Disrupted

This week, ten candidates were selected to join NASA's latest class of Astronauts. They will join the Artemis program, which expects to send humans to the moon for the first time since 1972. The new cohort will be one of NASA’s most diverse ever. On today's episode, hear from two Black Americans who helped pave the way for the next generation of NASA astronauts and administrators. GUESTS: Le...

During the pandemic, many people turned to art to process their feelings and cope with loss. Others turned to local artists to contextualize the current moment. Art has the unique ability to comfort us and get us through difficult times. Today, three New Haven artists and disruptors on the ways they are using art to affect change. GUESTS: Kwadwo Adae - Visual Artist and founder of the Adae Fine Ar...

This episode originally aired on August 11th, 2021 Trees are one of New England’s most treasured resources. But in Connecticut cities, a painful history of racism and redlining has led to fewer trees. During this holiday week, we look back at a show from this summer about our urban tree canopy in Connecticut. And, our region loses nearly 38 square miles of forestland each year. How can we fi...

As more people confront the realities of climate change, our society’s relationship with food is changing. This week, the ways we access our food. We’ll hear from a man who spent just 5 dollars feeding himself over two years, by mastering the art of dumpster diving. We also hear from an indigenous ethnobotanist who shares the ways we can all lessen our impact on nature. And, a conversa...

America is home to many spiritual practices that were once considered evil - like Brujeria or Hoodoo. But today, more people are looking to reclaim these ancestral traditions. This hour on Disrupted, we hear how slavery gave birth to Hoodoo and how young African-Americans are embracing their past. We learn about Brujeria, a witchcraft tradition from Latin America. And, the legacy of Pamela Coleman...

In September, TikTok surpassed over a billion monthly users . And the app is fundamentally changing how creators reach an audience online. This week, how TikTok is changing our relationship with media. We’ll hear from a TikTok creator about how he’s staying relevant. A professor reveals how TikTok's impacting childhood development. And a look at TikTok’s stronghold on the music i...

Capitalism is a major driving force in American society. But the COVID-19 Pandemic has shown that the system doesn’t work for everyone and what we prioritize matters. This hour on Disrupted, a conversation with political scientist Margaret Levi on the future of our economy and how we can find dignity in work. And economist Janelle Jones talks about the importance of the Black female workforc...

The United States is responding to an influx of refugees from Afghanistan following the Taliban’s takeover of the country. But what happens after they arrive in our state? This week, we take a look at the immigration process for refugees. We’ll hear from two immigration experts about how we can best support new migrants and what research tells us about their ability to thrive in Americ...

This episode originally aired on March 3rd, 2021 Gun sales remains sky high during the pandemic – and the largest increase in purchases came from African American communities. This hour, we talk to the president of a Black Gun Association in Connecticut about what he’s seeing locally. And we hear about how these larger gun-buying trends are playing out nationally. Also, with increased...

Over the last 51 episodes, Disrupted has taken a critical look at our country, our democracy, and our culture. From the world of fashion and hair, to the politics of NASCAR and sports activism, our show has asked difficult questions and attempted to understand our changing world. This week on Disrupted, we celebrate our one year anniversary by talking to our first guest, Eddie Glaude Jr. GUESTS: E...

This hour we hear from two influential women: one making her mark in the world of comedy and publishing and one advocating for policies that will positively impact women across the country. GUESTS: Teresa Younger - CEO and President of the Ms. Foundation for women and 2021 Inductee to the Connecticut Women's Hall of Fame . Phoebe Robinson - Comedian, Actress, and Author of the new book Please Don'...

Once seen as a niche technology, the cryptocurrency market is now valued at over 2 trillion dollars . And that growth is attracting more scrutiny around the globe. This week on disrupted, how crypto’s going mainstream. We’ll hear how policymakers are pushing cryptocurrency to be more equitable. And a look at El Salvador’s rocky adoption of Bitcoin. GUESTS: Emily Parker -  Ma...

This week on Disrupted, our politics roundtable explores recent headlines: The United States’ withdrawal from Afghanistan, the fight for reproductive rights in Texas, California's recall election, and the legacy of Michael K.Williams. Guests: Bilal Sekou -Associate professor of Political Science at the University of Hartford Maya King - National politics reporter at POLITICO Janelle Wong - P...

The Coronavirus Pandemic has impacted the return to school for the second year in a row. On this week’s Disrupted, we celebrate this anniversary with a back to school special. We hear from students about their hopes and fears for the coming fall semester. We’ll speak with a professor about the similarity between Hurricanes and the pandemic. And an ESPN writer on the changing economic l...

This episode originally aired on July 7th, 2021 For the first time in league history, a non-white racer has won NASCAR’s Cup Series. Kyle Larson’s win comes only a year after the sport banned one of it’s most well known symbols -- the confederate flag. On this week's Disrupted, we replay a conversation on NASCAR’s push for diversity with racing legend Bill Lester. GUESTS: D...

The feminist movement has led to groundbreaking legislation like the 19th Amendment, Title IX and the Violence Against Women Act. But when did the movement start? And whose voices are still missing from the conversation? This hour, we’ll dive into the history present of feminism and hear from an activist creating public art to spread information about women’s issues. GUESTS: Brittney C...

Video Game revenue reached nearly 180 billion dollars in 2020. The industry’s continued growth and impact is being seen across our society. This week, an insiders’ look at the future of pro gaming. And how gaming’s growth is affecting our climate. GUESTS: Jason Chung - Assistant Professor and Executive Director of Esport Business Programs at the University of New Haven Corey Park...

Trees are one of New England's most treasured resources. But in Connecticut cities, a painful history of racism and redlining leads to fewer trees. On this week’s Disrupted, a look at the urban tree canopy in Connecticut. And, our region loses nearly 38 square miles of forestland each year. How we can fight deforestation in our backyard? GUESTS: Drew Goldsman - Urban Conservation Director fo...

This episode originally aired on February 17, 2021 Historically Black Colleges and Universities have existed in the United States since 1837. Decades before the abolishment of slavery, these institutions promoted access to education, as a path toward freedom. Today, there are over 100 HBCUs across the country, graduating roughly 20% of Black students. So, what exactly are the institutions and why...

This hour on Disrupted, we speak with three young leaders whose faith plays a big role in their lives and communities. A Reverend on using his struggles to inspire young people. We also hear from two Muslim sisters who are breaking barriers. And, a conversation with the Director of the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival about a new project trying to shake up classical music. Guests: Rev. Quavon Newton...

As summer heats up, people across New England are flocking to the beach. But there’s been a long battle in CT, for access to the shoreline. This week on Disrupted, we learn about the history of exclusion on the Long Island sound. And we hear from descendants of the historically Black communities of Oak Bluffs and Sag Harbor. Andrew Kahrl - Professor of African-American Studies and History at...

Disrupted's political roundtable tackles recent news, like Nikole Hannah-Jones’s tenure controversy and her decision to teach at Howard University. They’ll give context around Critical Race Theory, how a supreme court case is impacting voting rights, and whether the Olympics need a racial reckoning.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since it began in 1948, NASCAR has only fielded 8 Black drivers for its top-level cup series. The sport hasn’t been exactly welcoming to people of color.  But following the murder of George Floyd and events of last year, they’re making moves to shed that racist image. On this week's Disrupted, a history of NASCAR’s push for diversity. GUESTS: Daniel McFadin , Lead Reporter a...

Chase W. Dillon was 9-years-old when he was cast as the role of Homer in  The Underground Railroad   on Amazon Prime. This hour on Disrupted, Chase talks about his life in Connecticut, his career, and how he’s giving back to his community. And you may know actor Michael Jai White from his roles in The Dark Knight, Spawn, or Black Dynamite. He grew up in Bridgeport and is now return...

The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted a fundamental fact: disparities in health outcomes by race and ethnicity exist across the country and the state, and COVID-19 has taken an unequal toll on Black people, Latinos, and Native Americans. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.