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 LiveThe Voices of Standing Rock: Connecticut Tribal Members Reflect on Protest, History
Since the summer, thousands have stood up against the Dakota Access Pipeline -- a multi-billion dollar project, which would carry crude oil through the…
Where We LiveCutting Through the Clutter: The Art of Mindfulness and Creativity
In a world of buzzing smartphones, endless meetings and persistent deadlines, how can we be more in-tune with ourselves and more creative in our endeavors?…
Where We LiveSpeaking Out: Voices of Sexual Harassment and Assault
Since October, women across the country have been coming forward with allegations against Donald Trump. Their actions follow the release of a 2005 video…
Where We LiveRemembering Ireland's Easter Rising and Exploring Connecticut's Spookiest Sites
It has been 100 years since the Easter Rising in Ireland -- when Irish nationalists rebelled against the British government in Dublin and other parts of the…
Where We LiveFormer Connecticut Veterans Commissioner Marks Two Years at Federal VA
It’s been two years since Connecticut's former State Veterans Affairs Commissioner Dr. Linda Schwartz was named Assistant Secretary for Policy and Planning at…
Where We LiveZooming in on Superintendent Turnover
Public school superintendents in the state’s three largest cities — Bridgeport, New Haven and Hartford — have all recently announced their resignations. This…
Where We LiveWhat Does the Latino Vote Mean this Election Season?
It’s almost election day and voting demographics have changed dramatically since our last presidential election. The number of eligible Hispanic voters has…
Where We LiveThere's No Place Like Home: The Art and Science of Loving Where You Live
When was the last time you changed your address? Well, if you're like most Americans, it probably wasn't that long ago. According to the Census Bureau, the…
Where We LiveFrom Root to Crown: A Guide Through the History and Life of Trees
A tree’s roots touch more than just soil. They reach into the recesses of our past; into our culture and our traditions. It's something Fiona Stafford writes…
Where We LiveTo Regionalize or Not to Regionalize
Connecticut is home to some of the wealthiest Americans in the country, and yet its cities are among the nation’s poorest. Some say the first step to ending…
Where We LiveLegacy Through the Lens of August Wilson's "The Piano Lesson"
August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning play The Piano Lesson opens this Friday at Hartford Stage. This hour, we preview the production. We also find out how…
Where We LiveWhat's the Value of a Technical Education?
As traditional college graduates shoulder large student loan debt and companies hunt for skilled labor, technical and vocational high schools are garnering…
Where We LiveKnow Your Candidates: One-on-One With Connecticut U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal
Election Day is just around the corner, which means it’s almost time to cast your vote in Connecticut's U.S. Senate race. Last month, Republican candidate Dan…
Where We LiveChild Care in Connecticut: How Safe and How Affordable?
Since March, several infants in Connecticut have died at home daycares – resulting in police investigations and heightened concern among parents. This hour, we…
Where We LiveElection 2016: Civility and Family Dynamics
Between the name-calling, finger-pointing, and off-color remarks, it's hard to imagine a political contest more uncivil than the 2016 presidential race. But is…
Where We LiveA Baby Nearly Dies in Foster Care, Reigniting Questions About Connecticut's DCF
The state Department of Children and Families is back in the news facing sharp criticism over multiple issues. This hour, we dig into them and we'll examine…
Where We LiveTips and Tricks for Fall Gardening
The leaves are turning, the temperature is dropping -- autumn has arrived and with it, the start of an exciting new season for New England gardeners. This hour…
Where We LiveKeeping Our Businesses Cyber Secure
Tech giant Yahoo and the Democratic National Committee have been some of the latest organizations to fall victim to high profile hacks. But cyber attacks are…
Where We LiveDoes Connecticut Need a New Casino?
There is no shortage of places to gamble in the northeast -- with casinos in states like New York, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and of course Connecticut where…
Where We LiveThe Color of Addiction: Stories of Race, Response, and Recovery
This hour, as part of WNPR’s week-long reporting series on the opioid epidemic, we explore racial disparities within the context of America’s crack cocaine and…
Where We LiveCaregiving in Connecticut: Navigating Financial Burdens and Emotional Hardship
Five million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease -- the sixth leading cause of death in this country. There are many caregivers who provide unpaid…
Where We LiveKnow Your Candidates: One-on-One With Connecticut U.S. Senate Hopeful Dan Carter
Connecticut Democrat Richard Blumenthal is vying for a second term in the U.S. Senate. His challenger? Forty-nine year-old Republican state representative and…
Where We LiveElection 2016: Takeaways From the First Clinton-Trump Debate
Monday night was an historic night for American politics. Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump went head-to-head in their first presidential…
Where We LiveTrump-Clinton Square Off, and an Immigrant Story of Resilience
It’s debate season and Monday night marks the first showdown between presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. This hour, we discuss what this…
Where We LiveInternational Businesses Put Down Roots in Connecticut
News of General Electric's departure rang loudly across Connecticut this year, causing some to point fingers at the state's so-called “anti-business climate.”…
Where We LiveZeroing in on Zero Tolerance
Zero tolerance policies send a strong message to students but at what cost? This hour, we examine how over time, these policies have led to suspensions and…
Where We LiveMarking 35 Years of HIV/AIDS
This year marks an important milestone in our nation's history -- 35 years since the discovery of HIV/AIDS. This hour, we look back to see how far we've come…
Where We LiveKeeping Kids Healthy: Treating Asthma and Preventing Lead Poisoning in Connecticut
Nearly 8 percent of adults and children in the United States have asthma, but new Connecticut state data shows that there has been a decrease in asthma-related…
Where We LiveClimate Change Poses New Challenges for New England's Native Species
This hour, we look at the impact of climate change on New England's native plant and animal species. We talk with scientists and science journalists, and we…
Where We LiveTackling Drug Abuse: What's the Role of Schools?
Illicit use of prescription drugs has almost tripled among high school students in southeastern Connecticut. That's according to the Southeastern Regional…
Where We LiveCombating Human Trafficking Around the World
Earlier this year, members of the United Nations met in New Canaan, Connecticut for a workshop on how countries can fight human trafficking. Support the show…
Where We LiveDoes Connecticut's Education Funding System Need a Revamp?
A Superior Court Judge ruled last week that Connecticut’s system for funding public schools is ‘irrational’ and ‘unjustifiable’ — failing to provide a fair…
Where We LiveFifteen Years After 9/11: Stories of Loss, Pain, and Forgiveness
This Sunday marks the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. This hour, we hear from two people whose lives were forever changed by the tragedy…
Where We LiveExploring the Transition Home From Prison Through Art
“Brave in a New World” premieres next week, September 15, at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts — weaving spoken word and dance around the experiences of…
Where We LiveConnecticut on the Cutting Edge
From self-driving cars to 3D printing to hydrokinetic energy technology, New Englanders are at the forefront of the latest cutting edge tech. This hour, we…
Where We LiveEx-Offender Still Waiting for His Second Chance
Second chances are often talked about in relation to conversations about prison reform, but rarely do we hear from those who actually need them. This hour, we…
Where We LiveYes We Cannabis: An Update on Connecticut's Medical Marijuana Program
Four years ago, Connecticut became the 17th state to legalize medical marijuana. By 2014, the state officially launched its medical marijuana program, making…
Where We LiveWhat's the Value of a Technical Education?
As traditional college graduates shoulder large student loan debt and companies hunt for skilled labor, technical and vocational high schools are garnering…
Where We LiveWhy We Leave and Why We Stay
Recently we did a show about the science of loving where you live and we heard from plenty of Connecticut residents who really do love living here. But that…
Where We LiveInside the Glass House and Philip Johnson's Controversial Life
Connecticut is home to many historic landmarks -- among them is the former residence of American architect and icon Philip Johnson. Since it opened to the…
Where We LiveConnecticut Homeowners Watch as Foundations and Futures Crumble
Your home is one of your biggest investments, but some Connecticut residents are seeing that investment crumble because of failing foundations. This hour, we…
Where We LiveFrom Agritourism to Solar Energy — How Farming is Evolving in the Nutmeg State
Connecticut’s early settlers came to this region in part for our fertile farmland — but what is the state of farming in Connecticut today? This hour, we…
Where We LiveIt's Genetic: The Risk of Becoming an Addict
Why are some people more susceptible to addiction than others? How does genetic makeup influence a person’s chances of becoming an addict? This hour, we find…
Where We LiveCaregiving in Connecticut: Navigating Financial Burdens and Emotional Hardship
Five million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease -- the sixth leading cause of death in this country. There are many caregivers who provide unpaid…
Where We LiveTwenty-Five Years of the Connecticut Income Tax
Twenty-five years after it was first levied, what has the income tax done for Connecticut? This hour, we take a deeper look at this controversial tax --…
Where We LiveThere's No Place Like Home: The Art and Science of Loving Where You Live
When was the last time you changed your address? Well, if you're like most Americans, it probably wasn't that long ago. According to the Census Bureau, the…
Where We LiveTackling Drug Abuse — What's the Role of Schools?
Illicit use of prescription drugs has almost tripled among high school students in southeastern Connecticut. That's according to the Southeastern Regional…
Where We LiveNew Motor-Voter Registration System In Full Swing
Most people know that at the DMV you can register your car, get new license plates and obtain a driver’s license. But did you know you can register to vote?…
Where We LiveHistoric House Museums Tell Their Stories in New Ways
As the oldest part of our country, New England has dozens of historic house museums. These famous living quarters tell the stories of the early colonists…
Where We LiveBringing 911 Into the 21st Century
Last month, several of Connecticut's 911 dispatch centers experienced temporary system outages. The blackouts occurred amid a multi-million-dollar upgrade to…
Where We LiveA Look Back at Our Puritan Past
Connecticut is among the least religious states in the country according to the Pew Research Center. While the number of churchgoers might not be high…
Where We LiveA Second Look at Governor Malloy's Second Chance Society
This hour, we discuss Governor Malloy's Second Chance 2.0 legislation and find out why it failed to pass during the 2016 session. We also look at what some…
Where We LiveBrazilians In Connecticut Gear Up For Olympics In Rio
The Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil kick off on Friday, and here in Connecticut, our state’s large Brazilian community will be watching far from home…
Where We LiveClosed But Not Forgotten: The History And Future Of Connecticut's Old State House
At 220 years old, Hartford’s Old State House is a relic from the past. It’s even thought to be inhabited by ghosts from our state’s history. But this…
Where We LiveInside The Glass House And Philip Johnson's Controversial Life
Connecticut is home to many historic landmarks -- among them is the former residence of American architect and icon Philip Johnson. Since it opened to the…
Where We LiveClimate Change Poses New Challenges for New England's Native Species
This hour, we look at the impact of climate change on New England's native plant and animal species. We talk with scientists and science journalists, and we…
Where We LiveWhere Do Sports and Politics Intersect?
The normally complicated topic of international relations has lately been highlighted in a different lens: sports! This hour, we look at Russia's relationship…
Where We LiveConnecticut Commissioner Michael Bzdyra Outlines Vision for DMV
This hour, we sit down for a special one-on-one conversation with Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Michael Bzdyra. It's been a long, rough…
Where We LiveTales from the Trail: The Story of American Hiking Culture
There are many ways to experience the American landscape -- you can bike it, drive it, fly over it... even take trains across it. But there’s nothing quite as…
Where We LiveIn The Wake Of Deadly Shootings, A Conversation About Race, Guns, And Policing
This hour, community leaders, activists, and law enforcement officers discuss the recent string of deadly shootings in Baton Rouge, Minnesota, and Dallas. We…