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. 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...

It might sound like a cliche, but men in the U.S. are not going to the doctor, and their physical and mental health is suffering. A recent survey from the Cleveland Clinic  found that nearly 40% of Gen Z men  didn’t have a primary care doctor. And the life expectancy gap between men and women is widening. That’s according to the  Journal of the American Medical Associati...

This hour, we’ll explore climate change’s impact on many whale populations – from Belugas in the Arctic Ocean to North Atlantic right whales off the coast of New England. We’ll hear how studies conducted on Beluga whales at Mystic Aquarium are helping scientists better understand what factors threaten their survival in the wild. And later, scientists working on a research i...

The average cost of a wedding in Connecticut is nearly $35,000. Many couples are changing the way they get married, some opting for a small or “micro” wedding with only a few close friends and family members. And others are deciding to elope. But the decision to elope isn’t always tied to wanting to avoid the price tag of a big wedding. This hour, we hear from one couple who rece...

Born in Pittsburgh, Micahel 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...

President Trump recently attempted to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the agency that distributes federal funds to libraries and museums across the country. Connecticut was one of just three states to lose its federal grant for public libraries, totaling over $2 million. A judge blocked the move last week, but big questions remain. This hour, we ask: What does this mean for...

One in five Americans have a disability. That’s according to the  United States Census Bureau . The Trump administration has released statements  promising to protect programs like medicaid, medicare and Social security  - programs that people with disabilities rely on everyday. But in his recommendation for funding for fiscal year 2026, President Trump  proposed cuts to...

From special outdoor performances, to educating the next generation of thespians, summer is a busy time for theaters around the state. But this month, several Connecticut performing arts spaces received notice that federal grants were being rescinded. Today, we speak to some of those institutions about what will happen next. Plus, Connecticut tourism is a $4 billion-a-year business.  That&rsq...

After recent reports of detentions across New England, Connecticut activists are stepping up to protect immigrants. They’re finding creative ways to help people understand their rights and prepare for encounters with ICE, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. This hour, we uncover how these efforts are making a difference. And later, we look at a scam targeting Connecticut&rsq...

Parenthood is hard, and expensive. Over the course of 18 years, it costs nearly  $300,000 to raise a child in the state of Connecticut. So is a  $5000 baby bonus  really going to inspire prospective parents to have children? Today, we talk about some of the Trump administration’s recent proposals to increase the birthrate. Ahead of Mother’s Day, we dig into solutions to...

This week begins the search for the next head of the Catholic Church known as  the Conclave.  Social media has been a buzz as Cardinals all over the world have gathered to begin this sacred ritual to elect the next Pope. During his papacy, Pope Francis took stands on issues like  immigration , war and environmental justice.  Although he appointed women leaders in the Vatican of...

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...

Comedian Sheng Wang does not perform comedy that punches down; making jokes about those with less power and privilege. The child of Taiwanese immigrants refuses to make jokes about the Asian American diaspora, but does include stories about his family in his standup. Sheng joined us to talk about his 20 year career, his first comedy special on Netflix and connecting with audiences through humility...

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy recently stated that the Trump administration will be prioritizing transportation funding to states that require “local compliance or cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.”  In April, the Connecticut Department of Transportation held it’s 2025 Transportation Showcase. Today, we listen back to the panel discussion, where we expl...

Spring is a time of  migration for amphibians around New England.  And there’s a lot being done to help these little creatures get to their summer homes - safely! Today, we hear from those working to aid the frogs, and toads, and helping them cross the roads. We might even get to meet a frog and a toad, or two! The  Connecticut Beardsley Zoo  joins us, and along with some...