Melissa LaCasse left public radio in New York to build Tanbark, a Maine-based startup replacing single-use plastic with sustainable molded fiber. The catch? She’s doing it in a state with almost no growth capital, aging manufacturing infrastructure, and endless red tape.In this episode, Jonathan Bush sits down with Melissa to talk about:Why Maine’s forests are our best climate assetWhat it actually takes to build a manufacturing startup in this stateWhy “stewardship” doesn’t mean “don’t touch anything”And the frustrating lack of funding that keeps Maine businesses smallMelissa doesn’t just talk sustainability—she lives it. And this episode is a masterclass in what’s possible when a big idea meets the right place… and still has to fight like hell to survive.📍 Timestamps:00:00 – Intro + how Jonathan and Melissa met01:15 – What is Tanbark and why does it matter?05:30 – Why Melissa built this company in Maine07:00 – How molded fiber is made (and why it’s so hard)12:30 – What makes Maine a great place to start—but a tough place to grow16:00 – The “valley of death” no one talks about23:00 – What Maine’s environmentalists get wrong27:00 – Melissa’s big vision: a new molded fiber mill in Maine35:00 – Final thoughts on stewardship, stagnation, and economic hope📢 Subscribe for more conversations about building a stronger, freer Maine.Full episodes drop weekly.

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