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 LiveMaking Connecticut parks, forests and trails accessible to everyone
The National Park Service is gearing up for its busiest season of the year, with a smaller staff to assist visitors. The National Park Service has laid off…
Where We LiveGreat literature can be found in picture books
Children’s book author Mac Barnett has been named the Library of Congress' newest National Ambassador for Young People's Literature and during this…
Where We LiveRERUN: Why do we love K-Dramas? They help us heal, therapist says
Korean Dramas, or “K-Dramas,” are gaining popularity internationally. Netflix recently poured billions of dollars into Korean content to meet the…
Where We LiveThe 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 LiveMore than 1,000 medical facilities in Ukraine are decimated. Who is caring for the wounded?
Three years after Russia invaded Ukraine, the war continues on and millions are facing dire humanitarian needs. Despite prior support from the United States…
Where We LiveScientists 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 LiveCT State Comptroller Sean Scanlon talks audits, the state budget, and financial litearcy
In addition to handling all official state records, the Connecticut state comptroller acts as the official state financial watchdog. From a major audit of the…
Where We LiveThinking 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 LiveConnecticut native and concert violinist Sirena Huang on artistry and activism
Connecticut native Sirena Huang learned to play violin through the Suzuki method: a teaching philosophy based on the idea that all children can play music. At…
Where We LiveIndie rock has a home in Connecticut
If you’ve been listening to Where We Live for awhile, you probably are pretty familiar with our theme song. But today, we introduce a new theme and hear…
Where We LiveHow President Trump’s tariff plans may impact Connecticut’s businesses and consumers
President Trump has implemented tariffs on goods from China, and imports from Mexico and Canada may soon be affected as well. This hour, we offer…
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How stories preserve the Mohegan way of life with Melissa Tantaquidgeon Zobel
The Mohegan Tribe—a sovereign and federally recognized Indian tribe in Southeastern Connecticut—has a longstanding belief in the power of storytelling. This…
Where We LiveA look at literary activism of the past and the present
The Stowe Center for Literary Activism in Hartford is rethinking how they present the complex legacy of author Harriet Beecher Stowe and her best known work…
Where We LiveWhat President Trump’s anti-trans executive orders mean for states like Connecticut
During his first days in office, President Trump signed multiple executive orders that targeted transgender rights, affecting school policies, military…
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Politics is no joke...except when it literally is
When’s the last time you laughed? Like really, full body, couldn’t catch your breath, laughed? Finding laughter can be challenging amongst the…
Where We LiveA Connecticut view on the future of public health under the Trump administration
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO), and has started putting…
Where We LiveWhat we can learn by embracing our inner scientist
This hour, Flora Lichtman, the new host of NPR’s Science Friday, and Connecticut educators join us to explore the powerful connection between curiosity…
Where We LiveConnecticut educators prepare for funding cuts, and visits from immigration authorities
On the campaign trail, President Donald Trump promised to shut down the U.S. Department of Education. But can he actually eliminate the federal agency? And if…
Where We LiveConnecticut immigration experts weigh in on the next Trump presidency
President Donald Trump was sworn in yesterday. On the campaign trail, he promised to sign several executive orders once he took office, including sweeping…
Where We LiveA look back at inauguration days throughout history
Every four years on January 20th, Washington, D.C. braces for the start of a new presidency. Inauguration days date back to 1789 when George Washington was the…
Where We LiveCT Attorney General William Tong on preparing for "Trump 2.0"
Trump has vowed to end birthright citizenship in the first month of his presidency. Connecticut Attorney General Tong is the son of immigrants and he says if…
Where We LiveThis Dry January, local dry spots celebrate the joy of sobriety
Dry January is a month-long campaign that revolves around cutting out alcohol or reducing alcohol intake for the month of January. Today’s guests say…
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Connecticut Department of Education Summit centers students with disabilities
Students with disabilities can experience many challenges in the classroom, from discrimination to a lack of accommodations. So, how can schools help these…
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Author Scott Shigeoka on getting curious about curiosity
Author Scott Shigeoka has spent a lot of time being curious about curiosity. It started with a trip across the country, meeting people with very different…
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Where We Live celebrates the New Year
Today, we’re celebrating the New Year. Are you making New Year’s Resolutions this year? New Year's Resolutions come in all shapes, sizes, and…
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CT state and city poet laureates have their 'boots on the ground' in poetry
Poet laureates do a lot more than write poetry. Since 1985, Connecticut state poet laureates have worked to promote the literary arts and poetry throughout the…
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‘Generation Barney’ why we love to hate this purple dinosaur
Why do we revisit the things we loved as kids? What’s the lasting power of our favorite TV shows and movies? A new podcast from Connecticut Public looks…
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‘Generation Barney’ how toys drove this TV show’s success
Back in the 90s, Barney the purple dinosaur was everywhere, including in our living rooms. If you were a kid or a parent back then, chances are good that you…
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Local author and pilot on diversity in aviation and her path to flight
As the author of the children’s book My Mama is a Pilot, Saba Shahid says she wants children to feel “represented and valued” through her…
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How our brains think: Exploring the world of neuroscience at the Yale Peabody Museum
Our opinions and ideas, thoughts and feelings, and how our senses are taken in are unique to each of us. So when the founding scientists of neuroscience first…
Where We LiveFrom the Bronx to Paris: How breakdancing went global
Breaking, also known as breakdancing, made its debut at the Olympics this summer. But the sport has an illustrious history. This hour, we take you from the…
Where We LiveAnother day on the job: Working over the holidays
In 2023, employment in retail increased by nearly 500,000 people from October to December. Additionally, there is an increased demand for healthcare services…
Where We LiveWhy do we love K-Dramas? They help us heal, therapist says
Korean Dramas, or “K-Dramas,” are gaining popularity internationally. Netflix recently poured billions of dollars into Korean content to meet the…
Where We LiveUncovering the dark history of gynecology and reproductive health in America
Mortality rates among American Indian and Black women are three times higher than the rate for white women. To understand the racial disparities we see in…
Where We LiveTenant unions can give renters more leverage, but they can face pushback
Some frustrated tenants are forming tenant unions to fight back against rent hikes, no fault evictions and to push for safer, more secure housing. We’ll…
Where We LiveAdvocates are prepared for an increase in domestic violence incidents this holiday season
The holiday season can bring financial stress, more time at home, and pressure to spend time with family. According to advocates, these conditions place…
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Coming together through music: A conversation with Music Director Carolyn Kuan
Carolyn Kuan has been the music director at the Hartford Symphony Orchestra since 2011. This hour, we speak to her about her work as a conductor, and the…
Where We LiveWhat we learned from the 2024 Connecticut brushfires
A fire broke out in October of this year at Lamentation Mountain in Berlin. It took officials weeks to contain the brushfires. The Connecticut National Guard…
Where We LiveA 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. Over…
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How zoning shapes our world with Sara Bronin
Architect and attorney Sara Bronin chaired the Hartford Planning and Zoning Commission for seven years. Connecticut listeners might know her from her work with…
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How stories preserve the Mohegan way of life with Melissa Tantaquidgeon Zobel
The Mohegan Tribe—a sovereign and federally recognized Indian tribe in Southeastern Connecticut—has a longstanding belief in the power of storytelling. This…
Where We LivePBS Chef Lidia Bastianich shares her American story, plus tips for holiday cooking
Thanksgiving is a week away…you ready? Maybe you're brushing up on those cooking skills for a Friendsgiving this weekend. If the holiday is just one big excuse…
Where We LiveConnecticut makerspaces act as hubs for creativity, innovation and lifelong learning
Some studies show that working with your hands can have a lot of cognitive and emotional benefits. Creating something with your hands can be a deeply…
Where We Live'But you don’t look sick ' The struggles of living with an invisible illness
A Connecticut lab is embarking on a groundbreaking initiative to study endometriosis, a painful condition that impacts people with a uterus. Endometriosis is…
Where We LiveAddressing student loneliness and isolation on college campuses
Traditionally, college campuses are epicenters of activity, connection, and engagement. So why are students feeling so isolated? 39% of students have reported…
Where We LiveAuthor Sy Montgomery takes on a common, yet extraordinary creature: Chickens
Sy Montgomery is the author of several books on animals, ordinary and extraordinary. Her new book What the Chicken Knows tackles one of the most common birds…
Where We LiveConnecticut, historically, runs on coffee
This hour, we explore the beverage that helps us start our days, energize our bodies, and connect with friends: coffee. Coffee has played an unexpected role in…
Where We LiveManaging your election stress starts with knowing you're not alone
77% of adults said the future of the nation is a significant source of stress in their lives. When anxiety is high, it can be more important than ever to lean…
Where We LiveElection Day updates in CT, plus the power of political lawn signs
Election Day is finally here. Today, we’ll get updates on how Election Day is unfolding in our state and across the nation. Connecticut Secretary of the State…
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‘Artistic Congress’: How politics and art interact
This hour, we hear a panel discussion called “Artistic Congress,” held at the Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, Connecticut on October 26. Panelists, including…
Where We LiveIs Connecticut the spookiest place in the country? Plus, trick or treat at any age
Happy Halloween! Is Connecticut the spookiest place in the country? We’re not sure, but our guests today are pretty haunted! All this hour, we’ll be talking…
Where We LiveBuilding a better internet, plus local librarians respond to the Internet Archive cyberattack
How do you spend your time online? Many of our online platforms are designed to encourage scrolling, and to benefit advertisers and algorithms. Platforms built…
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Are witch hunts truly a thing of the past?
It’s the season of the witch! While we prepare to wear our pointed hats this Halloween, we can’t forget the gruesome history of witch hunts in New England –…
Where We LiveAfghan musicians refuse to be silenced
When the Afghanistan fell under Taliban rule in 2021, instruments were destroyed and musicians were silenced. Today, we hear from Afghan musicians taking part…
Where We LiveLow literacy skills are more common than you think: One student shares his story
James White entered the Connecticut school system at age 7. Although he would go on to graduate high school and run a small business, he found himself…
Where We LiveThe evolution of the political ad
Every presidential election, campaigns flood our TVs with political ads. Back in 1952, “Ike for President” became the very first political advertisement on TV…
Where We LiveA look at early voting across Connecticut
Early voting starts next week across Connecticut. This means voters can cast their ballots ahead of Election Day in November. Each town and city will have at…
Where We LiveThe Lebanese diaspora in Connecticut responds to the war abroad
The humanitarian crisis in Lebanon has become dire. The country faces economic and financial uncertainty, and nearly 2000 deaths since the start of the…
Where We LiveHow stories preserve the Mohegan way of life with Melissa Tantaquidgeon Zobel
The Mohegan Tribe – a sovereign and federally-recognized Indian tribe in Southeastern Connecticut – has a longstanding belief in the power of storytelling…
Where We LiveWhat does being ‘bear aware’ mean for Connecticut?
In Connecticut, the bear population has boomed. And so have human-bear conflicts. There are somewhere between 1000-1200 black bears in our state alone. You…