Where We Live

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...

In addition to handling all official state records, the Connecticut state comptroller acts as the official state financial watchdog. From a major audit of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, and responding to unpredictable federal funding freezes, this office is having a very busy fiscal year. Today, Comptroller Scanlon joins us in the studio. We hear about Connecticut’s current...

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. Today, we hear from one couple who recently...

Connecticut native Sirena Huang learned to play violin through the  Suzuki method: a teaching philosophy based on the idea that all children can play music. At 11-years-old, she performed and  gave a Ted Talk in California.  Now, nearly twenty years later, she performs internationally as a world renowned violinist. She joins us for the hour to talk about her journey, her time tourin...

If you’ve been listening to Where We Live for awhile, you probably are pretty familiar with our theme song. But today, we introduce a new theme and hear from the band behind it. We’ll also hear from members of the  indie rock community here in Connecticut. In the age of big sell out tours and stadium concerts, Connecticut bands are making their mark locally, establishing loyal fan...

President Trump has implemented tariffs on goods from China, and imports from Mexico and Canada may soon be affected as well. This hour, we offer “tariffs 101” – a look into what tariffs are, why the Trump administration is advocating for them, and how consumers and businesses in Connecticut may be impacted. We hear from business leaders across Connecticut on how they are prepari...

The  Mohegan Tribe —a sovereign and federally recognized Indian tribe in Southeastern Connecticut—has a longstanding belief in the power of storytelling. This oral tradition is a form of spoken record-keeping. Stories can often capture a deeper and fuller understanding of culture and beliefs than historical texts. This hour, we talk to Melissa Tantaquidgeon Zobel, the tribe’s vice chair of the cou...

The Stowe Center for Literary Activism  in Hartford is rethinking how they present the complex legacy of author Harriet Beecher Stowe and her best known work,  Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Today, Erika Slocumb, Director of Interpretation and Visitor Experience at the Stowe Center joins us to talk about the changes this local museum is making to better showcase literary activism of the past,...

During his first days in office, President Trump signed multiple executive orders that targeted transgender rights, affecting school policies, military service, and even gender markers on passports. This hour, we explore the real-world effects of these policies. We also hear how states like Connecticut may move to challenge these orders. And later, two local community members share how they are wo...

When’s the last time you laughed? Like really, full body, couldn’t catch your breath, laughed? Finding laughter can be challenging amongst the backdrop of political uncertainty and this constant stream of breaking news. But sometimes, laughter and comedy can be a great way to make sense of the world around us.  Today, we talk about how comedy can be a vehicle for protest, politica...

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO) , and has started putting restrictions on the National Institute of Health (NIH). Connecticut Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani joins us to talk about the impact these changes might have on public health locally. We’ll also hear from Dr. Albert Ko...

This hour, Flora Lichtman, the new host of NPR’s Science Friday , and Connecticut educators join us to explore the powerful connection between curiosity, science, and education. Our guests will share insights on how embracing curiosity can help you tap into your inner scientist. We'll also discuss the latest exhibits at the Connecticut Science Center, the growing trend known as "forest kinde...

On the campaign trail, President Donald Trump promised to shut down the U.S. Department of Education.  But can he actually eliminate the federal agency? And if not, how else could he overhaul it? This hour, we hear from educators about the potential ripple effects in Connecticut, including funding cuts. Teachers are not only preparing for that, but also potential visits from the U.S. Immigrat...

President Donald Trump was sworn in yesterday. On the campaign trail, he promised to sign several executive orders once he took office, including sweeping changes to immigration laws. This hour, we’ll break down what we’ve seen so far, and what executive orders we could expect in the weeks to come. Later, we hear from immigration experts in our state,  to learn how Connecticut res...

Every four years on January 20th, Washington, D.C. braces for the start of a new presidency. Inauguration days date back to 1789 when George Washington was the first American president sworn into office. This hour, we’re joined by a member of the White House Historical Association and a history professor from Eastern Connecticut State University to walk through Inaugural history. And this ye...

Trump has vowed to end birthright citizenship in the first month of his presidency. Connecticut Attorney General Tong is the son of immigrants and he says if that happens, he will be the first to sue. Today, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joins us in the studio for the hour. We’ll discuss his top priorities for 2025, including holding tech companies accountable, protecting reprodu...

Dry January is a month-long campaign that revolves around cutting out alcohol or reducing alcohol intake for the month of January. Today’s guests say that life without alcohol can be joyous, and they’re creating spaces for the sober and sober curious to try it out. We talk to two owners of sober spaces in our state, and try out some mocktails they’ll bring to share. We also hear...

Students with disabilities can experience many challenges in the classroom, from discrimination to a lack of accommodations. So, how can schools help these students feel like they belong? That question was the focus of a special summit hosted by the state’s Department of Education in November. The event brought together students, educators, parents, and more to highlight the experiences of s...

Author Scott Shigeoka has spent a lot of time being curious about curiosity. It started with a trip across the country, meeting people with very different views than him and finding ways to build connections across political lines. In his book Seek: How Curiosity can Transform Your Life and Change the World , Scott describes ways to bring curiosity to our lives and our relationships. There’s...

Today, we’re celebrating the New Year. Are you making New Year’s Resolutions this year? New Year's Resolutions come in all shapes, sizes, and themes. New Year's resolutions are often about making drastic changes, but they don’t have to be. From fitness and health to relationships, friendships and spirituality, there’s no one resolution that will help you make the most out o...

Poet laureates do a lot more than write poetry. Since 1985, Connecticut state poet laureates have worked to promote the literary arts and poetry throughout the Nutmeg state, visiting schools, performing spoken word and passing on poetry to the next generation of writers. There is no straight path to this position. Some of our guests today have been writing poetry all their lives. Others got bitten...

  Why do we revisit the things we loved as kids? What’s the lasting power of our favorite TV shows and movies? A new podcast from Connecticut Public looks for answers in a big, purple dinosaur. It’s called Generation Barney .  This hour, we listen to episode 3 of the podcast – “Love 2 Hate.”  And later, we’re joined by an expert in anti-fandom, Em...

Back in the 90s, Barney the purple dinosaur was everywhere, including in our living rooms. If you were a kid or a parent back then, chances are good that you had a stuffed Barney lying around your home.  This hour, we listen to episode 4 – “Purple Capitalism” – of Connecticut Public’s new podcast,  Generation Barney .  And later, we’re joined by a...

As the author of the children’s book My Mama is a Pilot , Saba Shahid says she wants children to feel “represented and valued” through her stories. Only 1% of commercial airline pilots are women of color. And Saba Shahid’s path to becoming a pilot is a little bit different than most. It actually started as a pandemic hobby! Saba Shahid is this year’s recipient of the...

Our opinions and ideas, thoughts and feelings, and how our senses are taken in are unique to each of us.   So when the founding scientists of neuroscience first started illustrating and studying the brain, they came to some very different conclusions on how it works.   How we think, how the brain works, and the history of neuroscience is the subject of the Yale Peabody Musuem’s new...