobile works best for families among other automotive nuggets.

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Learn about the young, adventurous captains of two opposing sailing ships, that fought within eyesight of those on the coast of Pemaquid Point during the War of 1812.

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During his "State of the State Address," Governor LePage (R) urged lawmakers to close the $220-million budget gap at the Department of Health and Human Services. Commissioner Mary Mayhew, State Senator Margaret Craven (D-Lewiston), and a panel of experts discuss.

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It’s the Year of the Dragon and Maine Calling marked the start of Chinese New Year with a conversation about the Chinese community in Maine. Learn about the customs and traditions that mark this festive holiday, and find out about some of the history and trends of Chinese residents living in Maine.

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Has the college admissions process gotten too complicated? Whitney Soule, Bowdoin College director of admissions; Jon Henry, from the University of Maine-Augusta; and Robin Lary, director of placement at Scarborough High School all discuss the latest in what colleges and universities look for in applicants.

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Explore the rise of the co-operative economy - from food and farm co-ops to employee owned businesses with guests author Gar Alperovitz and Carla Dickstein, CEI Maine Senior Vice President.

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A conversation about polyglots and hyperpolyglots, those with the ability to speak or write several languages. Author Michael Erard discusses his new book about the search for the world's most extraordinary language learners.

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A conversation with author Crash Barry about working on the isolated sliver of land with a bad reputation. True stories from Matinicus, Maine.

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Which issues will dominate the legislative landscape in 2012? Host Keith Shortall was joined by a panel of political watchers as they previewed the year ahead in Maine Politics.

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A look ahead to the economic challenges and opportunities for Maine in 2012. Host Keith Shortall was joined by a panel of experts who discussed the state of the Maine economy and its fiscal future.

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Philanthropist and avid sailor David Rockefeller, Jr. discussed his efforts to protect and preserve the world's oceans and the "One Island, One Ocean" project. Rockefeller completed the first circumnavigation by sail of the Americas to raise awareness about the state of our oceans.

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Host Jonathan Smith and two movie critics discuss the best and the worst Hollywood had to offer this year. It's a roundup of the box office hits, misses, and surprises of the past year.

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An examination of why humans demean, enslave, and exterminate each other and what, if anything, we can do to prevent more genocides. Host Keith Shortall and University of New England Philosophy Professor David Livingstone Smith discuss why history is filled with examples of humans inflicting horrific acts upon each other.

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The story of a man who turned a hunting trip that resulted in wet and sore feet into a huge, iconic company. Hear a conversation with Jim Witherell the author of a new biography of Leon Leonwood "L. L." Bean on the cusp of the 100th anniversary of the sale of the first Maine Hunting Shoe.

(43:09)

Hear a conversation about the best, and the overlooked, books of 2011. Host Keith Shortall leads a discussion about the books that should go to the top of your 'must read' list. Guests include author Brock Clarke, and bookstore proprietors Chris Bowe, Marc Berlin and Jacob Fricke.

(42:46)

Car Talk, MPBN-style. Host Jonathan Smith and Automotive Editor for US News & World Report Jamie Page Deaton discuss the latest news from the world of automobiles and answer listener questions about which car to buy and how to get the best deal.

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Architect and businessman Chuck Durrett and journalist Deirdre Fulton discuss Cohousing, which is a type of collaborative housing wher residents actively participate in the design and operation of their own neighborhoods. Cohousing residents are consciously committed to living as a community. The physical design encourages both social contact and individual space.

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Colin Woodard of Portland is the author of American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America. During this call-in program he discussed the 11 distinct nations of North America outlined in his book. According to Woodard, each has its own cultural and ideological DNA that still defines them today.

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