Where We Live

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. Zorana Ivcevic Pringle, Ph. D., Senior Research Scientist at the Y...

Sunday marked National Grandparents Day, which is a reminder of how deeply grandparents shape our lives. But not every grandparent fits the traditional mold. This hour, we explore unconventional grandparenting in our region, from neighborhoods built on intergenerational living to programs connecting older adults with children in need of guidance. GUESTS : Erika Keuster : CEO of Treehouse Foundatio...

Fewer adults in the U.S. are  reading for pleasure.  So what does that mean for early readers? Establishing reading routines like story time can be important for  brain development and lifelong literacy skills. Rahele Jomepour-Bell/Provided Today, it’s our fall reading show, and we’re dedicating the hour to young adult and children’s books. Our panel will share the...

Autumn can be a great time for rest and renewal. It’s not too late to enjoy the most of the season before we hunker down for the cold months ahead. Today, we’re talking about all our favorite Connecticut fall happenings and events. We'll also hear about some  Connecticut Hidden Gems  you'll definitely want to add to your fall bucket list. After a hot summer, what are you look...

Last Friday, a report confirmed a worse-case famine scenario in the Gaza Strip . Over a half a million people in Gaza, are facing catastrophic conditions that include malnutrition and starvation. Today, we hear what’s being done to treat malnutrition in Gaza and around the globe. Later, we hear what religious leaders,  including Pope Leo, are doing to voice their concerns for these huma...

Earlier this month , a glowing spiral appeared in Connecticut’s sky, briefly sparking wonder and speculation. While it turned out to be crystallized rocket fuel, the moment reminded us how easily our imaginations leap to the possibility of aliens. This hour we ask: Why are we so drawn to the idea of life beyond Earth? We’ll explore what these sparks of curiosity reveal about human imag...

Practice for the fall sporting season is well under way. Today’s athletes are playing through the pain,  in record high heat.  This is something many of their coaches and trainers didn’t have to face during their athletic heydays. Although it might not feel like it today,  the rest of the summer season is going to be sunny and hot. Today, we hear what's being done to&nbs...

Best-selling author Wally Lamb spent nine years working on his newest book, "The River Is Waiting." In this time, he wrestled with self-doubt, navigated his own sobriety journey and worked as a teacher at York Correctional Institution, Connecticut’s only women’s prison. His new book explores addiction, reckoning and forgiveness, and the injustice that exists in prison today. It follows...

Even frequent flyers can feel a flutter of nerves before takeoff. Security lines seem endless, seats feel smaller than ever, and turbulence can turn your stomach. Now, with national headlines about crashes and close calls, flight anxiety is on the rise. This hour, we talk to pilots and a flight attendant about whether flying is still one of the safest ways to travel. Plus, they’ll share tips...

Leaving prison can be a jarring experience. Reentry can be challenging under the best of circumstances. But a state housing crisis has made it harder. Landlords are less likely to rent to someone with a criminal record. Formerly incarcerated people are  10 times more likely to be homeless. Add in cuts to mental health services, job assistance and food insecurity programs ,  life is getti...

The number of  adults seeking regular dental care, like cleanings and X-rays, is on the decline. Going to the dentist is probably not your favorite activity, but it's an important part of maintaining overall health. So why are so many people avoiding the dentist? There are several reasons, but  one of the biggest is fear. Today, we talk with dental professionals about what the industry i...

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...