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 LiveWork In Progress: Going Back To Work During The Pandemic
Connecticut's unemployment rate has hovered above 8 percent, more than double the rate pre- pandemic. But now that the job market is picking up, why are…
Where We LivePay Transparency: One Way To Reduce Wage Gap For Women And People Of Color
Women, on average, make 82 cents for every dollar earned by men. And women of color make even less than that. This hour, we take a look at the role greater pay…
Where We LiveComptroller's Public Option Health Insurance Plan Encounters Resistance
This hour, we speak with Connecticut Comptroller Kevin Lembo on his public option proposal to give more people the chance to join a health insurance program…
Where We LiveFinancial Literacy For Kids, And Beyond!
Ever wonder why you were required to learn algebra, but not how to balance a checkbook and file your taxes? Although personal finance and accounting are…
Where We LiveAs School Year Wraps Up, Connecticut Gets Ready For Summer
Another school year in a pandemic is winding down. That means parents have been thinking about summer plans like summer camps. The Lamont administration has…
Where We LiveOur Pandemic Pastimes Are Here To Stay
With no commute to work and no gathering with friends, how have you been spending time during this pandemic? This hour, we talk about pandemic hobbies and the…
Where We LiveState Regulator Says Eversource Failed In Its Response to August Outages
How many days were you out of power last summer after Tropical Storm Isaias? The outages last August impacted hundreds of thousands of residents. Some lasted…
Where We LiveLamont, Fellow General Assembly Democrats Present Rival Budget Plans
This hour, it affects virtually everyone in the state of Connecticut in one way or another, but it can be difficult to understand. The state budget decides how…
Where We LiveInsects Around The World Are Disappearing. What Can We Do About It?
Insects are the most abundant group of animals on the planet. There are an estimated 10 quintillion of them on Earth. But in recent years, scientists have…
Where We LiveRebecca F. Kuang Ends THE POPPY WAR Fantasy Trilogy With A Blaze
Rebecca F. Kuang started writing her first novel, The Poppy War, when she was just 19 years old. The final installment in the author’s dark military…
Where We LiveGun Violence: Where We Heal
Almost two weeks ago today, two children in Hartford were shot and killed within hours of each other. This week, on the heels of the Derek Chauvin verdict, a…
Where We LiveFCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel On Closing The Digital Divide
Telehealth, Google Classrooms, and Zoom have become essential for daily life in the pandemic. This hour, we learn about the role of the Federal Communications…
Where We LiveHouse Minority Leader Candelora Objects To Vaccine Bill
This hour, we speak with the top Republican in the state house the next steps after a fight in the state House over a vaccine bill. The proposal would end the…
Where We LiveClimate Change Is Making Our Weather Weirder
The term global warming makes it clear that climate change is raising temperatures around the world. But climate change and a melting Arctic will shape our…
Where We LiveA Look At Connecticut's Response To Young Offenders
Nearly 2000 children are arrested each day in the United States. That's according to the Children's Defense Fund. This hour, we check in with the Connecticut…
Where We Live'Dear Mary, Dear Luther': Jill Snyder Explores Family History Through Love Letters
Jill Snyder’s parents carried on a long-distance courtship through letters. After her mother’s death, Snyder found these letters, and compiled them…
Where We LiveWhat Girls Need: Empowering Girls In 2021
It has been over eight years since Sheryl Sandberg’s breakthrough book Lean In hit the shelfs and started a conversation about women leading in the…
Where We LiveMashantucket Pequot Chair Butler On Gambling Expansion, Coronavirus Toll
This hour, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Chairman Rodney Butler discusses the ongoing debate over a major expansion to legalized gambling in Connecticut…
Where We LiveNavigating Addiction (And Recovery) During The Pandemic
Recovering from addiction is difficult in normal times, but managing recovery during a pandemic can be incredibly challenging. This hour, we talk about the…
Where We LiveBroadband Is Essential. How Can Connecticut Close The Digital Divide?
Broadband access is not just a convenience, it’s essential for life under COVID-19. This hour, we take a look at Connecticut’s digital divide. We…
Where We LiveFrom Sailor To Astronaut: Kayla Barron On NASA's Program To Return to the Moon
Astronaut Kayla Barron was one of the first women commissioned as a submarine warfare officer in the US Navy. Now, she’s part of another groundbreaking…
Where We LiveRethinking How We Talk About Obesity
If you feel like you might have tipped the scale a bit during this pandemic, you’re not alone. A recent study by the American Psychological Association…
Where We LiveCongressman Joe Courtney: More Capitol Violence; Debating Infrastructure
This hour, we speak with Congressman Joe Courtney for the latest on political maneuvers in Washington, as the president seeks passage of a broad infrastructure…
Where We LiveDespite Equity Focus, Racial Disparities Persist In COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout
Connecticut has been among the states leading the pack nationally on vaccinating its residents overall, but deep disparities remain. This hour, we get the…
Where We LiveWhy Aren't We Talking About Diabetes?
10% of Americans are living with diabetes. Are you one of them? Managing a chronic illness can already be difficult, but managing it during a pandemic can be…
Where We LiveConnecticut Author Martha Hall Kelly on Her New Book "Sunflower Sisters"
Connecticut resident Martha Hall Kelly is back with a new book, Sunflower Sisters. This hour, she joins us to talk about the third and final installment…
Where We LiveA Hedge Fund Is Poised To Take Over The Hartford Courant. What Will This Mean For Local News?
The Hartford Courant is America’s oldest continuously published newspaper. But the proposed acquisition of the paper’s parent company Tribune…
Where We LiveElla Grasso's Life In Politics
We look at the career of Ella Grasso. Known as the first woman in the country to be elected governor who did not follow her husband, and the person who led the…
Where We LiveEfforts Continue to End Solitary Confinement In Connecticut Prisons
One of the harshest punishments you can receive in prison is solitary confinement. Advocates say solitary confinement does more harm than good - leaving the…
Where We LiveConnecticut Bats Continue To Battle White-Nose Syndrome -- And Misplaced Fears
Do you see bats where you live? These flying creatures play important roles in ecosystems around the world, from pest control to pollination. But bats in…
Where We LiveThe Ways We Must Remember: Reflecting On The Pandemic
This hour, how will we remember a year in this pandemic? Grief can often leave us feeling incredibly alone. Especially when haven't been able to gather and…
Where We LiveVaccine Passports Could Be Coming as More Americans Get Immunized Against COVID-19
Some countries and companies have looked into creating vaccine passports to allow those vaccinated against COVID-19 to travel more freely and attend public…
Where We LiveLamont On Coronavirus Vaccination, Easing Restrictions, Gambling Expansion
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont on his push to reopen and to vaccinate Connecticut. With variants of the disease appearing in the state, is this the time to loosen…
Where We LiveSia's Movie, "Music" and How Mainstream Media Portrays Autism
When the preview for musical artist Sia’s debut film Music was released---- it received backlash from individuals on the autism spectrum. But it also…
Where We LiveConfronting Anti-Asian Violence In The US
A recent shooting in the Atlanta area killed eight people. Six of them were women of Asian descent. It's one of the nearly 4000 hate incidents against this…
- Where We Live
Connecticut Author Roya Hakakian On Her New Book, A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO AMERICA
Roya Hakakian came to the US as a refugee from Iran when she was just a teenager. Now, the Connecticut author and poet has drawn on her life story to create a…
Where We LiveMore Than 12 Angry Men: Creating Diverse Juries In Our State
The Connecticut Supreme Court wants to ensure that jury pools are diverse and representative of our communities. That could mean striking restrictions of who…
Where We LiveLawmakers On Coronavirus, Schools, Race And Vaccinations
A recent Connecticut Mirror report found a big drop in the number of students enrolled in school in Connecticut. How has the pandemic hurt students, and how…
Where We LiveLawmakers On Coronavirus, Schools, Race And Vaccinations
A recent Connecticut Mirror report found a big drop in the number of students enrolled in school in Connecticut. How has the pandemic hurt students, and how…
Where We LiveWhat Can We Do When We Get The Vaccine?
What will you do once you’re vaccinated? The CDC says people who’ve been vaccinated can gather together. And grandparents who got the shots can…
Where We LiveRemembering One Year In The Coronavirus Pandemic
An unprecedented year; how many times have you heard that one? Did you anticipate that masks would become a staple part of our wardrobe? Last Saturday marked…
Where We LiveNo Dig Gardening, No Doubt! Victory Gardens 2021 with Charlie Nardozzi
Gardening can be really therapeutic. For the second year in the row, seed sellers are selling out of their stock early as more and more people prepare for…
Where We LiveWikipedia At 20: The Promises And Pitfalls Of The "Free Encyclopedia"
When you want to learn about an obscure topic, where do you turn? For many, it’s a free, online encyclopedia which now contains more than 55 million…
Where We LiveCT House Majority Leader Jason Rojas: Law Enforcement, Racial Justice, Recreational Pot
Lawmakers are busy as public hearings are held on big issues at the General Assembly. This hour, House Majority Leader Jason Rojas discusses racial justice and…
Where We LiveSenator Blumenthal Weighs In On The Future Of Rail In Connecticut
Ridership on Metro North and the Hartford Line has plummeted as many residents suddenly stopped commuting by public transit during the pandemic. But as the…
Where We LiveFinding New Solutions To End Homelessness In Connecticut
In the pandemic, some residents have been working paycheck to paycheck to pay their bills, many have lost jobs and not everyone has a place to live. This hour…
Where We LiveInsects Around The World Are Disappearing. What Can We Do About It?
Insects are the most abundant group of animals on the planet. There are an estimated 10 quintillion of them on Earth. But in recent years, scientists have…
- Where We Live
Where We Teach: One Year In The Virtual Classroom
Our teachers have been teaching virtually for nearly a year. Starting this week, teachers and child care providers are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine…
Where We LiveChoppy Water For Port Authority; Smoother Sailing For State Pier
This hour, the expansion of State Pier in New London advanced with Friday's announcement of an agreement between the city and two companies taking part in the…
Where We LivePandemic Highlights Chronic Underfunding of Public Health Workforce
The pandemic has put public health in the spotlight across the world. But in the United States local public health departments have been chronically…
Where We LiveThe Adventures Of Venture Smith
Venture Smith was enslaved when he was just a boy. He was eventually able to buy his freedom and the freedom of his family. His iconic story of will…
Where We LiveDo The Pandemic Hustle!
The world of professional dance is competitive, ruthless and often reserved for a select few talented individuals. But since the start of pandemic, many…
Where We LivePublic Health Commissioner Addresses Equity Concerns In Vaccine Plan
Grocery store employees and other essential workers had expected to soon be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Now, Governor Lamont says the state’s…
Where We LiveMayor Luke Bronin On COVID Impact In Hartford, Schools
Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin discusses coronavirus’ impact on students and businesses in Hartford, and vaccination efforts. What does the governor's plan…
Where We LivePreserving Agriculture While Building Affordable Housing
Preserving agriculture in our state is important. Farmers have the option to preserve their land as farmland in perpetuity. But this risks pushing potential…
Where We LiveAfter New Haven Murder, A Hard Look At How The Media Covers Gun Violence
Earlier this month a Yale graduate student was murdered in New Haven’s East Rock neighborhood, leading to widespread media coverage. This hour, we ask…
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 LiveFCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel On Closing The Digital Divide
Telehealth, Google Classrooms, and Zoom have become essential for daily life in the pandemic. This hour, we learn about the role of the Federal Communications…
Where We LiveTop Senate Republican On Vaccine Hearing, Governor's Budget
It was a long night for members of the General Assembly’s Public Health Committee, who conducted a public hearing on vaccine bills that was scheduled to…
Where We LiveWhat To Expect When You're Expecting...In 2021
Navigating pregnancy should be an exciting time, but new parents don’t have the same support system right now. This hour, we talk about pregnancy and…