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 LiveConnecticut businesses are cutting ties with Russia. Can corporate governance impact Russian leadership?
Stanley Black & Decker, Xerox, and Otis Elevator are among a growing list of Connecticut companies exiting or reducing ties with Russia, as a result of its war…
Where We LiveUkrainian refugees are arriving in Connecticut
Last week, President Biden announced a new program for Ukrainian refugees. United States citizens can now apply to sponsor Ukrainian refugees seeking asylum…
Where We LiveLegislative session winds down, with state budget still up in the air
As Connecticut’s short legislative session winds down, the "budget battle" is heating up. We’ll get the latest from CT News Junkie editor-in-chief…
Where We LiveOn this Earth Day, who gets to go green?
There are many ways to shrink your carbon footprint, but it’s not always accessible to everyone. Green and eco-friendly products are more expensive…
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 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 LiveMore than awareness, Autism Acceptance Month strives for inclusion
Most of the advocacy around autism has been centered around parents of autistic children, but now there’s more advocacy and involvement by individuals…
Where We LivePandemic stress is impacting childhood obesity
Numerous reports have said obesity in adults rose in the pandemic. Childhood obesity has risen starkly too, but for different reasons than you may think…
Where We LiveNo Fault Evictions are on the rise in Connecticut: Here's why
Here in Connecticut, twice as many tenants faced evictions during the pandemic – not for falling behind on rent, but because their lease was up…
Where We Live"What's past is prologue" when it comes to Connecticut River flooding, expert warns
The history of flooding along the 400-mile Connecticut River runs deep, and disaster management expert Josh Shanley says one flood should be instructive. In…
Where We LiveExploring the rich world of Ukrainian literature with Askold Melnyczuk Published March 15, 2022 at 8:07 AM EDT
What better way to get to know a country and its people than through literature? Today, we talk about Ukrainian writers and what we can learn about this…
Where We LiveIndie bookstores find innovative ways to thrive with online, pop-up and subscription models
This hour on Where We Live, we look into strategies that build resilience in local bookstores and discuss pandemic book launches. Long-time indie bookshops…
Where We LiveA 4-day work week might actually increase productivity
Bloomberg reported that a shorter work week experiment in Iceland found that workers maintained productivity and had improved well-being. Today, Alex Pang…
Where We LiveCollegiate athletes and athletic departments confront mental health
Tennis star Naomi Osaka and swimmer Michael Phelps are among a growing number of professional athletes who’ve been open about their mental health…
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…
Where We LiveWhat do women want? The opportunity to hit the career reset button
The National Women’s Law Center finds women in the U.S lost more than 5.4 million net jobs in 2020. But women are heading back to work now – there…
Where We LiveThe future is electric: would you replace your car with an e-bike?
Replacing your car with a bicycle might not sound possible, but would you change your mind if it was an electric bike? Today, we hear about a bill that could…
Where We LiveCurrent issues in nursing: The shortage, solutions and the "travel nursing boom"
A national nursing shortage has deepened during the pandemic. A recent survey by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses found that 92% of nurses felt…
Where We LiveCensorship in Russia and its impact on the free press and social media
It’s hard to conceptualize what living under a censorship state feels like, unless you’ve experienced it first hand. Today, we hear exactly how…
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 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…
Where We LivePandemic babies spent their first years of life in lockdown - what does this mean for their development?
Many pandemic babies, infants born shortly before or during the pandemic, haven’t had as much interaction with the outside world. Today, we talk about…
Where We LiveEvictions rising to pre-pandemic levels, while "inventory crisis" persists
Average rent in the state is up 15% on average, with more than half the state’s renters cost-burdened, according to a recent report. Meanwhile, evictions…
Where We LiveIt's amphibian migration season; listen for the peepers
Spring is officially here and that means, the peepers have arrived. Today, we learn about Connecticut’s amphibians, many are waking up now and migrating…
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 LiveWhat's in a name? Hartford Seminary, now Hartford International University, explains
Hartford Seminary has a new name. It’s now the Hartford International University for Religion and Peace.Today, we talk to its President Joel Lohr. And we…
Where We LiveAlcohol use disorder in women
A new study by the National Institutes of Health and the Research Triangle Institute, found alcohol consumption by women with children younger than age 5…
Where We LiveTwo years of sounding the alarm: How "post-COVID" talk overlooks high-risk residents
How has the steep drop-off in COVID policies like masking affected immunocompromised individuals and those with disabilities? The CDC's list of those at risk…
Where We LiveMarian Anderson, a voice that spoke to our common humanity
Music schools in Philadelphia denied her admission because she was Black, and so did a segregated concert hall, leading to a spectacular performance at the…
Where We LiveIreland’s Great Hunger Museum sets course for Fairfield
After months of uncertainty, Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum has found a new home in Fairfield. Quinnipiac University’s decision to permanently close…
Where We LiveTechnology gives VOICES to victims of elder abuse
The Yale School of Medicine has a new digital tool for adults 60 and over to self-identify and report abuse. Tested at the Emergency Department of Yale New…
Where We LiveExploring the rich world of Ukrainian literature with Askold Melnyczuk
What better way to get to know a country and its people than through literature? Today, we talk about Ukraine writers and what we can learn about this country…
Where We LiveChild care providers on brink of "collapse," calling for $700 million in state funding
"What would Connecticut do without child care?" Providers and parents are organizing an event across several Connecticut cities on Tuesday to pose an answer to…
Where We LiveAs burnout surges, nonprofits struggle to recruit and retain employees
The nonprofit sector is in trouble. They serve some of the most vulnerable populations in Connecticut but many organizations are struggling to retain workers…
Where We LiveCrisis in Ukraine: What you need to know, and how Connecticut residents are responding
There is broad support in the U.S. for Ukraine and global outcry over Putin's increasingly hostile attacks on civilians. This hour, hear more about the…
Where We LiveFrom Bangladesh to Bengali Harlem and Hartford Stage, a conversation with actor and playwright Alaudin Ullah
What does it mean to be American? In Dishwasher Dreams, now playing on Hartford Stage, writer, actor, and comedian Alaudin Ullah explores the…
Where We LiveHigher ed is leaning on non tenured faculty. What does that mean for academia?
There’s no question that academia has been hit hard during the pandemic, from declining enrollment numbers at some institutions, to unprecedented…
Where We LiveThe impact of the Sheff v. O'Neill school desegregation agreement
A new settlement in the Sheff V. O'Neill school desegregation case could end court oversight and litigation 33 years after the original lawsuit. The…
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 LiveNew report IDs challenges for young adults transitioning out of child welfare system
A new report from Connecticut Voices for Children examines the hurdles facing young adults transitioning out of the child welfare system in our state…
Where We LiveBracing for inflation, and mitigating the effects
This hour on Where We Live, we hear from an economist on the what and why of inflation, including policy implications, and from a chartered financial analyst…
Where We LiveThe Judy Dworin Performance Project is now the Justice Dance Performance Project
There’s no doubt that the pandemic hit the performing arts hard but local artists have been working to make a difference and connect with the community…
Where We LiveNew options for COVID long-haulers experiencing fatigue
Researchers say more than 1 in 4 COVID patients still have symptoms months later. Many COVID long-haulers may experience fatigue and what researchers call…
Where We LiveVolunteer firefighters are the backbone of fire service, and Russia attacks Ukraine
Reports Friday morning are Russian troops have entered the outskirts of the Ukrainian capital Kiev and it's being bombarded with missile strikes. Today, we…
Where We LiveHow the Harry Potter fandom is moving "forward"
Through her Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling created a magical world championing acceptance and inclusivity. But the author’s controversial comments…
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 LiveMental Health Wellness Days in Connecticut schools
K-12 students in Connecticut can now take two mental health wellness days during the school year. Today, we hear from a student who advocated for this proposal…
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 LiveBehind-the-scenes of the Beijing Winter Olympics broadcast hub in Stamford
If you’ve been watching the Beijing Winter Olympics, you’ve likely seen a Connecticut local compete and succeed. But there’s one local…
Where We LiveBob Stefanowski puts incumbent Lamont on the defensive in gubernatorial race
Republican Bob Stefanowski ran for Connecticut Governor in 2018, narrowly losing to Ned Lamont. Now Stefanowski, a Connecticut native and Madison resident, is…
Where We LiveCommunity colleges find creative ways to entice students back to campus despite enrollment lows
Community college enrollment has dropped nationally, leading many local institutions to rethink how they retain their students. Today, we talk to local leaders…
Where We LivePolitical pressure over masks mounts as decision left to public health officials, districts
With the statewide school mask mandate expected to expire at the end of the month, local districts can determine their own policies. School boards and…
Where We LiveAuthor Katherine May on Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat
Here in Connecticut, surviving long winters means getting plenty of sleep, extra vitamin D supplements and leaning into our favorite winter activities. This…
Where We LiveOn this Valentine's Day, let's delete dating apps, and learn to love our singlehood
Valentine’s Day is coming up, but today, this show is for all the single ladies! Today, Shani Silver, author of A Single Revolution: Don't look for a…
Where We LiveMeet the movers and shakers honored in Connecticut Magazine's 40 Under 40
Each year, Connecticut Magazine's 40 Under 40 celebrates up-and-coming innovators in our state. This hour, we meet some of this year's impactful honorees…
Where We LiveReducing cancer deaths requires a ‘more than science’ approach
Pulitzer-winning physician Siddhartha Mukherjee referred to cancer as “The Emperor of All Maladies.” Now, Mukherjee is one of many contributors to…
Where We LiveCommutations and COVID, a look at what’s happening inside Connecticut’s prison population
Nearly two years since the start of the pandemic, Connecticut has begun granting commutations for incarcerated individuals. Today, we hear more and learn how…
Where We LiveConnecticut librarians brace for "tsunami" of book challenges
The American Library Association (ALA) reported an “unprecedented spike” in book removal requests last fall, tallying 330 from September 1 to…
Where We LiveAttracting, training, and retaining women in manufacturing
Manufacturing jobs like industrial engineering and mechanical engineering technicians are projected to increase between 15% and nearly 30% by 2026, fetching an…
Where We LiveLocal Ukrainian Americans talk about Ukraine and Russia's complicated history
Russia and Ukraine have a long, complicated history. If you’re confused about what's happening in Eastern Europe, you’re not alone. Today, we…