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 LiveAdults are fighting tooth and nail against going to the dentist: Here's why
The number of adults seeking regular dental care, like cleanings and X-rays, is on the decline. Going to the dentist is probably not your favorite activity…
Where We LiveFaire play: A look inside Renaissance Faires around CT
Step into the Renaissance Faire and you’ll be greeted with a scene out of time — dueling knights, vendors hawking their wares and royal…
- Where We Live
What you need to know about Social Security and its uncertain future
Social Security is one of the most widely-used government programs in the country, but how much does the average American know about how it works? From…
Where We LiveIlluminating the sketchy lines between art, artists and artificial intelligence
There seems to be no limit to what artificial intelligence can produce and create. So how will artificial intelligence impact the way we make and critique art?…
Where We LiveFrom Japanese internment camp to UConn: Ceramics artist Minnie Negoro's legacy continues to inspire
University of Connecticut professor and artist Minnie Negoro first learned ceramics while imprisoned at a Japanese concentration camp in Wyoming. There, she…
- Where We Live
Author Sarah Ruhl on the teachers who stay with us
Can you remember a teacher who changed the course of your life? Maybe it was someone who helped you find your voice? Or someone who challenged you to think…
Where We LiveAs federal cuts to foreign humanitarian aid loom, CT organizations speak out
Foreign aid accounts for 1% of the U.S. federal budget. These funds are used to fight famine and disease worldwide. This week, the Senate will debate cutting…
Where We LiveA look at the CT Farm Bill, plus local farmers discuss federal funding cuts
Farmers in Connecticut and beyond are being impacted by federal funding cuts. In May, the USDA made cuts to programs that help fund farms and food banks. More…
Where We LiveThis summer, Connecticut artists give Shakespeare a remix
Shakespeare’s plays have been performed for over 400 years, but artists are still finding bold new ways to bring them to life. This hour, we’re…
Where We LiveBringing CT fans together: A look at ConnectiCon and fan conventions
Today, we hear from the founder of ConnectiCon, a Connecticut-based convention that’s been bringing together fans for over 20 years. Like many…
- Where We Live
Connecticut native Ocean Vuong has a deep love for Hartford
Author and poet Ocean Vuong grew up in Hartford, Connecticut. It's a city he describes as having beautiful, vibrant life. His mother worked in a nail salon and…
Where We LiveWhat the end of the Digital Equity Act means for Connecticut residents
As more and more of our daily life moves online, digital access has become essential. But not everyone has the skills, or the tools, needed to keep up in a…
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Expanding access to culturally connected food for the AAPI community and beyond
When you think of foods that give you a sense of home, what comes to mind? Culturally connected foods are those ingredients, dishes and tastes that connect you…
Where We Live1 in 5 college students face food insecurity: Two Connecticut students tell their story
Nearly 4 million college students have experienced food insecurity. Here in Connecticut, several colleges have food pantries and programs working to address…
Where We LiveVoices from the margins: The power of poetry in times of turmoil
What role can poetry play in times of political and social turmoil? This hour, we’re joined by Connecticut-based poets who will share how their work…
Where We LiveThis scientist believes creativity is a skill you can learn
When you think of creativity, you might think of aha moments, sudden bursts of inspiration, and perhaps the dreaded writer’s block! But creativity…
- Where We Live
Connecticut authors reflect on food’s power to connect us
What meal instantly takes you back to childhood? Whether it’s a dish made with grandparents or a recipe passed down through generations, food has the…
- Where We Live
The hidden history of Chinese immigrants
Born in Pittsburgh, Michael Luo is the son of Chinese immigrants. He attended Harvard, and later became a reporter at the New York Times and today he is the…
- Where We Live
Connecticut Authors tell stories about the voyage
Reading can take us on adventures beyond our own backyards but perhaps not too far! Amity Gaige is the author of Heartwood. It explores the story of one woman…
Where We LiveFrom sea to table: the power of Connecticut’s kelp industry
Connecticut’s kelp industry is booming! This versatile type of seaweed is farmed right off Connecticut’s shoreline and used in a variety of…
- Where We Live
Monica Ong on art of visual poetry
Visual poet Monica Ong grew up as an art school kid. She had a deep interest in photography and print artistry, but she also had a deep love for language…
Where We LiveRad Dads of CT Public share their parenting triumphs and challenges
Dads: What’s it like to be a father in 2025? Research says that since the pandemic, Dads have become more involved with their family life. Today…
Where We LivePickleball in Connecticut isn’t just a pastime–it’s a passion
Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America. Whether you're eight or 80, there's something about the paddle, the court, and the community that's…
Where We LiveExtreme heat can impact physical and mental health: Here's how to prepare
Experts say Connecticut's annual average temperature has increased incrementally every decade since 1895. According to the National Weather Service, New…
Where We LiveThe transforming milestones of our youth, from proms to graduation
It’s that time of year. Graduation! Commencement! These events mark the end of a student’s academic journey, and hopefully the start of something…
- Where We Live
Author Sarah Ruhl on the teachers who stay with us
Can you remember a teacher who changed the course of your life? Maybe it was someone who helped you find your voice? Or someone who challenged you to think…
Where We LiveWhat's happening to men? A look at men's health in Connecticut
It might sound like a cliche, but men in the U.S. are not going to the doctor, and their physical and mental health is suffering. A recent survey from the…
- Where We Live
Scientists are using AI technology to speak whale
This hour, we’ll explore climate change’s impact on many whale populations – from Belugas in the Arctic Ocean to North Atlantic right whales…
- Where We Live
Thinking of eloping? One Connecticut couple shares their story
The average cost of a wedding in Connecticut is nearly $35,000. Many couples are changing the way they get married, some opting for a small or…
Where We LiveThe hidden history of Chinese immigrants
Born in Pittsburgh, Micahel Luo is the son of Chinese immigrants. He attended Harvard, and later became a reporter at the New York Times and today he is the…
Where We LiveThe fight for funding: What’s next for Connecticut’s libraries and museums?
President Trump recently attempted to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the agency that distributes federal funds to libraries and…
Where We LiveDisability advocates respond to Trump administration proposals
One in five Americans have a disability. That’s according to the United States Census Bureau. The Trump administration has released statements promising…
Where We LiveThe show must go on: Connecticut arts and cultural institutions contend with federal cuts
From special outdoor performances, to educating the next generation of thespians, summer is a busy time for theaters around the state. But this month, several…
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Immigrant rights advocates mobilize following reports of detentions
After recent reports of detentions across New England, Connecticut activists are stepping up to protect immigrants. They’re finding creative ways to help…
Where We LiveTrump proposes a baby bonus. What some parents want instead
Parenthood is hard, and expensive. Over the course of 18 years, it costs nearly $300,000 to raise a child in the state of Connecticut. So is a $5000 baby bonus…
Where We LiveRoman Catholicism in a moment of change: Could women (finally) have expanded roles?
This week begins the search for the next head of the Catholic Church known as the Conclave. Social media has been a buzz as Cardinals all over the world have…
- Where We Live
Connecticut authors reflect on food’s power to connect us
What meal instantly takes you back to childhood? Whether it’s a dish made with grandparents or a recipe passed down through generations, food has the…
- Where We Live
Comedian Sheng Wang on plants, standup and humility
Comedian Sheng Wang does not perform comedy that punches down; making jokes about those with less power and privilege. The child of Taiwanese immigrants…
- Where We Live
Exploring the future of Connecticut public transit
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy recently stated that the Trump administration will be prioritizing transportation funding to states that require…
Where We LiveFrogs! Toads! Newts! Oh My! A Guide to Connecticut Big Night
Spring is a time of migration for amphibians around New England. And there’s a lot being done to help these little creatures get to their summer homes -…
- Where We Live
As skincare industry targets children, Connecticut is pushing back
A new retail trend known as “Sephora Kids,” refers to tweens and young teens who emulate the beauty and skincare routines of adults. Beauty…
- Where We Live
The mass appeal of black holes, plus local astronomical societies on connecting through the cosmos
Black holes aren’t just the stuff of science fiction; they’re real astronomical objects so dense, so massive, that nothing, not even light, escapes…
Where We LiveThe state of shellfish: climate impacts on New England’s coast
New England’s coastal culture is built on shellfish. But rising temperatures and shifting ocean conditions threaten that tradition. This hour, how the…
Where We LiveThe pros and cons of going nuclear
When you think of the phrase “nuclear power” what comes to mind for you? Perhaps some of the notable catastrophic accidents that were caused from…
Where We LiveFinding financial empowerment during turbulent times
Today is Tax Day, and we’re talking about managing your budget in a year of constantly changing tariffs and an unpredictable marketplace. There’s a…
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From sea to table: the power of Connecticut’s kelp industry
Kelp Week 2025 is celebrated from April 20 to May 1 in Connecticut. This versatile type of seaweed is farmed right off Connecticut’s shoreline and used…
Where We LiveConnecticut Authors tell stories about the voyage
Reading can take us on adventures beyond our own backyards but perhaps not too far! Amity Gaige is the author of Heartwood. It explores the story of one woman…
Where We LiveGardening for community, connection and wellness
It’s time to shake off the winter blues and dive into spring - spring gardening to be more specific! Today, horticulturist and host of All Things…
Where We LiveAs skincare industry targets children, Connecticut is pushing back
A new retail trend known as “Sephora Kids,” refers to tweens and young teens who emulate the beauty and skincare routines of adults. Beauty…
Where We LiveAn uncertain future for international students
In recent weeks, the Trump administration has been targeting international students for their participation in pro-Palestinian protests or speech. In early…
- Where We Live
Commemorating America 250 with inclusive stories
Next year, the United States will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Right now, many organizations are…
Where We LivePresident Trump’s dismantling of the Education Department, explained
President Trump has signed an executive order that will begin eliminating the Education Department. And while most experts agree that it would require an act…
Where We LiveRamadan: It's not just about fasting
For Muslims, Ramadan is the holiest month of the year. It’s marked by fasting, prayer and renewing one’s devotion to the faith. Here in…
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A look at the history of tap dance in America
This hour, we’re exploring the history of tap dance in America. Tap was first developed as a fusion of footwork styles with roots in Africa and Ireland…
Where We LiveWhy J.R.R Tolkien’s imaginative worlds live on
Tolkien Reading Day is held on March 25th each year. Libraries here in Connecticut and across the globe mark this day by paying homage to the works of J.R.R…
Where We LiveDaylight Saving Time: Who needs it?
Daylight Saving Time: it’s just losing one hour of sleep right? How bad can that be? But experts say, it goes beyond losing one hour of sleep. The…
Where We LiveHow federal funding cuts for biomedical research impact reproductive health
Reproductive health is historically understudied and underfunded in the United States. Scientists across Connecticut and beyond have been working to change…
Where We LiveHealth experts warn about future pandemics: Are we prepared?
This season alone, there have been over 30,000 COVID-19 cases in Connecticut. That’s according to the Connecticut Department of Public Health. Measles is…
Where We LiveHow we remember the COVID-19 pandemic
Five years ago today, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. Since then, there have been over a million COVID-19 deaths in the…
Where We LiveFrontline workers remember five years since COVID-19 outbreak
It’s been five years since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. What began as a mysterious “flu-like” illness…