I grew up hearing that where you start doesn't have to be where you finish — but Owen McCarthy is proof of it in a way that genuinely stopped me in my tracks. This guy grew up in Patten, Maine — a town of about a thousand people — in a trailer, son of a third-generation logger and a lunch lady. He was the first in his family to go to college, went on to get his MBA from Harvard Business School, and then co-founded MedRhythms, a company using sensors, music, and software to help stroke, MS, and Parkinson's patients walk again. They raised over $60 million in venture capital and got FDA approval. Now? He's walking away from all of that to run for Governor of Maine in 2026 as a total political outsider.

This conversation gets into all of it — where he came from, what it was like being a kid from rural Maine sitting in a Harvard classroom, how he built a company from scratch, and why he made the wild decision to throw his hat into a gubernatorial race. We also talk about what he thinks Maine actually needs: reining in government spending, housing affordability, real relief for working families, and bringing opportunity back to rural communities like the one he grew up in.

This is exactly the kind of story I started this podcast to tell. If you're new here, hit subscribe — you won't regret it.

#MainePolitics #Governor2026 #PoliticalOutsider #RuralAmerica #Entrepreneur #HarvardMBA #MaineGovernor #StartupFounder #KnowledgeIsPower #AmericanDream

In this episode of Knowledge is Power, Max Willett sits down with Nathan Dickey, Regional Director for Keller Williams Realty New England and Operating Principal of KW Coastal and Lakes & Mountains Realty, to unpack what it really takes to build a durable real estate business in today’s market. Nathan shares his journey from solo agent to leading one of New England’s most productive brokerages, his playbook for developing top producers, and the mindset shifts agents need to thrive through any market cycle.

In this episode of Knowledge is Power, Max sits down with hotel investor and broker Mark Bouzianis, who went from helping run family hotels in Portsmouth to owning and repositioning multiple properties across New England, including Port Inn, a Sheraton conversion, a Kennebunk boutique hotel, and The Garrison Hotel in Dover. Mark shares how he survived a brutal recession, restructured millions in hotel debt, exited his portfolio in 2019, and then “un-retired” to start a new chapter in commercial real estate, offering hard-earned lessons on risk, timing, and staying in the game.

In this episode of Knowledge is Power, Max sits down with Maine hunter and creator Jake Haskell, the mind behind The Pursuit Hunt. Jake shares what it was like growing up in rural Maine in a family where hunting was simply part of life, from early days in the woods as a kid to the pivotal hunts that cemented his passion.​

Jake then walks through how a lifelong obsession with being in the woods eventually collided with a new passion for filming, leading him to bring a camera into the stand and upload his first self-filmed hunts to YouTube—planting the seeds of what would become The Pursuit Hunt brand across the Northeast.​

If you’re into hunting, storytelling, or seeing how someone turns what they love into a growing online brand, this conversation gives a behind-the-scenes look at Jake’s journey, his mindset, and what drives him to keep chasing the next pursuit.​

In this episode of Knowledge is Power, Max Willett sits down with Ben Willett to talk about his journey — from his early beginnings to becoming a driven real estate professional. Ben opens up about the lessons he’s learned along the way, the challenges that shaped his mindset, and what it really takes to build a successful career in real estate.

Whether you’re an aspiring agent or someone interested in hearing an authentic story of growth, discipline, and perseverance, this episode is packed with insight and inspiration.

In a fresh twist for Knowledge is Power, tune into our first episode where host Max Willett steps aside, letting the experts take the mic. Join Adam Dow, leader of The Dow Group—the #1 real estate team in New Hampshire with over $1 billion in sales—and Jeremy Martin, President and Owner of Lakes Region Design Group, as they explore the ins and outs of building and developing in the Granite State.

Drawing from their combined expertise in real estate and custom home construction, Adam and Jeremy discuss navigating New Hampshire's rugged terrain, strict regulations, and permitting processes. They share insights on sustainable practices, incorporating the natural beauty of the Lakes Region into designs, current market trends, and practical tips for homeowners embarking on builds or renovations.

From real-world stories of overcoming challenges to forward-looking advice on eco-friendly innovations, this unhosted dialogue delivers actionable knowledge for aspiring builders, investors, and anyone passionate about creating homes that harmonize with NH's landscapes. Empower yourself with this expert exchange—knowledge truly is power!

This was recorded back in December of 2023. Before I got my NH and ME Real estate License. Released on another podcast. This is just a great episode where I talk to by BOLD coach, David Jones, to hear about his real estate journey and BOLD. Check out BOLD here - https://mapscoaching.com/bold/

In this episode of the Knowledge is Power podcast, host Max Willett interviews Adam Dow, a seasoned real estate agent with over 22 years of experience. Adam shares his journey from a dot-com consultant to a successful real estate professional, discussing the challenges he faced, the lessons learned from failures, and the importance of building a strong team and community relationships. He emphasizes the significance of having an abundance mindset and the need for systems in business to ensure success. Adam also highlights the role of influencers in real estate and offers valuable advice for aspiring agents.