Where We Live

Chef Ham El-Waylly straddles two very different worlds: fine dining and home cooking. In his new cookbook, he shares the recipes and memories that bring it all together.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than 7 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease . And that number is expected to grow significantly in the coming decades.

To mark World Alzheimer’s Day, we look at the latest developments in Alzheimer’s research, diagnosis, and treatment, and ask what they mean for patients and families.

We also explore the emotional realities of living with the disease, from changes in behavior to the complicated grief that can come with caring for someone whose personality and abilities are changing.

Plus, we learn how Connecticut is working to improve access to care, support caregivers and shape policy around Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Guests:

• Dr. Elizabeth Edgerly: Vice President of Care & Support at the Alzheimer’s Association
• Christy Kovel: Connecticut Government Relations Director for the Alzheimer’s Association’s Connecticut chapter
• Patty O’Brian: dementia specialist at the Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic: Do those words ring any bells? Maybe from that old earth science class? Don’t lose your marbles! Today, we’re talking about rocks.

Did you know that Connecticut now has a new state rock? Housatonic marble has officially received this prestigious title of Connecticut’s state rock. Today, we learn how it all happened.

Later, science educators talk about using the earth sciences as a foundation for science literacy.

Guests:

• Robert Thorson: Professor of Earth Sciences at the University of Connecticut

• Louis Goffinet: STEM Enrichment Teacher at Mansfield Middle School

• Todd Campbell: Department Head of Science Education at the Neag School of Education at UConn

• Violet Andrews: recent UConn graduate

Where We Live is available 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 August 18, 2026.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last month, ICE made over 100 arrests in Connecticut. Communities are not staying silent. After an arrest takes place, it can leave family members shaken and unable to find a way forward. But community members are stepping up to offer their support.

There have been protests against these arrests. There’s also the support that comes with organized meal trains, walking children to the bus stop and helping immigrant families with the everyday logisitics so they can find a way forward amid uncertainty.

Today, we learn what life looks after ICE arrests.

Guests:

• Chris Polansky: General Assignment and Breaking News Reporter at Connecticut Public Radio
• Andrea Sanchez: Special Projects Manager at Connecticut Students for a Dream, undocumented youth-led organization in the state of Connecticut
• Maggie Mitchell Salem: Executive Director at the Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services in New Haven
• Mary Elizabeth Smith: Deputy Director of Make the Road Connecticut, a community-based organization working to support immigrant, Latine, and working-class communities in Connecticut

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We know football players take some big hits.

Now, new research is giving us a clearer picture of how repeated head impacts can affect the brain, including findings of C.T.E. – a degenerative brain disease – in 215 of 878 former N.F.L. players whose brains were studied.

But the risks aren’t limited to professional football. Young athletes in many sports can suffer concussions and other head injuries, too.

This hour, we talk with a neurologist, a brain injury specialist, and a high school athletic director about what we know about C.T.E., how schools are approaching head injuries, and how to make sports safer.

Guests:

• Dr. Anthony Alessi: Associate Clinical Professor of Neurology and Orthopedics, Director, UConn NeuroSport Program 
• Victor Darr: Senior Brain Injury Specialist at the Brain Injury Alliance of Connecticut
• Chris Meyers: Director of Athletics and Student Activities at Newington High School

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 11, 2001 fell on a Tuesday. It was the start of the academic year. It was just another day in the classroom for students and teachers.

Today, we talk with teachers and educators about that day. They share how they are teaching the history of this important day to the students.

Guests:

• Jennifer Ladd: Teacher at Darien Public Schools 

• Jack Oehm: a retired FDNY Battalion Commander working with Tower to Tunnels Foundation

• Patty Lewis: Founder and Head of School, Adam J. Lewis Academy in Bridgeport

Where We Live is available 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.

AI tools might be able to write a decent email, but can it write a book? Today, we hear how AI is shaking up the book world for publishers, writers and readers alike.

One local rare and vintage bookseller joins us to talk about what this has meant for her company. One author shares her experience after her work was allegedly stolen by AI research company, Anthropic.

Guests:

• Colleen Lynch: Owner of No Other Book Like This, a bookstore in Mystic
• Sarah Darer Littman: Young-Adult author based in Connecticut
• Anna Silman: Power and Culture reporter at the Wall Street Journal

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Third spaces are those social spaces that aren’t your home or your workplace. They’re those great in-between environments where you can come by just to hangout with your community.

They can act as the building block of a healthy, thriving community. Although many of these spaces have disappeared, there’ are efforts to bring them back.

Today, we take a look at third spaces in Connecticut and beyond. Plus, heading into the long Labor Day weekend, we get an update on a "Where We Live" favorite third space — Connecticut parks and forests!

Guests:

• Mason Trumble: Deputy Commissioner with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
• Melissa Whitson: Professor of psychology and licensed psychologist at the University of New Haven
• Michael Brown: Owner of Third Space in New Haven, a gaming lounge, creative community space and event venue
• Sydney Williams-Brown: Co-owner of Third Space

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Caring for a child takes time, money and flexibility – all things that can be hard to come by when you're also trying to work a full time job.

Connecticut has taken steps to ease that pressure, including a paid family and medical leave program and a new investment in early childhood education.

But families still face high costs, limited availability and childcare schedules that don't always line up with the demands of work.

This hour, we ask: What would it take to build a caregiving system that actually works for Connecticut families?

Guests:

• Amanda Aronson: Founder and principal consultant of StoryB
• Erin Choquette: Chief executive officer of the CT Paid Leave Authority
• Representative Kate Farrar: Deputy Majority Leader serving West Hartford 
• Adrienne Billings-Smith: leader of employee development & community engagement and the Title VI coordinator for the town of West Hartford

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over 40% of Connecticut drivers admitted to speeding, at least sometimes. Some say they speed to avoid holding up traffic, while others are simply trying to reach their destination faster. Speeding might be considered the new normal, but it’s still dangerous. Last year, there were over 7,000 speeding-related crashes in the state.

Today, Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto joins us to talk about the state of our roads and what we’re seeing on Connecticut roadways.

Labor Day is the busiest travel weekend of the year. We hear what you need to know to stay safe on the roads.

Plus, updates on rail lines, highway construction and speed cameras.

Guests:

• Garrett Eucalitto: Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Transportation
• Brianna Gurciullo: transportation reporter at CT Insider

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.