Born in Pittsburgh, Micahel 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,” she said.

Today, he joins us for the hour to talk about his new book on the hidden history of brutality and violence that so many Chinese Americans faced at the turn of the century.

Learn more about Michael Luo's upcoming event at the Mark Twain House here.

GUEST:

• Michael Luo: Executive Editor for the New Yorker, and author of the book Strangers in the Land: Exclusion, Belonging, and the Epic Story of the Chinese in America

Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Trump recently attempted to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the agency that distributes federal funds to libraries and museums across the country.

Connecticut was one of just three states to lose its federal grant for public libraries, totaling over $2 million.

A judge blocked the move last week, but big questions remain.

This hour, we ask: What does this mean for our local libraries and museums? Is future funding safe? And what role do these institutions play in our communities today?

GUESTS:

• Lisa Hagen: Federal Policy Reporter, Connecticut Public and Connecticut Mirror
• Deborah Schander: State Librarian, Connecticut State Library
• Scott Jarzombek: President of the Connecticut Library Association 
• Joshua Carter: Executive Director, Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center

Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One in five Americans have a disability. That’s according to the United States Census Bureau.

The Trump administration has released statements promising to protect programs like medicaid, medicare and Social security - programs that people with disabilities rely on everyday.

But in his recommendation for funding for fiscal year 2026, President Trump proposed cuts to housing for persons with disabilities and cuts to the National Institute of Disability.

Today, we hear about the future of disability services from people living with disabilities.

GUESTS:

• Tom Cosker: Disability Advocate at Disability Rights Connecticut
• Corey Pheez Lee: More Than Walking Peer Mentor Coordinator, Hip-hop artist and host "Super Adaptables" Podcast with More Than Walking
• Colin Killick: Executive Director of the Autism Self-Advocacy Network

Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From special outdoor performances, to educating the next generation of thespians, summer is a busy time for theaters around the state.

But this month, several Connecticut performing arts spaces received notice that federal grants were being rescinded.

Today, we speak to some of those institutions about what will happen next.

Plus, Connecticut tourism is a $4 billion-a-year business. That’s according to the Connecticut Tourism Office. We hear how this industry has been impacted by federal cuts as well.

GUESTS:

• Michael Paulson: theater reporter for New York Times
• Chris Freeman: Vice President of Advancement at the Mystic Seaport Museum
• Eric Gershman: Interim Managing Director at Long Wharf Theater
• Frank Mitchel: President of the Board of Directors for CT Humanities

Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After recent reports of detentions across New England, Connecticut activists are stepping up to protect immigrants.

They’re finding creative ways to help people understand their rights and prepare for encounters with ICE, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

This hour, we uncover how these efforts are making a difference.

And later, we look at a scam targeting Connecticut’s immigrant community – the Notario Fraud. We hear how to spot it and where to turn for help if you or someone you know is caught in its grip.

GUESTS:

• Daniela Doncel: Latino Communities Reporter, Connecticut Public
• Sheila Hayre: Clinical Professor of Law, Quinnipiac University 
• Catherine Blinder: Chief Education and Outreach Officer, State's Department of Consumer Protection

Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parenthood is hard, and expensive. Over the course of 18 years, it costs nearly $300,000 to raise a child in the state of Connecticut.

So is a $5000 baby bonus really going to inspire prospective parents to have children? Today, we talk about some of the Trump administration’s recent proposals to increase the birthrate.

Ahead of Mother’s Day, we dig into solutions to supporting parents. We hear from parents who will share the ways they’d like to be supported throughout their parenthood journey.

And we want to hear from you, what’s parenthood like right now? What support systems would you like to see?

GUESTS:

• Sarah Donaldson: graduate student at Southern Connecticut State University
• Jessica Holzer: Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Population Health and Leadership
• Malissa Griffith: Program Manager of Parents Connecting Parents and family engagement at the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood

Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week begins the search for the next head of the Catholic Church known as the Conclave. Social media has been a buzz as Cardinals all over the world have gathered to begin this sacred ritual to elect the next Pope.

During his papacy, Pope Francis took stands on issues like immigration, war and environmental justice. Although he appointed women leaders in the Vatican office, he did not go so far as to allow women to serve as deacons, and priests.

As the Catholic church elects a new pope, some women are hoping for expanded roles under the next papacy. Today, we hear what that might look like.

What would you like to see from the next Pope?

GUESTS:

• Olivia Bardo: Multimedia and Social Editor at the Global Sisters Report, a Project of the National Catholic Reporter
• Celia Viggo Wexler: journalist and author of Catholic Women Confront Their Church: Stories of Hurt and Hope
• Sister Barbara Mullen: Sister of Saint Joseph and Hartford Archdiocese Delegate for Religious

Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 emotions in stories for young readers.

GUESTS:

• Debbi Michiko Florence: author of children’s and middle grade books including her latest, Last Chance Academy: A Study in Secrets
• Caela Collins: owner of Caela Enterprises, LLC, and author of Food Is Love

Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comedian Sheng Wang does not perform comedy that punches down; making jokes about those with less power and privilege.

The child of Taiwanese immigrants refuses to make jokes about the Asian American diaspora, but does include stories about his family in his standup.

Sheng joined us to talk about his 20 year career, his first comedy special on Netflix and connecting with audiences through humility and kindness.

Learn more about his Connecticut performance here.

GUEST:

• Sheng Wang: Comedian, actor and writer

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.

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.

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.