Where We Live

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 written by white authors. Today, hear from two Latina authors in Connecticut about their debut books. They’ll talk about navigating the publishing industry and the importance of centering marginalized voices. In her novel, The Girls in Queens, Christine Kandic Torres tells the story of two Latinx women coming of age in Queens, New York. In her memoir, A Body Across Two Hemispheres, Victoria Buitron shares how she came of age between Ecuador and the United States. We'll also hear about their work as editors of the 2024 Connecticut Literary Anthology. GUESTS: Christine Kandic Torres: author of The Girls in Queens and fiction editor of the 2024 Connecticut Literary Anthology Victoria Buitron: author of A Body Across Two Hemispheres and nonfiction editor of the 2024 Connecticut Literary Anthology Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts,

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 b-girls. Breaking began as a way to escape the daily socio-economic struggles of Black and Brown youth in the Bronx during the 1970s and ‘80s. This hour, we hear how breaking expanded into the mainstream. We’ll explore how, at its core, breaking is a form of storytelling and resistance. GUESTS: Rosemarie Roberts, Dayton Professor of Dance, Connecticut College Brandon Couloute, aka “B-Boy Lectronic,” dancer, choreographer and educator Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 challenge. People with disabilities are less likely to vote than people without disabilities. Disabled voters can face many barriers to voting, from inaccessible polling places to restrictions on absentee ballots. This November, Connecticut voters could approve a ballot initiative that could create a pathway to give everyone access to absentee ballots, without needing an excuse making voting easier for voters with disabilities. Today, we hear about what access this looks like in our state and what can be done to improve it. If you are a voter with a disability, we want to hear from you. What have your experiences been like at the polls? GUESTS: Sara Kempner: Director of Creative Campaigns & Collaborations at the U.S. Vote Foundation Ellen Telker: Retired attorney and President of Connecticut Council of the Blind, an affiliate of American Council of t

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 work with the organization DesegregateCT, a statewide coalition pushing for zoning reform across in our state. Her new book Key to the City: How Zoning Shapes Our World goes beyond Hartford, and looks at how zoning molds cities and communities across the nation. And zoning isn’t just about housing, it touches every aspect of our lives including our physical and emotional health. Better zoning starts with getting better data about zoning. There are thousands of different zoning codes, and Sara is working to log them all through the National Zoning Atlas. She is also currently serving as 12th chair of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. GUEST: Sara Bronin: Founder of DeSegregateCT and author of Key to the City: How Zoning Shapes Our World Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 uterus. Endometriosis is just one of the many invisible illnesses that impact an estimated 10% of the American population, according to Disabled World, an independent Health and Disability news source. This hour, we talk about why invisible illnesses are difficult to diagnose and how scientists are trying to change that. GUESTS: Michayla Savitt, State Government Reporter, CT Public Jennifer Crystal, Author of “One Tick Stopped the Clock” Kelsi Carolan, Assistant Professor and licensed clinical social worker, University of Connecticut Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 dating, and falling in love, when you're an older adult. Last fall, the spinoff show “The Golden Bachelor” started a national conversation about falling in love in midlife and beyond. Today we hear from experts about dating in this age range, and we’ll even get to hear some love stories that will put "The Notebook" to shame. And if you are dating or have fallen in love, at any age, we want to hear from you! GUESTS: Dr. Kristina Zdanys: Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Division Chief for Geriatric Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at UConn Health Chip Conley: Founder & CEO of the Modern Elder Academy Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode. Cat Pastor contributed to this show which originall

Last school year, students across the nation took part in on campus protests to bring attention to the Israel-Hamas War. Overwhelmingly, student protesters were demanding that their colleges divest from Israel. It led to encampments on college greens, large demonstrations and some arrests of both students and faculties. At some campuses, college administrations have welcomed student demonstrations, and activism. But this school year has brought new policies around protesting. Today, we hear from student organizers across Connecticut and hear their perspective on these changes, and plans to organize in the future. GUESTS: Kate Hidalgo Bellows: Staff Reporter at the Chronicle of Higher Education covering today’s students and campus culture Dan Barrett: Legal Director of ACLU of Connecticut Antonia Kambolis: Junior at Trinity College Batya Kline: Student Organizer at Wesleyan University Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 commercial airline pilots are women of color. And Saba Shahid’s path to becoming a pilot is a little bit different than most. It actually started as a pandemic hobby! Saba Shahid is this year’s recipient of the Girl Scouts Legacy of Leadership Award. She joins us for the hour to talk about her remarkable career, and her work as a Lifetime Girl Scout. GUESTS: Saba Shahid: Author, pilot, and recipient of this years Girl Scouts of Connecticut 2024 Legacy of Leadership Award Elicia Pegues Spearman: CEO of the Girl Scouts of Connecticut Stephanie Abrams: President & CEO of the New England Air Museum Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 generations of illustrators to bring imagined concepts to life through art. This hour, we sit down with three local fantasy and science-fiction illustrators, including David Wenzel, who created a graphic novel adaptation of The Hobbit. GUESTS: David Thorn Wenzel, Illustrator and children's book artist best known for his graphic novel adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit Michael Whelan, Fine artist of Imaginative Realism, Illustrator of Science Fiction and Fantasy Tom Kidd, Science fiction and fantasy illustrator Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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, community, and memory. Less than 1% of wineries in the United States are owned by Black connoisseurs. But that is starting to change. And with more makers, lovers and sellers of color coming into this industry, who consumes and enjoys wine is evolving too. Today, we hear from Black and brown winemakers and enthusiasts in Connecticut. GUESTS: Donna Moore: Winemaker at Sunset Hill Vineyard in Lyme, Connecticut Marissa Ocasio: Director of Education at Center Wine and Spirits in Glastonbury Jennifer Regan Lefebvre: Professor of History at Trinity College, Connecticut and author of the book Imperial Wine: How the British Empire Made Wine’s New World Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.Support the show: http://wnpr.org/dona

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, the common cold, and yes, COVID-19. Today, we’ll talk about what you need to know to protect yourself and your family this year. The new COVID-19 booster is available. But deciding when you should vaccinate - that’s a case by case basis. Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) is a rare illness that is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Just this week, more mosquitoes tested positive for EEE in Farmington and Manchester. A New Hampshire resident died from this virus in late August. We hear what you need to know about protecting yourself and your family. An estimated 17 million adults in the nation have long COVID. We’ll get updates on Long COVID and hear from a patient. GUESTS: Dr. Ulysses Wu: Chief Epidemiologist at Hartford Healthcare Emily Taylor: President & CEO of Solve M.E./CFS Initiative Professor Richard Gard: Retired Professor of Y

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 & Adolescent Psychiatry, Children ages 8-12 are spending 4 to 6 hours in front of screens a day. Teens are spending up to 9 hours in front of screens. According to a report by Pew Research Center, 72% of teachers say cellphone distraction is a major problem in classrooms. Instead of asking teachers to police cellphone use, some schools are choosing to do an outright ban on cellphones. That means absolutely no cellphone use during school hours whether students are in the classroom or in the lunchroom. Today, we hear what this looks like in practice. In addition to limiting or banning cellphone use in school, some are calling for more conversations around media literacy, and recognizing the signs of technology addiction and dependence. If you’re a parent, an educator or maybe even a student, we want to hear from you. What do you think of cellphone bans in scho

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 for all kids. This hour, we look at the impact on families when out-of-classroom programs are out of reach. GUESTS: Corrianne Chipello, Executive Director & CEO, Hartford’s Camp Courant Michelle Doucette Cunningham, Executive Director, Connecticut Network for Children and Youth  James Jones, Executive Director, Boys & Girls Club of New Britain Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Haven, the Pizza Capital of America. Today, we talk to some pizza lovers. We'll also hear about a new documentary that follows pizza lovers beyond Connecticut. New Haven pizza is so legendary that pizza makers are now trying to duplicate it across the country. But up first, Connecticut doesn’t just have great pizza. Many food influencers are bringing a lot of attention to local restaurants and food makers. We hear from one content creator exploring "the best culinary delights in Connecticut." GUESTS: David Milton: Hartford based content creator and foodie (@DamGram and @DamTok) Colin M. Caplan: Founder of the Taste of New Haven, and pizza historian and guru. Gorman Bechard: Director of "Pizza, A Love Story" and the new film “A Slice of America: Charred in the Florida Sun” Jimmy Fantin: owner of Fantini’s New Haven Style Apizza in Stuart, Florida Support t

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 explore the long-term impact of quality medical care on maternal health. And later, we hear from local author, Kassondra Mangione, about her new book: Poemspartum. GUESTS: Katy Golvala, Health Reporter, Connecticut Mirror Alecia McGregor, Assistant Professor of Health Policy and Politics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Kassondra Mangione, Author of Poemspartum Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 left on conservatives? Today, we're sharing an episode from the podcast "Dating While Gray." Host Laura Stassi talks to older Americans and experts about ideological differences and their role in making and maintaining romantic connections.  To hear more from "Dating While Gray" visit: www.datingwhilegray.com/Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, floodwaters devastated several communities in Connecticut washing out over two dozen state roads. There have been nearly 200 people killed on Connecticut roads this year alone. Labor Day weekend is coming up. According to the National Safety Council, there were 455 traffic fatalities nationally over the holiday weekend in 2023. Today, we’re talking about all things roads, highway and transit, and how you can stay safe when driving throughout our state. Joining us this morning is Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. And if you have a question or comment about highways, buses and all things transit, we want to hear from you! What the roads look like where you live? GUESTS: Garrett Eucalitto: Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Jim Cameron: commuter advocate and author of the weekly opinion column "Talking Transportation" in the Connecticut Mirror Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Nardozzi join us to talk about this hot, cold, wet, dry, stormy, sunny chaotic gardening year! It’s not too late to start planting your fall crops. We hear what plants could thrive this season as autumn rapidly approaches. August is Tree Check Month. We learn what you can do to preserve the trees where you live. Although spring gardening might feel ages away, it’s also a good time to think about starting a community garden! GUESTS: Charlie Nardozzi: horticulturist and host of the Connecticut Garden Journal Cordalie Benoit: member of the Connecticut Community Gardening Association and Board Member and VP of the American Community Gardening Association Cameron Pierce: Arborist and District Manager for Davey Tree Expert Company Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you ge

Every presidential election, campaigns flood our TVs with political ads. Back in 1952, “Ike for President” became the very first political advertisement on TV. Dwight Eisenhower's campaign may have been the first to use television like this. But it’s certainly not the last. Today, more than 70 years later, political ads are everywhere. In recent weeks, both the Kamala Harris and Donald Trump campaigns have ramped up their advertising. And it’s no longer just on our TV screens; it’s on social media platforms, too. This hour, we’re looking at political advertising during the 2024 election cycle from the messages we’re seeing to how that impacts what we do at the ballot box. What kinds of messages are you seeing? GUEST: Erika Franklin Fowler: Professor of Government at Wesleyan University and co-director of the Wesleyan Media Project Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.Su

Getting a doctor’s appointment is hard. But for the incarcerated population in Connecticut, it’s nearly impossible. An internal review showed that many incarcerated persons were denied medical care leading to severe consequences including medical emergencies and even death. Today, we get an update on what we’re seeing in Connecticut prison systems, and hear from those who had loved ones in the system. The U.S. The District Court recently ruled that transgender people who are incarcerated in Connecticut prisons are now entitled to gender-affirming health care.   But as we’ve learned this morning, receiving any type of health care when in the prison system is challenging. GUESTS: Jacqueline Rabe Thomas: reporter with Connecticut Insider Elana Bildner: Senior Staff Attorney at the ACLU Connecticut Tanisha Hill Beth Ann Rovelli Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.Support