In 2015, journalist Elise Hu moved to South Korea to open the NPR Seoul bureau. During her time in South Korea, she witnessed the rise of K-beauty culture or “Korean beauty.”
K-beauty encompasses a multitude of beauty treatments. It doesn’t just include luxury skincare lines, and expensive facemasks; there's also LED light therapy, injections, fillers, and a myriad of options for plastic surgery.
These procedures are becoming an increasingly normal part of daily life in South Korea, but also in the United States. They are also more accessible than ever to anyone that wants to change the way they look.
Although some are starting to question the pursuit of keeping up with today’s beauty standards, this multibillion dollar beauty industry isn't going away.
Today, Elise Hu joins us on Where We Live to talk about her book Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital.
We talk about the pursuit and pain of keeping up with today’s beauty standards.
GUEST:

Elise Hu: host of TED Talks Daily and also a host-at-large for NPR. She is the author of Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital
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"Flawless" Author Elise Hu dives into the world of K-Beauty

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In 2023, book club event listings grew 24% over the prior year according to the ticketing platform Eventbrite. Celebrities like Reese Witherspoon and RuPaul are among the celebrities who have launched their own book clubs.
This hour, we hear about these new communities of readers, and how the influence of BookTok and BookStagram factors.
We’re joined by one Silent Book Club chapter taking off in New Haven, and a shoreline-area business owner arranging “Blind Dates with a Book.” Plus, Anthony Bagley founded “Black Kidds Read Too” in his hometown.
GUESTS:

Britt Rivera: Content Creator; Founder, Silent Book Club New Haven
Anthony "Da Kidd PG" Bagley: CEO and Founder, A Kidd From New Haven
Alyssa Korzon: Co-Owner, Bookish Babes and Brews
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How the influence of 'BookTok' helped build real-world community – and book clubs

This week, Muslims across the world celebrate the holiday of Eid-al-Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice.
Today, we are hearing from Muslims around Connecticut celebrating this sacred and special time honoring those who have made the Islamic pilgrimage known as Hajj.
We’ll hear from Connecticut residents, including one who is making the Islamic pilgrimage known as Hajj. If you’re celebrating this holiday, we want to hear from you.
GUESTS:


Khaleel Rahman: a producer with Audacious with Chion Wolf on Connecticut Public


Imam Safwan Shaikh: Farmington Valley American Muslim Center


Asif Chaudhry: Connecticut resident taking a Eid-al-Adha pilgrimage this year


Dia Fortenberry: Assistant Athletic Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Engagement at Wesleyan University and Speakers Bureau with the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut


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.

Celebrating the Feast of Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) is marked with pilgrimage, charity and community

In the LGBTQ community, “found” or “chosen family” can be crucial. It's the idea of a social support system beyond your biological family, and one of the themes Ella Dawson explores in her book, But How Are You, Really?
This hour, the sex and culture columnist from Connecticut joins us to discuss her first novel, found family, burnout, second-chance romances, and much more.
GUESTS:

Ella Dawson: Sex and Culture Critic; Author, "But How Are You, Really?"
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Sex and culture critic Ella Dawson highlights the importance of 'found family' in her fiction debut

Fools and wise man, come hither! This summer’s day program of Where We Live will dedicate an hour to the master of comedy and tragedy alike, Sir William Shakespeare.
Outdoor productions of William Shakespeare’s plays go back to well…the time of William Shakespeare! And every summer this tradition comes alive on stages across Connecticut.
Today, we talk about Shakespeare in the park, the common and even - the sound! We’re joined by thespians across the state staging productions of this iconic playwright. 
GUESTS:

James Bundy: Dean and Artistic Director of the David Geffen School of Drama and Yale Repertory Theatre
Laura Sheehen: Co-founder of Capital Classics Theatre Company in Hartford
Aaron Simms: Managing and Producing Director of Shakespeare on the Sound in Norwalk, Connecticut

Theater companies featured in this broadcast, including summer 2024 productions:

Shakespeare on the Sound - Norwalk


June 12- June 30: Romeo and Juliet, Pinkney Park, Rowayton, CT


Breakdancing Shakespeare - Hartford Stage


June 17 – July 27: Hartford Stage


Capital Classics - Hartford


July 10 – August 4: The Greater Hartford Shakespeare Festival will feature two full-length productions of Hamlet and The Taming of the Shrew — outdoors — on the campus of the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford.


Shakesperience - Litchfield Hills (Washington Depot, CT)


August 7-11: Romeo and Juliet, River Walk Pavilion, Washington Depot, CT (Free Admission)


Elm Shakespeare - New Haven


August 16 – Sunday, Sept 1: Richard III, Edgerton Park, New Haven (Free Admission)


Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theatre - Middletown

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.

Shaking up the summer with some (outdoor) Shakespeare

In Connecticut, there are LGBTQ community centers in New Haven, Norwalk and, most recently, Bridgeport. There have also been recent efforts to launch a queer hub in West Hartford.
These spaces are important for community, safety, resources, and even are associated with reduced suicide risk among LGBTQ youth, according to the Trevor Project.
Connecticut Public reported on the New Haven Pride Center’s move to a larger location in January. They say this will allow them to offer more community resources.
This hour, we hear from Juancarlos Soto, executive director of the New Haven Pride Center. We'll also hear from a researcher who has measured the importance of these community hubs, and the resources they offer.
Plus, we get an update on the policies protecting and restricting LGBTQ rights in the U.S. from The 19th's LGBTQ+ reporter Orion Rummler.
GUESTS:

Orion Rummler: LGBTQ+ Reporter, The 19th
Juancarlos Soto: Executive Director, New Haven Pride Center
Dr. Dani Chiaramonte: Associate Research Scientist, Yale LGBTQ Mental Health Initiative

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. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Flawless" Author Elise Hu dives into the world of K-Beauty

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