Where We Live

Millions of people in our country live with a chronic condition. From syndromes affecting our hearts and brains, to pain and inflammation, chronic illnesses can be hidden to the world, but are all too real for patients. Today, we dive deep into how culture and politics affect our bodies. We explore perceptions of what illness looks like (or doesn’t look like). And we'll ask what it takes for...

Changing federal guidance on vaccines has Connecticut health officials in an uproar. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s vaccine committee recently altered long-standing guidance on how newborns are vaccinated . Meanwhile, doctors say more patients fear vaccine side effects, which doctors are addressing on a case-by-case basis during consultations. Public health experts are concerned th...

"Gilmore Girls"   premiered in October 2000 on The WB network. The series filled a niche at the time: female leads, three generations of women, and witty, fast-paced dialogue. But success was not immediate. This hour, we listen to "Oy, with the Gilmores already!" an episode of Connecticut Public's new podcast, " Generation Gilmore Girls. " Later, we’re joined by the host of the pod...

When it comes to getting behind the wheel, there’s a lot to be stressed about, and we're not just talking about bad drivers. The average cost of a new car today is about $50,000. Car insurance rates have  risen 55% since February 2020.  Car maintenance costs are also  on the rise. Today, we talk about what you should know if you’re in the market for a new vehicle. Later,...

Like many humanitarian crises, the situation in Sudan is complicated. The nation has a long history of violence,  war and genocide.  Several militia groups, factions and tribes have contributed to the devastation. The region is facing mass starvation.  Millions of people have been displaced and impacted by famine . Mass killings and sexual violence have become all too common in this...

This hour, Marc Brackett, founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, talks about why managing our emotions might be the most important skill we ever learn. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Thanksgiving week! This hour, Where We Live is celebrating the holiday season with a listen back to some of our favorite conversations about cooking and the social power of food. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lebanese cuisine is all about slowing down, gathering with friends and family and taking your time to enjoy a meal. "I have a clock that doesn't move in the restaurant," said chef George Noujaim. He's the owner of Noujaim's Bistro in Winstead, Connecticut. Noujaim is one of two Lebanese chef-owners we’ll hear from today, who are teaching their customer base to slow down. With gathering in mi...

Many Americans are feeling the pressure of rising grocery bills. Meanwhile, an estimated $550 million worth of food will go to waste this Thanksgiving alone. That’s according to the nonprofit  ReFed . This hour, we’ll hear about statewide efforts to reduce, reuse and rethink what we throw away. And later, we’ll hear from experts on the front lines of food recovery — pe...

New Haven's Claire's Corner Copia has been a Connecticut institution for 50 years now. This hour owner Claire Criscuolo joins us to talk about food, building community and her new cookbook. We'll get vegetarian cooking tips ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, and take your calls. GUEST: Claire Criscuolo:  Owner of  Claire’s Corner Copia , a vegetarian restaurant in New Haven. Her ne...

For generations, stories of Native America were erased from the American story. Today, we explore the Native American experience in New England. Connecticut Public Special Correspondent Diane Orson has spent nearly a year researching, producing and reporting the stories in this series, called "Still Here." We hear from Diane, and get a preview of this special series. Guests: Diane Orson : reporter...

Hurricane Melissa was one of the most powerful hurricanes on record. This Category 5 storm caused devastation in Jamaica and across the Caribbean, permanently changing the lives of those living and working in this region. Here in Connecticut, many residents have felt the ripple effect. The West Indian community makes up a large portion of the immigrant population in Connecticut. There are 70,000 W...

It all started with a typo. Anelise Chen was going through a difficult divorce. Her career and job security was tenuous. She just got into a bike accident leaving her with bruised ribs, and she received a text from her mom: “Clam down! Just clam down.”  This typo inspired a journey of healing: a journey that included retreating, diving into her family history and learning everythi...

If you’ve ever stared at the ceiling wondering why sleep won’t come, you’re not alone. In fact, six out of 10 adults in the United States don’t get enough sleep. That’s according to the  National Sleep Foundation . This hour, we hear from someone diagnosed with insomnia and a sleep expert. They'll help us understand why rest feels so out of reach, and what might...

The United States' first Food Stamp program began in 1939. Since then, millions of people have benefited from nutritional assistance. In 2024, one in nine Connecticut residents received benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Last week, federal judges ordered the Trump Administration to continue to fund SNAP benefits. The administration initially agreed to cover a fra...

Although there are many barriers that keep young adults from casting their ballot, the data shows that things are changing, and more young voters are participating in elections. In the 2024 presidential election, 47% of young adults age 18-29, voted.. Today is Election Day. We’re going to spend the hour talking about the youth vote. Social media, artificial intelligence and even podcasting i...

Five-time James Beard Award winner Dorie Greenspan joins us for a conversation about baking, memory and the joy of sharing something homemade. Her newest cookbook, " Dorie’s Anytime Cakes ," is a love letter to the simple cakes that fill our kitchens and our lives. From the ones we nibble all day long to the ones we bake for people we love, these are cakes meant for every moment. This hour,...

Connecticut Public staff talk about their favorite Halloween traditions of today and yesterday — including candy, movies, costumes and more. Later, a local paranormal investigator joins us to talk about their work exploring haunted homes and businesses across Connecticut. And an author says our fascination with asylums as haunted places is easily explained. We hear about his investigation. G...

Local politicians shape life in Connecticut cities and towns, making decisions on education, housing and business development. But voter turnout is historically low in local elections. Today, Connecticut Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas joins us to answer our Election Day questions and yours. Later, we hear how her office is preparing for the 2026 midterm elections and increasing voter educ...

It’s Halloween week, which means we’re summoning Connecticut’s most chilling stories. From ghostly apparitions to mysterious happenings that defy explanation, this hour will make you think twice about what lurks in the dark. Historians, tour guides and a psychic join us to share their strangest encounters. Tune in for a haunting hour of history, folklore and a few goosebumps. GUE...

When you think of horror fiction what comes to mind for you? Maybe the classics like "Frankenstein," "Dracula," or "The Shining?" Like many genres, horror has evolved with the times to encompass all things terrifying. The spooky season is in full swing and we have a great line up of horror fiction to keep you entertained and spooked all season long. Today, we talk about our favorites. GUESTS: AK N...

Professional women's sports are having a moment. This hour, we hear from soccer player and Connecticut native Alyssa Naeher ahead of her U.S. Women's National Soccer Team retirement ceremony, and from Quinnipiac University's Women's Head Rugby Coach, Becky Carlson, about the rising status of that sport after one of her former athletes became a global celebrity around the last Olympics. GUESTS: Aly...

Fifty years ago, 20th Century Fox released the iconic cult classic film, Rocky Horror Picture Show. After being launched on the midnight film circuit, it developed a fan following like no other. Today, we hear from the one and only Barry Bostwick. Fans of the film know him as the original Brad Majors. He says that after fifty years, the film is still bringing people together. "I think this is nece...

  In 2018, 33-year-old Ryan Bode Moriarty died of a heroin overdose. He was a musician, artist and T-shirt designer. He created linoleum block carvings, and would print all his shirt designs by hand. After his death, Ryan's mother, Patricia Bode, found one of his linoleum blocks carved with the words "Remember Love." This discovery inspired the  Remember Love Recovery Project  and s...

Being financially literate is important when navigating tough times and tough markets. Today, we get an update from financial experts and educators from around our state, and hear what you can do to stay financially resilient. Later, when is the best time to start planning for retirement? We hear from one high school teacher who’s passing on the knowledge of financial planning to her student...