Where We Live

The nonprofit sector is in trouble. They serve some of the most vulnerable populations in Connecticut but many organizations are struggling to retain workers and find new ones.  According to a survey by the Connecticut Community Nonprofit Alliance, 9 out of 10 nonprofits say it’s difficult to recruit new employees. Today, we talk with Brunilda Ferraj from the Alliance about what nonprof...

There is broad support in the U.S. for Ukraine and global outcry over Putin's increasingly hostile attacks on civilians. This hour, hear more about the geopolitical backdrop and Ukraine's fight for independence from Yale history professor and author of  The Ukrainian Night  Marci Shore. Local leaders in Connecticut are organizing, fundraising and speaking out to keep the focus on the cri...

What does it mean to be American? In Dishwasher Dreams, now playing on Hartford Stage, writer, actor, and comedian  Alaudin Ullah  explores the “otherization” of brown Muslim Americans in America, and by extension, Hollywood. Ullah grew up in New York City, playing video games, eating hamburgers, listening to hip hop, and cheering for the Knicks. So when the only roles offere...

There’s no question that academia has been hit hard during the pandemic, from declining enrollment numbers at some institutions, to unprecedented challenges related to COVID 19. Today, we talk about the future of tenure. We hear from Colleen Flaherty, Senior Faculty Reporter at Inside Higher Ed. And later student journalist Madison Hahamy joins us. She explains the complex tenure requirement...

A  new settlement in the Sheff V. O'Neill school desegregation case  could end court oversight and litigation 33 years after the original lawsuit. The Connecticut legislature has just over two weeks to reject the measure that would continue to expand magnet schools and the Open Choice program in Hartford and around the state. Connecticut Public investigative reporter Jacqueline Rabe Thom...

The average American woman wears between a size 16 and 18, according to the International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology and Education. Yet plus size clothing is still hard to come by. Today, we talk about size inclusivity in the fashion industry. Alex Waldman joins us, co-founder of fashion brand Universal Standard, that offers sizes 00-40. And later, we hear how fashion colleges are inclu...

A  new report  from Connecticut Voices for Children examines the hurdles facing young adults transitioning out of the child welfare system in our state, including "obstacles in employment, education, and housing." This hour, we hear from the report's co-author and Connecticut Voices Research & Policy Director Dr. Lauren Ruth, as well as Dr. Linda Dixon, Administrator for Transitional...

This hour on Where We Live, we hear from an economist on the what and why of inflation, including policy implications, and from a chartered financial analyst on how we can protect ourselves financially. We also talk to Foodshare on how individuals can support food insecure members of their community, and learn about an expanding community program called Fridgeport. Support the show: http://wnpr.or...

There’s no doubt that the pandemic hit the performing arts hard but local artists have been working to make a difference and connect with the community. Today, we get an update from Judy Dworin from the Judy Dworin Performance Project about how the organization has shifted in the last two years and she also talks about its future. And later, we will hear about a young woman who started a non...

Researchers say more than 1 in 4 COVID patients still have symptoms months later. Many COVID long-haulers may experience fatigue and what researchers call "exercise intolerance." Hear about a recent study that identifies trouble with the muscles absorbing oxygen, not the heart or the lungs – and the relief this diagnosis can bring patients. Physical therapy can play an important role in reco...

Reports Friday morning are Russian troops have entered the outskirts of the Ukrainian capital Kiev and it's being bombarded with missile strikes. Today, we talk to a Ukrainian American in Connecticut about Russia’s attack. And later, 7 out of 10 fire departments nationwide are all volunteer. Here in Connecticut, 83 percent of firefighters fit that description. We hear from some of the volunt...

Through her Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling created a magical world championing acceptance and inclusivity. But the author’s controversial comments about the transgender community have alienated lifelong fans. This hour, we explore how fans have moved forward. We hear from Fandom Forward, formerly known as the Harry Potter Alliance. One Fandom Forward volunteer from New Haven focused on th...

One in ten Americans, or one on every elevator and four on every bus,  is impacted by a rare disease.  Yet, 95 percent of rare diseases do not have approved treatment. On a promising note, bio-pharmaceutical companies working on orphan drugs have  more than 800 projects in clinical development . In a  ground-breaking clinical trial , a participating patient at the University of...

K-12 students in Connecticut can now take two mental health wellness days during the school year. Today, we hear from a student who advocated for this proposal and we talk to the Office of Child Advocate. First, we get an update on legislative proposals to strengthen gun violence prevention in our state. State Senator Marilyn Moore joins us. What questions do you have? GUESTS: Senator Marilyn Moor...

Today, we talk about how experiences coming of age impact us into adulthood. Melissa Febos, author of the bestselling memoir  Girlhood , joins us. She writes about what she learned about herself, including the ways we begin to understand consent and how this impacts our relationships long-term. And later, what should parents and educators consider when teaching about consent? GUESTS: Melissa...

If you’ve been watching the Beijing Winter Olympics, you’ve likely seen a Connecticut local compete and succeed. But there’s one local connection you may not have noticed. This hour, we learn more about the NBC Sports International Broadcast Center in Stamford, where many of the announcers you see and hear are stationed, like commentator Leigh Diffey. Connecticut Public Reporter...

Republican Bob Stefanowski ran for Connecticut Governor in 2018, narrowly losing to Ned Lamont. Now Stefanowski, a Connecticut native and Madison resident, is back to take on Lamont again. This hour on Where We Live, we hear from Stefanowski about his second run for governor, and his expanded platform ranging from fiscal accountability and the elimination of state income and sales taxes to managin...

Community college enrollment has dropped nationally, leading many local institutions to rethink how they retain their students. Today, we talk to local leaders in Connecticut State Colleges & Universities system. How are they working to attract and retain students? Dr. Duncan Harris joins us, he’s Capital Community College, Chief Executive Officer. We find out how Capital Community Colle...

With the statewide school mask mandate expected to expire at the end of the month, local districts can determine their own policies. School boards and superintendents are facing continued public pressure according to Fran Rabinowitz, executive director of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents. The State Department of Public Health, along with the Department of Education, doe...

Here in Connecticut, surviving long winters means getting plenty of sleep, extra vitamin D supplements and leaning into our favorite winter activities. This hour, we talk with author Katherine May about her book Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times and the act of wintering.  According to author Katherine May, the act of wintering goes beyond the season of winter. The ac...

Valentine’s Day is coming up, but today, this show is for all the single ladies! Today, Shani Silver, author of  A Single Revolution: Don't look for a match. Light one ,  joins us today to talk about how we can love our time in singlehood, as much as we love the idea of a relationship. Shani Silver asks, “We don’t have to hate being single. Has anyone ever told you that...

Each year, Connecticut Magazine's  40 Under 40  celebrates up-and-coming innovators in our state. This hour, we meet some of this year's impactful honorees. Watertown architect  Omarys Vasquez  is driven to "make great design more accessible and inclusive." She recently co-founded  NOMAct , the Connecticut chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects. Shelby...

Pulitzer-winning physician Siddhartha Mukherjee referred to cancer as “ The Emperor of All Maladies .” Now, Mukherjee is one of many contributors to “ A New Deal for Cancer – Lessons From A 50 Year War .” This hour on Where We Live, we talk about the legacy and shortcomings of this war, including the lack of access to cancer care for some populations, a byzantine drug...

Nearly two years since the start of the pandemic, Connecticut has begun granting commutations for incarcerated individuals. Today, we hear more and learn how the pandemic has impacted the prison population in our state. We hear from Connecticut Mirror reporter Kel Lyons. And we talk to a formerly incarcerated person, who recently received a commutation on his sentence. And later, the COVID Prison...

The American Library Association (ALA) reported an “unprecedented spike” in book removal requests last fall, tallying 330 from September 1 to December 1. The ALA noted "a focus on books that address the voices and lived experiences of Black, Indigenous, and people of color and LGBTQIA+ individuals." How are local librarians responding to these challenges? Hear from school and public li...