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 LiveFrom recruiting to benefits: How some companies are responding post Roe
In light of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on abortion, some companies are announcing their commitment to cover abortion care and travel costs for…
Where We LiveConnecting Connecticut to a revitalized riverfront
Several projects are underway aiming to connect Connecticut residents to revitalized riverfronts. This hour, we hear from planners on the Naugatuck River…
Where We LiveAuthor Sy Montgomery on her new book: "The Hawk's Way"
Sy Montgomery has authored over 30 books about animals. Today, she joins us to talk about her latest book, The Hawk’s Way: Encounters with Fierce Beauty. We…
Where We LiveYale, UConn expanding telehealth services in response to strong patient demand
Implementation of certain telehealth services would improve clinical quality nationwide by 20%, increase access to care by 20%, and reduce health care spending…
Where We LiveConnecticut's "safe harbor" law: Hear from Planned Parenthood, advanced-practice clinicians
A shortage of reproductive health professionals has resulted in wait times for some services in our state, including in-clinic abortions. Connecticut's "safe…
Where We LiveIt's all connected: Understanding how our physical and mental health are linked
If you experience headaches, fatigue or gastrointestinal issues during difficult times, you’re not alone.Today, we explore the link between our physical and…
Where We LiveAddressing digital privacy post-Roe v. Wade
In light of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on abortion, period tracking apps have been a new target of concern. But legal experts like Nora Benavidez say…
Where We LiveOB-GYNs speak out about abortion, women's health and the future of their practice
With the overturn of Roe v Wade, how will OBGYNs have to change the way they provide for patients? This hour on Where We Live, we host a roundtable of OB-GYNs…
Where We LivePaul Newman’s legacy of giving via Newman’s Own has a new mission – at-risk children
Cinema fans will get an intimate look into the careers and marriage of Hollywood couple Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward in The Last Movie Stars, a six-part…
Where We LiveLife with rare, incurable disease is all about quality
One in ten Americans, or one on every elevator and four on every bus, is impacted by a rare disease. Yet, 95 percent of rare diseases do not have approved…
Where We LiveHow are local meteorologists connecting the weather to climate change?
Six in ten Americans say they’re feeling the effects of climate change where they live, and that the federal response thus far has fallen short. Meteorologists…
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? Today on Where…
Where We LiveThe fashion industry needs size inclusivity, but what does that look like?
The average American woman wears between a size 16 and 18, according to the International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology and Education. Yet plus size…
Where We LiveJen Hewett on identity, community and inclusivity in craft
How does craft deepen your understanding of your history, your community, or yourself? And how can predominantly-white craft spaces better welcome diverse…
Where We LiveAuthor Melissa Febos and how our "Girlhood" shapes the way we think about consent
Today, we talk about how experiences coming of age impact us into adulthood. Melissa Febos, author of the bestselling memoir Girlhood, joins us. She writes…
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 LiveNew Haven Mayor and Police leader talk about Randy Cox, plus a look at Miranda Rights
A New Haven resident was recently injured while in police custody, and could be permanently paralyzed. Today, we talk about what went wrong and how the New…
Where We LiveHartford, New Haven food incubators see growing demand from women, BIPOC food entrepreneurs
Fifty-one percent of adults in a 2022 report from the Restaurant Industry Association say they aren’t eating at restaurants as often as they’d like – an…
Where We LiveConversations around school safety continue in Connecticut
The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the new federal gun safety legislation signed into law on Saturday, includes increased funding for school security and…
Where We LiveWhat does the SCOTUS ruling mean for Connecticut women? And Exploring youth mental illness
Mental illness, especially among children, is hard to identify. Today, we preview a new Ken Burns documentary--Hiding In Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness. We…
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 LiveExploring the ethics of artificial intelligence
A Google engineer has claimed that the company’s artificial intelligence application is sentient, leaving many to wonder about the role of A-I in our lives…
Where We LiveWhat will happen to Dreamers?
“Imagine you’ve done everything right your entire life – studied hard, worked hard, maybe even graduated at the top of your class, only to suddenly face the…
Where We LiveMohamad Hafez continues his artistic mission in latest venture, Pistachio Cafe
Through his art, Mohamad Hafez confronts preconceived notions of refugees and the "baggage" they may carry. He was recently the subject of an…
Where We LiveIndra Nooyi shares stories and strategies on life, work, and "family structures"
Indian immigrant Indra Nooyi led PepsiCo as chairman and CEO for more than a decade, making her one of the most powerful women in corporate America. Nooyi is…
Where We LiveWho gets the privilege of playing sports?
What’s your child’s experience playing sports? We want to hear from you. Youth sports look much different than 10 and 20 years ago. With increasing…
Where We LiveThe many pieces to fixing hospital beds shortage for substance use disorder
If you or someone you know has struggled with substance use disorder, where would you go for help? This hour on Where We Live, we look at the shortage of…
Where We LiveWith pedestrian deaths on the rise, concerns grow over driver behavior
Pedestrian deaths reached a 40-year high in 2021, according to a preliminary report from the Governors Highway Safety Association. In Connecticut, pedestrian…
Where We LiveBeyond Baywatch: The lifesaving work of being a lifeguard
Lifeguarding isn’t just a part time summer job; for many, it’s serious life saving work. Today, we explore the lifeguard shortage nationwide and…
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 LiveDepp-Heard trial amplified ‘men are believable, women are liars’ assumptions
The misogyny surrounding the Amber Heard-Johnny Depp trial has horrified advocates for survivors of intimate partner violence. This hour on Where We Live, we…
Where We LiveThe spread of Amazon in Connecticut and the economic impact
Plans for a new Amazon distribution center in Waterbury are in the works. The site would be the twelfth distribution or sorting center to land in the state in…
Where We LiveNew laws address children's mental health in Connecticut
Governor Lamont has signed three bills into law regarding children’s mental health. Today, we talk to the Connecticut Child Advocate Sarah Eagan and hear…
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…
Where We LiveNurturing, maintaining and hugging city trees
Trees are more than just ornamental, they provide benefits to all of us. Today, we hear from Hartford City forester Heather Dionne. Tree planting is part of…
Where We LiveCT’s ‘Find Your Vibe’ tourism campaign to hit digital billboard in NYC’s Penn Station
The state of Connecticut has announced a $3 million dollar summer tourism campaign titled ‘Find Your Vibe in Connecticut.’ But how does this…
Where We LiveUniversity of New Haven Professor Randall Horton on his new memoir "Dead Weight"
Randall Horton is an associate professor of English at the University of New Haven. His new memoir, Dead Weight details his time incarcerated. Today, we talk…
Where We LiveStandardized testing: What does the data actually tell us about student performance?
Standardized testing is a normal part of the school year, but what does this data really tell us about how children are performing? Today, Akilah Alleyne from…
Where We Live"Shall our flags fly at full-mast ever again?" Connecticut teachers respond to Texas school shooting
Sandy Hook survivor Mary Ann Jacobs was working in the school library in 2012. On Wednesday, she stood on the steps of the State Capitol and asked, "How can we…
Where We LiveNew Hartford HealthCare ‘food farmacy’ aims to improve health outcomes
Hartford HealthCare is in the pilot phase of an innovative “food as medicine” treatment program called food farmacy. This hour on Where We Live, we…
Where We LiveA pioneer in mental health treatment: Exploring the history of the Institute of Living
Before it was Hartford Hospital’s Institute of Living, it was the Hartford Retreat for the Insane. Today Hank Schwartz, joins us to share the history of…
Where We LiveOusted Public Health Commissioner Renée Coleman-Mitchell details her federal discrimination lawsuit
Former State Department of Public Health Commissioner Renée Coleman-Mitchell has filed a federal lawsuit against the State of Connecticut, alleging her…
Where We LiveAuthor Tovah Martin on enjoying your garden in every season
Spring has sprung and it’s time for our spring gardening hour! Today, horticulturist and author Tovah Martin joins us to answer all of your gardening…
Where We LiveMeet the teaching cohort modeling culturally-responsive AAPI education in Connecticut
Asian American and Pacific Islander history will be required in Connecticut public schools by the 2025-26 school year, according to a new, soon-to-be-signed…
Where We LiveBaby formula shortage leads to questions on product promotion, and maternal leave policies affecting breastmilk supply
The baby formula shortage has families scrambling. The crisis began after Abbott recalled some powdered baby formulas in February, following investigations…
Where We LiveThe role oysters play in the health of Long Island Sound
More than $100 million in federal infrastructure funds will go towards protecting and preserving Long Island Sound. Hear from Soundkeeper Bill Lucey about…
Where We LiveGovernor Ned Lamont discusses first term, short session, reelection campaign, and more
Campaign season is underway in Connecticut. This hour, we speak with incumbent Governor Ned Lamont about his first term and his reelection campaign. The…
Where We LiveAuthor Sy Montgomery on her new book: "The Hawk's Way"
Sy Montgomery has authored over 30 books about animals. Today, she joins us to talk about her latest book, The Hawk’s Way: Encounters with Fierce Beauty…
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 LiveHospital prices vary widely for same procedures statewide – what’s a patient to do?
A new report on hospital costs by Hearst Connecticut shows widely different prices for the same procedure at hospitals statewide. And insurers are negotiating…
Where We LiveElection season begins, and an update on cannabis in our state
The Republican and Democratic state conventions have concluded and today, Mark Pazniokas joins us to break down the state conventions. The Republican…
Where We LiveBeyond Central Park: The legacy of Connecticut native Frederick Law Olmsted
When you head to New York, do you ever take a break from the city and get lost on a trail in Central Park? This hour, we take a look at the life of the man…
Where We LiveIt's all connected: Understanding how our physical and mental health are linked
If you experience headaches, fatigue or gastrointestinal issues during difficult times, you’re not alone. Today, we explore the link between our physical…
Where We LiveWarmer winters make for more ticks. What are the challenges in diagnosing diseases they can carry?
Warmer winters in Connecticut are helping to welcome invasive ticks, and the diseases they can carry. Nearly half of the ticks in Connecticut are carrying one…
Where We LiveDespite Connecticut’s first-of-its-kind “safe haven” for abortion legislation, barriers to access exist
Connecticut lawmakers passed legislation strengthening reproductive rights, making the state a “place of refuge” for people seeking abortions. This hour on…
Where We LiveWhat will an Elon Musk-run Twitter look like?
The journey to comprehensive content moderation on Twitter has been a long one, but the tech giant might be changing course. Today, we're talking about what…
Where We LiveHow a nationwide spike in union organizing is playing out in Connecticut, from Starbucks to schools
Union election petitions are up 57% over the last year, and "Starbucks petitions account for nearly a quarter of all petitions filed since January," reports…
Where We LiveUnpacking the pros and cons of bariatric surgery
Weight loss surgery has become more accessible, but there are still concerns and stigma around these procedures. Today, we talk to surgeons in our state, about…
Where We LiveJen Hewett on identity, community and inclusivity in craft
How does craft deepen your understanding of your history, your community, or yourself? And how can predominantly-white craft spaces better welcome diverse…