The Maine Question

How do you get from rural Maine to Hollywood? Tim Simons shares his journey

Tim Simons, who graduated from the University of Maine in 2001, is living a dream that first took root in Orono through college theater. That spark has led to an impressive and growing resume as a working actor in both film and television. Notable credits include playing Jonah, an obnoxious White House liaison, in the HBO series “VEEP,” and Sasha in the Netflix hit series “Nobody Wants this.” Tim's unlikely journey from rural Readfield, Maine, to UMaine to Los Angeles provides a backdrop for his latest gig: speaker for the 2026 undergraduate commencement ceremonies at his alma mater. In this episode of “The Maine Question” podcast, host Ron Lisnet and Allen Adams, communications specialist and marketing coordinator for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, speak with Tim about his journey, the business of show business, memories of his days in Orono and much more.

Are ' Forever Chemicals' really here Forever?

A group of chemicals known as PFAS have become a growing concern for human health, agriculture and the environment. Because they resist breaking down, these “forever chemicals” can accumulate in soil, water and food systems and expose people to a range of adverse health conditions. From nonstick cookware and disposable tableware to everyday items like toothbrushes, these oil- and water-repellent chemicals became widespread in the late 20th century. Today, communities across the country are grappling with the residue they’ve left behind. Maine has emerged as a national leader in responding to PFAS contamination, advancing policies aimed at protecting farms, ecosystems and public health. Researchers at the University of Maine are working to understand how PFAS moves through soil, crops and livestock; develop technologies to break it down; and design sustainable materials that could replace it in everyday products. On this episode of “The Maine Question” podcast, host Ron Lisnet speaks with UMaine researchers Jean MacRae, Christina Murphy, Caroline Noblet and Rachel Schattman about how their work, spanning engineering, economics, agriculture and conservation biology, is helping communities confront PFAS and chart a cleaner path forward.

How can creative programming reduce professional burnout?

Stress has always been a part of life, whether from the news, the economy, the environment, a mortgage, a job or school. It can be found in every profession and any workplace, affecting performance and leading to burnout. Job-related stress in professions like nursing and teaching are increasingly overwhelming many who chose these career paths. At a time when teachers and nurses are in high demand, professional burnout is forcing them to rethink their careers. Faculty at the University of Maine recognized this happening in nursing and education students before they even stepped into the professional world. To reduce it among students and maintain a healthy workforce in Maine, they brainstormed creative programming to help future nurses and teachers cope with demanding professions. In this episode of “The Maine Question” podcast, UMaine faculty members Kelley Strout, Jesse Kaye-Schiess and Faith Erhardt, along with nursing student Ian Beaulieu, explore these programs and more with host Ron Lisnet.

Can Zebrafish improve human health?

Nothing about the zebrafish is physically impressive. Despite being less than an inch long, this little fish from Southeast Asia is a favorite for home aquariums and human health research. Zebrafish are powerhouses in the lab. Not only can they regrow their organs and body parts, but they also have transparent eggs and remarkably similar DNA to human beings. All of those features, and the fact that they are easy to grow and care for, make zebrafish great for studying some of the most serious diseases affecting people — from infections and cancer to muscular dystrophy. The University of Maine has ongoing and completed research projects that use zebrafish as a model, some of which have led to groundbreaking discoveries. In this episode of “The Maine Question” podcast, UMaine faculty members Ben King, Melody Neely and Rob Wheeler explore how university research uses this remarkable little fish with host Ron Lisnet.

What is the future for manufacturing in Maine?

Robots are coming — or in some cases, have come — to Maine but not to destroy civilization like in the movies. They're here to help, specifically to help Maine manufacturing companies modernize and become more productive. The University of Maine Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMC) is helping manufacturers in the state integrate robots, along with technologies such as AI, machine learning and automation technologies, into their operations. These mechanical helpers can take care of the three “D's” in manufacturing — work that is dull, dirty or dangerous. They don’t get bored, can’t be overworked and aren’t subject to injury. In this episode of “The Maine Question” podcast, John Belding, director of the AMC and guests Brad Denholm, associate director of workforce development at the AMC, Ryan Lindsay, operations engineer at Ntension, and Peter Birch, mechanical engineering student and assistant at the AMC, explore Maine’s future of advanced manufacturing with robotics.