Where We Live

Epizódy

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  After ICE arrests, community cares for families left behind 15.09.2026 50min

  Last month, ICE made over 100 arrests in Connecticut. Communities are not staying silent. After an arrest takes place, it can leave family members shaken and unable to find a way forward. But community members are stepping up to offer their support. There have been protests against these arrests. There’s also the support that comes with organized meal trains, walking children to the bus stop and helping immigrant families with the everyday logisitics so they can find a way forward amid uncertainty. Today, we learn what life looks after ICE arrests. Guests: Chris Polansky: General Assignment and Breaking News Reporter at Connecticut Public Radio Andrea Sanchez: Special Projects Manager at Connecticut Students for a Dream, undocumented youth-led organization in the state of Connecticut Maggie Mitchell Salem: Executive Director at the Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services in New Haven Mary Elizabeth Smith: Deputy Director of Make the Road Connecticut, a community-based organization working to support immigrant, Latine, and working-class communities in Connecticut Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  From the N.F.L. to youth sports, what new research tells us about brain injuries 14.09.2026 49min

  We know football players take some big hits. Now, new research is giving us a clearer picture of how repeated head impacts can affect the brain, including findings of C.T.E. – a degenerative brain disease – in 215 of 878 former N.F.L. players whose brains were studied. But the risks aren’t limited to professional football. Young athletes in many sports can suffer concussions and other head injuries, too. This hour, we talk with a neurologist, a brain injury specialist, and a high school athletic director about what we know about C.T.E., how schools are approaching head injuries, and how to make sports safer. Guests: Dr. Anthony Alessi: Associate Clinical Professor of Neurology and Orthopedics, Director, UConn NeuroSport Program  Victor Darr: Senior Brain Injury Specialist at the Brain Injury Alliance of Connecticut Chris Meyers: Director of Athletics and Student Activities at Newington High School Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  25 years later, teachers are still helping students understand 9/11 10.09.2026 49min

  September 11, 2001 fell on a Tuesday. It was the start of the academic year. It was just another day in the classroom for students and teachers. Today, we talk with teachers and educators about that day. They share how they are teaching the history of this important day to the students. Guests: Jennifer Ladd: Teacher at Darien Public Schools  Jack Oehm: a retired FDNY Battalion Commander working with Tower to Tunnels Foundation Patty Lewis: Founder and Head of School, Adam J. Lewis Academy in Bridgeport Where We Live is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  AI is shaking up the book world: A local rare-book seller and author share their stories 03.09.2026 49min

  AI tools might be able to write a decent email, but can it write a book? Today, we hear how AI is shaking up the book world for publishers, writers and readers alike. One local rare and vintage bookseller joins us to talk about what this has meant for her company. One author shares her experience after her work was allegedly stolen by AI research company, Anthropic. Guests: Colleen Lynch: Owner of No Other Book Like This, a bookstore in Mystic Sarah Darer Littman: Young-Adult author based in Connecticut Anna Silman: Power and Culture reporter at the Wall Street Journal Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  The lost art of hanging out: A conversation about third spaces 01.09.2026 49min

  Third spaces are those social spaces that aren’t your home or your workplace. They’re those great in-between environments where you can come by just to hangout with your community. They can act as the building block of a healthy, thriving community. Although many of these spaces have disappeared, there’ are efforts to bring them back. Today, we take a look at third spaces in Connecticut and beyond. Plus, heading into the long Labor Day weekend, we get an update on a "Where We Live" favorite third space — Connecticut parks and forests! Guests: Mason Trumble: Deputy Commissioner with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Melissa Whitson: Professor of psychology and licensed psychologist at the University of New Haven Michael Brown: Owner of Third Space in New Haven, a gaming lounge, creative community space and event venue Sydney Williams-Brown: Co-owner of Third Space Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Can Connecticut build a better childcare system? 31.08.2026 49min

  Caring for a child takes time, money and flexibility – all things that can be hard to come by when you're also trying to work a full time job. Connecticut has taken steps to ease that pressure, including a paid family and medical leave program and a new investment in early childhood education. But families still face high costs, limited availability and childcare schedules that don't always line up with the demands of work. This hour, we ask: What would it take to build a caregiving system that actually works for Connecticut families? Guests: Amanda Aronson: Founder and principal consultant of StoryB Erin Choquette: Chief executive officer of the CT Paid Leave Authority Representative Kate Farrar: Deputy Majority Leader serving West Hartford  Adrienne Billings-Smith: leader of employee development & community engagement and the Title VI coordinator for the town of West Hartford Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  On the road: CT transportation leader on driver safety, highways and more 27.08.2026 49min

  Over 40% of Connecticut drivers admitted to speeding, at least sometimes. Some say they speed to avoid holding up traffic, while others are simply trying to reach their destination faster. Speeding might be considered the new normal, but it’s still dangerous. Last year, there were over 7,000 speeding-related crashes in the state. Today, Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto joins us to talk about the state of our roads and what we’re seeing on Connecticut roadways. Labor Day is the busiest travel weekend of the year. We hear what you need to know to stay safe on the roads. Plus, updates on rail lines, highway construction and speed cameras. Guests: Garrett Eucalitto: Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Transportation Brianna Gurciullo: transportation reporter at CT Insider Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Back to school in CT: Cellphones, vaccines and more 25.08.2026 48min

  It’s back-to-school week for many students in Connecticut. Parents — are you ready for the upcoming school year? The Connecticut State Board of Education is urging all schools to implement cellphone restrictions. We hear how school districts are tackling this and how it will be enforced. Do you want to see a cellphone ban in your school district? Email us at [email protected]. Plus, confusion around childhood vaccines continues. The Trump administration has issued an executive order calling for fewer vaccines. We learn what parents need to know. Guests: Dr. Melissa Held: Infectious Diseases physician at Connecticut Children's; professor of pediatric infectious diseases and senior associate dean of medical student education at UConn School of Medicine Theo Peck-Suzuki: education reporter at the Connecticut Mirror Joslyn DeLancey: Vice President of the Connecticut Education Association Rachel Besharat Mann: Assistant Professor of Education Studies at Wesleyan University Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Back-to-school season can feel like a sprint. What if we slowed down? 24.08.2026 49min

  School is back in session! That means calendars are filling up, and suddenly there’s always somewhere to be and something to do. But what if the problem isn’t that there isn’t enough time — it’s that we’ve become a little too good at filling every minute of it? This hour, we explore what our chronically hurried culture is doing to our minds, bodies, families and children. We’re joined by a psychotherapist, a neuroscientist and a Zen Buddhist monk priest. They teach us how to step off the treadmill – even when life won’t slow down. Guests: Bryan Robinson: Psychotherapist, author of “Chained to the Desk in a Hybrid World: A Guide to Work-Life Balance” Rajita Sinja: Foundations Fund Professor of Psychiatry and Professor in the Child Study Center and of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine Venerable Shim Bo: Zen Buddhist Monk-Priest who serves as the Abbot and Spiritual Director of White Lotus Haven Zen of Connecticut, Inc.  Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Author Chris Bohjalian on his writing routines and his latest novel “The Amateur” 20.08.2026 48min

  Chris Bohjalian is the author of over twenty books, but his latest novel “The Amateur” pulls on his own lived experience working as a golf caddy. The story follows Mira, an 18-year-old golf prodigy. One afternoon, while practicing at her prestigious country club, she hits a stray ball right into the temple of her classmate’s head, killing him almost instantly. Where We Live host Catherine Shen recently hosted a conversation with Bohjalian at the Westport Library. We spoke about his new book, his writing routines and "exercising his demons" through writing this highly autobiographical novel. Where We Live is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Rocks rock! A celebration of the new CT state rock 18.08.2026 49min

  Igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic: Do those words ring any bells? Maybe from that old earth science class? Don’t lose your marbles! Today, we’re talking about rocks. Did you know that Connecticut now has a new state rock? Housatonic marble has officially received this prestigious title of Connecticut’s state rock. Today, we learn how it all happened. Later, science educators talk about using the earth sciences as a foundation for science literacy. Guests: Robert Thorson: Professor of Earth Sciences at the University of Connecticut Louis Goffinet: STEM Enrichment Teacher at Mansfield Middle School Todd Campbell: Department Head of Science Education at the Neag School of Education at UConn Violet Andrews: recent UConn graduate Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  What draws these Connecticut adventurers to the sea? 17.08.2026 49min

  What makes someone willingly leave the safety of shore and head into the unknown? Connecticut adventurer, Elizabeth Fry, has swum some of the world’s most challenging open-water routes, while Guilford-native, Brec Morgan, spent four and a half years sailing around the globe alone. This hour, they talk about the fear, solitude and exhilaration of their journeys – and the emotional experience of finally coming home. Plus, they explore why it’s worth doing things that scare us, and what the ocean has given them in return. Guests: Elizabeth Fry: marathon open-water swimmer from Westport, Connecticut Brec Morgan: marine artist and sailor from Connecticut who completed a solo, unassisted-style circumnavigation of the globe Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  After losing a child, these parents dedicate their lives to advocacy 13.08.2026 48min

  You’ve probably heard of the stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. But the stages of grief aren’t always linear. The grieving is almost always a little messy. And when a child dies, navigating grief can become a lifelong journey. Today, two parents who have experienced the death of a child join us and share their experience, and how they’ve channeled their grief into advocacy and awareness. GUESTS: Carolyn Fletcher: Organ donor advocate and New England Donor Services volunteer Brianna Garrison: Associate Professor in the Social Work Program at Southern Connecticut State University  Jay Rivera: founder of Always 65, a local organization dedicated to preventing sudden cardiac arrest in children and young athletes Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  How dementia caregivers navigate a challenging role: Catharsis, humor and patience 11.08.2026 48min

  Dementia is one of the leading causes of disability among older adults. For caregivers of people with the disease, the role is filled with a variety of emotions like worry, sadness and grief. But it’s also a role often filled with connection and love. In June, Connecticut Public’s Daniela Doncel moderated a conversation about dementia caregiving at the Webb Deane Stevens Museum in Wethersfield. Today, we’ll hear that discussion. Panelists spoke about the logistics of care, the importance of speaking openly about the disease, and the experience of losing someone who is still physically present.This conversation is part of Connecticut Public’s ongoing coverage focused on caregiving and aging. You can learn more here. Guests: Tonya Maurer: caregiver to her mother, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2017 and now lives in a memory care facility in Connecticut. Maria Canales: a volunteer educator with the Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut chapter who helps Spanish-speaking communities in the state learn about the disease. Colby McCaskill: a writer and reporter living in New York City. His radio story, “Dear Papa,” explores his fear about his grandmother’s escalating dementia, and was selected as the grand prize winner for this year’s NPR College Podcast Challenge. Where We Live is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  The scoop on Connecticut’s best ice cream 10.08.2026 49min

  Summer may be winding down, but there's still plenty of time for ice cream. We go behind the scenes to learn how one of Connecticut's most beloved frozen treats is made, revisit the nostalgia of the neighborhood ice cream truck, and hear from local experts about what makes a truly great scoop. We'll also explore creative flavors – including vegan options – and get recommendations for some of the best ice cream destinations around the state. Whether you're loyal to vanilla or always chasing the next unique flavor, this episode is for you. Guests: Chris Casiello: plant Manager of Arethusa Farm Dairy in Litchfield Reinaldo Sánchez: co-owner and chief operations officer of Vía Láctea Lorivie Alicea: co-owner of Vía Láctea Craig Behun: teacher and owner of the CT Ice Cream Tour food truck Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  The chaos and majesty of geomagnetic storms 06.08.2026 49min

  You check the local weather, but do you ever check space weather? Storms are always occurring in space and sometimes, we’re impacted by them here on Earth. Today, we’re talking about geomagnetic storms — how they affect Earth, how we’re able to predict them, and how someday, we might even be able to prevent their effects. Also, we discuss what causes the magic of the Aurora borealis, or the northern lights, and how you might better your chances of seeing them here in Connecticut. GUESTS: Dr. C Alex Young: Associate Director of Science Communication in the Heliophysics Science Division at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center Dr. Brian Walsh: Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Boston University Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  'Burn without opening:' How a mysterious note led to a family history investigation 04.08.2026 49min

  If you discovered a note from a loved one marked “burn without opening,” would you read it? Author and former journalist Paul T. O'Connor did. He joins us to discuss the decision that sent him on a years-long search for the truth about his mother's past, chronicled in his new book, “The Missing Child.” And later, we learn how Connecticut residents can begin uncovering their own family stories. Guests: Paul T. O’Connor: Author of “The Missing Child”  Sierra Dixon: Director of research center, Connecticut Museum of Culture and History Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Worshippers return to the pews: CT religious researchers and leaders tell us why 03.08.2026 49min

  Attendance in church pews has bounced back since COVID-19 pandemic lows. And many of these attendees are young worshippers, looking for religious community. Today, church researchers and writers join us to help us understand why so many people are coming back to church. Plus, are nuns having a moment? It certainly seems like it! The Catholic Church is seeing an increase in interest in religious life, specifically the lives of religious sisters. We hear from the Global Sisters Report and hear what’s attracted so many people to the lives of the sisters. GUESTS: Olivia Bardo: Multimedia and Social Editor at the Global Sisters Report, a Project of the National Catholic Reporter Scott Thumma: Professor of Sociology of Religion and Director of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research at Hartford International University Rev. Dr. Frederick Streets: Professor of Divinity and Social Work at Yale University Divinity School Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Housing roadblocks continue in CT: Local architects are stepping up to the challenge 30.07.2026 49min

  Finding affordable housing is a huge challenge in Connecticut. Could part of this problem be how housing is built and designed? Architects aren’t just thinking about how to design better, more efficient homes. They’re thinking about how to design homes with community and affordability in mind. Today, we hear how architects are working to build better homes and communities across the state. Plus, an update from the Connecticut Tenants Union. GUESTS: Luke Melonakos: Vice President of the Connecticut Tenants Union Andrei Harwell: Executive director of the Yale Urban Design Workshop, and I'm a senior critic at the Yale School of Architecture Joan O’Riordan: Principal Architect at O'Riordan Migani Architects Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  What we know about cyclosporiasis cases in CT, plus a look at air quality 28.07.2026 49min

  In the last month we have seen a flurry of warnings that lettuce might be infected with cyclosporiasis. To date, there have been over 60 cases here in Connecticut. Wildfires from the west brought smoke to the East Coast, leading to air quality warnings and recommendations for residents to stay inside, if they can. Today, we get updates on these public health situations, and hear what you need to do to stay well. GUESTS: Dr. Manisha Juthani: commissioner, Connecticut Department of Public Health Scott Dolch: President and CEO of the Connecticut Restaurant and Hospitality Association Connecticut State Senator Dr. Saud Anwar: East Hartford, South Windsor, East Windsor, and Ellington Indu Upadhyaya: Food Safety Extension Specialist, UConn Extension Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.