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Where We Live
Connecticut Public Radio
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Where We Live is a call-in talk show about who we are in Connecticut and our place in the world.
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Author Tovah Martin on enjoying your garden in every season
Yesterday
49 mins
Author Tovah Martin on enjoying your garden in every season
Spring has sprung and it’s time for our spring gardening hour! Today, horticulturist and author Tovah Martin joins us to answer all of your gardening questions and to share how to create a garden to fulfill all the senses. Tovah is the author of The Garden in Every Sense and Season. Whether you have a seven acre property like Tovah, or a container garden on your patio, there’s plenty of opportunities to maximize your gardening space. What are you planting this spring? GUEST: Tovah Martin - horticulturist, author and freelance writer. She lives in Litchfield County, Connecticut. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Yesterday
49 mins
Meet the teaching cohort modeling culturally-responsive AAPI education in Connecticut
Asian American and Pacific Islander history will be required in Connecticut public schools by the 2025-26 school year, according to a new, soon-to-be-signed mandate. The measure was backed by Make Us Visible CT, a grassroots advocacy group working to "build capacity in the Connecticut school system to develop a robust and inclusive Asian American and Pacific Islander curriculum." This hour, we'll hear from one of ten classes participating a community of practice, modeling how this content can be meaningfully taught. UConn Asian and Asian American Studies Institute Activist-in-Residence JHD (Jennifer Heikkila Díaz) is working with Bassick High School in Bridgeport, among other schools in the Bridgeport, New Haven and Hartford areas, to collaborate on culturally-responsive curriculum around Thi Bui's moving graphic memoir, The Best We Could Do. We'll hear from JHD, along with English teacher Ricardo Alvelo and two of his students. Plus, we hear from Kaitlin Tan Fung, a multimedia artist and art educator who developed art projects and prompts to help students respond to the memoir. Thi Bui, an educator herself, learned the graphic novel format in the hopes her book could help to solve the "storytelling problem of how to present history in a way that is human and relatable and not oversimplified.” How can educators participate in that process? GUESTS: JHD (Jennifer Heikkila Díaz): Chief of Talent and Operations, New Haven Promise; Activist-in-Residence, UConn Asian and Asian American Studies Institute; Cofounder, aapiNHV; Steering Committee Member, Anti-Racist Teaching & Learning Collective Ricardo Alvelo: English Teacher, Bassick High School in Bridgeport Destinie Melendez: Student, Bassick High School Janette Espinoza: Student, Bassick High School Kaitlin Tan Fung: Multimedia Artist; Art Educator, Elm City College Preparatory Elementary School in New Haven Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2d ago
49 mins
Baby formula shortage leads to questions on product promotion, and maternal leave policies affecting breastmilk supply
The baby formula shortage has families scrambling. The crisis began after Abbott recalled some powdered baby formulas in February, following investigations into a whistleblower’s tip off in October last year. Four infants were hospitalized with bacterial infections and two have died. This hour on Where We Live, we’ll talk with a researcher of feminist economics about how U.S. maternal leave policies impact a baby’s access to breastmilk, and why formula milk is promoted in low-income communities of color. We’ll also discuss the societal shaming of women who formula feed. As Abbott aims to restart production, we’ll look at resources currently available to families. We’ll also weigh in on the regulatory process and other factors that accentuated this crisis, and explore long-term solutions. GUESTS: Nicole Leonard: Health Reporter, Connecticut Public Radio Dr. Leslie Sude: Pediatrician, Yale Medicine Pediatrics; Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine Samantha Schenck, PhD: Assistant Professor of Economics, Central Connecticut State University. Research interests include feminist economics. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
3d ago
49 mins
The role oysters play in the health of Long Island Sound
More than $100 million in federal infrastructure funds will go towards protecting and preserving Long Island Sound. Hear from Soundkeeper Bill Lucey about spending plans, Save the Sound's priorities, and why oysters are so unique. Plus, Norm Bloom of Copps Island Oysters explains why conservation is his business; and Tessa Getchis with the Connecticut Sea Grant and UConn Extension Program provides an update on the Shellfish Restoration Project. GUESTS: Bill Lucey - Long Island Soundkeeper, Save the Sound Norm Bloom - Owner, Copps Island Oysters Tessa Getchis - Aquaculture extension specialist, Connecticut Sea Grant and UConn Extension Program Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
4d ago
48 mins
Governor Ned Lamont discusses first term, short session, reelection campaign, and more
Campaign season is underway in Connecticut. This hour, we speak with incumbent Governor Ned Lamont about his first term and his reelection campaign. The recently-signed state budget delivers $660 million in tax cuts, but The Mirror's Keith Phaneuf reports "about $364 million or 55% of the tax relief offered in the latest budget expires after this fiscal year." We'll discuss the budget, bills still to be signed from the recent short session, including the "captive audience" bill, and more. Plus, we take your questions for Governor Lamont. GUESTS: Ned Lamont: Democratic Governor of Connecticut Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
5d ago
49 mins
Author Sy Montgomery on her new book: "The Hawk's Way"
Sy Montgomery has authored over 30 books about animals. Today, she joins us to talk about her latest book, The Hawk’s Way: Encounters with Fierce Beauty. We learn about Sy’s lessons in falconry and what it takes to handle these incredible creatures. Later, we hear from A Place Called Hope Rehabilitation Center, a raptor rehabilitator located in Killingworth. If you’re a lover of birds of prey, we want to hear from you. What questions do you have about falconry? GUESTS: Sy Montgomery - Author of The Hawk’s Way: Encounters with Fierce Beauty Christine Cummings - Executive Director and Founder of A Place Called Hope Rehabilitation Center in Killingworth, Connecticut Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 13 2022
49 mins
How contaminants like PFAS and microplastics are being tracked in Connecticut
Microbeads were banned in the U.S. in 2015, but tiny bits of plastic known as microplastics, and another manmade family of chemicals called PFAS, are turning up in our environment and in our bodies. The Connecticut Sea Grant identified both materials as contaminants of emerging concern this year. This hour, we hear about the efforts to track the prevalence and impact of PFAS and microplastics in Connecticut. Experts at Connecticut Sea Grant and the State Department of Public Health join us to discuss PFAS; and UConn Professor and Head of UConn's Marine Sciences Department J. Evan Ward touches on microplastics in the Long Island Sound. Plus, Elizabeth Ellenwood is an artist from Pawcatuck whose work draws attention to ocean pollution and microplastics. She was recently awarded a Fulbright Research Scholarship and an American Scandinavian Foundation Grant to travel to Norway, where she's working with environmental chemists and marine biologists to produce scientifically-informed photographs focusing on ocean pollution. GUESTS: J. Evan Ward: Professor and Head of Marine Sciences Department, UConn Sylvain De Guise: Director, Connecticut Sea Grant at UConn Avery Point Lori Mathieu: Drinking Water Section Chief, Connecticut Department of Public Health Elizabeth Ellenwood: Artist Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 12 2022
49 mins
Hospital prices vary widely for same procedures statewide – what’s a patient to do?
A new report on hospital costs by Hearst Connecticut shows widely different prices for the same procedure at hospitals statewide. And insurers are negotiating astoundingly varied prices for – say – a C-section or an hour of critical care. To a consumer, the hospitals would appear comparable in quality and are located just miles apart. Certainly, shopping for healthcare is different from shopping for a toaster. The price is dependent on the type of insurance plan, and the billing codes are mind boggling. Yet, in a well-functioning, competitive market, such extreme variations in comparable services would not exist – according to a Brookings report in 2020. This hour on Where We Live, Mary Katherine Wildeman, author of the Hearst Connecticut special report, dives into patterns in the data. And the data is still hard to find – there isn’t a central searchable database where consumers can compare prices for a pre-scheduled procedure at hospitals statewide. Also this hour on Where We Live, Vicky Veltri from the Office of Health Strategy announces a new tool that will soon become available to patients in Connecticut. So what exactly will hospital price transparency – now required by law – accomplish? And, insurers will also have to share price information, starting July 1. Could employers begin directing their employees to make certain healthcare choices versus others? Beyond transparency, we look at a bill that was just passed by Connecticut lawmakers that will give the state the authority to cap the rise in healthcare costs. The bill will also hold providers and insurers accountable. GUESTS: Mary Katherine Wildeman: Data Reporter, Hearst Connecticut. Authored the Hearst Connecticut Special Report: “Hospital care costs are wildly different across CT. Explore the once secret data.” Vicki Veltri: Executive Director, Office of Health Strategy, State of Connecticut Paul Kidwell: Senior Vice President of Policy, Connecticut Hospital Association Nick McLaughlin: Founder & CEO, Breeze Health, a Goodroot Inc. affiliated company Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 11 2022
49 mins
Election season begins, and an update on cannabis in our state
The Republican and Democratic state conventions have concluded and today, Mark Pazniokas joins us to break down the state conventions. The Republican convention endorsed socially moderate Themis Klarides for the U.S. Senate. Democrats have endorsed a diverse pool of candidates for several state positions. Later, we hear from Andrea Comer of the Social Equity Council and get an update on cannabis in our state. Election season is fast approaching. Who do you want to see on the ballot in 2022? GUESTS: Mark Pazniokas - Capitol Bureau Chief for Connecticut Mirror Andrea Comer - Deputy Commissioner at the Department of Consumer Protection, and Chairperson of Social Equity Council Julia Bergman - State Politics Reporter at Hearst Connecticut Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 10 2022
49 mins
Beyond Central Park: The legacy of Connecticut native Frederick Law Olmsted
When you head to New York, do you ever take a break from the city and get lost on a trail in Central Park? This hour, we take a look at the life of the man behind that beloved and iconic city park: Connecticut native Frederick Law Olmsted. Although best known for his work designing New York’s Central Park, Olmsted was also a journalist and abolitionist. And he shaped landscapes here in Connecticut and across the country, changing how we think about the role of nature in the process. This hour we sit down with historians and landscape architects to talk about Frederick Law Olmsted’s legacy. GUESTS: Justin Martin: Author, Genius of Place: The Life of Frederick Law Olmsted Walt Woodward: Connecticut State Historian; Associate Professor of History, UConn; Host, Grating The Nutmeg podcast Phil Barlow: Founding Principal, ToDesign LLC Landscape Architects Beka Sturges - Principal Landscape Architect, New Haven Office of Reed Hilderbrand Chion Wolf contributed to this show, which originally aired on September 9, 2019. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 9 2022
48 mins
It's all connected: Understanding how our physical and mental health are linked
If you experience headaches, fatigue or gastrointestinal issues during difficult times, you’re not alone. Today, we explore the link between our physical and mental health. Doctors typically treat these areas of health separately, but there is a lot more connecting these two areas of health than you might think. Dr. Julian Ford, clinical psychologist and professor in the department of psychiatry at the UConn School of Medicine joins us to talk about the physical consequences of chronic stress. We want to hear from you. How has stress impacted your overall health? GUESTS: Dr. Julian Ford - Clinical psychologist and Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine Aneri Pattani - National Correspondent with Kaiser Health News Heather Labbe - Director of Trauma Informed Wellness and Education at the YWCA in New Britain, Connecticut Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 6 2022
49 mins
Warmer winters make for more ticks. What are the challenges in diagnosing diseases they can carry?
Warmer winters in Connecticut are helping to welcome invasive ticks, and the diseases they can carry. Nearly half of the ticks in Connecticut are carrying one pathogen, according to Dr. Goudarz Molaei, head of the state's tick surveillance program; and at least three invasive tick species are being tracked. Mary Beth Pfeiffer joins to touch more on the link between climate change and the spread of ticks. Plus, diagnosing tick-borne diseases is tough enough, but Chronic author Dr. Steven Phillips points out some medical myths and misnomers making it harder. What can help us better prevent, and treat, vector-borne illnesses? GUESTS: Dr. Steven Phillips: Physician; Author, Chronic: The Hidden Cause of the Autoimmune Pandemic and How to Get Healthy Again Mary Beth Pfeiffer: Investigative Journalist; Author, Lyme: The First Epidemic of Climate Change Dr. Goudarz Molaei: Research Scientist, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Center; Director of the Tick and Tick-borne Diseases Surveillance Program, Center for Vector Biology and Zoonotic Diseases Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 5 2022
49 mins
Despite Connecticut’s first-of-its-kind “safe haven” for abortion legislation, barriers to access exist
Connecticut lawmakers passed legislation strengthening reproductive rights, making the state a “place of refuge” for people seeking abortions. This hour on Where We Live, we talk about this measure – which has become more important in light of the leaked Supreme Court documents — indicating a decision to overturn Roe. V. Wade. The Guttmacher Institute reports that nine states have enacted a total of 33 abortion restrictions as of April 15. More states are writing restrictions into law. States have enacted 11 measures protecting abortion access in seven states. Guttmacher reports that 2020 was the first year that more than half of U.S. abortions were medication abortions. According to data obtained by Where We Live, there were 9,373 abortion visits at Planned Parenthood of Southern New England’s (PPSNE) 14 health centers in Connecticut in 2021 – of which 6,282 were Medication Abortions (MAB), and 3,091 were in-clinic abortions. PPSNE is the largest provider of abortion care in Connecticut, while Hartford GYN is the state’s only independent clinic for abortion. Connecticut’s “safe haven” legislation is first-of-its-kind in the nation. Produced by Sujata Srinivasan. Special thanks to Matt Dwyer and Camila Vallejo for extra audio. GUESTS: Rep. Matt Blumenthal (D-Stamford, Darien): House Vice-Chair of the Judiciary Committee Julia Simon–Kerr: Professor of Law, University of Connecticut School of Law Dr. Kate Pascucci: OBGYN, West Hartford Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 4 2022
49 mins
What will an Elon Musk-run Twitter look like?
The journey to comprehensive content moderation on Twitter has been a long one, but the tech giant might be changing course. Today, we're talking about what Twitter might look like under Elon Musk and if free speech and content moderation can coexist together. Georgia Wells, Tech Reporter from Wall Street Journal, breaks down what we’re seeing and hearing from Elon Musk. Later, we hear from Evan Greer, Director for Fight for the Future, to talk about balancing free speech while making the internet safe for everyone. Are you still using Twitter? We want to hear from you. GUESTS: Georgia Wells - Tech Reporter, Wall Street Journal Evan Greer - Director at Fight for the Future, a nonprofit digital rights organization that organizes online to oppose Internet censorship legislation, support net neutrality, and rein in corporate and government surveillance. Joan Donovan - Research Director for the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard University Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 3 2022
49 mins
How a nationwide spike in union organizing is playing out in Connecticut, from Starbucks to schools
Union election petitions are up 57% over the last year, and "Starbucks petitions account for nearly a quarter of all petitions filed since January," reports NPR labor and workplace correspondent Andrea Hsu. This hour, we hear from Hsu about this momentum, and from one Starbucks employee and union organizer in West Hartford. The Corbin's Corner location was the first in our state to file for a union election last month. Teachers at Common Ground High School in New Haven voted 62-8 to unionize last year. We'll get the latest on where collective bargaining stands in the wake of teacher cuts. School administrators insist the cuts are budget-related, and "deeply regret any appearance that this process is related to union organizing." Hsu reports that since 2012, "the share of petitions coming from manufacturing companies has fallen by about half." So what are the conditions driving this broader push for organized labor? Plus, Wednesday marks the final day of the legislative session, and prison reform advocates are calling for COVID-19 protections. We check in with the Katal Center for Equity, Health, and Justice about the #FreeThemNowCT campaign. GUESTS: Andrea Hsu: Labor and Workplace Correspondent, NPR Kuzco Gong: Partner, Starbucks; Union Organizer Emily Schmidt: Chemistry and Physics Teacher, Common Ground High School; Member, UAW Local 2110 Chelsea Farrell: Organizer, UAW Local 2110 Kenyatta Muzzanni: Director of Organizing, Katal Center for Equity, Health, and Justice Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 2 2022
49 mins
Unpacking the pros and cons of bariatric surgery
Weight loss surgery has become more accessible, but there are still concerns and stigma around these procedures. Today, we talk to surgeons in our state, about the pros and cons of bariatric surgery. We hear from a local Connecticut resident who had bariatric surgery in 2021. Did you know minors starting at age 10 are eligible for bariatric surgery? Drs. Melissa Santos and Christine Finck at Connecticut Children's unpack that for us and we learn about the type of conversations specialists have with children and parents, before deciding on surgery. What questions do you have about weight loss surgery? GUESTS: Dr. John Morton - Professor and Vice Chair of Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgery for Yale New Haven Hospital System Kate Medina - Bariatric surgery patient Dr. Melissa Santos - Division Chief of Pediatric Psychology at Connecticut Children’s and Clinical Director for the Pediatric Obesity Center Dr. Christine Finck - Pediatric Surgeon and Surgeon in Chief at Connecticut Children’s. She is also the Executive Vice President and Professor of Surgery at UConn School of Medicine. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 29 2022
49 mins
Jen Hewett on identity, community and inclusivity in craft
How does craft deepen your understanding of your history, your community, or yourself? And how can predominantly-white craft spaces better welcome diverse experiences? Textile artist and printmaker Jen Hewett threads the needle on these questions in her latest book, This Long Thread: Women of Color on Craft, Community and Connection. The book includes interviews with 19 fiber artists, and surveys hundreds of creators of color, all of whom draw on their relationship with making. This hour, we hear from Hewett. Plus, Susi Ryan is an author and social justice activist from Connecticut who co-founded the quilt guild, Sisters In Stitches Joined By The Cloth. Ryan recently wrote a piece about how craft connects her to her ancestors, titled "Cloth Has Given Me A Voice," for Mass Humanities' We, Too, Are America series. She says, "Cloth has given me a voice to recall the memory of my enslaved ancestors." 1 of 2Sisters In Stitches Joined By The Cloth quilt exhibit at a Venture Smith Day event. Smith became a successful farmer in colonial Connecticut, and documented his life and his experience of slavery in the 18th century.Sisters In Stitches Joined By The Cloth2 of 2Sisters In Stitches Joined By The Cloth quilt exhibit at a Venture Smith Day event. Smith became a successful farmer in colonial Connecticut, and documented his life and his experience of slavery in the 18th century.Sisters In Stitches Joined By The Cloth "The quilts that I create visually depict and document in cloth the life journeys of my family, my ancestors, and the many others who lived through the African diaspora," Ryan writes. "The stories my quilts tell allow me to ease into uncomfortable conversations about such critical issues as racism, social and medical justice, prison reform, African American history and literature, farm, food and housing sustainability, climate change, women’s rights, religion, politics, and human trafficking, that sadly still exists today." GUESTS: Jen Hewett: Printmaker; Textile Artist; Author, This Long Thread: Women of Color on Craft, Community, and Connection Susi Ryan: Author; Speaker; Social Justice Activist; Co-Founder, Sisters In Stitches Joined By The Cloth Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 28 2022
49 mins
Connecticut businesses are cutting ties with Russia. Can corporate governance impact Russian leadership?
Stanley Black & Decker, Xerox, and Otis Elevator are among a growing list of Connecticut companies exiting or reducing ties with Russia, as a result of its war in Ukraine. This hour on Where We Live, we hear from a Yale School of Management researcher who is compiling the global list, on whether and how the corporate exodus – as well as pull backs by state pension funds – could impact decisions by the Russian leadership. We look at how corporate exits helped to end apartheid, and how individual investors and customers are exercising their voice in corporate governance and on broader, geo-political ideologies. Beyond ideology and de-risking, we also hear from the author of a Harvard Business Review paper on how companies in ESG-focussed portfolios (Environment, Social, Governance) perform badly on ESG, and how little influence investors have on the ESG behavior of companies or countries. That might be the case for large corporations, but in Connecticut and elsewhere, young, socially-minded entrepreneurs are successfully launching ESG companies – and raising funds from investors who share their dream. We hear more from the founder of an incubator – a social enterprise in Hartford. GUESTS: Steven Tian: Research Director, Yale School of Management Chief Executive Leadership Institute Sanjai Bhagat: Provost Professor of Finance at the University of Colorado at Boulder Kate Emery: Founder of the Walker Group and Founder of reSET Social Enterprise Trust Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 27 2022
49 mins
Ukrainian refugees are arriving in Connecticut
Last week, President Biden announced a new program for Ukrainian refugees. United States citizens can now apply to sponsor Ukrainian refugees seeking asylum. Today, we learn more and talk to immigration lawyer Dana Bucin about her work aiding Ukrainian refugees. Later, we hear from, Gaye Hyre, a resident of West Haven who is currently hosting a Ukrainian family. Will we soon see more Ukrainian refugees coming to Connecticut? GUESTS: Dana Bucin - Immigration Attorney and Honorary Consul of Romania to Connecticut Gaye Hyre - resident of West Haven Volodymyr Gupan - PhD Candidate at University of Connecticut Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 26 2022
49 mins
Legislative session winds down, with state budget still up in the air
As Connecticut’s short legislative session winds down, the "budget battle" is heating up. We’ll get the latest from CT News Junkie editor-in-chief Christine Stuart, along with House Majority Leader Jason Rojas, and House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora. Plus, we learn more about the recently-approved SEBAC agreement, promising pay increases for some 46,000 state employees. What can we expect in the final eight days of session? How has the upcoming election affected policymaking priorities? GUESTS: Christine Stuart: Editor-in-Chief, CT News Junkie Jason Rojas: Democratic State Representative; House Majority Leader Vincent Candelora: Republican State Representative; House Minority Leader Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 25 2022
49 mins
