Shows / Where We Live

Where We Live
Produced by Connecticut Public, 'Where We Live' puts Connecticut in context. Host Catherine Shen brings us fascinating, informed, in-depth conversations and stories beyond news headlines. We start local, but we take time to explore domestic and international issues and consider how they impact us personally and here at home.
Episodes
Where We LiveBill Keller talks about his new book, "What's Prison For?"
The pandemic led to a decline in the incarcerated population, and many states have been re-evaluating the purpose of prisons.In this hour, Bill Keller…
Where We LiveAutumn gardening tips with Charlie Nardozzi
Charlie Nardozzi, award-winning garden writer and host of Connecticut Garden Journal, joins us to answer your autumn gardening questions. What are the best…
Where We LiveWith no end in sight, Ukrainians continue to fight for their homeland
The war in Ukraine shows little chance of slowing down after the Crimean bridge was destroyed, and Russia launched massive missile strikes in Ukraine. Today…
Where We LiveHot soups and warm teas from medicinal food gardens
CT Public’s debate series continues in the lead up to Election Day November 8. This hour on Where We Live, a Hearst politics reporter breaks down the issues at…
Where We LiveHow Connecticut science teachers help in "discerning fact from fiction"
"Maintaining and bolstering trust in science has never been more critical," writes Connecticut College chemistry professor Marc Zimmer. His latest book…
Where We LiveConnecticut's kelp industry is growing, with a focus on sustainability
The National Marine Fisheries Service says seaweed farming is the fastest-growing aquaculture in the U.S. Suzie Flores and her husband Jay Douglass launched…
Where We LiveUnpacking the impossible standards of beauty culture
Beauty standards change with each generation, but today’s standards of beauty seem to be more unachievable than ever.Today, we talk about how the beauty…
Where We LiveA Conversation with Independent Party Candidate Rob Hotaling
The road for Rob Hotaling to secure the Independent Party nomination for governor received some scrutiny leading to an unsuccessful court challenge by…
Where We LiveDisparities in cancer mortality rates and understanding Postural Orthostatic Syndrome (POTS)
Incumbent Congressman Joe Courtney (Democrat), and State Rep. Mike France (Republican), candidates in the second congressional district, faced each other in a…
Where We LiveHow the FCC and local libraries are addressing "digital redlining"
Earlier this year, the Federal Communications Commission launched a task force to target digital discrimination and "digital redlining." This hour, FCC…
Where We LiveA look into the complicated organ transplant system in the U.S.
106,000 Americans are waiting for an organ transplant, yet federal officials have raised serious questions about the national transplant system, known UNOS…
Where We LiveHow Connecticut helps keep the history of agricultural fairs alive
Agricultural fairs or "country fairs" originated in New England, according to the International Association of Fairs & Expositions. The idea was "initiated" by…
Where We Live"Coding for Good": Introducing Connecticut kids to computer programming
There’s been heavy emphasis put on computer programming education in recent years. Tech moguls like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg have all…
Where We LiveIs the pandemic really over? DPH commissioner Manisha Juthani on COVID-19 and more
President Biden declared that the COVID-19 “pandemic is over.” But public health officials say not so fast – reminding Americans that on average, 353 people…
Where We LiveA sit-down with Rep. Jahana Hayes, seeking reelection in "heated" House race
The 5th District is considered Connecticut’s most competitive Congressional seat, and this year’s race is already a "heated" one, taking on issues like…
Where We LiveHow short-term rentals (like Airbnb) impact the housing market and how we vacation
What are some issues with homestay services like Airbnb? And what’s being done to address them? This hour, we hear from travelers about their experiences with…
Where We Live"Connecticut Helps Puerto Rico": Local organizations rally resources after Hurricane Fiona
Connecticut resources are being rallied in response to Hurricane Fiona. This hour, we hear about the relief effort being overseen by Stamford-based non-profit…
Where We LiveDavarian L. Baldwin spotlights the "Shadow of the Ivory Tower"
As non-profit, tax-exempt institutions, colleges and universities are often seen as a source of public good. For example, a recent New York Times Magazine…
Where We LiveLive long and prosper, but how?
Why do some people live longer than others, and what’s different in the Blue Zones? How can we slow down aging? This hour, we look at genetic research to…
Where We LiveA preview of must-see fall TV – plus top book picks
This hour, we preview some of the must-see TV shows and must-read books ahead this autumn. NPR TV critic Eric Deggans joins us, plus we hear from Roxanne…
Where We LiveBreaking into the business of cannabis, and saving Conny the Whale
The business of cannabis is growing. Retail establishments are expected to open by the end of this year in Connecticut and there are efforts to mobilize…
Where We LiveA look at efforts to ease Connecticut's "restrictive" voting laws
Absentee ballot eligibility was expanded again in Connecticut in time for the the November election, but the changes are temporary. This hour, we discuss what…
Where We LiveAuthor Luke Mogelson explores what happened inside the Capitol Riots
In his new book, The Storm is Here: An American Crucible, longtime war correspondent Luke Mogelson explores the rise of right wing extremism in the U.S. Today…
Where We LiveBurnout: Who’s looking out for teachers, paras’ mental health?
Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an…
Where We LiveTenant unions gaining traction in Connecticut
Tenant unions are on the rise in our state. Camila Vallejo and Ginny Monk, housing reporters for Connecticut Public and the Connecticut Mirror, found that at…
Where We LiveMiddle Passage to New London: A significant stop on the city's Black Heritage Trail
In 2018, New London was designated a "site of memory" on the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization's slave route project, an effort…
Where We LiveIn sci-fi novel about climate collapse in Connecticut, Tochi Onyebuchi locates hope in the local
When we hear about the climate crisis, it can often be framed as a future or somehow distant dilemma. But environmental justice advocates point to the many…
Where We LiveA sit down with incumbent Governor Ned Lamont
The gubernatorial race in Connecticut is heating up. Today, Governor Ned Lamont joins us to discuss his reelection campaign and what he wants to accomplish if…
Where We LiveYale, UConn lead advances in sickle cell disease treatment
Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an…
Where We LiveWith two months to Election Day, Bob Stefanowski's gubernatorial campaign takes shape
This hour, we sit down with Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Stefanowski to discuss his plans for the final two months of the campaign, and to take your…
Where We LiveConnecticut's skateboarding community is vibrant and growing
Steve Roberts launched the Push to Start Skate Program in 2017, using skateboarding "to create community, teach creative thinking, collaboration and…
Where We LiveManaging your personal finances with (or without) student loan debt
Making those student loan payments is among many Americans' monthly budgets. But with President Biden’s plan to wipe out student debt for some borrowers, what…
Where We LiveTaxing e-cigarettes isn’t the answer to curbing young adults affinity for tobacco products
What role do taxes have in the habits of consumers? A new Yale study found that increasing taxes on e-cigarettes led to a decline in youth and young adults’…
Where We LiveLocal craft beer industry recovering from early pandemic losses
While Connecticut's craft beer industry has grown steadily over the last decade, the pandemic posed challenges to taprooms and wholesale retailers alike…
Where We LiveHow Conn. GOP are positioning themselves for the midterm elections
There’s a little more than 3 months until Election Day and Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Stefanowski has made big changes to his campaign team. Today…
Where We LiveSummers of extreme drought and floods pose challenges to local agriculture, fish and wildlife
Connecticut farms have experienced extreme drought and floods, finding it increasingly difficult to prepare for alternating extremes. While 2021 brought floods…
Where We LiveThe future of adoption in a post Roe v. Wade world
With Roe v. Wade overturned, and abortion becoming less available, will we see more children placed in foster care and parents seeking adoption? This hour on…
Where We LiveThe MASALA study is expanding to second gen South Asians; focus on food and cardiac risk
South Asians have the highest death rate from heart disease in the U.S. compared to other ethnic groups. Globally, 60% of patients with heart disease are South…
Where We LiveA check-in with Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker
Does this year's back-to-school mean "back to normal"? This hour, we sit down with Connecticut State Department of Education Commissioner Charlene…
Where We LiveThe many shipwrecks off Connecticut's shoreline
Connecticut is home to many architectural sites, but what about the ones that occur just off the coast? Today, Dr. Nicholas Bellantoni takes us through the…
Where We Live"Coding for Good": Introducing Connecticut kids to computer programming
There’s been heavy emphasis put on computer programming education in recent years. Tech moguls like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg have all…
Where We LiveA look into the complicated organ transplant system in the U.S.
106,000 Americans are waiting for an organ transplant, yet federal officials have raised serious questions about the national transplant system, known UNOS…
Where We LiveHow contaminants like PFAS and microplastics are being tracked in Connecticut
Microbeads were banned in the U.S. in 2015, but tiny bits of plastic known as microplastics, and another manmade family of chemicals called PFAS, are turning…
Where We LiveBrother Carl Hardrick: Violence prevention starts with meeting basic needs
Brother Carl Hardrick has been a leader in violence prevention in Hartford for decades. Now there is an Institute for Violence Prevention and Community…
Where We Live"Saving local news": As newspapers disappear, digital news consumers left disconnected
A new study examining "news deserts" in the U.S. finds an average of two newspapers are closing per week, and estimates that by 2025, "one-third of American…
Where We Live"Saving local news": As newspapers disappear, digital news consumers left disconnected
A new study examining "news deserts" in the U.S. finds an average of two newspapers are closing per week, and estimates that by 2025, "one-third of American…
Where We LiveMiddle Passage to New London: A significant stop on the city's Black Heritage Trail
In 2018, New London was designated a "site of memory" on the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization's slave route project, an effort…
Where We LiveWhat happened at the primaries, and everything you need to know about monkeypox
The recent monkeypox outbreak started in May, and the virus continues to spread. Today, we learn more including how monkeypox is transmitted to who’s eligible…
Where We LiveNew Alzheimer’s research shows pathways to prevent cognitive decline
New research from multiple studies – yet to be published – was highlighted at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in San Diego, August. This…
Where We LiveAddressing dire racial disparities in reproductive health care is critical post-Roe, say advocates
How are the deep racial disparities in reproductive health care being addressed in light of Roe v. Wade’s overturning? Connecticut nurse-midwife, nurse…
Where We LiveTuesday is Primary Day, and "Remembering the Family Store" film focuses on Stamford Mom and Pop Shops in 20th Century
Tuesday is the Connecticut primary, will you be voting? The races to watch include four candidates competing in the Democratic and Republican primaries for…
Where We LiveDavarian L. Baldwin spotlights the "Shadow of the Ivory Tower"
As non-profit, tax-exempt institutions, colleges and universities are often seen as a source of public good. For example, a recent New York Times Magazine…
Where We Live"A River's Ghosts": A look at Connecticut's forgotten steamboat era
Journalist Erik Hesselberg has covered Connecticut’s waterways for decades. This hour, we preview his new book about the vibrant history of steamboats in our…
Where We LiveTackling the primary care physician shortage
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) projects a shortage of up to 48,000 primary care physicians by 2034. This hour on Where We Live, we take a…
Where We LiveMeet BIPOC farmers in the Northeast and learn why many farmers silently struggle with mental health
Statistically, more than 98% of Connecticut’s farmers are white. Today, we’ll talk with BIPOC farmers and hear from a grower about her journey, and the…
Where We LiveThe science, treatment gaps, and myths of menopause
Half of the world’s population is made up of women. And by 2025, the number of postmenopausal women is expected to rise to 1 billion, according to the North…
Where We Live"Why are you whispering?" ASMR is one way millions unwind
This hour, we explore the "mysterious Internet phenomenon" known as ASMR, autonomous sensory meridian response. According to physiologist and ASMR researcher…
Where We LiveHow short-term rentals (like Airbnb) impact the housing market and how we vacation
What are some issues with homestay services like AirBnB? And what’s being done to address them? Today, we hear from travelers about their experiences with…
Where We LiveThe MASALA study is expanding to second gen South Asians; focus on food and cardiac risk
South Asians have the highest death rate from heart disease in the U.S. compared to other ethnic groups. Globally, 60% of patients with heart disease are South…
Where We LiveWhat is "unschooling"? My Reflection Matters believes "it takes a village"
The number of homeschoolers in Connecticut has increased since the start of the pandemic. The Connecticut State Department of Education reported a "slight…