Where We Live

Connecticut native and bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert’s new memoir, "All the Way to the River," tells the story of her late partner, Rayya Elias.

The two began as fast friends, then fell in love. But as they faced tragedy together, their shared struggles with addiction put them on a collision course with catastrophe.

This hour, Gilbert joins us to talk about Rayya — “the love of her...

From a mass shooting in Australia that left 15 people dead, to a shooting at Brown University that killed two students, the world has been rocked by gun violence at the end of 2025.

In the U.S., 125 people die from a gun injury, and more than 200 people are shot and wounded each day, according to the nonprofit Everytown for Gun Safety. In Connecticut, there were at least 339 incidents of gun violence this year.

The outpou...

Tuesday is the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth. This hour, we celebrate the beloved author's work, and look at why her six novels have endured for centuries. Plus, we hear from a horticulturalist about her love of gardens, and talk with a local historical clothing expert about fashion in Austen's time.

GUESTS:

• Barbara Benedict: Charles A. Dana Professor of English at Trinity College
• Tara Key: Manager of Refe...

Why does Christmas bring out the ghosts?

This hour, we dig into the world of Charles Dickens and Mark Twain, and the Victorian obsession with spiritualism that shaped so many holiday tales.

We also explore two Connecticut productions of A Christmas Carol to see how performers keep this annual tradition fresh.

GUESTS:

• Wesley Broulik: producing artistic director, Times Fool Company
• Cynthia Rider: managin...

Millions of people in our country live with a chronic condition.

From syndromes affecting our hearts and brains, to pain and inflammation, chronic illnesses can be hidden to the world, but are all too real for patients.

Today, we dive deep into how culture and politics affect our bodies. We explore perceptions of what illness looks like (or doesn’t look like). And we'll ask what it takes for a patient to become an advocate, b...

Changing federal guidance on vaccines has Connecticut health officials in an uproar.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s vaccine committee recently altered long-standing guidance on how newborns are vaccinated.

Meanwhile, doctors say more patients fear vaccine side effects, which doctors are addressing on a case-by-case basis during consultations. Public health experts are concerned that fear and confusion could bring ba...

"Gilmore Girls" premiered in October 2000 on The WB network. The series filled a niche at the time: female leads, three generations of women, and witty, fast-paced dialogue. But success was not immediate.

This hour, we listen to "Oy, with the Gilmores already!" an episode of Connecticut Public's new podcast, "Generation Gilmore Girls."

Later, we’re joined by the host of the podcast, Chloe Wynne, who reflects on the ...

When it comes to getting behind the wheel, there’s a lot to be stressed about, and we're not just talking about bad drivers.

The average cost of a new car today is about $50,000. Car insurance rates have risen 55% since February 2020. Car maintenance costs are also on the rise.

Today, we talk about what you should know if you’re in the market for a new vehicle.

Later, we hear from the Connecticut Mirror. ...

Like many humanitarian crises, the situation in Sudan is complicated. The nation has a long history of violence, war and genocide. Several militia groups, factions and tribes have contributed to the devastation.

The region is facing mass starvation. Millions of people have been displaced and impacted by famine. Mass killings and sexual violence have become all too common in this region.

Today, we hear what humanitari...

Lebanese cuisine is all about slowing down, gathering with friends and family and taking your time to enjoy a meal.

"I have a clock that doesn't move in the restaurant," said chef George Noujaim. He's the owner of Noujaim's Bistro in Winstead, Connecticut. Noujaim is one of two Lebanese chef-owners we’ll hear from today, who are teaching their customer base to slow down.

With gathering in mind, we&rs...

Many Americans are feeling the pressure of rising grocery bills. Meanwhile, an estimated $550 million worth of food will go to waste this Thanksgiving alone. That’s according to the nonprofit ReFed.

This hour, we’ll hear about statewide efforts to reduce, reuse and rethink what we throw away.

And later, we’ll hear from experts on the front lines of food recovery — people working to get good food out of ...

New Haven's Claire's Corner Copia has been a Connecticut institution for 50 years now. This hour owner Claire Criscuolo joins us to talk about food, building community and her new cookbook. We'll get vegetarian cooking tips ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, and take your calls.

GUEST:

• Claire Criscuolo: Owner of Claire’s Corner Copia, a vegetarian restaurant in New Haven. Her newest cookbook is "50 Vegetarian R...

For generations, stories of Native America were erased from the American story. Today, we explore the Native American experience in New England.

Connecticut Public Special Correspondent Diane Orson has spent nearly a year researching, producing and reporting the stories in this series, called "Still Here."

We hear from Diane, and get a preview of this special series.

Guests:

• Diane Orson: reporter and...

Hurricane Melissa was one of the most powerful hurricanes on record. This Category 5 storm caused devastation in Jamaica and across the Caribbean, permanently changing the lives of those living and working in this region.

Here in Connecticut, many residents have felt the ripple effect. The West Indian community makes up a large portion of the immigrant population in Connecticut. There are 70,000 West Indian immigrants in greater Ha...

It all started with a typo.

Anelise Chen was going through a difficult divorce. Her career and job security was tenuous. She just got into a bike accident leaving her with bruised ribs, and she received a text from her mom: “Clam down! Just clam down.” 

This typo inspired a journey of healing: a journey that included retreating, diving into her family history and learning everything she could about the life of a cl...

If you’ve ever stared at the ceiling wondering why sleep won’t come, you’re not alone.

In fact, six out of 10 adults in the United States don’t get enough sleep. That’s according to the National Sleep Foundation.

This hour, we hear from someone diagnosed with insomnia and a sleep expert. They'll help us understand why rest feels so out of reach, and what might help us drift off.

GUESTS:

• Jenni...

The United States' first Food Stamp program began in 1939.

Since then, millions of people have benefited from nutritional assistance. In 2024, one in nine Connecticut residents received benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.

Last week, federal judges ordered the Trump Administration to continue to fund SNAP benefits. The administration initially agreed to cover a fraction of the benefit payments. But ...