Where We Live

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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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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