Where We Live

Some studies show that working with your hands can have a lot of cognitive and emotional benefits. Creating something with your hands can be a deeply satisfying process, and for some students, it can set them on a path for a real career in engineering.

That’s where Makerspaces come in. Across the state, makerspaces are providing places where students of all ages can go and learn a new trade or craft with the help of some exceptional makers, and really advanced equipment!

Today, we hear from MakerspaceCT, a Hartford based skills development center. Later, we learn how libraries are becoming hubs for innovation as well.

GUESTS:

• Samuel Ferri: coordinator with Studio 20 South, a digital maker studio at the West Hartford Library
• Paul Lavoie: Chief Manufacturing Officer of the state of Connecticut
• Cole Grosner: Education Director for MakerspaceCT
• Devra Sisitsky: Founder and Executive Director of MakerspaceCT
• Care Verikas: co-founder Bristol Bazaar, an indoor makers market that is open year round

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A Connecticut lab is embarking on a groundbreaking initiative to study endometriosis, a painful condition that impacts people with a uterus.

Endometriosis is just one of the many invisible illnesses that impact an estimated 10% of the American population, according to Disabled World, an independent Health and Disability news source.

This hour, we talk about why invisible illnesses are difficult to diagnose and how scientists are trying to change that.

GUESTS:

• Michayla Savitt, State Government Reporter, Connecticut Public
• Jennifer Crystal, Author of “One Tick Stopped the Clock”
• Kelsi Carolan, Assistant Professor and licensed clinical social worker, University of Connecticut

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Traditionally, college campuses are epicenters of activity, connection, and engagement. So why are students feeling so isolated?

39% of students have reported feeling lonely. Loneliness remains an ongoing health crisis throughout the nation. United States Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has raised concerns about loneliness, sharing that a lack of connection can increase the risk for premature death.

Today, we take a look at loneliness and isolation in the university setting, and hear how some colleges are working to address it. We also hear from students and learn about how they have addressed loneliness in their lives.

GUESTS:

• Nick Pinkerton: Associate Dean of Counseling Services and Wellbeing at Southern Connecticut State University
• Alex Kafka: Senior Editor, at The Chronicle of Higher Education and author of the report Overcoming Student Loneliness
• Krista Mitchell: Senior at University of Connecticut
• Bonnibel Lilith Rampertab: Sophomore at University of Connecticut

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Sy Montgomery is the author of several books on animals, ordinary and extraordinary. Her new book What the Chicken Knows tackles one of the most common birds on the planet, but she argues that chickens are truly exceptional creatures.

Today, Sy joins us for the hour to talk about her new book and her experience owning and raising chickens.

Although chickens have a reputation of being rather unintelligent creatures, they actually have distinct personalities and communities.

Later, we touch on a recent avian flu outbreak that occurred in Texas, and what poultry farmers and chicken owners in our state need to know about it.

If you have chickens, we want to hear from you this hour.

GUEST:

• Sy Montgomery: author of What the Chicken Knows: A New Appreciation of the World's Most Familiar Bird
• Indu Upadhyaya: Food Safety Extension Specialist, at UConn Extension College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources.

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This hour, we explore the beverage that helps us start our days, energize our bodies, and connect with friends: coffee.

Coffee has played an unexpected role in Connecticut’s history. It has fueled fights for workers’ rights and social reforms, and even shaped cultures. With the help of a local historian, we move through time; from the birth of the 'coffee house' to the rise in popularity of the coffee date.

And later, we talk to local roasters and business owners about how they bring fresh and unique perspectives to the centuries-old coffee industry.

GUESTS:

• Karen Li Miller: Research Historian, Connecticut Museum of Culture and History
• J. René Martinez: Owner of J. René Coffee Roasters in West Hartford
• Tiera Aighewi: Owner of Black By Demand Specialty Coffee in Norwalk

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77% of adults said the future of the nation is a significant source of stress in their lives. When anxiety is high, it can be more important than ever to lean into self-care routines to manage stress.

And today's guests say that strategies managing election stress aren't that different than managing everyday stress.

Today, interfaith chaplain Reverend Tracy Mehr-Muska joins us to talk about managing election stress, and staying resilient in the midst of uncertainty.

We also hear from Kate Dias, a math teacher at the Manchester School district and president of the Connecticut Education Association. We hear about the conversations she’s having with her students.

GUESTS:

• Patricia Crouse: Professor of Political Science at the University of New Haven
• Susan Raff: Chief Capitol Reporter, WFSB TV
• Jonathan Wharton: associate professor of political science and urban affairs, Southern Connecticut State University
• Reverend Tracy Mehr-Muska: assistant director in the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, at Wesleyan University and author of the book Weathering the Storm: Simple Strategies for Being Peaceful and Prepared
• Kate Dias: math teacher at the Manchester School district and is president of the Connecticut Education Association

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Election Day is finally here. Today, we’ll get updates on how Election Day is unfolding in our state and across the nation.

Connecticut Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas will join us, and we hear from one Connecticut Public reporter in the field. Later, we take a look at one of the oldest political campaign tools: lawn signs.

Are you voting today? What are polling stations looking like where you live?

GUESTS:

• Stephanie Thomas: Connecticut Secretary of the State
• Sujata Srinivasan: Senior Health Reporter for Connecticut Public
• Jennifer Hopper: Associate Professor of Political Science at Southern Connecticut State University
• Alex Coppock: Assistant Professor of Political Science at Yale University and a resident fellow of the Institution for Social Policy Studies and Center for the Study of American Politics

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This hour, we hear a panel discussion called “Artistic Congress,” held at the Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, Connecticut on October 26. Panelists, including educators, journalists, and artists, gathered to discuss the connection between creativity and civic engagement.

They asked: Is it political discourse that impacts art? Or is it art that fuels political discourse?

GUESTS:

• Lucy Gellman: Editor of the arts paper and cofounder of the Youth Journalism Arts Initiative at the Arts Council of Greater New Haven
• Leslie Blatteau: President of the New Haven Federation of Teachers
• Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi: Performance artist, playwright and curator of the Black Trans Women at the Center New Play Festival at the Long Wharf Theatre

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Happy Halloween!

Is Connecticut the spookiest place in the country? We’re not sure, but our guests today are pretty haunted!

All this hour, we’ll be talking about all things Spooky Connecticut, and not just our favorite haunted spots.

There will be candy debates, talks of our favorite horror flicks filmed right here in Connecticut, and more.

Watch the Connecticut Public documentary "Trail of Terror" here.

GUESTS:

• Colin McEnroe: Host of the Colin McEnroe Show
• Chion Wolf: Host of Audacious with Chion Wolf
• Francesca Fontanez: host of Spooky CT and Social Media Editor at Connecticut Public

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How do you spend your time online? Many of our online platforms are designed to encourage scrolling, and to benefit advertisers and algorithms. Platforms built to connect us have left us more disconnected than ever.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. Technologists say that a better internet is possible. Today, we talk about the changing architecture of the internet to serve the public interest.

Later, we take a look at one of the largest libraries of online culture: The Internet Archive. It came under attack this month. We learn how this resource is being preserved for future generations.

GUESTS:

• Dan York: Senior Advisor at the Internet Society
• Andrew White: Caleb T. Winchester University Librarian at Wesleyan University

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