Where We Live

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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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.

GUESTS:

• Connecticut Attorney General William Tong
• Jessica DeFino:  award-winning beauty reporter and critic, columnist for The Guardian
• Maria Ogundolani: Program Director, LiveGirl 

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In recent weeks, the Trump administration has been targeting international students for their participation in pro-Palestinian protests or speech.

In early March, Columbia University student and Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil was arrested and detained. Khalil played a prominent role in the pro-Palestinian protests on the Columbia campus. President Donald Trump posted to Truth Social that Khalil’s arrest was quote “the first arrest of many to come.”

In late March, Fulbright scholar and Tufts University grad student Rumeysa Ozrurk was taken into custody by U.S. Department of Homeland Security agents in plain clothes and wearing masks.

This hour, we’ll hear about the experiences of international students amid the Trump administration’s crackdown — from their legal rights to the fear and uncertainty they’re feeling.

GUESTS: 

• Kirk Carapezza: Managing Editor and Correspondent for higher education at GBH News

• Liam Knox: Admissions and Enrollment Reporter, Inside Higher Ed

• Clay Harmon: Executive director of AIRC, Association of International Enrollment Management, a membership organization focused on recruiting and enrolling international students.

Kathy Wang and Angelica Gajewski helped produce this episode.

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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Next year, the United States will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Right now, many organizations are preparing for the anniversary here in Connecticut and beyond.

Today, we’ll hear from some of those institutions about their anniversary plans, the importance of learning from the past, and more.

The conversation was originally recorded at Connecticut’s America 250 2025 Conference held at the University of Connecticut and organized by CT Humanities.

GUESTS:

• Tom Schuch: Archival Historian, at the New London County Historical Society

• Norman Berman: President of the Temple Beth Israel Preservation Society

• Sylvester Salcedo: Connecticut Veteran and Content Developer

• Anne Dropick: Executive Director, Eidetic Productions, Inc.

• Jason Mancini: Executive Director of CT Humanities and Vice Chair of Connecticut’s America 250 Commission

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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President Trump has signed an executive order that will begin eliminating the Education Department.

And while most experts agree that it would require an act of Congress to scrap the department entirely, significant workforce reductions have already begun.

The White House says that these actions will save money and improve student test scores. But critics say that vulnerable students, rural communities, and teachers will be left in a lurch.

This hour, we're joined by former United States Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona. We'll explore what a future with no Education Department looks like for students and schools in Connecticut and beyond.

GUESTS:

• Miguel Cardona: former United States Secretary of Education
• Christina Samuels:  Deputy Managing Editor, The Hechinger Report
• Jessika Harkay: Education reporter, CT Mirror

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For Muslims, Ramadan is the holiest month of the year. It’s marked by fasting, prayer and renewing one’s devotion to the faith. Here in Connecticut, institutions around the state are marking this holy time with a variety of celebrations.

But throughout the world, Islamophobia is on the rise. Earlier this month in Waterbury, two young girls celebrating Ramadan were attacked by fellow students. During the attack, their hijabs were ripped off.

Today, we hear what can be done to better support the Islamic community, and dive deeper into this holy time.

GUESTS:

• Chaplain Aida Mansoor: Director of Field Education at Hartford International University
• Chad Moir: CEO of March Inc
• Saba Shahid: Author, entrepreneur and pilot
• Dia Fortenberry: Assistant Athletic Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Engagement at Wesleyan University

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