What happens when someone walks away from the fast-paced world of national politics to create real, lasting change at the state level?
In this episode of Neighbors in the Network, we sit down with Matt Gagnon, CEO of the Maine Policy Institute, to explore his journey from Washington, D.C., back to his home state — and how he’s helping rebuild the civic infrastructure necessary to empower communities and shape policy.
🎙️ Watch the full conversation below:
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- How Matt transitioned from digital political strategy to nonprofit leadership
- The challenges of returning home to lead a think tank—and how he overcame imposter syndrome
- The behind-the-scenes story of how Maine defeated California-style EV mandates
- Why building grassroots power and civic engagement matters more than ever
- A vision for the future of local leadership, media, and policy in Maine
“If you care about public policy, you have to build the infrastructure to fight for it — and give people a place to go when they want to take action.” — Matthew Gagnon
Whether you’re a policy wonk, a local leader, or simply someone passionate about restoring civic engagement, this conversation will leave you inspired and informed.
🧭 Neighbors in the Network is a podcast by the State Policy Network highlighting state-based leaders working on local solutions that advance liberty and community-driven reform.
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