In 2018, 33-year-old Ryan Bode Moriarty died of a heroin overdose. He was a musician, artist and T-shirt designer. He created linoleum block carvings, and would print all his shirt designs by hand.

After his death, Ryan's mother, Patricia Bode, found one of his linoleum blocks carved with the words "Remember Love." This discovery inspired the Remember Love Recovery Project and sent Bode on a mission to destigmatize addiction.

It's a mission of vital urgency. After months of steady declines, overdose deaths in America are now on the rise. During National Substance Use & Misuse Prevention Month, we hear from those working to destigmatize addiction and get harm reduction tools into the community.

Has addiction impacted you or someone you love? We want to hear from you.

GUESTS:

• Patricia Bode: Associate Professor and Coordinator of Art Education at Southern Connecticut State University. She is also the founder and president the Remember Love Recovery Project
• Justin Phillips: Chief Executive Officer of the Overdose Lifeline
• Dr. J Craig Allen: Medical Director at Rushford and Vice President of Addiction Services at Hartford Healthcare

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Being financially literate is important when navigating tough times and tough markets.

Today, we get an update from financial experts and educators from around our state, and hear what you can do to stay financially resilient.

Later, when is the best time to start planning for retirement? We hear from one high school teacher who’s passing on the knowledge of financial planning to her students.

Got a question about personal finance?

GUESTS:

• Barbara Angelicola-Manzolli: Business Education Teacher at Lewis S. Mills High School in Burlington
• Christian Sherill: Director of Growth and Advocacy with Next Gen Personal Finance
• Ben Fuchs: Chief Investment Officer at Fuchs Financial. He’s also the co-host of the new podcast Fuchs Around & Cal Them Out

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Chef Pyet DeSpain is making her mark on the culinary world. A member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and with Mexican-American roots, she’s bringing fresh flavors — and long-overlooked traditions — to the table.

This hour, she’ll share stories of her culinary journey, one that took her from experiencing homelessness to winning Gordon Ramsay’s reality TV cooking competition, "Next Level Chef."

And later, she’ll offer up advice on how you can cook more authentically.

GUESTS:

• Pyet DeSpain: A member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and Mexican-American chef. She's the winner of Gordon Ramsay’s competition, "Next Level Chef," and author of “Rooted In Fire: A Celebration of Native American and Mexican Cooking”

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Are you doing any leaf peeping where you live?

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection joins us to talk about making the most of the fall season in Connecticut and the best spots to see all the natural wonders of our state.

And bird lovers, this show is for you! Fall is a big migration time for birds. Connecticut Audubon Society joins us, too.

Later, have you been feeling a little stuffy or sneezy? Got itchy eyes? It might be fall allergies. We learn what you can do to combat it.

GUESTS:

• Katie Dykes: Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
• Tom Anderson: Director of Communications, Connecticut Audubon Society
• Dr. Josh Mosdale: Primary care physician and medical director of clinically integrated network at Trinity Health Of New England Medical Group

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We’re in another government shutdown.

The federal government shut down at the start of October following a standoff between Senate Republicans and Democrats.

Now, the Trump administration is proposing more federal worker layoffs, calling it an “unfortunate consequence to a government shutdown.”

Today, we hear how the government shutdown could impact local government services, programs and workers in Connecticut.

Later, Christianity in America is at a crossroads. We hear from two Connecticut church leaders on how the current political climate is influencing faith communities locally, and across the U.S.

GUESTS:

• Andrea Barton Reeves: Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Social Services
• Scott McLean: Professor of Political science and Faculty Director of the Honors Program at Quinnipiac University
• Kate Dias: teacher at the Manchester School district and is president of the Connecticut Education Association
• Pastor Shawn Fisher: Bloomfield Congressional Church
• Rev. Dr. Stephen G. Ray Jr.: Minister of United Church on the Green in New Haven

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Ashley Bouder spent two decades as a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet, performing some of the most physically demanding roles in the repertory.

Now, she’s stepping into a new role as executive director of Eastern Connecticut Ballet school.

This hour, she reflects on the physical and mental challenges of a career in ballet, from injuries to the sacrifices required to stay at the top. She also talks about the lack of support for parents in the industry and the changes she hopes to see.

GUESTS:

• Ashley Bouder: former principal dancer with the New York City Ballet, and current executive director of Eastern Connecticut Ballet 

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Breast cancer can happen at any age. But young adults that are diagnosed with breast cancer often have a different journey than their older counterparts.

Treatment for breast cancer can bring on temporary or permanent menopause for women in early adulthood. This means navigating a slew of additional symptoms, on top of a life-changing diagnosis.

It also means making difficult decisions about family planning.

Today, we hear from a breast cancer survivor who was diagnosed at age 40, and learn how she’s using her story to educate others.

GUESTS:

• Kate Hayden Ames: breast cancer survivor living in Connecticut
• Dr. Niamey Wilson: Medical Director of the Breast Program at Hartford Healthcare
• Dr. Nancy Borstelmann: Co-Director of the Early Onset Cancer Program at Yale Cancer Center
• Anne Michaud: Yoga teacher for cancer survivors and oncology nurse

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Raising kids is never an easy task. But today’s parents are really struggling. Nearly half of parents say that most days they are so stressed, they cannot function.

This stress goes beyond the costs and demands of raising a child. Many parents feel like they are preparing their children for a future that is difficult to understand and predict.

Even therapists admit, there’s no playbook for parents. But there are some things you can to do (maybe) worry a little bit less and still raise a great kid. Today, we talk about managing parental anxiety, burnout and stress.

GUESTS:

• Melissa Whitson: Professor of Psychology at the University of New Haven
• Rebecca Harvey: Professor at Southern Connecticut State University in the MFT Program
• Alexis AP Munson: LCSW based in North Haven, Connecticut
• George Gogas: LCSW at Charter Oak Therapeutic Services, LLC

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As kids get back to school, the political debate around who should get shots for COVID other illnesses is once again bubbling up.

But another debate has risen as well. Last week, President Trump urged pregnant women to “tough it out” and use Tylenol sparingly during pregnancy. The administration claimed an unproven link between the painkiller acetaminophen and autism. It’s a statement that has been widely discredited by medical experts.

Today, Connecticut Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani joins us to answer your questions on vaccines, Tylenol use and more. We also hear from the Autism Self Advocacy Network.

GUESTS:

• Dr. Manisha Juthani: Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health

• Colin Killick: executive director of the Washington-based Autistic Self Advocacy Network

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When you think of farm animals, the term “endangered species” probably doesn’t come to mind.

In Scotland, Connecticut, Iris Creek Farm is working to raise and preserve a rare, endangered breed of sheep.

Today, we hear what local farmers are doing to raise more rare livestock and how this is impacting agriculture everywhere.

GUESTS:

• Tess Terrible: Senior Producer for Where We Live
• Jeanette Beranger: Senior Program Manager at the Livestock Conservancy
• Mackenzie White: Diversified Livestock Extension Field Based Specialist at the UConn Extension College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources

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