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Cover image of Tough Island, Maine

Tough Island, Maine

In 1991, as a young man, writer Crash Barry moved to Matinicus, Maine‘s most remote inhabited island. Two years living in a fishshack and working as a sternman on a lobster boat didn‘t make Crash an expert on Matinicus, but it was a long enough immersion to study a unique society with a wannabe poet‘s brain, filtered through a thick lens of drugs, youth and hard work. Remember, be careful on Tough Island.

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Tough Island, Maine: Chapter 14, the Finale

In the series finale, Crash returns to Matinicus, twice. Also, Mary-Margaret confronts Crash again, 20 years later.

28mins

16 Nov 2021

Rank #1

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Tough Island, Maine: Chapter 13

In this penultimate chapter, Crash hitchhikes to Portland and gets a sweet lift. Also, we learn how radio ruined the island. And Crash shaves his beard and moves off Matinicus, headed to the University of Southern Maine. 

27mins

10 Nov 2021

Rank #2

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Tough Island, Maine: Chapter 12

While camping with Alice on an even more remote Maine island, Crash is introduced to Carlos Castaneda. Then Crash’s parents visit Matinicus.  Also, a scary Halloween tale of gunfire and whiskey.

27mins

2 Nov 2021

Rank #3

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Tough Island, Maine: Chapter 11

A tragedy strikes the sheep living on Wheaton Island and a perfect Matinicus wedding where Captain Edwin and Crash show up wearing the same outfit. Content warning: this episode contains the death of animals and domestic abuse.

28mins

27 Oct 2021

Rank #4

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Tough Island, Maine: Chapter 10

CONTENT WARNING: This chapter contains cats, poetry and a bizarre suicide. Also, Crash's wife sings a sonnet by Edna St. Vincent Millay. 

28mins

20 Oct 2021

Rank #5

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Tough Island, Maine: Chapter 9

This week on Tough Island, Maine, one of Crash’s partying pals decides to return to church, only to experience God’s wrath. Thanks to Captain Edward and Nan, (and some psychedelics) Crash’s life gets better.

28mins

12 Oct 2021

Rank #6

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Tough Island, Maine: Chapter 8

Crash and Captain Donald have a disagreement, Crash ends up working on a presidential campaign and someone Crash loves, dies.

27mins

6 Oct 2021

Rank #7

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Tough Island, Maine: Chapter 7

This week on Tough Island, Maine, Crash realizes he can’t pass the Able-Bodied Seaman’s drug test, Mary-Margaret gets in trouble and so does Captain Donald.

27mins

29 Sep 2021

Rank #8

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Tough Island, Maine: Chapter 6

This week on Tough Island, Maine, the “Perfect Storm of 1991” strikes outer Penobscot Bay, Crash almost dies (a couple of times) and the story of the January 1992 sinking of the tugboat Harkness during a winter gale. Luckily, Captain Vance Bunker, a true hero, willingly heads into the storm.

28mins

22 Sep 2021

Rank #9

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Tough Island, Maine: Chapter 5

Crash trades cigarettes with some Russian sailors, scratches Captain Donald’s truck and almost gets stranded on a deserted island.

27mins

15 Sep 2021

Rank #10