Where We Live

Author and poet Ocean Vuong grew up in Hartford, Connecticut. It's a city he describes as having beautiful, vibrant life.

His mother worked in a nail salon and his stepfather worked in manufacturing. Speaking about his mother and aunts, who immigrated from Vietnam, Vuong says he was raised by storytellers.

Today, Vuong is one of the nation's most celebrated storytellers. He's winner of a prestigious MacArt...

As more and more of our daily life moves online, digital access has become essential.

But not everyone has the skills, or the tools, needed to keep up in a digital age.

The Digital Equity Act was designed to help close the gap. But recent funding cuts by President Trump have stalled that progress.

This hour, we explore how those cuts are affecting communities in Connecticut and beyond. We’ll hear how local institutions &ndash...

When you think of foods that give you a sense of home, what comes to mind?

Culturally connected foods are those ingredients, dishes and tastes that connect you back to your heritage and cultural identity.

For the AAPI community, finding those foods can be challenging.

In May, Where We Live host Catherine Shen hosted a panel discussion called “Cultural Food Systems Through the AAPI Lens” at the ...

Nearly 4 million college students have experienced food insecurity.

Here in Connecticut, several colleges have food pantries and programs working to address food insecurity on campus.

But addressing this issue goes beyond giving out canned goods. It’s about giving students access to quality foods, and addressing the root causes of food insecurity.

Today, we hear from students and those working build better food security ...

What role can poetry play in times of political and social turmoil?

This hour, we’re joined by Connecticut-based poets who will share how their work challenges dominant narratives and amplifies voices from the margins.

They’re part of a Ridgefield, Connecticut-based festival called “Poetry in the Garden.” This year, the festival will mark its fifth year with a series of poetry-filled evenings featuring the w...

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 Research Scientist at the Yale Center fo...

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 color, and how they tackle complex ...

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 to China,&...

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 largest whaling ports in the world.

These...

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 recipes and wh...

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 explores ast...

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 want to hear from you!

GUESTS:

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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 become more th...

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 mental health, and what you can do to p...

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 how these milestones are captured an...

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 and reflects on the lasting power of me...

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 Association.

Today, we talk with physicians abo...

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 initiative...

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 recently elop...