Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy recently stated that the Trump administration will be prioritizing transportation funding to states that require “local compliance or cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.” 

In April, the Connecticut Department of Transportation held it’s 2025 Transportation Showcase. Today, we listen back to the panel discussion, where we explored how public transit could impact small business growth and the future of federal infrastructure funding in Connecticut.

We also touched on the transition to an electric bus service and efforts to reduce Connecticut’s carbon footprint through green solutions.

GUESTS:

• Benjamin Limmer: Connecticut Department of Transportation, Bureau Chief of Public Transportation,

• Marian Andoh-Clarke: Director of Small Business Development, Hartford Chamber of Commerce,

• Matt Hart: Executive Director, Capital Region Council of Governments

• John Truscinski: Director of Resilience Planning, The Connecticut Institute for Resilience & Climate.

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Spring is a time of migration for amphibians around New England. And there’s a lot being done to help these little creatures get to their summer homes - safely!

Today, we hear from those working to aid the frogs, and toads, and helping them cross the roads.

We might even get to meet a frog and a toad, or two! The Connecticut Beardsley Zoo joins us, and along with some amphibian friends!

GUESTS:

• Mara Hoplamazian: Climate Reporter for New Hampshire Public Radio
• Jim Knox: Curator of Education of the Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo
• Stevie Kennedy Gold: Curatorial Associate of Herpetology for The Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University

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A new retail trend known as “Sephora Kids,” refers to tweens and young teens who emulate the beauty and skincare routines of adults.

Beauty retailer, Sephora, has seen their customer base of 9 to 12 year-olds double in the past five years. That’s according to Forbes.

But healthcare experts warn that many beauty and skincare products contain ingredients that are harmful to children.

Connecticut’s Attorney General, William Tong, has launched an investigation into Sephora’s marketing strategies aimed at kids, tweens and teens.

This hour, we explore the beauty industry’s impact on children, and how local leaders are inspiring confidence that is more than skin-deep.

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Black holes aren’t just the stuff of science fiction; they’re real astronomical objects so dense, so massive, that nothing, not even light, escapes from them.

Today, we’re getting lost in the void. Yale Astrophysicist Priya Natarajan joins us for an hour to talk about her research on these extraordinary objects. Last year, she was named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People of 2024 for her research on how black holes form.

Later, you don’t have to be a scientist to look up and appreciate the cosmos.

We hear from planetariums and astronomical societies in our state that are connecting stargazers and space lovers around Connecticut.

GUESTS:

• Priyamvada Natarajan: theoretical astrophysicist and Professor of Astronomy at Yale University

• Al Washburn: member at large and former president of the Astronomical Society of New Haven

• Brian Koehler: Associate Director of the Treworgy Planetarium at the Mystic Seaport Museum

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.

This episode originally aired February 27, 2025.

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New England’s coastal culture is built on shellfish. But rising temperatures and shifting ocean conditions threaten that tradition. This hour, how the shellfish industry is adapting to choppy waters.

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When you think of the phrase “nuclear power” what comes to mind for you? Perhaps some of the notable catastrophic accidents that were caused from malfunctions at nuclear power plants like Chernobyl or Three Mile Island?

Although nuclear power carries some risks, some are saying it’s one of the most reliable ways we have to generate electricity.

Today, we are going atomic and diving into the world of nuclear power, including taking a look at what this looks like in our state.

What questions do you have about going nuclear?

GUESTS:

• John Moritz: covers energy and environment for CT Mirror
• Erik Katovich: Assistant Professor of Environmental and Resource Economics at the University of Connecticut
• Ivan Penn: New York Times reporter covering the energy industry

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Today is Tax Day, and we’re talking about managing your budget in a year of constantly changing tariffs and an unpredictable marketplace.

There’s a lot of questions about what to do with your money, in a time of so much financial uncertainty. But having greater financial literacy and understanding on how the economy works, could give you a little bit more ease.

Later, we hear how greater financial literacy can help the next generation have greater control over their financial future.

GUESTS:

• Michelle Singletary: Personal Finance Columnist for the Washington Post
• Christian Sherill: Director of Growth and Advocacy with Next Gen Personal Finance
• Marian Andoh Clarke: Director of Small Business Development at the Hartford Chamber of Commerce

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Kelp Week 2025 is celebrated from April 20 to May 1 in Connecticut.

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 why seaweed is a powerful force against climate change.

GUESTS:

• Suzie Flores: co-owner of Stonington Kelp Co.
• Zachary Gordon:  Assistant Extension Educator, Connecticut Sea Grant
• Eric Dawson: Director of Program Innovation, Yellow Farmhouse

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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 local authors join us for an hour to talk about their new books and we want to hear what you’re reading right now!

GUESTS:

• Amity Gaige: author of four books including her latest, Heartwood. She also teaches creative writing at Yale.
• Ethan Rutherford: author of North Sun: the Voyage of the Whaleship Esther. He teaches creative writing at Trinity College.

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It’s time to shake off the winter blues and dive into spring - spring gardening to be more specific!

Today, horticulturist and host of All Things Gardening, Charlie Nardozzi joins us for the hour to answer our gardening questions and yours.

Plus, we hear from those bringing gardening, farming and fresh local goods from produce to honey, to every neighborhood across Connecticut, and using gardening as a way to connect.

Whether you're a first time gardener, or master of the soil, you won’t want to miss this hour.

Learn more about the Urban Green and Community Grant here.

GUESTS:

• Charlie Nardozzi: horticulturist and All Things Gardening host on Vermont Public Radio
• Jonathón Savage: Executive Director of Gather New Haven
• Diana Martinez: Agriculture Director at Chicks Ahoy Farm

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