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 LiveIt's time to change the way we talk about menopause
October is Menopause Awareness Month. There is not one universal menopause experience. But almost everyone with a uterus will go through it. So why is it still…
Where We LiveOne year of war: A look at the humanitarian crisis in Gaza
Today marks one year since the Hamas attacks on Israel that killed 1,200 people. In the ensuing war, more than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed — and there…
Where We LiveApple of our eye: The history and future of a beloved fruit
It’s apple season here in Connecticut. And the history of the apple in New England dates back to 1623, three years after the landing of the Mayflower. Back in…
- Where We Live
Two Connecticut authors on navigating publishing as Latinas
It’s hard getting your book published. It’s even harder when you’re an author of color. Between 1950 and 2018, 96% of American fiction books published were…
Where We LiveFrom the Bronx to Paris: How breakdancing went global
Breaking, also known as breakdancing, was one of several new sports at the Olympics this summer. But there’s nothing new about the presence of b-boys and…
- Where We Live
Voters with disabilities continue to face barriers at the ballot box
Election Day is less than six weeks away. Are you planning to vote in person this year? For those with disabilities, going to polling stations can be a real…
Where We LiveHow zoning shapes our world with Sara Bronin
Architect and attorney Sara Bronin spent seven years as the chair of the Hartford Planning and Zoning Commission. Connecticut listeners might know her from her…
Where We Live'But you don’t look sick:' The struggles of living with an invisible illness
Today on Where We Live, a Connecticut lab is embarking on a groundbreaking initiative to study endometriosis, a painful condition that impacts people with a…
- Where We Live
Love has no age: Dating as an older adult
Dating in 2024 can be tough. There are no shortage of stories about dating in the age of Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, and more! But today, we're going to talk about…
Where We LiveIn Connecticut, colleges and universities are rethinking rules around campus protests and activism this academic year
Last school year, students across the nation took part in on campus protests to bring attention to the Israel-Hamas War. Overwhelmingly, student protesters…
Where We LiveLocal 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 stories. Only 1% of…
- Where We Live
How illustrators bring fantastical worlds to life
National Hobbit Day is this week. From the rolling hills of the Shire to the great forests of Mirkwood, J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantastical worlds have inspired…
- Where We Live
Black, brown, and Indigenous communities are reclaiming wine culture
Many wine tastings are about evaluating the aroma, balance and tannin. But for some people, wine is about so much more than that. It’s about history…
Where We LiveProtecting yourself from EEE and COVID, plus an update on Long COVID
It might not feel like it today, but cooler weather is coming. This often means more time spent indoors, and an uptick in contagious diseases such as the flu…
Where We LiveTeachers say cellphones are "an unending loop of distraction," but are bans the answer?
It can be hard for many adults to self-regulate their screen time. For kids, it can be nearly impossible. According to the American Academy of Child &…
Where We LiveSummer camps are closed for the season, but the need for childcare remains
Summer camp and after-school care provide kids with a safe place to learn, grow and also give working parents some peace of mind. But they’re not accessible…
Where We LiveIt’s not “pizza” - it’s abeetz! How Connecticut became the pizza state
This hour is bound to make you very hungry because we’re talking about New Haven pizza. This year, U.S. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro officially declared New…
Where We LiveThe need for maternal health reforms, plus 'Poemspartum'
Here in Connecticut and across the country, a growing number of obstetric units are closing, creating “maternity care deserts.” Today on Where We Live, we…
Where We LiveDating While Gray: Love Across the Divide
Do two people need to be aligned politically to have a deep connection and strong romantic bond? Can one truly be considered liberal if they habitually swipe…
Where We LiveCT DOT commissioner talks recent flooding -- plus transit, travel, and traffic
Last week, floodwaters devastated several communities in Connecticut washing out over two dozen state roads. There have been nearly 200 people killed on…
- Where We Live
How to get your garden flood resilient and fall ready
It’s been a summer with all sorts of weather. We’ve seen flooding, and high heat putting our gardens through all sorts of chaos. Today, horticulturist Charlie…
- Where We Live
The 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 Live
The doctor is ‘out:’ Accessing health care in Connecticut prisons
Getting a doctor’s appointment is hard. But for the incarcerated population in Connecticut, it’s nearly impossible. An internal review showed that many…
- Where We Live
How Connecticut can prepare for extreme flooding in the future
This past weekend floodwaters devastated several communities in Connecticut washing out over two dozen state roads. It also took the lives of two Connecticut…
- Where We Live
The four-day work week might be here sooner than you think
More workers than ever are working a hybrid work schedule - part time in the office and part time at home. According to a Gallup Poll, nearly 40% of hybrid…
Where We LivePuzzling over crosswords with the editors of NYT Games
It's an hour for puzzle lovers! Everdeen Mason, Editorial Director of Games for The New York Times and Joel Fagliano, Digital Puzzles Editor and Creator of The…
Where We LiveThe politics of offshore wind and what that means for its future
Today on Where We Live, states across New England are investing in offshore wind turbines – a renewable energy source that is relatively new to the United…
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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…
- Where We Live
Social connection as the foundation of our health
Even before the pandemic, half of all adults reported experiencing measurable levels of loneliness. In 2023, a report from Surgeon General Vivek Murthy showed…
- Where We Live
1 in 6 people are affected by infertility; this is one CT couple's story
June is Infertility Awareness Month. According to the World Health Organization, around 1 in 6 people are now affected by infertility. A new study suggests…
- Where We Live
Comics still have humor, but they are tackling the hard stuff
Many of us grew up with classic comics such as the funnies in the Sunday newspaper! But comics aren’t just tiny anecdotes of humor anymore. They tackle serious…
- Where We Live
Black, brown, and Indigenous communities are reclaiming wine culture
Many wine tastings are about evaluating the aroma, balance and tannin. But for some people, wine is about so much more than that. It’s about history…
- Where We Live
Looking beyond the Killing Fields: Unpacking the Cambodian Genocide
The Cambodian genocide took the lives of up to three million people - between 1975 and 1979. Many were forced to work at labor camps where they faced abuse…
- Where We Live
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 Live
Tanning dependence, skin cancer, SPF, misinformation—a deep dive into sunscreen
One in five people will get a skin cancer diagnosis by the time they are 70. That’s according to the American Academy of Dermatology. There’s many things you…
Where We LiveLearn to cook with Sohla El-Waylly’s ‘Start Here,’ plus the healing power of soup
This hour Where We Live, we’re sharing a conversation with Sohla El-Waylly. Sohla’s a culinary creator, writer, YouTube star…and a new mom. Sohla joined the…
- Where We Live
Listening back to "Unforgetting – Restoring and Reclaiming Connecticut’s Hidden Histories"
Slavery has deep roots in Connecticut. Enslaved people built much of the foundation of Connecticut. But this history isn’t usually taught in schools. Today, we…
Where We LiveCall To Mind: Birth & Depression - The Unspoken Conversation
All this week on Where We Live, we're turning over the hour to bring you a five-part series about mental health from American Public Media's initiative, Call…
Where We LiveCall To Mind: Schizophrenia - Finding Hope on a Hard Road
All this week on Where We Live, we're turning over the hour to bring you a five-part series about mental health from American Public Media's initiative, Call…
Where We LiveCall To Mind: Incarcerated with Mental Illness
All this week on Where We Live, we're turning over the hour to bring you a five-part series about mental health from American Public Media's initiative, Call…
Where We LiveCall To Mind: The Burden of Being
All this week on Where We Live, we're turning over the hour to bring you a five-part series about mental health from American Public Media's initiative, Call…
Where We LiveCall To Mind: The Homelessness Crisis & Mental Health
All this week on Where We Live, we're turning over the hour to bring you a five-part series about mental health from American Public Media's initiative, Call…
Where We LiveNHPR 'By Degrees' Climate Summit: Rising Tide of Solutions Based Climate Reporting
In this hour, Where We Live is passing the microphone to our colleagues at New Hampshire Public Radio. Hear a conversation from NHPR's 'By Degrees' 2024…
Where We LiveNHPR 'By Degrees' Climate Summit: How local communities are planning for the future
In this hour, Where We Live is passing the microphone to our colleagues at New Hampshire Public Radio. Hear a conversation from NHPR's 'By Degrees' 2024…
- Where We Live
From Trump's rally to Hartford's Asylum Hill, tackling gun violence as a public health crisis
More than 200 Americans visit the emergency department for nonfatal firearm injuries each day. That now includesformer president Donald Trump who was shot in…
- Where We Live
Haters gonna hate, but romance novels are winning reader's hearts worldwide
Every year, we produce a summer reading hour to talk about some of our favorite books of this year, and give you recommendations of the best beach reads. And…
- Where We Live
'Where We Live' revisits producer Katie Pellico's memorable moments
This hour, we’re celebrating some of the most memorable moments with Katie Pellico as she begins another chapter of her career. She'll soon start a new…
- Where We Live
Two Connecticut authors on navigating publishing as Latinas
It’s hard getting your book published. It’s even harder when you’re an author of color. Between 1950 and 2018, 96% of American fiction books published were…
- Where We Live
Making movie magic in Hartford: One Connecticut filmmaker's journey to the big screen
When you think of Hartford, Connecticut, what comes to mind? Maybe Elizabeth Park, good eats, and our state capitol? Odds are, you’re probably not thinking of…
- Where We Live
Efforts to clean litter are lifesaving for wildlife
Stamford-based nonprofit Keep America Beautiful found almost 50 billion pieces of litter along U.S. road- and waterways in 2020. This hour, we’re spotlighting…
- Where We Live
Love has no age: Dating as an older adult
Dating in 2024 can be tough. There are no shortage of stories about dating in the age of Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, and more! But today, we're going to talk about…
- Where We Live
What ProPublica's investigation of Shrub Oak tells us about the needs of autistic students
Finding long-term resources and programs for young people with autism can be challenging, and in some cases, incredibly disheartening. The needs of autistic…
- Where We Live
Deb Harkness on the art of historical fantasy and 'The Black Bird Oracle'
Historian and scholar Deb Harkness was studying the intersection of science and magic in history and the humanities, when she was struck by the trend of…
- Where We Live
Social connection as the foundation of our health
Even before the pandemic, half of all adults reported experiencing measurable levels of loneliness. In 2023, a report from Surgeon General Vivek Murthy showed…
- Where We Live
Checking in on the 'showdown' over public education funding in Connecticut
Education budget cuts from this legislative session are slamming schools at all levels, from early education to higher education. This hour, we hear from…
- Where We Live
How do we create more accessible and affordable housing in Connecticut?
Housing in Connecticut has not only gotten more expensive, it’s much harder to find. The state vacancy rate is only 3.5% and the median rent is $2,000. Housing…
- Where We Live
The road to deprioritizing drivers, and avoiding 'stroads'
A recent UConn study found that three-quarters of Black households with cars in the U.S. spend over 15% of their monthly income on car-related expenses. For…
- Where We Live
1 in 6 people are affected by infertility; this is one CT couple's story
June is Infertility Awareness Month. According to the World Health Organization, around 1 in 6 people are now affected by infertility. A new study suggests…
- Where We Live
How the influence of 'BookTok' helped build real-world community – and book clubs
In 2023, book club event listings grew 24% over the prior year according to the ticketing platform Eventbrite. Celebrities like Reese Witherspoon and RuPaul…
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Celebrating the Feast of Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) is marked with pilgrimage, charity and community
This week, Muslims across the world celebrate the holiday of Eid-al-Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice. Today, we are hearing from Muslims around Connecticut…