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🎙️ Q-Point Podcast | Garrett Mason — Part Two
“We Need To Stop Being Afraid Of Nuclear Power”
— Mason on Maine’s Long-Term Energy Strategy
The conversation continues in Part Two with Maine Republican gubernatorial candidate Garrett Mason as Corenna and David Quirk dive deeper into energy, affordability, economic growth, education, and Maine’s future workforce. Mason argues the state has created much of its own affordability crisis through energy policy decisions over the past several decades and outlines what he believes are both immediate and long-term solutions. 
A major focus of the discussion is Maine’s energy future, where Mason advocates for expanded natural gas access, pipeline litigation against neighboring states, increased hydropower utilization, and a renewed openness toward nuclear energy. He also sharply criticizes industrial solar development on farmland, rising electricity costs, and what he sees as policies that are driving up both housing and grocery prices for Maine families. 
The discussion also explores housing affordability, workforce development, local control in education, vocational and trades training, and why Mason believes Maine must do more to retain younger families and workers. He closes by sharing personal stories about his upbringing, businesses, family, and why he believes experience in both government and the private sector is essential in the next governor of Maine. 
📻 Airs weekends on The Voice of Maine (101.3 FM, 103.9 FM & The Voice of Maine App).
⬇️ 🎧 Now streaming on QPointPodcast.com | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeartRadio | Amazon Music & more.
Produced and sponsored by Corenna Quirk, Broker at NextHome Experience.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily represent those of the hosts, Q-Point Podcast associates, or affiliates.
Support the show
This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice or recommendations of any nature whatsoever, and no warrantee, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy of  the information presented is made by your use.  The views, information, opinions, comments, and observations of this podcast may not be those of the host or the management, and you entertain and rely on the content presented at your sole risk and responsibility.  Your access of this podcast acknowledges that the contents and design are the sole property of the presenter and no use in any shape, manner or form of this podcast may be made without written permission.  The presenter of the podcast hereby disclaims any and all responsibility for any and all damages arising out of or related to your use, reference and reliance on podcasts and information presented therein.

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🎙️ Q-Point Podcast | Garrett Mason — Part One
“There Was One Child Who Was Hoteled For 14 Months”
— Mason On Foster Care Conditions In Maine
In Part One, Maine Republican gubernatorial candidate Garrett Mason joins Q-Point Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on his path into politics, his years in the Maine Senate, and why he believes experience inside Augusta matters heading into 2026. Mason reflects on the political climate during the LePage era compared to today, arguing that Maine government has become increasingly partisan, bureaucratic, and disconnected from taxpayers. He discusses the state budget, income taxes, the newly passed millionaire’s tax, paid family medical leave, and what he calls the growing burden on Maine small businesses and family farms.
The conversation also dives deeply into Maine DHHS, child welfare failures, alleged MaineCare fraud, and the challenges facing foster care and autism services. Mason outlines why he believes structural reform is needed inside state government and explains how he would approach oversight, budgeting, and negotiations if elected governor. Additional topics include homelessness, public safety, workforce issues, and concerns over government spending and accountability in Augusta. 
📻 Airs weekends on The Voice of Maine (101.3 FM, 103.9 FM & The Voice of Maine App).
⬇️ 🎧 Now streaming after airing on QPointPodcast.com | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeartRadio | Amazon Music & more.
Produced and sponsored by Corenna Quirk, Broker at NextHome Experience.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily represent those of the hosts, Q-Point Podcast associates, or affiliates.
Support the show
This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice or recommendations of any nature whatsoever, and no warrantee, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy of  the information presented is made by your use.  The views, information, opinions, comments, and observations of this podcast may not be those of the host or the management, and you entertain and rely on the content presented at your sole risk and responsibility.  Your access of this podcast acknowledges that the contents and design are the sole property of the presenter and no use in any shape, manner or form of this podcast may be made without written permission.  The presenter of the podcast hereby disclaims any and all responsibility for any and all damages arising out of or related to your use, reference and reliance on podcasts and information presented therein.

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🎙️ Q-Point Podcast | Jason Joyce — Part One
“One-Tenth Of One Percent Is Actually Tested By The FDA.”
In Part One, Jason Joyce, Director of Advocacy at the New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association (NEFSA), returns to Q-Point—joining Corenna and David Quirk in studio, with additional updates following meetings in Washington, D.C.—to discuss a range of urgent issues impacting Maine’s fishing industry.
The conversation opens with the controversy surrounding Maine Department of Labor actions involving Representative Billy Bob Faulkingham, with Joyce outlining concerns from fishermen who feel the situation reflects broader targeting and misapplication of labor laws. He explains how early exposure for young people on lobster boats has long been a safe, community-driven tradition essential to sustaining Maine’s coastal workforce and culture.
Joyce also details upcoming zone council meetings with DMR Commissioner Carl Wilson, where integrating youth into the industry and addressing regulatory concerns will be a top priority. He emphasizes the distinction between the Department of Labor’s actions and the Department of Marine Resources’ efforts to resolve the issue collaboratively.
The discussion then shifts to federal policy, including Joyce’s recent visit to Washington, D.C., where he observed conversations surrounding the Magnuson-Stevens Act and the USDA’s newly established Office of Seafood. He highlights major concerns about imported seafood—specifically that only a fraction is inspected, with a significant portion failing testing—and calls for stronger oversight and accountability.
Additional topics include the American Seafood Competitiveness Act, access to federal funding for fishermen, loan and financing challenges, and the potential for expanded opportunities across the industry—from individual lobstermen to larger processing operations.
The episode also includes a somber acknowledgment of the tragic loss of a Maine lobsterman, underscoring the inherent risks of the profession and the tight-knit nature of coastal communities.
📻 Airs weekends on The Voice of Maine (101.3 FM, 103.9 FM & The Voice of Maine App).
⬇️ 🎧 Now streaming on QPointPodcast.com | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeartRadio | Amazon Music & more.
Pre-recorded, produced, and sponsored by Corenna Quirk, Broker at NextHome Experience. The views and opinions expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily represent those of the hosts, Q-Point Podcast associates, or affiliates.
Support the show
This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice or recommendations of any nature whatsoever, and no warrantee, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy of  the information presented is made by your use.  The views, information, opinions, comments, and observations of this podcast may not be those of the host or the management, and you entertain and rely on the content presented at your sole risk and responsibility.  Your access of this podcast acknowledges that the contents and design are the sole property of the presenter and no use in any shape, manner or form of this podcast may be made without written permission.  The presenter of the podcast hereby disclaims any and all responsibility for any and all damages arising out of or related to your use, reference and reliance on podcasts and information presented therein.

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🎙️ Q-Point Podcast | Jason Joyce — Part Two
“The Money Has Never Been Used As Congress Directed”
In Part Two, Jason Joyce, Director of Advocacy at NEFSA, continues the conversation in studio, diving deeper into the realities facing Maine’s fishing industry—groundfish collapse, federal overreach, and the increasing barriers for small, independent fishermen. He explains how access to groundfish has been stripped away through consolidation, quotas, and decades of regulatory complexity, leaving coastal communities without viable opportunities despite signs the resource may be returning. 
The discussion expands into major policy battles—from a lobster boat tracking lawsuit now pushing toward the Supreme Court, to strong opposition against ropeless gear driven by real-life safety risks. Joyce shares firsthand accounts from fishermen and meetings with federal regulators, highlighting the disconnect between policy decisions and life on the water. The conversation also uncovers a striking issue with federal seafood funding—hundreds of millions in import tariffs intended to support U.S. fisheries that, according to Joyce, have not been used as Congress directed. 
Additional topics include rising fuel costs, bait supply, seasonal fishing realities, offshore regulations, and the growing complexity of zones and compliance. Joyce also gives a candid look at oyster farming, detailing the labor, time, and economic challenges behind what many assume is a profitable alternative.
📻 Airs weekends on The Voice of Maine (101.3 FM, 103.9 FM & The Voice of Maine App).
⬇️ 🎧 Now streaming on QPointPodcast.com | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeartRadio | Amazon Music & more.
Produced and sponsored by Corenna Quirk, Broker at NextHome Experience.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily represent those of the hosts, Q-Point Podcast associates, or affiliates.
Support the show
This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice or recommendations of any nature whatsoever, and no warrantee, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy of  the information presented is made by your use.  The views, information, opinions, comments, and observations of this podcast may not be those of the host or the management, and you entertain and rely on the content presented at your sole risk and responsibility.  Your access of this podcast acknowledges that the contents and design are the sole property of the presenter and no use in any shape, manner or form of this podcast may be made without written permission.  The presenter of the podcast hereby disclaims any and all responsibility for any and all damages arising out of or related to your use, reference and reliance on podcasts and information presented therein.

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🎙️ Q-Point Podcast | Jonathan Bush — Part One
“Maine Has Normalized A Level Of Insanity” — Bush on Policy Direction
In this episode of Q-Point, Corenna and David Quirk sit down in studio with Maine Republican gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Bush for a wide-ranging conversation on Maine’s economic direction, healthcare system, and regulatory environment.
Bush lays out an aggressive proposal to cut $1 billion in state spending while immediately implementing a $2,000 per-family tax cut, arguing that Maine must become more competitive to retain and attract businesses. Drawing on his experience building athenahealth, he critiques the current structure of MaineCare and the broader healthcare system, pointing to inefficiencies, bureaucratic expansion, and what he describes as both fraud and “legal but useless” spending.
The discussion explores his opposition to universal healthcare, his call to shift decision-making power from state agencies to doctors and providers, and his belief that free-market competition can improve both cost and quality of care. Bush also addresses Maine’s business climate, ranking near the bottom nationally, and outlines a vision centered on deregulation, tax reform, and fostering small business growth.
Additional topics include energy policy, opposition to renewable subsidy structures he views as costly, support for expanded natural gas and hydro access, and criticism of restrictions on development such as AI data centers. The conversation also touches on workforce challenges, education decline, telehealth expansion, and the long-term sustainability of Maine’s economy.
📻 Airs weekends on The Voice of Maine (101.3 FM, 103.9 FM & The Voice of Maine App).
⬇️ 🎧 Now streaming on QPointPodcast.com | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeartRadio | Amazon Music & more
Pre-recorded, produced, and sponsored by Corenna Quirk, Broker at NextHome Experience. The views and opinions expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily represent those of the hosts, Q-Point Podcast associates, or affiliates.
Support the show
This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice or recommendations of any nature whatsoever, and no warrantee, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy of  the information presented is made by your use.  The views, information, opinions, comments, and observations of this podcast may not be those of the host or the management, and you entertain and rely on the content presented at your sole risk and responsibility.  Your access of this podcast acknowledges that the contents and design are the sole property of the presenter and no use in any shape, manner or form of this podcast may be made without written permission.  The presenter of the podcast hereby disclaims any and all responsibility for any and all damages arising out of or related to your use, reference and reliance on podcasts and information presented therein.