Brave Little State

“Something was always telling me poetry is your purpose. Being an artist, you know, with the power of words, is your purpose. I was just scared of it.” Omega Jade grew up in church choir in San Diego — far from destined to become one of the most unique voices in Vermont’s rap scene. This episode focuses on her journey, and the rise of rap in the Green Mountain State. Thanks to Jeremy Buente for th...

Just as we were putting the finishing touches on an episode about Vermont rivers and streams, historic flooding ravaged the state. Our rivers weren’t always this fast, deep or powerful — we made them this way. And efforts to bring them closer to a more natural state are vital to build future resiliency. Visit vermontpublic.org/flood for ongoing reporting about the flooding and recovery efforts. An...

Julie Cadwallader Staub is curious about the families who are on waiting lists for child care. “What decisions are they forced to make? How are they managing?” To answer Julie’s question, we visit with four families in wait list limbo, and learn about the tradeoffs they’re making. To see photos of the families we featured today, head to our website . This episode was a true team effort, with repor...

One of the most common genres of questions we get has to do with local dialect and pronunciation. Today, thanks to question-asker Noah Waxman of Starksboro, we help settle a regional debate involving a beloved market in Central Vermont. Check out the web version of this episode to see photos from our reporting. Thanks to all the people who spoke to us outside the market: Brooke Haynes, Jo Palmer,...

In honor of graduation season, we’re featuring local stories from high school and college students — all on the theme of “change.” (Heads up, this episode contains a few un-bleeped swears.) You can find the web version of this episode here . A big thanks and good luck to the students whose work we shared today: Emma Ginsberg, Samantha Watson, Bre Glover and Addey Lilley. Thanks to the University o...

When Tim Rapczynski moved to Barre City, he was caught off guard by a nickname he heard some people use to describe the place: “Scary Barre.” So he asked us about its origin. To find the answer, we confront classism, social stigma — and the role of the media. Thanks to Tim Rapczynski for the great question. You can find photos from our reporting, as well as a full episode transcript, in the web ve...

A question from a listener prompts a different kind of conversation about guns. Reporter Erica Heilman talks with five Vermonters about how their lives have been impacted by them, and why they have them. Content warning: This episode contains conversation about suicide, domestic and sexual violence; profanity; substance abuse and gun violence, which might be difficult for some to hear. If you or s...

Ella Wegman-Lawless has done her fair share of communal and intentional living in Vermont. She wondered: “How much of Vermont as a place cultivates that?” So she asked us: “Does Vermont have a high number of communes, and if so, what’s the deal?” To answer Ella’s question, reporter Mae Nagusky surveys intentional living communities in Vermont, past and present: communes, co-ops, eco-villages and t...

A few years ago, Jack Widness of Wilmington and Malcolm Moore of Marlboro were part of a crew clearing trails on Hogback Mountain. They noticed stone walls “all over the place, going up at steep angles, very close to the tops of the mountain.” So Jack and Malcolm asked us: “For what purpose did our Vermont forbears do all the hard work of building stone walls in such different and unusual location...

Musician Noah Kahan wrote “Stick Season” after moving back home to Vermont during the pandemic. Now, it’s a worldwide sensation, and listener Sara Morin is wondering what else has made Vermont culturally relevant. So, grab a pint of Phish Food and crack open your favorite local beverage, or go for a wander through the woods wearing homemade mittens — whatever you have to do to get ready for a pop...

Christiana Martin wants to know how much short-term rentals, such as Airbnbs, are exacerbating Vermont’s housing crisis. We survey the data, and visit two Vermont neighborhoods — Decatur Street in Burlington and Gorham Drive in Kirby — to find out how communities across the state are responding to a growing industry. Thanks to Christiana for the great question. To explore the data from this episod...

So, your electricity rates are rising. Oil and gas costs … also rising. This led Remington Nevin of Quechee to wonder if Vermont’s electricity is truly as environmentally friendly as some claim it is. Turns out, the answer is complicated. Climate and environment reporter Abagael Giles provides an education in our power grid and explores how Vermont could generate more renewable energy in the futur...

Matt “Beagle” Bourgault wants to know how Vermont’s bedrock and soil shaped our identity — and made us different from our neighbors. We originally released this episode in 2017. A lot has changed since then, but our geologic history has not. To see maps showing the “folds” and “blobs” in our local bedrock, check out our web feature . Related listening: Vermont vs. New Hampshire: What’s the beef? (...

If you live in Vermont, and you have a terminal illness, where and when you die could be up to you. Charlie Bestard of Hartland asked us about the state’s medical aid in dying law: How many Vermonters have used it, and how does the medical establishment view it? To see photos of the Fitch sisters, and their parents, Stanley and Elaine, check out our web feature . Additional listening, from our Ver...

Paintbrushes and blank canvases helped Burlington artist Liza Phillip love their biracial identity. Now, they paint colorful genderless monsters and sing songs on the ukulele to celebrate life beyond traditional binaries. Find original artwork related to this episode at bravelittlestate.org . This is the latest installment of Homegoings , a series from Brave Little State that features conversation...

Vermont is the only state in the Northeast without a freestanding birth center. We dig into the reasons why, and talk to folks who are pushing for change. To see the inside of a freestanding birth center, and some super cute baby photos, check out the web feature for this episode . Special thanks to Scott Fleishman, Gail Zatz, Peter Hirschfeld and all the midwives and birthing peoples who trusted...

Many Vermont restaurants are understaffed and struggling to stay open. Khrista Trerotola of Waitsfield wants to know, “What happened to all the restaurant workers? Where have they gone? And what are they doing now?” To answer Khrista’s question, Josh Crane tells the story of one restaurant, from the very beginning to the end of an era. Also, he finds out what the people who used to work there are...

Vermont has the most breweries per capita. But the more beer they brew, the more they have to deal with their wastewater. Caleb Henderson of Winooski asked us this: “Breweries and cideries were in the news a few years ago for the wastewater. How are they mitigating their waste now? Has it improved?” Reporter Howard Weiss-Tisman learns how breweries — and communities — are grappling with this issue...

On Anna Costello’s first visit to Vermont, she was surprised by the large number of Chinese restaurants compared to the seemingly small number of Asian Americans. So, she asked us: "What’s the Asian American experience like in Vermont?" To find the answer, Myra Flynn learns to make bao, tours an Asian market, and talks to some of the leaders within this quiet but booming community here in Vermont....

When the federal government banned alcohol in 1920, Vermonters took matters into their own hands. We head to the Northeast Kingdom to collect stories of cross-border bars, liquor hidden in baby bottles and potato cellar robbery. Thanks to Nathan Bangs for the great question. Check out old photos from Prohibition-era Vermont in our web feature . Want to have a say in which question we tackle in an...

A listener asked us how White River Junction became such a thriving place, “when it used to be so bleak.” We talk to some of the people behind the transformation. To see photos of White River Junction, check out our web feature . This year’s Gory Daze Halloween Parade is on Saturday, October 29. Find more info here . Angela Evancie reported and produced this episode, with help and editing from the...

“Vermont was the first state to abolish slavery.” That’s the common refrain around here. Except, the history is more complicated. Reporter Lexi Krupp answers a question from Peter Langella about this oft-misunderstood history, and explores how the legacy of slavery is still reverberating in Vermont today. Check out the web version of this story for photos and additional resources from Lexi’s repor...

Question-asker David Hess was curious about Native stories that speak to the Vermont landscape. Enter Mali Obomsawin’s new album, Sweet Tooth . Across three movements, she blends Wabanaki music with free jazz, and ancient stories with new ones, all of which offers a unique look at the land called Vermont. Check out the web version of this episode to see photos and music from Mali Obomsawin. And th...

The sale of the Vermont Lake Monsters in 2021 would bring lots of changes. In some ways, it’s a story of renewal. But the more things change, the more they stay the same. Reporter Liam Elder-Connors walks us through the changes since the sale, and the traditions that have remained. Check out the web version of this story for photos from our reporting. And thanks to Emma Ramirez-Richer for the grea...

We hear from former Vermonters about their love/hate relationship with our state, why they left and what it would take for them to come back. Check out the web version of this story for photos from our reporting. And thanks to My Le Goel for the great question. Myr a Flynn reported this episode and did the mix and sound design. Editing and additional production from the Brave Little State team: An...