Where We Live

All this week on Where We Live, we're turning over the hour to bring you a five-part series about mental health from American Public Media's initiative, Call To Mind. This initiative aims to foster new conversations about mental health, share new knowledge, and empower people to engage in their well-being. Depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues are the most common complications during and after pregnancy, yet 75 percent of postpartum problems go untreated. The consequences can be devastating. Suicide and overdoses are leading causes of maternal death in the United States. The Food and Drug Administration recently approved the first-ever pill specifically aimed at postpartum depression, but most health plans don’t cover the medication. This special program looks at the under-recognized public health issue of postpartum depression and the challenge of treatment. We’ll hear first-hand from people who have experienced it. For more information visit, calltomindnow.org Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All this week on Where We Live, we're turning over the hour to bring you a five-part series about mental health from American Public Media's initiative, Call To Mind. This initiative aims to foster new conversations about mental health, share new knowledge, and empower people to engage in their well-being. Schizophrenia affects about 24 million people worldwide. It can be a disruptive illness, making it difficult to find a meaningful job, attend school or manage relationships. People with schizophrenia require lifelong treatment, but there is hope. A growing body of research shows that with new interventions it’s possible to live well with the illness. This program shares stories about schizophrenia that don’t make the headlines. We’ll hear from people living with this illness and from leading experts about new treatments that make it possible to manage. For more information visit, calltomindnow.org Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All this week on Where We Live, we're turning over the hour to bring you a five-part series about mental health from American Public Media's initiative, Call To Mind. This initiative aims to foster new conversations about mental health, share new knowledge, and empower people to engage in their well-being. Nearly half of incarcerated Americans have a history of mental illness – that's twice the prevalence of mental illness in the adult population of the United States. People with serious mental illnesses encounter law enforcement and the court system for many reasons. This program brings together stories of people who have lived with mental illness while incarcerated. We also meet mental health providers calling for increased mental health care in prisons and jails and legal experts pioneering new systems. For more information visit, calltomindnow.org Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All this week on Where We Live, we're turning over the hour to bring you a five-part series about mental health from American Public Media's initiative, Call To Mind. This initiative aims to foster new conversations about mental health, share new knowledge, and empower people to engage in their well-being. Black women and girls experience discrimination, microaggressions and stereotypes every day. Living with daily racism has a profound impact on the mental health, well-being and lives of all those coping with it. This special program explores the unique mental health burdens of Black women and girls in the United States. Through interviews with mental health providers and people sharing their personal stories, we’ll explore the effects of racism and how care systems can shift to better help Black women thrive. For more information visit, calltomindnow.org Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All this week on Where We Live, we're turning over the hour to bring you a five-part series about mental health from American Public Media's initiative, Call To Mind. This initiative aims to foster new conversations about mental health, share new knowledge, and empower people to engage in their well-being. People living homeless have higher rates of untreated mental illnesses and substance use disorders than the general population. That can make it difficult to find a permanent place to live. This program will take you to the streets of New York City to hear directly from people who have lived homeless about what they needed most. You’ll also hear from experts who say the best mental health care for people living homeless is no-strings-attached housing. For more visit: calltomindnow.org Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this hour, Where We Live is passing the microphone to our colleagues at New Hampshire Public Radio. Hear a conversation from NHPR's 'By Degrees' 2024 Climate Summit. In this conversation, climate reporters from around the region and NPR discuss the role solutions-based journalism can play in affecting community action and accountability. Members of our audience asked: ‘Have we abandoned discussion of ways to reverse climate change? Can journalism reignite that discussion?’ And ‘how do local journalists cope when climate coverage news can feel so daunting, and directly affects communities they live and work in?’ This panel was moderated by NHPR’s Rick Ganley and featured: Neela Banerjee: NPR Chief Climate Desk Editor Abagael Giles: Climate Reporter for Vermont Public Mara Hoplamazian: Climate Reporter for New Hampshire Public Radio Paula Moura: Independent audio reporter; formerly of WBUR, Boston For more information visit, Rising Tide of Solutions Based Climate Reporting Connecticut Public and New Hampshire Public Radio are members of the New England News Collaborative. For more regional news and stories visit nenc.news. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this hour, Where We Live is passing the microphone to our colleagues at New Hampshire Public Radio. Hear a conversation from NHPR's 'By Degrees' 2024 Climate Summit. In the past year, New England has experienced storms in July, December, January, and April, resulting in flooding and significant property damage from the coast of Maine to the river valleys of Vermont. These events can be painful. But in our response, we can also catch glimpses of the future. As author and climate activist Rebecca Solnit writes, “Disaster offers a view into another world for ourselves.” But how do we do it? And how do we do it in a sustained, long-term way – around climate solutions that might take years? How do we – at a local level, with our neighbors and local governments — meaningfully create the world we want? This panel was moderated by Outside/In podcast reporter Justine Paradis and featured: Claudia Diezmartinez Peregina: Policy Fellow at the City of Boston’s Environment Department Kari White: Director of Community Health Equity at Northern Counties Health Care in the Northeast Kingdom, VT Brianna O’Brien: Conservation Coordinator for the Town of Hampton, NH For more info, visit How Local Communities are Planning for the Future Connecticut Public and New Hampshire Public Radio are members of the New England News Collaborative. For more regional news and stories visit nenc.news. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than 200 Americans visit the emergency department for nonfatal firearm injuries each day. That now includesformer president Donald Trump who was shot in his right ear at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania over the weekend and brought to the hospital. Today, we talk about gun violence as a public health crisis. The U.S. Surgeon General recently published a health advisory on the far-reaching consequences of firearm violence. The divide on how to respond to gun violence is deeply polarizing. But seeing it through a public lens perspective could change the conversation. And it can also bring new solutions. Surviving parents of gun violence victims join us and we also hear from James Dodington, Medical Director at the Center for Injury and Violence Prevention at Yale New Haven Health. Mark Barden is the co-founder of Sandy Hook Promise. He lost his son Daniel in the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012. We hear from him. Reverend Sam Saylor lost his son Shane Oliver to gun violence in October 2012.In April 2023, Shane’s daughter and Reverend Saylor’s granddaughter Sec’ret Pierce was killed by a drive-by shooting in Hartford. She was only 12 years old. He joins us as well. GUESTS: Dr. James Dodington: Mark Barden: Reverend Sam Saylor:Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every year, we produce a summer reading hour to talk about some of our favorite books of this year, and give you recommendations of the best beach reads. And this year, we’re diving into the illustrious, the notorious, the infamous paperback: the romance novel. There’s a lot of stigma attached to romance reading, especially within the reading community. But this top grossing genre is actually one of the most popular book genres in the world. Today, we go beyond harlequin bodice rippers and Fabio and dive into the world of romance with our panel. Got a favorite romance novel or love story? We want to hear from you. GUESTS: AK Nevermore: president of the Connecticut Romance Writers of America and author living in Connecticut Michelle Smith: President/Owner The BookSmiths Shoppe, LLC. in Danbury Lauren Anderson: Founder of Possible Futures Bookspace in New Haven. Authors featured in this broadcast: AK Nevermore Kristan Higgins Amy Neff JJ Graham Krystal Marquis Chloe Liese Book recommendations from the staff at Connecticut Public Normal People, by Sally Rooney A Court of Thorns and Roses (series), by Sarah J Mass Fourth Wing (Empyrean series), - Rebecca Yarros Author Emily Henry Author Casey McQuiston The Selection, series by Kiera Cass Bridgeton, series by Julia Quinn The Princess Diaries, series by Meg Cabot Conversations with Friends, by Sally Rooney Persuasion by Jane Austin Dylan Reyes contributed to this episode which originally aired May 24, 2024. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This hour, we’re celebrating some of the most memorable moments with Katie Pellico as she begins another chapter of her career. She'll soon start a new position managing development and communication at Common Ground High School, Urban Farm and Environmental Education Center in New Haven, but we won't soon forget coverage she helped to lead on... Connecticut's slate of new social studies initiatives and standards: 'Think like a historian': State approves new social studies standards November 13, 2023 'Teaching with truth and complexity': Checking in on the state's Black and Latino Studies elective August 17, 2023 Meet the teaching cohort modeling culturally-responsive AAPI education in Connecticut May 19, 2023 Connecticut tribes co-create state social studies curriculum, centering 'our culture and our ways' January 26, 2023 How scholars are rethinking how history is taught: Rewriting the Thanksgiving story, while centering Indigenous voices November 30, 2023 Examining the history and legacy of 'sundown towns' in Connecticut November 27, 2023 Uncovering the history of eugenics at Yale University, and its 'afterlives' October 2, 2023 How museums in the state are doing the same: Taking a tour of the Vintage Radio and Communications Museum of Connecticut May 6, 2024 Artist Pablo Delano's 'Museum of the Old Colony' lands at Venice Biennale April 29, 2024 Exploring the 'new' Yale Peabody Museum April 1, 2024 Mohamad Hafez installs 'Eternal Cities' at the new Yale Peabody Museum December 4, 2023 Healing and humanizing through artifact: Visiting the Museum of Jewish Civilization November 16, 2023 Healing and humanizing through art: Visiting Palestine Museum US in Woodbridge November 9, 2023 Grassroots legislative efforts, including those led by disability groups: A look at efforts to improve accessible parking regulation in Connecticut May 9, 2024 Connecticut disability advocates push for legislation to improve medical access February 15, 2024 Wheelchair repairs can take months: What local advocates are doing to change that July 17, 2023 Amazon responds to proposed bill aimed at warehouse 'quotas' May 15, 2023 Connecticut may continue 'incremental' expansion of HUSKY Health coverage May 4, 2023 Lawmakers call for nurse protections amid 'patient care crisis' January 24, 2023 Environmental coverage: How new federal limits on 'forever chemicals' will affect Connecticut April 22, 2024 An update on efforts to address flooding in Hartford's North End, plus a look at how farms are faring January 22, 2024 Connecticut coral could play a key role in climate resilience July 31, 2023 Seeding the next generation of farmers in Connecticut July 13, 2023 A look at environmental justice efforts in Connecticut: 'It's everybody's problem' February 28, 2023 And... Efforts to clean litter are lifesaving for wildlife July 8, 2024 'We need a moonshot for long COVID': What we know (and don't know) about the illness April 18, 2024 There's no singularity when it comes to honoring Lunar New Year, including in Connecticut April 11, 2024 Bigfoot gets all the glory, but Connecticut has its own cast of cryptids March 29, 2024 Author Rebecca F. Kuang on 'Babel,' revolution and students as visionaries March 26, 2024 'Kinks in the movement': Staging a curly hair revolution in New Haven March 25, 2024 Book ban requests still 'soaring' in Connecticut. Plus, vigil held at Capitol for Nex Benedict March 4, 2024 The 'wild rumpus' continues: Maurice Sendak's legacy lives on at Ridgefield Foundation February 12, 2024 Connecticut is the land of steady habits, but no steady identity January 25, 2024 'Before there was Salem, there was Connecticut': State formally pardons accused witches October 19, 2023 Cups, discs, wands and swords: Tarot and 'divination' in Connecticut August 11, 2023 Efforts to protect transgender care in Connecticut June 29, 2023 The delicate art of obituary-writing May 22, 2023 Students lead push to observe...

It’s hard getting your book published. It’s even harder when you’re an author of color. Between 1950 and 2018, 96% of American fiction books published were written by white authors. Today, hear from two Latina authors in Connecticut about their debut books. They’ll talk about navigating the publishing industry and the importance of centering marginalized voices. In her novel, The Girls in Queens, Christine Kandic Torres tells the story of two Latinx women coming of age in Queens, New York. In her memoir, A Body Across Two Hemispheres, Victoria Buitron shares how she came of age between Ecuador and the United States. We'll also hear about their work as editors of the 2024 Connecticut Literary Anthology. GUESTS: Christine Kandic Torres: author of The Girls in Queens and fiction editor of the 2024 Connecticut Literary Anthology Victoria Buitron: author of A Body Across Two Hemispheres and nonfiction editor of the 2024 Connecticut Literary Anthology Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you think of Hartford, Connecticut, what comes to mind? Maybe Elizabeth Park, good eats, and our state capitol? Odds are, you’re probably not thinking of Hartford as a destination for making movies! But some creatives are trying to change that. After graduating from the Yale, Connecticut native TJ Noel-Sullivan lived in Los Angeles for a short while, but he found himself drawn back to Hartford. His first feature film is called Midas, it follows three best friends as they attempt to pull off a giant insurance fraud scheme and the entire film was set and shot in Hartford. He joins us today to talk about the film, and his work to educate the next generation of filmmakers. GUEST: Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stamford-based nonprofit Keep America Beautiful found almost 50 billion pieces of litter along U.S. road- and waterways in 2020. This hour, we’re spotlighting some of the small-but-mighty efforts to clean litter and protect wildlife in Connecticut. New Haven river keeper Peter Davis and his assistant David Burgess have been clearing parks and rivers in the Elm City for decades, one trash bag at a time. He joins us. Local osprey nest monitor Nancy Ellen Harrigan James will also join, along with ecologist and Homegrown National Park co-founder Dr. Douglas Tallamy. GUESTS: Peter Davis: New Haven River Keeper Nancy Ellen Harrigan James: Osprey Nest Monitor Aaron Goode: Environmental Advocate; Secretary, New Haven Bioregional Group Dr. Douglas Tallamy: Entomologist and Ecologist; Author; Co-Founder, Homegrown National Park Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dating in 2024 can be tough. There are no shortage of stories about dating in the age of Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, and more! But today, we're going to talk about dating, and falling in love, when you're an older adult. Last fall, the spinoff show “The Golden Bachelor” started a national conversation about falling in love in midlife and beyond. Today we hear from experts about dating in this age range, and we’ll even get to hear some love stories that will put "The Notebook" to shame. And if you are dating or have fallen in love, at any age, we want to hear from you! GUESTS: Dr. Kristina Zdanys: Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Division Chief for Geriatric Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at UConn Health Chip Conley: Founder & CEO of the Modern Elder Academy Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode. Cat Pastor contributed to this show which originally aired February 16, 2024. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finding long-term resources and programs for young people with autism can be challenging, and in some cases, incredibly disheartening. The needs of autistic youth can vary. As a spectrum disorder, some diagnosed with high functioning autism can live relatively normal lives pursuing college, careers and relationships. But others require more support. Those with intellectual disabilities and communication challenges often require lifelong support to assist with tasks of daily living. One school that claimed to fulfill that need was Shrub Oak International School in New York. This school takes students from across the country, including Connecticut. But a recent investigation by ProPublica showed that this institution that costs nearly $600,000 a year is failing its students. This investigation uncovered several accusations of neglect and abuse. Today, we hear about the investigation by ProPublica. The Office of the Child Advocate weighs in and hear about a recent complaint against High Road Schools in Connecticut. GUESTS: Sarah Eagan: Connecticut Child Advocate Jennifer Smith Richards: reporter for ProPublica Jodi Cohen: Reporter for ProPublica Dr. Mary Doherty: founder of Autistic Doctors International and anesthesiologist Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Historian and scholar Deb Harkness was studying the intersection of science and magic in history and the humanities, when she was struck by the trend of "vampire boyfriend" stories in books and popular culture. She asked herself, "What if there really are these creatures living around us? What do they do for a living? Why have I never met any of them? And would it really be a great thing to have a supernatural significant other? I don't think so... I thought, right now people can't handle the idea of two women or two men getting married, and yet we think we want a vampire boyfriend. What is going on?" These questions yielded the acclaimed historical fantasy series, "All Souls." The latest installment, titled "The Black Bird Oracle," is due out July 16. With ancestral ties to accused witches in New England, Harkness says she considers the book a "love letter to my Connecticut and New England ancestors." This hour, Harkness joins us to discuss. GUESTS: Dr. Deborah Harkness: Historian; Author, "All Souls" series and "The Black Bird Oracle"; Professor, University of Southern California Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even before the pandemic, half of all adults reported experiencing measurable levels of loneliness. In 2023, a report from Surgeon General Vivek Murthy showed that loneliness and isolation has physical consequences like increased risk of heart disease, stroke and dementia. Murthy stressed how social connection is the key to individual and community health and well being. This idea of social connection is something that today’s guest has spent a lot of time focused on. Deb Bibbins is the Founder and CEO of For All Ages, an organization uniting older adults and younger generations, and its statewide initiative; the Connecticut Collaborative to End Loneliness. We spoke to her at the International Festival of Arts and Ideas in New Haven. She talks about how social connection is the foundation of our health. GUESTS: Deb Bibbins: Founder and CEO of For All Ages and the Connecticut Collaborative to End Loneliness Listen back to our additional coverage on loneliness: What’s going on with loneliness? 'What's eating at America': Addressing the loneliness and isolation epidemic Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Education budget cuts from this legislative session are slamming schools at all levels, from early education to higher education. This hour, we hear from Connecticut Mirror budget reporter Keith Phaneuf, and education reporter Jessika Harkay. Plus, we check in with the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents, and Chancellor of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system Terrence Cheng. GUESTS: Keith Phaneuf:Jessika Harkay:Fran Rabinowitz:Terrence Cheng: Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Housing in Connecticut has not only gotten more expensive, it’s much harder to find. The state vacancy rate is only 3.5% and the median rent is $2,000. Housing touches every aspect of our life. From health to education to community, where you live, makes a difference. So why is housing so hard to find? There’s no easy answer, but our guests say that in order to create a better future where housing is both accessible and affordable, you have to look at the housing systems that have been set up in the past. This week, Connecticut Public will premiere the documentary Fighting For Home: How Housing Policy Keeps Connecticut Segregated. Today, we’ll hear documentary producer Sabrina Buckwalter and those featured in the film. But before we get to that, we just had the first major heatwave of the summer. If you are hoping to cool down at a local pool, your options might be a bit limited this season. We learn why. GUESTS: Oscar Rodriguez:Leadership, Education, and Athletics in Partnership, Inc. (LEAP)Sabrina Buckwalter: Fighting For Home: How Housing Policy Keeps Connecticut SegregatedJacqueline Rabe Thomas:Hearst Connecticut Media Group or CT InsiderShanay Fulton:Commissioner of Planning and Zoning in MiddletownSupport the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent UConn study found that three-quarters of Black households with cars in the U.S. spend over 15% of their monthly income on car-related expenses. For these researchers, transportation shouldn’t have to mean car ownership. This hour, we spotlight "walkability" and public transportation alternatives. Hear from city planners and civil engineers who are driving the conversation forward to deprioritize drivers and "stroads." "Our mistake over the years is that we have allowed streets to become half roads and roads to become half streets," writes city planner Jeff Speck. "On one, commerce has been sacrificed to speed. On the other, speed has been sacrificed to commerce." GUESTS: Dr. Norman Garrick: Professor Emeritus of Civil Engineering at the University of Connecticut Jeff Speck: City Planner and Author of Walkable City: How Downtown Can Save America, One Step at a Time Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.