Where We Live

The Cambodian genocide took the lives of up to three million people - between 1975 and 1979. Many were forced to work at labor camps where they faced abuse, torture and starvation.

But this is only part one of the story. The lesser known part is the story of Preah Vihear Mountain, where over forty thousand refugees were forced to climb to their death.

Many Cambodian refugees ended up in refugee camps in Thailand. But instead of being processed as refugees, they were forced on buses and driven to Preah Vihear Mountain, which is part of a mountain range between Thailand and Cambodia.

Returning to Cambodia was a devastating experience. Not only were they forced back into the country, but the mountain was filled with landmines, and refugees had no food or water. They were forced to climb down the mountain side, and those who didn’t comply were gunned down

Today, we heard from someone who experienced this firsthand. Bunseng Taing lives in Connecticut and is a survivor of this massacre. He joins us with his son, James Taing. Together, they produced the documentary film Ghost Mountain: The Second Killing Fields.

GUESTS:

• James Taing: producer of Ghost Mountain: The Second Killing Fields

• Bunseng Taing: survivor of the Cambodian genocide and author of Under the Naga Tail

• Jenny (JHD) Heikkila Diaz: Professional Learning Coordinator, Connecticut Council for the Social Studies and the Activist in Residence, UConn Asian & Asian American Studies Institute

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.

Music used in the broadcast:

• "Violin Sneha" by Keo Sokha

• Sarika Keo

• “Mad Because of Loving You" by Sinn Sisamouth

• Come Again Tomorrow by Yol Aularong

Dylan Reyes helped produced this broadcast that originally aired May 21, 2024.

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Carolyn Kuan has been the music director at the Hartford Symphony Orchestra since 2011. This hour, we speak to her about her work as a conductor, and the driving forces behind her music.

Like many organizations, Hartford Symphony Orchestra has put forth diversity and inclusivity commitments stating that they are, quote “diversifying programming by considering race, ethnicity and gender identity in the composers whose music performed.” We talk about how the orchestra is striving to become more inclusive and diverse, and what that work looks like.

We’ll also hear from Tyler Kline, he’s a composer and host of the Modern Notebook, a radio program that features work from the great living composers, especially those with underrepresented backgrounds. You can listen to the Modern Notebook on Connecticut Public on Saturdays at 10pm.

GUESTS:

• Carolyn Kuan: Music Director at the Hartford Symphony Orchestra

• Tyler Kline: composer and host of the Modern Notebook, a program by PRX, and host of the podcast "Music/Maker"

Hartford Symphony Orchestra musical director Carolyn Kuan talks with Where We Live host Catherine Shen in the WWL studio, May 22, 2024. (3000x2000, AR: 1.5)

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.

Dylan Reyes contributed to this show which originally aired May 28, 2024

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One in five people will get a skin cancer diagnosis by the time they are 70. That’s according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

There’s many things you can do to prevent skin cancer. Seeking shade during the hours that the sun's rays are the strongest, and wearing sun-protective clothing helps. And then, there’s always sunscreen.

But this iconic lotion has been coming under fire. Several social media influencers are claiming that sunscreen, the very thing that is supposed to protect us from skin cancer, has cancer causing ingredients. Today, on Where We Live, we separate fact from fiction when it comes to sunscreen, tanning and skin cancer.

Now we are hearing the sunscreen sold in the United States isn’t as effective as the formulas sold overseas. In early July, Sen. Richard Blumenthal encouraged the Food and Drug Administration to approve more effective ingredients in sunscreens.

Are you wearing sunscreen this summer? Got a question about skin protection?

GUESTS:

• Stacey Mann: Sr. Development Manager at the American Cancer Society and a Melanoma Advocate living in Milford, Connecticut.

• Dr. Kelly Olino: Assistant Professor of Surgical Oncology at Yale School of Medicine

• Caroline Hopkins: Health & Science Reporter who recently reported on sunscreen for the New York Times 

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.

This hour Where We Live, we’re sharing a conversation with Sohla El-Waylly. Sohla’s a culinary creator, writer, YouTube star…and a new mom.

Sohla joined the show in between interviews, making Instagram videos and her baby girl’s naps to talk about her first cookbook, Start Here: Instructions for Becoming a Better Cook.

You’ll also meet Marisa Mendez Marthaller. She’s a Certified Postpartum Doula. She’s worked in the hospitality industry and has a degree in Food Studies. Those interests and passions come together in her business; Marisa is known as The Soup Doula in New York City. We talk with Marisa about her work and the healing power of soup.

GUESTS:

• Sohla El-Waylly: Culinary creator, writer, and YouTube star. Sohla’s work has been featured in The New York Times and Bon Appétit and on Food52.com and Serious Eats.com. Her first cookbook is Start Here: Instructions for Becoming a Better Cook (@sohlae)
• Marisa Mendez Marthaller (above): Certified Postpartum Doula, she’s worked in the hospitality industry and has a degree in Food Studies. She’s known as the Soup Doula, based in New York City.

This show was produced by Robyn Doyon-Aitken, Meg Dalton and Tess Terrible, with help from Stephanie Stender and Meg Fitzgerald. Our Social team includes Francesca Fontanez, Martha Castillo and Janae Spinato.

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.

Slavery has deep roots in Connecticut. Enslaved people built much of the foundation of Connecticut. But this history isn’t usually taught in schools. 

Today, we listen back to a Connecticut Museum of Culture and History panel discussion about that hidden history featuring Connecticut Public’s Diane Orson. Diane is the host of Unforgotten: Connecticut’s Hidden History of Slavery. 

The five-part podcast sheds light on this past but also looks to the future. Later this hour, you’ll hear a preview of an episode about an enslaved musician Sawney Freeman and the people bringing his melodies to life today.

You can hear all the Unforgotten episodes by visiting ctpublic.org/unforgotten.

GUESTS:

• Diane Orson: Special Correspondent at Connecticut Public and longtime reporter and contributor to National Public Radio. She led the reporting for “Unforgotten” and hosted the five-part podcast.

• David Blight: Sterling Professor of American History at Yale University

• Pat Wilson Pheanious: Former Connecticut State Representative. Her ancestors were memorialized with Witness Stones.

• Akeia Dibaros Gomes: senior curator of Maritime Social Histories 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.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All this week on Where We Live, we're turning over the hour to bring you a five-part series about mental health from American Public Media's initiative, Call To Mind. This initiative aims to foster new conversations about mental health, share new knowledge, and empower people to engage in their well-being.

Depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues are the most common complications during and after pregnancy, yet 75 percent of postpartum problems go untreated. The consequences can be devastating. Suicide and overdoses are leading causes of maternal death in the United States. The Food and Drug Administration recently approved the first-ever pill specifically aimed at postpartum depression, but most health plans don’t cover the medication. This special program looks at the under-recognized public health issue of postpartum depression and the challenge of treatment. We’ll hear first-hand from people who have experienced it.   

For more information visit, calltomindnow.org 

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All this week on Where We Live, we're turning over the hour to bring you a five-part series about mental health from American Public Media's initiative, Call To Mind. This initiative aims to foster new conversations about mental health, share new knowledge, and empower people to engage in their well-being.

Schizophrenia affects about 24 million people worldwide. It can be a disruptive illness, making it difficult to find a meaningful job, attend school or manage relationships. People with schizophrenia require lifelong treatment, but there is hope. A growing body of research shows that with new interventions it’s possible to live well with the illness.  This program shares stories about schizophrenia that don’t make the headlines. We’ll hear from people living with this illness and from leading experts about new treatments that make it possible to manage.      

For more information visit, calltomindnow.org

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All this week on Where We Live, we're turning over the hour to bring you a five-part series about mental health from American Public Media's initiative, Call To Mind. This initiative aims to foster new conversations about mental health, share new knowledge, and empower people to engage in their well-being.

Nearly half of incarcerated Americans have a history of mental illness – that's twice the prevalence of mental illness in the adult population of the United States. People with serious mental illnesses encounter law enforcement and the court system for many reasons. This program brings together stories of people who have lived with mental illness while incarcerated. We also meet mental health providers calling for increased mental health care in prisons and jails and legal experts pioneering new systems.  

For more information visit, calltomindnow.org

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All this week on Where We Live, we're turning over the hour to bring you a five-part series about mental health from American Public Media's initiative, Call To Mind. This initiative aims to foster new conversations about mental health, share new knowledge, and empower people to engage in their well-being.

Black women and girls experience discrimination, microaggressions and stereotypes every day. Living with daily racism has a profound impact on the mental health, well-being and lives of all those coping with it. This special program explores the unique mental health burdens of Black women and girls in the United States. Through interviews with mental health providers and people sharing their personal stories, we’ll explore the effects of racism and how care systems can shift to better help Black women thrive. 

For more information visit, calltomindnow.org

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All this week on Where We Live, we're turning over the hour to bring you a five-part series about mental health from American Public Media's initiative, Call To Mind. This initiative aims to foster new conversations about mental health, share new knowledge, and empower people to engage in their well-being.

People living homeless have higher rates of untreated mental illnesses and substance use disorders than the general population. That can make it difficult to find a permanent place to live. This program will take you to the streets of New York City to hear directly from people who have lived homeless about what they needed most. You’ll also hear from experts who say the best mental health care for people living homeless is no-strings-attached housing.

For more visit: calltomindnow.org

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.