Where We Live

Step into the Renaissance Faire and you’ll be greeted with a scene out of time — dueling knights, vendors hawking their wares and royal proclamations. Today, we'll take you to a faire and bring you voices from a realm filled with magic and whimsy. We'll also hear from the organizers of the  Midsummer Fantasy Renaissance Faire  and the  Connecticut Renaissance Faire. We l...

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 eligibility and benefit amounts to how the trust fund is structured, this hour we’re offering a crash course on Social Security and how the federal program's uncertain future is impacting the retirement plans of people here in Connecticut. We...

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? Today, we hear  how artists are using artificial intelligence  in their work. We ask a Connecticut professor, and artists of all disciplines, if AI is good or bad for the creative process. We also explore a question:  If AI i...

University of Connecticut professor and artist Minnie Negoro  first learned ceramics while imprisoned at a Japanese concentration camp in Wyoming. There, she produced tableware for the U.S. army and other incarceration camps. Despite the repression, Negoro discovered a lifelong love for pottery, which she shared with generations of students. Now, UConn is curating an exhibit to  honor Ne...

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 differently? This hour, we’re exploring the impact of great mentors – those who shape us both in and beyond the classroom. Sarah Ruhl, author of the new book, “ Lessons from My Teachers ” shares personal stories and refl...

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 $7.9 billion  earmarked for these efforts. In July, the Humanitarian Research Lab at Yale had federal funds rescinded.  They are currently operating by with the help of individual donors. Today, we get an update on human...

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 recently, the  USDA recently cut DEI programming.  This included programs on urban forestry, equitable land access and environmental justice. But we could see  increased spending for other farm programs in the &ldqu...

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 joined by creatives behind two inventive productions hitting Connecticut stages this summer: one blends breakdancing with  Hamlet , the other infuses  A Midsummer Night’s Dream  with the vibrant energy of Bollywood. We expl...

Today, we hear from the founder of  ConnectiCon, a Connecticut-based convention that’s been bringing together fans for over 20 years . Like many conventions, it’s changed to evolve with the times. If you have ever attended a comic convention, you probably saw a lot of people dressed as their favorite characters. The act of cosplaying has exploded in recent years. We hear from cosp...

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 his stepfather worked in manufacturing. Speaking about his mother and aunts, who immigrated from Vietnam, Vuong says he was raised by storytellers. Today, Vuong is one of the nation's most celebrated storytellers. He's winner of a prestigio...

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 digital age. The Digital Equity Act was designed to help close the gap. But recent funding cuts by President Trump have stalled that progress. This hour, we explore how those cuts are affecting communities in Connecticut and beyond. We’ll...

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 back to your heritage and cultural identity. For the AAPI community, finding those foods can be challenging. In May, Where We Live host Catherine Shen hosted a panel discussion called “Cultural Food Systems Through the AAPI Lens&rdquo...

Nearly 4 million college students have  experienced food insecurity. Here in Connecticut, several colleges have food pantries and programs working to address food insecurity on campus. But addressing this issue goes beyond giving out canned goods. It’s about giving students access to quality foods, and addressing the root causes of food insecurity. Today, we hear from students and those...

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 challenges dominant narratives and amplifies voices from the margins. They’re part of a Ridgefield, Connecticut-based festival called “Poetry in the Garden.” This year, the festival will mark its fifth year with a series of poe...

When you think of creativity, you might think of aha moments, sudden bursts of inspiration, and perhaps the dreaded writer’s block! But creativity isn’t a skill limited to those working in the arts. Author and researcher Zorona Ivecvic Pringle  says that creativity is a trait that can build slowly and steadily over time. Provided by AuthorZorana Ivcevic Pringle, Ph. D., Senior Res...

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 power to unlock memories.  This hour, two local children’s authors share their belief in food’s ability to connect us. They discuss their latest novels, the challenges they face in an industry that often pigeonholes writers of...

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 Executive Editor at The New Yorker. One rainy afternoon in 2016, he was standing on the sidewalk with his family and some friends after church, trying to decide where to go to lunch when a stranger accosted him and his family. “Go back t...

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 who gets lost on the Appalachian Trail. Did you know this trail runs through Connecticut? And Ethan Rutherford is the author of  North Sun: the Voyage of the Whaleship Esther.  Connecticut was once home to one of the la...

Connecticut’s kelp industry is booming! This versatile type of seaweed is farmed right off Connecticut’s shoreline and used in a variety of cuisines, fertilizers, lotions, and more!   This hour, we’re joined by local kelp farmers and experts for a deep dive into aquaculture’s fastest growing industry. We’ll look at how chefs are using kelp in their favorite recip...

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. Mixing these two mediums has resulted in something she calls visual poetry: an alchemy of text and image where the elements of an image, also make up a poem. She joins us this hour to talk about her work and her new book Planetaria where she exp...

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, we’re talking about navigating fatherhood in 2025. Because being a Dad today is different than ever before. We'll talk to some Dads here at Connecticut Public. And if you’re a Dad, or want to give your Dad a shoutout this hour, we...

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 bringing people together. This hour, we talk with a coach, enthusiasts, and business owners about why pickleball is booming across Connecticut and the country. We’ll learn why, from staying active to finding friends, pickleball has bec...

Experts say Connecticut's annual average temperature has increased incrementally every decade since 1895. According to the  National Weather Service , New England summer temperature is going to be 50-60% warmer this season. Heat can have a major impact on our health: this goes beyond heat stroke or exhaustion. Today, we’re exploring the many ways heat can impact both our physical and me...

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 new. These rites of passage serve as important celebrations in a young person's life. Today, we talk to those responsible for making sure these ceremonies go off without a hitch! Social media, AI and other technologies  have transformed...

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 differently? This hour, we’re exploring the impact of great mentors – those who shape us both in and beyond the classroom.  Sarah Ruhl, author of the new book, “ Lessons from My Teachers ” shares personal stories an...